Peripheral endocannabinoids in major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) are two high-prevalent conditions where the Endocannabinoid system (ECS) is believed to play an important role. The ECS regulates how different neurotransmitters interact in both disorders, which is crucial for controlling emotions and responses to stress and reward stimuli. Measuring peripheral endocannabinoids (eCBs) in human serum and plasma can help overcome the limitations of detecting endocannabinoid levels in the brain. This systematic review aims to identify levels of peripheral eCBs in patients with MDD and/or AUD and find eCBs to use as diagnostic, prognostic biomarkers, and potential therapeutic targets. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines from the earliest manuscript until October 22, 2023, in three electronic databases. We included studies of human adults who had a current diagnosis of AUD and/or MDD and evaluated plasma or serum endocannabinoids. We carefully considered known variables that may affect endocannabinoid levels. RESULTS: We included 17 articles in this systematic review, which measured peripheral eCBs in 170 AUD and 359 MDD patients. Stressors increase peripheral 2-arachidonyl-glycerol (2-AG) concentrations, and 2-AG may be a particular feature of depression severity and chronicity. Anxiety symptoms are negatively correlated with anandamide (AEA) concentrations, and AEA significantly increases during early abstinence in AUD. Studies suggest a negative correlation between Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and length of abstinence in AUD patients. They also show a significant negative correlation between peripheral levels of AEA and OEA and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) activity. Eicosapentaenoylethanolamide (EPEA) is correlated to clinical remission rates in depression. Included studies show known variables such as gender, chronicity, symptom severity, comorbid psychiatric symptoms, length of abstinence in the case of AUD, and stress-inducibility that can affect peripheral eCBs. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review highlights the important role that the ECS plays in MDD and AUD. Peripheral eCBs appear to be useful biomarkers for these disorders, and further research may identify potential therapeutic targets. Using accessible biological samples such as blood in well-designed clinical studies is crucial to develop novel therapies for these disorders.

Higiene ocular en la infancia / Eye care in childhood

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Simultaneous bilateral cataract extraction in the UK.

AIMS/BACKGROUND: Simultaneous bilateral extracapsular cataract extraction (SBCE) is not routinely performed in the developed world. This study investigated the safety and efficacy of this procedure as performed in the UK. METHODS: A review of 319 consecutive patients (638 eyes) who underwent SBCE with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation is presented. RESULTS: The incidence of intraoperative complications was 7.7%. These included posterior capsule rupture (0.8%) and vitreous loss (0.3%). Postoperative complications were seen in 8.7% of operated eyes and included iris prolapse (0.3%) and raised intraocular pressure (3.0%). Endophthalmitis occurred in one eye (0.15%). There were no major bilateral complications, and, in particular, no cases of bilateral endophthalmitis. Final visual acuities compared favourably with reports for unilateral surgery. Eighty two per cent achieved a final visual acuity of 6/12 or better, and 41% tested 6/6 or better. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates that SBCE is not associated with an increased incidence of complications and that the visual results are good. Where indicated, and under strict surgical protocol, this procedure is safe.

Extensive visual loss with topical facial steroids.

Steroid creams applied topically to the skin are routinely used in the treatment of many dermatoses. Their use on the face in severe atopic eczema is relatively common. We report a series of three patients who whilst using topical facial steroids developed advanced glaucoma. A further two cases of ocular hypertension secondary to topical facial steroids are also described. This is the first series of cases to be reported demonstrating the potentially blinding complications of topical facial steroids. Recommendations are made with regard to screening such patients for glaucoma.

Bilateral homonymous visual field defects as initial manifestation of multiple sclerosis.

Symptomatic suprageniculate lesions in multiple sclerosis expressed as a visual field defect are infrequent. The present case developed a bilateral homonymous defect as the initial and unique symptom of the disease. It was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, which disclosed extensive demyelinating areas in both optic nerve radiations. The mode of onset, perimetric findings, and unusual presentation of this condition are briefly discussed.

[Effect of administering prostaglandine f2alpha and e2 on lh secretion in rat (author's transl)]. / Efecto de la administración de prostaglandina F2alpha y E2 sobre la secreción de LH en la rata.

Intraperitoneal administration of 100 ng of synthetic LH-RH to castrated male rats, produces a significant elevation of plasma LH values, as determined by RIA. A greater increase is obtained, by administrating 400 ng of LH-RH. Intrayugular injection of physiologic saline reduces basal values of plasma LH. This pattern is not modified by administration of 10 microgram or 100 microgram of PGF2alpha. On the other hand 10 microgram of PGE2 compensates the fall and 100 microgram significantly increases plasma LH over the basal values. Intracarotidly a similar pattern is observed. Plasma LH values decreases in the control group and no modification is observed by the administration of 10 microgram of PGF2alpha. By injecting the same amount of PGE2, plasma LH values remains constant, compensating the fall observed in the controls. Our results show a stimulatory effect of PGE2 and no effect of PGF2alpha on LH secretion in the castrated male rat.

[Radioimmunologic method for the measurement of plasmatic LH in humans (author's transl)]. / Determinación por radioinmunoanálisis de la hormona luteinizante en plasma humano

A simple radioimmunologic method for the measurement of plasmatic LH concentration is described. This procedure utilizes a second antibody for the separation by precipitation of the bound from the free hormone. LH is labelled with 125I by means of a modified Greenwood and Hunter Chloramine T procedure. Three reference compounds, LER-907, MRC 68/40 and 2nd IRP-HMG, have been compared. The daily plasma concentrations of LH along the menstrual cycle in 12 young normal women and the changes induced by 100 mug LHRH were measured, validating the method used since it is capable of detecting the expected variations.