The effect of aripiprazole on leptin levels of patients with chronic schizophrenia and a comparison of leptin, acute phase protein, and cytokine levels with regard to body mass and body composition indexes.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to test the effect of aripiprazole on leptin, insulin, acute phase proteins, and selected cytokines levels in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Additionally, levels of leptin, insulin, acute phase proteins, and cytokines were compared with body mass and body composition indexes.

Material And Methods: Levels of leptin, insulin, serum amyloid A (SAA), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukins 17A (IL-17A) and 18 (IL-18) in blood serum were measured for 17 patients before and after 28 days of administering aripiprazole by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Distribution in Rats Internal Organs of Intraperitoneally Given 125I-Labeled Heptapeptide [2-8]-Leucopyrokinin ([2-8]-LPK), a Truncated Analog of Insect Neuropeptide Leucopyrokinin.

Background: It was previously found that synthetic, insect-derived octapeptide leucopyrokinin (LPK) applied directly into the lateral brain ventricle induced a significant antinociceptive effect in rats. Its synthetic truncated analog heptapeptide [2-8]-leucopyrokinin displayed a stronger antinociceptive effect in comparison to native LPK. Moreover it was previously found a high accumulation of these both 125I-labeled peptides in adrenals, as well as in hypothalamus and in hippocampus of rats brain.

Effect of alloferon 1 on central nervous system in rats.

Alloferon 1 is an insect-derived peptide with potent antimicrobial and antitumor activity. It was isolated from blood of an experimentally infected insect, the blow fly Callifora vicina. Synthetic alloferon 1 reveals a capacity to stimulate activity of NK cells and synthesis IFN in animal and human models.

Effect of N-acetylcysteine administration on homocysteine level, oxidative damage to proteins, and levels of iron (Fe) and Fe-related proteins in lead-exposed workers.

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) could be included in protocols designed for the treatment of lead toxicity. Therefore, in this study, we decided to investigate the influence of NAC administration on homocysteine (Hcy) levels, oxidative damage to proteins, and the levels of iron (Fe), transferrin (TRF), and haptoglobin (HPG) in lead (Pb)-exposed workers. The examined population (n = 171) was composed of male employees who worked with Pb.

Therapeutic effect of aripiprazole in chronic schizophrenia is accompanied by anti-inflammatory activity.

Background: Weight gain and metabolic abnormalities occur in chronic schizophrenia patients treated with atypical antipsychotics. The purpose of the study was to evaluate changes in serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), insulin and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, sTNF-R1, IL-12, IL-23, IL-1Ra, TGF-β1, IL-4, and IL-10) after switching to aripiprazole.

Methods: Cytokine, hsCRP and insulin measurements were performed in patients (n=17) on day 0 and day 28 of the study using standard ELISA assays.

Three pregnancies in a Marfan syndrome patient after a mitral and tricuspid valve surgery.

Marfan syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder of connective tissue with up to 25% of cases related to a spontaneous mutation. It has been associated with perinatal loss, preterm labor and, potentially a rupture of the maternal aortic arch. We present a case of a woman diagnosed with Marfan syndrome after a miscarriage of her first pregnancy.

Neonatal DSP-4 treatment modifies antinociceptive effects of the CB1 receptor agonist methanandamide in adult rats.

To study the influence of the central noradrenergic system on antinociceptive effects mediated by the CB(1)-receptor agonist methanandamide, intact rats were contrasted with rats in which noradrenergic nerves were largely destroyed shortly after birth with the neurotoxin DSP-4 [N-(-2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (50 mg/kg sc × 2, P1 and P3); zimelidine (10 mg/kg sc, 30 min pretreatment, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). When rats attained 10 weeks of age, monoamine and their metabolite concentrations were determined in the frontal cortex, thalamus, and spinal cord by an HPLC/ED method. Antinociceptive effects after methanandamide (10 mg/kg ip) apply were evaluated by a battery of tests.

Antinociceptive effect of lidocaine in rats.

Lidocaine, a local anesthetic drug, exerts its effect by blocking sodium channels in peripheral sensory neurons. It is commonly used in clinical practice as a local anesthetic drug. This study was undertaken in order to determine the effect of lidocaine on sodium channels in neurons of the central nervous system and its modulatory effect on the pain perception in rats.

Distribution of 125I-labeled [2-8]-leucopyrokinin, active analog of leucopyrokinin in rats.

The brain and internal organs distribution of 125I-labeled [2-8]-leucopyrokinin ([2-8]-LPK), a truncated analog of leucopyrokinin (LPK), an insect myotropic peptide injected into the lateral brain ventricle was determined in rats. A high accumulation of this analog in adrenals and in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of the brain was found. A lesser but significant [2-8]-LPK accumulation in other internal organs and parts of the brain was also observed.

Function of heart muscle in people chronically exposed to lead.

Rhythm and conductivity disturbances in heart muscle, change in autonomic system function and raised arterial blood pressure have been described in workers exposed to lead. They may be accompanied by changes in echocardiography test and accordingly we undertook this investigation. The study population included employees of zinc and lead steelworks in the south of Poland that were divided into 2 groups: exposed to lead compounds (n=88) and the reference group - administration workers (n=55) with normal levels of lead concentration in blood (PbB) and zinc protoporphyrin in blood.

Leucopyrokinin (LPK) analog [d-Ala(5)]-[2-8]-LPK inhibits LPK-induced analgesia in rats.

It has been previously found in our laboratory that insect neuropeptide leucopyrokinin and [2-8]-leucopyrokinin, a truncated analog without the first aminoacid of leucopyrokinin peptide chain exert an antinociceptive effect in rats. The present study confirmed our previous results, and moreover it has been found that [d-Ala(5)]-[2-8]-leucopyrokinin, an analog of leucopyrokinin antagonized the antinociceptive effect of leucopyrokinin and of [2-8]-leucopyrokinin. We conclude that this synthetic analog is a probable leucopyrokinin antagonist.