Low baseline salivary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in drug-naïve patients with short-illness-duration first episode major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Central noradrenergic dysfunction with autonomic nervous system dysregulation are reported in major depressive disorder (MDD). Salivary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (sMHPG) is indicative of central noradrenergic activity. Studies on MHPG in bodily fluids are inconsistent and scarce data is available regarding baseline sMHPG concentration in MDD. METHODS: The basal, non-stimulated sMHPG concentration was studied in this cross-sectional case-control study on 20 non-late-life adult, short-illness-duration first-episode, treatment-naïve MDD patients and in 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Depressed patients showed a score in the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD-17) higher than 20. RESULTS: The baseline sMHPG concentration was significantly lower in depressed individuals as compared to controls (p=0.025). In post hoc analysis significantly lower sMHPG was present in melancholic MDD (p=0.009) as related to controls whereas no difference was seen between non-melancholic MDD patients and controls. The concentration of sMHPG was not significantly correlated neither with duration nor the severity of depressive symptoms as measured by the total HAMD-17 score. LIMITATIONS: The current study is limited by its cross-sectional design and small sample size. CONCLUSION: Low baseline sMHPG concentration was found in MDD. The study provides no support for elevated sMHPG in drug-naïve patients with short-illness-duration first episode MDD. Taken into account the physiology of sMHPG secretion the study results corroborate with the evidence for decreased central noradrenergic activity in MDD when sMHPG is considered indicative of central noradrenergic function.

Vitamin B6 and the immunity in kidney transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine vitamin B6 status in elderly (age ≥ 60 years) and younger (age <60 years) recipients of allogeneic kidney graft and to investigate associations between vitamin B6 status and immunity markers. DESIGN: A retrospective observational study. SETTING: The study was conducted at the Medical University of Gdansk, Poland. SUBJECTS: We recruited 34 kidney allograft recipients (17 males and 17 females) and allocated them into 2 groups: patients aged ≥ 60 years (18 patients) and those aged <60 years (16 patients). Exclusion criteria included patients receiving vitamin B6 supplementation or drugs known to influence vitamin B6 metabolism. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Plasma levels of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), pyridoxal, pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate, and 4 pyridoxic acid were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Measured immunity markers were serum cytokines (interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and transforming growth factor-ß), levels of T-lymphocyte subsets, and the proliferative ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS: Concentrations of all vitamin B6 vitamers in plasma (PLP, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate, pyridoxamine, pyridoxine, 4 pyridoxic acid) were comparable in the 2 studied groups. There were no cases of PLP deficiency in the study population, but 29% of patients had PLP concentrations more than the upper reference limit. Vitamin B6 vitamer concentrations were not influenced by gender, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and circulating phosphate concentration. There was no difference in immunity markers according to age. However, the plasma concentrations of vitamin B6 vitamers were inversely associated with levels of CD28(+) lymphocyte subsets, as well as with the proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: No cases of vitamin B6 deficiency were found among kidney allograft recipients, and we report inverse links between vitamin B6 vitamer concentrations and markers of cellular immunity, suggesting that bioactive vitamin B6 concentration in kidney allograft recipients merits further investigation.

Urinary concentrations of pyrethroid metabolites in the convenience sample of an urban population of Northern Poland.

Urinary concentrations of pyrethroid metabolites were measured in the first void urine samples collected from 132 healthy people living in the Gdansk region of Northern Poland in 2010 and 2011. Four metabolites of synthetic pyrethroids: cis- and trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acids (cis-, trans-Cl2CA), cis-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (Br2CA) and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) were simultaneously liquid-liquid extracted, derivatized with hexafluoroisopropanol and analyzed by a gas chromatography ion-trap mass spectrometry. All the analytes were detected and quantified in the samples with various frequency, 3-phenoxybenzoic being the most often (80%) and the others less frequently (7-11%). Distribution of 3-PBA concentrations followed log-normal model, the mean concentration of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid: 0.393 µg/L (0.327 µg/g creatinine) is similar to those of the other general populations in various regions of the world. Neither sex nor age were predictors of urinary 3-PBA. Our findings suggest wide exposure to pyrethroid insecticides in the Polish general population. There is a continuous need to further study the exposure to synthetic pyrethroids among the general population since there is a strong, increasing trend in their usage.

Magnesium in drug-naïve patients with a short-duration, first episode of major depressive disorder: impact on psychopathological features.

