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.

Indispensable role of the voltage-gated calcium channels in the procognitive effects of angiotensin IV.

Background: Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) play a major role in brain functioning, including that of cognition-related structures such as cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Cellular mechanisms underlying learning and memory enhancing effect of the neuropeptide angiotensin IV (Ang IV) have been linked to VGCCs but only in respect of its long-term potentiation (LTP)-inducing effect.

Objective: To assess behaviorally effects of L- and T-type VGCCs blocking drugs in low, behaviorally inactive, doses on Ang IV facilitation of recall of aversively (foot-shock) and appetitively (curiosity for novelty) motivated behaviors.

Ciproxifan differentially modifies cognitive impairment evoked by chronic stress and chronic corticosterone administration in rats.

Despite the development of neuroscience and spectacular discoveries, the clear functions and the role of histamine are still not fully understood, especially in the context of the negative impact of prolonged stress exposure on the cognition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the participation of hypercortisolemia in the detrimental effect of stress on cognitive function and their preclusion by affecting the histaminergic system with ciproxifan. Specifically, we attempted to characterize the preventive action of a single dose of ciproxifan (3mg/kg, i.

Telmisartan attenuates cognitive impairment caused by chronic stress in rats.

Background: The potential effect of chronic treatment with telmisartan, an angiotensin type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) and partial agonist of peroxisome proliferator--activated receptor γ (PPARγ), on stress-related disorders is a matter of considerable interest. The existing data suggest that angiotensin II (Ang II) plays a major role in exaggerated sympathetic and hormonal response to stress. Enhanced formation of Ang II and increased AT1 receptor activity is associated with devastating impact of stress on central nervous system, which may trigger many psychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels and severity of symptoms in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD/hyperkinetic disorder HKD.

The serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in neuropsychiatric disorders of adults have been widely investigated. So far, no studies have been conducted on the relationship of MMP-9 and cognitive domains in children with two phenotype models, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and hyperkinetic disorder (ADHD/HKD). The aim of this research was to evaluate and test the hypothesis that serum MMP-9 levels are associated with the severity of symptoms in children with ADHD/HKD and to compare the results in two models of this disorder.

Angiotensin II AT1 receptor blockade by telmisartan reduces impairment of spatial maze performance induced by both acute and chronic stress.

Introduction: Despite recognition of stress as a causation of severe neuropsychological dysfunctions, no casual and clinically effective anti-stress therapeutic strategy has yet been found. We have previously shown that blockade of initial stress response by angiotensin receptor blockers alleviates the negative effect of prolonged stress on cognitive non-spatial functions of rats. Here we aimed to find whether telmisartan reduces stress-related memory decline in spatial hippocampal-dependent learning tasks conditioned upon differences in level of stress induced by aversive nature of memory tests.

Single dose of H3 receptor antagonist--ciproxifan--abolishes negative effects of chronic stress on cognitive processes in rats.

Rationale: The role of histamine neurons in stress evoked cognitive impairments remains unclear. Previous research has indicated that the blockade of H(3)-type histamine receptors may improve attention and memory in naïve rodents.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine if ciproxifan, (cyclopropyl-(4-(3-1H-imidazol-4-yl) propyloxy) phenyl) ketone, an H(3) receptor antagonist, could alleviate cognitive deficits observed in chronically stressed rats.

Concomitant docosahexaenoic acid administration ameliorates stress-induced cognitive impairment in rats.

Long chain n-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may slow cognitive decline. DHA plays an important role in neural function and decreased plasma DHA are associated with cognitive decline in healthy elderly adults and in patients with Alzheimer's disease. In this study we tested a hypothesis that DHA protects cognitive functions of male Wistar rats against negative impact of prolonged restraint stress.

Candesartan prevents impairment of recall caused by repeated stress in rats.

Rationale: Deleterious effects of psychological stress on memory are increasingly important. Overexpression of the AT(1) angiotensin receptors in brain has been found to participate in several negative effects of chronic stress including hypertension and a cognitive impairment.

Objective: In this study, we searched for the protective effects the AT(1) angiotensin receptor blockade with candesartan against the adverse effects of repeated stress on recall of aversively and appetitively motivated behaviours in rats.

Anxiolytic-like effect of losartan injected into amygdala of the acutely stressed rats.

It has been recognized that the stress-related peptides are involved in anxiety states. Angiotensin II receptor blockade by systemic administration of the AT(1) receptor antagonists has been proposed as a new treatment possibility for anxiety disorders. For better understanding of the related mechanisms, in this study we evaluated effects of bilateral intraamygdaloid injections of 2 (LOS 2) and 4 (LOS 4) μg of losartan (LOS), a selective AT(1) receptor antagonist, on the behavior of the not stressed and acutely stressed rats in an elevated "plus" maze.

