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Bioactive sphingolipids: sphingosine, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), ceramide, and ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) are increasingly implicated in cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and in multiple aspects of stress response in the nervous system. The opposite roles of closely related sphingolipid species in cell survival/death signaling is reflected in the concept of tightly controlled sphingolipid rheostat. Aging has a complex influence on sphingolipid metabolism, disturbing signaling pathways and the properties of lipid membranes. A metabolic signature of stress resistance-associated sphingolipids correlates with longevity in humans. Moreover, accumulating evidence suggests extensive links between sphingolipid signaling and the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I)-Akt-mTOR pathway (IIS), which is involved in the modulation of aging process and longevity. IIS integrates a wide array of metabolic signals, cross-talks with p53, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), or reactive oxygen species (ROS) and influences gene expression to shape the cellular metabolic profile and stress resistance. The multiple connections between sphingolipids and IIS signaling suggest possible engagement of these compounds in the aging process itself, which creates a vulnerable background for the majority of neurodegenerative disorders.

In summary, it seems that NGS preceded by nucleic acid amplification could supplement currently used diagnostic methods in encephalitis.

The clinical outcome of autologous adipose stem cell (ASC) treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) was investigated following one year of observation. Methods. The clinical and MRI outcomes of 16 ASC-treated patients with RRMS and SPMS are reported after a one-year follow-up period. Results. At 18 months of follow-up, some patients showed “enticing” improvements on some exploratory efficacy measures, although a significant benefit was not observed for any measure across the entire group. Neither the progression of disability nor relapses were observed in any cases. In four patients, we found new gadolinium+ (Gd+) lesions on MRI. Our results indicate that ASC therapy is safe and does not produce any substantial side effects. Disease progression-free survival (PFS) of 18 months was seen in all patients with RRMS and SPMS. In these patients, EDSS scores did not progress above baseline scores. Gd-enhancing lesions were observed in two cases with RRMS, but these patients did not exhibit changes in EDSS score. Conclusion. Intrathecal treatment with ASCs is an attractive form of therapy for patients with MS but should be reserved for cases with aggressive disease progression, for cases that are still in the inflammatory phase, and for the malignant form.

It is believed that nitric oxide (NO) plays a significant role in migraine attacks. This molecule is formed due to the conversion of L-arginine into L-citrulline. The target receptor for NO is ferrum in the heme group of cytoplasmic guanyl cyclase, the enzyme catalyzing cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) formation. To confirm this hypothesis, cGMP and nitrite level in the blood serum were measured in patients with migraine. The group under study included 37 subjects suffering from migraine with and without aura and 40 normal control subjects. The cGMP was measured during a migraine attack and 60 min following the administration of sumatriptan 6 mg subcutaneously. A statistically significant increase in cGMP level was observed in patients during a migraine attack compared to the controls. This level decreased after the administration of sumatriptan, but it was still higher than in the controls. No correlation was found between the increased cGMP level and pain intensification with clinical symptoms of migraine. The results suggest the participation of biochemical changes in migraine pathogenesis in the L-arginine-NO-cGMP pathway.