Serum procalcitonin and cerebrospinal fluid cytokines level in children with meningitis

AIMS: To determine the level of serum procalcitonin and cerebrospinal fluid cytokines in children with bacterial or viral meningitis and to document the use of these parameters in differential diagnosis. RESULTS: Before the start of antibiotic treatment, serum procalcitonin and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were found to be higher in acute bacterial meningitis compared with viral meningitis and with the control group. Similarly, cerebrospinal fluid interleukin-6 levels were found to be significantly higher in children with acute bacterial meningitis compared with viral meningitis. However, no significant difference was determined between groups in respect to the cerebrospinal fluid interleukin-8 level. CONCLUSION: Serum procalcitonin and cerebrospinal fluid tumor necrosis factor alpha levels can be used in the early diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Similarly, they may be useful adjuncts in differential diagnosis of bacterial and viral meningitis.     

Cerebrospinal fluid gamma aminobutyric acid levels in migraine.

Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in cerebrospinal fluid were measured in seven patients with tension headache and 12 patients with migraine. GABA was detected only during the migraine attack. The results suggest disordered GABA metabolism in migraine.     

Effect of fractions of the cerebrospinal fluid from patients with drug dependence on basic electrophysiological characteristics of the rat olfactory cortex slices

Heroin addicts at the initial stage of abstinence syndrome were subjected to detoxication by liquorosorption technique. The fractions of their cerebrospinal fluid obtained by the thin layer chromatography technique were analyzed. The substances extracted from the cerebrospinal fluid of drug addicts, presumably peptides, negatively affected the conductive function and synaptic transmission in surviving slices of the olfactory cortex of rats. The conclusion was drawn about a possibility of application of surviving rat brain slices as test object for estimation of the extent of purification of the cerebrospinal fluid from toxic endogenous substances after the liquorosorption.     

A novel peptidomics approach to detect markers of Alzheimer's disease in cerebrospinal fluid

Sensitive and specific diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression are of prime importance to develop new therapies for Alzheimer's disease patients. Although the diagnostic accuracy, verified by pathological examination is high, it is currently not possible to diagnose Alzheimer's disease with a high degree of certainty until relatively late in the disease process. Here, we have undertaken a peptidome analysis of postmortem cerebrospinal fluid of neuropathologically confirmed Alzheimer's disease patients and non-demented controls using a combination of methods and technologies. This includes novel sample preparation based on the enrichment of endogenous, proteolytically derived peptides as well as peptides non-covalently bound to abundant proteins. We observed differences in peptide profiles associated with Alzheimer's disease in the endogenous peptide fraction and in the protein-bound peptide fraction. The discriminating peptides in the unbound peptide fraction were identified as VGF nerve growth factor inducible precursor, and complement C4 precursor, whereas the discriminating peptides in the protein-bound fraction were identified as VGF nerve growth factor inducible precursor, and alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein.     

Diurnal beta-endorphin changes in human cerebrospinal fluid

Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) beta-endorphin levels were determined by a RIA method in seven hydrocephalic male patients. The samples were simultaneously collected every two hours from 8 AM to 12 midnight and every hour from 1 AM to 7 AM. In both plasma and CSF beta-endorphin levels showed significant time-related variations during the 24 hour period. These results suggest the existence of diurnal CSF beta-endorphin variations analogous to those observed in plasma.     

中枢神经系统感染患儿血清和脑脊液CRP、PCT、TNF-α及MMP-9水平及其临床意义

目的:探讨中枢神经系统感染患儿血清和脑脊液C反应蛋白(CRP)、降钙素原(PCT)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)及基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)水平及其临床意义。方法:选择2017年1月~2018年6月期间南京市第二医院收治的中枢神经系统感染患儿93例作为研究对象,其中化脓性脑膜炎62例记为化脓性脑膜炎组,病毒性脑炎31例记为病毒性脑炎组,另选取同期于我院治疗的非中枢神经系统感染患儿40例作为对照组,比较各组血清、脑脊液CRP、PCT、TNF-α、MMP-9水平及阳性率,并计算血清和脑脊液CRP、PCT、TNF-α、MMP-9诊断中枢神经系统感染的灵敏度、特异度及准确度。结果:化脓性脑膜炎组患儿血清、脑脊液CRP、PCT、TNF-α及MMP-9水平及阳性率高于病毒性脑炎组和对照组,病毒性脑炎组患儿血清、脑脊液CRP、TNF-α及MMP-9水平及阳性率高于对照组(P<0.05),病毒性脑炎组与对照组血清、脑脊液PCT水平及阳性率比较无统计学差异(P>0.05)。血清或脑脊液CRP+PCT+TNF-α+MMP-9联合检验对中枢神经系统感染具有一定的诊断价值。结论:中枢神经系统感染患儿血清、脑脊液CRP、TNF-α、PCT及MMP-9水平明显升高,其中化脓性脑膜炎患儿血清、脑脊液PCT水平高于病毒性脑炎患儿,血清或脑脊液CRP、PCT、TNF-α及MMP-9联合检验对儿童中枢神经系统感染的鉴别诊断具有较高的价值。     

