Circulatory 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)D as differential biomarkers between multiple system atrophy and Parkinson's disease patients.

Background And Purpose: There is sufficient evidence to support vitamin D's noncalcemic effects and the role of vitamin D deficiency in the development of a wide range of neurological disorders. This study aimed to evaluate whether serum 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH) 2 D could be used as biomarkers to differentiate between healthy subjects (HS), multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Parkinson's disease (PD) patients of both genders.

Methods: A total of 107 subjects were included in this study, divided into three groups: 1- HS ( = 61), 2- MSA patients ( = 19), and 3- PD patients ( = 27).

Extract of Yokukansan improves anxiety-like behavior and increases serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in rats with cerebral ischemia combined with amyloid-42 peptide.

Objective: To examine the effects of Yokukansan (YKS) extract on two endogenous modulators of anxiety, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and serotonin (5-HT)2A receptors pharmacologically, in the ischemic rat model of dementia.

Methods: The cerebral ischemia (CI) was induced by bilateral occlusion of the vertebral and common carotid arteries (4-vessel occlusion ischemia). The CI was combined with the amyloid-β42 peptide (Aβ42) injected intracerebroventricularly, and referred to as CI+Aβ.

TNF-α-sensitive brain pericytes activate microglia by releasing IL-6 through cooperation between IκB-NFκB and JAK-STAT3 pathways.

Interleukin (IL)-6 is an important mediator of neurovascular dysfunction, neurodegeneration and/or neuroinflammation. We previously reported that brain pericytes released higher levels of IL-6 than did glial cells (astrocytes and microglia) in response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Moreover, pericytes stimulated with TNF-α enhanced activation of BV-2 microglia.

Serum vitamin D in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

Objectives: To determine the relevance of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D3), and 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and various stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Materials And Methods: The study included 230 participants (>74 years) allocated to three main groups: 1-healthy subjects (HS,  = 61), 2-patients with MCI ( = 61), and 3- patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) subdivided into three stages: mild ( = 41), moderate ( = 35), and severe AD ( = 32). The cognitive status was evaluated using MMSE.

The Japanese Angelica acutiloba root and yokukansan increase hippocampal acetylcholine level, prevent apoptosis and improve memory in a rat model of repeated cerebral ischemia.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Japanese Angelica acutiloba root (Angelica root) is included in several Kampo medicines including Yokukansan (YKS). Angelica root and YKS are used for the treatment of a variety of psychological and neurodegenerative disorders. Development of safe and effective therapeutic agents against cerebrovascular disorders will improve the treatment of patients with dementia.

Effect of varenicline on behavioral deficits in a rat model of Parkinson's disease induced by unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesion of substantia nigra.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Varenicline tartrate is a partial agonist at α4β2 and full agonist at α7 neuronal nAChR subunits. A unilateral lesion of the substantia nigra (SN) has been used as a reliable model of PD.

Effect of Angiotensin-(1-7) on Aortic Response, TNF-α, IL-1β and Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproduct in Rat's Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis.

Altered vascular reactivity due to endothelial dysfunction, consequent to vascular damage, is observed in rheumatoid arthritis. We investigated the effect of angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) on vasculature changes in arthritis induced by complete Freund's adjuvant in male Wistar rats. Arthritis decreased soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) whereas elevated aortic RAGE expression, increased interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), systolic blood pressure and the contractility induced by phenylephrine and KCl.

Effects of β-sheet breaker peptides on altered responses of thoracic aorta in rats' Alzheimer's disease model induced by intraamygdaloid Aβ40.

Aims: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by vascular dysfunction, in addition to memory impairment. Previously we found that β-sheet breaker peptides (βSBPs) improved memory impairment induced by amyloid β-peptide Aβ40. In this study we investigated βSBP effects on vascular responses in a rat model of AD.

Effect of Toki-shakuyaku-san on acetylcholine level and blood flow in dorsal hippocampus of intact and twice-repeated ischemic rats.

The effects of Toki-shakuyaku-san (TSS) ingredients on acetylcholine (ACh) release in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) were investigated in intact and twice-repeated ischemic rats using in vivo microdialysis-HPLC. Moreover, the effect of TSS on blood flow was investigated in intact rats using laser Doppler flowmetry. TSS at 300 mg/kg p.

Modulation of the negative inotropic effect of haloperidol by drugs with positive inotropic effects in isolated rabbit heart.

Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic drug with inhibitory effects on dopamine and calcium homeostasis. In this study, the effect of haloperidol on the inotropism of rabbits' isolated heart was investigated by measuring the isovolumetric left ventricular pressure using a balloon in a modified Langendorff perfusion apparatus. Haloperidol at 0.