Clozapine and risperidone influence on cortisol and estradiol levels in male patients with schizophrenia.

Estrogens role in schizophrenia patients is a subject, which has gained an increased attention from the medical community. Estrogens have been shown to inhibit dopamine actions, improve neuronal regeneration, and overall, have a protective role in the pathology of schizophrenia. The adjunctive estrogen therapy for men is currently under debate. Antipsychotic medication is known to influence the hypothalamo-hypophyseal - gonadal axis by inducing variable degrees of hyperprolactinemia. Several studies have found that some of the atypical antipsychotics lower cortisol levels in patients and also in healthy controls. We have investigated the effects of clozapine and risperidone on estradiol levels in men with schizophrenia. We have also evaluated the levels of prolactin and cortisol, taking into account the possible influence of antipsychotic drugs on both these hormones. Both prolactin and cortisol also have the potential to regulate sexual hormones biosynthesis. Our study found decreased estradiol levels in men with schizophrenia treated with clozapine and risperidone, while prolactin levels were increased only in the risperidone treated group. Cortisol levels are not statistically significant different between groups.

Venous versus arterial iron administration in haemodialysis. Influence on erythrocytes antioxidant parameters.

Introduction Intravenous iron administration in patients treated by haemodialysis for end stage renal disease can exacerbate oxidative stress by increasing the level of free redox active iron. A way to reduce the impact of iron on oxidative stress in haemodialysis patients may be the administration of iron through arterial extracorporeal circuit. Objective The aim of our study was to compare the influence of iron route of administration (venous versus arterial extracorporeal circuit infusion) on antioxidant parameters in red blood cells of haemodialysis patients in order to clarify if arterial iron administration can have positive impacts related to iron induced oxidative stress. Method Twenty stable patients on regular haemodialysis treatment were selected for the study. They were investigated in a cross-over design at 3 mid-week HD sessions, one week apart, without iron [HD basal] and with either IV infusion of 100mg iron sucrose over the first 20 minutes of HD session, via venous line [HDvenous], or the same solution infused on the arterial extracorporeal circulation [HDarterial]. Blood samples were drawn at 0 min, 40 min and 270 min. Erythrocytes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, non-protein thiol levels and total antioxidant capacity (TEAC) were analysed. Conclusion Haemodialysis significantly decreases the total antioxidant activity in erythrocytes. Iron supplementation, through venous or arterial extracorporeal route has no impact on the total antioxidant activity in red blood cells. Venous iron administration increases GPx activity in erythrocytes suggesting increased lipid peroxidation compared with arterial extracorporeal administration.

The regulator of calcineurin (RCAN1) an important factor involved in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases development.

Atherosclerosis, one of the main causes of cardiovascular diseases, is a complex process that involves manifold factors. Besides the vascular lipids accumulation, inflammatory factors could be considered as a proatherogenic factor - RCAN1. RCAN1 is a regulator of calcineurin, both of them being calcium dependent proteins. Recent studies have shown that RCAN1 has an important role in heart valve development. In the same time researchers found that, the atherosclerotic plaques have an up-regulated RCAN1 gene expression. In the near future, it is desirable to elucidate the RCAN1 function and classify it as a possible biochemical marker to diagnose infancy atherosclerosis.