Comparison of passive and active biomechanical properties of human cervical and leg veins.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare passive and active biomechanical properties of human superficial veins exposed in vivo to different orthostatic stresses. METHODS: Superficial veins from jugular and saphenous regions were studied (11 segments each). Digitalized pressure-diameter curves were recorded in Krebs-Ringer solution, and after administration of 10-5M norepinephrine and 10-5M acetylcholine. Calcium-free solution was used to determine passive biomechanical properties. Similar tissue samples were collected for histochemistry. Resorcin-fuchsin stainings and immuno-histochemistry for smooth muscle actin were used. RESULTS: The outer radius of the relaxed samples was identical. Leg vein walls were thicker in Krebs-Ringer solution (110 ± 11 vs. 84 ± 7 µm at 30 mmHg). Isobaric wall stress was significantly higher in cervical veins. The significant differences in incremental distensibilities and elastic moduli were dependent on pressure level and smooth muscle tone. Spontaneous tone and norepinephrine induced contractions were significantly higher in leg veins (at 30 mmHg 18.3 ± 4.1 vs. 5.6 ± 1.8% and 37.6 ± 4.5 vs. 11.2 ± 4.3 %, respectively). Endothelial dilation was larger in cervical vein segments (3.8 ± 0.9% vs. 1.8 ± 0.5%). Resorcin-fuchsin and smooth muscle actin staining structures were more abundant in leg veins. CONCLUSION: Comparing active and passive biomechanical properties of human veins affected chronically by different orthostatic loading, we found several quantitative differences that reflect the physiological adaptation mechanisms to long-term gravitational stress.

[Feverfew as a prophylactic treatment of migraine]. / Zastosowanie zlocienia maruny w profilaktycznym leczeniu migreny.

Feverfew has been used in traditional medicine in the treatment of migraine for a long time. In 1985 E.S. Johnson et al. and later J.J. Murphy et al., 1988 and B.K. Vogler et al., 1994 published positive results of prophylactic use of this herb in migraine. Since 1994 through 1996 we studied in our Centre of Migraine Therapy the efficacy of feverfew in migraine treatment. We had 24 patients (women 19-61 years old) in our group. The drug was administered once daily (5 ml of the sap) for 30-60 days. We observed significant reduction of Migraine Index in 8 patients, less significant in additional 5. Our results confirm that feverfew may be beneficial in migraine prophylaxis as an additive drug. Further controlled studies need to be done, especially to establish the optimal dose of the drug.

[Ultrasound studies of blood flow velocity in main cranial arteries in idiopathic headaches]. / Badania ultrasonograficzne szybkosci przeplywu w duzych naczyniach mózgowych w samoistnych bólach glowy.

The published results of transcranial Doppler (TCD) studies of main cerebral arteries, performed in the patients with idiopathic headaches, especially with migraine, are controversial. Some authors could not find any changes, others observed increased blood flow. These results were, however, based on single examination, and the comparison on mean velocities calculated for the whole groups. In the present study the authors decided to perform a series of TCD studies in each patient and to analyse the individual cases. It was found that blood flow velocity in the main cerebral arteries in chronic tension-type headache (8 cases) and cluster headache (7 cases) showed normal values, established for 35 healthy subjects. In migraine without aura (20 cases) and with aura (11 cases) a considerable increase (above 30%) in cerebral blood flow was found in some studies. In around 50% of the cases increased blood flow in anterior and middle cerebral arteries was found unilaterally. The authors believe that the above findings might be specific for migraine and reflect transient vasoconstriction of the vessels that, on the other head, may be the premonitory laboratory sign of the attack.

[Automatic regulation of sinus rhythm in patients with migraine]. / Automatyczna regulacja rytmu zatokowego serca u chorych z migrena.

The clinical symptoms of migraine point to autonomic disturbances, especially to disrupted regulation of the circulatory system and autonomic balance. Searching for more accurate autonomic system studies we turned to the spectral analysis of cardiac rhythm changes, that allows to estimate the autonomic balance in sinus node. 44 patients with migraine were studied and the results were compared with those obtained in 74 healthy subjects. The reduced influence of both sympathetic and parasympathetic part of autonomic system on the sinus rhythm in migraine patients was found. The autonomic balance is shifted to the parasympathetic innervation side in patients with migraine.

[Current views on pathophysiology of migraine. Part III: Biochemical hypothesis. The role of blood platelets]. / Wspólczesne poglady na patogeneze migreny. Czesc III: Hipotezy biochemiczne. Rola plytek krwi.

