Peripheral neuropathy in 30 duodopa patients with vitamins B supplementation.

OBJECTIVES: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a significant concern and potential cause of withdrawal in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) treated with Levodopa/Carbidopa Intestinal Gel (LCIG) infusion. Vitamin B deficiency and/or hyperhomocysteinemia levodopa-related are considered possible causative factors. In this study, we evaluated PN incidence in LCIG-PD patients treated since the beginning of infusion with vitamins B supplementation. MATERIALS & METHODS: In this prospective open-label pilot study, 30 consecutive patients with PD on LCIG infusion were evaluated with clinical, neurophysiological, and biochemical assessments for a mean follow-up of 42.4 months (range 24-72). All evaluations were repeated every 6 months. RESULTS: At baseline, 21 of 30 presented no signs or symptoms of PN, and 9 of 30 had pre-existing chronic PN. In whole population, a progressive worsening in nerve conduction studies of sural sensory and peroneal motor nerves was observed during the long-term follow-up. 4 of 21 patients, with normal clinical, electrophysiological assessment at baseline, developed distal symmetrical axonal polyneuropathy that remained asymptomatic during the long-term follow-up. Patients with pre-existing PN (9 of 30) showed a mild worsening of electrophysiological features during the period of observation. In none PN was cause of discontinuation of LCIG therapy. No incident cases of acute-subacute PN were documented. No correlation was found with age, sex, Levodopa dosage, duration of levodopa exposure, and homocysteine plasma levels. CONCLUSION: In this consecutive series of 30 patients with PD on LCIG infusion, with early and continuous vitamins B integration, we observed a low rate (19%) of new onset peripheral polyneuropathy that remained stable after long-term follow-up. Larger studies, controlled, with blinded evaluation, are needed to confirm these findings.

Effects of paraquat and capsaicin on the expression of genes related to inflammatory, immune responses and cell death in immortalized human HaCat keratinocytes.

The present experiments were aimed to characterize in immortalized human HaCat keratinocytes the gene expression induced by paraquat and capsaicin, two agents known to induce cell death or to affect inflammatory and pain pathways, respectively. In particular, the following set of genes were analysed by qRealtime PCR: CXCL10,CXCL11, IL-10 (inflammatory and immune responses), TP73, BCL2, (apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes), MMP9 (proteolysis), SOD-1, BAK-1 and CAT (peroxysomal and microsomal oxidation pathways). In this way, we were able to differentiate the two toxins since they had a different profile of gene expression. In fact, paraquata was found to activate set of genes involved in inflammatory (CXL10,CXL11 and IL-10), and cell death (BCL2, BAK-1, MMP9) pathways. Another specific site of action of paraquat was represented by an activation of the gene involved in SOD-1 transcription. On the contrary, capsaicin was found to produce only an up-regulation of BCL2, an anti-apoptotic gene and MMP9, whereas no significant changes were reported in genes involved in inflammatory and immune responses. Finally, in comparison to previous experiments carried out with TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, we have shown that paraquat produced a similar pattern of activation of set of genes involved both in inflammation and apoptosis.

Effects of TNF-α and IL-1 ß on the activation of genes related to inflammatory, immune responses and cell death in immortalized human HaCat keratinocytes.

The present experiments were designed to characterize by microarray analysis the transcriptional responses of human keratinocytes (HaCat) to TNF-α and IL-1 ß, given alone or in combination, in order to better understand the mechanisms underlying inflammatory, immune responses and cell death in which both cytokines play a pathophysiological role. Significant differences in the percentage and quality of genes dysregulated by TNF-α and IL-1 ß were shown. Both cytokines activated a series of genes involved in inflammatory, immune response as well as in cell death. In our experimental conditions, TNF-α, in contrast to IL-1 ß, did not induce a significant level of apoptosis in keratinocytes. However, given together both cytokines produced a significant decrease in apoptotic cells and synergistic transcriptional response which was due to the activation of several specific genes occurring after application of each cytokine. TNF-α and IL-1 ß evoked apoptotic effect and transcriptional responses were linked to the stimulation of their specific receptors since a pre-treatment with monoclonal antibodies vs TNF-α and/or IL-1 ß receptors was able to significantly reduce them.

