Tryptophan-enriched diet or 5-hydroxytryptophan supplementation given in a randomized controlled trial impacts social cognition on a neural and behavioral level.

Understanding of emotions and intentions are key processes in social cognition at which serotonin is an important neuromodulator. Its precursor is the essential amino acid tryptophan (TRP). Reduced TRP availability leads to weaker impulse control ability and higher aggression, while TRP supplementation promotes confidence. In a double-blind placebo-controlled fMRI study with 77 healthy adults, we investigated the influence of a 4 week TRP enriched diet and an acute 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) intake on two social-cognitive tasks, a moral evaluation and an emotion recognition task. With 5-HTP, immoral behavior without negative consequences was rated as more reprehensible. Additionally, during story reading, activation in insula and supramarginal gyrus was increased after TRP intake. No significant effects of TRP on emotion recognition were identified for the whole sample. Importantly, emotion recognition ability decreased with age which was for positive emotions compensated by TRP. Since the supramarginal gyrus is associated with empathy, pain and related information integration results could be interpreted as reflecting stricter evaluation of negative behavior due to better integration of information. Improved recognition of positive emotions with TRP in older participants supports the use of a TRP-rich diet to compensate for age related decline in social-cognitive processes.

Effects of a respiratory functional training program on pain and sleep quality in patients with fibromyalgia: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of 8-week respiratory functional training program on pain tolerance, sleep, and urinary antioxidant and cortisol levels in 18 patients with fibromyalgia. METHODS: Participants underwent a 12-week intervention: 4 weeks as control and 8 weeks of breathing exercises. Pain tolerance assay was done by using an algometer, whereas sleep quality was evaluated by actigraphy and by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Cortisol and antioxidant levels were determined using commercial assay kits. RESULTS: Increases in the pain tolerance threshold were detected in the occiput point after one month of intervention as well as in the low cervical and second rib points after one and two months. Actigraphy revealed a decrease in sleep latency, whereas sleep questionnaire showed improvements in sleep quality, sleep duration and sleep efficiency. No changes in cortisol and antioxidant levels were detected. CONCLUSION: The 8-week breathing exercise intervention reduced pain and improved sleep quality.

A Jerte valley cherry product provides beneficial effects on sleep quality. Influence on aging.

OBJECTIVE: In the present work, we evaluated the effect of the intake of a Jerte Valley cherry-based product (JVCP), compared to a placebo product, on sleep quality, urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6-s) levels and the serum concentration of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). DESIGN: This was a blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study. SETTING: University of Extremadura (Spain). PARTICIPANTS: Ten young (20-30 years old), ten middle-aged (35-55 years old), and ten elderly (65-85 years old) participants. INTERVENTION: A placebo (Kool-Aid®) or JVCP (patent no. ES 2342141 B1) were consumed twice a day, as lunch and dinner desserts. MEASUREMENTS: Actigraphic monitoring was used to record and display the temporal patterns of the individuals' activity and rest. Urinary aMT6-s and serum cytokines (IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-8) were also determined. RESULTS: The consumption of the JVCP improved the nocturnal rest, measured by sleep efficiency, number of awakenings, total nocturnal activity, sleep latency, assumed sleep, actual sleep time and immobility. Moreover, it was detected an increase in both the levels of aMT6-s found in first-void morning urine and the concentrations of serum pro-somnogenic cytokines obtained from samples collected at the acrophase of the melatonin rhythm (1.00 am) in all experimental age groups after the JVCP consumption. Generally, better results were obtained with advancing age. CONCLUSION: The ingestion of the JVCP may contribute to establish a high-quality sleep and be used as a potential nutraceutical tool to prevent sleep disorders with the advance of age.

