Biomedical subjects

A Kułakowska

Publications and source records attributed to A Kułakowska.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Effects of angiotensin II and its receptor antagonists on motor activity and anxiety in rats.

The neuropeptide angiotensin II (Ang II) has been recently found to be involved in cognitive processes. Both AT1 and AT2 angiotensin receptors seem to mediate this action. However, unspecific behavioural effects of the peptide, particularly motor and emotional, appear to influence the interpretation of cognition-oriented tests and contribute to considerable differences in opinions of various authors on the subject. In this study, aimed specifically at the assessment of these effects, we found small and insignificant changes in motor performance measured in open field after intracebroventricular injections of Ang II and its receptor subtype-specific antagonists; losartan (AT1) and PD 123319 (AT2). However, Ang II was found to increase substantially anxiety measured in elevated 'plus' maze and impair motor coordination measured in 'chimney test'. Interestingly, both antagonists abolished Ang II generated anxiety and only losartan counteracted impaired motor coordination caused by the peptide. The AT2 receptor antagonist PD 123319 impairing motor coordination on its own, nonetheless partly diminished that caused by Ang II. Therefore it appears safe to conclude that mood but not motor effects of AT1 and AT2 receptor affecting drugs may significantly bias interpretation of the cognition-oriented tests on these drugs.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed2001

[Emotional disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis].

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, especially young adults. Although MS is usually looked on as a disorder of the sensory and motor systems it can also be associated with emotional dysfunctions and changes in personality. The depression, bipolar disorders, euphoria, and pathological laughing and crying are most frequently associated with the disease. Authors present a review of current opinions on pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria and treatment of emotional problems in MS patients.

Affective Disorders, Psychotic↗

PubMed1999

[Empty sella syndrome--diagnostic difficulties].

The authors present three middle-aged patients (1 male, 2 females) presenting with empty sella on magnetic resonance or computed tomography imaging. Their main complaints were severe headache and dizziness. Neurological examination showed no abnormalities, except for local tenderness on palpation and percussion in the fronto-parietal or fronto-temporal regions. Endocrine evaluation showed no functional deficit of the pituitary gland. Visual fields, fundi and EEG records were normal as were the CSF composition and pressure, a skull X-ray radiograms showed an enlarged sella with thinned floor and blurred posterior oblique processes. MRI revealed a liquid space below the plane of the sellar diaphragm which pressed on the pituitary gland. The diagnostic and therapeutic problems of empty sella syndrome are briefly discussed.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

CGP 42112A antagonism of the angiotensin II and angiotensin II(3-7) facilitation of recall in rats.

An involvement of the angiotensin AT2 receptors in some behavioural effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) and its 3-7 fragment [Ang II(3-7)] in rats was studied. To inhibit AT2 receptors we used their selective antagonist CGP 42112A (nicotinic acid-Tyr-N-benzoxyl-carbonyl-Arg-Lys-His-Pro-Ile-OH). Ang II and Ang II(3-7), given intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) at the dose of 1 nmol each, significantly enhanced recall of the passive avoidance behaviour and learning of the conditioned avoidance responses (CARs). CGP 42112A (2 micrograms i.c.v.), inactive on its own in all tests, significantly attenuated facilitation of recall of passive avoidance caused by Ang II and Ang II(3-7). Also, CGP 42112A diminished Ang II improvement of CARs acquisition but not that caused by Ang II(3-7). None of the treatments produced significant anxiolysis in an elevated 'plus' maze. Likewise, in an open field no statistically significant differences were recorded except for the abolishment of the Ang II(3-7)-induced increase of rearings and bar approaches by CGP 42112A. It appears that the cognition improving activity of Ang II and Ang II(3-7) is mediated by similar mechanisms and angiotensin AT2 receptors are engaged in these processes.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1997

Losartan influences behavioural effects of angiotensin II(3-7) in rats.

We have previously shown that angiotensin II(3-7) [Ang II(3-7)] stimulates behavioural activity of rats similar to angiotensin II (Ang II). The involvement of AT1 angiotensin receptors in stimulating the behavioural activity of rats, using their selective ligand losartan (DUP 753), was examined. Ang II(3-7), given intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) at a dose of 1 nmol, significantly enhanced recall of a passive avoidance behaviour, object recognition, learning of conditioned avoidance responses (CARs) and apomorphine (1 mg kg-1, i.p.) stereotypy. Losartan (1 microgram, i.c.v.) did not alter any of the behaviours except for that measuring anxiety which was diminished both, in peptide treated and in control rats. On the other hand, losartan abolished Ang II(3-7) facilitation of recall of the passive avoidance, object recognition and the increase in apomorphine stereotypy. Losartan did not influence the increased rate of CARs acquisition after the peptide. None of the treatments significantly changed locomotor activity estimated in an open field. These data point to some involvement of AT1 angiotensin receptors in the behavioural activity of Ang II(3-7).

