Commitment of protein p53 and amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) in aging of human cerebellum.

Protein p53 is known to induce the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in response to a variety of cellular distress signals and DNA damage. A recent study has demonstrated that in blood cells of aging subjects, p53 may induce early pathological changes that precede the amyloidogenic cascade. However, it is not clear whether p53 participates in the local deposition of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) in the nerve tissue of normal aging subjects.

The human body as an energetic hybrid? New perspectives for chronic disease treatment?

Inflammatory response is accompanied by changes in cellular energy metabolism. Proinflammatory mediators like plasma C-reactive protein, IL-6, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, TNF-α or monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 released in the site of inflammation activates immune cells and increase energy consumption. Increased demand for energy creates local hypoxia and lead in consequence to mitochondrial dysfunction.

Esculetin reduces leukotriene B4 level in plasma of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.

Objectives: Esculetin (6,7-dihydroxycoumarin) is a natural coumarin with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activity. It acts as a potent inhibitor of lipoxygenases (5-LOX and 12-LOX) and decreases the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-9). Because both inhibition of lipoxygenases and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases are effective strategies in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, we investigated whether esculetin may be effective in adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is a marker of angiogenesis in the necrotic area of human medulloblastoma.

Angiogenesis plays a key role in the progression of malignant tumors. In recent years, anti-angiogenic drugs have been shown to be effective against tumors. However, some tumors are able to adopt escape mechanisms, suggesting that the vascular network in these tumors may be formed or may function in a different way.

Methyl-CpG binding protein 2, receptors of innate immunity and receptor for advanced glycation end-products in human viral meningoencephalitis.

Inflammation is a normal host defense reaction to infections and tissue injury. In pathology, the process of inflammation is deregulated by various environmental factors, prolonged activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), induction of epigenetic machinery or expression of receptors for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE). In the present study, we examined immunoexpression of proteins participating in the above-mentioned mechanisms, in the brain of patients with viral meningoencephalitis.

The role of physiological elements in future therapies of rheumatoid arthritis. III. The role of the electromagnetic field in regulation of redox potential and life cycle of inflammatory cells.

Each material consisting of charged particles can be influenced by a magnetic field. Polarized particles play an essential role in almost all physiological processes. Locally generated electromagnetic fields several physiological processes within the human body, for example: stimulation of nerves, muscles, and cardiac electrical activity.

Genetic polymorphisms of Foxp3 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify 2 polymorphic variants in the promoter region of the Foxp3 gene and their possible association with susceptibility to and severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The association between genetic factors and pathogenesis suggests that T cells take part in the induction of RA. The CD4+CD25highFoxp3+ subset of regulatory T cells plays an essential role in preventing autoimmunity and maintaining immune homeostasis.

Antinociceptive properties of esculetin in non-inflammatory and inflammatory models of pain in rats.

Some studies suggest that 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibition or leukotriene receptor antagonism may effectively attenuate different kinds of pain. In the present study, we investigated whether esculetin (which, among other actions, potently inhibits 5-LOX) possesses analgesic activity in acute non-inflammatory pain and acute inflammatory pain models in rats. We also examined the effects of zileuton, a selective 5-LOX inhibitor, on esculetin activity.

Association of the Smad3 and NFATc2 gene polymorphisms and their serum levels with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis in Polish cohorts.

One among many factors involved in induction of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are T cells, the differentiation of which depends upon a unique combination of stimulants and subsequent activation of diverse transcription factors. The aim of this study was to identify polymorphic variants in Smad3 and NFATc2 genes and their possible association with susceptibility to and severity of RA. A total of 272 RA patients, 321 for Smad3 and 304 for nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)c2 healthy individuals, were examined for rs6494629 C/T and rs2289263 T/G Smad3 and rs880324 NFATc2 gene polymorphisms using the polymerase chain reaction-fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping assay, respectively.

Crosstalk in human brain between globoid cell leucodystrophy and zinc-α-2-glycoprotein (ZAG), a biomarker of lipid catabolism.

Zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein (ZAG) is a protein identified as a lipid-mobilizing factor participating in a lipid catabolism. In spite of intensive studies conducted during last five decades, the role of this protein in processes of neurodegeneration remains unclear. The aim of our study was to examine the presence of ZAG protein in the brain of patients with Krabbe's disease, which is considered as a psychosine lipidosis caused by a mutation of a known gene.

Current overview of functions of FoxO proteins, with special regards to cellular homeostasis, cell response to stress, as well as inflammation and aging.

