Cognitive impairment and BDNF serum levels

Background/aims To investigate the alterations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF) serum levels in subjects with different intensity of cognitive impairment and different neurodegenerative processes. Material and methods Serum BDNF levels were analyzed by ELISA kit in 378 subjects: 134 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, 115 amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, and 129 controls divided into two groups: neurodegenerative control group (ND), consisting of 49 Parkinson's disease patients without any cognitive complaints, and cognitively normal control group (CN), consisting of 80 subjects without any neurological disorders. Results AD patients had significantly lower (p<0.001) BDNF serum levels compared to MCI, CN and ND controls. Age and education had significant influence on BDNF serum levels regardless the diagnosis or group assignment. We have found no influence of depression on BDNF serum levels either in our group as a whole, or in each group assessed separately. We found significant correlation between BDNF serum levels and cognitive impairments. After multiple comparisons between the groups, we found that, after adjustment for confounding factors (age, gender, education, depression, cognitive impairment), BDNF serum levels were the lowest in AD group (p=0.05). Conclusions Advanced age and low educational level are associated with decreased BDNF serum levels. Decreased BDNF serum levels correspond to the severity of cognitive impairment. There is no correlation between BDNF serum levels and depressive symptoms

The effects of syncope on serum tau protein levels in adolescents

According to the new (2009) definition, sudden, reversible, short-lasting and spontaneously resolving loss of consciousness associated with a transient, global decrease in cerebral blood flow occurs during syncope. Syncope-associated cerebral ischaemia lasts from a few to several seconds. Near infrared spectroscopy reveals decreased oxygenated haemoglobin and increased reduced haemoglobin levels. If cerebral ischaemia is due to stroke, blood–brain barrier damage and tau protein diffusion into the cerebrospinal fluid occur. Cerebrospinal fluid tau levels can be both, a useful biomarker in the assessment of ischaemic extent and a prognostic factor. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether there is an increase in serum tau protein levels during syncope, which could correspond to a stroke model of brain injury. Material and methods: The study group included 32 patients, and the control group included 38 patients (mean age for both groups was 15 years). Syncope was induced by tilt table testing. The test was performed according to the Westminster protocol. Three blood samples were collected (at baseline as well as 6 and 24 hours afterwards) to measure tau levels. Results: No differences in tau levels were demonstrated between the study group and controls (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The extent of brain injury in adolescents with syncope is insufficient to induce significantly increased serum tau levels. However, the study should be continued to assess the levels of this marker in different types of syncope

Charakterystyka diety ketogennej i jej właściwości terapeutycznych w chorobach centralnego układu nerwowego

A fat-rich and low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet has been successfully used in epilepsy treatment in children and adults for many years. Lately, advances have been made in the use of ketogenics as therapy for other disorders such the tuberous sclerosis complex, brain tumors and neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Many studies have also shown its neuroprotective abilities. This neuroprotection is connected with the molecular mechanisms of a ketogenic diet and ketone metabolism. This review shows how a ketogenic diet induces ketosis, how it works and how the molecular mechanisms of a ketogenic diet may be used in the therapy of central nervous system disorders.Wysokotłuszczowa, niskowęglowodanowa dieta ketogenna jest terapią, która od wielu lat z sukcesem jest stosowana u dzieci i dorosłych w leczeniu epilepsji. Późniejsze badania pozwoliły na rozszerzenie poszukiwań jej terapeutycznego zastosowania o stwardnienie guzowate, guzy mózgu i schorzenia neurodegeneracyjne, jak choroba Alzheimera i choroba Parkinsona. Wiele badań wykazało również neuroprotekcyjne właściwości tej terapii. Indukowanie neuroprotekcji jest związane z molekularnymi mechanizmami działania diety ketogennej i metabolizmem ciał ketonowych. Niniejsza praca opisuje działanie diety ketogennej oraz jej mechanizmy molekularne, które mogą być wykorzystywane w terapii chorób centralnego układu nerwowego

Serum levels of the S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase are associated with mortality in critically ill patients

Introduction. Evaluation of the prognostic potential of the S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) as predictors of mortality in critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICU). Materials and Methods. The study was conducted on 62 patients. Basic clinical variables and blood samples for S100B and NSE level testing were obtained during the first four days after admission. Mortality was described as the patient's death during hospitalization in the ICU. Results. 35% of the patients had died. The level of S100B and NSE was significantly higher in non-survivors in comparison with survivors (p=0.007 and p=0.02, respectively). Mortality risk was significantly higher in patients with higher levels of biomarkers than the reference values for S100B (OR 9.00; 95% CI 2.38-33.99; p<0.001) as well as for NSE (OR 5.75; 95%CI 1.31-25.27; p=0.016). Receiver operating characteristic proved that S100B is a better mortality predictor than NSE (AUC 0.76 for S100B and 0.68 for NSE). From all the other variables, the Apache II score turned out to be the only significant predictor of mortality (AUC 0.88). Conclusion. There is a significant correlation between mortality in the ICU and increased serum concentration of S100B and NSE. This correlation is stronger for S100B. Testing for serum levels of S100B and NSE may be useful for prediction of treatment outcomes in the ICU patients

Plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 as prognostic biomarkers in critically ill patients

