Cocaine abuse and effects in the serum levels of cytokines IL-6 and IL-10

AbstractBackgroundCocaine abuse is capable of activating the innate immune system in the CNS resulting in deregulation of homeostasis between pro and antiinflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to investigate serum levels of pro and antiinflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and IL-10 respectively, in cocaine users from a young population-based sample.MethodsThis is a case–control study nested in a cross-sectional population-based survey, with individuals of 18 and 35 years old. Two groups were selected: 24 healthy controls and 12 subjects who reported cocaine use. Serum IL-6 and IL-10 were measured by ELISA using a commercial kit.ResultsThere was a statistically significant increase in IL-6 (p=0.037) and decrease in IL-10 (p=0.007) serum levels, between cocaine users and the control group. There was also an increase in the ratio IL-6/IL-10 (p=0.013) among cocaine users individuals, when compared to the control group.ConclusionsOur results suggest that cocaine users showed an activation of the immune system when compared a control group, demonstrating a disruption in the balance of pro and antiinflammatory cytokines. Thus, peripheral cytokines may represent a putative biomarkers for cocaine users, contributing to the development of diagnosis and effective treatments

Metabolic syndrome and psychiatric disorders : a population-based study

Objective: To identify the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and psychiatric disorders in young adults in southern Brazil. Methods: This population based cross-sectional study involved a total of 1,023 young adults between the ages of 21 and 32 years. Current episodes of psychiatric disorders were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview – Plus version. MetS was evaluated using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III). Results: Of the 1,023 participants, 24.3% were identified with MetS, 13.5% were diagnosed with anxiety disorders, 7.5% with current depression, 3.9% with bipolar disorders and 10.1% were at risk of suicide. MetS was associated with ethnicity (p = 0.022), excess weight (p o 0.001), current anxiety disorders (p o 0.001), current mood disorders (bipolar disorder in mood episode and current depression) (p o 0.001), and suicide risk (p o 0.001). Conclusions: MetS was associated with psychiatric disorders. Awareness of factors associated with MetS can help identify high-risk individuals and stimulate disease prevention and control programs, as well as lifestyle changes

Análise dos efeitos do exercício físico sobre a atividade de nucleotidases presentes em soro humano

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Elevated glutamate and lactate predict brain death after severe head trauma

Objective: Clinical neurological assessment is challenging for severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients in the acute setting. Waves of neurochemical abnormalities that follow TBI may serve as fluid biomarkers of neurological status. We assessed the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of glutamate, lactate, BDNF, and GDNF, to identify potential prognostic biomarkers of neurological outcome. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a total of 20 consecutive patients (mean [SD] age, 29 [13] years; M/F, 9:1) with severe TBI Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 and abnormal computed tomography scan on admission. Patients were submitted to ventricular drainage and had CSF collected between 2 and 4 h after hospital admission. Patients were then stratified according to two clinical outcomes: deterioration to brain death (nonsurvival, n = 6) or survival (survival, n = 14), within 3 days after hospital admission. CSF levels of brain-derived substances were compared between nonsurvival and survival groups. Clinical and neurological parameters were also assessed. Results: Glutamate and lactate are significantly increased in nonsurvival relative to survival patients. We tested the accuracy of both biomarkers to discriminate patient outcome. Setting a cutoff of >57.75, glutamate provides 80.0% of sensitivity and 84.62% of specificity (AUC: 0.8214, 95% CL: 54.55–98.08%; and a cutoff of >4.65, lactate has 100% of sensitivity and 85.71% of specificity (AUC: 0.8810, 95% CL: 54.55–98.08%). BDNF and GDNF did not discriminate poor outcome. Interpretation: This early study suggests that glutamate and lactate concentrations at hospital admission accurately predict death within 3 days after severe TBI

Effects of single low dose of dexamethasone before noncardiac and nonneurologic surgery and general anesthesia on postoperative cognitive dysfunction : a phase III double blind, randomized clinical trial

