Total antioxidant/oxidant status in meningism and meningitis

The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant/oxidant status of serum and cerebrospinal fluid in children with meningismus and acute bacterial meningitis. Twenty-three children (age range, 0.75 to 9 years) with fever and meningeal signs that required analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid, but no cytologic or biochemical evidence of meningitis in their serum and cerebrospinal fluid, constituted the meningismus group. Thirty-one children (age range, 0.5 to 10 years) with acute bacterial meningitis constituted the meningitis group. Twenty-nine healthy children (age range, 0.5 to 11 years) were recruited as control subjects. Antioxidant status (ascorbic acid, albumin, thiol, uric acid, total bilirubin, total antioxidant capacity, catalase and ceruloplasmin concentrations) and oxidant status (lipid hydroperoxide and total oxidant status) were measured. The serum antioxidant status was lower, and oxidant status levels higher in both meningitis and meningismus subjects than in the control children (P < 0.001). Cerebrospinal fluid oxidant status was lower in the meningitis group than in the meningismus group (P < 0.05). These results indicate that serum antioxidant status was lower, and serum oxidant status was higher in children in the meningismus and meningitis groups, whereas cerebrospinal fluid oxidant status was higher in the meningismus group than in the meningitis group.     

儿童细菌性脑膜炎与病毒性脑炎氧化应激水平的变化及意义

目的观察儿童细菌性脑膜炎与病毒性脑炎氧化应激水平的变化。方法选取病毒性脑炎患儿20例,细菌性脑膜炎20例,细菌性脑膜炎患儿按临床评分分为重症组及轻症组。选取20例无中枢神经系统感染儿童为对照组。于治疗前及治疗10 d后测定脑脊液丙二醛(MDA)及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平。结果治疗前细菌性脑膜炎患儿脑脊液中SOD水平明显低于对照组与病毒性脑炎患儿,治疗后SOD水平较治疗前增加,但仍低于对照组,且SOD水平与疾病严重程度相关,重症患儿SOD水平较轻症患儿降低。细菌性脑膜炎患儿脑脊液中MDA水平明显高于对照组与病毒性脑炎患儿,治疗后MDA水平较治疗前降低,但仍高于对照组,且MDA水平与疾病严重程度相关,重症患儿MDA水平较轻症患儿增高。病毒性脑炎患儿脑脊液SOD、MDA水平与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论细菌性脑膜炎患儿存在氧化应激,脑脊液SOD与MDA水平有助于细菌性脑膜炎的早期诊断及病情严重程度的判定。     

The effects of carbamazepine, valproic acid and phenobarbital on the oxidative and antioxidative balance in epileptic children

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress has been related in a wide variety of ways with nervous tissue. We studied the effect of antiepileptic monotherapy on serum level of total antioxidant capacity, lipid hydroperoxide, total peroxide, oxidative stress index, and individual serum antioxidants such as albumin, bilirubin and uric acid. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 122 subjects including healthy controls, untreated epileptic patients and epileptic patients treated with valproic acid, carbamazepine or phenobarbital. Serum total antioxidant capacity was measured as an index of antioxidants, and total peroxide was measured as index of oxidative stress. The serum concentrations of uric acid, albumin, bilirubin and lipid hydroperoxide were monitored simultaneously. RESULTS: We found that serum total antioxidant capacity levels were significantly decreased in the untreated group compared with the controls. Serum total peroxide levels were markedly increased in the untreated and carbamazepine-treated groups compared to in the controls; and lipid hydroperoxide and oxidative stress index levels were significantly higher in the phenobarbital-treated group than in the controls. Uric acid concentrations were significantly lower in the valproic-acid-treated group than in the untreated group, and total bilirubin concentrations were higher in the untreated group than in the controls. CONCLUSION: Epileptic children exposed to oxidative stress and conventional antiepileptic drugs change the oxidative/antioxidative balance. The serum oxidant and antioxidant status of epileptic children with valproic acid monotherapy are better regulated compared with children with carbamazepine and phenobarbital monotherapy.     

