Role of the peripheral serotoninergic system in the pathogenesis of vasovagal syncope.

Objective: To evaluate the role of peripheral serotoninergic system in the pathogenesis of vasovagal syncope.

Background: Increased central serotoninergic activity was suggested to play a role in sudden inhibition of sympathetic activity responsible for the genesis of vasovagal syncope. There is good correlation between the central serotoninergic activity and the plasma levels of serotonine.

Adiponectin as a biomarker of clinical manifestation of metabolic syndrome.

Objectives: To search whether there are differences in serum levels of adiponectin in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS) as compared to the healthy controls.

Methods: Serum levels of adiponectin were measured by ELISA in 22 subjects with MS (MS group: 9 males and 13 females, average age +/- SD 43.19 +/- 6.

Bioavailability of chalcones.

Epidemiological evidence suggests that diets rich in fruits and vegetables decrease the risk of premature mortality from major clinical conditions, including cancer and heart disease. However, it is not yet clear which components or combination of components in fruit and vegatables are protective and what is their mechanism of action is. Phenolic compounds are important compounds because of their contribution to human health and their multiple biological activities.

Changes in ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde in rats after exposure to mercury.

Background: Mercury is one of the ubiquitous pollutants participating in generation of reactive oxygen species leading to the formation of oxidative stress.

Methods: Changes in plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde were measured in rats after per os exposure to different doses of mercury (as mercuric chloride) for 30 d.

Results: The production of ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde was related to the dosage of mercuric chloride.

Matrix metalloproteinases: their biological functions and clinical implications.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are also known as matrixins, are proteinases that participate in extracellular matrix remodelling and degradation. Under normal physiological conditions, the activities of MMPs are precisely regulated at the level of transcription, at that of activation of the pro-MMP precursor zymogenes as well as at that of inhibition by endogenous inhibitors (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, TIMPs). Alterations in the regulation of MMP activity are implicated in diseases such as cancer, fibrosis, arthritis and atherosclerosis.

Selected hormones levels in individuals with endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance.

Aim: To determine possible differences in selected serum hormones levels related to endothelial function and insulin sensitivity.

Methods: Ghrelin, insulin, serotonin, growth hormone, IGF-1, leptin and adiponectin serum levels were determined in a group of 83 adults (40 women, 43 men) with a mean age 49.4+/-4.

Immunohistochemical detection of MRP1 protein in normal and hyperplastic human thyroid gland.

In this study we describe the localization of MRP1 in normal and hyperplastic thyroid tissues. To demostrate this protein we have used the enzyme imunohistochemical method with monoclonal antibody MRPm6. We have found MRP1 to be present in follicular epithelial cells of normal thyroid tissue and higher expression in the same cells of hyperplastic thyroid tissue.

Metallothioneins and zinc: their functions and interactions.

The impact of environmental and occupational contamination on living organisms has been an interesting topic for scientific and lay public for a long time. The synthesis of metallothioneins is one of the protection strategies, by which organisms protect themselves from metal-induced toxicity. There are four known isoforms of metallothioneins.

Metformin versus sibutramine in the treatment of hyperinsulinemia in chronically anovulating women.

Aim of this study was to compare the effects of metformin and a body weight reduction regimen using sibutramine on insulinemia, insulin sensitivity, and ovarian function in women with anovulatory cycles or infertility. 30 women with anovulatory cycles and hyperinsulinemia were treated with metformin and 15 anovulating women with obesity were treated with sibutramine in combination with a caloric restriction diet and physical exercise. In the metformin group there was a mild decrease of the body mass index (BMI), a decrease of fasting and stimulated insulinemia (I0, p < 0.

Obesity is the major factor determining an insulin sensitivity and androgen production in women with anovulary cycles.

Aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that obesity promotes the insulin-sensitivity and ovarian hyperandrogenism in anovulating women independently of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We examined 80 women of reproductive age (19-38 years, mean 28.5 +/- 0.

Relationship between plasma aldosterone and left ventricular structure and function in patients with essential hypertension.

Recent experimental studies demonstrated that elevation of plasma aldosterone is associated with an increased collagen accumulation resulting in myocardial fibrosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of circulating aldosterone with cardiac structural and functional changes in patients with essential hypertension. The authors examined 39 patients (aged 51 +/- 14 years, 13 male, 26 female) with essential hypertension.

Expression of LRP--lung resistance-related protein in the normal colorectal mucosa and in colorectal carcinoma.

Expression of LRP--lung resistance-related protein was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibody LRP-56 in 30 specimens (10 from normal colorectal tissue and 20 from colorectal carcinoma). All normal tissue samples were LRP positive. Strong LRP staining was seen in the surface epithelium and upper parts of the crypts.

