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Biomedical subjects

M Markianos

Publications and source records attributed to M Markianos.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Effects of monoamine oxidase A inhibition on plasma biogenic amine metabolites in depressed patients.

The main metabolites of noradrenalin, dopamine, and serotonin-3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), respectively--were estimated in plasma of 21 depressed patients before and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment with the monoamine oxidase-type A (MAO-A) inhibitor moclobemide (mean final daily dose = 8.9 mg/kg body weight). The treatment caused significant mean reductions in plasma MHPG and HVA (46% and 30%, respectively), while plasma 5-HIAA was unchanged. Multiple regression analysis revealed associations between reductions in MHPG and changes on the anxiety-somatization factor of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), and between reductions in HVA and changes in the HRSD factors cognitive disturbance and retardation.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Biogenic amine metabolites in delusional (psychotic) depression and melancholia subtypes of major depression.

1. The levels of the urinary main metabolites of norepinephrine 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), of dopamine homovanillic acid (HVA) and of serotonin 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured in 84 patients with major depressive disorder, 34 delusional and 50 nondelusional. Melancholia subtype was also defined (N = 62). 2. MHPG was significantly higher in the delusional depressed group (p = 0.023). Female patients with delusional major depression also had significantly higher HVA excretion than female patients with non delusional major depression (p = 0.036). 5-HIAA excretion was similar in the two patient subgroups. 3. No significant differences in the three monoamine metabolites were found between the melancholic and nonmelancholic depressed patients.

Biogenic Amines↗
PubMed1994

Prolactin and TSH responses to TRH and to haloperidol in schizophrenic patients before and after treatment.

The prolactin (PRL) and the TSH responses to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH, 0.4 mg i.v.) and to haloperidol (5 mg i.m.) were studied in 11 male schizophrenic patients in a drug-free state and after treatment with haloperidol, 60 mg daily. The PRL responses observed after i.m. haloperidol in the drug-free state, on average 35.4 ng/ml, were abolished after treatment, indicating complete receptor blockade, while the PRL responses to TRH were preserved, although moderately reduced (from 19.4 to 14.8 ng/ml on average). The TSH responses to TRH were unaltered by the treatment (means 8.25 and 7.74 mIU/l). The results show that the TSH and partially the PRL releasing actions of TRH are not mediated via receptors that are effectively blocked by haloperidol.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of TSH and prolactin responses to TRH as predictors of the therapeutic effect of ECT in depression.

In a group of 42 unipolar depressed patients with melancholia the thyrotropin (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) responses to TRH were studied in relation to the clinical response to an ECT course. Patients were categorized as responders or nonresponders using as criterion a 50% reduction in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score. Comparison between responders and nonresponders with respect to the TSH and PRL responses to TRH did not reveal any significant differences. Thus, TSH and PRL responses were not proved to have a predictive value for the therapeutic ECT response in melancholia.

Aging↗
PubMed1993

Prolactin and thyrotropin responses to ECT after pindolol administration. A placebo controlled study.

The effect of pindolol, a beta-receptor blocker with potent 5-HT1 receptor antagonistic properties, on the prolactin (PRL) and thyrotropin (TSH) responses to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was systematically studied in 12 female depressed patients. In a balanced order, crossover design, the patients were given placebo or pindolol 5 mg orally, 1 h prior to bilateral ECT. The last five patients were additionally tested with 10 mg pindolol during the third ECT. Plasma levels of PRL and TSH increased in all three trials, but no consistent effect of pindolol on these hormonal responses could be demonstrated. Pindolol tended to attenuate seizure duration, especially at the 10 mg dose. The participation of 5-HT1 receptor activity in the secretion of PRL and TSH during ECT remains uncertain.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Clinical, endocrine and neurochemical effects of moclobemide in depressed patients.

The clinical efficacy of the monoamine oxidase A inhibitor moclobemide and its effect on the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and plasma and urine methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were investigated in 26 depressed patients during a 4-week clinical trial. Fourteen patients (54%) responded favourably to the treatment (50% or more reduction of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score). All (8) patients with an abnormal DST responded to treatment; 11 of 16 patients with a normal DST did not respond. Patients with low pretreatment MHPG excretion, according to the median value, were more frequently treatment responders. Plasma and urine MHPG were significantly decreased by treatment. The results indicate that low excretion of MHPG and cortisol nonsuppression may be considered as predictors of favourable clinical response to moclobemide treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Biogenic amine metabolites in plasma of drug-naive schizophrenic patients: associations with symptomatology.

