The thymus plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining the peripheral T-cell pool. It does so by providing a microenvironment within which T-cell precursors differentiate and undergo selection processes to create a functional population of major histocompatibility complex-restricted, self-tolerant T cells. These cells are central to adap tive immunity. Thymic T-cell development is influenced by loca lly produced soluble factors and cell-to-cell interactions, as well as by sympathetic noradrenergic and endocrine system signalling. Thymic lymphoid and non- lymphoid cells have been shown not only to express β - and α 1 - adrenoceptors (ARs), but also to synthesize catecholamines (CAs). Thus, it is suggested that CAs influence T-cell development via both neurocrine/endocrine and autocrine/ paracrine action, and that they serve as immunotransmitters between thymocytes and nerves. CAs acting at multiple sites along the thymocyte developmental route affect T-cell generation not only numerically, but also qualitatively. Thymic CA level and synthesis, as well as AR expression exhibit sex steroid-mediated sexual dimorphism. Moreover, the influence of CAs on T-cell development exhibits glucocorticoid-dependent plasticity. This review summarizes recent findings in this field and our current understanding of complex and multifaceted neuroendocrine- immune communications at thymic level., G. Leposavić, I. Pilipović, M. Perišić., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Summary The aim of this study was to characterize an in vitro modulating effect of three commensal Lactobacillus strains on cellular differentiation of non-transformed crypt-like rat small intestinal cell line IEC-18. IEC-18 was grown on extracellular matrix, with or without presence of Lactobacillus strains. Gene expression of IEC-18 bacterial detection system - such as Toll-like receptors TLR-2, TLR-4, signal adapter MyD88, cytoplasmic NOD2 receptor, inflammatory cytokines IL-18, IL-1β, chemokine IL-8 and enzyme caspase-1 - was evaluated using real-time PCR. Expression and localization of TLR-2, TLR-4, IL-18 and caspase-1 proteins was demonstrated by Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining. Secretion of IL-18 to apical and basolateral surfaces was assayed by ELISA. Our results suggested that L. casei LOCK0919 accelerated differentiation of IEC-18 by stimulating TLR-2, TLR-4, MyD88, IL-18, caspase-1 mRNAs and proteins. L. casei LOCK0919 increased expression and transfer of villin and β-catenin from cytoplasm to cell membrane. Presence of L. rhamnosus LOCK0900 resulted in detachment of IEC-18 layer from extracellular matrix leading to induction of IL-1β, of TLR-2 and IL-8 mRNAs and stimulation of MyD88, caspase-1 and cytosolic receptor NOD2 mRNAs. L. rhamnosus LOCK0908 was not recognized by TLR-2 or TLR-4 receptors. Lactobacilli-IEC-18 crosstalk enhanced immune and barrier mucosal functions., J. Kolínská, M. Zákostelecká, Z. Zemanová, V. Lisa, J. Goliáš, H. Kozáková, B. Dvořák., and Seznam literatury
The aim of this study was to compare the central and peripheral components of cardiorespiratory fitness during incremental to maximal exercise between older men who were either recreational athletes (RA) or leisurely active (LA) men, i.e., those who fall between trained and untrained. This was a crosssectional study in which all subjects completed an exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and ventilatory threshold (VT) were assessed using gas analysis, and central components of VO2max were assessed using a non-invasive thoracic bio-impedance device. VO2max (RA: 45.1±4.8 ml/kg/min; LA: 32.2±4.6 ml/kg/min, p≤0.001) and SV at maximal exercise (RA: 133.5±24.96 ml/beat; LA: 107.9±17.6 ml/beat, p=0.005) were higher in the RA group compared to the LA group. A plateau in SV occurred between 30-45 % of maximal exercise capacity in the RA group. No differences in SV were observed across workloads in the LA group. No differences in the calculated arterio-venous oxygen difference ((a-v)O2diff) were observed between groups. In conclusions, training volume appears to influence central components of cardiorespiratory fitness among a matched sample of older men who are neither trained nor untrained. This builds a case for increasing the volume of training to preserve cardiorespiratory fitness among older men., C. D. O'neill, D. S. Kimmerly, S. Dogra., and Obsahuje bibliografii
UVB radiation from sunlight induces an acute corneal inflammation, photokeratitis, accompanied by changes in corneal hydration. We employed a method of ultrasonic pachymetry for daily examination of central corneal thickness as an index of corneal hydration of the rabbit cornea repeatedly irradiated by UVB radiation (312 nm, daily dose of 0.25 J/cm2 during three or four days) as influenced by UVB absorber (actinoquinol combined with hyaluronic acid) dropped on the ocular surface during irradiation. One day after the third irradiation procedure the animals were sacrificed and corneas examined immunohistochemically for peroxynitrite formation, a marker of oxidative damage, the antioxidant aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, an enzyme generated nitric oxide. Results show that UV absorber combined with hyaluronic acid protected the cornea against UVB-induced changes in corneal thickness and microscopical disturbances to the cornea (both seen after buffered saline application) until the fourth experimental day. These UVB doses are equivalent to a daily exposure of 2.5 hrs of the human cornea to solar UVB radiation for three consecutive days. It is suggested that actinoquinol/ hyaluronic acid drops might be helpful for the human eye in the defence against photooxidative and other oxidative processes. and Obsahuje seznam literatury
