Stress and Ketamine, Bimodal Influence on Cognitive Functions.

The glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) non-selective antagonist, ketamine, has been recently repurposed as a rapidly acting antidepressant, catalyzing the vigorous investigation of glutamate-signaling modulators as novel therapeutic agents for depressive disorders. Beneficial effects of this drug in the quick-acting treatment of depression are recognized. The long-term effects of ketamine have not been known, including the cognitive sphere.

Sialic acids as cellular markers of immunomodulatory action of dexamethasone on glioma cells of different immunogenicity.

Glucocorticosteroids, including dexamethasone (Dex), are commonly used to control tumor-induced edema in the brain tumor patients. There are increasing evidences that immunosuppressive action of Dex interferes with immune surveillance resulting in lower patients overall survival; however, the mechanisms underlying these actions remain unclear. Changes in the expression of sialic acids are critical features of many cancers that reduce their immunogenicity and increase viability.

Sialylation pattern in lung epithelial cell line and Siglecs expression in monocytic THP-1 cells as cellular indicators of cigarette smoke - induced pathology in vitro.

Purpose: Cellular response to cigarette smoke (CS) involves activation of recognition receptors resulting in changes in immune status, oxidative stress and cell turnover. We investigated the effects of CS on sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin type lectins (Siglecs) expression and their sialylated ligands in human immune and non-immune cells.

Methods: Human monocytes (THP-1) and epithelial cells (A549) were cultured in CS-conditioned medium (CSM).

Candesartan, angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker is able to relieve age-related cognitive impairment.

Background: Candesartan is one of the standard antihypertensive drug belonging to AT1R angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) group. Beneficial effects of this drug in the treatment of hypertension are well recognized. In this study we tested a hypothesis that candesartan could alleviate age-related memory decline.

Validation of Brain Angiotensin System Blockade as a Novel Drug Target in Pharmacological Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders.

Retreat in psychiatric drug development results in innovative medication decline that might be at least partially overcome by adjunct therapy. New evidence from clinical studies has shown a possible role for brain Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) in both affective and psychotic disorders. Simultaneously, rapidly accumulating data from basic studies indicate effectiveness of central RAS blockade in much broader range of neuropsychiatric disease.