Effect of 3 months of doxazosin therapy on T-cell subsets in type 2 diabetic patients.

Doxazosin, an alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor inhibitor, is commonly administered to patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and nephropathy. The impact of 3 months' doxazosin therapy on the prevalence of activated and regulatory T lymphocytes was analysed in this pilot study of men with type 2 diabetes (n = 10) who received doxazosin 4 mg/day in addition to their ongoing therapy. The prevalence of CD4(+), CD8(+), CD25(+) and CD69(+) cells at baseline and after 3 months of add-on therapy was determined. The prevalence of regulatory T-cells was detected by two different approaches: forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) positivity; and the number of CD4(+)CD25(+high) cells. During 3 months of doxazosin therapy, patients' blood pressure, blood glucose control and lipid profiles all significantly improved. Simultaneously, the prevalence of activated T-cells (CD4(+)CD69(+) and CD8(+)CD69(+) cells) decreased, whereas that of regulatory T-cells increased. These results indicate an immunomodulatory action of doxazosin in type 2 diabetic patients.

[The role of imitation in suicidal behavior]. / Az utánzás szerepe az öngyilkos magatartásban.

The authors analyse the modelling effect of the suicide of the first Hungarian beauty queen. After the publication of a book, a film and the newspapers about her suicide increased significantly the number of suicides committed by young females by the same method (Lidocain pill). During this period the consumption of Lidocain pills decreased in Hungary. The monthly and seasonal fluctuation of suicides committed by other methods is different from these changes. The suicide of celebrities mediated by the mass media can become modell through identification for a people in crisis situation.