Omentin serum concentration and hepatic expression in chronic hepatitis C patients - together or apart?

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is accompanied by numerous metabolic disorders, partially associated with altered adipokine system regulation. Omentin (intelectin-1) is a novel adipokine known to play a pivotal role in metabolic regulation in CHC. In a group of 63 CHC patients (29 men/34 women) infected with genotype 1b, aged 6.6 ± 14.6 years, serum omentin levels and its gene expression in liver tissue were examined and their association with metabolic and histopathological features was assessed. Serum omentin levels were significantly higher in CHC patients compared to controls (p < 0.001), regardless of sex, body mass index (BMI), insulin sensitivity and lipid concentrations. There was no correlation between serum omentin and omentin hepatic expression. Neither parameter was associated with any histological features. Serum omentin in non-obese CHC patients seems not to be related to metabolic disorders or liver pathology. Omentin hepatic expression shows no relationship with either serum omentin levels or histopathological features. This suggests different mechanisms regulating circulating omentin concentration and omentin hepatic expression in CHC.

Pylorus preserving loop duodeno-enterostomy with sleeve gastrectomy - preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric operations mostly combine a restrictive gastric component with a rerouting of the intestinal passage. The pylorus can thereby be alternatively preserved or excluded. With the aim of performing a "pylorus-preserving gastric bypass", we present early results of a proximal postpyloric loop duodeno-jejunostomy associated with a sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) compared to results of a parallel, but distal LSG with a loop duodeno-ileostomy as a two-step procedure. METHODS: 16 patients underwent either a two-step LSG with a distal loop duodeno-ileostomy (DIOS) as revisional bariatric surgery or a combined single step operation with a proximal duodeno-jejunostomy (DJOS). Total small intestinal length was determined to account for inter-individual differences. RESULTS: Mean operative time for the second-step of the DIOS operation was 121 min and 147 min for the combined DJOS operation. The overall intestinal length was 750.8 cm (range 600-900 cm) with a bypassed limb length of 235.7 cm in DJOS patients. The mean length of the common channel in DIOS patients measured 245.6 cm. Overall excess weight loss (%EWL) of the two-step DIOS procedure came to 38.31% and 49.60%, DJOS patients experienced an %EWL of 19.75% and 46.53% at 1 and 6 months, resp. No complication related to the duodeno-enterostomy occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Loop duodeno-enterosomies with sleeve gastrectomy can be safely performed and may open new alternatives in bariatric surgery with the possibility for inter-individual adaptation.

Significance of selected antioxidant enzymes in cancer cell progression.

Antioxidant enzymes (AOEs), including superoxide dismutase isoenzymes (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) along with glutathione reductase (GR), reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione transferase (GST), are thought to be necessary for life process in all oxygen-metabolizing cells by removing reactive oxygen species (ROS). The biological significance of AOEs in transformed cells is still unclear, but their capacity to survive may be affected by changes in cellular process such as proliferation, invasiveness, migration, apoptosis and drug resistance. This review summaries the significance of antioxidant enzymes in cancer cell progression mainly in an in vitro context.

Role of melatonin receptor MT(2) and quinone reductase II in the regulation of the redox status of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in vitro.

We have examined the role of melatonin receptor MT2 and quinone reductase II in the regulation of the redox status of preadipocytes (3T3-L1) in vitro. 3T3-L1 cells were treated with melatonin at a physiological concentration (10(-9) mol/L) and a supraphysiological (pharmacological) concentration (10(-3) mol/L) for 24 h. Luzindole (10(-4) mol/L), an antagonist of MT2 receptor, and prazosin (10(-5) mol/L), an inhibitor of quinone reductase II, were added 30 min before subsequent exposure of the cells to melatonin. The level of oxidative stress was determined by the analysis of activities of enzymes neutralising reactive oxygen species, and determination of the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Melatonin increased activities of manganese and copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (MnSOD, Cu/ZnSOD) and catalase (CAT) at both a physiological concentration (10(-9) mol/L) and a pharmacological concentration (10(-3) mol/L). MDA content was unchanged, whereas activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSSG-Rd) were increased only by the physiological concentration. Both effects were partially inhibited by luzindole, but not prazosin. These observations suggest that melatonin, acting at least partially via MT2 receptors, can increase antioxidant enzymes activities in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

Digestive enzymes activity in subsequent generations of Cameraria ohridella larvae harvested from horse chestnut trees after treatment with imidacloprid.