Cerebrospinal fluid Diacron-Reactive Oxygen Metabolite levels in pediatric patients with central nervous system diseases

This study assessed the validity of cerebrospinal fluid oxidative status of pediatric patients with central nervous system diseases, using the Diacron-Reactive Oxygen Metabolites test (d-Roms; Diacron International s.r.l.; Grosseto, Italy). Eighty-seven pediatric patients (8 with bacterial meningitis, 18 with aseptic meningitis, 23 with febrile seizures, 6 with rotavirus gastroenteritis-induced convulsions, 16 with epilepsy, 2 with adrenoleukodystrophy, 2 with multiple sclerosis, and 12 control subjects) were enrolled. An analysis of the infection-associated group (bacterial meningitis, aseptic meningitis, febrile seizures, and rotavirus gastroenteritis-induced convulsions) indicated that cerebrospinal fluid Diacron-Reactive Oxygen Metabolite levels in the bacterial meningitis group were significantly higher than in other infection-associated groups. In the bacterial meningitis group, the cerebrospinal fluid Diacron-Reactive Oxygen Metabolite levels obtained after improvement were significantly decreased compared with pre-improvement values. In the noninfection-associated group (epilepsy, adrenoleukodystrophy, and multiple sclerosis), the cerebrospinal fluid Diacron-Reactive Oxygen Metabolite levels in symptomatic epilepsy patients were higher than in cryptogenic epilepsy patients and control subjects, but not significantly. Progressive patients with adrenoleukodystrophy or multiple sclerosis demonstrated high Diacron-Reactive Oxygen Metabolite levels compared with another early-stage adrenoleukodystrophy patient. Oxidative stress may be associated with the pathogenesis of various pediatric central nervous system diseases. Cerebrospinal fluid Diacron-Reactive Oxygen Metabolite levels may correlate with clinical status in these diseases.     

Role of Oxidative and Antioxidative Parameters in Etiopathogenesis and Prognosis of Panic Disorder

Free radicals have been implicated in some psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to investigate the role of oxidative and antioxidative parameters in etiopathogenesis and prognosis of panic disorder (PD), using novel methods for measurement of total oxidant and antioxidant statuses. Nineteen PD patients and 40 healthy subjects were recruited. Both total antioxidant status and oxidative stress index, and ceruloplasmin levels of PD patients were significantly higher in PD patients. Total oxidant status and oxidative stress index decreased after treatment. This study suggests an oxidative imbalance in PD and treatment can reverse overall oxidative imbalance.     

Role of oxidative and antioxidative parameters in etiopathogenesis and prognosis of panic disorder

Free radicals have been implicated in some psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to investigate the role of oxidative and antioxidative parameters in etiopathogenesis and prognosis of panic disorder (PD), using novel methods for measurement of total oxidant and antioxidant statuses. Nineteen PD patients and 40 healthy subjects were recruited. Both total antioxidant status and oxidative stress index, and ceruloplasmin levels of PD patients were significantly higher in PD patients. Total oxidant status and oxidative stress index decreased after treatment. This study suggests an oxidative imbalance in PD and treatment can reverse overall oxidative imbalance.     

