SERUM CLAUDIN-5, BUT NOT ZONULIN, MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Background: The aim of this research was to assess serum zonulin and claudin-5 concentrations to show whether or not their eventual changes in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) could have etiopathogenetic importance. There was no research in the literature assessing serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels in OCD to the best of our understanding. Subjects and methods: In this study, we assumed that there may be a deterioration in serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels in OCD patients and this may affect the severity of the disease. Thirty-six OCD patients and 35 healthy controls were included in this study. The patients were administered Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Yale-Brown Obsession Compulsion Scale (Y-BOCS) to determine the severity of depression and OCD, respectively. Venous blood samples were collected, and serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels were measured. Results: The mean serum claudin-5 level was significantly higher without a significant difference between age, sex, and body mass index, whereas serum zonulin level was not different from the control group in OCD patients. Conclusions: In conclusion, the current research indicates that claudin-5 is enhanced in OCD patients and this finding may contribute to the role of blood-brain barrier in the pathogenesis of OCD

Acetylsalicylic acid and ascorbic acid combination improves cognition; Via antioxidant effect or increased expression of NMDARs and nAChRs?

Chronic inflammation occurs systematically in the central nervous system during ageing, it has been shown that neuroinflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders. Aspirin, a nonselective COX inhibitor, as well as ascorbic acid, has been purported to protect cerebral tissue. We investigated the effects of subchronic aspirin and ascorbic acid usage on spatial learning, oxidative stress and expressions of NR2A, NR2B, nAChR alpha 7, alpha 4 and beta 2. Forty male rats (16-18 months) were divided into 4 groups, namely, control, aspirin-treated, ascorbic acid-treated, aspirin + ascorbic acid-treated groups. Following 10-weeks administration period, rats were trained and tested in the Morris water maze. 8-Hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and malondialdehyde were evaluated by ELISA and HPLC, respectively. Receptor expressions were assessed by western blotting of hippocampi. Spatial learning performance improved partially in the aspirin group, but significant improvement was seen in the aspirin + ascorbic acid group (p < 0.05). While 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and malondialdehyde levels were significantly decreased, NR2B and nAChRa7 expressions were significantly increased in the aspirin + ascorbic acid group as compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Subchronic treatment with aspirin + ascorbic acid in aged rats was shown to enhance cognitive performance and increase the expressions of several receptors related to learning and memory process. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Medical students' participation in and perception of unprofessional behaviors: comparison of preclinical and clinical phases

We aimed to compare reported observations, participation in, and perceptions of unprofessional behaviors across preclinical and clinical medical students using a 23-item questionnaire that asked participants whether they witnessed or participated in the behavior and considered it unprofessional. Overall, 111 preclinical (year 3) and 104 clinical (year 4) students responded. For all of the behaviors, significant positive correlations were present between participation and affirmative perceptions. Participation rates for several unprofessional behaviors (14 of 23 items) were higher in the clinical phase. Clinical students more frequently perceived unprofessional behaviors as appropriate (17 of 23 items) compared with preclinical students. In conclusion, both preclinical and clinical medical students in our setting commonly witness unprofessional behaviors. Clinical students participate in and tend to rationalize these behaviors more frequently than preclinical students do

Are there any remarkable effects of prenatal exposure to food colourings on neurobehaviour and learning process in rat offspring?

Objective: Artificial food colourings and additives (AFCAs) have long been discussed to have adverse effects on cognition and behaviour in children. In this study, our aim was to assess the probable side effects of prenatal exposure to colouring food additives on neurobehaviour and spatial learning process

Effects of maternally exposed coloring food additives on receptor expressions related to learning and memory in rats

Exposure to artificial food colors and additives (AFCAs) has been implicated in the induction and severity of some childhood behavioral and learning disabilities. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nACHRs) are thought to be effective in the learning and memory-generating process. In this study, we investigated the effects of intrauterine exposure to AFCAs on subunit concentrations of NMDARs and nAChRs isoforms in rats. We administered a mixture of AFCAs (Eritrosin, Ponceau 4R, Allura Red AC, Sunset Yellow FCF, Tartrazin, Amaranth, Brilliant Blue, Azoruhin and Indigotin) to female rats before and during gestation. The concentration of NR2A and NR2B subunits and nAChR alpha 7, alpha 4 beta 2 isoforms in their offspring's hippocampi were measured by Western Blotting. Expressions of NR2B and nAChR beta 2 were significantly increased (17% and 6.70%, respectively), whereas expression of nAChR alpha 4 was significantly decreased (5.67%) in male experimental group compared to the male control group (p < 0.05). In the female experimental group, AFCAs caused a 14% decrease in NR2B expression when compared to the female control group (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that exposure to AFCAs during the fetal period may lead to alterations in expressions of NMDARs and nAChRs in adulthood. These alterations were different between male and female genders. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Effects of maternally exposed coloring food additives on receptor expressions related to learning and memory in rats

