To date, a single report has appeared on the use of salivary cortisol for adrenal function testing with a low dose ACTH, although 1 μg has become preferred as a more physiological stimulus than the commonly used 250 μg ACTH test. Our present study was aimed to obtain physiological data on changes of free salivary cortisol after 1 μg ACTH stimulation. This approach was compared with the common method based on the changes of total serum cortisol. Intravenous, low-dose ACTH test was performed in 15 healthy women (aged 22-40 years) with normal body weight, not using hormonal contraceptives, in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Blood and saliva for determination of cortisol were collected before ACTH administration and 30 and 60 min after ACTH administration. Basal concentration of salivary cortisol (mean ± S.E.M., 15.9±1.96 nmol/l) increased after 1 μg ACTH to 29.1±2.01 nmol/l after 30 min, and to 27.4±2.15 nmol/l after 60 min. The differences between basal and stimulated values were highly significant (p<0.0001). The values of salivary cortisol displayed very little interindividual variability (p<0.04) in contrast to total serum cortisol values (p<0.0001) A comparison of areas under the curve (AUC) related to initial values indicated significantly higher AUC values for salivary cortisol than for total serum cortisol (1.89±0.88 vs. 1.22±0.19, p<0.01). Correlation analysis of serum and salivary cortisol levels showed a borderline relationship between basal levels (r=0.5183, p=0.0525); correlations after stimulation were not significant. Low-dose ACTH administration appeared as a sufficient stimulus for increasing salivary cortisol to a range considered as a normal adrenal functional reserve., K. Šimůnková, R. Hampl, M. Hill, J. Doucha, L. Stárka, K. Vondra., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
According to European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) sarcopenia includes both a loss of muscle strength and a decline in functional quality in addition to the loss of muscle protein mass. In order to develop strategies to prevent and treat sarcopenia, the risk factors and causes of sarcopenia must be identified. Age-related muscle loss is characterized by the contribution of multiple factors, and there is growing evidence for a prominent role of low-grade chronic inflammation in sarcopenia. The elderly who are less physically active are more likely to have lower skeletal muscle mass and strength and are at increased risk of developing sarcopenia. Resistance training added to aerobic exercise or high-intensity interval training promote numerous changes in skeletal muscle, many of which may help to prevent or reverse sarcopenia. In this review, we provided current information on definition and monitoring, molecular mechanisms, and physical intervention to counteract sarcopenia., A. zembroń-Łacny, W. Dziubek, Ł. Rogowski, E. Skorupka, G. Dąbrowska., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The present study was undertaken to provide more information on the incidence of satellite nucleoli in developmental stages of the megakaryocytic lineage. Satellite nucleoli representing solitary silver stained nucleolus organizer regions (AgNORs) present in nuclei in addition to other nucleolar types were observed in all stages of megakaryocytic development. However, the incidence of satellite nucleoli was more frequent in mature megakaryocytes than in less differentiated immature megakaryoblasts and naked megakaryocytic nuclei representing the terminal stages of megakaryocytic development after loss of the cytoplasm transformed to thrombocytes. There is a possibility that the increased incidence of satellite nucleoli in mature megakaryocytes might be due to the loss of AgNORs from active nucleoli characteristic for immature cells. The decreased incidence of satellite nucleoli in naked megakaryocytic nuclei might reflect their disintegration in the terminal stages of the megakaryocytic development., J. Janoutová, Z. Likovský, K.Smetana., and Obsahuje bibliografii
