The paper presents the results of our effort to reveal objective parameters for evaluation of the spa treatment for patients with anxiety-depressive disorders. The study was based on our previous experience with neuroactive steroids and neurosteroids, which play a crucial role in the psychological well-being of patients by maintaining balance of the organism. A total number of 94 steroids were determinated in a group of 70 female patients diagnosed with anxiety-depressive disorders. Patients underwent a month spa treatment while maintaining unchanged medication dosing with SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). The other investigated factors contributing to improving the health of treated subjects were amino-acid homocysteine and serotonin. The blood samples were collected at the beginning and the end of the spa treatment. Serotonin in all patients increased by a relative 23 % (results given as relative differences in percent), while homocysteine decreased by 17.1 %. Statistically significant increases were found in 21 steroids, which indicate activation of the adrenal cortex. It can be assumed, that the overall improvement in the mental condition of patients, which was proved by questionnaire from Knobloch and Hausner, the increase in immune suppressive substances and anti-autoimmune responses, will maintain for a longer time after the spa treatment., M. Bicikova, L. Macova, L. Kolatorova, M. Hill, J. Novotny, D. Jandova, L. Starka., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a new exercise method, with good acceptance among sedentary subjects. The metabolic response to WBV has not been well documented. Three groups of male subjects, inactive (SED), endurance (END) and strength trained (SPRINT) underwent a session of side-alternating WBV composed of three 3-min exercises (isometric half-squat, dynamic squat, dynamic squat with added load), and repeated at three frequencies (20, 26 and 32 Hz). VO2, heart rate and Borg scale were monitored. Twenty-seven healthy young subjects (10 SED, 8 SPRINT and 9 END) were included. When expressed in % of their maximal value recorded in a treadmill test, both the peak oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate (HR) attained during WBV were greatest in the SED, compared to the other two groups (VO2: 59.3 % in SED vs 50.8 % in SPRINT and 48.0 % in END, p<0.01; HR 82.7 % in SED vs 80.4 % in SPRINT and 72.4 % in END, p<0.05). In conclusions, the heart rate and metabolic response to WBV differs according to fitness level and type, exercise type and vibration frequency. In SED, WBV can elicit sufficient cardiovascular response to benefit overall fitness and thus be a potentially useful modality for the reduction of cardiovascular risk., B. Gojanovic, F. Feihl, G. Gremion, B. Waeber., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling plays an important role during embryonic induction and patterning, as well as in modulating proliferative and hypertrophic growth in fetal and adult organs. Hemodynamically induced stretching is a powerful physiological stimulus for embryonic myocyte proliferation. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of FGF2 signaling on growth and vascularization of chick embryonic ventricular wall and its involvement in transmission of mechanical stretchinduced signaling to myocyte growth in vivo . Myocyte proliferation was significantly higher at the 48 h sampling interval in pressure-overloaded hearts. Neither Western blotting, nor immunohistochemistry performed on serial paraffin sections revealed any changes in the amount of myocardial FGF2 at that time point. ELISA showed a significant increase of FGF2 in the serum. Increased amount of FGF2 mRNA in the heart was confirmed by real time PCR. Blocking of FGF signaling by SU5402 led to decreased myocyte proliferation, hemorrhages in the areas of developing vasculature in epicardium and digit tips. FGF2 synthesis is increased in embryonic ventricular cardiomyocytes in response to increased stretch due to pressure overload. Inhibition of FGF signaling impacts also vasculogenesis, pointing to partial functional redundancy in paracrine control of cell proliferation in the developing heart., E. Krejci, Z. Pesevski, O. Nanka, D. Sedmera., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Nitric oxide (NO) is an important endogenous neurotransmitter and mediator. It participates in regulation of physiological processes in different organ systems including airways. Therefore, it is important to clarify its role in the regulation of both airway and vascular smooth muscle, neurotransmission and neurotoxicity, mucus transport, lung development and in the surfactant production. The bioactivity of NO is highly variable and depends on many factors: the presence and activity of NO-producing enzymes, activity of competitive enzymes (e.g. arginase), the amount of substrate for the NO