Plasma beta carotene in Alzheimer's disease. Association with cerebrospinal fluid beta-amyloid 1-40, (Abeta40), beta-amyloid 1-42 (Abeta42) and total Tau

We studied the plasma beta carotene concentrations in 40 Alzheimer's disease patients and the association with cerebrospinal fluid beta-amyloid 1-40, (Abeta40), cerebrospinal fluid beta-amyloid 1-42 (Abeta42) and cerebrospinal fluid total Tau. We found that patients with plasma beta carotene levels below the 25th percentile had 55% reduced ratios of Abeta40/Tau and 51% reduced ratios of Abeta 40/Abeta 42 compared with patients in the highest quartile. Mean Tau concentrations in the lowest quartile of plasma beta-carotene levels were 74% higher compared with the highest quartile of plasma beta-carotene levels. Thus, we could demonstrate an statistically significant association between beta carotene levels in plasma and neurochemical markers in the cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer's disease patients.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic resolution of synthetic opiate and “anti-opiate” peptides from human plasma

An assay system using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) resolution of synthetic anti-opioid peptides (AOPs) and opioid peptides (OPs) was developed. Samples were diluted with trifluoroacetic acid, loaded onto Sep-Pak C₁₈ cartridges, eluted, dried, and redissolved in ethanol-acetic acid-water. Retention-time consistency was established, and high levels of synthetic AOP and OP recovery, generally higher than 80%, were achieved. In a single HPLC run synthetic enkephalins, dynorphins, and β-endorphins were separated even when extracted from human plasma using a volatile mobile phase which yielded fractions totally compatible with quantitation by radioimmunoassay. Combining the resolution of HPLC with the sensitivity of radioimmunoassay (RIA) may facilitate simultaneous measurement of numerous neuropeptides in body fluids such as plasma and cerebrospinal fluid.     

醒脑静注射液联合血府逐瘀汤对SAH大鼠CRP、TNF-alpha的影响

目的：探讨醒脑静注射液联合血府逐瘀汤对蛛网膜下腔出血（subarachnoidhemorrhage,SAH）大鼠C反应蛋白(C-reactionprotein, CRP) 、肿瘤坏死因子-a（Tumor necrosis factor-a,TNF-a）的影响。方法：50 只大鼠随机分为5 组：正常组,模型组,醒脑静组 （0.3 mL/kg）,血府逐瘀汤组（0.3 mL/kg）,联合用药组（醒脑静联合血府逐瘀汤）。除正常组外,其余4组采用" 二次枕大池注血法" 建立大鼠SAH 模型。从造模成功后的第1 d 开始给药,连续给药7 d。正常对照组及模型组给予等量生理盐水。分别在术前、术后 1 d、3 d、7 d、14 d取血浆及脑脊液,按ELISA 试剂盒说明书分别测定各组血清及脑脊液中肿瘤坏死因子-alpha（TNF-alpha）、C- 反应蛋白 （CRP）的含量。结果：（1）术后随着时间推移,SAH大鼠血清及脑脊液中TNF-alpha及CRP 含量逐渐上升,在第7 d 达到高峰。（2）术 后第1 d,与正常组比较,模型组中血清及脑脊液中TNF-琢、CRP含量均显著上升,差异显著（P<0.01）;与模型组比较,醒脑静组及 血府逐瘀汤组中血清及脑脊液中TNF-alpha、CRP 含量无差异（P>0.05）,而联合用药组中血清及脑脊液中TNF-琢含量下降,差异具有 显著意义（P<0.05）。（3）术后第3 d、7 d、14 d,与正常组比较,模型组中血清及脑脊液中TNF-琢、CRP 含量均显著上升,差异显著 （P<0.01）;与模型组比较,醒脑静组、血府逐瘀汤组及联合用药组中血清及脑脊液中TNF-琢、CRP 含量下降,差异均显著（P<0.0 1）,与醒脑静组或血府逐瘀汤组比较,联合用药组中血清及脑脊液中TNF-alpha、CRP含量下降,差异均显著（P<0.05）。结论：醒脑静 联合血府逐瘀汤能有效缓解SAH大鼠CVS,与降低SAH大鼠血清及脑脊中TNF-alpha、CRP 水平有关。     

