Migraine in women: the role of hormones and their impact on vascular diseases

Migraine is a predominantly female disorder. Menarche, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, and also the use of hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement treatment may influence migraine occurrence. Migraine usually starts after menarche, occurs more frequently in the days just before or during menstruation, and ameliorates during pregnancy and menopause. Those variations are mediated by fluctuation of estrogen levels through their influence on cellular excitability or cerebral vasculature. Moreover, administration of exogenous hormones may cause worsening of migraine as may expose migrainous women to an increased risk of vascular disease. In fact, migraine with aura represents a risk factor for stroke, cardiac disease, and vascular mortality. Studies have shown that administration of combined oral contraceptives to migraineurs may further increase the risk for ischemic stroke. Consequently, in women suffering from migraine with aura caution should be deserved when prescribing combined oral contraceptives

Concentration of the Total Hemolymph Protein of the Australian Red-clawed Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus, Von Martens 1868) Grown in Artificial Conditions

Aim. The concentration of total protein in the hemolymph of the Australian red-clawed crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus, Von Martens 1868, contained in artificial conditions in closed water supply installations and an aquarium complex, was studied. Methodology. The object of the study was the Australian red-clawed crayfish, a total of 161 individuals were used in the experiment. Crayfish were kept in closed water supply installations. To study the protein concentration depending on the time of year, samples were taken and analyzed in the period 2021-2023: January – winter; April – spring; August – summer; September, October and November – autumn. To conduct an experiment to study the total protein content of cancer hemolymph, depending on the water temperature, three experimental groups of 15 cancers were formed in each. The experimental groups were seated in three aquariums, with a water temperature of 20, 25, 30 ° C. The duration of the crayfish exposure was 10 days. On the tenth day, hemolymph was collected. The total hemolymph protein was determined by the refractometric method. Results. It was found that the concentration of total protein in the hemolymph can be in the ranges from 10.8 to 108.8 g/l and average 50.5 ± 21.1 g/l. In crustaceans kept in unfavorable conditions, the concentration of total protein was 1.6 times lower. There were no differences in protein concentration at different seasons of the year. After molting, the concentration of total protein in the hemolymph decreases 2.7 times. It was found that short-term exposure of cancer in water with a temperature of 20, 25, 30 ° C does not lead to a change in the total protein content. Conclusion. A wide range of total protein concentrations may indicate a high adaptive potential of this organism. A decrease in the concentration of total protein may be due to the presence of a crustacean in unfavorable conditions and its defeat by a bacterial agent. It is noted that the change in protein concentration at different times of the year in a crustacean under artificial conditions cannot be interpreted as seasonal fluctuations