Nesfatin-1, Dopamine, and NADPH levels in Infertile Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Is There a Relationship Between Their Levels and Metabolic and Hormonal Variables.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonest endocrine disease occurring in women of reproductive age. This study conducted to clarify altered concentrations of Nesfatin-1, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), and dopamine in PCOS women and controls. Also, to assess their role in PCOS pathophysiology and their correlation with measured biochemical parameters. Methods: In this observational study, 60 PCOS patients and 24 controls included. Medical history was recorded and full examinations were done. Serum concentrations of lipid profile, fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FSI), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, testosterone, progesterone, estradiol, Nesfatin-1, dopamine, and NADPH were measured by ELISA kits. Values were analyzed using unpaired t-test and Pearson Chi-square test. The p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In this study, there was significantly elevated waist hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI) in PCOS patients versus controls (p<0.0001 and p=0.014). There was significant increase in FSH, LH, prolactin, estradiol, testosterone, Nesfatin-1, and dopamine (p=0.021, p=0.015, p<0.0001, p<0.0001, p=0.006, p=0.017, p< 0.0001) and decrease of NADPH (p<0.0001) in PCOS patients. There were significant positive correlations between Nesfatin-1, prolactin, and dopamine levels. Also, there was significant positive correlation between dopamine and BMI, FSI, FSH, LH, estradiol, and prolactin levels; however, significant negative correlations observed between NADPH and BMI, FSI, estradiol, and prolactin levels. Conclusion: Elevated serum Nesfatin-1 concentrations and their association with hyperprolactinemia indicate that they have a role in PCOS pathophysiology. Moreover, elevated dopamine and decreased NADPH concentrations could play role in PCOS pathogenesis.

Behavioral problems in children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) is a common distressing condition to children and parents. This study aimed to determine frequencies, severities and characteristics of behavioral problems with PMNE. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 80 children with PMNE (age: 12.58 ± 1.24 yrs.; boys = 58, girls = 22) and 60 healthy children. Behavioral symptoms were assessed by Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). RESULTS: This study included 80 children (boys/girls ratio = 2.64:1) with PMNE. They had mean age of 12.58 ± 1.24 yrs. The majority (70%) had good response to medical treatment. Compared to controls, children with enuresis had higher frequencies of emotional, conduct and hyperactivity-inattention symptoms and peer relationship and prosocial problems and higher total (P = 0.001) and different subscales' scores of SDQ. There was an overlap of behavioral problems in 52.2% of children with nocturnal enuresis. Compared to children without behavioral symptoms, children with behavioral symptoms were significantly older at age at presentation (P = 0.046) regardless of gender, residence and type or response to medications. Multiple regression analysis showed that emotional [ß = 0.053 (95%CI = 0.037-0.084), P = 0.024] and hyperactivity-inattention symptoms [ß = 0.063 (95%CI = 0.028-0.097), P = 0.001] were significantly associated with enuresis independent to other problems. CONCLUSION: PMNE is associated with higher risk of behavioral problems particularly emotional and hyperactivity-inattention symptoms indicating externalizing and internalizing problems, therefore, the importance of early non-pharmacological or/and drug interventions. The comorbid behavioral disorders should be treated separately according to evidence-based recommendations to prevent persistence of enuresis and the development of psychiatric disorders in the future.

Role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, stromal derived factor-1 and retinoic acid in pathophysiology of neuropathic pain in rats.

BACKGROUND: Chemokines have been recently recognized to play a role in chronic pain syndromes' pathophysiology. This study investigated the role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1), and retinoic acid (RA) as targets for the therapeutic approach of neuropathic pain. METHODS: A chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain by unilateral ligation of left sciatic nerve was performed in adult female Wistar rats. The effects of doxycycline (Dox, 50 mg/kg/day i.p. for 7 days), single dose of bicyclam (5 mg/kg i.p.), RA (15 mg/kg/day i.p. for 7 days), and their combination(s) on behavioral tests of nociception (Von Frey filaments; paw pressure test) on days 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 of operation were studied. Serum concentrations of MCP-1 and SDF-1 were measured by ELISA. Histological examination of the sciatic nerve was investigated. RESULTS: CCI of sciatic nerve significantly induced mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia and an increase of MCP-1 and SDF-1 serum levels. Dox-treated groups (Dox, Dox+bicyclam, Dox+RA, Dox+bicyclam+RA) and bicyclam-treated groups (bicyclam, Dox+bicyclam, bicyclam+RA, Dox+bicyclam+RA) attenuated CCI-induced behavioral and biochemical changes. RA inhibited CCI-induced mechanical hyperalgesia but produced a time-dependent reversal of allodynia. Histological findings showed degenerative changes of sciatic nerve after CCI that were partially recovered in Dox-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate an association between serum MCP-1 and SDF-1 concentrations and behavioral manifestations of neuropathic pain. RA administration decreased neuropathic pain (antihyperalgesic effect) but did not cause any improvement in sciatic nerve tissues, either alone or in combination with chemokine antagonists. Thus, chemokines may serve as potential targets for drug development in neuropathic pain treatment.

