Igor Škodáček

Oxidative Stress in University Students during Examinations

Mental stress in psychiatric disease and in daily life contributes to oxidative stress in the body. In this study we investigated a connection between possible psychological stress caused by university undergraduate examinations and oxidative stress experienced by our test subjects. Some parameters of oxidative stress (single strand breaks of DNA in lymphocytes, sensitivity to lipid oxidation and antioxidant status) were studied in medical students on the day of the examination (stress condition) and compared with the same parameters obtained from the same students during the term between two examination periods (non-stress condition). The results show that in the stress condition oxidative damage to DNA and sensitivity to lipid oxidation were significantly increased (p<0.05) when compared with the same parameters in “non-stress” conditions. A significant decrease in plasma antioxidant activity (p<0.05) in students that were under stress was observed. These results suggest that during university examinations students are under increased oxidative stress.

Effect of polyphenolic extract, Pycnogenol®, on the level of 8-oxoguanine in children suffering from attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

The purpose of this randomized, double-blind and placebo controlled study was to test the effect of polyphenolic extract of pine bark Pycnogenol® (Pyc) on the level of oxidized purines represented by 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) and on the total antioxidant status (TAS) in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We have found significantly increased damage to DNA in ADHD children when compared to controls. 8-oxoG was significantly lower after 1 month of Pyc administration in comparison to the beginning state and to placebo group. TAS in ADHD children was lower in comparison to controls. After Pyc administration, TAS was elevated but statistically significant increase was recorded after 1 month of termination of Pyc application. Improvement of DNA damage and TAS after Pyc administration is associated with the improvement of attention in ADHD children. In conclusion, Pycnogenol® administration reduces oxidative damage to DNA, normalizes TAS and improves attention of ADHD children. Explanation of mutual relation between oxidative damage to DNA, TAS and symptoms of ADHD and mechanism of Pycs action needs further investigations.

Urinary catecholamines in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Modulation by a polyphenolic extract from pine bark (Pycnogenol®)

Abstract Our study tested the hypothesis that treatment with a potent polyphenol complex not only reduces hyperactivity of children, but also catecholamine excretion and oxidative stress. Urine catecholamine concentrations were measured in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children and healthy controls. ADHD children received either placebo (PL) or Pycnogenol® (Pyc), a bioflavonoid extract from the pine bark, for one month. The study was performed in a randomized, double-blind, PL controlled design. Concentrations of catecholamines were higher in urine of ADHD patients compared to those of healthy children. Moreover, noradrenaline (NA) concentrations positively correlated with degree of hyperactivity of ADHD children. In ADHD patients, adrenaline (A) and NA concentrations positively correlated with plasma levels of oxidized glutathione. The treatment of ADHD children with Pyc caused decrease of dopamine (D) and trend of A and NA decrase and increased GSH/GSSG ratio. In conclusion, the data provide further evidence for the overactivity of the noradrenergic system in ADHD and demonstrate that A release may be increased, as well. Treatment of ADHD children with Pyc normalized catecholamine concentrations, leading to less hyperactivity, and, consequently, to reduced oxidative stress.

The effect of polyphenolic extract from pine bark, Pycnogenol® on the level of glutathione in children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Abstract Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) belongs to the neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impulsivity, distractibility and hyperactivity. In the pathogenesis of ADHD genetic and non-genetic factors play an important role. It is assumed that one of non-genetic factors should be oxidative stress. Pycnogenol®, an extract from the pine bark, consists of bioflavonoids, catechins, procyanidins and phenolic acids. Pycnogenol® acts as powerful antioxidant, chelating agent; it stimulates the activities of some enzymes, like SOD, eNOS, and exhibits other biological activities. Aim: The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was to investigate the influence of administered Pycnogenol® or placebo on the level of reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione in children suffering from ADHD and on total antioxidant status (TAS). This is the first investigation of the redox glutathione state in relation to ADHD. Results: One month of Pycnogenol® administration (1 mg/kg body weight/day) caused a significant decrease in GSSG and a highly significant increase in GSH levels as well as improvement of GSH/GSSG ratio in comparison to a group of patients taking a placebo. TAS in children with ADHD was decreased in comparison with reference values. Pycnogenol® administration normalizes TAS of ADHD children.

