Platelet dopamine: D2 receptor binding in patients with migraine

Clinical, genetic and pharmacological evidences suggest an abnormality of the dopaminergic system in the pathogenesis of migraine. Direct evidence of an abnormal metabolism of dopamine in migraine, however, is lacking. Platelets are a useful model to understand brain dopaminergic mechanisms. The present study has been undertaken to study the status of platelet dopamine receptor binding by carrying out radioligand receptor binding assay. Binding of ³H-spiperone to platelet membranes, known to label dopamine (DA)—D2 receptors, was conducted in 20 patients with migraine and an equal number of healthy controls. The equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) in patients with migraine (1.71 ± 0.19 nM) was found to be significantly lower ( P  < 0.001) as compared with controls (3.14 ± 0.33 nM). However, no significant change was observed in the maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) in patients with migraine. No relationship of Kd with type of migraine, presence of vomiting, family history, frequency of attack, duration of illness and menstrual migraine was observed. The findings of the present study provide support for the involvement of the dopaminergic system in migraine.     

EVALUATION OF PUVASOL AND PUVASOL WITH TOPICAL BETAMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE PLUS SALICYLIC ACID LOTION IN THE TREATMENT OF SCALP PSORIASIS

The efficacy and safety of betamethsone dipropionate 0.05% with salicylic acid 2% scalp lotion was evaluated in 60 patients with moderate to severe scalp psoriasis. Out of 120 patients with scalp psoriasis 60 patients received PUVASOL alone and 60 patients received PUVASOL alongwith lotion 0.05% betamethasone dipropionate with 2% salicylic acid scalp application for 3 weeks. The erythema, induration, scales and pruritus steadily improved in patients throughout the 3 weeks treatment course with betamethasone dipropionate with salicylic acid scalp application. At the end of therapy 84.3% of those patients receiving PUVASOL and betamethasone dipropionate-salicylic acid combination had 75% improvement of their scalp psoriasis versus 34.9% of those patients using PUVASOL alone. Complete clearing of the scalp was seen in 35% patients receiving therapy with topical betamethasone-salicylic acid and 11.6% with PUVASOL alone. Local side effects were primarily burning and stinging in 5 (83%) cases treated with topical betamethasone salicylic acid scalp application and 1 (1.6%) receiving PUVASOL alone. Combined therapy with PUVASOL and topical betamethasone dispropionate 0.05% with salicyclic acid 2% application appears to be safe and an effective treatment for scalp psoriasis.KEY WORDS: Betamethasone dipropionate, PUVASOL, Photochemotherapy, Scalp psoriasis     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">APOE</Emphasis> polymorphism is associated with lipid profile,but not with arterial stiffness in the general population

Background  

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main cause of death and disability in developed countries. In most cases, the progress of CVD is influenced by environmental factors and multifactorial inheritance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between APOE genotypes, cardiovascular risk factors, and a non-invasive measure of arterial stiffness in the Brazilian population.