Motor Neuron Diseases and Neuroprotective Peptides: A Closer Look to Neurons

Motor neurons (MNs) are specialized neurons responsible for muscle contraction that specifically degenerate in motor neuron diseases (MNDs), such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Distinct classes of MNs degenerate at different rates in disease, with a particular class named fast-fatigable MNs (FF-MNs) degenerating first. The etiology behind the selective vulnerability of FF-MNs is still largely under investigation. Among the different strategies to target MNs, the administration of protective neuropeptides is one of the potential therapeutic interventions. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide with beneficial effects in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and more recently SBMA. Another neuropeptide that has a neurotrophic effect on MNs is insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), also known as somatomedin C. These two peptides are implicated in the activation of neuroprotective pathways exploitable in the amelioration of pathological outcomes related to MNDs.

TSH, GH, and Prolactin Producing Pituitary Adenoma: An Unusual Case Presentation

Background: Pituitary adenomas are benign and frequent tumors, some of them with tendency to be recurrent or invasive e. several pituitary tumors are positive for secretion of one or more hormones of the same adenohypophysial cell lineage. However, some cases have a subclinical course and are underestimated because they have plurihormonal secretion of different adenohypophyseal cells lineage. Clinical Case: A 38 years old women with chronic headaches, who is in fertility treatment for 12 month ago presents to the clinic with unremarkable physical examination. Her laboratory studies include: Normal campimetry. T3 (triiodothyronine) 2.15 ng/m L (NR:0.8 - 2.0), TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) 4.4 uU/mL (NR:0.27 - 4.2), T4 (tetraiodothyronine) 13.54 ug/dl, (NR:5.1 - 14.1), Free T4 2.44 ng/d (NR:0.93 - 1.7), Estradiol 60.2 pg/ml, FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) 4.3 mUI/ml (NR:1,7-12), Cortisol (?8 am) 9.29 ug/dl (NR:4.2 - 38.4), ACTH (Corticotrophin-releasing hormone) 13.1 pg/ml (NR: 0.0 - 46.0), Somatomedin C (IGF-1) 231 .0 ng/ml (NR for age?: 57.0-241.0). Brain MRI with pituitary protocol showed in T1 an isointense lesion and slightly heterogeneous in T2 in the anterior and left aspect of the turkish saddle, of 1 x 1.1 x 1.1 cm of anteroposterior, transverse and cephalocaudal diameter, suggestive of a macroadenoma. The tumor pathology showed, possitive for a pituitary adenoma. Immunohistochemistry results were negative for: ACTH:, positive for GH, TSH: (+++) and for Prolactin:. Her post-operative findings showed a residual pituitary gland without significant findings. Her post operative pituitary axis include: Sodium 139.2 mmol/l (NR”135.0 - 145.0), Chloride 100.8 mmol/l (NR95.0 - 115.0), Potassium 3.71 mmol/l (NR3.5 - 5.1), ACTH 4.1 pg/ml(NR0.0 - 46.0), Cortisol (am) 11.11 ug/dl (NR4.2 - 38.4), Estradiol 106.5 pg/ml, FSH 5.1 mUI/ml, LH (Luteinizing Hormone) 13.53 mIU/ml, Somatomedin C (IGF-1) 134 .0 ng/m, Free T32.4 pg/ml, TSH 0.9 uU/mL Free T4 0.99 ng/dl, and Prolactin 23.4ng/ml. Patient had a satisfactory clinical course after surgery, she maintained normal pituitary function without requirement of hormonal replacement therapy. Conclusion: We present a a prolactin, TSH and GH secreting pituitary adenoma case, which is very unusual. It i is important to make a proper pituitary evaluation, and offer effective treatment to prevent complications

Plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and insulin in cows during different physiological states

Aim. To investigate the plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor (IGF, somatomedin C), triiodothyronine, thyroxine and insulin in cows during prepartum and postpartum periods. Methods. Enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay, clinical and statistical methods. Results. It was demonstrated that the plasma concentration of IGF, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and insulin is lower in postpartum cows compared to the interlactation ones. Strong positive correlation dependence (r = 0.7) between the levels of thyroxine and somatomedin C was found on the 2 nd –4 th day after calving. The plasma concentration of all the investigated hormones increased in cows on the 10-14 th day of postpartum period and remained stable until days 30–40. Strong correlation dependence between the levels of somatomedin C and insulin (r = 0.7) was found on the 10- 14 th day of the postpartum period. Conclusions. It was determined that somatomedin C is one of the energetic balance regulators in dairy cows.