production, the presence of reactive oxygen species and others. All of these can change NO primary physiological role into potentially harmful. The borderline between them is very fragile and in many cases not entirely clear. For this reason, the research focuses on a comprehensive understanding of NO synthesis and its metabolic pathways, genetic polymorphisms of NO synthesizing enzymes and related effects. Research is also motivated by frequent use of exhaled NO monitoring in the clinical manifestations of respiratory diseases. The review focuses on the latest knowledge about the production and function of this mediator and understanding the basic physiological processes in the airways., M. Antosova, D. Mokra, L. Pepucha, J. Plevkova, T. Buday, M. Sterusky, A. Bencova., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The microflora of the digestive tract is composed of a unique set of bacteria, yeasts, viruses and other microorganisms, generally known as the microbiome. The microbiome exhibits considerable inter-individual variability, with up to two-thirds of the microflora differing between individuals. Because of this, the variable intestinal microflora is responsible for many differences in metabolic, hormonal and immunological processes in humans and animals. Significant differences have been observed in the metabolism of phytoestrogens, naturally occurring substances that possess estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity. These substances occur predominately in legumes, especially in soy and many soy products. Because of their effects, phytoestrogens are used as an alternative therapy for menopausal disorders and benign prostate hyperplasia. In connection with the worldwide expansion of soy products as part of healthy lifestyles including vegetarianism and veganism, phytoestrogens have become a regular part of everyday life. The activity of phytoestrogens is strongly dependent on the microbiome. Their metabolites have stronger estrogenic activity than the natural substances themselves, and because of the variability in microbiomes, there are large differences in the effects of phytoestrogens among individuals., L. Kolátorová, O. Lapčík, L. Stárka., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Clusterin is a heterodimeric glycoprotein with wide range of functions. To further explore its possible regulatory role in energy homeostasis and in adipose tissue, we measured plasma clusterin and its mRNA expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT) of 15 healthy lean women, 15 obese women (OB) and 15 obese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who underwent a 2-week very low-calorie diet (VLCD), 10 obese women without T2DM who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and 8 patients with T2DM, 8 patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 8 normoglycemic patients who underwent hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (HEC). VLCD decreased plasma clusterin in OB but not in T2DM patients while LSG and HEC had no effect. Clusterin mRNA expression in SCAT at baseline was increased in OB and T2DM patients compared with controls. Clusterin mRNA expression decreased 6 months after LSG and remained decreased 12 months after LSG. mRNA expression of clusterin was elevated at the end of HE C compared with baseline only in normoglycemic but not in IGT or T2DM patients. In summary, our data suggest a possible local regulatory role for clusterin in the adipose tissue rather than its systemic involvement in the regulation of energy homeostasis., J. Kloučková, Z. Lacinová, P. Kaválková, P. Trachta, M. Kasalický, D. Haluzíková, M. Mráz, M. Haluzík., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Serum adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (FABP-4) concentrations are linked to human obesity and other features of metabolic syndrome. Patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) develop numerous features of metabolic syndrome due to chronic cortisol excess. Here we tested the hypothesis that chronically increased cortisol levels in CS patients may alter circulating levels of FABP-4. Fourteen patients with CS, 19 patients with simple obesity (OB) and 36 healthy control subjects (C) were included in the study. Serum FABP-4 concentrations were significantly higher in both CS and OB patients relati ve to C group, but they did not differ between CS and OB groups. In a combined population of all groups, serum FABP-4 levels correlated positively with BMI, body fat content, serum glucose, triglycerides, HbA1c and HOMA index and were inversely relate d to HDL-cholesterol, resting energy expenditure and freeT3 levels. We conclude that FABP-4 levels are significantly increased in both patients with simple obesity and obese patients with Cushing's syndrome. We suggest that increased FABP-4 concentrations in CS patients are rather due to their excessive