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) plays an important role in inflammatory and pathological processes by enabling the inflow of leukocytes to the site of infection or tissue damage. MMP-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) have been described as potential prognostic biomarkers in various clinical settings. The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of plasma levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 as well as the MMP-9/ TIMP-1 ratio in predicting the outcome in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The study included 56 critically ill patients with multiple organ failure. Plasma levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were determined on hospitalization day 1, 2, 3 and 7. Nineteen (35.7%) patients died. The level of TIMP-1 was statistically significantly higher on day 1 and 7 of hospitalization in non-survivors, as compared to survivors (p=0.01). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between MMP-9 and TIMP-1. The MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio was comparable in both groups during of observation (0.62 on day 1). The MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio was positively correlated with the level of lactate and negatively correlated with platelet count. Likewise, TIMP-1 was positively correlated with the level of lactate. The level of MMP-9 was higher in the non-survivor group only on day 7 of observation. In conclusion, although TIMP-1 and MMP-9 concentrations were higher in non-survivors and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio was related to some parameters of critical illness, further research is needed to verify whether they can serve as reliable biomarkers for early prognostication of ICU patients

Serum levels of the S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase are associated with mortality in critically ill patients

Introduction. Evaluation of the prognostic potential of the S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) as predictors of mortality in critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICU). Materials and Methods. The study was conducted on 62 patients. Basic clinical variables and blood samples for S100B and NSE level testing were obtained during the first four days after admission. Mortality was described as the patient's death during hospitalization in the ICU. Results. 35% of the patients had died. The level of S100B and NSE was significantly higher in non-survivors in comparison with survivors (p=0.007 and p=0.02, respectively). Mortality risk was significantly higher in patients with higher levels of biomarkers than the reference values for S100B (OR 9.00; 95% CI 2.38-33.99; p<0.001) as well as for NSE (OR 5.75; 95%CI 1.31-25.27; p=0.016). Receiver operating characteristic proved that S100B is a better mortality predictor than NSE (AUC 0.76 for S100B and 0.68 for NSE). From all the other variables, the Apache II score turned out to be the only significant predictor of mortality (AUC 0.88). Conclusion. There is a significant correlation between mortality in the ICU and increased serum concentration of S100B and NSE. This correlation is stronger for S100B. Testing for serum levels of S100B and NSE may be useful for prediction of treatment outcomes in the ICU patients

Serum S100B protein concentration in adolescents with syncope

Introduction: Children and adolescents with syncope are frequent patients in a general practitioner’s or paediatrician’s office. Syncope is a sudden, reversible, short and spontaneously resolving loss of consciousness associated with transient global cerebral hypoperfusion. The pattern of metabolic and clinical disorders resulting from brain ischaemia has been well described in patients with cerebral stroke. Due to brain ischaemia during stroke, the blood–brain barrier is broken down, which results in the appearance of S100B protein in the cerebrospinal fluid. Its concentration increases with increasing extent of ischaemia. The aim of the study was to assess whether adolescents with syncope present elevated serum S100B protein concentrations. Material and methods: The analysis involved 70 adolescents at 14–18 years of age (average age: 15.5), including 32 syncope patients and 38 controls. The basic diagnostic test was a tilt test performed in accordance with the Westminster protocol. S100B assay was conducted by collecting blood samples directly before a tilt test as well as 6 and 24 hours afterwards. Results: There were no differences between patients and controls in S100B levels at baseline and after 6 and 24 hours. Conclusions: The results of the study do not confirm the hypothesis that during syncope in adolescents, the brain tissue becomes damaged, which would be indicated by elevated serum S100B protein level. This research project requires continuation, and further analyses should be conducted taking into account various types of syncope, particularly the cardioinhibitory one, during which cardiac asystole of 3–15 seconds (or even longer) is observed

Comparative Analysis of Fatty Acids Concentration in Liver and Muscle Tissues of Rats and Mice

This study conducted a comparative analysis of fatty acids (FAs) concentration derived from polar (PL) and non-polar (NPL) lipids in the liver and muscle tissues of rats and mice. The objective was to elucidate species-specific differences in tissue FA distribution. Employing targeted GC/MS-based methodology, the study aimed to provide insights into conserved and species-specific aspects of lipid metabolism, thereby enhancing future experimental design, linked with comprehension of the interactions between diet, metabolism, and health. Results revealed markedly higher levels of total fatty acids (TFAs) derived from PL in mice skeletal muscle compared to rats and elevated saturated fatty acids (SFAs) levels in mice. Unsaturated fatty acid levels, mainly monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), were substantially higher in mice muscle across all lipid classes, resulting in a higher PUFA/TFA ratio in mice muscle. Detailed analysis of specific unsaturated fatty acids (C16:1, C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c, C22:6n3) indicated elevated levels in mice relative to rats. Conversely, rats exhibited higher SFA levels derived from the NPL fraction in the liver, particularly in myristic (C14:0), stearic (C18:0), and tricosanoic (C23:0) acids. Mice liver PL fractions displayed significantly elevated unsaturated FA levels, with notably higher MUFAs and lower PUFAs in NPL fractions compared to rats. Analysis of specific unsaturated FAs revealed higher levels of palmitoleic acid (C16:1) in mice, while rats exhibited increased linoleic (C18:2n6c) and linolenic (C18:3n3) acids. In conclusion, significant differences in FAs tissue distribution between rats and mice underscore the importance of considering species-specific FAs variations when utilizing these animal models and interpreting experimental results related to FA metabolism