Orexin in Patients with Alcohol Dependence Treated for Relapse Prevention: A Pilot Study.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the blood concentration of orexin and its association with other clinical factors in patients with alcohol dependence. METHODS: Thirty-two males hospitalized on an addiction treatment ward due to alcohol dependence and 23 healthy men as a control group were enrolled in the study. The measurement of orexin in the blood was made at the beginning of the treatment (after withdrawal symptoms had stopped) and again after 4 weeks of observation. RESULTS: At the beginning of the observation, the alcohol-dependent patients had significantly greater orexin blood concentration than the control group. After 4 weeks of treatment for relapse prevention, the blood orexin level decreased significantly to a value similar to that in the control group. At the beginning of the study, more severely alcohol-dependent patients (Short Alcohol Dependence Data [SADD] score range: 20-45) had significantly greater orexin blood concentration than individuals with moderate addiction severity (SADD score range: 10-19). However, after 4 weeks of abstinence, the peptide blood concentration was similar in both groups of alcoholic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Orexin or its receptor is a potential target for relapse prevention treatment, but further study with long-term observation is needed to verify the usefulness of blood orexin determination as a marker of alcohol relapse risk.

Selected angiogenic factors in plasma of patients with lower limb symptomatic peripheral arterial disease: preliminary report.

AIM: The number of people suffering from atherosclerosis-related complications such as peripheral arterial disease (PAD) ­ including lower limbs PAD increases. Hypoxia and ischemia stimulate angiogenesis ­ a postnatal multistage process in which new blood vessels form and the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF-A) is the key proangiogenic factor whereas its soluble receptors type 1 and type 2 (sVEGFR-1, sVEGFR-2) are regarded as inhibitory factors. The aim of this study was to assess the concentrations of VEGF-A, sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-2 in plasma of patients with symptomatic lower extremity PAD compared with selected clinical parameters (Ankle-Brachial Index, distance in walking test) and severity of PAD (according to the Fontaine classification). METHODS: The study group included 46 patients suffering from symptomatic PAD with Fontaine class IIa-IV without any history of neoplastic disease. The control group consisted of 30 healthy non-smoking volunteers. The following parameters were determined: plasma concentrations of VEGF-A, its soluble receptors (sVEGFR-1, sVEGFR-2) using the ELISA method also VEGF-A and sVEGFR-1 quotient was calculated on the basis of mean concentrations in homogenous units (pg/mL). RESULTS: The study group revealed a statistically significant higher level of VEGF-A concentration when compared with the control group and statistically significant lower concentration of sVEGFR-2 in the study group. In the study group a statistically significant negative correlation between VEGF-A concentrations and the length of irrelative distance in walking test was observed. In the group of PAD a significantly higher VEGF-A/sVEGFR-1 ratio in comparison with the control group was obtained. Within the group of patient suffering from PAD there was noticed an increasing VEGF-A/sVEGFR-1 ratio in subsequent subgroups according to the Fontaine classification. CONCLUSION: The plasma concentrations of VEGF-A correlated with increased clinical symptoms of PAD in the walking test. The plasma VEGF-A/sVEGFR-1 ratio may be used as a useful ischemic marker in patients with PAD which should be tested and finally verified in large group of patients.

Phototherapy with low-level laser influences the proliferation of endothelial cells and vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta secretion.

The healing process and the angiogenesis associated with it, is a very important but currently poorly understood area. Low level laser therapy (LLLT) has been reported to modulate the process of tissue repair by stimulation of cellular reaction such as migration, proliferation, apoptosis and cellular differentiation. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of laser radiation in the range of visible and infrared light on the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells in vitro and the secretion of angiogenic factors: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß. Vascular human endothelial cells (Ecs) were exposed to radiation with laser beam of the wavelengths: 635 nm (1.875 mW/cm²) and 830 nm (3.75 mW/cm²). Depending on the radiation energy density, the experiment was conducted in four groups : I) the control group (no radiation, 0 J/cm²); II) 635 nm - the energy density was 2 J/cm²; III) 635 nm - 4 J/cm²; IV635 nm - 8 J/cm², II) 830 nm - the energy density was 2 J/cm²; III) 830 nm - 4 J/cm²; IV) 830 nm - 8 J/cm². The proliferation and concentration of VEGF-A and TGF-ß were examined. LLLT with wavelength 635 nm increases endothelial cell proliferation. Significant increase in endothelial cell proliferation and corresponding decrease in VEGF concentration may suggest the role for VEGF in this process. The wavelength of 830 nm was associated with a decrease in TGF-ß secretion.