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Biomedical subjects

I Kocsis

Publications and source records attributed to I Kocsis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Three mechanisms in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia suggested by over-represented transcription factor-binding sites detected with comparative promoter analysis.

Microarray studies generating lists of genes with altered expression in placentas from pregnancies complicated with pre-eclampsia (PE) have so far been published in several different studies. Working under the assumption that altered gene expression in PE may be the result of altered expression of regulatory transcription factors (TFs), we looked for over-represented TF-binding sites (TFBSs)-which indicate the involvement of TFs in gene regulatory networks-in lists of genes (n = 143) compiled in these studies. We compared the prevalence of TFBSs in the promoter regions of 68 genes with the background prevalence of TFBSs in promoters of the human genome. The prevalence of the E47, sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) and NFKB-p50 TFBSs was higher (P < 0.005) in the promoter sequences of the PE gene lists than in the background model. Each of these TFBSs could be implicated in the development of PE. The E47 protein is an E-protein or basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) TF. Data support the role of bHLHs in the differentiation of placental tissue. SREBP-1, a lipid-sensing sterol regulatory element-binding protein, is a critical regulator of fatty acid homeostasis in the placenta. The target genes of NFKB-p50 determine inflammatory response, and aberrant cytokine homeostasis is a further sign of PE. These TFs may provide an insight into the pathogenesis of the disease.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed2005

Bilateral striatal lesion associated with varicella.

Bilateral striatal lesion is characterised by a specific clinical syndrome (encephalopathy with rigidity, irritability, variable pyramidal, and extrapyramidal symptoms, speech abnormalities) and symmetrical lesion of the basal ganglia including the caudate nucleus, the putamen, and occasionally other nuclei. We report three cases in whom bilateral striatal lesion developed in association with varicella. Each patient recovered completely and showed no signs of cognitive deficiency, chorea or hyperkinetic syndrome, all of which have been reported as sequelae of BSL associated with other conditions. These cases suggest that bilateral striatal lesion may be an immune-mediated complication of varicella.

Brain Injuries↗
PubMed2003

HbA1c levels and erythrocyte transport functions in complication-free type 1 diabetic children and adolescents.

Higher erythrocyte sodium-lithium countertransport activity (SLC) is implicated in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Altered glucose homeostasis and genetic susceptibility are claimed to play a role in the elevation of SLC. We aimed to test whether metabolic control or the genetic variants of G protein beta 3 (Gb3) subunits determine SLC and other erythrocyte transport activities in complication-free stage of type 1 diabetes. A total of 96 complication-free type 1 diabetic children and adolescents were enrolled. SLC, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase (NAK) and Ca(2+)-ATPase (CA) were measured by functional assays in erythrocytes. Gb3-C825T polymorphism was determined by PCR-RFLP. Results were related to HbA(1c) and were compared to those of 97 healthy controls. SLC activity was higher in diabetics (387+/-146 vs. 280+/-65 mmol/RBC. hour) and correlated with HbA(1c) levels (y=0.004x+6.42, r=0.33, n=96, p<0.01). NAK and CA activities were unaltered. The prevalence of (825)T allele was similar in the patient and control groups (0.34 vs 0.37) and no differences in enzyme activities were observed between the (825)T allele-positive and negative subjects. Although metabolic control correlated with SLC, other membrane functions were not affected. Therefore we hypothesize that the relationship between advanced glycation and SLC elevation is not causative. Rather, a genetic susceptibility for the coexistence of poor metabolic control and higher SLC is more likely. However, the presence of Gb3-C825T variant is not likely to be a risk factor for SLC-elevation and altered metabolic control diabetes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Short-term omeprazole treatment does not influence biochemical parameters of bone turnover in children.

Gastric proton pump inhibitors are widely used in the treatment of dyspeptic problems and for the eradication of H. pylori infection. Data are not available on whether omeprazole, a representative of proton pump inhibitors, influences the function of osteoclastic H+-pump in children. We studied the impact of short-term omeprazole administration on the biochemical parameters of bone turnover in pediatric patients. Urinary calcium excretion, serum total alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen type 1 crosslinked C-telopeptide, and osteocalcin levels were determined in 34 children [20 girls (9 prepubertal) and 14 boys (6 prepubertal)] before and after 2 weeks of omeprazole treatment at a dose of 20 mg/day. The measured parameters were within the healthy reference range in each patient. None of them altered during the study in any age or in any gender. We conclude that omeprazole, at a dose of 20 mg/day, does not significantly influence the investigated biochemical parameters of osteoclast and osteoblast function in pediatric patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Variance of ACE and AT1 receptor gene does not influence the risk of neonatal acute renal failure.