Contribución del bloqueo del plano transverso abdominal guiado por ultrasonidos a la analgesia postoperatoria tras la cesárea / Contribution to post-caesarean analgesia of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block

Objetivo. El objetivo principal de nuestro estudio fue valorar la contribución de la analgesia producida por el bloqueo del plano transverso abdominal (TAP), mediante punción ecoguiada, a la calidad analgésica obtenida con opioides intratecales, en cesáreas programadas. Material y métodos. Estudio prospectivo, aleatorizado en pacientes programadas para cesárea electiva con anestesia intradural con bupivacaína 0,5% hiperbara. Las pacientes se distribuyeron aleatoriamente en 3 grupos, según el fármaco complementario añadido para analgesia. En el grupo A 0,1mg de morfina, en el grupo B 10μg de fentanilo y en el grupo C 10μg de fentanilo y bloqueo TAP bilateral. El bloqueo TAP bilateral consistió en la inyección tras la cirugía de 20ml de levobupivacaína 0,5% a cada lado. En los grupos A y B, se inyectaron 20ml de suero salino. La analgesia postoperatoria se llevó a cabo con morfina iv en bolos, mediante un sistema de analgesia controlada por la paciente. Se estudió el dolor según una escala visual analógica a las 12 y 24h en reposo y movimiento, el tiempo en que se administró el primer bolo de analgesia y el número de bolos en 24h. También se valoraron los efectos adversos como: náuseas/vómitos, somnolencia y prurito. Se preguntó por el grado de satisfacción de la paciente. Resultados. Se incluyó a 90 pacientes. En reposo, el valor en la escala visual analógica 12/24h fue: grupo A, a las 12h 2,1±1,2, a las 24h 4,7±1,6; en el grupo B, a las 12h 4,3±2,9, a las 24h 4,8±2,0; y en el grupo C, a las 12h 1,9±1,1, y a las 24h 2,3±1,2 (p<0,05). En movimiento, la analgesia fue mejor en el grupo C (p≤0,02). El tiempo en solicitar el primer bolo fue inferior en el grupo B: en el grupo A 9,3±4,9 (p=0,02 respecto al grupo C); en el grupo B 2,0±1,8 (p<0,001 respecto al grupo C); y en el grupo C 13,2±2,1h. El número de bolos en 24h fue: en el grupo B de 38±5, en el grupo A de 10±2 (p<0,05) y en el grupo C de 5±2 (p<0,001). La incidencia de náuseas fue superior en el grupo B (36,6%) y la de prurito fue mayor en el grupo A (36,6%). Conclusiones. El bloqueo TAP mediante ultrasonidos (US), mejoró la eficacia de los opioides intratecales, reduciendo el dolor en las primeras 24h del postoperatorio, el consumo de opiáceos y los efectos secundarios(AU)

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution made by ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block (TAP) to the quality of the analgesia with intrathecal opioids obtained in patients undergoing elective caesarean delivery. Material and methods. A prospective, randomized study in patients submitted to elective caesarean section with spinal anaesthesia with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. The patients were randomized into 3 groups according to the added complementary drug for analgesia: group A morphine 0.1mg; group B fentanyl 10μg; group C 10μg fentanyl+bilateral TAP block. The TAP block with 20ml of 0.5% levobupivacaine on each side, after surgery. Groups A and B, were injected with 20ml of saline. Postoperative analgesia was performed with morphine bolus through a system of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). We studied the pain on a visual analogue scale at 12 and 24h at rest and movement, the time elapsed to require the first bolus, and morphine bolus in 24h. Secondary effects such as nausea, vomiting, pruritus, and drowsiness, were also evaluated. The level of patient satisfaction was also recorded. Results. A total of 90 patients were included. At rest the 12/24h VAS score was: group A, at 12h 2.1±1.2, at 24h 4.7±1.6; group B at 12h 4.3±2.9, at 24h 4.8±2; group C at 12h 1.9±1.09, at 24h 2.3±1.2 (P<.05). Walking improved analgesia more in group C (P≤.02). The time of asking for the first bolus was lower in group B: group A 9.3±4.9h (P=.02 compared to group C), in group B 2±1.8h (P<.001 compared to group C) and group C 13.2±2.1h. The number of bolus in 24h in group B was 38±5, in group A 10±2 (P<.05), group C 5±2 (P<.001). Delayed nausea was increased in group B (36.6%) and pruritus was greater in group A (36.6%). Conclusions. Ultrasound (US)-guided TAP block improves spinal opioid analgesia, with a decrease in VAS scores in the first 24h, and reduces opioid requirement and secondary effects after caesarean delivery(AU)

