Chrześcijaństwo i padaczka

Abstract Epileptic seizures have been known from time immemorial. Throughout the ages, however, ideas concerning the aetiology and treatment of epilepsy have changed considerably. Epilepsy is mentioned many times in the Pentateuch, where it is portrayed as a mysterious condition, whose symptoms, course and contingencies evade rational laws and explanations. In the Middle Ages, the accepted view which prevailed in social consciousness was that patients with epilepsy were possessed by Satan and other impure spirits. One common method of treatment of epileptic seizures was to submit the patient to cruel exorcisms. Patients were frequently injured in the process and some of them even died. Our understanding of epilepsy and its social consequences has improved considerably within the last century. The most significant progress as far as diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy is concerned took place in the last four decades of the twentieth century. Although we now know much more about epilepsy than we used to, this knowledge is still insufficiently popularized.Napady padaczkowe są znane od najdawniejszych czasów. Wraz z upływem wieków poglądy na temat pochodzenia i leczenia padaczki znacznie się zmieniały. W Pięcioksięgu padaczka pojawia się wielokrotnie jako choroba tajemnicza, której postać, przebieg napadów oraz okoliczności występowania nie poddawały się racjonalnym regułom i wyjaśnieniom. W średniowieczu dość powszechnie w świadomości społecznej osoby z padaczką jawiły się jako nawiedzone, opętane przez szatana i inne siły nieczyste. Jedną z powszechniej stosowanych metod powstrzymania napadów padaczkowych było poddawanie chorych okrutnym egzorcyzmom. W trakcie tych dotkliwych procedur osoby z padaczką często okaleczano, czasami takie zabiegi kończyły się wręcz utratą życia. W minionym stuleciu znacznie poszerzył się zakres wiedzy związanej z występowaniem padaczki i jej społecznych skutków. Najistotniejsze zmiany dotyczące rozpoznawania i leczenia padaczki nastąpiły w ostatnich czterech dekadach XX w. Mimo że na przestrzeni lat wiedza o padaczce bardzo się zwiększyła, to jest ona nadal w niewystarczającym stopniu spopularyzowana

Oxysterols Increase Inflammation, Lipid Marker Levels and Reflect Accelerated Endothelial Dysfunction in Experimental Animals

Objective. Oxidized cholesterol derivatives are thought to exert atherogenic effect thus adversely affecting vascular endothelium. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of 5α,6α-epoxycholesterol on experimentally induced hypercholesterolemia in rabbits, and the levels of homocysteine (HCY), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), and inflammatory parameters (IL-6, TNF-α, CRP). Material and methods. The rabbits were divided into 3 groups, 8 animals each, and fed with basic fodder (C), basic fodder plus cholesterol (Ch) or basic fodder plus 5α,6α-epoxycholesterol, and unoxidized cholesterol (ECh). Serum concentrations of studied parameters were determined at 45-day intervals. The study was continued for six months. Results. We demonstrated that adding 5α,6α-epoxycholesterol to basic fodder significantly affected lipid status of the experimental animals, increasing total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, as well as HCY and ADMA levels, whilst leaving the PON-1 activity unaffected. Additionally, the ECh group presented with significantly higher concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP). In the Ch group, lower yet significant (as compared to the C group) changes of levels of studied parameters were observed. Conclusion. Exposure of animals with experimentally induced hypercholesterolemia to 5α,6α-epoxycholesterol increases dyslipidaemia, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammatory response

5α,6α-Epoxyphytosterols and 5α,6α-Epoxycholesterol Increase Oxidative Stress in Rats on Low-Cholesterol Diet

Objective. Cholesterol oxidation products have an established proatherogenic and cytotoxic effect. An increased exposure to these substances may be associated with the development of atherosclerosis and cancers. Relatively little, though, is known about the effect of phytosterol oxidation products, although phytosterols are present in commonly available and industrial food products. Thus, the aim of the research was to assess the effect of 5α,6α-epoxyphytosterols, which are important phytosterol oxidation products, on redox state in rats. Material and Methods. The animals were divided into 3 groups and exposed to nutritional sterols by receiving feed containing 5α,6α-epoxyphytosterols (ES group) and 5α,6α-epoxycholesterol (Ech group) or sterol-free feed (C group). The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes (CD), and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) were assayed in the plasma; anti-7-ketocholesterol antibodies and activity of paraoxonase-1 (PON1) were determined in serum, whereas the activity of catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), S-glutathione transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assayed in RBCs. Results. During the experiment, the levels of lipid peroxidation products increased, such as CD and anti-7-ketocholesterol antibodies. At the same time, the plasma levels of FRAP and serum activity of PON1 decreased alongside the reduced activity of GPx, GR, and SOD in RBCs. There was no effect of the studied compounds on the plasma MDA levels or on the activity of CAT and GST in RBCs. Conclusions. Both 5α,6α- epoxyphytosterols and 5α,6α-epoxycholesterols similarly dysregulate the redox state in experimental animal model and may significantly impact atherogenesis

