Cyclic GMP and nitric oxide synthase in aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is an important secondary messenger synthesized by the guanylyl cyclases which are found in the soluble (sGC) and particular isoforms. In the central nervous system, the nitric oxide (NO)-sensitive sGC isoform is the major enzyme responsible for cGMP synthesis. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are enzymes for hydrolysis of cGMP in the brain, and they are mainly isoforms 2, 5, and 9.

A non-invasive assessment of intracranial volume reserve by measuring cerebrospinal fluid volume with the aid of CT imaging.

Introduction: Monitoring changes in the intracranial volume (ICV) reserve and intracranial pressure (ICP) is one of the key issues in the treatment of intracranial pathologies. The aim of this study is to develop a method of monitoring the ICV reserve by analyzing CSF volume measured using CT in specific regions.

Materials And Methods: A total of 20 patients with cerebral injury were evaluated.

Relative expression of mRNAS coding for glutaminase isoforms in CNS tissues and CNS tumors.

Glutaminase (GA) in mammalian tissues occurs in three isoforms: LGA (liver-type), KGA (kidney-type) and GAC (a KGA variant). Our previous study showed that human malignant gliomas (WHO grades III and IV) lack expression of LGA mRNA but are enriched in GAC mRNA relative to KGA mRNA. Here we analyzed the expression of mRNAs coding for the three isoforms in the biopsy material derived from other central nervous system tumors of WHO grades I-III.

Predicting a relapse of Graves' hyperthyroidism in adults during the early phase of treatment with anti-thyroid drugs.

Introduction: The long-term effectiveness of anti-thyroid drugs (ATD) in the treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism (GH) is still unsatisfactory and difficult to predict. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a determination of serum level of thyrotropin-binding inhibiting immunoglobulins (second generation TBII assay) in predicting the possibility of relapse in the early phase of pharmacological treatment.

Material And Methods: We investigated 37 patients within the 20-60 age range with the first occurrence of GH.

Endogenous neuro-protectants in ammonia toxicity in the central nervous system: facts and hypotheses.

The paper overviews experimental evidence suggestive of the engagement of three endogenous metabolites: taurine, kynurenic acid, and glutathione (GSH) in the protection of central nervous system (CNS) cells against ammonia toxicity. Intrastriatal administration of taurine via microdialysis probe attenuates ammonia-induced accumulation of extracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) resulting from over-activation of the N-methyl-D: -aspartate/nitric oxide (NMDA/NO) pathway, and this effect involves agonistic effect of taurine on the GABA-A and glycine receptors. Taurine also counteracts generation of free radicals, increased release of dopamine, and its metabolism to dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC).