Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and the leading cause of acquired disability in adults in most regions. There have been distinguished modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors of stroke. Among them the emotional stress was presented as a risk factor. The aim of this review was to present available data regarding the influence of acute and chronic mental stress on the risk of ischemic stroke as well as discussing the potential pathomechanisms of such relationship. There is an evident association between both acute and chronic emotional stress and risk of stroke. Several potential mechanisms are discussed to be the cause. Stress can increase the cerebrovascular disease risk by modulating symphaticomimetic activity, affecting the blood pressure reactivity, cerebral endothelium, coagulation or heart rhythm. The emotional stress seems to be still underestimated risk factor in neurological practice and research. Further studies and analyses should be provided for better understanding of this complex, not fully known epidemiological problem.

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of motor impairment and psychosocial disability. Although free fatty acids (FFA) have been proven to affect the risk of stroke and potentially dementia, the evidence of their impact on cognitive functions in stroke patients is lacking. We aimed to establish such potential relationships. Seventy-two ischemic stroke patients were prospectively analysed. Their cognitive functions were assessed seven days post-stroke and six months later as follow-up (n = 41). Seven days post-stroke analysis of serum FFAs levels showed direct correlations between Cognitive Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and the following FFAs: C20:4n6 arachidonic acid and C20:5n3 eicosapentaenoic acid, while negative correlations were observed for C18:3n3 linolenic acid (ALA), C18:4 n3 stearidonic acid and C23:0 tricosanoic acid. Follow-up examination with CVLT revealed positive correlations with C15:0 pentadecanoid acid, C18:3n6 gamma linoleic acid, SDA, C23:0 tricosanoic acid and negative correlations with C14:0 myristic acid and C14:1 myristolenic acids. Several tests (Trail Making Test, Stroop Dots Trail, Digit Span Test and Verbal Fluency Test) were directly correlated mainly with C14:0 myristic acid and C14:1 myristolenic acid, while corresponding negatively with C18:1 vaccinic acid, C20:3n3 cis-11-eicosatrienoic acid, C22:1/C20:1 cis11- eicosanic acid and C20:2 cis-11-eicodienoic acid. No correlations between Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) test performed on seventh day, and FFAs levels were found. Saturated fatty acids play a negative role in long-term cognitive outcomes in stroke patients. The metabolic cascade of polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3 PUFA) and the synthesis of (AA) can be involved in pathogenesis of stroke-related cognitive impairment.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune, neurodegenerative disease with the involvement of white and grey matter. Histopathological abnormalities can be also identified in normal appearing white matter (NAWM). Aim of the study: To compare the micro-and astroglia proliferation within NAWM in MS cases with and without inflammatory activity within central nervous system (CNS). Material and methods: In post-mortem brain examinations we investigated 13 MS cases and 5 individuals who suddenly died for cardiological reasons without neurological comorbidities. We analysed micro-and astroglia proliferation within NAWM in histologically active and inactive MS cases in relation to the control group. To avoid the possible influence of the modern disease modifying treatment (DMT) on NAWM histopathological appearance, we decided to investigate the individuals who died before the modern DMT was introduced in Poland. The morphometric analysis of micro-and astrogliosis was carried out at magnification 10 × 10 (microscopic lens × oculars = magnification 100×). The fields were expressed in mm 2 ; each field = 0.364 mm 2. In total, 775 fields of NAWM and 420 fields of white matter in the control group were morphometrically assessed. Results: Significantly higher microglia proliferation appeared both in MS active and inactive cases compared to controls, while there were no differences between active and inactive cases. There was a significantly higher proliferation within NAWM of active MS cases compared to the inactive ones and controls as well as between inactive cases and controls. There were no correlations between microglia and astrocytes proliferation either in active or inactive MS groups. Conclusions: Our results suggest that within MS NAWM, which appears to be involved at the very least, intense diffuse micro-and astroglia reactions occur. Possibly, microglia rather support proinflammatory mechanisms, whereas astrocytes seem to be more neuroprotective. Diffuse microglia proliferation indicates that CNS immune system is chronically activated within the whole CNS.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a malignant glioma, difficult to detect and with the lowest survival rates among gliomas. Its greater incidence among men and its higher survival rate among premenopausal women suggest that it may be associated with the levels of androgens. As androgens stimulate the androgen receptor (AR), which acts as a transcription factor, the aim of this study was the investigate the role of AR in the progression of GBM. The study was conducted on tissues collected from three regions of GBM tumors (tumor core, enhancing tumor region, and peritumoral area). In addition, an in vitro experiment was conducted on U-87 cells under various culture conditions (necrotic, hypoxic, and nutrient-deficient), mimicking the conditions in a tumor. In both of the models, androgen receptor expression was determined at the gene and protein levels, and the results were confirmed by confocal microscopy and immunohistochemistry. AR mRNA expression was higher under nutrient-deficient conditions and lower under hypoxic conditions in vitro. However, there were no differences in AR protein expression. No differences in AR mRNA expression were observed between the tested tumor structures taken from patients. No differences in AR mRNA expression were observed between the men and women. However, AR protein expression in tumors resected from patients was higher in the enhancing tumor region and in the peritumoral area than in the tumor core. In women, higher AR expression was observed in the peritumoral area than in the tumor core. AR expression in GBM tumors did not differ significantly between men and women, which suggests that the higher incidence of GBM in men is not associated with AR expression. In the group consisting of men and women, AR expression varied between the regions of the tumor: AR expression was higher in the enhancing tumor region and in the peritumoral area than in the tumor core, showing a dependence on tumor conditions (hypoxia and insufficient nutrient supply).

Patients with atherogenic ischemic stroke may have significantly higher anti-oxLDL Abs concentrations. This should be interpreted as an attempt to limit the consequences of oxLDL production; however, this phenomenon does not seem to protect patients against cerebrovascular events.