FoxO transcription factors act at the interconnections between metabolic pathways inducible by many important signal transducers and mediators, such as p53, Ikk-β, NFKB, Akt, sirtuins, PTEN, and others. This may account for a crucial significance of disruptions in FoxO functions both in many kinds of diseases (including cancer, chronic inflammatory diseases, degenerative diseases, obesity, polymetabolic syndrome) and in some disease-like conditions (such as inflammaging, cachexia related to chronic inflammation, cancer-promotion by some chronic inflammatory responses, and the aging process itself). This paper reviews complex interactions between FoxOs and other signal transducers, trying to pinpoint how exactly disruptions of FoxO functions may occur, and how they may contribute to occurrence, development or complications of the conditions mentioned above.

Immunodistribution of amyloid beta protein (Aβ) and advanced glycation end-product receptors (RAGE) in choroid plexus and ependyma of resuscitated patients.

RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end-products) participates in the influx transport of glycated Aβ (amyloid beta) from the blood to the brain. Because little is known of the RAGE operating in brain barriers such as those in the choroid plexus and ependyma, the aim of the present study was to examine the immunodistributions of RAGE and Aβ peptides in the choroid plexus where the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (B-CSF) is located, and in ependyma of the brain ventricles associated with functions of the cerebrospinal fluid-brain barrier (CSF-B). The study was performed on patients over 65 years successfully resuscitated after cardiac arrest with survival a few weeks.

Association of mast cells with calcification in the human pineal gland.

Increased pineal calcifications and decreased pineal melatonin biosynthesis, both age related, support the notion of a pineal bio-organic timing mechanism. The role of calcification in the pathogenesis of pineal gland dysfunction remains unknown but the available data document that calcification is an organized, regulated process, rather than a passive aging phenomenon. The cellular biology and micro-environmental conditions required for calcification remain poorly understood but most studies have demonstrated evidence that mast cells are strongly implicated in this process.

Association between IL-17F gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to and severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Interleukin-17F (IL-17F) is a novel proinflammatory cytokine. IL-17F gene is an excellent candidate for chronic inflammatory disease. We investigated the association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and His161Arg (7488A/G; rs763780) and Glu126Gly (7383A/G; rs2397084) polymorphism of IL-17F gene.

IL-23 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a heterodimeric cytokine belonging to the IL-6/IL-12 family that plays a key role in several of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. This family contains the 34 type I cytokine receptor chains and 27 ligands, which share structural and functional similarities, but on the other hand they display distinct roles in shaping Th cells responses. IL-12 family cytokines have not only proinflammatory effects but they also promote inflammatory responses.

Cryotherapy decreases histamine levels in the blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: Conventional physiotherapy (electrotherapy, magnetic fields), kinesitherapy, and whole-body cryotherapy (plus kinesitherapy) are used to relieve pain and inflammation or to improve function in rheumatic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different physiotherapies and cryotherapy on biochemical blood parameters of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA).

Materials And Methods: Twenty patients with RA and 17 patients with OA received whole-body cryotherapy at -140 to -160 degrees C for 2 to 3 min, once daily for 4 weeks.

Antihistaminic drugs modify casein-induced inflammation in the rat.

Introduction: All known antihistaminics may affect several inflammatory events, including chemotaxis, the survival of eosinophils, and the release of chemokines and cytokines from different sources, thus highlighting the potential for modulating chronic inflammation and immune responses. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of H(1)-H(4) antihistaminic drugs in an acute model of casein-induced inflammation in rat.

Materials And Methods: Inflammation was induced by injection of a 12% solution of casein into the peritoneal cavity of male Wistar rats.

Histamine in pericarditis of children with congenital heart malformations.

Introduction: Congenital heart malformations are risk factors that make children susceptible to infections resulting in inflammation.

Material And Methods: The concentration of histamine as a modulator of inflammation was quantified in pericardial fluid and expression of histamine H(4) receptor (H(4)R) and histamine-releasing factor (HRF) was determined at mRNA and protein levels. Samples of pericardium and pericardial fluid were obtained during cardiac reconstruction surgery in children.

Involvement of histamine and histamine H2 receptors in nicotinamide-induced differentiation of human amniotic epithelial cells into insulin-producing cells.

Objective And Design: Human amniotic epithelial cells (HAEC) resemble stem cells in their ability to differentiate into all three germ layers: endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. Histamine receptors are expressed on HAEC. We examined the influence of histamine, and H(1) and H(2) antagonists on the generation of pancreatic islet beta-like cells from HAEC.

Tissue engineering in reconstructive surgery of bone and cartilage.

Molecular research has Bern the subject of considerable interest in recent years. The same can also be said for tissue engineering, which has ushered us into a world previously accessible only in science fiction. The possibility of creating human tissue opens the road for reconstructive surgery using biologically matched grafts.