Haematological and biochemical differences between mania and euthymia

Background and Objectives: The effects of transient hypothalamic dysfunction on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axes can be shown by haematological and biochemical parameter changes. We hypothesized that manic episodes will be associated with subclinical inflammation, haemodilution and altered thyroid functions compared to euthymic states. Methods: Patients admitted to the psychiatry clinic with manic episodes were identified. Those having comorbidities, except for thyroid dysfunctions, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, were excluded. Complete blood counts, total protein, albumin, and thyroid tests were recorded during the admissions (manic episodes) (Maletic, 2014 #24) and one year later (euthymic states) for the same patients. Results: All studied parameters had significant differences between mania and euthymia. During manic episodes, patients had higher peripheral inflammatory indices (neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and platelet/lymphocyte ratio), haemodilution (lower haemoglobin, haematocrit, total protein, and albumin), higher thyroxine and lower thyroid-stimulating hormone levels compared to euthymic states. Conclusions: This study supports the hypothesis that compared to euthymic states; manic episodes are associated with low-grade inflammation, haemodilution and thyroid function abnormalities. Monitoring patients’ blood compositions could result in better prognostic evaluations and aid in determining additional systemic treatment options, as well as in generating causal hypothesis to be tested in future studies (AU)

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Alterations of BDNF and GDNF serum levels in alcohol-addicted patients during alcohol withdrawal

Background and Objectives: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) are neurotrophic neuropeptides that play important roles in the synaptic plasticity, neuronal growth, survival and function. A possible neuroprotective role of neurotrophic factors against alcohol-induced cell damage has been suggested, and dysregulations in neurotrophic factors may be involved in the vulnerability to addiction. The aim of this study was to investigate the alterations of BDNF and GDNF serum levels in alcohol-addicted patients during alcohol withdrawal compared to healthy controls. Methods: BDNF and GDNF serum levels of 34 male inpatients diagnosed with alcohol addiction according to DSM-IV-TR were investigated during alcohol withdrawal (day 1, 7 and 14) in comparison to 32 healthy controls using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Severity of alcohol withdrawal was measured by Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-Ar), and intensity of alcohol craving was measured by Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) during alcohol withdrawal (day 1, 7 and 14). Results: BDNF serum levels increased significantly during alcohol withdrawal (p = 0.020). They were negatively correlated to the severity of alcohol withdrawal, and the correlation was close to being statistically significant (p = 0.058). BDNF and GDNF serum levels did not differ significantly between the patient and control groups. GDNF serum levels did not change significantly during alcohol withdrawal. Conclusions: Our results may provide support for the previously hypothesized role of BDNF in the neuroadaptation during alcohol withdrawal (AU)

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