Chemotherapy and plasma adipokines level in patients with colorectal cancer.

Adipokines are molecules produced and secreted by adipose tissue and are linked to multiple malignancies. Adipokines can suppress or promote particular cell behaviors in different types of cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of chemotherapy on select adipokines in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Blood samples were collected from 42 patients with pathologically documented advanced CRC, who required palliative chemotherapy. Leptin, adiponectin, resistin and visfatin levels were measured by ELISA before and 3 months after the administration of chemotherapy. Among the 42 patients evaluated, 18 achieved a partial response (PR), 16 achieved stable disease (SD) and 8 patients experienced disease progression (PD). We found that 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy regimens significantly increased plasma levels of leptin and adiponectin and decreased plasma levels of resistin and visfatin in PR and SD patients, whereas the plasma levels of these molecules were not affected in PD patients. Furthermore, the mean plasma levels of leptin were significantly lower, and the mean plasma levels of resistin and visfatin were significantly greater in patients with PD compared with PR and SD both before and after chemotherapy treatment. We conclude that palliative chemotherapy in CRC patients, in addition to providing clinical benefits, positively affects cytokine production and secretion in PR and SD patients. Specifically, we found that palliative chemotherapy increased plasma levels of the anti-inflammatory adipokine adiponectin and decreased the plasma levels of visfatin and resistin, molecules known to promote angiogenesis and cancer cell proliferation in PR and SD patients. Moreover, the baseline values of leptin, visfatin and resistin might serve as prognostic indicators of a poor response to chemotherapy.

Fluoride Alteration of [3H]Glucose Uptake in Wistar Rat Brain and Peripheral Tissues.

The present study was designed to investigate the role of postnatal fluoride intake on [3H]glucose uptake and transport in rat brain and peripheral tissues. Sodium fluoride (NaF) in a concentration of 10 or 50 ppm was added to the drinking water of adult Wistar rats. The control group received distilled water. After 4 weeks, respective plasma fluoride levels were 0.0541 ± 0.0135 µg/ml (control), 0.0596 ± 0.0202 µg/ml (10 ppm), and 0.0823 ± 0.0199 µg/ml (50 ppm). Although plasma glucose levels were not altered in any group, the plasma insulin level in the fluoride (50 ppm) group was elevated (0.72 ± 0.13 µg/ml) versus the control group (0.48 ± 0.24 µg/ml) and fluoride (10 ppm) group. In rats receiving fluoride for 4 weeks at 10 ppm in drinking water, [3H]glucose uptake was unaltered in all tested parts of the brain. However, in rats receiving fluoride at 50 ppm, [3H]glucose uptake in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus with hypothalamus was elevated, versus the saline group. Fluoride intake had a negligible effect on [3H]glucose uptake by peripheral tissues (liver, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, atrium, aorta, kidney, visceral tissue, lung, skin, oral mucosa, tongue, salivary gland, incisor, molars, and jawbone). In neither fluoride group was glucose transporter proteins 1 (GLUT 1) or 3 (GLUT 3) altered in frontal cortex and striatum versus control. On the assumption that increased glucose uptake (by neural tissue) reasonably reflects neuronal activity, it appears that fluoride damage to the brain results in a compensatory increase in glucose uptake and utilization without changes in GLUT 1 and GLUT 3 expression.

[Comparison of exposure to stress and analysis of ways of coping with stress among freight transport and public transport drivers]. / Porównanie narazenia na stres i analiza sposobów radzenia sobie z nim wsród kierowców samochodów dostawczych i kierowców komunikacji miejskiej.

BACKGROUND: Fast progress in a lot of economic sectors has greatly contributed to a growing role of road transportation systems, including freight transport and passenger transport. The job of professional drivers is regarded as extremely hard and dangerous, it is associated with high risk of health loss and even life loss. This profession is also associated with mental burden, the main cause of the absence at work and alarming number of road accidents. The aim of study was to compare exposure to stress, check the level of stress and ways to cope with stress in 2 groups of drivers (N = 187). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out among public transport drivers and freight transport drivers. The authors' own questionnaire and 2 psychological tests: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and Inventory to Measure Coping Strategies with Stress (Mini-COPE) were used as the study tools. RESULTS: The level of stress is high in both groups, mostly due to a similar type of work. Both groups practice similar ways to cope with stress, but active ways predominate. CONCLUSIONS: The work of a professional driver is considered as extremely stressful. The level of stress among professional drivers should be under continuous control. Employers should introduce preventive programs and educate employees about some professional ways to cope with stress. Med Pr 2016;67(4):455-466.

Impairment in Pain Perception in Adult Rats Lesioned as Neonates with 5.7-Dihydroxytryptamine.

BACKGROUND: Whereas some studies have demonstrated the essential role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in tramadol and acetaminophen analgesia, other research has presented conflicting results. To dispel doubts, some aspects of the involvement of 5-HT in the antinociceptive properties of these drugs remain to be clarified. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether the serotoninergic system dysfunction produced by neonatal 5-HT lesion in rats may affect the antinociceptive effects of tramadol and acetaminophen administered in adulthood. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three days after birth, the control rats were pretreated with desipramine HCl (20 mg/kg i.p.) 30 min before intraventricular saline--vehicle injection. A separate group received 5.7-DHT; 2×35 µg in each lateral ventricle. At the age of 8 weeks, 5-HT and 5-hydroxyidoleaceticacid (5-HIAA) concentrations were determined in the thalamus and spinal cord by an HPLC/ED method. The antinociceptive effects of tramadol (20 mg/kg i.p.) or acetaminophen (100 mg/kg i.p.) were evaluated by a battery of tests. RESULTS: 5.7-DHT lesioning was associated with a reduction in 5-HT and 5-HIAA content of the thalamus (>85% and >90%) and spinal cord (>58% and 70%). Neonatal 5.7-DHT treatment produced a significant reduction in the antinociceptive effect of tramadol in the hot plate, tail-immersion, paw withdrawal and writhing tests. In the formalin hind paw test, the results were ambiguous. 5-HT lesion was also associated with a decrease in the analgesic effect of acetaminophen in the hot plate and writhing tests. A similar relationship wasn't found in the other assessments conducted with the use of acetaminophen. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides evidence that (1) an intact serotoninergic system is required for the adequate antinociceptive action of tramadol, and (2) the serotoninergic system exerts a negligible influence on acetaminophen-induced analgesia in rats. We hypothesize that similar abnormalities in nociception may occur in patients with 5-HT dysfunction (e.g. depression), so these results should be complied in analgesic dosage adjustment.