Plasma magnesium concentration changes are seen in major depressive disorder (MDD). Dysregulation of magnesium homeostasis is associated with the severity of depression and specific psychopathological features including apathy, anxiety, irritability, fatigue and weakness. Results from studies on magnesium concentrations in MDD patients are inconsistent, and the evidence for magnesium ions being associated with specific features of depression and anxiolytic effects is unclear. This study was designed to examine whether and to what extent plasma magnesium is related to the psychopathological features of depression including severity of symptoms and specific psychopathological aspects. Plasma magnesium levels were studied in this cross-sectional, case-control study and involved 20, non-late-life adults who were treatment-naïve, short- duration, first episode, MDD patients, and 20 age- and sex-matched, healthy controls. Psychometric evaluations were performed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). A significantly higher magnesium (p = 0.016) concentration was observed in MDD patients compared to controls. No significant correlations were observed between magnesium concentrations and the total HAMD-17 score or with regard to the specific core depression, insomnia, anxiety or somatic HAM-D psychopathological features. In addition, no significant correlations were found between magnesium concentrations and STAIX-1 and STAIX-2 scores. The present study provides evidence of hypermagnesaemia in drug-naïve patients with a short-duration, first episode of MDD. A cross-sectional analysis adds to the evidence linking plasma magnesium concentrations with psychopathology of MDD during early stages of the disease although with no correlations between plasma magnesium concentrations and psychopathology including severity of symptoms and specific psychopathological features.

Persistent organochlorine contaminants in hair samples of Northern Poland population, 1968-2009.

The concentrations of persistent chlorinated organic pollutants were determined in hair samples (n=40) collected from inhabitants of Northern Poland in 1968, 1989 and 2009 using gas chromatography ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Among the analytes were ß- and γ-isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (ß- and γ-HCH), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-DDT) and its metabolites (p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDD) and 6 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (IUPAC Nos. 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180). The following: p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDT and PCB congeners: 28, 52 and 101 could be quantified in all samples. Overall total organochlorines level was found to decrease in that order: 1968>1989>2009. The most significant time-dependent decrease was noticed for sum of mean values, ∑DDTs (1658, 143.9 and 36.5 ng g(-1)) and ∑PCBs (42.2, 29.4 and 14.9 ng g(-1)) while ∑HCHs (ß-HCH and γ-HCH) were present at comparable levels (22.2, 9.8 and 12.6 ng g(-1)) in 1968, 1989 and 2009 respectively. The highest concentrations of DDTs were found in samples from 1968. Despite the long storage time of samples, metabolites either parent compound p,p'-DDT are still present in those samples at very high concentrations. p,p'-DDE as the predominant and stable metabolite of DDT was detected in every sample in the highest concentration. A significant, continuous decrease of total concentration of all studied PCB congeners was observed over the studied period of time. Current results confirm previous reports of other authors upon the utility of hair as an alternative matrix for evaluation of human exposure to persistent organic pollutants.

Application of the high-performance liquid chromatography method with coulometric detection for determination of vitamin B(6) in human plasma and serum.

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC) with coulometric electrochemical detection has been developed and validated for the simultaneous analysis of pyridoxamine-5'-phosphate (PMP), pyridoxamine (PM), pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), pyridoxal (PL), pyridoxine (PN) and 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA) in human plasma and serum. The isocratic separation was achieved on C(18) column (250mmx4.6mm, I.D., 5microm) with a mobile phase consisted of 35mM sodium phosphate containing 2.5mM heptanesulfonic acid, adjusted to pH 3.2 with 85% orthophosphoric acid and 12% methanol (v/v). Within-run and between-run precisions expressed by the relative standard deviations were less than 2.7% and 7.7% for all the analysed vitamins and 4-PA, respectively. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were: 0.8 and 2.6nM, 1.1 and 3.8nM, 1.5 and 4.5nM, 1.3 and 4.2nM, 1.1 and 3.7nM, 2.1 and 6.3nM for PMP, PM, PLP, PL, PN and 4-PA, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 90.4% to 98.4%. Stability of vitamins was checked under a variety of storage conditions. The developed application demonstrated acceptable sensitivity, precision, accuracy, stability, and linearity over the physiological concentration range. The major advantage of the proposed method is its great simplicity.

Headspace single-drop microextraction and GC-ECD determination of chlorpyrifos-ethyl in rat liver.