Diastolic function of the left ventricle assessed by echocardiography.

The authors evaluated a value of diastolic indices of the left ventricle assessed by Doppler from transmitral flow in prediction of diastolic dysfunction. They were related to instantaneous pressure decline of the left ventricle, which was considered as a standard of left ventricular relaxation and was evaluated by Doppler. In a group of 38 patients the diastolic function was assessed by measuring the isovolumic relaxation time, peak velocity during the rapid filling phase of the left ventricle, its deceleration time, peak velocity during atrial contraction, its ratio and flow propagation velocity.

Alterations of the vessel wall innervation during diabetes mellitus.

Coronary and valvular heart disease during diabetes mellitus (DM) are major contributors of morbidity and mortality in the diabetic population. Relatively little atention has been given to the study of heart valve nerve structures in different pathological processes. In this study we have demonstrated the presence of possible morphological alterations in vessels of the anterior cusp of the rat mitral valve during 8-12 weeks DM.

Surgery of the tumours of the liver.

Background: Recent decades have seen new methods of resection techniques which have contributed to improved results.

Aim: To provide a review of state-of-the-art knowledge of surgical treatment of liver tumours. The clinical material is analyzed.

In vitro effect of stobadine on Fe(2+)-induced oxidative stress in rat liver mitochondria.

The authors have studied the susceptibility of two key protective enzymes, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) known to induce oxidative damage in vitro system containing Fe2+/EDTA. The ability of ROS scavanger stobadine to prevent oxidative damage was also studied. Incubation of GPX with Fe2+/EDTA resulted in the significant decrease in its enzyme activity while under the same condition the activity of GR was not changed.

Prolactin and interleukin 2 concentrations before and after i.v. TRH application in primary hypothyroidism and in controls.

The authors evaluated serum level of prolactin (PRL) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) before and after i.v. application of tyreoliberin (TRH) 0.

[Effect of passive leg lifting on sodium excretion in patients with liver cirrhosis].

18 healthy subjects and 15 patients with liver cirrhosis were examined using a 2-hour method of passive leg rising (PLR). Renal and hormonal responses to PLR were investigated. There was a significant increase in diuresis (p < 0.

[Adrenal incidentalomas].

The extensive use and progress in the improvement of imaging techniques brings about the growing incidence of incidentalomas, i.e. adrenal lesions accidentally revealed during the imaging of the abdominal cavity which was originally focused on the visualisation of organs other than adrenal glands.

Immunohistochemical detection of LRP protein in the normal human lung.

In this study, we have determined the LRP (lung resistance-related protein) by immunohistochemical method. LRP belongs to proteins which cause the multidrug resistance (MDR). It has been found in various normal human tissues, where it plays a protective role against toxic compounds.

Anatomy into the future.

The necessary increase in the clinical components of the medical curriculum has created pressure to reduce the amount of time spent on basic science, particularly the detailed learning of anatomy. Methods of learning must be re-evaluated, but departments will be constrained by resources available. The clinical aspects of anatomy should form the principles of a core course, with a limit to the wider anatomical knowledge required.

[Genetic polymorphism of enzymes metabolizing xenobiotics as a factor in susceptibility to tumor development].

Organisms are exposed to a large number of xenobiotics (compounds foreign to the body), such as drugs, pesticides, natural food constituents and so on. To deal with these, usually lipophilic substances, a range of biotransformation enzyme systems are available. Experimental data have shown that metabolic activation and detoxification play an important role in chemical carcinogenesis.

[Hormonal and morphologic characteristics of adrenal incidentalomas].

The authors analyse hormonal and morphological characteristics of adrenal incidentalomas, i.e. pathological adrenal masses accidentally found on CT scan performed due to extraadrenal causes of other causes of adrenal pathology.

[Laminar distribution of NADPH-diaphorase in the thoracic spinal cord in pheasants].

Background: The distribution of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity was investigated in the spinal cord of pheasants.

Material And Methods: Histochemical method for visualization of NADPH-d was used in this study. This method is considered to be a good marker for NO synthase.

[Detection of peptidergic and nitrergic structures in the spinal ganglia of rabbits].

In this study we have demonstrated the presence of neuropeptide substance P and non-peptide neurotransmitter NO (nitric oxide) in the dorsal root ganglia of rabbit. NADPH-diaphorase histochemical staining was used for the detection of NO and immunohistochemical method for the detection of substance P.A particular number of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells were stained by SP and NADPH-d reaction.