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1997

CGP 42112A abolishes facilitation of recognition caused by angiotensin II and angiotensin II(3-7) in rats.

The role of the angiotensin AT2 receptors in some behavioural effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) and its 3-7 fragment [Ang II(3-7)], using their selective antagonist CGP 42112A, was assessed. Ang II and Ang II(3-7), given intracerebroventricularly (icv) at the dose of 1 nmole each, substantially improved object recognition memory and enhanced apomorphine (1 mg/kg) stereotypy. Pre-treatment of rats with CGP 42112A (2 micrograms), per se ineffective in all tests, abolished activity of both peptides. None of the treatments significantly changed behaviour of rats in open field. The results point to the considerable involvement of the AT2 angiotensin receptors in the improvement of recognition memory caused by Ang II and Ang II(3-7).

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1995

Angiotensin II and its 3-7 fragment improve recognition but not spatial memory in rats.

The effects of angiotensin II (AII), its 3-7 fragment [AII(3-7)] and the substituted 3-7 fragment [Leu-5,AII(3-7)] given intracerebroventricularly (ICV) at the dose of 1 nmole each, on spatial memory and recognition were tested. AII(3-7) increased while Leu-5,AII(3-7) slightly decreased session to session foot shock reinforced runtime to the goal in a complex 6 chamber maze. The animals treated with AII performed in the maze similarly to saline injected controls. Overall number of errors was unchanged in all peptide treated groups in comparison with the control group. Object recognition was significantly improved in all the peptide treated groups except for the Leu-5,AII(3-7) group. The results point to the facilitation of recognition and lack of influence on, or even attenuation of, spatial memory by AII and its 3-7 fragment. Leu-5,AII(3-7) caused similar though less pronounced effects.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Losartan influences behavioural effects of angiotensin II in rats.

The role of the angiotensin AT1 receptors in certain behavioural effects of angiotensin II (Ang II), using their selective antagonist losartan (DuP 753), was assessed. Ang II, given intracerebroventricularly (ICV) at the dose of 1 nmole, significantly improved object recognition, learning of conditioned avoidance responses (CARs), and recall of a passive avoidance behaviour. Losartan alone (1 microgram) was ineffective in any test except for the elevated 'plus' maze measuring anxiety which was diminished by the drug, both in peptide treated and in control rats. Losartan, given 5 min before Ang II, abolished improved after the peptide recall of the passive avoidance and object recognition. Losartan did not influence increased after Ang II rate of CARs acquisition. None of the treatments significantly changed behaviour of rats in the open field. The results point to the considerable involvement of the AT1 angiotensin receptors in the cognition improving effects of Ang II. However, unspecific psychoactivity of losartan should also be taken into account.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Empty sella syndrome].

The authors present two middle-aged female patients with empty sella revealed at imaging studies (CT, MRI). Their main complaint was severe fronto-parietal and fronto-temporal headache. Physical examination showed obesity, hypertension, and local hypersensitivity on deep palpation and percussion in the above-mentioned regions, in both cases. Endocrine function of pituitary gland, visual fields and fundi were normal as was EEG. The CSF composition and pressure also showed no abnormalities. The diagnostic and therapeutic problems of empty sella syndrome are discussed.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Seasonal variations in stroke incidence in North-Eastern Poland].

The authors analysed seasonal and monthly incidence of and mortality from ischaemic stroke (IS) in the region of Białystok (North-Eastern Poland). 839 cases of IS (437 men and 402 women), aged 22 to 94 years, were hospitalised in the Department of Neurology, Medical Academy in Białystok during the analysed period (1990-1997). Significant seasonality in IS incidence was observed in both sex groups, with a nadir in summer. The lowest occurrence of infarcts was observed in August in women, and in June in men. The peak month for IS, independently of sex, was January. 240 patients (28.6%) died of stroke or its complications during the analysed period. The occurrence of fatal IS followed also a clear seasonal pattern with peak in autumn. The authors attempt to explain this seasonal incidence and mortality pattern of IS in relation to variation in temperature, diet, way of life (holidays in summer), and biochemical blood changes, which occur in different seasons of the year.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Neurologic and psychiatric sequelae of carbon monoxide poisoning].

Carbon monoxide intoxication may result in neuropsychiatric abnormalities that can be overlooked or not fully appreciated. The authors describe two female patients who developed troublesome cognitive and emotional problems following carbon monoxide poisoning and stress the value of the precise neuropsychological testing and prolonged clinical observation in such cases.

Adult↗