Diagnostic Accuracy of Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor and Nitric Oxide in Patients with Schizophrenia: A pilot study.

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nitric oxide (NO) play multiple roles in the developing and adult CNS. Since BDNF and NO metabolisms are dysregulated in schizophrenia, we measured these markers simultaneously in the blood of schizophrenics and assessed their diagnostic accuracy.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients with schizophrenia classified according to demographic characteristics, symptomatologyand therapy and 39 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled.

Toxic essential oils. Part II: chemical, toxicological, pharmacological and microbiological profiles of Artemisia annua L. volatiles.

Botanical drugs based on Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae) are important in the treatment of malaria. Alongside with artemisinin, this aromatic species produces high and variable amounts of other chemicals that have mostly unknown biological/pharmacological activities.

Schizophrenia is associated with increased levels of serum Fas and FasL.

Background: A growing body of evidence suggests that the apoptotic process is dysregulated in schizophrenia. However, only a few studies have evaluated apoptotic markers in vivo in patients or their cell cultures.

Methods: Serum concentrations of Fas receptor (Fas/APO-1) and Fas ligand (FasL) were measured by ELISA techniques.

Lipoprotein(a) Is the Best Single Marker in Assessing Unstable Angina Pectoris.

This study evaluated whether statin therapy changed a diagnostic validity of lipid and inflammatory markers in ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients. Levels of lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, inflammatory markers, and atherogenic indexes were determined in 49 apparently healthy men and women, 82 patients having stable angina pectoris (SAP), 80 patients with unstable angina (USAP), and 106 patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated or not treated with statins. Diagnostic accuracy of markers was determined by ROC curve analysis.

Serum Fas/FasL levels in dependence on clinical presentations of coronary disease and their relationship with risk factors.

Background/aim: Ischemic heart disease is mostly a consequence of atherosclerosis. Besides the inflammation, the Fas/Fas ligand (FasL)/caspase death pathway is documented to be activated in atherosclerotic lesions. The aim of this study was to compare the values of soluble forms of Fas and FasL in patients with different presentations of coronary disease and to correlate Fas/FasL with risk factors.

Plasma nitrite/nitrate concentrations in patients with schizophrenia.

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is known to be a signaling molecule with many physiogical functions including apoptotic process regulation. Since apoptosis may contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, this study was undertaken to determine the plasma concentrations of NO in schizophrenics.

Methods: Nitrite/nitrate (NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)) concentrations were measured in plasma from 40 patients with schizophrenia, and 36 age- and gender-matched healthy persons using a colorimetric test.

[Oxidative stress in human diseases].

Oxidative stress is a "privilege" of aerobic organisms. It can be induced by endogenous and exogenous factors. Most often, it is characterized by the production of free radicals and nonradical oxygen and nitrogen products, referred to under a single term "reactive species" (RS).

Serum neopterin, nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Background: Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease, underlies the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. The present study assessed the diagnostic possibilities of inflammatory biomarkers, serum neopterin, nitrite/nitrate (NO2(-)/NO3(-)), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and their correlation with risk factors in patients with acute coronary syndromes and stable angina pectoris.

Methods: We studied 44 patients with chronic stable angina pectoris, 46 with unstable angina, 55 with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction and 39 age-matched healthy volunteers (control group).

Immune system-mediated endothelial damage is associated with NO and antioxidant system disorders.

Two distinct systems of different origin are involved in the pathogenesis of both infectious and immunological vasculitis syndrome: nitric oxide (NO) from endothelial cells and granulocyte NADPH oxidase. In this study, in 31 children with immune system dysfunction, NO, NO synthase (NOS) and antioxidant enzyme activities [catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)], as well as immunological parameters, were investigated. On the basis of the clinical findings, all children were divided into three groups: group I, 8 children clinically showing macular skin manifestations; group II, 11 children with maculo-papulous changes; and group III, 12 children with clinical findings of papulous changes.

Free radicals in cell biology.

In aerobic cells, free radicals are constantly produced mostly as reactive oxygen species. Once produced, free radicals are removed by antioxidant defenses including enzyme catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. Reactive oxygen species, including nitric oxide and related species, commonly exert a series of useful physiological effects.