To determine the effect of saturated hydrogen saline on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver dysfunction, rats were divided into control, LPS, and LPS plus saturated hydrogen saline (LPS+H 2 ) groups. Treatment with saturated hydrogen saline prolonged the median su rvival time and reduced liver dysfunction. Moreover, saturated hydrogen saline significantly reduced pathological alterations in liver tissues, the number of ballooned hepatocytes, serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α and interleukin (IL)-6 levels, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in liver tissues (P<0.05). Cell apoptosis was detected in liver tissues after LPS treatment, and attenuated by saturated hydrogen saline treatment. Saturated hydrogen saline also decreased phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), phosphorylated Jun kinase (p-JNK), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF- κ B), and second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (Smac) levels, and increased p38 activation (P<0.05). Thus, saturated hydrogen saline may attenuate LPS-induced acute liver dysfunction in rats, possibly by reducing inflammation and cell apoptosis. Mitogen- activated protein kinase (MAPK), NF- κ B, and Smac may contribute to saturated hydrogen saline-mediated liver protection., X.-F. Xu, J. Zhang., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Glucokinase (GCK) plays a key role in glucose metabolism. GCK mutations are known as a pathogenic cause of maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 2 (MODY2). These mutations are also found in gestational diabetics. The aim of our study was to assess the variability of the GCK gene in the Czech diabetic and control populations. We screened all 10 exons specific for the pancreatic isoform of glucokin ase (1a and 2-10) including the intron flanking regions in 722 subjects (in 12 patients with an unrecognised type of MODY and their 10 family members, 313 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2), 141 gestational diabetics (GDM), 130 healthy offspring of diabetic parents, and 116 healthy controls without family history of DM2). In two MODY families we identified two mutations in exon 2 of the GCK gene: a novel mutation Val33Ala and the previously described mutation Glu40Lys. In other subgroups (excluding MODY families) we detected only intronic variants and previously described polymorphisms in exons 6 (Tyr215Tyr) and 7 (Ser263Ser), we did not find any known GCK pathogenic mutation. We observed no difference in the frequencies of GCK polymorphisms between Czech diabetic (DM2, GDM) and non- diabetic populations., P. Lukášová, J. Včelák, M. Vaňková, D. Vejražková, K. Andělová, B. Bendlová., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
This article describes the evolution of our understanding of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in the Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe (CESE) region, and the dissemination of this understanding to other count ries. Using the ScreenPro FH project as an example, we would like to illustrate the progression from national objectives, to regional networking and, finally, to international collaboration via the Familial Hypercholesterolemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) project under the leadership of the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS). It is essential to improve our ability to diagnose FH. In this regard, the EAS and its FHSC project must be commended for their educational and organizational activities which, ab ove all, are dedicated to the creation of a global FH patient registry. In the CESE region, FH diagnostics and treatment situation are markedly different than in Western Europe or North America. Since the Czech MedPed project (Make Early Diagnoses to Preve nt Early Deaths in Medical Pedigrees) has been so successful (with results not only comparable to, but, for some parameters, even surpassing the results of many Western countries) we decided to apply the Czech experience to the CESE region. Thus, the ScreenPro FH project was created. The aim of ScreenPro FH is to create a specialist network in the CESE region. The primary objective of the ScreenPro FH project was to dramatically reduce the number of premature deaths due to clinical complications of atherosc lerosis in FH patients. At present, ScreenPro FH comprises 18 member countries with a total population of 500,000,000; which, in terms of the FH population, represents 1-2 million patients., R. Ceska, T. Freiberger, M. Vaclova, T. Aleksicova, L. Votavova, M. Vrablik., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Given the potential clinical benefit of inhibiting Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) activity dur ing myocardial ischemia reperfusion (I/R), pharmacological approaches have been pursued to both inhibit and clarify the importance of this exchanger. SEA0400 was reported to have a potent NCX selectivity. Thus, we examined the effect of SEA0400 on NCX currents and I/R induced intracellular Ca2+ overload in mouse ventricular myocytes using patch clamp techniques and fluorescence measurements. Ischemia significantly inhibited inward and outward NCX current (from -0.04±0.01nA to 0 nA at -100 mV; from 0.23±0.08 nA to 0.11±0.03 nA at +50 mV, n=7). Subsequent reperfusion not only restored the current