The present work describes a headspace single-drop microextraction (HS-SDME) method in conjunction with gas chromatography electron capture detection (GC-ECD) for the determination of an organophosphate insecticide, chlorpyrifos-ethyl (CPF), in rat liver. Sample preparation included tissue homogenization with methanol in the presence of anhydrous sodium sulfate in order to isolate CPF from the matrix, followed by dilution with 10 mL of 0.1 M H(2)SO(4) and headspace microextraction to a 2-microL drop of 1-octanol. The main factors affecting extraction efficiency were optimized [temperature 90 degrees C, preheating and extraction times of eight and six minutes, respectively, 2 g of (NH(4))(2)SO(4), stirring rate of 1000 rpm, 200 microL of methanolic extract]. The method allows for the separation and quantitation of residue levels of CPF in the livers of rats exposed orally to that insecticide. Using internal standardization (with chlorpyrifos-methyl used as an internal standard), the linearity of the method was demonstrated in the range 10-2500 ng g(-1) with a correlation coefficient R > 0.996 and a satisfactory level of precision (RSD 3.85%, n = 6). Moreover, the results obtained with the new method do not differ from those obtained with the conventional residue method used in our laboratory. The feasibility of this HS-SDME approach as an equivalent analytical method for the determination of CPF in rat liver that possesses advantages such as low cost, low solvent consumption and high throughput was confirmed.

[Hiperhomocysteinemia in active and passive smokers and the levels of folate and vitamin B6 in plasma]. / Hiperhomocysteinemia u osób palqcych oraz biernie narazonych na dym tytoniowy a stezenia kwasu foliowego i witaminy B6 w osoczu.

The increased plasma level of homocysteine have been shown to be the sensitive marker for the folate, vitamin B6 and cobalamins deficiency and an independent risk factor for the cardiovascular disease, neutral tube defects and a potential causal risk factor for neuropsychiatric disorders. The blood and plasma homocysteine levels except for genetic defects are influenced by age, gender, efficiency of detoxication systems, one or more unhealthy lifestyle factors, such as high alcohol consumption, low nutritional intake of vitamins, high coffee consumption, acquired disorders and lack of physical exercise. Many studies confirm that active tobacco smoking and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) have been significantly associated with hiperhomocysteinemia. In metabolic pathway of homocysteine the important role played folic acid, as a donor of methyl group in re-methylated reaction to methionine and vitamin B6. It acts as the cofactor in transsuphuration reactions of homocysteine to cystathionine and cysteine. Hence, the aim of this work was to compare the plasma folate and vitamin B6 concentrations in smokers and passive smokers with a hiperhomocysteinemia (> 15 micromol/L). It was observed that the plasma folate levels in active (n = 30) and passive smokers (n = 29) groups decrease statistically significant (P < 0.001) in comparison to non-smokers (n = 37). The calculated Spaermann's correlations coefficient of total plasma homocysteine level and plasma folate concentrations in the non-smoker group indicated a weak, statistically insignificant correlation (r = -0.103, P = 0.542). However, the above relationship in passive and active smokers were statistically significant (r = -0.495, P 0 0.01; r = -0.672, P < 0.001, respectively). The decrease of vitamin in B6 plasma was observed in all active smokers group (P < 0.01) and men smokers comparing to non-smokers (P < 0.001). There was no observed significant correlations between hiperhomocysteinemia and vitamin B6 in all studied groups. The results indicated that hiperhomocysteinemia have strong negative impact on folate levels in active and passive smokers. The tobacco smoke exposure have negative influence on the status of vitamin B6. The lack of significant correlation between increased homocysteine levels and vitamin B6 status confirmed hypothesis that hiperhomocysteinemia is not depended on vitamin B6 concentrations in plasma.

[Smoking influence on the level of homocysteine and 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid in active and non smokers]. / Ekspozycja na dym tytoniowy a poziom homocysteiny i kwasu 5-metylotetrahydrofoliowego u osób palacych i niepalacych.

Cigarette smoking is associated with oxidative stress and increased risk of many chronic diseased. Smoking inducts depletion of cellular antioxidant and is also known to be associated with an increased homocysteine level. Exposure to tobacco smoke has negative impact on the folic acid level. Folic acid is cofactor by demethyla-tion of homocysteine to non toxic methionine. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of total plasma homocysteine and 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid in active and non smokers and to evaluate the influence of the tobacco smoke exposure on urinary cotinine levels. The results indicated significant increase of total plasma homocysteine in smokers, than non smokers. We also investigated the negative influence of tobacco smoke on the level of folic acid in plasma and it suggests, that additional supplementation of folic acid in smokers is necessary.

