Physiological Research

The calcium binding protein parvalbumin (PV) in the mammalian neocortex is expressed in a subpopulation of cortical GABAergic inhibitory interneurons. PV - producing interneurons represent the largest subpopulation of neocortical inhibitory cells, exhibit mutual chemical and electrical synaptic contacts and are well known to generate gamma oscillation. This review summarizes basic data of the distribution, afferent and efferent connections and physiological properties of parvalbumin expressing neurons in the neocortex...

Bariatric procedures are considered to be the most effective treatment options for obesity. One of them is laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), which is nowadays very popular and widely used. LSG leads to weight loss and metabolic improvement and also changes adipokine levels, although it is just a restrictive operation. We describe changes in pro-inflammatory (leptin, resistin, visfatin and chemerin) and anti-inflammatory adipokines (adiponectin, omentin), with adiponectin and leptin being most studied. Their levels are markedly changed after LSG and this may partially explain the weight loss seen after LSG...

This review is to summarize and analyze the currently available knowledge concerning the action of oat (Avena sativa L.) consumption on obesity, as well as possible constituents and extra- and intracellular mediators responsible for its anti-obesity effect. The oat constituents could reduce fat storage via several mediatory mechanisms - brain centers regulating appetite, gastrointestinal functions, gut bacteria, fat synthesis and metabolism and maybe via changes in oxidative processes, steroid hormones receptors and adipose tissue vascularization...

Macrophages are a specific group of cells found in all body tissues. They have specific characteristics in each of the tissues that correspond to the functional needs of the specific environment. These cells are involved in a wide range of processes, both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory ("wound healing"). This is due to their specific capacity for so-called polarization, a phenotypic change that is, moreover, partially reversible compared to other differentiated cells of the human body. This promises a wide range of possibilities for its influence and thus therapeutic use...

Since its implementation into the clinical medicine by Willem Einthoven electrocardiography had become one of crucial diagnostic method in cardiology. In spite of this fact effects of gender differences on parameters of electrocardiographic recordings started to be studied only recently. Sex related differences in physiological ECG are only minimal in childhood but there are developing during adolescence reflecting rapidly evolving differences particularly in hormonal secretion and activity of an autonomic nervous system...

Contemporary society is characterized by rapid changes. Various epidemiological, political and economic crises represent a burden to mental health of nowadays population, which may at least partially explain the increasing incidence of mental disorders, including schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is associated with premature mortality by at least 13-15 years. The leading cause of premature mortality in schizophrenia patients is high incidence of cardiovascular diseases. The specific-cause mortality risk for cardiovascular diseases in schizophrenia patients is more than twice higher as compared to the general population...

Hypertension is the most prevalent cardiovascular disease of the adult population and is closely associated with serious cardiovascular events. The burden of hypertension with respect to vascular and other organ damage is greater in women. These sex differences are not fully understood. The unique feature in women is their transition to menopause accompanied by profound hormonal changes that affect the vasculature that are also associated with changes of blood pressure. Results from studies of hormone replacement therapy and its effects on the cardiovascular system are controversial, and the timing of treatment after menopause seems to be important...

The worldwide increase in the incidence of obesity and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, e.g. Alzheimer's disease, is related to many factors, including an unhealthy lifestyle and aging populations. However, the interconnection between these diseases is not entirely clear, and it is unknown whether common mechanisms underlie these conditions. Moreover, there are currently no fully effective therapies for obesity and neurodegeneration. While there has been extensive research in preclinical models addressing these issues, the experimental findings have not been translated to the clinic...

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and receptors (BMPR-1A, BMPR-1B, BMPR-2) have been shown to be vital for female reproduction, while their roles in males are poorly described. Our study was undertaken to specify the function of BMPR-1B in steroidogenic enzyme gene expression, testosterone production and reproductive development in male mice, given that Bmpr1b mRNA is expressed in mouse testis and Bmpr1b knockout results in compromised fertility. Male mice were passively immunized for 6 days with anti-BMPR-1B in the presence or absence of exogenous gonadotrophins...

Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) is a mitochondrial, biotin-containing enzyme catalyzing the ATP-dependent synthesis of oxaloacetate from pyruvate and bicarbonate, with a critical anaplerotic role in sustaining the brain metabolism. Based on the studies performed on animal models, PC expression was assigned to be glia-specific. To study PC distribution among human neural cells, we probed the cultured human astrocytes and brain sections with antibodies against PC. Additionally, we tested the importance of PC for the viability of cultured human astrocytes by applying the PC inhibitor 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol (CPD)...

Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) undergoes a prolonged period of fetal and neonatal development and maturation during which is vulnerable to a variety of influences (e.g. painful experiences). Thus, we aimed to evaluate SNS activity at rest and in response to stressful stimulus (pain) within the earliest postnatal life in healthy term neonates using electrodermal activity (EDA) measures. In twenty eutrophic healthy term neonates EDA was recorded within the first two hours after birth (measurement 1 - M1) and 72 h after birth (measurement 2 - M2) at rest and in response to pain (M1 - intramuscular K vitamin administration; M2 - heel stick)...

Regular physical exercise is beneficial to the body. Acute exercise causes oxidant stress in many tissues including the liver by creating an unbalanced status between oxidant and antioxidant levels. Analgesic drugs are commonly consumed to reduce the pain after exercise. Acetaminophen (APAP), commonly used as an over-the-counter analgesic, can cause hepatotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and underlying mechanisms of APAP at subtoxic dose, which is given after the acute and exhaustive exercise on the rat livers...

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a general term for fatty liver disease not caused by viruses or alcohol. Fibrotic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma can develop. The recent increase in NAFLD incidence worldwide has stimulated drug development efforts. However, there is still no approved treatment. This may be due in part to the fact that non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) pathogenesis is very complex, and its mechanisms are not well understood. Studies with animals are very important for understanding the pathogenesis...

Bronchial asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease of childhood. Cough is one of its defining symptoms. This study investigated the associations between selected inflammatory biomarkers and cough reflex sensitivity after capsaicin inhalation in children with mild and moderate well-controlled type 2 endotype asthma compared with non-asthmatic probands. Sensitivity to the cough reflex was measured by recording the cough response after capsaicin inhalation. The sandwich ELISA method was used to measure serum concentrations of the investigated potential inflammatory biomarkers (interleukin 13, interleukin 1beta, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin)...

Waterpipe tobacco smoking (WPS) inhalation has been shown to trigger endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects are still unknown. Here, we assessed the impact and underlying mechanism of WPS exposure for one month on endothelial dysfunction using aortic tissue of mice. The duration of the session was 30 min/day and 5 days/week. Control mice were exposed to air. Inhalation of WPS induced an increase in the number of macrophages and neutrophils and the concentrations of protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin (IL)-1beta, and glutathione in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid...

Impaired autonomic modulation and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) have been reported during and after COVID-19. Both impairments are associated with negative cardiovascular outcomes. If these impairments were to exist undetected in young men after COVID-19, they could lead to negative cardiovascular outcomes. Fatigue is associated with autonomic dysfunction during and after COVID-19. It is unclear if fatigue can be used as an indicator of impaired autonomic modulation and BRS after COVID-19. This study aims to compare parasympathetic modulation, sympathetic modulation, and BRS between young men who had COVID-19 versus controls and to determine if fatigue is associated with impaired autonomic modulation and BRS...

Stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR) and arterio-venous O2 difference (a-vO2diff) responses to heavy and severe-intensity exercise have been well documented; however, there is a lack of information on the SV, HR and a v-O2diff responses of work rates within extreme exercise domain. The aim of this study was, therefore, to focus on central and peripheral components of VO2 responses to exercises performed within the heavy, severe and extreme exercise domain. Eight well-trained male cyclists participated in this study...

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are small reactive molecules produced by cellular metabolism and regulate various physiological and pathological functions. Many studies have shown that ROS plays an essential role in the proliferation and inhibition of tumor cells. Different concentrations of ROS can have a "double-edged sword" effect on the occurrence and development of tumors. A certain concentration of ROS can activate growth-promoting signals, enhance the proliferation and invasion of tumor cells, and cause damage to biomacromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids...

In recent years, there has been an increasing incidence of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular events related to insulin resistance. As one of the target organs for insulin, adipose tissue is essential for maintaining in vivo immune homeostasis and metabolic regulation. Currently, the specific adipose tissue mechanisms involved in insulin resistance remain incompletely understood. There is increasing evidence that the process of insulin resistance is mostly accompanied by a dramatic increase in the number and phenotypic changes of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs)...

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a vascular disorder in which blood return is severely compromised and CVD is usually characterized by venous hypertension. Along with obesity and diabetes mellitus, CVD is one of the most common civilization diseases. In general, the estimated prevalence of CVD ranges from 60-80 %. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment are important for preventing progression to more severe stages of the disease like venous leg ulcers. Clinical manifestations of CVD in initial stages of the disease are often asymptomatic...