In the present study we describe the effect of chloronicotinoid pesticide (imidacloprid) on the digestive enzymes activity of the Cameraria ohridella larvae after lasting 1 year sublethal exposure to imidacloprid pesticide. Caterpillars - L4 stage (fourth instar, hyperphagic tissue-feeding phase) - were collected from chemically protected white horse chestnut trees 1 year after imidacloprid treatment, and compared with caterpillars collected from non-treated trees in a previous study. Enzymes activity of α-amylase, disaccharidases, glycosidases and proteases was assayed. The presence of pesticide in ingested food changed the digestive enzymes profile of caterpillars. The analysis of correlations between different digestive enzymes showed many significant correlations (P<0.05) among glycolytic activities like ß-glucosidase and α-galactosidase activities. Statistically significant correlations for proteolytic activity were found between trypsin and chymotrypsin activity and aminopeptidase activity that occurred only in the 1st generation. PCA distinguished five primary components with eigenvalues higher than 1, from which the first two explain almost 59% of analyzed results. Surprisingly, in the pesticide treated groups significantly higher activities of sucrase and lactase in relation to control were found. In general, glycosidase (α-glucosidase, ß-glucosidase and ß-galactosidase) activities showed a similar pattern of activity in different generations. These results contrast with those obtained with control larvae, where significant differences in activities of α-glucosidase, ß-glucosidase and ß-galactosidase may result from the different quantity and quality food intake by subsequent generations of larvae. No inter-generation differences in total proteolytic activity were observed in treated larvae. The absolute value of total proteolytic activity was higher than that in the control group. The pesticide present in the vascular system of the horse chestnut tree significantly affected some of the digestive enzymes activities and - in consequence - also interrelationships between enzymes, what may affect the food digestion.

Serum FGF21 and RBP4 levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

INTRODUCTION: Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) regulates glucose, lipid, and energy homeostasis. Retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4) controls metabolic and proliferative cell functions. AIMS AND METHODS: Aims of the study were to assess (1) serum FGF21 and RBP4 levels in 75 non-obese chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients and 41 healthy controls similar in age and BMI; (2) the relationship between their serum concentration and insulin resistance, liver histology, and biochemical parameters; (3) their effectiveness as diagnostic markers. RESULTS: FGF21 levels increased significantly in CHC patients compared with controls (p = 0.04). CHC patients with steatosis had significantly higher FGF21 levels compared with those without steatosis (p = 0.01). FGF21 concentration was positively related to steatosis grade (r = 0.39, p = 0.007). RBP4 levels did not differ between CHC patients and controls, but were negatively associated with necro-inflammatory activity grade (r = (-0.34), p = 0.04), with significantly higher levels in patients with minimal inflammatory activity (G1 vs. G2/3, p < 0.001; G1 vs. G2, p = 0 < 001; G1 vs. G3, p = 0.01). After stepwise linear regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders, RBP4 levels retained their independent significance as a predictor of necro-inflammatory activity (ß = -0.31; t = -2.15, p = 0.035) and FGF21 levels as a predictor of steatosis (ß = 0.34; t = 2.31, p = 0.024). Serum FGF21 correlated with serum RBP4 levels (r = 0.32, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Serum FGF21 levels increased in CHC patients, especially in those with steatosis and were associated with steatosis grade. FGF21 seems to be a useful diagnostic marker in determining hepatic steatosis in CHC. A negative association between serum RBP4 and necro-inflammatory activity indicates that disease severity may determine RBP4 levels.

Short-term exposure to 50 Hz ELF-EMF alters the cisplatin-induced oxidative response in AT478 murine squamous cell carcinoma cells.

