Glutamate-Related Antibodies and Peripheral Insulin-Like Growth Factor in Bipolar Disorder and Lithium Prophylaxis.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of the antineuronal antibodies anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), in patients with bipolar disorder (BD), during manic and depressive episodes and in remission compared to euthymic patients receiving long-term lithium therapy. METHODS: Serum levels of anti-NMDAR and anti-GAD 450/620 antibodies, as well as IGF-1, were measured using the ELISA method in 19 manic and 17 depressed patients both in an acute episode and in remission after the episode. All of the subjects were under pharmacological treatment. The control group included 18 euthymic BD patients receiving lithium for 9-44 years (mean 22 ± 11) in whom a single measurement was performed. RESULTS: Serum levels of anti-NMDAR antibodies were higher in acute manic episodes than in lithium-treated patients. Serum levels of anti-GAD 450/620 antibodies were higher in acute manic and depressive episodes compared to remission after the respective episode. Their values in both acute manic and depressive episodes were higher than those in lithium-treated patients. Serum levels of IGF-1 were higher in acute manic episodes and in remission after mania than in lithium-treated patients. CONCLUSION: Higher levels of anti-NMDAR and anti-GAD antibodies during episodes may point to an abnormality in the glutamatergic system in BD. Increased levels of IGF-1 during an acute manic episode and in remission after mania may constitute a compensatory mechanism against excitotoxicity. Lower levels of anti-NMDAR, anti-GAD antibodies, and IGF-1 during long-term lithium treatment may reflect normalization of this processes, contributing to mood stabilization.

CXCL10 and CXCL13 chemokines in patients with relapsing remitting and primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system characterized by a variable clinical course. Different pathogenic mechanisms responsible for relapsing remitting (RRMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) are modulated by immunological process with important role of chemokine network. CXCL10 and CXCL13 chemokines act as chemoattractants and modulators of proinflammatory reactions promoting process of demyelination. In the present study, we investigated the concentrations of CXCL10 and CXCL13 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with RRMS and PPMS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study groups comprised 25 RRMS patients (39,5±12years), 24 PPMS patients (49,9±10,5years), 31 healthy individuals (36±10,4years) with tension headache without symptoms of inflammatory diseases. A quantitive test kit based on ELISA has been used for chemokines measurement. Correlations analysis between the levels of CXCL10, CXCL13 and patient age, duration of MS, EDSS and IgG index were done. RESULTS: The mean concentration of CXCL10 in the CSF was statistically significantly higher in RRMS in comparison with the control group. The mean concentration of CXCL13 in the CSF was significantly higher in RRMS and PPMS than in the control group. The results have shown that in the stable phase of MS without relapse, mean concentration of CXCL10 and CXCL13 in CSF did not differ significantly between RRMS and PPMS. In PPMS a positive correlation between IgG index and CSF CXCL10 level or CSF CXCL13 level was observed. In RRMS a positive correlation between IgG index and CSF CXCL13 level was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate involvement of CXCL10 and CXCL13 chemokines in immunopathogenetic mechanisms in MS. There was no significant difference between mean CXCL10 or CXCL13 concentrations in the CSF in both RRMS and PPMS patients. No significant correlations were found between patient age and chemokines levels in theCSF in all groups. It suggest that these chemokines play similar role in inflammatory process despite more pronounced neurodegenerative process in PPMS.

The reciprocal links between synaptophysin serum levels and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to selected low-grade inflammation indices and age-related androgen serum level changes in men.

UNLABELLED: The correlations between synaptophysin (SYP) plasma levels and the brain neurotransmission activity are still not strictly identified. However, the efficiency of neurotransmission depends, inter alia, on the age, hormonal status, and coexistence of a low-grade systemic inflammation (LGSI) which is regarded as a pathogenic link with obesity and insulin resistance, atherogenesis and aging per se. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between synaptophysin serum levels and age, LGSI indices, homocysteine and selected hormonal parameters (dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate, free-testosterone, SHBG) and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in men over the age of 40. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After randomization, 157 male volunteers aged 40-80 years were included in a retrospective study. MS was diagnosed according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. For the diagnosis of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) we adopted the criteria proposed by the European Male Aging Study (EMAS). RESULTS: Synaptophysin plasma concentrations in respondents decreased with age, but only between the ages of 40 to 70 years. There were no differences in SYP plasma concentrations in men suffering from MS compared to healthy subjects (p=0.845). Men suffering from MS demonstrated while higher hs-CRP (high sensitive C - reactive protein) levels than healthy (p=0.019), contrary to the α1-antichymotrypsin and transferrin. A positive monotonic correlation between synaptophysin and hs-CRP was demonstrated (r=0.235; p=0.003). No statistically significant relationships between SYP and homocysteine plasma levels were presented (r=0.047; p=0.562), although in men diagnosed with MS higher homocysteine levels compared to healthy subjects were demonstrated. No correlations between synaptophysin and free testosterone (r=-0.036; p=0.651), DHEA (r=-0.122; p=0.128) and its sulphate (r=-0.024; p=0.764) as well as SHBG (r=-0.088; p=0.288) were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Although the correlations between synaptophysin plasma levels and age as well as strong LGSI indicator (hs-CRP) have been demonstrated, the usefulness of determining SYP serum concentration as a marker of age-related studied diseases (MS, LOH) seems to be significantly limited.

