Aspartimide modified galanin analogue antagonizes galanin action on insulin secretion.

Aspartimide (Asi) formation is one of the most serious side reactions that can occur both during solid phase synthesis and storage of peptides containing aspartic acid. Although numerous studies on the mechanism of Asi formation conducted so far, the problem still remains unresolved and relatively little is known about the impact of this side reaction on biological properties of such modified peptides. In the present work we characterized the effect of Asi formation on biological properties of galanin(1-15) analogue modified in position 14 with aspartic acid, investigating its action on rat isolated gastric smooth muscles and glucose-induced insulin secretion from rat isolated islets of Langerhans.

[Treatment of pulmonary hypertension].

Pulmonary hypertension leading to right heart failure can be related to primary lung disease or hypoventilation. Idiopathic pulmonary hypertension is a progressive disease with poor prognosis. Therapy of idiopathic pulmonary hypertension includes: oxygen, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, anticoagulants, prostanoids, endothelin receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors.

[Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in patients with perennial rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, allergic to house dust mites].

Unlabelled: Eosinophil Cationic Protein (ECP) is released from activated eosinophils during the inflammation process.

The Aim: of the study was to evaluate levels of ECP in serum of patients with perennial rhinitis (with and without asthma) and atopic dermatitis allergic to Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Further it was designed to compare ECP levels in patients treated with allergen-specific immunotherapy (IT) and in patients treated symptomatically.