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of cisplatin and an extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on antioxidant enzyme activity and the lipid peroxidation ratio, as well as the level of DNA damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in AT478 carcinoma cells. Cells were cultured for 24 and 72 h in culture medium with cisplatin. Additionally, the cells were irradiated with 50 Hz/1 mT ELF-EMF for 16 min using a solenoid as a source of the ELF-EMF. The amount of ROS, superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoenzyme activity, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, DNA damage, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed. Cells that were exposed to cisplatin exhibited a significant increase in ROS and antioxidant enzyme activity. The addition of ELF-EMF exposure to cisplatin treatment resulted in decreased ROS levels and antioxidant enzyme activity. A significant reduction in MDA concentrations was observed in all of the study groups, with the greatest decrease associated with treatment by both cisplatin and ELF-EMF. Cisplatin induced the most severe DNA damage; however, when cells were also irradiated with ELF-EMF, less DNA damage occurred. Exposure to ELF-EMF alone resulted in an increase in DNA damage compared to control cells. ELF-EMF lessened the effects of oxidative stress and DNA damage that were induced by cisplatin; however, ELF-EMF alone was a mild oxidative stressor and DNA damage inducer. We speculate that ELF-EMF exerts differential effects depending on the exogenous conditions. This information may be of value for appraising the pathophysiologic consequences of exposure to ELF-EMF.

Serum vaspin may be a good indicator of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C and is not altered by antiviral therapy.

Vaspin was found to modulate insulin resistance (IR) and to inhibit proinflammatory and profibrogenic agents. The aim of the study was to evaluate vaspin serum concentration prior to and after antiviral treatment and to assess its relationship with morphological alterations, IR and response to antiviral therapy. The study encompassed 75 non-obese, non-diabetic chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, 30 of whom underwent antiviral treatment. Serum vaspin levels decreased in CHC patients and was positively associated with fibrosis stage (r = 0.44, p = 0.001). Serum vaspin was significantly higher in patients with septal fibrosis/cirrhosis or periportal fibrosis compared to those with portal fibrosis or without fibrosis (F3-4 vs. F2 vs. F1 vs. F0, p = 0.012). A marked increase in the serum vaspin level occurred in patients with periportal or more advanced fibrosis (F0-1 vs. F2-4, p < 0.001). Serum vaspin levels were also positively related to steatosis grade (r = 0.32, p = 0.03). Antiviral therapy did not change serum vaspin levels, irrespective of its efficiency. Our study showed that the serum vaspin level is decreased in CHC patients with non-advanced fibrosis, but the virus seems to have no direct effect on this finding. Progressive fibrosis is associated with rise of the vaspin level and this adipokine may serve as a predictor of advanced liver fibrosis.

Alteration of carbohydrates metabolism and midgut glucose absorption in Gromphadorhina portentosa after subchronic exposure to imidacloprid and fenitrothion.

This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that following exposure to insecticides, changes take place in the metabolism of carbohydrates and absorption in the midgut of insects. The Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) was chosen for the experiment as a model organism, due to it being easy to breed and its relatively large alimentary tract, which was important when preparing the microperfusion midgut bioassay. In each group of cockroaches treated with imidacloprid and fenitrothion, absorption of glucose, expressed as the area under the curve (AUC), was elevated compared to the control group. Glucose in the hemolymph of the examined insects was present in a vestigial amount, often below the threshold of determination, so the determinable carbohydrate indices were: hemolymph trehalose concentration and fat body glycogen content. The level of trehalose found in the hemolymph of insects when exposed to fenitrothion, and irrespective of the level of concentration mixed into food, were significantly lower when comparing to the control samples. Imidacloprid acted analogically with one exception at the concentration of 10 mg·kg(-1) dry food where trehalose concentration did not differ from the control values. Coupling with fat body glycogen concentration was less visible and appeared only at the concentrations of 5 and 10 mg imidacloprid·kg(-1) dry food. As described in this study changes in the sugar distribution and midgut glucose absorption indicate that insects cover the increased energy needs induced by insecticides; also at the gastrointestinal tract level. The result indicates that the midgut glucose absorption parameters could be considered as a non-specific biomarker of insecticide toxicity.

