ABSTRACT
AIMS: Previous neuroimaging reports described morphological and functional abnormalities in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in schizophrenia and mood disorders. In earlier neuropathological studies, microvascular changes that could affect brain perfusion in these disorders have rarely been studied. Here, we analysed morphological parameters of capillaries in this area in elderly cases affected by these psychiatric disorders. METHODS: We analysed microvessel diameters in the dorsal and subgenual parts of the ACC in eight patients with schizophrenia, 10 patients with sporadic bipolar disorder, eight patients with sporadic major depression, and seven age- and gender-matched control cases on sections stained with modified Gallyas silver impregnation using a stereological counting approach. All individuals were drug-naïve or had received psychotropic medication for less than 6 months, and had no history of substance abuse. Statistical analysis included Kruskal-Wallis group comparisons with Bonferroni correction as well as multivariate regression models. RESULTS: Mean capillary diameter was significantly decreased in the dorsal and subgenual parts of areas 24 in bipolar and unipolar depression cases, both in layers III and V, whereas schizophrenia patients were comparable with controls. These differences persisted when controlling for age, local neuronal densities, and cortical thickness. In addition, cortical thickness was significantly smaller in both layers in schizophrenia patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that capillary diameters in bipolar and unipolar depression but not in schizophrenia are reduced in ACC. The significance of these findings is discussed in the light of the cytoarchitecture, brain metabolism and perfusion changes observed in ACC in mood disorders.
Subject(s)
Capillaries/pathology , Gyrus Cinguli/pathology , Mood Disorders/pathology , Schizophrenia/pathology , Age of Onset , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Autopsy/methods , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Endothelial cells have a pivotal role in the initiation and development of inflammation. The dermal microvasculature undergoes distinctive morphological changes. Central to the angiogenetic process are endothelial cell division and migration controlled by local expression of the mitogenic factor. There is considerable evidence for the development of angiogenesis in psoriatic skin. Quantitative assessment of the endothelium in psoriasis demonstrated a fourfold increase in surface area of the superficial vascular plexus in lesional skin. The rate of vascular proliferation in active psoriasis is similar to that in other angiogenic pathologies. To identify vasoproliferation in the skin adds a useful tool in the assessment of psoriasis activity in future studies of its pathogenesis. The basal level of endothelemia reflects a continuous replacement of cells. The hyperproliferation in psoriasis stimulates physiological cell replacement. The higher replacement of blood vessel endothelial cells causes an increase in circulating cell levels in the bloodstream. Endothelemia might serve as an indicator of changes in the blood vessel endothelium in psoriatics. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the changes in the amount of endothelial cells in the blood of psoriatic patients by comparing them with healthy controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients suffering from psoriasis (PASI score 35.05 +/- 5.61) and 20 healthy subjects were estimated for quantitative endothelemia using the counting of endothelial cells in Burker's chamber after their isolation together with platelets and the removal of the latter by addition of adenosine diphosphate. The cells were confirmed as endothelial in origin by positive staining for von Willebrand factor. The significance of the differences was estimated by Student's t-test. RESULTS: There were 2.02 +/- 0.21 (female) and 2.3 +/- 0.25 (male) endothelial cells in the control group and 4.6 +/- 0.59 (female) and 5.15 +/- 0.67 (male) in the psoriatic patients. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Expansion of the dermal microvasculature is a prominent feature in psoriasis. Endothelemia might be an indirect marker of changes in the blood vessel endothelium in psoriatic patients. No differences were found in endothelemia in psoriatics according to the gender.
Subject(s)
Endothelium, Vascular/pathology , Psoriasis/physiopathology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Biomarkers/blood , Case-Control Studies , Cell Division , Female , Humans , Male , Microcirculation , Middle Aged , Psoriasis/pathologyABSTRACT
The authors have examined the changes in the amount of endothelial cells in vascular bed in psoriatic patients, since one of the basic signs of pathogenesis of psoriasis is represented by angiogenesis. The authors have used the method of quantitative evaluation of endothelaemia.
Subject(s)
Endothelium/cytology , Psoriasis/blood , Female , Humans , Male , Psoriasis/pathologyABSTRACT
Psoriasis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis are considered as frequent dermatoses. There are descriptions of possible combination of both diseases when patients with psoriasis vulgaris display signs of atopy or clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis. We have analysed 9 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and increased levels of IgE. In each case we have found signs of atopy and in one patient also clinical manifestation of atopic dermatitis. Other most frequent immunological markers were represented by increased levels of FW, IgA and C3 component of complement. The combination of psoriasis vulgaris and atopy is possible in one patient but there are many unsolved questions as to the conclusion whether such a case represents a random coincidence or association of both disease. (tab. 1, Ref. 14.)