As a consequence of enhanced production of oxygen free radicals, lipid peroxidation leads to the degradation of membrane lipids and disturbances of membrane permeability. Lipid peroxidation increases under stress conditions such as hypoxia, ischemia or acidosis as well as in metabolic diseases, e.g. diabetes mellitus. We have shown that subcomatous doses of insulin (6.0 IU/kg) significantly increase thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs), especially malondialdehyde (MDA) - the endproduct of lipid peroxidation, in the brain and heart of mice. In our model of insulin-induced hypoglycemia, mice were treated with the neuroprotective, peptide-containing drug Cerebrolysin (100 mg/kg b.w.). Animals were sacrificed by decapitation two or three hours after the injection of tested substance and samples were taken to determine several serum parameters (glucose, total protein, triglycerides and lactic acid) and TBARs in the brain and heart. Although Cerebrolysin was not able to affect serum parameters after subcomatous insulin injection, the drug significantly influenced lipid peroxidation. A single injection of Cerebrolysin already decreased TBARs levels in the brain and heart tissue. Presuming that an increase of TBARs reflects disturbances of the cell membrane, we have documented a promising effect of Cerebrolysin on cell integrity., J. Patočková, M. Kršiak, P. Marhol, E. Tůmová., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Short-term weight-reducing regimens were shown to influence fatty acid composition of serum lipids unfavorably. Adding long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC PUFA) to a low-calorie diet (LCD) could avoid these changes. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a short-term in-patient weight-reducing regimen including LCD with yogurt enriched by low doses of n-3 PUFA (n-3 LCD). The enriched yogurt contained 790 mg of fish oil, predominantly eicosapentaenoic (20:5n-3; EPA) and docosahexaenoic (22:6n-3; DHA). Forty obese women were randomly assigned to the group consuming LCD and joghurt either with or without n-3 enrichment. Following the 3-week diet in the n-3 LCD group a significantly higher increase in the proportion of n-3 LC PUFA (sum of n-3 FA, EPA and DHA) in serum lipids was confirmed. In phospholipids (PL) a significant difference in the sum of n-6 fatty acids was found, a decrease in the n-3 LCD group and an increase in LCD group. Significantly higher increase in the PL palmitate (16:0) was shown in the LCD group. The results suggest that low doses of n-3 fatty acid enrichment can help to avoid unfavorable changes in fatty acid composition in serum lipids after a short-term weight-reducing regimen., P. Hlavatý, M. Kunešová, M. Gojová, E. Tvrzická, M. Vecka, P. Roubal, M. Hill, K. Hlavatá, P. Kalousková, V. Hainer, A. Žák, J. Drbohlav., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF). Our aim was to determine the activities of circulating MMP-2 and MMP-9 in patients with HF in respect of gender, comorbidities and treatment (n=51). We did not reveal any differences in circulating pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 activities between the patients with HF and without it. However, there was a decrease in activity of pro-MMP-2 in treated hypertensive participants versus healthy ones. In contrast, we observed increased pro-MMP-2 activity in hypertensive participants with coexistent HF versus hypertensive participants without HF. In addition, a decrease in pro-MMP-2 activity was shown in women suffering from HF versus men suffering from HF. In conclusion, potential inhibitory effect of antihypertensive treatment on pro-MMP-2 activity was found. Coexistent HF with hypertension probably reduces the inhibitory effect of antihypertensive treatment on pro-MMP-2 activity. Our data also suggest the role of potential cardioprotective factors influencing the activity of pro-MMP-2 in women., E. Giannakos, E. Vardali, M. Bartekova, M. Fogarassyova, M. Barancik, J. Radosinska., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Acute phase proteins and markers of proteosynthetic activity reflect the clinical activity in Crohn´s disease (CD). The impact of anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody (anti-TNF) therapy on serum levels of acute phase proteins and proteosynthetic markers was studied. Fourteen patients with active CD were treated with 5 mg per kg of anti-TNF in intravenous infusion. Clinical activity (assessed by Crohn´s disease activity index - CDAI), α-1-acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin, cholinesterase and prealbumin were assessed before and in months 1 and 5 after treatment. A sustained decrease in CDAI was observed. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in α-1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin in month 1 (p=0.005 and p=0.01, respectively) while in month 5 the levels of both acute phase proteins rose significantly (p=0.003 for α-1-acid glycoprotein and p=0.02 for haptoglobin). Cholinesterase and prealbumin significantly increased in month 1 after the treatment (p=0.02 and p=0.0006, respectively), the increase was sustained in cholinesterase while prealbumin levels diminished in month 5. We conclude that the clinical improvement after anti-TNF therapy for CD is accompanied by changes of acute phase proteins and proteosynthetic markers. The assessment of these laboratory markers may be useful in the management of CD patients treated with anti-TNF., V. Kupčová, L. Turecký, Z. Detková, M. Príkazská, A. Keleov., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Changes in extracellular space (ECS) diffusion parameters, DC potentials and extracellular potassium concentration were studied during single and repeated cortical spreading depressions (SD) in 13-15 (P13-15), 21 (P21) and 90-day-old (adult) Wistar rats. The real-time iontophoretic method using tetramethylammonium (TMA+)-selective microelectrodes was employed to measure three ECS parameters in the somatosensory cortex: the ECS volume fraction α (α = ECS volume/total tissue volume), ECS tortuosity λ (increase in diffusion path length) and the nonspecific TMA+ uptake k’. SD was elicited by needle prick. SD was significantly longer at P13-15 than at P21 and in adults. During SD, α in all age groups decreased from 0.21-0.23 to 0.05-0.09; λ increased from 1.55-1.65 to 1.95-2.07. Ten minutes after SD, α (in adults) and λ (all age groups) increased compared to controls. This increase persisted even 1 hour after SD. When SD was repeated at 1 hour intervals, both α and λ showed a gradual cumulative increase with SD repetition. Our study also shows that cortical SD is, as early as P13, accompanied by severe ECS shrinkage and increased diffusion path length (tortuosity) with values similar to adults, followed by a long-lasting increase in ECS volume and tortuosity when compared to pre-SD values., T. Mazel, F. Richter, L. Vargová, E. Syková., and Obsahuje bibliografii