小儿化脓性脑膜炎脑脊液中HBP和VE-cadherin的水平变化及其对预后的预测价值

目的 探讨小儿化脓性脑膜炎脑脊液肝素结合蛋白(Heparin-binding protein,HBP)和血管内皮细胞钙黏蛋白(Vascular endothelial-cadherin,VE-cadherin)的水平变化及其对预后的预测价值。方法 选取2019年2月-2021年本院收治的化脓性脑膜炎患儿106例[(Purulent meningitis,PM)组]和病毒性脑炎患儿75例[(Vascular endothelial,VE)组],同时选取60例在本院就诊的非感染性疾病患儿作为对照组; 比较3组患儿脑脊液HBP,VE-cadherin水平变化; 将PM组患儿依据出院时格拉斯哥预后评分(Glasgow outcome scale,GOS)标准分为预后良好组和预后不良组,对比预后良好组和预后不良组患儿脑脊液HBP,VE-cadherin水平以及其他可能的影响因素; 采用Logistic回归分析法明确影响化脓性脑膜炎患儿预后不良的危险因素; 绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线,分析脑脊液HBP,VE-cadherin水平对化脓性脑膜炎患儿预后不良的预测价值。结果 入院第1 d PM组、VE组患儿脑脊液HBP,VE-cadherin水平均高于对照组(P<0.05); PM组患儿脑脊液HBP,VE-cadherin水平均高于VE组(P<0.05)。治疗后PM组与VE组患儿脑脊液HBP,VE-cadherin水平均低于入院第1 d(P<0.05),但2组治疗7 d后比较无明显差异(P>0.05)。单因素分析显示,预后不良组休克、意识障碍、脑脊液细菌培养阳性的占比、脑脊液白细胞计数(White blood cell,WBC)、C-反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP)、降钙素原(Procalcitonin,PCT)、HBP(入院第1 d与治疗7 d后)、VE-cadherin(入院第1 d与治疗7 d后)水平高于预后良好组(P<0.05)。经Logistic回归分析显示,休克、意识障碍、HBP(入院第1 d与治疗7 d后)、VE-cadherin(入院第1 d与治疗7 d后)水平均是化脓性脑膜炎患儿预后不良的危险因素(P<0.05)。受试者工作特征(Receiver operating characteristic,ROC)曲线分析显示,入院第1 d脑脊液HBP联合VE-cadherin水平预测化脓性脑膜炎患儿预后不良的灵敏度、准确度、曲线下面积(Areaunder the curve,AUC)分别为93.57%、92.16%、0.915,均高于脑脊液HBP,VE-cadherin单独预测; 治疗7 d后脑脊液HBP联合VE-cadherin水平预测化脓性脑膜炎患儿预后不良的灵敏度、准确度、曲线下面积(AUC)分别为96.89%、95.71%、0.931,均高于脑脊液HBP,VE-cadherin单独预测。结论 在化脓性脑膜炎患儿中脑脊液HBP,VE-cadherin水平异常升高,且是导致化脓性脑膜炎患儿预后不良的危险因素,对小儿化脓性脑膜炎的预后具有较高的预测价值。     

Brief clinical study: Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in children with acute purulent meningitis and encephalitis

In this study, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status were investigated in children with acute bacterial meningitis and encephalitis. The aim was to determine whether there was a possible role of free radicals in meningitis and encephalitis in childhood. Our study included 16 children with acute bacterial meningitis, 13 with encephalitis, and 17 control subjects. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and retinol levels were studied in all subjects within 6 h of admission. There was a statistically significant difference for serum MDA, GSH, and vitamin C between the groups. Serum MDA and vitamin C levels were higher, and serum GSH levels were lower in the study groups compared to the control group. Vitamin C levels were similar in both the encephalitis and control groups, but they were significantly lower in the children with encephalitis than the meningitis group. In conclusion, our study showed that serum MDA and GSH levels were affected in children with both meningitis and encephalitis, but vitamin C level was affected only in children with meningitis. Serum vitamin E, beta-carotene, and retinol levels were not changed in childhood meningitis and encephalitis.     

Evaluation of antioxidant status in children with acute bacterial meningitis and encephalitis

Antioxidant status was investigated in children with acute bacterial meningitis and encephalitis to investigate the possible role of free radicals in children with meningitis and encephalitis. Our study included 16 children with acute bacterial meningitis, 13 with encephalitis, and 17 control subjects. Serum ceruloplasmin, uric acid, albumin, bilirubin superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were studied in all subjects within 6 h of admission. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups for all parameters except for serum uric acid. All antioxidant activities except for albumin level were increased in the study groups. Albumin level was higher in the control group than those of meningitis and encephalitis groups. When the values of meningitis and encephalitis were compared, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups for serum SOD, GPx, ceruloplasmin, and albumin. In conclusion, our study showed that serum SOD, GPx, catalase, and ceruloplasmin were higher in children with acute bacterial meningitis and serum SOD, GPx, catalase, ceruloplasmin, and total bilirubin levels were increased in children with encephalitis. These findings suggest that antioxidant status was almost similar in both acute bacterial meningitis and encephalitis conditions in childhood.     

