Thalamo-cortical networks in subtypes of migraine with aura patients

BackgroundWe searched for differences in resting-state functional connectivity (FC) between brain networks and its relationship with the microstructure of the thalamus between migraine with pure visual auras (MA), and migraine with complex neurological auras (MA+), i.e. with the addition of at least one of sensory or language symptom.Methods3T MRI data were obtained from 20 patients with MA and 15 with MA + and compared with those from 19 healthy controls (HCs). We collected resting state data among independent component networks. Diffusivity metrics of bilateral thalami were calculated and correlated with resting state ICs-Z-scores.ResultsAs compared to HCs, both patients with MA and MA + disclosed disrupted FC between the default mode network (DMN) and the right dorsal attention system (DAS). The MA + subgroup had lower microstructural metrics than both HCs and the MA subgroup, which correlated negatively with the strength of DMN connectivity. Although the microstructural metrics of MA patients did not differ from those of HCs, these patients lacked the correlation with the strength of DAS connectivity found in HCs.ConclusionsThe present findings suggest that, as far as MRI profiles are concerned, the two clinical phenotypes of migraine with aura have both common and distinct morpho-functional features of nodes in the thalamo-cortical network.     

Impact of acute and chronic ethanol exposure on prolactin in both male and female rats

The deleterious effects of ethanol (EtOH) on reproduction have been well documented. This disruption is usually associated with alterations in prolactin (PRL) levels, which is relevant since this hormone is an important participant in the reproductive system. Reported EtOH-induced changes in PRL (i.e., stimulation or inhibition) have varied. These differences may have been owing to the gender or age/sexual maturity of the animal and the mode of the administration of EtOH. Therefore, to clarify the impact of EtOH on PRL, a series of experiments were conducted utilizing rats of both genders, exposed to EtOH acutely or chronically, as adults and as they progressed through puberty. In general, in younger animals of both genders, EtOH depressed serum PRL whether given acutely or chronically. In adult males, acute EtOH actually stimulated PRL levels while chronic administration had no effect. In adult females, EtOH’s effect was highly dependent on the stage of the estrous cycle in which EtOH was given and during which PRL was measured. In conclusion, our studies have shown that the PRL response to EtOH is dependent on the gender and age/sexual maturity of the animals as well as on the mode of administration.     

Cytoskeletal behaviour in spectrin and in band 3 deficient spherocytic red cells: evidence for a differentiated splenic conditioning role

Based on quantitative analysis of red cell membrane proteins, hereditary spherocytosis (HS) can be divided into two main groups including isolated or ankyrin combined spectrin deficiency and band 3 reduction. Protein methyl esterification catalysed by protein carboxyl methyltransferase (PCMT type II; EC 2.1.1.77) is a post-biosynthetic modification which is involved in the metabolism of damaged membrane proteins. We utilized the evaluation of erythrocyte membrane protein methyl esterification as a marker of cytoskeletal disarray in seven HS subjects with spectrin reduction and in seven patients with HS due to band 3 deficiency. Our results support the notion that band 3 deficient erythrocytes are not affected by an extensive cytoskeletal derangement. On the contrary, we found a remarkable increase of membrane methylation in the unsplenectomized, spectrin-deficient, HS patients, suggesting a striking membrane skeleton disarray. This phenomenon was not observed in the spectrin-deficient red cells of splenectomized patients. Therefore in spectrin deficient erythrocytes the induction of cytoskeletal damage, specifically recognized by PCMT type II, could be one of the splenic steps producing conditioned spherocytes.     

Endotoxinemia contributes to steatosis,insulin resistance and atherosclerosis in chronic hepatitis C: the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress

Purpose

Endotoxin is a component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria that live in the intestine. Endotoxinemia is reported in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and in cirrhotic patients, causing various biological and clinical effects in the host. It is not known whether endotoxinemia occurs in chronic hepatitis C patients (CHC), therefore we evaluated the occurrence of endotoxinemia and its effect on inflammation, liver damage, insulin resistance (IR) and atherosclerosis.

Methods

Consecutive CHC patients assessed by liver biopsy were enrolled. Endotoxinemia was evaluated by LAL test. IR was estimated by HOMA-IR. Serum TNF-α, IL-8, adiponectin and MCP-1 were measured with ELISA tests. Oxidative stress was estimated by circulating IgG against malondialdehyde adducts with human serum albumin (MDA-HAS). Carotid atherosclerosis was assessed by ultrasonography.

Results

Endotoxinemia was found in 60% of the 126 patients enrolled. A serum level-dependent association between endotoxinemia, steatosis (p?<?0.001) and HOMA-IR (p?<?0.006) was observed. Patients with endotoxinemia showed significant increase in TNF-α and IL8 levels. TNF-α correlated with steatosis (p < ?0.001) and HOMA-IR (p?<?0.03), whereas IL8 correlated with steatosis (p?= ?<0.001), TNF-α (p?<?0.04) and atherosclerosis (p?<?0.01). The highest levels of endotoxinemia were associated with oxidative stress and a higher prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the independent factors associated with endotoxinemia were hepatic steatosis, HOMA-IR, IL8 and MDA-HAS.

Conclusions

Endotoxinemia occurs with high frequency in CHC patients and contributes to the development of hepatic steatosis, IR and atherosclerosis through increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. Anti-endotoxin treatment could be of clinical relevance.