Suicide rate trends in the Slovak Republic in 1993-2015

Background: Suicide is a significant public health issue worldwide, resulting in loss of lives, and burdening societies. Aims: To describe and analyze the time trends of suicide rates (SRs) in the Slovak Republic in 1993–2015 for targeted suicide prevention strategies. Methods: Data for this study were obtained from the mortality database of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. Crude and standardized annual SRs were calculated. Trends and relative risks of suicide according to age and sex were analyzed by joinpoint regression and negative binomial regression. Results: In total, there were 14,575 suicides in the Slovak Republic in the period 1993–2015 (85.3% were men). The overall average age-standardized SR for the study period was 11.45 per 100,000 person years. The rate increases with age, the highest is in men aged 75+ (42.74 per 100,000 person years). Risk of suicide is six times higher in men than in women and nine times higher in men than in women in the age group 25–34. The time trend of SRs is stable or decreasing from 1993 to 2007, but increasing after 2007, corresponding with increased unemployment rate in the country. Conclusion: The SR in the Slovak Republic is slightly below the average of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations. Highest SR is observed in men of working age and in retirement. Society might benefit from a strategy of education for improving the recognition of suicide risks.

Comparison of history of adolescents with substance-induced psychosis, early onset schizophrenia and substance use disorders.

OBJECTIVE The contribution contains a comparison of the history data of adolescent patients hospitalized at the Department of Child Psychiatry, Children´s Faculty Hospital in Bratislava with the diagnoses of Substance-Induced Psychosis (SIP), Early Onset Schizophrenia (EOS) and with Substance Use Disorders (SUD). BACKGROUND SIP is rarely recorded and little documented by the age of 18. The etiology of this disorder is still relatively unclear. METHODS The data collection was carried out from patients hospitalized between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2012. We recorded data from 20 patients hospitalized with SIP, 50 patients hospitalized with EOS, and 50 patients hospitalized with SUD. We collected and compared the data on family history, perinatal complications, early psychomotor development, data on psychical problems before their hospitalization, and presence of unfavorable life situations in their childhood. CONCLUSION The data of adolescents with SIP are more similar to the data of patients with EOS than patients with SUD in terms of the burden of family history, the frequency of complications during pregnancy and delivery, and the frequency of the subsequent early psychomotor impairment. In terms of unfavorable life situations and psychological problems for which they were monitored in a psychiatric ward before their hospitalization with SIP, their data are more similar to those of patients with SUD than with EOS (Tab. 3, Fig. 1, Ref. 21).

History of Psychotherapy in Slovakia

Authors present the history of psychotherapy in Slovakia. The first section refers to the social requirements for psychology and psychotherapy development. The history of psychotherapy alone is analysed in three stages of development. The first stage includes the years 1918–1945, where, related to the activities of the Clinic of Psychiatry and Neurology of the Faculty of Medicine of Comenius University in Bratislava, we come across the first attempts at applying psychothera - peutic approaches in medical practice and in the training of physicians. The second developmental stage (1945–1989) introduces individuals that significantly influenced the development of psychotherapeutic theories and their application in individual fields of clinical practice. They simultaneously show the contribution of the training school SUR to the development of psychotherapy in Slovakia. The most significant changes in the aspect of domestication and development of psychotherapy in Slovakia happened in the last characterised stage, in the period following the Velvet Revolution in 1989. The previously almost unavailable psychotherapeutic literature became available and psychotherapy was gradually introduced into the undergraduate and postgraduate education of physicians and other professionals. The first Slovak Society of Psychotherapy was founded and became a common ground for professionals in this field. In the final section of this paper, the authors present current questions and problems of the development, research and application of psychotherapy in Slovakia and briefly characterise the influence of legislation changes and reforms in healthcare on the position of psychotherapy.