5-Aryl-2-(3,5-dialkyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-4-imidazole 3-Oxides and Their Redox Species: How Antioxidant Activity of 1-Hydroxy-2,5-dihydro-1-imidazoles Correlates with the Stability of Hybrid Phenoxyl-Nitroxides.

Cyclic nitrones of the imidazole series, containing a sterically hindered phenol group, are promising objects for studying antioxidant activity; on the other hand, they can form persistent hybrid phenoxyl-nitroxyl radicals (HPNs) upon oxidation. Here, a series of 5-aryl-4,4-dimethyl-4-imidazole 3-oxides was obtained by condensation of aromatic 2-hydroxylaminoketones with 4-formyl-2,6-dialkylphenols followed by oxidation of the initially formed -hydroxy derivatives. It was shown that the antioxidant activity of both 1-hydroxy-2,5-dihydroimidazoles and 4-imidazole 3-oxides increases with a decrease in steric volume of the alkyl substituent in the phenol group, while the stability of the corresponding HPNs generated from 4-imidazole 3-oxides reveals the opposite tendency.

Low uric acid levels in serum of patients with ALS: further evidence for oxidative stress?

Background: The exact cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is unknown. Oxidative stress is one of the factors implicated in the etiology of ALS as well as in that of other neurodegenerative diseases. Uric acid is an important natural antioxidant that may reduce oxidative stress.

Recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor administration for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A pilot study.

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is used to mobilize CD34+ haematopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow to the peripheral blood. We proposed to use cell subsets induced by G-CSF to slow down disease progression in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Patients with definite or probable ALS were assigned in a double-blind manner to receive G-CSF or placebo every three months for a year.

Low-grade systemic inflammation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objective: To prospectively determine the intensity of systemic low-grade inflammation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Patients And Methods: Patients with ALS and matched healthy controls underwent blood tests for inflammation-sensitive biomarkers: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), quantitative fibrinogen, wide-range C-reactive protein (wrCRP) concentrations, leukocyte count and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). The correlation between these inflammatory biomarkers and disability status of the patients, expressed by the ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R), was evaluated.

Influence of statins treatment on survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Background: Statins are increasingly recognized as causing muscle damage and, more rarely, peripheral neuropathy. A preliminary report that there are more cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among people treated with statins caused considerable concern. We considered the possibility that statins could affect survival in patients already diagnosed as having amyotropic lateral sclerosis who were taking statins for dyslipidemia.