Sex-specific association between urinary kisspeptin and pubertal development

Kisspeptins are critical neuropeptides for puberty onset and progression, playing a pivotal role in the reactivation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis in late childhood. Despite their importance, little is known as to how kisspeptin peripheral concentrations are related to sexual maturation in humans, specially using non-invasive measures that allow more widespread testing. Using a cross-sectional design, we investigated whether peripheral kisspeptin concentrations, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in two-hour retention midstream urine, are associated with developmental markers in 209 (120 girls) typically developing, 9 to 15-year-olds. Developmental variables were age, self-reported pubertal status using the Pubertal Development Scale, and saliva concentrations of hormones that indicate gonadal (testosterone) and adrenal (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) functioning. We found marked sexual differences in urine kisspeptins (controlled for body mass index and socioeconomic status). While concentrations were similar in both sexes until the age of around 12 years, in males there was a positive linear correlation with all developmental measures thereafter, while in girls, kisspeptin concentrations did not change. Our results are in line with those of previous studies using more invasive methods (e.g. blood samples). We conclude that kisspeptin concentrations from two-hour retention midstream urine have potential in exploring sex-specific peripheral action of these peptides.

Central vs. Peripheral Action of Thyroid Hormone in Adaptive Thermogenesis: A Burning Topic

Thyroid hormones (TH) contribute to the control of adaptive thermogenesis, which is associated with both higher energy expenditure and lower body mass index. While it was clearly established that TH act directly in the target tissues to fulfill its metabolic activities, some studies have rather suggested that TH act in the hypothalamus to control these processes. This paradigm shift has subjected the topic to intense debates. This review aims to recapitulate how TH control adaptive thermogenesis and to what extent the brain is involved in this process. This is of crucial importance for the design of new pharmacological agents that would take advantage of the TH metabolic properties.

Chronic cough: differential diagnosis and treatment

Cough is one of the most common symptoms and is present in diseases of the respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine and other systems. Cough is a reflex act, therefore it is caused by stimulation of cough receptors due to pathological influences. The diagnosis takes into account the nature of the cough, its duration, the results of laboratory and instrumental examination methods. The most attention is required to diagnose chronic cough and exclude life-threatening causes. Symptoms of anxiety are hemoptysis, prolonged resistant cough, prolonged intoxication syndrome, weight loss, etc. In diagnostically unclear cases, the examination schedule must include computed tomography of the chest, magnetic resonance imaging and bronchoscopy. A dry, painful intense cough can lead to the development of complications: a decrease in the quality of life, hemorrhages, pneumothorax, etc., therefore, requires symptomatic treatment. A common cause of unproductive cough is viral diseases, whooping cough, diseases leading to overactive cough receptors. The variety of coughs determines a differentiated approach to its therapy. The main efforts should be directed to the treatment of the underlying disease. In the case of a productive cough, mucoactive drugs are used. To stop unproductive cough, antitussive drugs of central and peripheral action are used. The recommendations of the European Respiratory Society present the results of clinical trials assessing the efficacy and safety of antitussive drugs with morphine-like action. The study identified side effects that limit their use. One of the most effective and safe drugs is a non-opioid drug with a central action Sinekod. The effectiveness and safety of the drug is confirmed by clinical studies.

Pituitary gland and growth hormone

The pituitary gland (PG) is said to be a “master” endocrine gland and through its tropic hormones influences other endocrine glands to secrete hormones that have a variety of effects on body systems. Growth hormone (GH) is a pituitary gland hormone that has direct and indirect effects produced by somatotrophs in early fetal life. It is essential for normal postnatal growth and has diverse effects across multiple physiological systems. The somatotrophic axis is made predominantly of GH, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and other factors regulating growth. This review summarises the relevant anatomical relationships of the PG, the basic aspect of GH physiology which includes mechanism of action (MOA), regulation and secretion and a direct and indirect action of GH through IGF-1, an important mediator of most of the peripheral action of GH.

Vasopressin & Oxytocin in Control of the Cardiovascular System: An Updated Review

Since the discovery of vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) in 1953, considerable knowledge has been gathered about their roles in cardiovascular homeostasis. Unraveling VP vasoconstrictor properties and V1a receptors in blood vessels generated powerful hemostatic drugs and drugs effective in the treatment of certain forms of circulatory collapse (shock). Recognition of the key role of VP in water balance via renal V2 receptors gave birth to aquaretic drugs found to be useful in advanced stages of congestive heart failure. There are still unexplored actions of VP and OT on the cardiovascular system, both at the periphery and in the brain that may open new venues in treatment of cardiovascular diseases. After a brief overview on VP, OT and their peripheral action on the cardiovascular system, this review focuses on newly discovered hypothalamic mechanisms involved in neurogenic control of the circulation in stress and disease.

Local antinociceptive action of fluoxetine in the rat formalin assay: role of l-arginine/nitric oxide/cGMP/KATP channel pathway

The present study was conducted to evaluate the local antinociceptive actions of fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, and the possible involvement of the l-arginine/NO/cGMP/KATP channel pathway in this effect using the formalin test in rats. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, animals were pre-treated with l-NAME, aminoguanidine, methylene blue, glibenclamide, l-arginine, sodium nitroprusside, or diazoxide. Local ipsilateral, but not contralateral, administration of fluoxetine (10–300 μg/paw) dose-dependently suppressed flinching number during both early and late phases of the test, and this was comparable with morphine also given peripherally. Pre-treatment with l-NAME, aminoguanidine, methylene blue, or glibenclamide dose-dependently prevented fluoxetine (100 μg/paw)-induced antinociception in the late phase. In contrast, administration of l-arginine, sodium nitroprusside, and diazoxide significantly enhanced the antinociception caused by fluoxetine in the late phase of the test. However, these treatments had no significant effect on the antinociceptive response of fluoxetine in the early phase of the formalin test. Our data demonstrate that local peripheral antinociception of fluoxetine during the late phase of the formalin test could be due to activation of l-arginine/NO/cGMP/KATP channel pathway. The peripheral action of fluoxetine raises the possibility that topical application of this drug (e.g., as a cream, ointment, or jelly) may be a useful method for relieving the inflammatory pain states.