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Biomedical subjects

E Díaz Rodríguez

Publications and source records attributed to E Díaz Rodríguez.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Melatonin influences on the neuroendocrine-reproductive axis.

The neuroendocrine-reproductive axis designates the functional activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. A delicate synchronization of many inputs at these three different levels is vital for normal reproductive function. From the median basal hypothalamus, the median eminence releases gonadotrophin releasing hormone into the portal circulation to reach the anterior pituitary gland. Gonadotrophin releasing hormone is obviously a key hormone for the regulation of the secretion of gonadotrophins LH and FSH.

Aging↗
PubMed2004

Influence of maternal pineal gland on the developmental pattern of neurokinin A (NKA) and substance P (SP) in male-rat-offspring: relationship to the season of the year.

The present study examines the influence of maternal pineal gland on the frontal cortex, striatal and testicular concentrations of the tachykinins, neurokinin A (NKA) and substance P (SP). Control, pinealectomized (PIN-X) and PIN-X plus melatonin-treated (PIN-X + MEL) mother rats were prepared. Male offspring rats were studied at 21, 31 and 60 days of age, during the four seasons of the year. In control-offspring tachykinin concentrations in frontal cortex were found at their highest levels in 21-day-old rats with a moderate decrease up to 60 days of age. This developmental pattern was season-dependent, observed only during summer and fall. Maternal PIN-X or PIN-X + MEL resulted in alterations in the offspring, showing during spring and summer significantly higher concentrations (P < 0.01) and during fall significantly lower concentrations of tachykinins in the frontal cortex (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) as compared to control-offspring. The tachykinin concentration in the striatum of control-offspring showed no major modifications throughout the ages studied in the four seasons of the year. With very few exceptions, PIN-X- and PIN-X + MEL did not alter tachykinin concentrations in striatum. Testicular SP concentrations showed a decrease from 21 to 60 days of age. PIN-X or PIN-X + MEL only caused minor and inconsistent modifications in testicular SP levels. In conclusion, our data clearly indicate for the first time that the maternal pineal gland participates in the regulation of the postnatal tachykinin development in some areas of the central nervous system. This effect was more evident in the frontal cortex than in the striatum and testes.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Seasonal changes of SP and NKA in frontal cortex, striatum and testes in the rat. Role of maternal pineal gland.

The concentrations of neurokinin A (NKA) and substance P (SP), members of tachykinins family, have been studied in all seasons of the year in frontal cortex, striatum and testes of male offspring 21-, 31-, or 60 days old of mother Wistar rats: control, pinealectomized (PIN-X) and pinealectomized + melatonin during pregnancy (PIN- X + MEL) kept under 12h:12h L:D. Control-offspring: in spite of having been kept under constant environmental conditions throughout the year, had marked differences in tachykinin concentrations. The highest tachykinin concentrations in the frontal cortex were found in summer and fall and the lowest in winter and spring. Maternal PIN-X resulted in alterations of this developmental pattern, mainly in PIN-X- and PIN- X + MEL-offspring in which the highest tachykinin concentrations at 21 and 31 days of age were only observed during summer. The alterations were observed up to 60 days of age for both tachykinins, when at this age control-offspring showed similar NKA concentrations. Seasonal variations were still observed in PIN-X- and PIN- X + MEL-offspring. In striatum and testes no mayor modifications throughout the four seasons of the year were found, with very few exceptions. PIN-X did not alter tachykinin concentrations, neither treatment with melatonin did it. In conclusion, our data clearly indicate for the first time that NKA and SP do indeed have seasonal rhythms in frontal cortex and that the maternal pineal gland plays a role in their entrainment already during fetal life.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Neurotrophic keratopathy management with cyanoacrylate tarsorraphy and autologous serum].

PURPOSE/METHODS: Neurotrophic keratopathy is a degenerative corneal disease with a highly complex treatment caused by an impairment of corneal sensitivity. We report the case of a 47 year-old man with a refractory postherpetic neurotrophic keratopathy in his right eye and we discuss the treatment options. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: The combination of cyanoacrylate with temporary tarsorraphy along with the administration of topical autologous serum eyedrops and systemic tetracycline, allowed to control the progression of the disease and to regenerate the corneal surface. This unpublished therapeutic strategy might be an effective and safe alternative in the management of neurotrophic keratopathy (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2003; 78: 119-122).

Body Fluids↗
PubMed2003

[Fundus albipunctatus associated with cone dystrophy. A familial case report].

UNLABELLED: We report a familial case of fundus albipunctatus associated with cone dystrophy. CASE REPORT: Thirty-eight year-old male diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in another center. The main complain is a worsening of his night and color vision. Clinical and electrophysiological studies confirm the association of fundus albipuncatus with cone dystrophy. The family study found another cone dystrophy-associated case in his thirty-three year-old affected brother. DISCUSSION: Though it is considerated a stationary disease, we report the association of fundus albipunctatus with symptoms and signs related to cone dysfunction. We review the possible nature of this association.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Developmental pattern of tachykinins during aging in several organs: effect of exogenous melatonin.