Identification of neuropeptide FF-related peptides in human cerebrospinal fluid by mass spectrometry

Several neuropeptide FF (NPFF)-related peptides, known as modulators of the opioid system, have been previously characterized in bovine and rodent brain. Reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) fractions of a human with normal pressure hydrocephalus cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), co-migrating with NPFF-related synthetic peptides, were characterized by capillary HPLC coupled on-line to nanospray ion trap tandem mass spectrometry. Two peptides present in the pro-NPFF(A) precursor, NPAF (AGEGLNSQFWSLAAPQRF-NH2) and NPSF (SLAAPQRF-NH2), were identified. The monitoring of NPFF-related peptides in human CSF can be helpful to understand their roles in pain sensitivity.     

小儿危重病例评分联合脑脊液降钙素原、白细胞介素-6对重症病毒性脑炎患儿预后不良发生风险预测作用的初步研究

摘要 目的：探讨小儿危重病例评分（PCIS）联合脑脊液降钙素原（PCT）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）对重症病毒性脑炎（SVE）患儿预后不良的预测价值。方法：回顾性分析2020年1月至2021年12月我院收治的104例SVE患儿的临床病历资料,根据儿童格拉斯哥预后量表（CGOS）将患儿分为预后不良组（CGOS评级1~4级,n=39）和预后良好组（CGOS评级5级,n=65）。采用PCIS对患儿病情严重程度进行评估,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测患儿脑脊液PCT和IL-6水平。采用多因素logistic回归分析SVE患儿预后不良的影响因素,绘制受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线评估PCIS联合脑脊液PCT及IL-6对预后不良的预测价值。结果：预后不良组意识障碍、惊厥、合并脏器损伤发生率、脑脊液白细胞计数、PCT、IL-6水平高于预后良好组（P<0.05）,视频脑电图（VEEG）重度异常构成比大于预后良好组（P<0.05）,预后不良组PCIS评分低于预后良好组（P<0.05）。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示：合并脏器损伤、VEEG重度异常、脑脊液白细胞计数（较高）、PCT（较高）和IL-6水平（较高）是SVE患儿预后不良的危险因素（OR=1.449、3.732、1.355、1.483、1.388,P<0.05）,PCIS评分（较高）是SVE患儿预后不良的保护因素（OR=0.769,P<0.05）。PCIS评分、脑脊液PCT和IL-6预测预后不良的曲线下面积（AUC）为0.869,灵敏度、特异性分别为0.85、0.78,均高于单一指标检测。结论：PCIS、脑脊液PCT及IL-6均是SVE患儿预后的影响因素,联合检测有助于预测患儿预后不良发生风险,从而指导临床制定针对性诊疗方案以改善患儿预后。     

The VGVAPG Peptide Regulates the Production of Nitric Oxide Synthases and Reactive Oxygen Species in Mouse Astrocyte Cells In Vitro

Neurochemical Research - The products of elastin degradation, namely elastin-derived peptides (EDPs), are detectable in the cerebrospinal fluid of healthy individuals and in patients after ischemic...     

Abnormal Expression of Cerebrospinal Fluid Cation Chloride Cotransporters in Patients with Rett Syndrome

Objective

Rett Syndrome is a progressive neurodevelopmental disorder caused mainly by mutations in the gene encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2. The relevance of MeCP2 for GABAergic function was previously documented in animal models. In these models, animals show deficits in brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease. Neuronal Cation Chloride Cotransporters (CCCs) play a key role in GABAergic neuronal maturation, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor is implicated in the regulation of CCCs expression during development. Our aim was to analyse the expression of two relevant CCCs, NKCC1 and KCC2, in the cerebrospinal fluid of Rett syndrome patients and compare it with a normal control group.

