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Decreased platelet serotonin level is associated with fatigue and depression in Sjogren's syndrome.

Serotonin content of platelet in Sjogren's syndrome.

By selective breeding, two sublines of rats with high or low activity of platelet serotonin (5HT) transporter (5HTt) have been developed (Wistar-Zagreb 5HT rats). Previous studies demonstrated significant differences between the sublines in the expression of platelet 5HTt at the level of both, mRNA and protein. Pharmacological studies showed marked alterations in brain 5HTt function, indicating differences in central serotonin homeostasis, although analysis of regional brain 5HTt gene expression did not show analogous differences. In this study, we searched for possible changes in the expression of the two central 5HT receptor subtypes: 5HT-1A and 5HT-1B, both participating in the regulation of brain 5HT transmission. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR, with three different housekeeping genes as internal standards, showed no differences in the levels of 5HT-receptor expression between the sublines. Results suggest that constitutional alteration of 5HT homeostasis, induced by selective breeding for the extremes of platelet 5HTt activity, did not cause measurable changes in the expression of central 5HT-1A (hippocampus) and 5HT-1B (striatum) receptors in the mentioned rat sublines under physiological conditions.

Aim was to assess possible differences in platelet monoamino oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity, ego strength, and neuroticism in combat-experienced soldiers with or without current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The soldiers with current PTSD (N=36) and a control group of 34 healthy soldiers were matched in combat experience, time passed between combat experience and the study, demographic variables (age, marital status, education), and smoking status. Platelet MAO-B was assayed fluorometrically, ego strength was measured by the Croatian version of the Ego Identity Scale, and neuroticism by the N-scale from Eysenck's EPQ-R questionnaire. Soldiers with combat-related current PTSD had lower platelet MAO-B activity than the control group (9.1 +/- 2.9 vs. 11.9 +/- 4.0 ; p

Dr. Fröbe participated in the creation of the concept of research as well as writing paper.

Professor Frobe participated in elaborationa of the idea, collecting data and writing of the article.

Professor Fröbe participated in the creation of the concept of research as well as writing of the article.

Aim was to evaluate the significance of plasma free serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) and Ca15.3 for the early detection of breast cancer recurrence. Free serotonin and Ca15.3 levels were measured by I-125-Serotonin RIA (DDV Diagnostica, Marburg, Germany) in plasma and an ELISA kit (Roche Diagnostic GmbH, Mannheim, Germany) in serum, respectively in women (N=29) who responded to primary treatment for breast cancer and who were followed-up for recurrence. For analysis, patients were sub-divided according to TNM staging into groups with localized (T1-2N0- M0) and advanced (T1-2N1-2M0-1) disease. The control group were healthy blood donors. Patients with advanced disease had a significantly higher plasma serotonin level than those with localized disease or controls, whereas Ca15.3 levels remained in normal range in all groups. At the time of serotonin measurement, radiological findings were negative for all patients in the localized-disease group, but positive in nine patients in the advanced-disease group. Plasma free serotonin may be used for the early detection of recurrent/metastatic breast cancer disease, but validation on a larger number of patients is needed.