Sexual size dimorphism predicts the frequency of multiple mating in the sex-role reversed pipefish Syngnathus typhle.

The sex-role reversed pipefish Syngnathus typhle is a member of the Syngnathidae, a family of fishes in which males brood embryos on their body surface. As in most ectotherms, embryonic development is highly temperature dependent in syngnathids and male brooding periods are extended when water temperatures are reduced. The influence of temperature on reproduction is expected to effectively truncate the breeding season and reduce fecundity in cold waters, potentially enhancing the opportunity for both fecundity and sexual selection. We studied spatial variation in the morphology and reproductive biology of S. typhle in five European populations which vary in latitude and water temperature. Microsatellite analyses indicated that the average number of male mates per population ranged between 1.3 and 3.7. The frequency of multiple mating by males was negatively correlated with the degree of sexual size dimorphism in each population, suggesting that disproportionate increases in female fecundity may be able to compensate for increased male brood pouch capacity. Both sexes were larger and males had an increased brood size where water temperatures during the breeding season were lower. Morphological variation among populations may be mediated by differences in fecundity selection associated with different optimal reproductive strategies in cold and warm water environments.

Choline pivaloyl ester strengthened the benefit effects of Tacrine and Galantamine on electroencephalographic and cognitive performances in nucleus basalis magnocellularis-lesioned and aged rats.

The aim of the present work was the assessment of the effects produced on the electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and the cognitive and memory performances of nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM)-lesioned or aged rats by the combined treatment with [2-(2,2-dimethylpropionyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium 2,2-dimethylpropionate (choline pivaloyl ester) (CPE) and the Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) Tacrine (THA) and Galantamine (GAL). Intraperitoneal administration of CPE combined with THA or GAL to both NBM-lesioned or aged rats, produced EEG desynchronisation, and a significant decrease in the energy of the total EEG spectrum and the lower frequency bands (delta 0.25-3 and theta 4-7 Hz) lasting many minutes. Furthermore, drug associations reversed in aged rats the scopolamine (0.2 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced increase in EEG power, slow waves and high-voltage spindle (HVS). Furthermore, the combined administration of CPE and Cholinesterase inhibitors in both NBM-lesioned or aged animals, improved performances in all behavioural tasks, enhancing object discrimination, increasing locomotory activity and alternation choice in T-maze, ameliorating retention in passive avoidance and decreasing escape latency in Morris water maze. In all test, AChEIs and CPE combinations proved to be more effective than CPE, THA or GAL given alone. In conclusion, the present work shows the ability of choline pivaloyl ester in strengthening the positive cerebral activity of THA and GAL.

Sound-evoked electrocortical desynchronization is inhibited by N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester microinfused into the inferior colliculi in rats.

In previous experiments we have shown that systemic or intracerebroventricular administration of N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, is able to significantly reduce sound-evoked electrocortical (ECoG) desynchronization in rats. The present experiments were aimed at identifying the site(s) of the brain through which these effects are mediated. L-NAME (200 and 300 nmol), oxyhaemoglobin (200 and 300 nmol), a NO-trapping agent, and methylene blue (100 and 150 nmol), an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase and NO synthase, given bilaterally into the inferior colliculi, but not in other relay stations of the acoustic pathway, prevented the reduction in ECoG amplitude induced by sound stimulation in rats. Significant reduction of sound-evoked ECoG desynchronization has also been observed in rats receiving injection of CGP37849 (125 and 500 pmol) and LY274614 (125 pmol), two competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists into the inferior colliculi. The present results show that the inferior colliculus represents the main site where sound-evoked ECoG desynchronization is prevented by L-NAME and provide further support for the hypothesis that NO may play a role at this level in the control of the measured response.