Methods

The presence of bumetanide sensitive NKCC1 and KCC2 was analysed in cerebrospinal fluid samples from a control pediatric population (1 day to 14 years of life) and from Rett syndrome patients (2 to 19 years of life), by immunoblot analysis.

Results

Both proteins were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid and their levels are higher in the early postnatal period. However, Rett syndrome patients showed significantly reduced levels of KCC2 and KCC2/NKCC1 ratio when compared to the control group.

Conclusions

Reduced KCC2/NKCC1 ratio in the cerebrospinal fluid of Rett Syndrome patients suggests a disturbed process of GABAergic neuronal maturation and open up a new therapeutic perspective.     

FREE AMINO ACID LEVELS IN THE CEREBROSPINAL FLUID OF NORMAL HUMANS AND THEIR VARIATION IN CASES OF EPILEPSY AND SPIELMEYER-VOGT-BATTEN DISEASE

Abstract— The concentrations of free amino acids in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid from control subjects and from patients suffering from epilepsy and Spielmeyer-Vogt-Batten disease were determined using an automatic amino acid analyser. It was found that the plasma/cerebrospinal fluid ratio of amino acid concentrations showed the variation in the amounts of free amino acids in epilepsy more clearly than the cerebrospinal fluid levels alone.     

Peptides in the cerebrospinal fluid of neuropsychiatric patients: An approach to central nervous system peptide function

This review highlights that essentially all of the recently discovered putative central nervous system (CNS) peptides and other peptide substances are measurable in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Preliminary evidence also suggests that peptides in CSF may have an active regulatory role in relation to CNS function and behavior. Even if this is not the case, CSF peptides may prove to be a useful indirect marker of CNS peptide function and metabolism. Alterations in peptides have been reported in neurological and psychiatric illness, pain symptoms and their treatment, symptoms such as anxiety, and following treatment with CNS active drugs such as carbamazepine. CSF methodologies provide a strategy for the study of the interaction of classical neurotransmitters and peptide substances and their relationship to neural function and behavior in man. Assessment of peptides in CSF may supplement post mortem studies of peptide levels and receptor distribution and help lead to new diagnostic and treatment approaches in neuropsychiatric disorders.     

Morphine and codeine are endogenous components of human cerebrospinal fluid

We have examined cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from twelve patients who were not on any medication and found them to contain both morphine and codeine in concentrations of 2 to 339 fmol/ml. These are comparable to the concentration of opioid peptides in spinal fluid. Both morphine and codeine are present mainly in conjugated form from which the free alkaloids can be released by acid hydrolysis.     

High enkephalyl peptide degradation, due to angiotensin-converting enzyme-like activity in human CSF

The metabolism of enkephalin peptides was studied in human cerebrospinal fluid. The degradation rates of (Leu)-enkephalin and (Leu)-enkephalin-Arg6 were compared and the latter was degraded at a 10-fold higher rate. The major enzyme activity was investigated by Mr determination and inhibition experiments, showing marked similarity with angiotensin-converting enzyme.     

Apports de la biologie dans le diagnostic des démences

Since 2007, the combined dosage of three biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid has been considered an essential component of procedures to help establish a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These biomarkers include total-Tau proteins, phosphorylated variants of Tau and amyloid-beta peptides. Their levels are altered early during the course of AD but they are not useful for a differential diagnosis of other dementing disorders. Perspectives therefore focus on finding plasmatic biomarkers and developing new biomarkers that would aid discrimination between dementing disorders.     

Reduced cholecystokinin immunoreactivity in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with psychiatric disorders

The close relationship of cholecystokinin peptides with some of the dopamine pathways and the limbic system suggests a putative role for these peptides in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders such as Parkinson's disease, manic-depression and schizophrenia. By use of radio-immunoassay, we report a significant decrease in cholecystokinin-immunoreactivity in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with bipolar manic-depression and untreated schizophrenia in comparison to control subjects.     

Cerebrospinal fluid cyclic AMP levels in rhesus monkeys: daily fluctuations.

Daily fluctuations in cerebrospinal fluid cyclic AMP levels were found in neurologically intact rhesus monkeys. When animals were maintained in continuous dim light as opposed to a 12L/12D regimen, the fluctuations in cerebrospinal fluid cyclic AMP levels appeared to be reduced. Knowledge of these daily fluctuations may be helpful for protocols of future experiments concerning measurements of CSF cAMP.