[The influence of tobacco smoking on homocysteine and glutathione levels in biological samples]. / Wplyw palenia tytoniu na poziom homocysteiny i glutationu w materiale biologicznym.

The aim of this paper was to examine the effect of tobacco smoking on the level of homocysteine and glutathione in biological samples. The study comprised 30 people, who qualified into two groups--subjects who never smoke the cigarettes (n = 10) and currently smoking (n = 20). Smoking habit were assessed by questionnaire. Cotinine (major metabolite of nicotine) was determined in urine using high-performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC) with ultraviolet detection. The biothiols: glutathione in reduced and oxidized forms and homocysteine were determined by HPLC method using coulometric electrochemical detection. The concentrations of total and free plasma homocysteine were higher in active smoker. Glutathione levels in both groups were comparable. Observed differences should be explained in the further experiment.

[Smoking influence on cadmium, lead, selenium and zinc level in placenta, cord blood and maternal blood of women at delivery from Gdansk region]. / Wplyw palenia tytoniu na stezenie kadmu, olowiu, selenu oraz cynku w lozysku, krwi pepowinowej i krwi kobiet rodzacych z Gdanska.

Cadmium, lead, selenium and zinc levels were determined in placenta, maternal blood and cord blood of 53 women at delivery from Gdansk region. Non-smokers [NS], passive smokers [PS] and smokers [S] were identified by the questionnaire. Our results suggest that there is no smoking impact on the levels of determined elements in placenta. Smoking women have higher Cd and Pb blood levels than mothers who never smoked (p < 0.01). Selenium levels in maternal and cord blood were higher in non-smoking group than in smokers (maternal blood NS vs S p < 0.01; cord blood NS vs S p < 0.001), but there is no smoking impact on the zinc levels in the study tissues. We also investigated the negative influence of tobacco smoke exposure on the distribution of the micro-elements in the feto-placental unit and that the ratio of Zn/Cd and Se/ Pb is higher in all tissues of non-smoking than smoking women.

High-performance liquid chromatography method for the simultaneous determination of thiamine hydrochloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride and cyanocobalamin in pharmaceutical formulations using coulometric electrochemical and ultraviolet detection.

The method for the simultaneous determination of thiamine hydrochloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride and cyanocobalamin by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with coulometric electrochemical and UV detections is presented. The retention time of vitamins was repeatedly determined by isocratic elution using 0.05 M phosphate buffer-10% methanol and 0.018 M trimethylamine (1 ml min(-1), pH 3.55) as mobile phase with the Supelco LC 18 column 5 microm (25 cm x 4.6 mm). The specificity of the method was demonstrated by the retention characteristics, coulometric electrochemical and UV detection. The limits of detection of thiamine, pyridoxine and cyanocobalamin were: 9.2, 2.7 and 0.08 ng/ml, respectively. The method was characterized also by wide concentration range, high sensitivity and good accuracy (99.6-102.7%). The repeatability of the method was evaluated at different level of concentration of vitamins and the relative standard deviation was below 4.5%. The method was successfully applied for the quantification of Vitamins B1, B6 and B12 in pharmaceutical preparations and dietary supplements.

Osmotic and ionic haemolymph concentrations in the Baltic Sea amphipod Gammarus oceanicus in relation to water salinity.

The aim of this work was to determine the osmotic and ionic (Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+) and Cl(-)) haemolymph concentrations in Gammarus oceanicus at different salinity levels. Being a species of marine origin it inhabits brackish waters of the Baltic Sea. G. oceanicus specimens were collected in January 2003 from the Gulf of Gdansk (salinity 7 psu). The animals were gradually acclimated to eight different salinity levels (5, 7, 14, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 41 psu) at a temperature of 5 degrees C and 100% oxygen saturation. The haemolymph osmolalities correlated positively with external salinity, from 545.4+/-17.3 mOsm in 5 psu to 1185.9+/-34.6 mOsm in 41 psu. G. oceanicus hyperregulated within the 5-31.5 psu range; above 31.5 psu it hyporegulated its body fluids in comparison to the external medium. At 31.5 psu (1017 mOsm) the haemolymph concentration of G. oceanicus was isoosmotic with the habitat. The haemolymph concentrations of all the studied ions, except K(+), correlated positively with their concentrations at the various salinity.