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a multifactorial adverse event most frequently in elderly patients. This study evaluated the effect of dexamethasone on POCD incidence after noncardiac and nonneurologic surgery. METHODS: One hundred and forty patients (ASA I-II; age 60–87 years) took part in a prospective phase III, double blind, randomized study involving the administration or not of 8 mg of IV dexamethasone before general anesthesia under bispectral index (BIS) between 35–45 or 46–55. Neuropsychological tests were applied preoperatively and on the 3rd, 7th, 21st, 90th and 180th days after surgery and compared with normative data. S100β was evaluated before and 12 hours after induction of anesthesia. The generalized estimating equations (GEE) method was applied, followed by the posthoc Bonferroni test considering P<0.05 as significant. RESULTS: On the 3rd postoperative day, POCD was diagnosed in 25.2% and 15.3% of patients receiving dexamethasone, BIS 35–45, and BIS 46–55 groups, respectively. Meanwhile, POCD was present in 68.2% and 27.2% of patients without dexamethasone, BIS 35–45 and BIS 46–55 groups (p<0.0001). Neuropsychological tests showed that dexamethasone associated to BIS 46–55 decreased the incidence of POCD, especially memory and executive function. The administration of dexamethasone might have prevented the postoperative increase in S100β serum levels. CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone can reduce the incidence of POCD in elderly patients undergoing surgery, especially when associated with BIS 46–55. The effect of dexamethasone on S100β might be related with some degree of neuroprotection

Paternal postpartum mood: bipolar episodes?

OBJECTIVE: We describe the prevalence of depressive and bipolar spectrum episodes in fathers in antenatal and postnatal periods, as well as at 12 months after childbirth. METHOD: A longitudinal follow-up study was conducted with a representative sample of 739 fathers whose children were born between April 2007 and May 2008 in maternity wards in the city of Pelotas, southern Brazil. Paternal psychopathology was measured with the Mini Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) across three time points: between 28 and 34 weeks of pregnancy (T1), 30 to 60 days postpartum (T2), and 12 months after childbirth (T3). RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive episodes was 5.0% at T1, 4.5% at T2, and 4.3% at T3. Mixed episodes were present in 3%, 1.7%, and 0.9% of subjects, respectively, and accounted for 61.1% of the cases of depression in the antenatal period, 37.5% in postpartum, and 21.4% at 12 months. Depressive and manic/hypomanic episodes were significantly associated during pregnancy and in postpartum, but not at 12 months after childbirth. CONCLUSION: Bipolar episodes were common in men with depressive symptoms during their partner's pregnancy in the postpartum period and, to a lesser extent, 12 months after childbirth. Therefore, this population should be carefully investigated for manic and hypomanic symptoms.OBJETIVO: Verificar a prevalência dos episódios depressivos e bipolares em homens no período pré e pós-natal, assim como 12 meses após o parto. MÉTODO: Estudo longitudinal com amostra de pais cujas crianças nasceram entre abril de 2007 e maio de 2008 em maternidades da cidade de Pelotas-RS, no sul do Brasil. Episódios depressivos e maníacos/hipomaníacos foram mensurados com o Mini Neuropsychiatric Interview em três tempos diferentes: entre a 28ª e 34ª semanas de gestação (T1), 30 a 60 dias após o parto (T2) e 12 meses após o nascimento da criança. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de episódios depressivos foi 5,0% em T1, 4,5% em T2 e 4,3% em T3. Episódios mistos estiveram presentes em 3,0, 1,7 e 0,9%, respectivamente, e somaram 61,1% de casos de depressão antenatal, 37,5% pós-natal e 21,4% aos 12 meses pós-parto. Episódio depressivo e maníaco/hipomaníaco esteve significativamente associado durante a gestação e o pós-parto. CONCLUSÃO: Episódios bipolares são comuns em homens com sintomas depressivos durante a gestação de suas companheiras e no período pós-natal. Essa população deveria ser cuidadosamente investigada para sintomas maníacos e hipomaníacos, a fim de ser adequadamente tratada

Envolvimento do sistema purinérgico, lactato e glicose em insultos do sistema nervoso central

