Associations among peripheral and central kynurenine pathway metabolites and inflammation in depression.

Kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolites are believed to be a link between inflammation and depression through effects on brain glutamate receptors. However, neither the relationship between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) KP metabolites nor their association with inflammatory mediators is well-established in depression. Moreover, the clinical profile associated with combined activation of plasma inflammatory and kynurenine pathways is unknown.

Atherosclerotic Disease and its Relationship to Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease, Facet Arthritis, and Stenosis With Computed Tomography Angiography.

Background: The intervertebral disk is the largest avascular structure in the body. It relies on passive diffusion from arteries at the periphery of the disk for nutrition. Previous studies have suggested a correlation between vascular disease and lumbar degenerative disk disease (DDD), but the association with facet arthritis and stenosis has not been evaluated.