Neurodegeneration produced by intrahippocampal injection of paraquat is reduced by systemic administration of the 21-aminosteroid U74389F in rats.

The behavioural, electrocortical (ECoG) and neurodegenerative effects of intrahippocampal injection of paraquat, a well-known free radical producing agent, were studied in rats. Injection of paraquat (100 nmol) into one dorsal hippocampus produced limbic motor and ECoG seizures. These effects were accompanied at 24 h by severe damage to CA1, CA3 and CA4 hippocampal pyramidal neurones and dentate gyrus granule cells. In comparison to the cell number counted in control, untreated, side of the hippocampus, significant (P < 0.05) neuronal loss was observed in the CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cell layers of the treated hippocampus. A lower dose of the herbicide (10 nmol) did not produce consistent motor and ECoG effects and in no instance was significant neuronal loss observed. A pretreatment with U74389F [21-4-(2,6-di-l-pyrrodinyl-4-pyridinyl)-1-piperazinyl-pregna-1,4,9 (11)triene-3,20-dione monomethansulfonate] (30 mg/kg i.p., 15 min before paraquat) completely protected rats from motor and ECoG epileptogenic effects induced by intrahippocampal paraquat (100 nmol). This dose of U74389F also reduced the hippocampal damage typically produced by paraquat and no significant neuronal loss was reported in the CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cell layers. A lower dose of U74389F (10 mg/kg i.p.) did not afford any protection against the epileptogenic effects produced by paraquat (100 nmol); in these animals hippocampal damage was still evident though neuronal loss did not reach statistical significance. In conclusion, the present data show that systemic administration of U74389F possesses neuroprotective effects against seizures and neurodegeneration typically elicited by intrahippocampal injection of paraquat.

Electrocortical desynchronization after microinfusion of kainic acid into the locus coeruleus in rats.

Receptors for the endogenous excitatory amino acid, 1-glutamate, occur in the rat locus coeruleus (LC), an area of the brain involved in the control of sleep/arousal mechanisms and other behavioral functions. However, the functional role of this neurotransmitter system in the LC has yet to be clarified. Therefore, to address this question we have studied the gross behavioral changes and the effects on the electrocortical (ECoG) spectrum power in rats receiving focal injections into the LC of kainic acid, an agonist at the non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (non-NMDA) glutamate receptor subtype. Unilateral injection of kainic acid (25, 50, 100 and 200 pmol) into the rat LC produced contralateral turning, circling and stereotypes; these effects were accompanied by dose-dependent ECoG desynchronization and by a significant decrease in total voltage power and in 6-9, 9-12 and 12-16 Hz bands of the ECoG spectrum. A pretreatment (15 min before) with 6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) (50 and 100 pmol), a competitive non-NMDA receptor antagonist, or with dizocilpine meleate (MK-801) (1 pmol) and 3-(2-carboxy-piperazine-4-yl)-1-propenyl-1-phosphonic acid) (CP-Pene) (10 pmol), two selective NMDA receptor antagonists, injected directly into the LC, abolished the behavioral and ECoG spectrum power effects typically elicited by kainic acid (50 pmol). Similar results were observed in rats pretreated with diazepam (0.5 mg/kg given i.p. 15 min before kainic acid).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of tetrahydro-9-aminoacridine on the electrocorticogram of rats with a unilateral lesion of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis.