Assessment of Vitamin D Level in Autoimmune Thyroiditis Patients and a Control Group in the Polish Population.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D, known for its role in calcium-phosphorus homeostasis, is also a significant immunomodulatory factor. Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in some autoimmune disorders. Recently, vitamin D level in autoimmune thyroiditis (HT - Hashimoto's thyroiditis) has become the subject of researchers' interest. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess vitamin 25-OH-D3 levels in HT patients in comparison to a control group in the Polish population. This would be the first attempt conducted in this region with such poor sunlight exposure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The group we studied consisted of 62 subjects diagnosed with HT (mean age 49.15±15.51) and 32 healthy controls matched with age and sex (mean age 46.09±14.32). All blood samples were collected in the first quarter of the year to minimize the impact of seasonal fluctuations of vitamin D concentrations. RESULTS: In the HT group the mean vitamin D level was 20.09 nmol/L (SD±12.66), compared to 30.31 nmol/L (SD±19.49) in the controls, p=0.014. None of the patients and the controls was vitamin D sufficient (75-125 nmol/L). The deficiency (<50 nmol/L) was significantly more common among HT patients compared to the controls (61-98.4% vs. 27- 84.4%, p=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we found that serum vitamin D concentration is significantly lower in HT patients in comparison to the control group. This suggests vitamin D deficit as one of the risk factors for HT development. Observed vitamin D level was also low in the control group, therefore wider supplementation in general population should be recommended.

Concentration of Il-1ß, Il-2, Il-6, TNFα in the blood serum in children with generalized epilepsy treated by valproate.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was the comparison of concentrations of IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6 and TNFα before and after valproate (VPA) treatment in blood serum in patients with generalized seizures diagnosed and treated in the Department of Developmental Neurology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences from January 2006 to May 2007. METHODS: The analysis was conducted in a group of 21 patients with well controlled, generalized seizures (mean age 7.7±4.7 years) before and after 4-6 months of VPA therapy. Quantitative determination IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6 and TNFα were performed with method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum drug concentration was determined with the use of fluorescence-polarization-immunoassay system (FPIA). RESULTS: The concentration of IL-6 in blood serum of patients decreased significantly (p<0.001) after 4-6 months of VPA therapy, but concentration of IL-1ß (p=0.732), IL-2 (p=0.865), TNFα (p=0.079) did not change significantly. The serum concentration of VPA in all of patients was in therapeutic range (mean 77.53±19.71µg/ml). CONCLUSIONS: The serum level of pro-inflammatory IL-6 in patients with generalized epilepsy decreased in statistically significant way during VPA therapy, so the anti-inflammatory properties of VPA are also important for the effective control of seizure. Due to the incompatibility of reports on the influence of VPA on cytokine system in patients with generalized epilepsy, this problem needs more investigations, especially in the group of children.

Increased serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels in young patients during bipolar depression.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an enzyme implicated in a number of pathological conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Increased blood levels of MMP-9 were found in cancer, heart disease and migraine. Molecular-genetic studies demonstrated an association of functional polymorphism of MMP-9 gene with predisposition to schizophrenia and bipolar illness. In this first study of serum MMP-9 in psychiatric illness, we estimated it in patients with bipolar mood disorder both during depression or mania as well as during immediate remission after these episodes. METHODS: The study was performed on 54 in-patients with bipolar mood disorder (19 males, 35 females), aged 42±14 years. Thirty were studied during acute episode and immediate remission after depression, and 24 during acute episode and immediate remission after mania. The control group consisted of 29 subjects (15 males, 14 females) aged 40±11 years. Serum MMP-9 was estimated by ELISA. RESULTS: In patients with bipolar illness, a significant correlation of MMP-9 levels was obtained with age. Younger patients with depression (below or equal 45 years of age), both during acute episode and in remission after depression had significantly higher MMP-9 levels compared to those with acute episode and remission after mania and control subjects. LIMITATIONS: Relatively small number of patients, who were receiving different antidepressant, antipsychotic and mood stabilizing drugs that might have influenced MMP-9 levels. CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of serum MMP-9 during depression in young patients may indicate this phenomenon as a possible biochemical marker for staging of bipolar disorder.