Losartan Reverses Hippocampal Increase of Kynurenic Acid in Type 1 Diabetic Rats: A Novel Procognitive Aspect of Sartan Action.

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) type 1 and 2 are at a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia; however, the underlying pathology is poorly understood. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), endogenous kynurenine metabolite, displays pleiotropic effects, including a blockade of glutamatergic and cholinergic receptors. Apart from well-known glial origin, kynurenic acid is robustly synthesized in the endothelium and its serum levels correlate with homocysteine, a risk factor for cognitive decline.

Impact of experimental diabetes and chronic hypoxia on rat fetal body weight.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to determine the impact of the experimental diabetes and the chronic hypoxia on pregnancy development and rat fetal body weight.

Material And Methods: The experiment was performed on female Wistar rats. Animals were divided into the experimen-tal groups.

Experimental diabetes mellitus type 1 increases hippocampal content of kynurenic acid in rats.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is frequently associated with peripheral and central complications and has recently emerged as a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a unique tryptophan derivative, displays pleiotropic effects including blockade of ionotropic glutamate and α7 nicotinic receptors. Here, the influence of experimental diabetes on KYNA synthesis was studied in rat brain.

[Co-payment for public health care services--public opinion survey].

One of the solutions aimed at improving the functioning of the healthcare system in Poland is to introduce patients' co-payment for public healthcare services. In all countries where the healthcare system is at a high level there already exists a co-payment system and it is regarded by many specialists as a necessary and indispensable condition for the proper functioning of healthcare. The aim of this study was to show respondents' attitudes and opinions regarding the proposal of introduction co-payments as and additional form of financing medical care.

Gynecomastia - a difficult diagnostic problem.

Gynecomastia is a benign, abnormal, growth of the male breast gland which can occur unilaterally or bilaterally, resulting from a proliferation of glandular, fibrous and adipose tissue. Gynecomastia is characterised by the presence of soft, 2-4 cm in diameter, usually discusshaped enlargement of tissues under the nipple. It is estimated that this pathology occurs in 32-65% of men over the age of 17.

Novel aspect of ketone action: β-hydroxybutyrate increases brain synthesis of kynurenic acid in vitro.

Ketone bodies formed during ketogenic diet or non-treated diabetes mellitus may exert neuroprotective and antiepileptic effects. Here, we assessed the influence of ketone body, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) on the brain synthesis of kynurenic acid (KYNA), an endogenous antagonist of glutamatergic and α7-nicotinic receptors. In brain cortical slices and in primary glial cultures, BHB enhanced KYNA production.

Hyperglycemia enhances the inhibitory effect of mitochondrial toxins and D,L-homocysteine on the brain production of kynurenic acid.

We have evaluated the effect of diabetes-mimicking conditions on the inhibition of kynurenic acid (KYNA) production exerted by mitochondrial toxins: 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) and aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA), by endogenous agonists of glutamate receptors: L-glutamate and L-cysteine sulfinate, and by a risk factor of atherosclerosis, D,L-homocysteine. Hyperglycemia (30 mM; 2 h) itself did not influence KYNA synthesis in brain cortical slices. However, it significantly enhanced the inhibitory effects of 3-NPA, AOAA and D,L-homocysteine, but not of L-glutamate and L-cysteine sulfinate, on KYNA production.