rapidly but enhanced the current amplitude obviously, especially the outward currents (from 0.23±0.08 nA to 0.49±0.12 nA at +50 mV, n=7). [Ca2+]i, expressed as the ratio of Fura-2 fluorescence intensity, increased to 138±7 % (P<0.01) during ischemia and to 210±11 % (P<0.01) after reperfusion. The change of NCX current and the increase of [Ca 2+]i during I/R can be blocked by SEA0400 in a dose-dependent manner with an EC50 value of 31 nM and 28 nM for the inward and outward NCX current, respectively. The results suggested that SEA0400 is a potent NCX inhibitor, which can protect mouse cardiac myocytes from Ca2+ overload during I/R injuries., J. Wang, Z. Zhang, Y. Hu, X. Hou, Q. Cui, Y. Zang, C. Wang., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
The laboratory rat, a non-photoperiodic rodent, exhibits seasonal fluctuations of melatonin. Melatonin has been found to be readily transferred from the maternal to the fetal circulation. No data exist on the possible influence of maternal pineal gland upon seasonal variations of the offspring. The aim of the present study was to asses the influence of the maternal melatonin rhythm on the offspring postnatal development of the reproductive hormones LH, FSH and prolactin. Male offspring from control, pinealectomized (PIN-X) and PIN-X + melatonin (PIN-X+MEL) mother Wistar rats were studied at 21, 31, and 60 days of age. Seasonal age-dependent variations were found for all hormones studied in control offspring but PIN-X offspring showed a tendency to have reduced duration or altered seasonal variations. Maternal melatonin treatment to PIN-X mothers partially restored the effect of pinealectomy. The chronological study of LH, FSH, and prolactin in PIN-X offspring also showed an altered pattern as compared to control-offspring. Melatonin treatment to the mothers partially restored the developmental pattern of reproductive hormones. Results of this study indicate that maternal pineal gland of the laboratory rat is involved in the seasonal postnatal development variations of reproductive hormones of the offspring., N. Vásquez, E. Díaz, C. Fernández, V. Jiménez, A. Esquifino, B. Díaz., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Our aim was to assess the reaction of TNFα, resistin, leptin and adiponectin to lipid infusion. Eight healthy subjects underwent a 24-hour lasting infusion of lipid emulsion. Plasma concentrations and expressions of selected cytokines in subcutaneous fat were measured. TNFα plasma concentration did not change during the first 4 hours of hypertriglyceridemia, but a significant increase after 24 hours was detected (p<0.001 for 0; 30; 240 min vs. 24 h). Plasma concentration of resistin significantly increased at 30 min of infusion and remained elevated (p<0.01 for 0 min vs. 30; 240 min; p<0.001 for 0 min vs. 24 h). Plasma concentrations of leptin and adiponectin did not show any significant changes. Although the expression of resistin in the subcutaneous adipose tissue tended to increase, the change was not significant. Expressions of TNFα, leptin and adiponectin were unaffected. In conclusions, our results indicate that acutely induced hyperlipidemia could influence the secretion of TNFα and resistin., J. Kopecký ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
The study of ischemia/reperfusion injury included 25 patients in the acute phase of myocardial infarction (19 perfused, 6 remained non-reperfused as evaluated according to the time course of creatine kinase and CK-MB isoenzyme activity) and a control group (21 blood donors). Plasma level of malondialdehyde was followed as a marker of oxidative stress. Shortly after reperfusion (within 90 min), a transient increase of malondialdehyde concentration was detected. The return to the baseline level was achieved 6 h after the onset of therapy. The activity of a free radical scavenger enzyme, plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reached its maximum 90 min after the onset of treatment and returned to the initial value after 18 h. The specificity of the GPx response was confirmed by comparing with both non-reperfused patients and the control group, where no significant increase was detected. The erythrocyte Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) did not exhibit significant changes during the interval studied in perfused patients, probably due to the stability of erythrocyte metabolism. In non-reperfused patients, a decrease of SOD was found during prolonged hypoxia. These results help to elucidate the mechanisms of fast activation of plasma antioxidant system during the reperfusion after myocardial infarction., V. Mužáková, R. Kanďár, P. Vojtíšek, J. Skalický, Z. Červinková., and Obsahuje bibliografii