Brief Clinical Report: EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN CHILDREN WITH ACUTE BACTERIAL MENINGITIS AND ENCEPHALITIS

Antioxidant status was investigated in children with acute bacterial meningitis and encephalitis to investigate the possible role of free radicals in children with meningitis and encephalitis. Our study included 16 children with acute bacterial meningitis, 13 with encephalitis, and 17 control subjects. Serum ceruloplasmin, uric acid, albumin, bilirubin superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were studied in all subjects within 6 h of admission. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups for all parameters except for serum uric acid. All antioxidant activities except for albumin level were increased in the study groups. Albumin level was higher in the control group than those of meningitis and encephalitis groups. When the values of meningitis and encephalitis were compared, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups for serum SOD, GPx, ceruloplasmin, and albumin. In conclusion, our study showed that serum SOD, GPx, catalase, and ceruloplasmin were higher in children with acute bacterial meningitis and serum SOD, GPx, catalase, ceruloplasmin, and total bilirubin levels were increased in children with encephalitis. These findings suggest that antioxidant status was almost similar in both acute bacterial meningitis and encephalitis conditions in childhood     

Paraoxonase and arylesterase activity and total oxidative/anti-oxidative status in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease

This study investigated serum paraoxonase (PON1) and arylesterase activity along with determination of oxidative status via measurement of total oxidant status (TOS), total anti-oxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and compared results with data from healthy controls. A total of 82 subjects, including 42 patients with idiopathic PD, newly diagnosed and untreated (24 men, 18 women, aged 47–66 years) and 40 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. We aimed to evaluate the oxidative status of PD patients via measurement of serum TOS and TAS and estimation of OSI using new automated methods. PON1 and arylesterase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. Serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured using routine methods. TAS levels of PD patients were significantly lower than that of controls (p < 0.05). TOS levels of PD patients were higher than those of controls (p < 0.05). PON1 and arylesterase activities of PD were lower than those of controls (p < 0.05). Serum levels of total and LDL cholesterol were significantly reduced in PD patients. In conclusion, the presence of high TOS and OSI levels together with low levels of TAS in PD patients supports the important role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of PD. Since oxidative stress is involved in neurodegeneration, selecting anti-oxidants, metal chelators or other compounds boosting endogenous enzymatic and non-enzymatic defense mechanisms seems to be an obvious choice as treatment for PD.     

Increased oxidative stress in epileptic children treated with valproic acid

PURPOSE: To determine influence of Valproic Acid (VPA) treatment on oxidative status in non-obese and overweight epileptic children. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted at the Departments of Pediatrics, University of Chieti and Bologna. Thirty-one epileptic children were studied before and after 1 year of therapy with VPA. Also 31 sex-, age- and BMI-matched healthy controls were evaluated. Insulin and glucose serum levels and plasma Vitamin E, Lag phase and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined. RESULTS: Before the beginning of VPA therapy, insulin and glucose serum values and plasma Vitamin E, Lag phase and MDA levels were normal in all subjects. At the end of follow-up, 11 (35.5%) epileptic patients developed obesity. In obese VPA treated patients, we found lower serum levels of antioxidant (Vitamin E, p<0.001) and higher levels of oxidant markers (MDA, p<0.001; Lag phase, p<0.001) compared to VPA-treated non-obese patients and controls. CONCLUSION: After 1 year of VPA therapy oxidative stress occurs only in overweight children. This increase in the levels of oxidant markers, probably caused by obesity, might contribute to the development of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis later in life.     

Effects of febrile and afebrile seizures on oxidant state in children

No comparative studies have addressed the oxidant and antioxidant states of blood and cerebrospinal fluid. To reveal this differential state, the study was designed to identify the seizure type with the worse prognosis by determining erythrocyte arginase and erythrocyte catalase, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid malondialdehyde, and plasma and cerebrospinal fluid nitric oxide levels. Study groups were classified as febrile (group 1, n = 21), afebrile (group 2, n = 21), and control (group 3, n = 41, subdivided as 3a, febris positive, convulsion negative, and 3b, febris negative, convulsion negative). Levels of erythrocyte arginase, erythrocyte catalase, plasma malondialdehyde, cerebrospinal fluid malondialdehyde, plasma nitric oxide, and cerebrospinal fluid nitric oxide levels were determined for all groups. A difference was detected between the control and febrile seizure groups with respect to erythrocyte catalase and plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of nitric oxide (P < 0.05). Both febrile states and convulsions influence oxidative mechanism. Oxidative stress-generating potential differs for febrile and afebrile seizures. In afebrile seizures, greater levels of oxidative stress might affect prognosis adversely. This phenomenon can be interpreted in terms of fever as a protective factor against possible neurological damage during convulsive seizures.     

