Prolactin – friendly lactation hormone or hostile cancerogenic factor?

Prolactin is a hormone secreted by lactotrophic cells of the pituitary gland and its main function is stimulating lactation. Binding prolactin by its membrane receptor leads to the activation of signalling pathway that enables cell proliferation and differentiation. Due to this mechanism, the potential oncogenic role of the hormone is of great interest. Prolactin and its receptor have many forms and a complicated signalling pathway, that is why defining prolactin’s specific role in cancerogenesis is difficult and poses a serious challenge. Researches also indicate an important role of extra-pituitary prolactin synthesised in many other tissues in the process of cancerogenesis. This article focuses on connection between prolactin and breast cancer, as it is the most common cancer in women. In several studies, prolactin and its receptor were significantly associated with an increased breast cancer risk. Recent research papers focus also on the treatment of breast cancer, using knowledge about prolactin and its role in the development of the tumour

A rare case of Raoultella planticola urinary tract infection. A case report with literature review

Urine infections represent 40-50% of all infections in hospitalized patients. The most common uropathogens are E.coli, S.saprophitycus, and less commonly Enterobacteriaceae, such as Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The spectrum of microorganisms isolated in hospital conditions may be wider. Raoultella planticola is a rare cause of human infections, so far only few cases of ZUM with this etiology have been described.A 56-years-old patient, with a history of cardiac disease, with exacerbation of chronic kidney disease, was admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine. The reason for admission was general  deterioration. Many abnormalities in laboratory tests were detected. The doctors' attention was focused on the significant bacteriuria. Moreover, the patient reported dysuria symptoms. Material for urine microbiological culture was taken and empirical antibiotic therapy with ciprofloxacin started. The obtained result of urine culture allowed to identify the bacteria by R. planticola. As a result of the applied treatment, the patient's condition improved.An increasing number of infections with R. planticolla etiology is observed. The bacterium may lead to infections in many systems. The group of patients at risk of the disease includes people with renal dysfunction, who are immunosuppressed. Infections of R. planticolla etiology are usually characterized by good antibiotic response and positive prognosis

Influence of vegetarian diet on human body

All over the world there are more vegetarians than in previous years due to many reasons. One of them is positive influence on health what is shown in the latest research. The aim of the article is to review the influence of vegetarian diet on frequent diseases such as: hypertension, obesity,osteoporosis.An analysis of scientific papers from Pubmed and Google Scholar was performed, which most accurately described the issue of impact vegetarian diet on human health. The following keywords have been used in the search:Vegetarian, hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis:vegetarian, hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis.The researchers shown than vegetarians have lover systolic blood pressure  and diastolic blood pressure by 10 and 5 mmHg, they also lower overall mortality by 10-15%, risk of heart failure and by ~40%,  stroke by~35% and coronary events by 20%. Vegetarians also have statistically  lower body mass index. What’s more in this diet is more energy efficient thanks too low food energy density and helps keeping leptin on adequate level. Research has shown than vegetarians have lower mineral bone density than non-vegetarian, although some studies has shown that  risk of fractures in vegetarians and non-vegetarians was not affected by diet alternation. Based on the results of the studies above vegetarian diet contributes to lower blood pressure and preventing from cardiovascular diseases. It helps to avoid obesity and  to get rid of weights also doesn’t have negative impact on osteoporosis

Anticancer Activity of Amantadine and Evaluation of Its Interactions with Selected Cytostatics in Relation to Human Melanoma Cells

Patients with Parkinson’s disease are prone to a higher incidence of melanoma. Amantadine (an anti-Parkinson drug) possesses the antiproliferative potential that can be favorable when combined with other chemotherapeutics. Cisplatin (CDDP) and mitoxantrone (MTO) are drugs used in melanoma chemotherapy, but they have many side effects. (1) Clinical observations revealed a high incidence of malignant melanoma in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Amantadine as an anti-Parkinson drug alleviates symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and theoretically, it should have anti-melanoma properties. (2) To characterize the interaction profile for combinations of amantadine with CDDP and MTO in four human melanoma cell lines (A375, SK-MEL 28, FM55P and FM55M2), type I isobolographic analysis was used in the MTT test. (3) Amantadine produces the anti-proliferative effects in various melanoma cell lines. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that amantadine induced apoptosis and G1/S phase cell cycle arrest. Western blotting analysis showed that amantadine markedly decreased cyclin-D1 protein levels and increased p21 levels. Additionally, amantadine significantly increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. The combined application of amantadine with CDDP at the fixed-ratio of 1:1 exerted an additive interaction in the four studied cell lines in the MTT test. In contrast, the combination of amantadine with MTO (ratio of 1:1) produced synergistic interaction in the FM55M2 cell line in the MTT (* p < 0.05). The combination of amantadine with MTO was also additive in the remaining tested cell lines (A375, FM55P and SK-MEL28) in the MTT test. (4) Amantadine combined with MTO exerted the most desirable synergistic interaction, as assessed isobolographically. Additionally, the exposure of melanoma cell lines to amantadine in combination with CDDP or MTO augmented the induction of apoptosis mediated by amantadine alone

New Potential Agents for Malignant Melanoma Treatment—Most Recent Studies 2020–2022

Malignant melanoma (MM) is the most lethal skin cancer. Despite a 4% reduction in mortality over the past few years, an increasing number of new diagnosed cases appear each year. Long-term therapy and the development of resistance to the drugs used drive the search for more and more new agents with anti-melanoma activity. This review focuses on the most recent synthesized anti-melanoma agents from 2020–2022. For selected agents, apart from the analysis of biological activity, the structure–activity relationship (SAR) is also discussed. To the best of our knowledge, the following literature review delivers the latest achievements in the field of new anti-melanoma agents