5α,6α-Epoxyphytosterols and 5α,6α-Epoxycholesterol Increase Nitrosative Stress and Inflammatory Cytokine Production in Rats on Low-Cholesterol Diet

Objective. Oxidized cholesterol derivatives are compounds with proven atherogenic and mutagenic effects. However, little is known about the effect of oxidized plant sterol derivatives (oxyphytosterols), whose structure is similar to the one of oxycholesterols. Our previous studies indicate that they have a similar profile of action, e.g., both exacerbate disorder of lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in experimental animals. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of epoxycholesterol and epoxyphytosterols (mainly sitosterol) on the severity of nitrosative stress and the concentration of selected proinflammatory cytokines in blood and liver tissue of rats on a low-cholesterol diet. Material and Methods. Forty-five male Wistar rats were fed with feed containing 5α,6α-epoxyphytosterols (ES group, n: 15), 5α,6α-epoxycholesterol (ECh group, n: 15), and oxysterol-free feed (C group, n: 15) for 90 days (daily dose of oxysterols: 10 mg/kg). At the end of the experiment, nitrotyrosine, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and lipid metabolism parameters were determined in blood serum. Furthermore, nitrotyrosine, TNF-α, cholesterol, and triglyceride content were determined in liver homogenates. Results. Serum nitrotyrosine, IL-1β, and TNF-α concentrations as well as TNF-α content in the liver were significantly higher in both groups exposed to oxysterols (ECh and ES groups) as compared to the C group. The serum IL-6 level and nitrotyrosine content in the liver were significantly higher in the ECh group, as compared to the C and ES groups. There was evidence to support the dyslipidemic effect of studied compounds. Conclusions. The results indicate that oxidized plant sterols have a similar toxicity profile to that of oxycholesterols, including nitrosative stress induction, proinflammatory effect, and impaired lipid metabolism

Dietary Phytoestrogen Intake and Cognitive Status in Southern Italian Older Adults

Background: Aging society faces significant health challenges, among which cognitive-related disorders are emerging. Diet quality has been recognized among the major contributors to the rising prevalence of cognitive disorders, with increasing evidence of the putative role of plant-based foods and their bioactive components, including polyphenols. Dietary polyphenols, including phytoestrogens, have been hypothesized to exert beneficial effects toward brain health through various molecular mechanisms. However, the evidence on the association between dietary phytoestrogen intake and cognitive function is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between phytoestrogen intake and cognitive status in a cohort of older adults living in Sicily, Southern Italy. Methods: Dietary information from 883 individuals aged 50 years or older was collected through a validated food frequency questionnaire. Cognitive status was assessed through the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire. Results: The highest total isoflavone (including daidzein and genistein) intake was inversely associated with cognitive impairment compared to the lowest (odds ratio (OR) = 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.20–0.92). Higher intake of total lignans and, consistently, all individual compounds (with the exception of secoisolariciresinol) were inversely associated with cognitive impairment only in the unadjusted model. Conclusions: A higher intake of phytoestrogens, especially isoflavones, was associated with a better cognitive status in a cohort of older Italian individuals living in Sicily. Taking into account the very low intake of isoflavones in Italian diets, it is noteworthy to further investigate selected populations with habitual consumption of such compounds to test whether these results may be generalized to the Italian population

The effect of bacteriophages T4 and HAP1 on in vitro melanoma migration

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The antibacterial activity of bacteriophages has been described rather well. However, knowledge about the direct interactions of bacteriophages with mammalian organisms and their other, i.e. non-antibacterial, activities in mammalian systems is quite scarce. It must be emphasised that bacteriophages are natural parasites of bacteria, which in turn are parasites or symbionts of mammals (including humans). Bacteriophages are constantly present in mammalian bodies and the environment in great amounts. On the other hand, the perspective of the possible use of bacteriophage preparations for antibacterial therapies in cancer patients generates a substantial need to investigate the effects of phages on cancer processes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In these studies the migration of human and mouse melanoma on fibronectin was inhibited by purified T4 and HAP1 bacteriophage preparations. The migration of human melanoma was also inhibited by the HAP1 phage preparation on matrigel. No response of either melanoma cell line to lipopolysaccharide was observed. Therefore the effect of the phage preparations cannot be attributed to lipopolysaccharide. No differences in the effects of T4 and HAP1 on melanoma migration were observed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We believe that these observations are of importance for any further attempts to use bacteriophage preparations in antibacterial treatment. The risk of antibiotic-resistant hospital infections strongly affects cancer patients and these results suggest the possibility of beneficial phage treatment. We also believe that they will contribute to the general understanding of bacteriophage biology, as bacteriophages, extremely ubiquitous entities, are in permanent contact with human organisms.</p