Mammalian neurokinin A (NKA) and substance P (SP) are neuropeptides widely distributed in the body; they are potential regulators of the basal blood flow and therefore of the function of many organs and tissues. In the present investigation, we studied the age-dependent changes in NKA and SP in ovary, liver, pancreas and spleen as well as the role of exogenous melatonin on these changes. Female rats of 5, 15 or 25 months of age were studied. In the ovary, NKA concentrations did not change during aging. SP concentrations in the control group were significantly higher (P<0.01) in old rats than in the other two age groups studied. Melatonin treatment resulted in reduced concentrations as compared with those of the control old rats. In the pancreas, NKA and SP concentrations increased during aging, the young rats showing significantly lower values (P<0.01) than middle-aged and old rats for NKA and significantly lower (P<0.01) than the old rats for SP. After melatonin treatment the differences in NKA concentrations disappeared and SP decreased in middle-aged as compared with those in old rats. In the liver, NKA and SP concentrations in the control and melatonin-treated groups did not differ significantly for the three age groups studied. Splenic NKA in control and melatonin-treated groups increased from young to middle-age up to old ages. SP concentrations showed similar values at all ages except in melatonin-treated old rats; in these animals there were significantly higher concentrations than in young melatonin-treated rats. The effect of melatonin was mainly observed on the ovary and pancreas in old rats, with a reduction in the concentrations as compared with those observed in the young groups.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

In vitro pituitary prolactin, growth hormone and follicle stimulating hormone secretion during sexual maturation of female rats primed with melatonin.

The influence of in vivo melatonin administration on in vitro pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), growth hormone (GH) and prolactin secretion, as well as the possible influence of dopamine (DA) were evaluated in prepubertal (31-day-old), pubertal (33-day-old) and adult female rats at diestrus phase of the sexual cycle. The in vitro pituitary hormone secretions were evaluated at basal rate for the first hour of incubation only, in Krebs Ringer phosphate (KRP) (I1) and after a second hour of incubation with KRP (I2) or with KRP+DA (I2 plus DA). I1PRL secretion was significantly higher in 33-day-old control and melatonin treated (MEL) rats as compared to I2 periods. However, in 31-day-old rats I1 secretion was higher than in the I2 or I2+DA periods, in MEL rats. In vitro GH secretion was significantly higher at I1 than during I2 periods in the control 31- and 33-day-old groups, but not in MEL rats. The only significant effect of DA was the elevation of GH in prepubertal MEL rats. In vitro FSH release was increased by melatonin in 31- and 33-day-old female rats. No differences in PRL, GH and FSH secretion were found in adult rats. In conclusion, the results show that melatonin effects upon in vitro pituitary gland activity are reproductive-stage-dependent modifying the secretory capacity of the lactotrop, gonadotrop and somatotrop during prepubertal and pubertal ages but not in adult rats studied at a quiescent phase of the sexual cycle.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Ageing and melatonin influence on in vitro gonadotropins and prolactin secretion from pituitary and median eminence.

The effect of ageing and/or melatonin (MEL) on in vitro gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin (PRL) release and tissue content from pituitary and median eminence (ME) were investigated. Gonadotropins and PRL basal release (I-1) from hemipituitaries of young cyclic-rats was decreased by MEL to levels shown in old acyclic rats. Pituitary tissue content of LH and PRL were not affected by ageing or MEL treatment. However, pituitary FSH tissue content was decreased by ageing and MEL, suggesting a different regulatory mechanism. MEL inhibitory influence on pituitary hormones is mainly exerted on the secretory process. This effect is only exerted in young rats. ME LH and PRL release and content were significantly lower than in pituitary. However, FSH release and content in ME showed values similar to those found in the pituitary. This study confirms that the functional capacities of pituitary gland and ME are maintained during reproductive senescence.

Aging↗
PubMed1999

Prenatal melatonin influences developmental changes of tachykinins in response to estradiol benzoate.