Potential role of leptin, adiponectin and three novel adipokines--visfatin, chemerin and vaspin--in chronic hepatitis.

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is generally a slowly progressive disease, but some factors associated with rapid progression have been identified. Steatosis, independently of its metabolic or viral origin, leads to liver injury and fibrosis. It is suggested that hepatitis C virus may contribute to a wide spectrum of metabolic disturbances-namely, steatosis, insulin resistance, increased prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes mellitus and lipid metabolism abnormalities. Adipokines, which are produced mainly by adipose tissue, may influence the inflammatory response and insulin sensitivity and contribute to the development of metabolic abnormalities in CHC and also regulate fibrogenesis and angiogenesis. Visfatin was described as an adipokine with immunomodulating and proinflammatory properties that promotes B-cell maturation and enhances activation of leukocytes, synthesis of adhesion molecules and production of proinflammatory cytokines. Visfatin exerts insulin-mimetic effects, decreases plasma glucose levels and regulates cell energy balance. Chemerin stimulates chemotaxis of dendritic cells, macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells toward the site of inflammation. On the other hand, it inhibits synthesis of proinflammatory mediators and enhances adiponectin production, influences adipocyte differentiation and maturation and regulates glucose uptake in adipocytes. Vaspin expression in human adipose tissue seems to be a compensatory mechanism associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Vaspin suppresses leptin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and resistin expression. Leptin protects against liver steatosis but accelerates fibrosis progression and exacerbates the inflammatory process. In contrast, adiponectin exerts a hepatoprotective effect. In this report, data indicating a possible role of these adipokines in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis are summarized.

Association between hepatic angiogenesis and serum adipokine profile in non-obese chronic hepatitis C patients.

It is unclear whether angiogenesis merely represents a homeostatic mechanism aimed at ensuring an adequate oxygen supply or one that exerts an additional pathogenic role leading to liver damage in chronic hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients present a proangiogenic profile of angiogenic markers. Adipokines not only regulate adipose tissue and glucose metabolism, but also influence inflammation, fibrogenic process and production of proangiogenic factors. On the basis of this evidence we aimed to assess the number of new blood vessels in lobules and portal tracts in the liver and evaluate the relationship between angiogenesis intensity and serum adipokine concentrations in CHC. Our study showed a positive association between serum vaspin and angiogenesis intensity in portal tracts and lobules in CHC patients (r = 0.41, p = 0.04; r = 0.46, p = 0.03; respectively). Serum visfatin was found to be negatively related to angiogenesis in portal tracts and lobules but only in females (r = -0.76, p = 0.03; r= -0.95, p < 0.001; respectively). In conclusion, the role of some adipokines in liver angiogenesis seems to be different in females than in males. Serum vaspin concentration seems to reflect intensity of liver angiogenesis in CHC. Further studies are necessary to better determine the role of adipokines in new blood vessel formation in CHC.

Serum chemerin and vaspin in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

OBJECTIVE: Chemerin and vaspin are new adipokines which may modulate inflammatory response and insulin sensitivity in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aims of this study were to assess: (1) circulating levels of chemerin and vaspin and their association with liver histology and markers of liver injury in NAFLD patients; and (2) the relationship between the analyzed adipokines and insulin resistance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 41 NAFLD patients with body mass index (BMI) 30.4 +/- 3.3 kg/m(2) [20 with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and BMI 30.3 +/- 3.3 kg/m(2) and 21 with simple steatosis/uncertain NASH (SS/UN) and BMI 30.5 +/- 3.4 kg/m(2)] and 10 healthy volunteers with BMI 24.0 +/- 2.9 kg/m(2) were included in the study. RESULTS: Serum chemerin concentration was significantly higher in NAFLD patients compared to healthy volunteers (p = 0.009). Serum chemerin was significantly higher in patients with NASH compared to patients with SS/UN (p = 0.009). The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value was higher in patients with NASH than in patients with SS/UN (p = 0.01). Serum chemerin and HOMA-IR were positively associated with NAFLD activity score (r = 0.40, p = 0.02; and r = 0.43, p = 0.008, respectively). Serum chemerin was associated with hepatocyte ballooning degeneration (r = 0.37; p = 0.03), total cholesterol (r = 0.45; p = 0.008) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.41; p = 0.02). HOMA-IR was related to fibrosis stage (r = 0.51; p = 0.001) and inflammatory activity grade in portal tracts (r = 0.40; p = 0.01). Serum vaspin correlated with hepatocyte ballooning degeneration (r = 0.31; p = 0.04), alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (r = 0.33, p = 0.03; and r = 0.32, p = 0.04, respectively) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.39, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows for the first time that chemerin and vaspin serum concentrations are altered in patients with NAFLD. The analyzed adipokines appear to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, not only as regulators of insulin sensitivity, but also as mediators of the inflammatory process.

