Neuroendocrinol Lett
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Neuroendocrinol Lett · Jan 2011
Expression of somatostatin receptor subtypes in primary and recurrent gonadotropinomas: are somatostatin receptors involved in pituitary adenoma recurrence?
Surgical treatment of pituitary macroadenomas often fails because of tumor recurrence after the operation. The causes of tumor recurrence are complex, but one of them may be the high growth potential of the adenoma. As somatostatin receptors mediate antiproliferative, anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic actions, it seemed reasonable to investigate their expression in dependence on the adenoma recurrence. ⋯ It is hypothesized that SSTR may, at least in part, counteract adenoma recurrence. On the other hand, it can be also presumed that the recurrent gonadotropinomas may be more sensitive to somatostatin analog treatment than primary ones. These hypotheses need to be confirmed in further studies.
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Neuroendocrinol Lett · Jan 2011
Somatization, but not depression, is characterized by disorders in the tryptophan catabolite (TRYCAT) pathway, indicating increased indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and lowered kynurenine aminotransferase activity.
Reduced plasma tryptophan occurs in depression and somatization. Induction of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) with consequent synthesis of tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs) and lowered tryptophan are associated with the onset of depression in the puerperium and during interferon-alpha treatment. Depression is accompanied by lowered kynurenic acid, a neuroprotectant, or increased kynurenine, a neurotoxic TRYCAT. ⋯ Somatization is characterized by increased IDO activity and disorders in KAT activity and an increased neurotoxic potential. The TRYCAT pathway may play a role in the pathophysiology of somatizing and "psychosomatic" symptoms through effects on pain, gut motility, the autonomic nervous system, peripheral NMDA receptors, etc. Even more, biological disorders, such as aberrations in the TRYCAT pathway, which are considered to be a hallmark for depression, are in fact attributable to somatization rather than to depression per se. Future research in depression on the TRYCAT pathway should always control for the possible effects of somatization.
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Neuroendocrinol Lett · Jan 2011
Young advisors to the Ombudsman as co-operators of child psychiatry.
In Slovakia, Legislation regulates the rights of individuals with mental disorders. Observance of these regulations is monitored by a designated Ombudsman or Public Defender of Rights which was created with the adoption of the Constitutional Act No. 90/2001. The Public Defender of Rights pays special attention toward the young generation including mentally handicapped children which since 2002 serves as the basis for collaboration with Child Ombudsmen who also act in prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Syndrome (CAN). Problematic children receive little attention not only in Slovakia. ⋯ An international network of Child Ombudspersons aimed at preventing development of mental and physical damage has been developed. Functioning in 22 European countries within The European Network of Ombudspersons for Children was implemented on a greater scale in April 2010. The Child Ombudspersons should be included in all public healthcare system.
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Neuroendocrinol Lett · Jan 2011
Estrogen altered facial mechanical pain threshold and trigeminal P2X3 receptor expression.
P2X3 receptors are expressed in trigeminal ganglia (TG) and participate in the transduction of facial pain. However, the mechanisms underlying P2X receptor-mediated nociception at different estrogen levels has not been examined. ⋯ These results indicate that estrogen might modulate the transduction of facial pain by inhibiting P2X3 receptor in TG.
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Neuroendocrinol Lett · Jan 2011
Awakening responses and diurnal fluctuations of salivary cortisol, DHEA-S and α-amylase in healthy male subjects.
Because the cortisol awakening response (CAR) has received increasing attention as a useful index of adrenocortical activity, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the presence of an awakening response for various salivary biomarkers of adrenocortical activity, including dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S), which acts as a cortisol antagonist, and α-amylase, which is a predictor of circulating catecholamine activity. Salivary biological indicators are considered to be valuable markers of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis diurnal activity. ⋯ This correlation confirmed the distinctiveness of the two regulatory systems: salivary cortisol and DHEA-S concentrations reflect the activity of the HPA axis, whereas α-amylase activity is more closely related to sympathetic activity. In addition, the present study emphasizes the potential value of saliva collection (which is both easy and stress-free) in monitoring changes of adrenal function, confirming that multiple sampling (especially within 1 h after awakening) is necessary to reliably characterise biomarker activity when investigating neuroendocrine changes under various conditions.