Oxidative imbalance in child and adolescent patients with obsessive compulsive disorder

Various psychological, social, genetic and biochemical factors are thought to be involved in etiology of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). To the best of our knowledge there are no studies investigating the effects of free radicals in children and adolescents with OCD. This study evaluated total oxidant and antioxidant status, oxidative stress index, and arylesterase and paraoxonase activity in children and adolescents with OCD. The study included 28 patients diagnosed with OCD and 36 healthy children as an age- and sex-matched control group. Their serum total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Although serum TOS and OSI values in the OCD patients were significantly higher than those in the control group (p = 0.008, p < 0.001, respectively), TAS and paraxonase activity were significantly lower ( p < 0.001 for both). However, no statistically significant difference in arylesterase activity was found (p > 0.05). The increase in oxidative status and decrease in antioxidants in patients with OCD demonstrate that oxidative stress may have an important role in the pathophysiology of the disease. It has been suggested that drugs that contain antioxidants should be added to conventional pharmacotherapy during follow-up.     

High postnatal oxidative stress in neonatal cystic periventricular leukomalacia

Oxidative stress plays an important role in cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). We performed a case-control study of preterm infants delivered at <35 weeks of gestation between January 2003 and December 2006. Patients were stratified into three groups, according to age at which cysts were initially identified: ?10 days old (early cystic PVL; n = 10), >10 days old (late cystic PVL; n = 12); and no cystic PVL (controls; n = 22). Serum total hydroperoxide, biological antioxidant potential and oxidative stress index (calculated as total hydroperoxide/biological antioxidant potential) were measured within 3 h after birth. Frequencies of preterm rupture of membrane and chorioamnionitis were significant higher in early cystic PVL than in late cystic PVL or controls. Duration of oxygen treatment and mechanical ventilation and frequency of apnea were significantly higher in late cystic PVL than in controls or early cystic PVL. Serum total hydroperoxide levels and oxidative stress index were significantly higher in early cystic PVL than in late cystic PVL or controls (p < 0.05, respectively). Postnatal duration until cyst identification displayed a significant negative correlation with oxidative stress index and total hydroperoxide level (r = −0.497, p < 0.05; r = −0.50, p < 0.05, respectively). These findings suggest that early onset of cystic PVL might be due to either antenatal or intrapartum factors, but late onset might be due to postnatal factors. In the pathophysiology and therapy of cystic PVL, oxidative stress and onset timing appear crucial. This is the first study to reveal that neonates experiencing much more oxidative stress at birth show earlier onset of cystic PVL.     

Cerebrospinal Fluid TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 in Children With Bacterial Meningitis

ObjectiveWe evaluated the levels of cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 in bacterial meningitis in children.MethodsThe study included children up to 14 years of age admitted to a pediatric ward with fever, headache, vomiting, and seizures. The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis was based on clinical features: physical examination, blood and cerebrospinal fluid cytochemical findings, Gram stain, and bacterial culture. The cerebrospinal fluid levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 were measured in 57 children with bacterial meningitis, 15 with viral meningitis, and 15 controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods.ResultsThe mean concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 were 1108 ± 183, 652 ± 287, and 442 ± 120 pg/mL, respectively, in children with bacterial meningitis and were significantly increased in those in the viral meningitis group (tumor necrosis factor-α : 711 ± 105, IL-6 : 272 ± 161, IL-8 : 175 ± 62 pg/mL; P < 0.001) or control (390 ± 37, 59 ± 17, 19 ± 13 pg/mL, respectively, P < 0.001). At optimum cutoff level based on the receiver operating characteristic curve, cerebrospinal fluid cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8) showed sensitivity and specificity of 100% for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. For differentiation of bacterial from viral meningitis, cerebrospinal fluid level of tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6, and IL-8 showed sensitivity and specificity of 94.7% and 86.7%, 80.7% and 53.3%, and 89.5% and 86.7%, respectively.ConclusionThe increased concentration of cerebrospinal fluid tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 in children with meningitis suggests a role in the pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis and these levels might prove to be useful in children whose diagnosis is in question.     