Influence of an extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-EMF) on antioxidative vitamin E properties in AT478 murine squamous cell carcinoma culture in vitro.

This study examines the effects of vitamin E and an extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) and their combination in different time intervals of exposure of vitamin E (tocopherol) on the AT478 murine squamous cell carcinoma line. This study provides insight into the influence of correlations between ELF-EMF and vitamin E supplementation on antioxidant enzyme activity in malignant cells in vitro. Following vitamin E treatment, activity of the antioxidant enzymes is increased in an exposure-dependent manner compared with the untreated group. Application of ELF-EMF alone or with vitamin E increases both superoxide dismutase isoenzymes and glutathione peroxidase activities in comparison to the control group. The results suggest that ELF-EMF alters antioxidative activities of vitamin E in AT478 tumor cells. This study confirms the role of vitamin E in decreasing susceptibility to lipid peroxidation in AT478 tumor cells.

Liver visfatin expression in morbidly obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease undergoing bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Visfatin has been identified as a new adipokine with proinflammatory and immunomodulating properties. It seems to interfere with immune and fibrogenic process in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim was to assess visfatin expression in the liver tissue and its association with biochemical parameters and morphological features in NAFLD patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 40 severely obese patients with NAFLD who underwent intraoperative wedge liver biopsy during a bariatric operation. Immunohistochemical assay was carried out with the use of a visfatin mice monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: Visfatin expression in the liver was observed in all patients. The expression was significantly higher in patients with fibrosis (p = 0.036) and was positively correlated with the fibrosis stage (r = 0.52, p = 0.03). There was no difference between patient with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and simple steatosis (p = 0.54). Inflammatory activity and NAS (NAFLD Activity Score) score were not associated with visfatin expression. There was a tendency of more evident visfatin liver expression in morbidly obese patients with diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: Our study showed a positive association between visfatin and the fibrosis stage in NAFLD. This observation suggests a potential role of this adipokine in the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD. Visfatin expression does not seem to be associated with liver steatosis and inflammation.

[Activity of antioxidative enzymes and concentration of malondialdehyde as oxidative status markers in women with non-autoimmunological subclinical hyperthyroidism]. / Aktywnosc enzymow antyoksydacyjnych i stezenie aldedydu dimalonowego jako wyklandniki stresu oksydacyjnego u kobiet z subkliniczna nieautoimmunogiczna nadczynnoscia tarzcycy.

INTRODUCTION: The recent investigations point out the significant role of oxidative stress in the development of thyroid gland disease. The present study was designed to investigate the variation of oxidative stae in women with non-autoimmunological subclinical hyperthyroidism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 20 females with non-autoimmunological subclinical hyperthyroidism and 15 healthy women. Manganase-containing superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) plasma activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) plasma concentration were measured. RESULTS: EC-SOD plasma activity was significantly higher in women with subclinical hyperthyroidism when compared with the control group (13.3 +/- 2.1 vs. 10.9 +/- 1.4 NU/ml; p < 0.05), unlike Mn-SOD (4.2 +/- 0.5 vs. 4.0 +/- 1.0 NU/ml). MDA plasma concentration increased significantly in women with subclinical hyperthyroidism (3.5 +/- 1.2 vs. 2.0 +/- 0.6 micromol/l; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The increased EC-SOD plasma activity may reflect disturbances of oxidative state in subclinical hyperthyroidism. Parallel increase of MDA plasma concentration may indicate enhancement of lipid peroxidationin in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism.