fat accumulation and related metabolic abnormalities than due to a direct effect of cortisol on FABP-4 production., V. Ďurovcová, J. Marek, V. Hána, M. Matoulek, V. Zikán, D. Haluzíková, P. Kaválková, Z. Lacinová, M. Kršek, M. Haluzík., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The impact of anesthetic agen ts on endocrine and metabolic factors is an important issue. The present study has compared the effects of a short-term exposure to diethyl ether, isoflurane, or CO2 on plasma corticosterone, insulin and glucose concentrations since the duration of anesthetic exposure may have an effect on those factors. Male rats were divided into fed and fasted groups. The experimental rats were briefly exposed to diethyl ether, isoflurane, or CO2 (the degree of anesthesia was identical), while a control group was not exposed to the anesthetics. In the fed rats, diethyl ether exposure increased the levels of plasma glucose. CO2 exposure decreased plasma corticosterone and increased plasma glucose levels. Isoflurane exposure caused no changes in plasma corticosterone, glucose, or insulin levels. In the fasted rats, diethyl ether exposure increased plasma corticosterone and reduced plasma insulin levels. The plasma corticosterone and insulin levels were significantly increased by CO2 exposure. Isoflurane exposure decreased plasma insulin levels. A brief exposure to either diethyl ether or CO2 changed the plasma corticosterone, glucose, and insulin levels in fed and/or fasted rats. However, isoflurane exposure had the least effect on the concentration of these factors in both the fed and fasted states., H. Zardooz, F. Rostamkhani, J. Zaringhalam, F. Faraji Shahrivar., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Tissue betaine is an intracellular osmolyte that also provides a store of labile methyl groups. Despite these important biological roles, there are few data regarding tissue betaine content. We measured the betaine concentration of plasma and various tissues (brain, heart, lungs, liv er, kidney, spleen, intestine, reproductive tissues, skeletal muscle and skin) in male and female rats and assessed whether there were any gender-specific differences in betaine content or distribution and whether there was any relationship between tissue accumulation and plasma levels. Betaine was highest in the liver and kidney with values ranging from 1.6 to 9.5 mmol/l and 2.0 to 5.4 mmol/l, respectively. Plasma betaine concentrations were significantly lower than tissue levels except in the brain ( ≈ 25 % of plasma) and skeletal muscle (similar to pl asma). Regression analysis of the combined male and female data revealed a significant plasma-related accumulation of betaine in the heart, skin and skeletal muscle, while the lung, liver, kidney, spleen, and intestine showed significant plasma-related and plasma- independent accumulations of be taine. The betaine content of the skin, liver and kidney was no t significantly different between males and females, but in plasma and all tissues analyzed it was significantly higher in males (P<0.01)., S. Slow, M. Lever, S. T. Chambers, P. M. George., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Antidepressants, particularly tricyclic (TCA) antidepressants, may have cardiotoxic effects, such as cardiac arrhythmias, especially in patients with cardiovascular diseases. For most of TCA, no exact correlation between dosage, plasma levels and changes of ECG parameters of standard ECG has been found. So far, no relationship between dosulepine plasma levels and heart electric field parameters has been studied. We selected 18 female outpatient subjects diagnosed with recurrent depressive disorders, currently in the remission phase (HAMD < 10), without any cardiovascular disease. Patients were treated with daily dosulepine doses of 25-125 mg for 4-8 weeks. 30 heart electric field parameters were analyzed by Cardiag 128.1 diagnostic system as part of BSPM (Body Surface Potential Mapping). Acquired data were correlated with dosulepine plasma levels by means of Spearmanís rank order correlation test. Four ECG parameters showed a significant correlation with dosulepine plasma levels: QRS axis deviation in frontal plane (p=0.01), DIAM 40 max (p < 0.05), QRS-STT angle in transversal and left sagittal plane (p < 0.05). The demonstrated changes confirmed dosulepine influence on the early myocardium depolarization phase and the correlation of this effect with dosulepine dose (its plasma concentration). The higher the dosulepine level, the more marked are the changes of the QRS-STT angle in transversal and sagittal planes and the changes in the QRS axis deviation in frontal plane. Repeatedly recorded changes in the heart electric field were dosulepine-specific and dependent on its plasma levels., E. Kitzlerová, I. Paclt, J. Slavíček, K. Pišvejcová, M. Anders, A. Dohnalová, M. Balíková., and Obsahuje bibliografii