High neonatal activity of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is crucial for the maintenance of glomerular filtration of the newborn. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether genetic polymorphisms leading to lower angiotensin converting enzyme activity (ACE) or impaired functionality of angiotensin II (AII) type 1 receptor (AT1R) might predispose very low birth weight newborns (VLBWs) to the development of acute renal failure (ARF). The medical records of 110 VLBW infants were analyzed. ARF developed in 42 of them during the first postnatal week, while 68 neonates exhibited normal renal function. The ACE I/D polymorphism and the A1166C variants of AT1R were determined from dried blood samples. The frequency of the ACE I allele did not differ in ARF and non-ARF groups (0.307 and 0.284); the frequency of the AT1R C1166 variant was also the same in ARF and non-ARF groups (0.250 and 0.227). Although low activity of RAS has been implicated in the development of neonatal ARF and data indicated that the functionality of RAS is influenced by the I/D variants of the ACE gene and the A1166C variant of the AT1R gene, we could not demonstrate any effect of these polymorphisms on the development of ARF in VLBW infants.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed2001

Abundance and activity of Ca2+-ATPase in hypercalciuric children.

The plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) is one of the main regulators of cell Ca2+ homeostasis. The aim of our study was to determine whether the abundance and activity of PMCA are altered in erythrocytes of children with idiopathic hypercalciuria. Twenty-four children with idiopathic hypercalciuria (13 girls and 11 boys, mean age 10.6+/-4.8 years; mean urinary calcium concentration 0.85+/-0.20 mmol/mmol creatinine) and 30 healthy age-matched children were enrolled. PMCA protein abundance was determined by Western blot analysis. Enzyme activity was determined spectrophotometrically. The abundance of PMCA did not differ in hypercalciuric patients from that of control subjects (98+/-22% vs 100+/-18%). Moreover, the activity was not different between the studied groups (3141+/-1494 vs 2953+/-780 nmol ATP/mg protein/h). The extent of hypercalciuria did not correlate with enzyme abundance or activity. Assuming that erythrocytes may reflect the renal tubular transporting processes, our data suggest that other Ca2+-transport mechanisms than PMCA might be involved in the development of idiopathic hypercalciuria in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Plasma concentration of myeloperoxidase enzyme in pre- and post-climacterial people: related superoxide anion generation.

Neutrophil granulocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis also through their free radical generation. The aim of the study was to test how extracellular levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO; a granulocyte enzyme playing role in free radical production) change by age and what effect this change has on the production of the free radical superoxide anion by neutrophils. We also wanted to examine whether the antioxidant effect of different steroid hormones is realized through the MPO. Plasma myeloperoxidase concentrations of healthy blood donors were quantified by ELISA. Superoxide anion production was measured by photometry. Myeloperoxidase concentration was significantly lower in plasmas obtained from older women and men than in those from younger subjects. Adding the MPO inhibitors 4-aminobenzoic acid hydrazide (ABAH) and indomethacin to the granulocytes, the generation of superoxide anion increased and the decreasing effect of the steroids on superoxide production was inhibited. Incubating the neutrophils with the product of the reaction catalyzed by MPO itself (hypochlorite anion), we found significant decrease in superoxide generation. According to our results MPO seems to diminish the production of superoxide anion and so probably has an antioxidant ability. Therefore, its lower plasma levels may contribute to the increasing incidence of atherosclerosis and other free radical mediated disorders in old people. Thus, after further studies MPO might become one of the indicators of cardiovascular risk and the scavenger capacity in general.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Genetic variants of the tumour necrosis factor-alpha promoter gene do not influence the development of necrotizing enterocolitis.

UNLABELLED: Previous studies indicated that elevated tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels may play a role in the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The A(-308) and A(-238) variants of the promoter region of the TNF-alpha gene are reportedly associated with altered TNF-alpha production. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of these gene polymorphisms on the development and course of NEC in very-low-birthweight (VLBW) infants. Dried blood samples from 46 VLBW neonates with NEC were analysed using the method of restriction fragment length polymorphism. Samples from 90 VLBW neonates without NEC were used as controls. The prevalence of alleles with guanine-adenine transition in the -308 and -238 positions was the same in NEC and control subjects (12% vs 10% and 3% vs 4%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The investigated genetic variants of the TNF-alpha gene promoter region have no influence on the risk and course of NEC in VLBW infants.

