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Biomedical subjects

K Baraczka

Publications and source records attributed to K Baraczka.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Investigation of cytokine (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-10) concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of female patients with multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Humoral immune response seems to play a role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and in the central nervous system (CNS) complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 in the cerebrospinal fluid of female patients with several forms of MS (50 patients), and in female patients with several types of CNS complications in SLE (50 patients). Samples were investigated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Involvement of CNS in SLE patients seems to be characterized with elevated concentrations of all three cytokines in CNS and intrathecal synthesis of IL-6. In MS patients, an intrathecal synthesis of TNF-alpha (relapsing-remitting form) and IL-6 (primary progressive form) were observed. Clinical forms of MS seem to be immunologically heterogeneous. The activation of cytokine network was observed in SLE patients with CNS complications, independent of the pathological process. Similarities between SLE and MS patients with the primary progressive form of the disease were demonstrated concerning the intrathecal synthesis of IL-6. Only MS patients with the relapsing-remitting clinical form showed intrathecal TNF-alpha synthesis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Concentration of soluble adhesion molecules (sVCAM-1, sICAM-1 and sL-selectin) in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum of patients with multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus with central nervous involvement.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of soluble adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with demyelinating syndrome. METHODS: Paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples were analysed by an ELISA method to determine the concentrations of sVCAM-1, sICAM-1 and sL-selectin. Intrathecal syntheses of the adhesion molecules were calculated. RESULTS: Elevated serum and CSF concentrations of sVCAM-1 were present in all patient groups. Intrathecal synthesis of sVCAM-1 was present in the relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive forms of MS. Intrathecal synthesis of sICAM-1 was observed in all clinical forms of MS. MS patients with progressive forms of the disease and SLE patients were characterised by intrathecal synthesis of sL-selectin. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented suggest that (1) blood-brain barrier damage can be assumed both in systemic disease and organ-specific disease (sVCAM-1), (2) clinical forms of MS differ from each other in respect to concentrations of adhesion molecules and (3) similar immunological events in the central nervous system of SLE patients with demyelinating syndrome and progressive forms of MS can be assumed (sL-selectin).

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Soluble L-selectin levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid in patients with multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Soluble L-selectin (sL-selectin) concentrations were measured in paired samples of serum and cerebrospinal fluid by an ELISA method. Patients with several forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and systemic lupus erythematosus with central nervous system involvement (SLE-CNS) were investigated. Elevated CSF sL-selectin concentrations were found in patients with SLE-CNS (7.62 +/- 3.31 ng/ml) and with relapsing-remitting form of MS (6.99 +/- 4.72 ng/ml) compared to the control group (4.00 +/- 0.95 ng/ml). The data presented suggest some similarities between inflammatory/immunological events in the central nervous system in patients with SLE-CNS and relapsing-remitting form of MS. Immunological heterogeneity in MS is suspected.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

A study of increased levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

The concentration of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecules (sVCAM-1) of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was measured in clinically selected multiple sclerosis (MS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, using an ELISA assay. The mean sVCAM-1 concentration in the serum of SLE patients was higher than normal. The mean CSF sVCAM-1 concentration was increased in the MS as in the SLE group. On analysis, the data suggests that there are some similarities in the immunological effects of these two different diseases of the central nervous system. A longitudinal analysis of the CSF is requested.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Clinical significance of antiphospholipid autoantibodies in lupus erythematosus].

The authors have determined the prevalence of antibodies of cofactor dependent anticardiolipin and beta 2-glycoprotein I and lupus anticoagulant and the frequency of false positive VDRL test in systemic lupus erythematosus. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the presence of these antibodies and symptoms of antiphospholipid syndrome. The serum samples were examined by modified ELISA method for detecting of cofactor dependent anticardiolipin. The antibodies to beta 2-glycoprotein I were examined by ELISA. The lupus anticoagulant and VDRL test were performed by routine laboratory method. The authors have found that 19 of 58 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus had cofactor dependent anticardiolipin, 10 patients had antibodies to beta 2-glycoprotein I and 4 patients had positive VDRL test. 5 of 34 plasma samples were lupus anticoagulant positive. 19 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus had 14 neuropsychiatric disorders, 9 cardiovascular diseases, 7 thrombocytopenia, 6 histories of recurrent abortion and fetal loss, 5 livedo reticularis and 3 thromboembolic events in all of them had detected antibodies to cofactor dependent anticardiolipin, while these complications were diagnosed in 39 anticardiolipin negative patients much more rarely. The results of this retrospective study suggest that significant association exists between the presence of cofactor dependent anticardiolipin and symptoms of antiphospholipid syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Antibodies, Antiphospholipid↗
PubMed1997

[Clinical experiences with the analgesic effects of citalopram].

Antidepressive drugs influencing the serotonin metabolism have shown some efficacy in treatment of generalised pain syndrome. The aim of the present study was to observe the analgesic effect of citalopram < 1-[3-(dimetilamino)propil]-1-(p-florofenil)-5-ftal+ ++ánkarbonitin > in 20 non depressive patients with chronic pain syndrome (fibromyalgy and/or radicular pain). On the base of a short time (6 weeks) observation a limited clinical effect was observed, however, the Seropram seems to have some benefits in the treatment of chronic pain.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1992

Remission of Raynaud's phenomenon after L-thyroxine therapy in a patient with hypothyroidism.