Diets enriched with a Jerte Valley cherry-based nutraceutical product reinforce nocturnal behaviour in young and old animals of nocturnal (Rattus norvegicus) and diurnal (Streptopelia risoria) chronotypes.

The decline in melatonin secretion with age seems to be one of the major reasons for increased sleep disruption in older animals. Previously, we showed that the administration with melatonin or its precursor, tryptophan, improved activity/rest rhythms in aged individuals. Here, it was evaluated the effect of a 10-day consumption of a Jerte Valley cherry-based nutraceutical product (patent no. ES2342141B1), which contains high levels of tryptophan, serotonin and melatonin, on the activity/rest rhythms of young and old rats (Rattus norvegicus) and ringdoves (Streptopelia risoria) as representatives of animals with nocturnal and diurnal habits, respectively, and its possible relationship with the serum levels of melatonin and glucose. Total diurnal and nocturnal activity pulses were logged at control, during, and up to 3 days after the treatment. Melatonin and glucose were measured with ELISA and testing kits respectively. In both young and old rats, the intake of the cherry nutraceutical decreased diurnal activity, whereas nocturnal activity increased. The opposite effect was observed for ringdoves. The treatment increased the circulating levels of melatonin in both species and restored the amplitude of the activity rhythm in the old animals to that of the non-treated young groups. The consumption of a Jerte Valley cherry-based nutraceutical product may help to counteract the impaired activity/rest rhythm found in aged animals.

Melatonin modulates wireless (2.45 GHz)-induced oxidative injury through TRPM2 and voltage gated Ca(2+) channels in brain and dorsal root ganglion in rat.

We aimed to investigate the protective effects of melatonin and 2.45 GHz electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on brain and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron antioxidant redox system, Ca(2+) influx, cell viability and electroencephalography (EEG) records in the rat. Thirty two rats were equally divided into four different groups namely group A1: Cage control, group A2: Sham control, group B: 2.45 GHz EMR, group C: 2.45 GHz EMR+melatonin. Groups B and C were exposed to 2.45 GHz EMR during 60 min/day for 30 days. End of the experiments, EEG records and the brain cortex and DRG samples were taken. Lipid peroxidation (LP), cell viability and cytosolic Ca(2+) values in DRG neurons were higher in group B than in groups A1 and A2 although their concentrations were increased by melatonin, 2-aminoethyldiphenyl borinate (2-APB), diltiazem and verapamil supplementation. Spike numbers of EEG records in group C were lower than in group B. Brain cortex vitamin E concentration was higher in group C than in group B. In conclusion, Melatonin supplementation in DRG neurons and brain seems to have protective effects on the 2.45 GHz-induced increase Ca(2+) influx, EEG records and cell viability of the hormone through TRPM2 and voltage gated Ca(2+) channels.

[Nitrogen and protein content analysis of human milk, diurnality vs nocturnality]. / Análisis del contenido en nitrógeno y proteínas de leche materna, día vs noche.