Adenine↗
PubMed2001

Percutaneous ureterolithotomy: direct method for removal of impacted ureteral stones.

PURPOSE: We report 52 percutaneous urterolithotomies in 51 patients having large, impacted middle ureteral stones. Direct percutaneous stone removal can be performed as successfully as in cases of renal stones treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy. METHODS: The operation is performed under local anesthesia; therefore, the procedure is quicker and simpler than the laparoscopic or retroperitoneoscopic intervention. All patients became stone free. In two patients (4%), ultrasound disintegration was necessary; in the remaining cases, there was no need for any fragmentation: the stone was removed intact. A retroperitoneal drain was always left at the end of the procedure. With the exception of two cases, the ureter was always stented without closure of the ureteral incision. RESULTS: Fever (> or = 38 degrees C) was observed in 15 patients (29%) for 2 days. Retroperitoneal hematoma 5 cm in diameter was seen in one patient. One patient had urine leakage through the retroperitoneal drain in the postoperative period for 18 days. Also, one patient came back 3 days after discharge with urine leakage through the percutaneous retroperitoneal tract. CONCLUSION: Direct percutaneous ureterolithotomy is an effective way to remove impacted middle ureteral stones but is advisable only for endourologists with considerable experience.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Oxidative damage in alcoholic liver disease.

OBJECTIVE: The metabolic effects of alcohol are due both to its direct action and to that of its first metabolite, and can also be connected with the changes in redox state. Differences in ethanol distribution, bioavailability and hepatic metabolism can provide insight into the protective and predisposing factors in alcoholism, as well as gender differences of alcohol toxicity. Oxidative stress occurs following various conditions of ethanol consumption. DESIGN: Twenty-six Caucasian patients with alcoholism and 32 healthy, abstinent controls of both sexes were investigated with special regard to reduction-oxidation status and ad hoc free-radical-antioxidant balance. METHOD: Plasma free SH-group concentration, H-donating ability, and reducing power property were measured by simple spectrophotometric methods. Total scavenger capacity was determined by a newly developed chemiluminometric method in plasma and erythrocytes. RESULTS: Alcoholics showed a decrease of free SH-group concentration, hydrogen-donating ability and an increase of reducing power property in plasma. A decreased total scavenger capacity of erythrocytes and plasma of alcoholic patients, combined with gender differences, could be detected. CONCLUSIONS: Alcoholic dependence causes gradual exhaustion of the antioxidant capacity of erythrocytes, therefore this non-invasive measurement may be useful as a follow-up of the evolution of alcoholic liver disease. The results also suggest a gender susceptibility of alcohol toxicity.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Expression and activity of the Ca(2+)-atpase enzyme in human neonatal erythrocytes.

The plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA) is one of the main regulators of Ca(2+) homeostasis. We studied the perinatal alteration of the abundance and the activity of PMCA molecules in human erythrocytes in pre-term and full-term neonates and children at the age of 1-4 years. The lower abundance of the 4b isoform was associated with lower enzyme activity in full-term neonates compared to children. Although the number of PMCA molecules was higher in pre-term neonates, their total PMCA activities were identical to those of full-term neonates. Our findings suggest that the abundance of PMCA molecules changes during the perinatal development. The same activity at higher enzyme molecule numbers might indicate a potential immaturity of the enzyme in the pre-term infant.

Aging↗
PubMed2000

Developmental changes in erythrocyte Na(+),K(+)-ATPase subunit abundance and enzyme activity in neonates.

AIM: To study the relation between erythrocyte Na(+),K(+)-ATPase subunit isoform composition, Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity, and cation pump function in preterm and term neonates. DESIGN: Erythrocyte Na(+),K(+)-ATPase subunit isoform abundance, Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity, and cation pump function were studied in blood samples obtained from 56 preterm neonates of 28-32 weeks gestation (group 1), 58 preterm neonates of 33-36 weeks gestation (group 2), and 122 term neonates (group 3) during the first two postnatal days. RESULTS: alpha(1) isoform abundance was higher and beta(2) isoform abundance was lower in group 1 than in group 3 (p = 0.0002). alpha(2) and beta(1) isoform abundance did not change with maturation and there was no evidence for the presence of the alpha(3) isoform. Gestational age was inversely related to Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity (p = 0.0001) and directly related to intracellular Na(+) concentration (p = 0.0025). CONCLUSIONS: Expression of the alpha(1) and beta(2) Na(+),K(+)-ATPase subunit isoforms is developmentally regulated. The increased abundance of alpha(1) isoforms of immature neonates translates to increased ATPase activity. The lower intracellular Na(+) concentration of immature neonates suggests that their erythrocyte Na(+),K(+)-ATPase cation pump function may also be increased.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2000

Determination of H+/K+-ATPase activity in human gastric biopsy specimens.