Systematic studies on the biochemistry of migraine were first undertaken in early 1960s; they initially concerned serotonin metabolism. The studies were next extended, covering catecholamines, histamine, free fatty acids, selected peptides and hormones. The results were mostly disappointing and such studies were mostly given up. In the last years we have been witnessing the come back of the study on the role of serotonin in migraine as the neurotransmitter involved in the antinociception and vascular innervation. In the 1970s a great deal of studies on blood platelets as serotonin reservoir were undertaken in migraine patients.

[Studies of heart rhythm variability in migraine. Preliminary communication]. / Badanie zmiennosci rytmu serca w migrenie. Doniesienie wstepne.

Spectral analysis of hart rhythm variability makes possible assessment of the state (power) of autonomic innervation of the heart. The reported study was carried out in 40 patients (22 women) with migraine. The studies were done in times between migraine attacks. The control group comprised 62 clinically healthy subjects. In most patients (over 61%) the sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation of the heart was weaker than in healthy subjects and the index of automatic equilibrium in the sinus node was lower than in controls.

[Treatment of functional disorders of the masticatory system in patients with headaches]. / Leczenie zaburzen czynnosciowych narzadu zucia u chorych z bólami glowy.

In 114 cases of spontaneous headaches treated at the Migraine Centre at the Department of Neurology, Medical Academy in Lódz, various types of stomatognathic system dysfunctions were found, and 24 were qualified for stomatological treatment of these dysfunctions. The treatment was causative and included rehabilitation of the stomatognathic system and denture reconstruction. This treatment gave particularly good results in atypical pains in the face and head. Less good effects were obtained in chronic tension headaches and mixed headaches. The discussed method gave no improvement in migraine and cluster headaches.

[Evaluation of the status of the stomatognathic system in patients with idiopathic headaches]. / Ocena stanu narzadu zucia u osób z samoistnymi bolami glowy.

The stomatognathic system was assessed in 114 subjects with various types of idiopathic headaches. Stomatognathic system dysfunctions were recognized most frequently in patients with atypical facial pain and headache, and with mixed headache. Much less frequently these dysfunctions were present in patients with migraine or cluster headaches. The obtained results suggest that stomatognathic system dysfunctions should be considered in the pathogenesis of certain headaches.

[So-called cervicogenic headache]. / O tzw. szyjnopochodnym bólu glowy (cervicogenic headache).

After a description of the clinical pattern of the newly isolated by Sjaastad et al. from of headaches, that is cervicogenic headache the authors report two own cases in women aged 37 and 57 years. The cases agreed completely with the description of Sjaastad et al. and other authors, and they enrich the number of case reports on this disease.

[Analysis of clinical and electroencephalographic findings in common vasomotor headache]. / Analiza obrazu klinicznego i elektroencefalograficznego zwyklego naczynioruchowego bólu glowy.

The authors analysed the clinical pattern of manifestations and electroencephalographic findings in 120 patients with vasomotor headache, who were attending the Migraine Treatment Centre at the Department of Neurology, Medical Academy in Lódz. During 5 years of observation these patients accounted for 20% of all cases of idiopathic headaches treated in this Centre. It was observed that the clinical manifestations and electroencephalographic findings in vasomotor headaches were non-characteristic. The diagnosis of this headache must be reached after ruling out all other idiopathic and symptomatic headaches.

[Bilateral occurrence of symptoms of Horton's headache (cluster headache)]. / W sprawie obustronnego wystepowania objawów bólu glowy Hortona (klasterowym).

The authors discuss the problem of bilateral occurrence of symptoms in cluster headache. Literature survey shows that bilateral headache were observed in 10-13% of cases by various authors. In own material of 63 cases the authors found bilateral symptoms in 9.5% of cases and describe in more detail two cases. An own classification of bilateral cluster headaches in suggested.

Suloctidil therapy in migraine: an open pilot study.

An open pilot study was carried out in 27 patients with severe and frequent migraine attacks who had failed to respond adequately to other drug therapy, to assess the effectiveness and tolerance of prophylactic treatment with suloctidil. Patients received 600 mg suloctidil daily for 6 weeks. Response, assessed on the reduction in frequency of attacks, was considered as good in 7 patients and as significant improvement in 11 patients. Treatment was rated as of doubtful value or as ineffective in the other 9 patients. One patient stopped treatment because of adverse reactions and 10 others reported mild side-effects.

[Analysis of electroencephalographic findings in patients with Horton's headache]. / Analiza obrazu elektroencefalograficznego u chorych z bólem glowy Hortona.

The authors analysed electroencephalographic findings in 36 patients with Horton's headache (cluster headaches). It was found that EEG findings in Horton's headache are usually normal and show considerable stability. Slight EEG changes observed in a low number of cases were usually similar to those observed in the general population. The analysis of bioelectric activity of the brain in patients with this headache suggests an extracerebral mechanism of this disease.