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Biomedical subjects

M Maes

Publications and source records attributed to M Maes.

372 records · Page 21Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Lack of a modulatory effect of imipramine on glucocorticoid-induced suppression of interferon-gamma and interleukin-10 production in vitro.

Antidepressant drugs have been shown to reverse some changes evoked by glucocorticoids or stress. In the present study we attempted to find out whether imipramine, one of the most frequently used antidepressant drugs, interfered with glucocorticoids, modulating the production of IFN-gamma and IL-10, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, respectively. We observed a significant inhibitory effect of hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and the glucocorticoid receptor agonist RU 28362, used at doses of 10(-6) and 10(-5) M, on the production of IFN-gamma and IL-10 by whole blood cells stimulated by mitogens. Imipramine at doses of 10(-6) and 10(-5) M did not modulate IFN-gamma or IL-10 production, whereas at a dose of 10(-5) M it increased the production of IL- 10 and decreased that of IFN-gamma, those results being statistically insignificant, though. A combination of imipramine and dexamethasone or hydrocortisone at doses of 10(-6) or 10(-5) M significantly suppressed the production of IFN-gamma and IL-10, the level of inhibition being similar to that observed for glucocorticoids alone. The classic antidepressant imipramine was not able to modulate the suppressive effect of "stress" doses of hydrocortisone on the production of cytokines.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

MR angiography in steno-occlusive disease of the intracranial vessels.

Technical advances in MR angiography (MRA) have improved the sensitivity and the accuracy of this technique in the evaluation of vascular stenoocclusive disease of the brain. In many centers, due to its non-invasive and non-ionizing character, MR angiography has already replaced conventional angiography for the screening of intracranial vascular disease. Several MRA techniques have been developed for imaging the intracranial vascular system, such as time-of-flight MRA (TOF-MRA), phased-contrast MRA (PC-MRA), and more recently contrast-enhanced MRA (CE-MRA).

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The pelvic congestion syndrome: role of the "nutcracker phenomenon" and results of endovascular treatment.

PURPOSE: Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS) is a less known pathologic condition in multiparous women. The major symptoms are: low abdominal pain, dyspareunia or postcoital ache, gluteal or thigh varices, and emotional disturbances. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the pathogenesis, diagnosis and immediate, and long-term clinical results of the endovascular treatment of PCS. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From February 1992 until January 2000, 67 diagnostic ovarian vein phlebographies followed by transcatheter embolization were performed in 66 patients with pelvic varicosities. These patients were traced back and submitted to a standardized questionnaire. The data of 48 patients was obtained this way. RESULTS: In 83%, extrinsic compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery--known as the "nutcracker phenomenon"--was observed together with congestion of the left ovarian vein and pelvic varicosities. The technical success rate of endovascular embolization was 96%. The initial clinical success rate was 86%, with a long-term benefit for 75% of the patients. After embolization there was a reduction in pain intensity, pain attacks, and emotional disturbances. Globally there was a mean reduction of complaints of 73% (Visual Analog Scale). CONCLUSION: The "nutcracker phenomenon" was detected in most of the treated patients and could explain the congestion of the left ovarian vein. Transcatheter embolotherapy is an effective way of treating pelvic varicosities, resulting in a great improvement of the quality of life for most of the patients. In experienced hands the procedure is relatively simple, and it is well tolerated. Moreover it can be performed in one step with the diagnostic phlebographic procedure.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of topiramate on the kainate-induced status epilepticus, lipid peroxidation and immunoreactivity of rats.