The effects of tetrahydro-9-aminoacridine (THA) were studied on the electrocortical activity of control rats and of rats with a unilateral lesion of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) produced by alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-4-isoxozole propionic acid (AMPA). This lesion almost completely deprived the lesioned hemisphere of its cholinergic innervation. In control rats, THA (10 mg/kg i.p.) increased the amplitude of the slow components of the electrocorticogram (less than 9 Hz). These effects were antagonised by atropine (5 mg/kg i.p.). Lesion of the NBM alone decreased the amplitude of frequencies in the 12-16 Hz frequency band but did not significantly affect the slower frequencies. THA (10 mg/kg) restored the amplitude of the 12-16 Hz activity to the level seen in control rats before THA but did not affect activity in the other frequency bands. The results suggest that THA requires some residual cholinergic innervation in order to exert its effect.

Different profile of electrocortical power spectrum changes after micro-infusion into the locus coeruleus of selective agonists at various opioid receptor subtypes in rats.

1. The effects of various opioid receptor agonists given directly by means of a chronically implanted cannula into the locus coeruleus (LC) on behaviour and ECoG activity, continuously analysed, and quantified as total power spectrum (0-16 Hz) and in preselected frequency bands (0-3; 3-6; 6-9; 9-12 and 12-16 Hz), were studied in rats. 2. Dermorphin (0.05, 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 pmol) and Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-N-Me-Phe-Gly-ol (DAMGO; 1, 10, 30, 100 pmol and 1 nmol), two typical mu-receptor agonists, applied unilaterally or bilaterally directly into the LC, produced a typical dose-dependent ECoG synchronization with a significant increase in total power spectrum as well as in the lower frequency bands. Dermorphin was found to be approximately 30 times more powerful than DAMGO in producing similar quantitative ECoG changes. 3. D-Ala-D-Leu-Thr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu (DADLE; 1, 10, 50 and 100 pmol), a selective delta-receptor agonist, micro-infused into the LC produced dose-dependent behavioural soporific effects and ECoG increase in total power spectrum as well as in 3-6, 6-9, 9-12 Hz frequency bands. In comparison to dermorphin, the ECoG power spectrum effects of DADLE were 10 fold less potent, whereas in comparison to DAMGO it was approximately 3 times more potent. A lower dose (0.1 pmol) was ineffective in changing behaviour and ECoG power spectrum. 4. The microinfusion into the LC of U 50, 488H, a selective Kappa-opioid receptor agonist, (0.25, 1, 2.5, 5 and lOpmol) produced a typical pattern characterized by a first short-lasting (3-25 min) phase of behavioural arousal and ECoG desynchronization, followed by a longer lasting (20-130min according to the dose) phase of behavioural sleep and ECoG synchronization. A lower dose (0.1 pmol) was ineffective in changing behaviour and ECoG power spectrum. 5. Dextromethorphan and ketamine, two selective agonists at sigma-receptors given into the LC (1, 5 and 1Opmol) induce behavioural arousal, increase in locomotor activity and an intense pattern of stereotypedm movements. However, by increasing the dose of ketamine (50 and lOOpmol), marked sedation, postural changes and an increase in low frequency ECoG bands, sometimes associated with high amplitude fast frequency potentials, were observed. 6. Naloxone applied directly into the LC (1 and 2 pmol 15min before) was able to prevent the behavioural and ECoG effects induced by dermorphin, DAMGO and DADLE. Higher doses of naloxone (1Opmol into the LC) were however, required to antagonize the behavioural and ECoG soporific effects induced by the Kappa-receptor agonist U 50,488H. In contrast, naloxone (1Opmol into the LC) was unable to prevent or reduce the behavioural and ECoG effects induced by subsequent administration into the same site of dextromethorphan and ketamine. 7. In conclusion, the present experiments confirm that behavioural and ECoG effects elicited following stimulation of mu-, delta-, Kappa- and sigma-opioid receptors located in the LC are quite different. Activation of ,mu-, band Kappa-receptors induced sedative effects whereas dextromethorphan and ketamine, two sigma-receptor agonists, induced behavioural arousal and ECoG desynchronization. In addition, the present results strongly support the crucial role played by opioid mechanisms, in the locus coeruleus, in the mediation of the soporific effects of drugs acting as agonists at opioid receptors.