Plasma levels of n-3 fatty acids in bipolar patients: deficit restricted to DHA.

Epidemiological studies suggest that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 FA) deficiency is a risk factor for bipolar disorders (BDs). The aim of this study was to determine whether such a deficit does exist in patients with BD and to characterize the overall plasma fatty acid (FA) profile in these patients. Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, we measured fasting plasma levels of 15 FAs in 42 patients diagnosed with BD according to DSM-IV criteria and in 57 age- and gender-matched healthy controls.

Serum fatty acids and cardiovascular risk factors in sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a case-control study.

Objectives: We analyzed the relationships between sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and serum levels of fatty acids, total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), and the antioxidant coenzyme Q10.

Methods: Forty-three patients with SSNHL and 43 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. The main outcome measures were serum levels of fatty acids, coenzyme Q10, total cholesterol, and LDLs.

Coenzyme Q 10 and cardiovascular risk factors in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients.

Objectives: We investigated the association of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) with coenzyme Q (CoQ) and cardiovascular risk factors.

Study Design: A prospective study.

Setting: Hospital center.

Recombinant interferon alpha-2b and coenzyme Q10 as a postsurgical adjuvant therapy for melanoma: a 3-year trial with recombinant interferon-alpha and 5-year follow-up.

Early surgical intervention remains the most successful therapy for melanoma. Despite better outcomes observed in soft tissue and lymph node metastases, the results of pharmacological therapies are still disappointing. Currently, there is no standard adjuvant therapy for melanoma.

Low plasma coenzyme Q10 levels as an independent prognostic factor for melanoma progression.

Background: Abnormally low plasma levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) have been found in patients with cancer of the breast, lung, or pancreas.

Objective: A prospective study of patients with melanoma was conducted to assess the usefulness of CoQ10 plasma levels in predicting the risk of metastasis and the duration of the metastasis-free interval.

Methods: Between January 1997 and August 2004, plasma CoQ10 levels were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography in 117 consecutive melanoma patients without clinical or instrumental evidence of metastasis according to American Joint Committee on Cancer criteria and in 125 matched volunteers without clinically suspect pigmented lesions.

Mitochondrial damage and metabolic compensatory mechanisms induced by hyperoxia in the U-937 cell line.

Experimental hyperoxia represents a suitable in vitro model to study some pathogenic mechanisms related to oxidative stress. Moreover, it allows the investigation of the molecular pathophysiology underlying oxygen therapy and toxicity. In this study, a modified experimental set up was adopted to accomplish a model of moderate hyperoxia (50% O(2), 96 h culture) to induce oxidative stress in the human leukemia cell line, U-937.

Degradation of the immunogenic peptide gp100(280-288) by the monocyte-like U937 cell line.

The possible degradation of the tumor antigen epitope gp100(280-288) (YLEPGPVTA) in the presence of the monocyte-like line U937, and the effect of degradation on the in vitro-measured immune recognition, were investigated by chromatographic techniques and immunological assays. Results indicate a rapid hydrolysis of the substrate in the presence of the model cells, which is consistent with the hypothesis that degradation of gp100(280-288) is caused by the activity of U937-expressed enzymes, specifically amino- and carboxypeptidases. On the other hand, these results do not support the involvement of other enzymes known to be expressed by U937 cells.

Chronic and intermittent hypoxia induce different degrees of myocardial tolerance to hypoxia-induced dysfunction.

Chronic hypoxia (CH) is believed to induce myocardial protection, but this is in contrast with clinical evidence. Here, we test the hypothesis that repeated brief reoxygenation episodes during prolonged CH improve myocardial tolerance to hypoxia-induced dysfunction. Male 5-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 7-9/group) were exposed for 2 weeks to CH (F(I)O(2) = 0.