The cerebrospinal fluid values of advanced oxidation protein products and total thiol content in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is recognized as a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of unknown origin. Oxidative stress (OS) is considered as one of the most challenging hypothesis in the disease pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to contribute to the understanding of what extent there is involvement of OS in ALS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPP) and total thiol (-SH) groups in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 24 ALS patients (13 of them presented with spinal form while 11 patients had bulbar form) and 20 controls (CG). RESULTS: The obtained AOPP levels in ALS patients were higher than those in CG (p <0.001), while -SH groups showed lower values compared to CG (p<0.001). The AOPP values were higher in ALS patients with bulbar compared with ALS patients with common spinal manifestation (p<0.001). There were no differences in -SH group's levels among these different clinical forms (p>0.05). The negative correlation between AOPP and the levels of -SH groups was confirmed (p <0.01). Significant mild correlations between tested parameters and functional rating scale as well as disease progression index were recorded for both of tested parameters in spinal form of ALS (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The data presented here clearly support the fact that OS is involved in patophysiology of ALS, where oxidation of -SH groups represents an important aspect of protein oxidation. The CSF AOPP level and -SH groups may serve as potential useful biomarker for functional disorder and progression of the disease in the spinal form of ALS.

[Epilepsy treatment in Serbian medieval monastery hospitals].

Emperor John III Ducas Vatatzes (ruled from 1222-1254) and his son Theodore II Lascaris (ruled from 1254-1258) both suffered from epilepsy. On his journeys to Nicaea, St Sava visited emperors Theodore I Lascaris (ruled from 1204-1222) and John II Vatatzes, who richly rewarded him, which was probably of crucial importance for the foundation of hospitals in the Monastery of Hilandar and the Monastery of Studenica These hospitals had special departments for the treatment of patints with epilepsy. According to researches conducted up-to-date, these departments are considered to be the oldest institutions for epilepsy treatment. Monastery hospitals in the West served primarily as a shelter for the poor and patients with chronic incurable diseases. The development of Serbian monastery hospitals was a long process and it included institutions that lasted for a long time (for over two centuries) in which, among others, those affected by epilepsy were cured.