Effects of different routes of nicotine administration on gastric morphology and hormonal secretion in rats.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Does chronic administration of nicotine by different routes affect gastric hormonal secretions and morphology in rats? What is the main finding and its importance? Chronic nicotine administration increased levels of gastrin, ghrelin and histamine but decreased prostaglandin E2 . Nicotine administered orally and by inhalation had a marked negative impact on the histological structure of the gastric mucosa compared with intraperitoneal administration. The negative impact of nicotine administration on gastric structure was associated with an increased concentration of gastrin and decreased prostaglandin E2 , which might be the cause of gastric/peptic ulcers in heavy smokers. The increase in ghrelin concentration and its effect following chronic nicotine administration needs further investigation. The aim was to assess the effects of different routes of chronic nicotine administration on gastric morphology and hormonal secretion; mainly gastrin, ghrelin, histamine and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ). Forty adult male albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups (10 rats per group), treated for 21 days as follows: control group (given standard rat pellets and water only); oral nicotine-treated group [50 µg (ml drinking water)(-1) ]; intraperitoneal nicotine-treated group [0.5 mg (kg body weight)(-1) ]; and inhaled nicotine-treated group [0.5 mg (kg body weight)(-1) ]. Concentrations of gastrin, ghrelin, PGE2 and histamine in serum and gastric tissue homogenates were assessed using ELISA kits. Stomach fundus was processed for histopathology and immunohistochemistry using light and electron microscopy. Different routes of chronic nicotine administration resulted in a significant increase in serum and gastric homogenate gastrin and ghrelin concentrations and a significant decrease in serum and homogenate PGE2 concentrations compared with the control group. Moreover, nicotine administration via oral and inhalation routes caused gastric erosion, transformation of peptic cells into the mucous variety, a significant increase in parietal cell numbers and an increase in expression of gastrin. In conclusion, the negative impact of nicotine administration on gastric structure that is associated with an increased concentration of gastrin and decreased concentration PGE2 might be the leading cause of gastric/peptic ulcers in heavy smokers. The increased ghrelin concentration and its effect following nicotine chronic administration needs further investigation. Based on these findings, we suggest that the alteration in gastric structure following chronic administration of nicotine can be prevented by reducing gastrin secretion and/or targeting its receptors.

Effect of green tea extract and vitamin C on oxidant or antioxidant status of rheumatoid arthritis rat model.

Elevated free radical generation in inflamed joints and impaired antioxidant system has been implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Green tea extracts (GTE) have been shown to reduce inflammation in inflammatory arthritis murine model. This study investigates possible mechanisms by which vitamin C and GTE protect joints in RA rat model. This study included forty adult male rats that were divided into four groups (10 rats each); control group, collagen II induced RA group (CII), CII treated with vitamin C (CII + Vit C) and CII treated with GTE (CII + GTE) in physiology laboratory, Assiut University, Egypt. After 45 days of treatment, plasma levels of lipid peroxides (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), ceruloplasmin (CP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), uric acid (UA) and glutathione (GSH) were detected using colorimetric methods, PGE(2) using ELISA and copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) using spectrometer. In CII group, levels of LPO, NO, PGE(2), UA, CP, Cu were higher while SOD, GSH, Zn were lower than controls. In groups treated with vitamin C and GTE, levels of SOD, GSH were increased while levels of LPO, NO, PGE(2), Cu, CP were decreased compared with CII group. Levels of UA were decreased and Zn increased in GTE treated group compared with CII group. GTE treated group showed higher Zn and low Cu levels compared with vitamin C treated group. This study suggests proper GTE and vitamin C intake may effectively normalize the impaired oxidant/antioxidant system and delaying complication of RA.