Mean daily plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin, leu-enkephalin, ACTH, cortisol, and DHEAS in epileptic patients with complex partial seizures evolving to generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

Introduction: A multitude of mechanisms have been implicated in the pathophysiology of epilepsy.

Objective: To assess mean daily plasma concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, DHEAS, leu-enkephalin, and beta-endorphin in epileptic patients with complex partial seizures evolving to tonic-clonic in relation to frequency of seizure occurrence (groups with seizure occurrences - several per week and several per year) and duration of the disease (groups less than and more than 10 years). We decided to analyse mean daily values of beta-endorphin and leu-enkephalin because of significant differences in concentrations of these substances in blood during the day.

[Assessment of antioxidative enzymes activity and intensification of lipids peroxidation in asthmatic patients].

Chronic immunoallergic inflammatory reaction plays a key role in pathogenesis of asthma. Importance of free oxygen radicals in mechanism of chronic inflammatory process has been proved. Activity of two antioxidative enzymes: isoenzymes of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (POX), and concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum and erythrocytes in asthmatics during exacerbation and improvement of disease were assessed.

Adrenal cortex function in asthmatic patients following the discontinuation of chronic therapy with systemic glucocorticosteroids.

Objective: To estimate the time it takes for adrenal cortex function in asthmatic patients to return to normal after discontinuation of chronic therapy with systemic glucocorticosteroids (GCs) and to assess the relationship between the duration of the disease, chronic therapy, and the return of the normal adrenal cortex functioning.

Materials And Methods: The study involved 58 asthmatic patients and 31 healthy volunteers (aged 20-69 years). Adrenal cortex function was evaluated with the Synacthen short test, and determining serum and urinary free cortisol levels after 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 21 months following the discontinuation of systemic therapy with GCs.

The relationship between the daily profile of chosen biochemical markers of bone metabolism and melatonin and other hormone secretion in rats under physiological conditions.

Background: The mechanism of generating and synchronizing daily rhythms of bone and mineral metabolism markers has not been entirely explained. Most studies indicate that LD cycle and/or feeding schedules provide important synchronizers of these rhythms. It seems that endogenous factors, including systemic and local hormones can be important in the mechanism of dependence of bone and mineral metabolism parameters rhythms on LD cycle and feeding schedule.

Circadian rhythm of melatonin in postmenopausal asthmatic women with hormone replacement therapy.

Objective: The aim of the study was to check if in postmenopausal women such a disease as asthma and use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) influence daily melatonin (MEL) secretion.

Material And Methods: Studies were performed in 55 asthmatics (treated and not treated with glucocorticosteroids) and 20 healthy postmenopausal women (aged 48-60) before HRT and after 6 months of transdermal 17beta-estradiol and medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment (cyclical method). During the circadian study blood samples for the measurement of MEL were collected every 3 hours during the day.