The aim of our work was to develop a method to determine the the H+/K+-ATPase activity of human gastric biopsy samples. Our method is based on the phosphatase activity and the K+-inducible property of the enzyme. K+-inducible pNPPase activity was determined from homogenated corpus and antrum biopsy samples. H+/K+-ase activity was calculated as the difference between the corpus and antrum K+-inducible pNPPase activities. Quality control measurements were done during 20 successive days from pooled homogenates. The total, between-day and between-run, within-day and within-run coefficients of variations were between 10 and 16%. The healthy mean and reference range of K+-inducible pNPPase activity in the corpus was 95.8 (95% CI: 83.4-108.2 mU/mg protein); in the antrum it was 28.3 (21.6-35.0) mU/mg protein. The calculated H+/K+-ATPase activity was 67.2 (56.9-77.5) mU/mg protein. The measured activities were independent of the age and gender. Summarizing our results we have concluded, that our novel method might be a potential tool to gather data about the functional acid producing capability of human gastric mucosa.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Changes in the myeloperoxidase activity of human neutrophilic granulocytes and the amount of enzyme deriving from them under the effect of estrogen].

Free radicals which are produced constantly in the human body have a significant role in the development of atherosclerosis. The responsibility of leukocytes for vascular disease has been proved in several ways. Hormonally active women are protected much more against myocardial infarction than men, which fact can be explained partly by endocrinological reasons, too. The authors have set the aim to investigate whether estrogen therapy effects on the one hand the intracellular activity of the granulocyte-enzyme, myeloperoxidase (MPO), which takes place in free radical reactions and on the other hand the amount of MPO released from neutrophils. In the case of women having menopause and being treated with hormone replacement (n = 11) the intracellular activity and the amount of MPO-release increased significantly as compared to the level at the time of starting taking the medicine (p < 0.001). Based on the results it can be supposed that the vasoprotective effect of estrogens is fulfilled through their influence on the MPO enzyme, too. Besides the fact that intensified MPO activity through enhanced consumption might induce the decreased accumulation of H2O2 (a reactive oxygen species, substrate of MPO), MPO also has a role in the termination of the whole process of free radical production in granulocytes by the inactivation of the NADPH-oxidase system. This means that the growing intracellular MPO activity and the increased amount of enzyme released induce the decrease of the amount of free radicals produced during the "respiratory burst" and this is advantageous from the point of view of vasoprotection. The increased MPO activity and the NADPH-oxidase inactivation supposed to be elicited by it, might have further positive consequences since MPO has an effect on HDL-metabolism and the outflow of cholesterol from "foam cells", NADPH-oxidase has a suspected role in LDL-oxidation and NADPH is one of the cofactors of NO-synthase (NOS). The decreased superoxide anion level on the other hand may mitigate the chance of the neutralizing of nitric oxide (NO) by it. The superoxide anion is a potent vasoconstrictor and therefore, its diminished production may be beneficial, i.e. decreases the risk of coronary spasm. The new conceptual synthesis worked out by the authors may provide a possible explanation of the increased susceptibility to infections during steroid treatment, too.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy↗
PubMed1996

[Free radical reactions in juvenile rats treated with streptozotocin].

Male, weaned Wistar albino rats (n = 8) were treated by single dose of intravenous 50 mg/bodyweight-kg streptozotocin (STZ) injection. Changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and scavenger capacity of red blood cells and liver homogenates were evaluated and compared to the respective values of the control group (n = 9) after 3 weeks. HbAlc was significantly higher (p < 0.005) in the STZ treated group. Plasma triglyceride also showed a marked elevation compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Scavenger capacity in erythrocytes was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in treated animals while no change was observed in liver homogenates. No alteration was observed in the superoxide dismutase activity of treated animals, but catalase activity was weaker (p < 0.05). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were in higher concentration in plasma of STZ treated animals (p < 0.01) and were in comparable amount in homogenates. The results suggest that 3 weeks after STZ treatment of rats, alterations can be observed in the scavenger system and of the examined tissues changes are most prominent in erythrocytes.

Animals↗