Prevalence and clinical forms of celiac disease in siblings of children with verified disease

Introduction/Objective. Celiac disease (CD) is the result of a polygenic predisposition and gluten-containing diet. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical forms of CD in siblings of children with verified disease. Methods. The study included 83 siblings, aged 1.5–27 (11.77 ± 6.2) years, of 64 children with CD diagnosed according to ESPGHAN criteria (1990/2012). In addition to a detailed history and clinical examination, serum levels of IgA and antibodies to tissue transglutaminase (AtTG) IgA and IgG classes were determined in all subjects. All with elevated AtTG levels underwent multiple duodenal enterobiopsy. The diagnosis of CD was confirmed by the finding of characteristic histological changes. Results. The diagnosis of CB was made in 13 of 83 subjects (15.67%). Nine of them had an asymptomatic form of the disease, while in the others the disease was clinically manifested – in three the form was classical, in one it was accompanied by severe malnutrition (-26.80%), and in one the manifestation was nonclassical (only short stature). Except for sideropenia and hypoferritinemia in four patients, of which two with hemoglobin below the reference value, standard laboratory findings were within normal limits. Conclusion. Our research shows that the prevalence of CD in siblings of children with verified disease is 15.67%. It is mostly detected in its asymptomatic form. In accordance with this, routine application of serological screening for CD in this population group is necessary for its timely diagnosis and treatment

Effect of physostigmine and verapamil on active avoidance in an experimental model of Alzheimer's disease

The present study was performed to investigate and compare the effect of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, physostigmine (0.045, 0.060 and 0.075 mg/kg sc, 30 min before the tests) and Ca-antagonist, verapamil (1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg sc, 30 min before the tests), on two-way active avoidance (AA) learning (acquisition and performance) in nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM)-lesioned rats. Bilateral electrolytic lesions of NBM induced significant decrease of acquisition and performance of AA responses in rats. Physostigmine (0.060 mg/kg) significantly improved only acquisition of AA, while verapamil (2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg) significantly improved both type of AA behavior in NBM-lesioned rats. These results suggest that altered calcium homeostasis might play significant role in pathogenesis of experimental induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) and that administration of calcium antagonist such as verapamil might successfully ameliorate disturbances of learning and memory appeared after lesions of NBM

Behavioral and adaptive status in an experimental model of Alzheimer's disease in rats

Ten days after bilateral electrolytic lesions of nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) we tested behavioral (spontaneous motor activity, acquisition and performance of two-way active avoidance, fear-response in open field test, foot shock induced aggression, depression-response in learned helplessness test) and adaptive status (body temperature at standard, hot and cold environment as well as cold restraint-induced gastric lesions) in adult male Wistar rats. Compared to intact control and sham-operated rats, the bilateral NBM-lesioned rats showed the significant impairment of learning behavior and reduced fear, aggression and depression as well as altered body temperature at standard and stressed conditions. Namely, it was established that body temperature in NBM-lesioned rats was significantly lower at standard laboratory conditions, but in these rats body temperature significantly was raised after exposing to cold and hot environment. On the other hand, spontaneous motor activity and number and length of cold restraint-induced gastric lesions (erosions and petechiae) in NBM-lesioned rats were similarly to those in both controls. It could be concluded that NBM plays a significant role in cognitive, emotional and adaptive processes in the rats