首发精神分裂症外周血氧化应激状态改变

目的探讨首发精神分裂症患者外周血氧化应激变化及抗精神病药治疗对其影响。方法纳入47例首发未用药精神分裂症患者和43名正常对照,测定其外周血总超氧化物歧化酶(total superoxide dismutase,T-SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase,GSH-Px)、过氧化氢酶(catalase,CAT)及总抗氧化能力(total antioxidant capacity of the body,T-AOC)活性。患者中18例完成单一利培酮6周治疗(利培酮组),25例完成单一奥氮平6周治疗(奥氮平组),治疗后再次测定外周血T-SOD、GSH-Px、CAT及T-AOC。结果与对照组相比,患者组治疗前T-SOD、GSH-Px降低(P0.05),CAT升高(P0.05),T-AOC差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。利培酮组T-SOD活性在治疗后升高(P0.05),奥氮平组T-AOC在治疗后升高(P0.05),两组各氧化应激指标的变化值组间差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论首发精神分裂症患者抗氧化酶活性改变,这可能与精神分裂症病理机制有关。非典型抗精神病药利培酮和奥氮平可改善首发精神分裂症患者的氧化应激状态。     

Oxidative damage is ameliorated by curcumin treatment in brain and sciatic nerve of diabetic rats

To date, there have not been enough studies about the effects of curcumin against oxidative stress on sciatic nerves caused by streptozotocin (STZ) in diabetic rats. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine whether curcumin, by virtue of its antioxidant properties, could affect the oxidant/antioxidant balance in the sciatic nerve and brain tissues of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. A total of 28 rats were randomly divided into four groups of seven rats each: normal controls, only curcumin treated, diabetic controls, and diabetics treated with curcumin. Biomarkers-malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and NO levels-for oxidative stress in the brain and sciatic nerve tissues of the rats were measured. We found a significant increase in MDA, NO, TOS, and OSI, along with a reduction in TAS levels in the brains and sciatic nerves of the STZ-induced diabetic rats (for both parameters p < 0.05). The MDA, TOS, OSI, and NO levels in these tissues were significantly reduced in the curcumin-treated diabetic group compared to the untreated diabetic group. In conclusion, the results of this study suggested that curcumin exhibits neuroprotective effects against oxidative damage in the brain and sciatic tissues of diabetic rats.     

Neurotrophin-3 levels in cerebrospinal fluid from children with bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis, or encephalitis

Neurotrophin-3 levels were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid of 35 patients with bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis, or encephalitis by two-site enzyme immunoassay. Elevated cerebrospinal fluid levels of neurotrophin-3 were demonstrated in 8 of 18 patients with bacterial meningitis. Follow-up examination of the eight patients at the convalescent stage showed diminished cerebrospinal fluid levels of neurotrophin-3. In contrast, none of the 17 patients with viral meningitis or encephalitis showed an elevation of neurotrophin-3 levels in cerebrospinal fluid. No relationships were observed between neurotrophin-3 levels and cerebrospinal fluid cell numbers, cerebrospinal fluid protein levels, serum C-reactive protein concentrations, or outcome in bacterial meningitis. Since neurotrophin-3 is involved in the survival of neurons and the modulation of the immune system, neurotrophin-3 could play a neuroprotective or immunomodulatory role in bacterial meningitis.     

Oxidative and antioxidative capacity in children with cerebral palsy

The superiority of oxidative stress and/or the inadequacy of antioxidant capacity have an important role in disease. Decreased antioxidant availability has been observed in the pathogenesis of many different diseases affecting the brain, such as mitochondrial disorders, cerebral ischaemia and epilepsy. Oxidative and antioxidative status in children with cerebral palsy aged 1-12 years was investigated in this study and compared with healthy controls. Sixty-nine patients with cerebral palsy and 42 controls were enrolled in the study. Lipid peroxidation in the cerebral palsy group was significantly higher than that in the controls (7.54+/-3.64 micromol H(2)O(2)/L and 5.84+/-1.25 micromol H(2)O(2)/L, respectively) (P=0.02). Serum total antioxidant capacity levels were also markedly lower in the CP group than in the control group (1.42+/-0.22 mmol Trolox equiv./L and 1.64+/-0.17 mmol Trolox equiv./L, respectively) (P=0.003). Uric acid and albumin concentrations were lower in the study group than in the control group. Based on these results, we concluded that oxidants were increased and antioxidants were decreased in the cerebral palsy group, and, as a result, the oxidative/antioxidative balance shifted to the oxidative side in children with cerebral palsy.