The main metabolites of dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin, homovanillic acid, methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), were estimated in plasma of 20 drug-naive young male schizophrenic patients and 21 healthy controls. Although there were no significant differences between the two groups, multiple regression analysis revealed strong associations of the patients' 5-HIAA and MHPG plasma levels to their scores in the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale items. 5-HIAA levels were mainly related positively to hostility and negatively to somatic concern, and MHPG positively to disorientation and negatively to emotional withdrawal and uncooperativeness. The results suggest that levels of the neurotransmitter metabolites may be related to certain psychological dysfunctions of the patients rather than to disease entities.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Thyrotropin responses to TRH and MHPG excretion before and after an electroconvulsive therapeutic course in depressed patients.

1. TSH response to TRH, and urinary MHPG were investigated before and after an ECT course in 12 female patients with endogenous depression. 2. The changes caused by ECT treatment on these parameters were not significant. 3. A positive correlation (r = 0.75, p = 0.005) was found between the changes in TSH response and the changes in urinary MHPG excretion.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Total sympathetic activity and atrial natriuretic factor levels in VVI and DDD pacing with different atrioventricular delays during daily activity and exercise.

The purpose of the study was to assess at rest and during exercise total sympathetic activity, as expressed by plasma cyclic AMP (cAMP) blood levels and sinus node activity (SNA), as well as atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) blood levels in VVI and DDD pacing with long and short atrioventricular delays in DDD paced patients suffering from complete heart block. Clinical parameters, such as exercise time, and arterial blood pressure (ABP) were also taken into consideration. Thirteen patients (six males, mean age 65 +/- 2 years), were examined randomly in VVI and DDD pacing with 100 and 150 ms atrioventricular delays (AVD). Plasma cAMP and ANF were measured at rest, at peak exercise and 15 and 30 min after the test. The cAMP at rest remained unchanged whatever the pacing mode or the AVD, but 30 min after exercise, the cAMP levels were statistically lower in DDD pacing with short AVD (100 ms) than in DDD with long AVD (150 ms) or VVI pacing (cAMP DDD/100 ms: 16 +/- 0.8 pmol.ml-1, cAMP DDD/150 ms: 20 +/- 2 pmol.ml-1, P < 0.01, cAMP VVI: 29 pmol.ml-1, P < 0.001). ANF plasma levels at rest were significantly higher in VVI pacing than in DDD modes, with either long or short AVD (ANF DDD/100 ms: 93 +/- 10 pg.ml-1, ANF DDD/150 ms: 100 +/- 13 pg.ml-1, ANF VVI: 150 +/- 16 pg.ml-1, P < 0.001, P < 0.03 respectively compared to VVI).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1992

CSF neurotransmitter metabolites and short-term outcome of patients in coma after head injury.

The main metabolites of the neurotransmitters noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin, methoxy-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) respectively, were estimated by HPLC with electrochemical detection in CSF samples from 24 patients in coma after head injury, 1 to 12 (mean 3.0) days from accident, and from 24 age- and sex-matched subjects undergoing myelography for possible herniated disk. Analysis of variance with age as covariate, revealed significantly elevated levels of all three metabolites in the patients group. The concentrations of 5HIAA were negatively correlated to the score in the Glasgow Coma Scale. Fourteen patients who recovered with no or minor neurological deficits, had significantly lower CSF 5HIAA levels compared to the ten patients who had a bad outcome (death), while there were no differences regarding HVA or MHPG concentrations. The possibility of a connection of the high neurotransmitter turnover during coma to the development of post-traumatic depression is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Prolactin responses to haloperidol in drug-free and treated schizophrenic patients.

The prolactin response to 5 mg haloperidol i.m. was studied in 12 schizophrenic patients in a drug-free state and after a month treatment with haloperidol, as a possible index of dopamine receptor sensitivity and occupancy. Blood samples were taken at times 0, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. The increase in PRL observed in the drug-free state disappeared after drug treatment. The PRL plasma levels after treatment with 60 mg haloperidol per os were higher than the maximal PRL responses after 5 mg i.m. The increases in baseline PRL caused by the treatment correlated positively to the reduction in the BPRS score. The test was also performed in a group of 11 patients chronically treated with haloperidol during a daily dose of 60 mg, and 15 days after reduction of the dose to 30 mg. PRL increases after 5 mg haloperidol i.m. were observed only after reduction of the dose. It is suggested that the prolactin response to haloperidol is an index of the occupancy of receptors that are involved in the PRL releasing mechanisms, and could be used to verify their blockade by the neuroleptics, especially in patients that do not respond positively to drug treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Hormonal responses to clonidine and urinary MHPG in delusional and nondelusional melancholic patients: a placebo-controlled study.