Breast milk is changing with the progression of lactation and during a 24-h period. To determine the effect of diurnality or nocturnality on total nitrogen and protein content of the breast milk. We collected human milk samples from health mothers living throughout Community of Extremadura (Spain) from January 2008 to December 2008 with less than two months of lactation. We divided the samples in three groups: calostral group (1-5 days postpartum), transitional group (6-15 days postpartum) and mature group (> 15 days postpartum). All samples were stored in a freezer at -80 ºC. We considered as day period between 08:00-20:00 h and night period 20:00-08:00 h. Analysis of the human milk samples was based on the Kjeldahl method. Protein contents were calculated from total nitrogen x 6,25. The statistical analysis of the data was descriptive (mean ± standard deviation) and inferential (T-Student test). No differences (P > 0,05) were found to exist among the contents of individual human milk samples. The mean contents of each component were as follows: Total nitrogen of calostral, transitional and mature group was 0,30 ± 0,06 g/dL (night period), 0,29 ± 0,05 g/dL (day period); 0,26 ± 0,04 g/dL (night period), 0,25 ± 0,04 g/dL (day period); 0,22 ± 0,05 g/dL (night period), 0,20 ± 0,04 g/dL (day period) respectively, in this mature group with a statistical variation (P < 0,05). Protein content of calostral, transitional and mature group was 1,88 ± 0,4 g/dL (night period), 1,81 ± 0,3 g/dL (day period); 1,62 ± 0,3 g/dL (night period), 1,59 ± 0,3 g/dL (day period); 1,35 ± 0,3 g/dL (night period), 1,26 ± 0,3 g/dL (day period) respectively, in this mature group with a statistical variation (P < 0,05). Although we observed differences in the nitrogen and protein content during the individual stages of lactation, it is just in the population of mature lactating women, where the components analyzed varied significantly between day and night.

High endogenous melatonin concentrations enhance sperm quality and short-term in vitro exposure to melatonin improves aspects of sperm motility.

Although human seminal fluid contains melatonin and spermatozoa reportedly possess membrane melatonin receptors, there are no experimental studies that have ascertained the relationship between melatonin and male infertility. This study evaluated whether urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and urinary total antioxidant capacity correlate with different seminal parameters including sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Also, the in vitro effects of melatonin on human sperm motility were investigated. Semen samples from 52 men who were counselled for infertility were obtained. Sperm concentration was determined using the haemocytometer method, motility kinematic parameters were assessed using a computer-aided semen analysis system, while morphology and vitality were evaluated after Diff-Quick and Eosin-Nigrosin vital staining, respectively. For the quantification of urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, a commercial ELISA kit was used, and urinary total antioxidant capacity was evaluated by means of a colorimetric assay kit. For the in vitro effects of melatonin, samples were incubated for 30min in the presence or absence of 1mm melatonin. Both urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and total antioxidant capacity levels positively correlated with sperm concentration, motility and morphology, as well as negatively correlated with the number of round cells. Additionally, 30-min exposure of sperm to 1mm melatonin improved the percentage of motile and progressively motile cells and decreased the number of static cells, thereby promoting the proportion of rapid cells. Therefore, melatonin improves semen quality, which is important because melatonin supplementation may be potentially used to obtain a successful assisted reproductive technique outcome.

[Anatomical and neurochemical bases accounting for the frequent association between headaches and sleep: the hypnic headache paradigm]. / Bases anatomicas y neuroquimicas que explican la frecuente asociacion de las cefaleas con el sueno: el paradigma de la cefalea hipnica.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between headache and sleep is complex and runs in two directions. Headache may be the consequence of a (primary or secondary) sleep disorder or its cause (in chronic tension-type headache and/or chronic migraine with or without painkiller abuse). It can also be related to sleep in an intrinsic way, as in the case of hypnic headache (which only appears during sleep) or other primary headaches, such as migraine and certain trigeminal-autonomic cephalgias (which can appear during the waking state or during sleep); this type of headache occurs mostly during REM sleep. DEVELOPMENT: The neural pathways that control sleep and pain are anatomically, physiologically and neurochemically cross-linked. These neural systems are located in the brain stem, the hypothalamus and the basal brain. Such cross-links are produced on two different levels. On the one hand, they occur in the serotoninergic nuclei of the brain stem, whose activity in physiologically diminished during REM sleep and which are involved in antinociceptive control. On the other hand, they are also to be found in the hypothalamus, where serotoninergic terminals have been detected in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). As cells in the SCN are lost with age, their circadian and homeostatic functioning fails, the activity of the hypothalamus-pineal axis is reduced and the endogenous melatonin rhythm is altered. This results in a disorder affecting the control of the sleep-waking cycle and antinociceptive control. CONCLUSIONS: Dysfunctions in these neuronal networks in the brain stem (especially in the serotoninergic nuclei) or the hypothalamus (SCN) can account for headaches that begin in the REM phase of sleep and affect biologically predisposed subjects.