O ATP pode influenciar diversos processos fisiológicos através dos receptores P1 e P2, controlando as concentrações de ATP e adenosina extracelulares. O ATP pode modular a liberação e/ou ligação de outros neurotransmissores. No SNC, a adenosina e guanosina atuam como importantes neuromoduladores com efeitos inibitórios sobre a atividade neuronal. A inativação da sinalização do ATP é mediada pela ação das ecto-nucleotidases. Além dos seus papéis fisiológicos, as ações extracelulares das purinas podem ser relevantes para a patogênese e a atenuação de doenças cerebrais agudas e crônicas. Epilepsia é uma doença neurológica crônica caracterizada por crises recorrentes que são expressas na forma de convulsões acompanhadas pela modificação dos circuitos límbicos e freqüentemente apresenta características neurodegenerativas. A doença de Parkinson é caracterizada por uma neurodegeneração progressiva na substantia nigra pars compacta com subseqüente redução no conteúdo de dopamina estriatal. Encefalopatia diabética é uma reconhecida complicação do diabetes não tratado, resultando em um comprometimento cognitivo acompanhado de uma modificação da função hipocampal. Nesta tese, nós observamos: i) na epilepsia, nós demonstramos um aumento nas atividades das ecto-nucleotidases e das nucleotidases solúveis em fatias hipocampais e líquor após o modelo do abrasamento com PTZ, com distinta influência nos níveis dos nucleotídeos, nucleosídeos e oxipurinas e também nos níveis de RNAm das NTPDases de hipocampo. No modelo agudo, houve um aumento nos níveis de glicose e lactato extracelulares. Além disso, houve uma diminuição na captação de [14C]-2-deoxi-D-glicose e nos níveis de glicogênio hipocampais 10 minutos após a convulsão, retornando aos níveis normais 30 minutos após a convulsão; ii) na doença de Parkinson, nossos resultados reforçam a hipótese de que as mudanças no sistema adenosinérgico contribuem para a progressão da neurodegeneração na doença de Parkinson. Além disso, pela primeira vez, as mudanças no “sistema guanosinérgico” podem também ser mediadores na progressão desta doença; e iii) no diabetes, nosso estudo oferece evidências demonstrando que o sistema de sinalização do ATP está comprometido no hipocampo de ratos tratados com STZ, um modelo experimental de diabetes mellitus tipo 1. Estas modificações podem levar a alterações na modulação da neurotransmissão e gliotransmissão, podendo contribuir para um progressivo comprometimento cognitivo induzido pelo diabetes.ATP may influence several physiological processes P1 and P2 receptors-mediated by controlling extracellular concentrations of ATP and adenosine. ATP may modulate the release and/or influence other neurotransmitters either by acting through its own receptors or by altering the neurotransmitter receptors. In the CNS, adenosine and guanosine act both as important neuromodulators with major inhibitory effects on neuronal activity. The inactivation of ATP signaling is mediated by the action of ecto-nucleotidases. Besides their physiological roles, purine-mediated extracellular actions may be relevant to the pathogenesis and/or alleviation of acute and chronic brain disorders. Epilepsy is a chronic neurologic disorder characterized by recurrent seizures that have a behavioral expression in the form of convulsions accompanied by a modification of limbic circuits and the frequent presence of neurodegenerative features. Parkinson’s disease is characterized by a progressive neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra pars compacta with a subsequent reduction in the striatal dopamine content. Diabetic encephalopathy is a recognized complication of untreated diabetes resulting in a progressive cognitive impairment accompanied by modification of hippocampal function. In this thesis, we observed: i) in epilepsy, we demonstrated an enhancement of ecto- and soluble nucleotidase activities in hippocampal brain slices and CSF after PTZ-kindling model, with distinct influence on the levels of nucleotides, nucleosides and oxypurines and also hippocampal NTPDases mRNA levels. Animals that presented tonic-clonic seizure had CSF glucose and lactate levels increased. Moreover, the hippocampal [14C]-2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake and glycogen content decreases at 10 min after seizure and returned to control levels at 30 minutes; ii) in Parkinson’s disease, our results reinforce the hypothesis that changes in the adenosinergic system contribute to the progression of neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease and point to the possibility of using the ectonucleotidases as targets for therapy. In addition, this is the first time, in our knowledge, that changes in the “guanosinergic system” might also be considered as mediators of the progression of this disease; and iii) in diabetes, our study provides evidence showing that the ATP signaling system is compromised in the hippocampus of STZ-treated rats, an experimental model of type 1 diabetes mellitus. These modifications could lead to alterations in the modulation of neurotransmission and gliotransmission, which may contribute to the diabetes-induced progressive cognitive impairment