The growth hormone (GH) and cortisol responses to intravenous clonidine (0.15 mg) treatment of 25 melancholic patients, 12 with and 13 without delusions, were studied with placebo control. The baseline concentrations of the main noradrenaline metabolite, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were also estimated in urine. Cortisol plasma levels decreased significantly and equally after both placebo and clonidine. Baseline cortisol levels correlated positively with urinary MHPG. Clonidine did not increase GH levels significantly over time compared with placebo. Delusional melancholic patients tended to have smaller GH responses to clonidine than nondelusionals (F = 2.18, P = 0.06). There were no differences in GH response to clonidine between high and low MHPG excretors.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Effects of ECT course on TSH and prolactin responses to TRH in depressed patients.

The thyrotropin (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) responses to TRH were studied in 15 female depressed patients with melancholia (nine unipolar, six bipolar) during an electroconvulsive therapeutic course. The test was performed before initiation of treatment, 5 days after the final ECT session, and 1 month later, when the patients were on medication with heterocyclic antidepressants (HCAs). The maximal hormonal responses were not altered 5 days after the final ECT but both increased significantly 1 month later. Responders (n = 8) and non-responders (n = 7) to ECT did not differ significantly as regards changes in delta max TSH and PRL. The seven non-responders to ECT improved markedly after 1 month's treatment with HCAs. Three out of four patients with blunted TSH response (less than 5 mu IU/ml) continued to exhibit a blunted response in both post-ECT TRH tests. The rank order of magnitude of delta max TSH remained remarkably stable throughout the assessment period as shown by the highly significant correlations between the values in the three time points.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Thyrotropin and prolactin responses to ECT in schizophrenia and depression.

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) plasma levels were studied during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in five schizophrenic patients in a simulated ECT (SECT) controlled experimental design. The data were compared to those obtained from a group of 10 depressed patients treated with ECT. In the schizophrenic group, both PRL and TSH increased significantly during ECT compared to SECT, as they did in the depressive group during ECT. Thus, the hormonal TSH and PRL profile during ECT is similar in schizophrenia and depression. It is concluded that the changes in TSH and PRL induced by ECT are specifically linked to the current or the seizure, and are not related to the type of psychopathology.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Platelet monoamine oxidase and plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activities in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) and plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activities were determined in a large group of multiple sclerose patients in relapse (49 patients) and in remission (28 patients), and compared with an age- and sex-matched control group (52 normal subjects). The activities of both enzymes did not differ from normal in both patient groups. Women had higher MAO activities both in normal and in patient groups. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed an association of low platelet MAO to the score in the mental subscale in the Kurtzke Disability Status Scale. Both male and female patients with mental symptomatology had significantly (p = 0.02) lower platelet MAO activities compared to the patients without. The possibility of a relationship between MAO activity and psychiatric vulnerability in MS is considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The effect of ECT on plasma cyclic nucleotides: a simulated ECT controlled study in melancholic patients.

Concentrations of cAMP and cGMP in plasma were measured in 20 drug-free melancholic patients during a simulated electroconvulsive treatment (SECT) and a bilateral ECT session. Blood samples were taken every 15 min beginning 15 min before and ending 60 min after the SECT or the ECT. Two-way ANOVA and paired t-test demonstrated a significant and greater fall in cAMP over time following SECT. ECT induced a marginal increase (P less than 0.05) at 45 min postictally. It is postulated that ECT causes an increase in cAMP levels which is masked by the decrease observed during SECT, caused presumably by the anaesthetic medication. The plasma cGMP levels were increased gradually and significantly after SECT and the same rise was observed during ECT. These effects are discussed in relation to changes in adrenergic-cholinergic activities induced by the medication and the electrical stimulus.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Ritanserin, a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, does not modify ECT-induced prolactin release.

The effect of pretreatment with ritanserin, a potent and selective serotonin-S2 (5-HT2) receptor antagonist, on the prolactin (PRL) response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was studied in seven female patients suffering from major depressive disorder. They were given either ECT alone, or ECT after 10 or 20 mg ritanserin PO, and PRL was estimated in blood samples taken at times -5, 0, +5, +15, +30 and +60 min. The PRL responses after drug administration were not different from the responses after ECT alone. We conclude that, if serotonergic mechanisms are involved in the ECT-induced PRL increase, this neuroendocrine response seems to be rather a 5-HT1 than 5-HT2 receptor mediated event.

Aged↗