[Calcium intake nutritional status in breastfeeding women]. / Análisis nutricional en el aporte del mineral calcio en mujeres con lactancia.

The aim of this study was to analyze the diets of 39 healthy, lactating women (average age = 34.3 years; average BMI = 26.2 kg/ m2) by a 24-hour dietary recall. This investigation was focused on calcium and vitamin D intake. Nutrients were estimated using the software Dial. These participants were divided into calcium restrictors, defined as calcium intake < 1200 mg/day, and non-restrictors (> 1200 mg/day). The results showed that 64% of the study population (restrictors) reported a mean energy intake (2042.7 +/- 458.3 kcal), calcium intake (812.4 +/- 211.2 mg/day) and vitamin D intake (1.71 +/- 1.59 microg/day) below the adequate intake level (AI) and lower than non-restrictors estimated intakes (p < 0.01). The conclusion of this study is that a high percentage of the lactating women consume a diet below nutritional recommendations during this stage. It is recommended that health professionals should inform these mothers about the correct dietary habits during this period.

Feed intake and performance of growing lambs raised on concentrate-based diets under cafeteria feeding systems.

Two trials were undertaken to study the effects of cafeteria feeding systems on the feed intake, animal performance and carcass characteristics of growing lambs. Trial 1 was designed to compare conventional and cafeteria feeding systems in terms of the growth of individually reared lambs. For this assay, 26 weaned Merino lambs (15.5 ± 0.20 kg live weight) were assigned to three dietary treatment groups: (1) a control group fed barley straw and commercial concentrate under a conventional feeding system, (2) group W100S, fed soya-bean meal, whole barley grain and a mineral-vitamin supplement under a cafeteria feeding system, and (3) group W100S-T, fed as in the W100S treatment but allowing the lambs an initial training period so they could learn to identify a number of feeds. The feeding system had no significant effect ( P>0.05) on either average daily live-weight gain, carcass weight, or carcass conformation. The food conversion ratio was lower ( P < 0.05) for the cafeteria-reared animals (2.9 ± 0.16 v. 2.5 ± 0.08 g dry-matter intake per g average daily gain) than those of the control group. This might be related to the higher crude protein intake seen in the cafeteria groups (150 ± 5.6 v. 208 ± 12.5 g per animal per day; P < 0.001).In trial 2, cafeteria and conventional feeding system were compared in terms of the growth of feedlot lambs. Two hundred weaned Merino lambs (13.1 ± 0.10 kg) were divided into two experimental groups: (1) a control group, offered commercial concentrate and barley straw, and (2) a cafeteria group fed the same diet as W100ST in trial 1. The average daily gain (282 ± 5.8 and 309 ± 6.5; P < 0.01) was greater in the cafeteria than in the control group. Whereas neither carcass conformation nor fatness were affected by the feeding system, the dressing percentage was slightly higher ( P>0.001) in the conventional than in the cafeteria system lambs.The use of cafeteria systems for fattening lambs can improve the feed conversion efficiency and body growth rate over those achieved with conventional feeding systems, although the crude protein intake in these systems seems to be in excess of requirements.

L-tryptophan administered orally at night modifies the melatonin plasma levels, phagocytosis and oxidative metabolism of ringdove (Streptopelia roseogrisea) heterophils.