Risk of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers and Parkinson’s Disease—Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have an increased risk of melanoma compared with the general population. Considering that Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers (NMSCs) share similar risk factors with melanoma, there is a need to understand a possible connection between PD and NMSCs. The aim of the study was the evaluation of NMSC risk among PD patients via meta-analysis and systematic review. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted, including studies from January 2000 to April 2020. We identified 16 eligible studies including 140291 PD patients. Upon statistical analysis, a significantly higher risk of developing NMSCs in PD patients was found compared with the control group (odds ratio (OR) = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.17–1.33; p p p < 0.0001). Our data suggest the necessity for regular skin examination of PD patients, though further studies are required to explore the mechanisms forming this relationship

Melanin—The Éminence Grise of Melanoma and Parkinson’s Disease Development

A common feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and melanoma is their starting points being based on cells capable of converting tyrosine into melanin. Melanocytes produce two types of melanin: eumelanin and pheomelanin. These dyes are designed to protect epidermal cells from the harmful effects of UV radiation. Neurones of the substantia nigra, which degenerate during PD, produce neuromelanin, the physiological role of which is not fully explained. This article discusses the potential role of melanins in the pathogenesis of both diseases. Melanins, due to their ability to accumulate toxic substances, may become their sources over time. The use of glutathione for the synthesis of pheomelanins and neuromelanins may reduce the antioxidant capacity of cells, leading to an excessive synthesis of free radicals. This study also tested the hypothesis that certain drugs used in the treatment of PD (L-DOPA, MAO-B and COMT inhibitors, and amantadine), aimed at increasing dopamine concentration, could potentially contribute to the development of melanoma. The role and properties of melanins should continue to be researched. Whether excessive melanin synthesis or its accumulation in the extracellular space may be factors initiating the development of diseases remains an open question

Mantle Cell Lymphoma: Effectiveness of Maintenance Ibrutinib – Case Report

Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare subtype of non- Hodgkin lymphoma with life-threatening course of disease. It mostly affects older adults in their sixth or seventh decade of life with male to female predominance of 3 to 1. It prognosis is very poor and the treatment is demanding. The golden standard therapy for younger, fit patients &lt;65 years is chemoimmunotherapy such as R-CHOP/R-DHAP rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride, vincristine, prednisolone, dexamethasone, cytarabine and cisplatin) followed by BEAM chemotherapy (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan)  and autologous- stem-cell transplant (ASCT).  Nevertheless MCL is mainly recognized in patients of average age 67 in whom comorbidities often play a crucial role during treatment.A 56- years old patient was admitted to the Department of Hematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with clinical symptoms such as heavy night sweats, generalized enlargement of lymph nodes, massive weight loss, dyspnea and fatigue. Initial physical examination and imaging showed enormous hepatosplenomegaly, mass in the lungs and fluid in the pleural cavity.The patients underwent chemioimmunotherapy consolidated with an autologous stem cell transplant. To date, the patient is on maintenance treatment with ibrutinib.</p

Oxytocin and postpartum depression - a possible treatment for depressed mothers

Introduction and purpose: Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the most common conditions in childbearing. It is estimated that 10-15% of mothers develop PPD. Oxytocin has recently been implicated in the pathophysiology of several neuropsychiatric disorders including PPD. The aim of this study is to, on the base of recent studies, investigate whether oxytocin has an impact on PPD and if it can be used as a way of diagnostic indicator or treatment. Brief description of the state of knowledgement: Studies indicate that there is a relationship between oxytocin and PPD. Depression and anxiety after delivery were observed more frequently among women with lower oxytocin plasma levels. Basing on the oxytocin plasma levels in the third semester of pregnancy, the risk of PPD can be predicted. This relationship was observed in women who were breastfeeding as well as in those who cessed. Some studies indicate that depression development may be inhibited thanks to oxytocin. Exogenous oxytocin has been proven to improve prosocial behaviour and reduce negative emotional responses in mother-children relations. It may also increase mother’s attention to baby. Some studies have stated that intrapartum oxytocin administration decreases the rate of PPD symptoms but studies on treatment with oxytocin are not unanimous. Conclusions: Oxytocin plays an undeniable role in pathophysiology of postpartum depression and it may be regarded as a diagnostic indicator and therapeutic target. However, more studies are needed to clarify this intricate relationship

The analysis of a wide spectrum of activity of Sodium-Glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors. A literature review

Introduction: The discovery of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors is attributed to phlorizin, which after oral administration caused the excretion of glucose in urine. Later studies showed that this effect was conditioned by SGLT-2 inhibition. However, this substance has not been used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus due to its non-selective action. Beeing also active against SGLT-1 transporters in alimentary tract, it causes osmotic diarrhea, dehydration and eventually malnutrition. Currently in Poland, gliflozins are used only in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, mainly type 2, especially with coexisting obesity and high cardio-vascular risk. However, as many human and animal studies show, the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors can be observed in many systems and organs.Results: The best known non-anti-diabetic action is the reduction of body fat and protection against fat accumulation following a high-calorie diet. These compounds reduce the production of endogenous fatty acids. Moreover, gliflozines lower the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid and aminotransferases. They have a protective effect on the liver because they cause remission of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). They lower the cardiovascular risk and have an anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover, they inhibit vascular remodeling and improve hemodynamic conditions.Conclusions: According to many research, gliflozines have many collateral effects which can be used in the clinic as a treatment of diseases other than diabetes or coexisting with it. Obesity and cardiovascular diseases are among the most important health problems in the modern world. SGLT-2 inhibitors can prevent the above-mentioned diseases and reduce them.</p