Exposure to artificial food colors and additives (AFCAs) has been implicated in the induction and severity of some childhood behavioral and learning disabilities. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nACHRs) are thought to be effective in the learning and memory-generating process. In this study, we investigated the effects of intrauterine exposure to AFCAs on subunit concentrations of NMDARs and nAChRs isoforms in rats. We administered a mixture of AFCAs (Eritrosin, Ponceau 4R, Allura Red AC, Sunset Yellow FCF, Tartrazin, Amaranth, Brilliant Blue, Azoruhin and Indigotin) to female rats before and during gestation. The concentration of NR2A and NR2B subunits and nAChR alpha 7, alpha 4 beta 2 isoforms in their offspring's hippocampi were measured by Western Blotting. Expressions of NR2B and nAChR beta 2 were significantly increased (17% and 6.70%, respectively), whereas expression of nAChR alpha 4 was significantly decreased (5.67%) in male experimental group compared to the male control group (p < 0.05). In the female experimental group, AFCAs caused a 14% decrease in NR2B expression when compared to the female control group (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that exposure to AFCAs during the fetal period may lead to alterations in expressions of NMDARs and nAChRs in adulthood. These alterations were different between male and female genders. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

The role of oxidant status on the etiopathogenesis of unexplained infertility and intracytoplasmic sperm injection - embryo transfer success: A case-control study

The present study aims to evaluate the role of follicular fluid (FF) and serum (s) total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) on the etiopathogenesis of unexplained infertility (UI) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (ICSI-ET) success. Twenty UI patients and 20 controls with male factor undergoing an ICSI-ET cycle were recruited. FF samples aspirated from mature follicles and blood samples collected just before the oocyte retrieval were stored until analysis. Embriyo quality and implantation, clinical pregnancy and living birth rates were evaluated. FF-TOS and FF-OSI of the UI patients were higher than the control group. s-TOS and s-OSI were significantly increased in the UI group compared to the control group. However, only s-TOS was positively associated with UI diagnosis after age-adjustment. FF-OSI was negatively associated with embryo quality in the UI group (but not in the whole group) after age-adjustment. No significant effect of TAS, TOS, and OSI on implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rate was observed. In conclusion, especially s-TOS can have a partial role in the etiopathogenesis of UI. High FF-OSI can decrease the quality of embryo in patients with UI.Impact statement What is already known? Total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI), which is the ratio of TOS to TAS, provide a broad overview of redox status. What do the results of this study add? An elevated serum TOS (s-TOS) was associated with UI after age-adjustment. Follicular fluid OSI (FF-OSI) was negatively associated with embryo quality and embryo score in the UI group (but not in the whole group) after age-adjustment. No significant effect of TAS, TOS, and OSI was observed on implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rate. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Evaluation of FF-OSI in women with unexplained infertility can be considered to predict embryo quality. Further studies that evaluate antioxidant agents to decrease oxidative stress in UI and its' clinical implications are warranted.Scientific Research Unit of Suleyman Demirel Universit

Prenatal exposure to artificial food colorings alters NMDA receptor subunit concentrations in rat hippocampus

Exposure to artificial food color additives (AFCAs) has been implicated in the etiology of certain childhood hyperactivity and learning disabilities. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha 7 nAChR) are involved in learning and memory. We administered a mixture of AFCAs (erythrosine, ponceau 4R, allura red AC, sunset yellow FCF, tartrazine, amaranth, brilliant blue, azorubine, and indigotine) to female rats during gestation to investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to AFCAs on neurobehavior, spatial learning, and memory in their offspring. We also investigated whether AFCAs modulate NR2A, NR2B, and alpha 7 nAChR protein levels in their offsprings' hippocampi. Although spatial learning and memory were not altered, the offspring of rats exposed to AFCAs exhibited decreased motivation and increased despair-related behavior. NR2A and NR2B protein levels were significantly reduced in female offspring in the experimental group (p < 0.05), whereas alpha 7 nAChR level was not significantly altered. Our results suggest that prenatal exposure to AFCAs may lead to sex-dependent alterations in glutamatergic signaling which may continue into adolescence

Neuroprotective Effects of Pregabalin on Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion

Background: Stroke is one of the most common causes of death and the leading cause of disability in adults. Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury causes cerebral edema, hemorrhage, and neuronal death. Aims: In post-ischemic reperfusion, free radical production causes brain tissue damage by oxidative stress. Pregabalin, an antiepileptic agent was shown to have antioxidant effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of pregabalin on ischemia and reperfusion in rat brain injury. Study Design: Animal experimentation. Methods: Male Wistar rats weighing (250–300 g) were randomly divided into six groups, each consisting of 6 rats: control (C), pregabalin (P), ischemia (I), pregabalin + ischemia (PI), ischemia + reperfusion (IR) and ischemia + reperfusion + pregabalin (PIR). Rats were initially pre-treated with 50 mg/kg/d pregabalin orally for two days. Then, animals that applied ischemia in I, PI, IR and PIR groups were exposed to carotid clamping for 30 minutes and 20 minutes reperfusion was performed in the relevant reperfusion groups. Results: NR2B receptor levels were significantly lower in the PIR group in comparison to the IR group. In the PIR group, Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) level had statistically significant decrease compared with IR group. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) levels were also significantly increased in the PIR group compared with I, IR and control groups. In the PI and PIR groups, catalase (CAT) levels were also significantly increased compared with I and IR groups (p=0.03 and p=0.07, respectively). Conclusion: Pregabalin may protect the damage of oxidative stress after ischemia + reperfusion. This result would illuminate clinical studies in the future