Day/night differences in stress-induced gastric lesions in rats with an intact pineal gland or after pinealectomy.

The formation of acute gastric lesions depends upon the balance between the aggressive factors promoting mucosal damage and the natural defense mechanisms. Previous studies have shown that melatonin inhibits gastric acid secretion, enhances the release of gastrin, augments gastric blood flow (GBF), increases the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-prostaglandin (PG) system and scavenges free radicals, resulting in the prevention of stress-induced gastric lesions. Besides the pineal gland, melatonin is also generated in large amounts in the gastrointestinal tract and due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; this indole might serve as local protective endogen preventing the development of acute gastric damage. The results of the present study indicate that stress-induced gastric lesions show circadian variations with an increase in the day time and a decline at night. These changes are inversely related to plasma melatonin levels. Following pinealectomy, stress-induced gastric mucosal lesions were more pronounced both during the day and at night, and were accompanied by markedly reduced plasma melatonin levels with a pronounced reduction in mucosal generation of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), GBF and increased free radical formation and by small rise in plasma melatonin during the dark phase. We conclude that stress-induced gastric ulcerations exhibit a circadian variation with an increase in the day and attenuation at night and that these fluctuations of gastric stress ulcerogenesis occur also after pinealectomy, depending upon the interaction of COX-PG and free radicals, probably mediated by the changes in local gastric melatonin.

Ontogenetic noradrenergic lesion alters histaminergic activity in adult rats.

To determine whether noradrenergic nerves might have a modulatory role on the sensitivity or reactivity of histaminergic receptor systems in brain, behavioral effects of the respective histamine H1, H2 and H3 antagonists S(+)chlorpheniramine, cimetidine and thioperimide in control adult rats were compared to the effects in adult rats that had been lesioned as neonates with the noradrenergic neurotoxin DSP-4. On the 1st and 3rd days after birth rat pups were treated with either saline or DSP-4 (50 mg/kg sc), then returned to their home cages with the dam. At 8 weeks when rats were tested, S(+)chlorpheniramine (10 mg/kg ip) was found to increase locomotor activity in intact and DSP-4 lesioned rats, while cimetidine (5 mg/kg, ip) and thioperimide (5 mg/kg, ip) increased activity several-fold solely in the DSP-4 group. Exploratory activity, nociceptive activity, and irritability were little altered by the histamine antagonists, although oral activity was increased by thioperimide in intact and lesioned rats, and by cimetidine or S(+)chlorpheniramine in DSP-4 rats. High performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection was used to determine that DSP-4 produced a 90% reduction in frontal cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus, with a 90% elevation of NE in cerebellum--reflecting reactive sprouting of noradrenergic fibers consequent to lesion of noradrenergic tracts projecting to proximal brain regions. These findings indicate that perinatal noradrenergic fiber lesioning in rat brain is associated with an altered behavioral spectrum by histamine H1, H2 and H3 receptor antagonists, thereby implicating histaminergic systems as modulators of noradrenergic systems in brain.

Blood flow in ductus venosus in early uncomplicated pregnancy.

UNLABELLED: The ductus venosus is the very important part of fetal venous circulation. It plays a central role in return of venous blood from the placenta. This unique shunt carries well-oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein through the inferior atrial inlet on its way across the foramen ovale. Using Doppler ultrasound, it is possible to assess the blood flow in fetal vessels including ductus venosus. It is observed, in animal and human studies, that the typical waveform for blood flow in ductus venosus in early pregnancy can be different depending on numerous conditions e.g. fetal karyotype. This study is performed to assess the physiologic parameters of blood flow in ductus venosus in uncomplicated early pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 404 women were examined between 11+0 and 13+6 weeks (+ days) of gestation by ultrasound. Fetal crown-rump length (CRL) was measured to assess the gestational age. The assessment of risk of fetal abnormalities was based on nuchal translucency (NT) measurement. The ductus venosus blood flow with color and spectral Doppler was obtained in all patients. The following features were assessed: pulsatility index (PI), and direction of flow (positive/negative) during atrial contraction (wave A). All cases were followed up to 22 weeks of gestation when the control scan was performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: 30 cases were excluded from the uncomplicated group due to: high risk of fetal abnormalities, fetal loss, confirmed fetal abnormalities and utero-placental pathology. 374 women were considered as uncomplicated pregnancy. In both uncomplicated and complicated groups the mean values for pulsatility index (PI) were established. The mean PI value in uncomplicated pregnancies was: 0.91 (SD +/- 0.32). No significant differences between groups were noticed. In 370 cases of uncomplicated pregnancy the A wave direction was positive but in 1.1% of cases the reverse flow in atrial contraction was observed.