A 50-year-old man is described who had a 15-year history of Raynaud's phenomenon with severe and frequent vasospastic attacks in his fingers and toes during the past years. Exacerbation of his digital symptoms, which started about 4 years ago, was accompanied by signs of thyroid deficiency, such as tiredness, memory impairment, decreased libido, constipation, dryness of skin and bradycardia. Hormonal evaluation revealed primary hypothyroidism and the patient began substitution therapy with L-thyroxine. After 2 months of treatment not only did he become euthyroid but the digital symptoms also disappeared. The patient may thus represent one of the very few cases whose thyroid replacement therapy proved to be highly effective in treating both hypothyroidism and Raynaud's phenomenon.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

[The role of the central nervous system in lupus erythematosus].

Central nervous system involvement of systemic lupus erythematosus was observed in 34 (36%) of the 94 patients studied between 1970-1990. A review of the diagnostic methods and therapy for central nervous system lupus is presented. The diagnosis of primary cerebral lupus was based on the history, physical examination and on the results of the cerebrospinal fluid analysis, CT-scan and EEG. Intractable headache (22/34), behavioural abnormalities (18/34), cranial neuropathy (16/34) occurred most frequently among neuropsychiatric symptoms. Immunoglobulin analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid proved to be the most sensitive method for detecting clinical activity (in 20/23). Central nervous system involvement was suggested by conventional serological test to a lesser degree. Alterations on CT scan and EEG were found in 17/27 and 14/26 of cases, respectively. IgM, IgA, and IgG indexes (indicators of intratechal immunglobulin synthesis) decreased when the central nervous system events subsided after successful treatment but the CT abnormalities (e. g. atrophy) were not altered.

Electroencephalography↗
PubMed1990

No evidence for human T-cell leukemia virus type I or human T-cell leukemia virus type II infection in patients with multiple sclerosis.

The involvement of human T-cell leukemia viruses (HTLVs) in the pathogenesis of 18 Hungarian patients with multiple sclerosis was investigated. No antibody to HTLVs could be detected in any of the patients. Furthermore, using polymerase chain reaction under highly sensitive conditions, neither HTLV-I DNA nor HTLV-II DNA could be noted in peripheral blood lymphocytes of the patients. Our data do not support a causal association of HTLV-I or HTLV-II with multiple sclerosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Comparative analysis of indices of central dopaminergic functions in man.

Various postulated indices of central dopaminergic activity - cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dopamine (DA), dihydroxy-phenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), noradrenaline (NA), plasma NA, serum prolactin, serum dopamine-hydroxylase (DBH), and platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity - were measured in 30 drug-free inpatients. The mean values and the ranges were similar to those described in the literature. Plasma NA showed significant positive correlation with age. Significant positive correlation was found between CSF DA and its metabolites DOPAC and HVA. Serum DBH activity showed a slight but significant inverse correlation with CSF DA and its two metabolites. CSF NA showed a significant positive correlation with CSF DOPAC, but only in females. Serum DBH activity had no significant correlation either with CSF or with plasma NA levels. These findings suggest that either CSF HVA or DOPAC and DA may be useful indicators of DA metabolism in humans. Serum DBH activity may be in relationship with the central dopaminergic functions.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗
PubMed1983

Changes in dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels in human cerebrospinal fluid after L-dopa and deprenyl administration.

The dopamine (DA) and DOPAC levels were measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using a radioenzymatic method. The influence of a specific monoamine oxidase B inhibitor (deprenyl) on changes in DA and DOPAC levels was studied in untreated patients or after L-dopa administration. A single dose of deprenyl alone did not change the CSF DA and DOPAC levels, a three days' treatment, however, decreased both the DOPAC and DA concentrations. The acute administration of L-dopa caused an increase in CSF DA and DOPAC levels. The changes were smaller following repeated treatment. Deprenyl diminished the increase in DOPAC level after repeated L-dopa administration.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗
PubMed1981

Measurement of gamma-aminobutyric acid in human cerebrospinal fluid: radioreceptor assay using [3H]muscimol.

A method is described for the determination of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in human cerebrospinal fluid by modification of the radioreceptor assay utilizing [3H]muscimol as labelled ligand. This method is compared with the radioreceptor assay using [3H]GABA as labelled ligand. Although the [3H]muscimol assay is less sensitive than the [3H]GABA method, it offers the advantage of being more rapid due to the use of a filtration step instead of the usual, more time-consuming centrifugation of the samples. Samples of CSF of patients with various neurological or psychiatric disturbances were analysed. There was a satisfactory correlation between the GABA values obtained by the two assays.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changes of intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis in various types of dementias.

Our examinations were finished on 80 patients with different dementia forms. We specified the concentration of liquor immunoglobulins with the nephelometrical method, and concluded the presence of intrathecal immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM and IgA) synthesis on the basis of the Link index. In the cases of senile dementia, SDAT and AD, we found altered blood-brain barrier function. We detected intrathecal IgG and IgA synthesis at AD patients, while the synthesis of all the three immunoglobulins was characteristic for the Jakob-Creutzfeld disease. On the basis of our results, we came to the conclusion that, at the different dementias, the immunopathological occurrences play different roles in the development of the disease.

Journal Article↗