The participation of sialic acids in microglia-neuron interactions.

Since it is known that sialic acid participates in neuronal plasticity, it is resonable to investigate its role in microglia-neuron interactions. In this study, we tested the effects of enzymatic removal of sialic acid on neurite and cell body density in microglia-neuron co-cultures. Additionaly, we analyzed the expression of Siglec-F protein, putative receptor for sialic acids, in microglial cells as well as its affinity to neurons.

Effects of chronic stress and corticosterone on sialidase activity in the rat hippocampus.

Sialidases are acid exoglycosidases that catalyse the removal of sialic acid from non-reducing end of sialoglucoconjugated substrates. Synaptic plasticity depends on sialylation state of proteins and lipids mediated by sialic acid-metabolizing enzymes. Since chronic stress causes both, hippocampal atrophy and impairment of learning, it is reasonable to investigate whether sialidase is implicated in these processes.

Long-term administration of cod liver oil ameliorates cognitive impairment induced by chronic stress in rats.

Cod liver oil (CLO) is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids (FA), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The existing data suggest that EPA and DHA are the active agents of fish oil. In this study, we tested a hypothesis that the active constituents of CLO alleviate the negative impact of prolonged restraint stress on cognitive functions of male Wistar rats.

St. John's wort may relieve negative effects of stress on spatial working memory by changing synaptic plasticity.

Beneficial effects of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) in the treatment of stress-evoked memory impairment were recently described. In this study, we tested a hypothesis that St.

[Treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease--traditional bronchodilatation and targeted anti-inflammatory therapy].

Currently available pharmacological treatment of COPD relies mostly on prophylaxis (smoking cessation) and symptomatic treatment, i.e. inhaled anticholinergic agents, β2-agonists and phosphodiesterase inhibitors, aiming in their bronchodilatation capacity.

Cerebrospinal fluid oxidative stress during chemotherapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.

In this study the authors addressed the question whether neurotoxicity due to the chemotherapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oxidative stress. Examination of 38 ALL patients revealed significant increases in 8-isoprostane concentration and important decreases in total antioxidative capacity of CSF during therapy. The mean 8-isoprostane level at diagnosis was 9.

Pro-cognitive effects of Cirsium rivulare extracts in rats.

Aim Of The Study: Cirsium rivulare (Jacq.) All. (Asteraceae) is a herbaceous perennial plant occurring in Central Europe.

Activation of CREB by St. John's wort may diminish deletorious effects of aging on spatial memory.

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is one of the leading psychotherapeutic phytomedicines. Beneficial effects of this herb in the treatment of mild to moderate depression are well known.

(+)-UH 232, a partial agonist of the D3 dopamine receptors, attenuates cognitive effects of angiotensin IV and des-Phe(6)-angiotensin IV in rats.

We have recently found that postsynaptic D3 dopamine (DA) receptors appear not to participate in the memory enhancing effects of the angiotensin AT4 receptor agonists angiotensin IV (Ang IV) and des-Phe(6)-Ang IV. In this study we evaluated role of the presynaptic DA D3 receptors in these effects. For that purpose effect of (+)-UH 232, a selective D3 DA receptors partial agonist preferring presynaptic sites, on the pro-cognitive action of intracerebroventricularly (icv) injected Ang IV and des-Phe(6)-Ang IV was examined.

Participation of D 1-4 dopamine receptors in the pro-cognitive effects of angiotensin IV and des-Phe 6 angiotensin IV.

Angiotensin IV (Ang IV) and des-Phe(6)Ang IV are naturally occurring neuroactive peptides of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) involved in memory processing. However, the relevant mechanisms are poorly understood. In this review it is proposed that the pro-cognitive effects of these peptides are, at least partly, mediated by dopamine (DA).

Gingkoselect alleviates chronic corticosterone-induced spatial memory deficits in rats.

The preventive effects of Gingkoselect (100 mg/kg/day, orally, 21 days) on spatial memory deficits induced by a chronic restraint stress (2 h daily, 21 days) or chronic corticosterone treatment (5 mg/kg, subcutaneously, 21 days) were investigated using the Barnes maze. Chronic corticosterone, but not chronic stress, impaired spatial memory, as shown by increased latency to finding escape tunnel in the maze. Gingkoselect normalized cognitive deficits in rats chronically treated with corticosterone, and improved memory above the control levels in the chronically stressed rats.