[Study of selected biomaterials for reconstruction of septal nasal perforation]. / Ocena wybranych biomaterialów do rekonstrukcji perforacji przegrody nosa.

INTRODUCTION: The septal nasal perforation is an important problem for the laryngologists and plastic surgeons. The reasons of septal nasal perforations are injuries, neoplasm, self-mutilation, chronic rhinitis, allergy, Wegener granuloma, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, toxic metals (arsenic, chrome), some drugs (steroids), narcotizing agents (cocaine) and complications after endoscopic and septal nasal operations. The surgical treatment, especially in the cases of large septal perforation, is often difficult because of the atrophy of nasal mucosa and lack of suitable material for reconstruction. In the surgical treatment many of methods and reconstructive materials have been used. The following autogenous tissues were used in the reconstruction of septal perforation: alloderm, temporal fascia, septal and auricle cartilage, cranial periosteum, perichondrium, ethmoidal and hip bone. The defect of such materials is progressive resorption. For many years the suitable synthetic material for septal nasal reconstruction has been searched for. Among the biomaterials the following have been used without success: Dacron, porous polyethylene, dolomite, bioglass. The rejection of synthetic material was the reason of failure. The aim of our study was to evaluate two different biomaterials with proper mechanical and biological features for nasal cartilage replacement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied two types of biomaterials: biostable terpolymer PTFE/PVDF/PP and resorbable copolymer of glycolide and L-lactide (PGLA). The pilot studies were performed on two experimental animals (rabbits). The animals were operated in the general anesthesia. The biomaterials were implanted in the rabbit auricular cartilage because of its similarity to the septum and easy surgical access. Subperichondrically 1 x 1 cm fragment of the cartilage was removed. This fragment was then replaced with the biomaterial. The rabbits were painlessly sacrificed after 4 months of observation. RESULTS: A very good integration of PGLA implant with auricular cartilage was observed. In the histological examination the lack of excessive inflammatory reaction as well as no cartilage necrosis were observed. CONCLUSIONS: 4 months after implantation of PGLA in the rabbit auricular cartilage very good macroscopic and histological results were achieved.

Diuretic-induced dehydration/hypovolemia inhibits thermal panting in rabbits.

Respiratory and thermoregulatory responses to hyperthermia during isosmotic dehydration/hypovolemia were studied in 17 anaesthetized adult rabbits divided into two groups: normovolemic group (NV; n=10) and hypovolemic group (HV; n=7). Hypovolemia/isosmotic dehydration (a decrease in plasma volume by 16.1+/-1.2%) was induced by furosemide (5 mg kg(-1) i.v.). During hyperthermia (the rise in body temperature to 42 degrees C by a gradual body surface heating), the HV rabbits had lower (P<0.05) respiratory frequency and higher (P<0.05) tidal volume than the NV animals. The panting was absent in the HV rabbits at the BT of 42 degrees C, unlike the NV animals. The lower respiratory frequency and the absence of panting during exogenous hyperthermia in dehydrated animals are present not only during hyperosmotic dehydration induced by water deprivation [Doris, P.A., Baker, M.A., 1981. Hypothalamic control of thermoregulation during dehydration. Brain Res. 206 (1), 219-222], but they also occur in the furosemide-induced isosmotic dehydration/hypovolemia.