Increased Markers of Oxidative Stress and Positive Correlation Low-Grade Inflammation with Positive Symptoms in the First Episode of Schizophrenia in Drug-Naïve Patients.

Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic mental illness usually diagnosed in adolescents and young adults. Many studies indicate that oxidative stress causes membrane dysfunction and cell damage, which is implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The purpose of our study was to evaluate oxidative stress markers (the main primary products of lipid peroxidation, lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), and end products of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP)) in the plasma of patients with the first episode of schizophrenia in drug-naïve patients (22 men and 12 women aged 17-29).

Fractalkine, sICAM-1 and Kynurenine Pathway in Restrictive Anorexia Nervosa-Exploratory Study.

The link between the kynurenine pathway and immunomodulatory molecules-fractalkine and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1)-in anorexia nervosa (AN) remains unknown. Fractalkine, sICAM-1, tryptophan (TRP), kynurenine (KYN), neuroprotective kynurenic acid (KYNA), neurotoxic 3-OH-kynurenine (3-OH-KYN), and the expression of mRNA for kynurenine aminotransferases () were studied in 20 female patients with restrictive AN (mostly drug-free, all during first episode of the disease) and in 24 controls. In AN, serum fractalkine, but not sICAM-1, KYNA, KYN, TRP or 3-OH-KYN, was higher; ratios TRP/KYN, KYN/KYNA, KYN/3-OH-KYN and KYNA/3-OH-KYN were unaltered.

Analysis of the expression of BAX, BCL2, BIRC6, CASP3, CASP9 apoptosis genes during the first episode of schizophrenia.

Objectives: The aim of the study was the analysis of (1) the level of BAX,BCL2,BIRC6,CASP3, CASP9 apoptosis genes expression in schizophrenic patients and in the control group, and (2) the relationships between the genes expression level and the morphological and biochemical parameters, as well as the severity of psychopathological symptoms.

Methods: The study included 21 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to ICD-10 and 26 healthy subjects. The following parameters were assessed: genes expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes, laboratory parameters and severity of psychopathological symptoms (using the PANSS).

Increased expression of kynurenine aminotransferases mRNA in lymphocytes of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Complex interaction of genetic defects with environmental factors seems to play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Accumulating data implicate a potential role of disturbed tryptophan metabolism in IBD. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a derivative of tryptophan (TRP) along the kynurenine (KYN) pathway, displays cytoprotective and immunomodulating properties, whereas 3-OH-KYN is a cytotoxic compound, generating free radicals.

Imbalance of Controlled Death in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes in Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mainly includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Both conditions are associated with an exacerbated intestinal immune response to harmless stimuli, leading to upregulation of pro-inflammatory mediators. : The subjects of the study were 55 patients with IBD.

Correlations of Kynurenic Acid, 3-Hydroxykynurenine, sIL-2R, IFN-α, and IL-4 with Clinical Symptoms During Acute Relapse of Schizophrenia.

Several lines of evidence suggest that up-regulation of immune response and alterations of kynurenine pathway function are involved in pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Correlations among clinical status (using PANNS, SANS and SAPS scales) and blood levels of kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) and levels of selected immunoactive molecules, soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), interferon-α (IFN-α) and IL-4 were analyzed in 51 chronic schizophrenia patients during acute relapse, after four weeks of therapy and at remission. KYNA levels were significantly lower in comparison with controls (N=45) throughout the study, whereas 3-HK did not differ from controls at admission and during therapy, but increased at remission.

[The kynurenic acid hypothesis - a new look at etiopathogenesis and treatment of schizophrenia].

Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is a neuroactive metabolite of tryptophan formed in the brain and in the periphery, known to block ionotropic glutamate receptors and α7 nicotinic receptors, and to act as a ligand of G protein-coupled GPR35 receptors and human aryl hydrocarbon (AHR) receptors. KYNA seems to modulate a number of mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia including dopaminergic transmission in mesolimbic and mesocortical areas or glutamatemediated neurotransmission. The kynurenine hypothesis of schizophrenia links the occurrence of positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and cognitive impairments characteristic for the disease with the disturbances of kynurenine pathway function.

[New prospects for antipsychotic treatment - the role of the kynurenine pathway].

The mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs is mainly associated with changes in dopaminergic system. The application of antipsychotic agents simultaneously produces changes in concentrations of metabolites (e.g.

[Changes of sense of coherence (SOC) after psychotherapy in neurotic patients].

Unlabelled: Sense of coherence (SOC) is the central construct of the salutary model of health. Sense of coherence comprises comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness.

Aim: The aim of the study was to check if the sense of coherence can change after psychotherapy in neurotic patients, if the value of the changes depends on the level of sense of coherence and if the obtained changes are stable.