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The serum level of pro-inflammatory IL-6 in patients with generalized epilepsy decreased in statistically significant way during VPA therapy, so the anti-inflammatory properties of VPA are also important for the effective control of seizure. Due to the incompatibility of reports on the influence of VPA on cytokine system in patients with generalized epilepsy, this problem needs more investigations, especially in the group of children.

Background. Vitamin D, known for its role in calcium-phosphorus homeostasis, is also a significant immunomodulatory factor. Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in some autoimmune disorders. Recently, vitamin D level in autoimmune thyroiditis (HT -Hashimoto's thyroiditis) has become the subject of researchers' interest. Objectives. This study aims to assess vitamin 25-OH-D3 levels in HT patients in comparison to a control group in the Polish population. This would be the first attempt conducted in this region with such poor sunlight exposure. Material and Methods. The group we studied consisted of 62 subjects diagnosed with HT (mean age 49.15 ± 15.51) and 32 healthy controls matched with age and sex (mean age 46.09 ± 14.32). All blood samples were collected in the first quarter of the year to minimize the impact of seasonal fluctuations of vitamin D concentrations. Results. In the HT group the mean vitamin D level was 20.09 nmol/L (SD ± 12.66), compared to 30.31 nmol/L (SD ± 19.49) in the controls, p = 0.014. None of the patients and the controls was vitamin D sufficient (75-125 nmol/L). The deficiency (< 50 nmol/L) was significantly more common among HT patients compared to the controls (61-98.4% vs. 27-84.4%, p = 0.029). Conclusions. In conclusion, we found that serum vitamin D concentration is significantly lower in HT patients in comparison to the control group. This suggests vitamin D deficit as one of the risk factors for HT development. Observed vitamin D level was also low in the control group, therefore wider supplementation in general population should be recommended (Adv Clin Exp Med 2015, 24, 5, 801-806).

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of the antineuronal antibodies anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), in patients with bipolar disorder (BD), during manic and depressive episodes and in remission compared to euthymic patients receiving long-term lithium therapy. Methods: Serum levels of anti-NMDAR and anti-GAD 450/620 antibodies, as well as IGF-1, were measured using the ELISA method in 19 manic and 17 depressed patients both in an acute episode and in remission after the episode. All of the subjects were under pharmacological treatment. The control group included 18 euthymic BD patients receiving lithium for 9–44 years (mean 22 ± 11) in whom a single measurement was performed. Results: Serum levels of anti-NMDAR antibodies were higher in acute manic episodes than in lithium-treated patients. Serum levels of anti-GAD 450/620 antibodies were higher in acute manic and depressive episodes compared to remission after the respective episode. Their values in both acute manic and depressive episodes were higher than those in lithium-treated patients. Serum levels of IGF-1 were higher in acute manic episodes and in remission after mania than in lithium-treated patients. Conclusion: Higher levels of anti-NMDAR and anti-GAD antibodies during episodes may point to an abnormality in the glutamatergic system in BD. Increased levels of IGF-1 during an acute manic episode and in remission after mania may constitute a compensatory mechanism against excitotoxicity. Lower levels of anti-NMDAR, anti-GAD antibodies, and IGF-1 during long-term lithium treatment may reflect normalization of this processes, contributing to mood stabilization.