The developmental changes of hypothalamic, pituitary, striatum and pineal gland tachykinin concentrations, as well as the response to estradiol-benzoate (EB) administration, were studied in offspring of control and melatonin (MEL) treated mother rats. Female rats were studied throughout different phases of the sexual development: infantile, prepubertal and pubertal periods, in the four following groups; control-offspring+vehicle; control-offspring+EB; MEL-offspring+vehicle; MEL-offspring+EB. Hypothalamic NKA in control-offspring+ vehicle was significantly increased only at 27 days of age and in control-offspring+EB at 27 days of age and during the infantile period. Hypothalamic SP levels increased similarly in control-offspring+EB during the infantile period but the EB influence was more pronounced with significantly increased concentrations at 32 days of age. Prenatal melatonin treatment produced major alterations in these patterns of postnatal development. In MEL-offspring+EB tachykinins concentrations in the hypothalamus during infantile and prepubertal periods did not increase, however at 37 days of age, they showed significantly higher values than in control-offspring+EB groups. The developmental pattern of pituitary NKA and SP concentrations in both; control-offspring+vehicle and control-offspring+EB groups, showed similar values from the infantile period to puberty, indicating that NKA and SP concentrations remained at similar levels independently of the sexual stage, only at 27 days of age in control-offspring+EB significantly increased values were found as compared to MEL-offspring+EB. Prenatal melatonin did not produce marked modifications, only significantly lower NKA and SP concentrations in MEL-offspring+EB group were observed at 25 days of age in comparison to control-offspring+EB group. Striatal NKA and SP concentrations showed a similar developmental pattern. In control-offspring, EB treatment produced NKA and SP decreased concentrations at the infantile period than in control-offspring+vehicle and significantly increased concentrations during the prepubertal period, then during the pubertal period NKA and SP concentrations decreased in control-group+EB. However, prenatal melatonin treatment reduced the levels of striatal NKA and SP during the prepubertal period after EB treatment and delayed until pubertal period the increase previously observed in control group during the prepubertal period. In MEL-offspring+vehicle group striatal concentrations of both tachykinins remained at low levels from infantile period until pubertal period. Prenatal melatonin and EB did not produce major alterations in SP pineal concentrations throughout sexual development. Plasma estradiol concentrations were significantly higher in the groups that received EB treatment than in those that received vehicle during prepubertal and juvenile periods in control-offspring+EB group and during the pubertal period in MEL-offspring+EB group. These data indicate that prenatal MEL treatment may influence NKA and SP developmental pattern from the infantile period until adulthood in the female rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Developmental changes of hypothalamic, pituitary and striatal tachykinins in response to testosterone: influence of prenatal melatonin.

Substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA), members of the family of mammalian tachykinins, are involved in the regulation of many physiological functions and are widely distributed in mammalian tissues. In this report, the effects of prenatal melatonin on the postnatal developmental pattern of NKA, and SP, and on testosterone secretion were investigated. Also, tachykinin response to the administration of testosterone propionate (TP) was studied. The brain areas studied were medio-basal-hypothalamus, pituitary gland and striatum. Male rat offspring of control or melatonin treated mother rats were studied at different ages of the sexual development: infantile, juvenile or prepubertal periods, and pubertal period. Both groups received exogenous TP (control-offspring+TP and MEL-offspring+TP), or the vehicle (control-offspring+placebo and MEL-offspring+placebo). Hypothalamic concentrations of all peptides studied in control-offspring+placebo remained at low levels until the juvenile period, days 30-31 of age. After this age, increasing concentrations of these peptides were found, with peak values at puberty, 40-41 days of age, then declining until adulthood. In the MEL-offspring+placebo a different pattern of development was observed; hypothalamic concentrations of NKA and SP from the infantile period until the end of juvenile period were significantly higher than in control-offspring+placebo. TP administration exerted a more marked influence on MEL-offspring than on control-offspring and prevented the elevation in tachykinin concentrations associated with prenatal melatonin treatment. TP administration to control-offspring resulted in significantly reduced (P < 0.05) tachykinin concentration only at 40-41 days of age, and increased (P < 0.01) during infantile period as compared to control-offspring+placebo. Pituitary NKA concentrations were lower than in the hypothalamus. In control-offspring+placebo pituitary NKA levels did not show significant changes throughout sexual development. A different developmental pattern was observed in MEL-offspring+placebo, with significantly increased (P < 0.05) pituitary NKA concentrations at 35-36 days of age than in control-offspring+placebo. TP administration to control-offspring influenced pituitary NKA levels at the end of the infantile and pubertal periods, showing at both stages significantly higher (P < 0.05) NKA levels as compared to control-offspring+placebo. NKA levels in MEL-offspring+TP were only affected at 21-22 days of age, showing significantly increased (P < 0.01) values as compared to MEL-offspring+placebo. Striatal tachykinin concentrations in control-offspring did not undergo important modifications throughout sexual development, but during the prepubertal period they started to increase. Maternal melatonin and TP injections produced short-lived alterations during the infantile period. The results showed that prenatal melatonin delayed the postnatal testosterone secretion pattern until the end of the pubertal period and postnatal peptide secretion in brain structures. Consequently, all functions depending of the affected areas will in turn, be affected.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Chronic hepatitis C virus positive hepatitis and antiphospholipid syndrome].

The antiphospholipid syndrome, disorder in which venous and arterial thrombosis may occur, has been described in association with systemic lupus erythematosus and later in a great variety of entities, including infectious diseases. It has been described recently a high frequency of antiphospholipid syndrome in patients with chronic hepatitis C. We present a case of cirrhosis with hepatitis C virus markers and criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome, and we review the literature.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Bronchogenic cyst with atypical localization].

Bronchogenic congenital cysts are uncommon. They most frequently develop into the lung parenchyma. Rarely, mediastinal site may occur due to intestinal origin. Bronchogenic cysts seldom arise in the posterior mediastinum. Computerized tomography of the chest allowed a diagnosis of a posterior mediastinal bronchogenic cyst in our patient with poor symptoms. Cyst aspiration and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) also provide the diagnosis. Treatment is by surgical excision if symptoms occur and have good prognosis.

Bronchogenic Cyst↗