Topiramate, a new anticonvulsant, has been reported to possess neuroprotective effects in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. In the present study, the effect of topiramate (40 and 80 mg/kg ip) on the fully developed kainate-induced status epilepticus was evaluated in the rat. Injection of kainate (15 mg/kg ip) evoked recurrent limbic seizures which lasted several hours. Topiramate injected 1.5 h after kainate administration had no effect on the seizures and mortality of the animals. Biochemical study revealed that at 80 mg/kg ip, topiramate significantly attenuated the kainate-induced lipid peroxidation in the piriform cortex and showed similar tendency in the frontal cortex. Besides the central nervous system, the kainate-induced seizures evoked significant changes in immunoreactivity, such as reduction in thymus weight and the proliferative activity of splenocytes, and the splenocyte-increased production of interleukin-10, but not interferon-gamma. Topiramate did not affect the kainate-induced reduction in thymus weight, but attenuated changes in the proliferative activity of splenocytes. It is concluded that topiramate, when given during the fully developed kainate-induced status epilepticus in rats, has no effect on seizures, but attenuates lipid peroxidation in piriform cortex and prevents certain changes in immunoactivity.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Vipoma in an adolescent: treatment with a delayed-action somatostatin analog, octreotide or SMS 201-995, and surgical removal].

We report the case of a VIPoma diagnosed in a 15-year-old teenager who experienced profuse secretory diarrhea associated with hypokalemia, metabolic acidosis and high plasma levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP). Angiography showed an abnormal mass in the head of the pancreas. Before surgery, subcutaneous injections (100 micrograms every 8 hours) of the long-acting somatostatin analogue octreotide or SMS 201-995, were administered in order to stabilize the clinical status of the patient and to reduce the intravenous administration of fluid and electrolytes. This treatment resulted in prompt relief of the symptoms and in a partial decrease of the plasma levels of VIP and PP. At subsequent laparotomy, there was a tumour localized in the head of the pancreas, which was completely removed by Whipple resection. The immunohistochemical staining revealed the presence of VIP and PP inside the tumour cells. Two years after surgical resection, the patient is healthy without clinical or laboratory evidence of recurrence.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Xanthurenic acid flow in 24-hour urine following L-tryptophan loading in depressive patients.

The xanthurenic acid (XA) flow in 24-hour urine following L-tryptophan loading was determined in a control group and in depressive patients divided into two DSM-III categories: minor depression (dysthymic disorder, atypical depression, adaptation disorder with depressive mood), and major depression. The XA flow is not significantly (p = 0.15) different in these categories of depression and in the control group. The number of patients with an abnormal XA flow (cut-off value greater than or equal to 106.8 mu mol/24 hours) is not significantly different among these groups (p = 0.40). The XA flow is therefore not relevant whether for depression or major depression. The XA flow in 24-hour urine following L-tryptophan loading decreases with age (p = 0.006) and increases with the 24-hour urinary output (p = 0.02). Women excrete significantly more XA (p = 0.02) than men. One must take age, 24-hour urinary output and sex into account for the interpretation of the XA data.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The diagnostic performance of the L-tryptophan/competing amino acids ratio in major depression.

L-tryptophan (L-TRP), the competing amino acids (CAA) valine and leucine and the cortisol levels taken at 8 a.m. after administration of dexamethasone on the previous day, were determined in 160 patients suffering from depression. The ratio between the L-TRP values and the sum of the competing amino acids was calculated. The clinical relevance of the L-TRP/CAA ratio in the case of major depression (DSM-III) versus minor depression (dysthymic disorder, atypical depression and adaptation disorder with depressive mood) was studied in comparison with the DST. Patients suffering from major depression showed a significantly decreased (p = 0.0006) L-TRP/CAA ratio. The combination of a decreased L-TRP/CAA ratio (cut off point less than or equal to 0.130) or an abnormal DST (cut off point greater than or equal to 3.5 micrograms/dl) is the best criterion which allows 59.0% of the patients suffering from major depression to be identified correctly with a specificity of 90.9%; the above-mentioned criterion permits 70.0% of the patients to be classified correctly into their actual group.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Blood prolactin during gestation in the rat on a normal or protein-deficient diet].

A proteinoprive diet decreases the number of implantation during gestation in the rat. This defect could be partially prevented by oestrogen and progesterone. Human chorionic gonadotropin and gonadotropin releasing hormone are ineffective. We have investigated the potential role of prolactine (PRL) in this situation. In rat fed with a normal diet a peak of PRL was observed in the 5th day of gestation (47 ng/ml vs 15 ng/ml). This peak did not occur in animal fed with proteinoprive diet. (4 ng/ml). It is suggested that impaired PRL secretion may participated to the decreased number of implantation during malnutrition.

Animals↗