The essential amino acid tryptophan is the precursor in the anabolic pathway of melatonin, a hormone with immunomodulatory properties. The present study shows the in vivo effect of tryptophan on the phagocytic function and oxidative metabolism of heterophils from Streptopelia roseogrisea of < 1 year of age, with a parallel evaluation of the plasma levels of melatonin. The L-tryptophan was administered orally (125 and 300 mg/kg b.w.) at 19:00, before the beginning of the period of darkness, for 7 days. At the end of the tryptophan treatment, determinations were made at 21:00 and 02:00 of the Phagocytosis Index, the Phagocytosis Percentage, the Phagocytic Efficiency and the superoxide anion levels in heterophils isolated from blood and of the plasma levels of melatonin. The results showed, for the determinations at 21:00 in the animals that had received 125 mg L-tryptophan/kg b.w., enhanced heterophil phagocytic function and raised levels of plasma melatonin, with no affect on the oxidative metabolism of the phagocytes. For the administration of the greater concentration of tryptophan (300 mg/kg b.w.), there were raised plasma melatonin levels together with increases in heterophil phagocytic capacity and phagocyte oxidative metabolism at 02:00. The results indicate that tryptophan administered orally at night to diurnal animals of less than 1 year in age affects the circulating levels of melatonin at the same time as inducing stimulation of the innate immune function.

Effect of the preventive-therapeutic administration of melatonin on mammary tumour-bearing animals.

Melatonin has been reported to be involved in the feedback between neuroendocrine and immune functions and to exert oncostatic actions. Likewise, this hormone seems to lengthen life span in healthy animals. As of present, most studies have analysed the therapeutic effect of melatonin on cancer growth, but few have tested the preventive effect of melatonin in reducing the risk of cancer. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive-therapeutic effects of melatonin on rats with DMBA-induced mammary tumours, and to examine the effect of melatonin on the first line of cell defence against cancer (macrophages and NK cells) and on some of the neuroendocrine factors that are involved in the development of tumours (prolactin and catecholamines). Melatonin treatment (5 mg/day/animal) began one month prior to DMBA (9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene) administration to females Sprague Dawley rats. It was found that the treatment led to an increase in survival and in latency time in the tumour-bearing rats. Although the melatonin treatment did not influence either the phagocytic capacity of macrophages or the number of peripheral blood NK cells, it did stabilise the levels of prolactin by returning the concentrations of this hormone to those of the healthy animals. We conclude that melatonin can exert an oncostatic action, lengthening the survival time of mammary tumour-bearing animals, and suggest that this effect is due, at least in part, to regulating the neuroendocrine parameters of tumour-bearing animals, bringing them closer to their optimal physiological status.

Physiological concentrations of melatonin and corticosterone in stress and their relationship with phagocytic activity.

The aim of the present work was to investigate the possible connection between melatonin, corticosterone and the nonspecific immune response under both basal and stressed conditions. The concentrations used in the present study were as determined in an earlier work, and corresponded to the minimum and maximum concentrations of the hormones melatonin and corticosterone over one circadian cycle in mice subjected to stress and in a basal group of mice. The concentrations were 15 pg/ml and 90 pg/ml of melatonin and 50 ng/ml and 200 ng/ml of corticosterone for incubations of the basal group macrophages, and 15 pg/ml and 70 pg/ml and 200 ng/ml and 500 ng/ml of melatonin and corticosterone, respectively, for incubations of macrophages from the group of stressed mice. The results indicate that corticosterone stimulates antigen ingestion at all physiological doses tested in the macrophages from the unstressed mice. The greatest phagocytic stimulation was obtained in macrophages from mice in a basal situation, and which had been incubated with the diurnal concentrations of the two hormones (maximum corticosterone 200 ng/ml; minimum melatonin 15 pg/ml). When the macrophages were from stressed mice, neither corticosterone nor melatonin led to any change in their phagocytic activity.