Biomedical subjects

Elzbieta Swietochowska

Publications and source records attributed to Elzbieta Swietochowska.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Melatonin and bone status].

This paper reviews the findings accumulated on the role of melatonin (MEL) on bone status and the role of RANKL/RANK/OPG system (receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand/ receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B/osteoprotegerin) in this mechanism. Recent studies indicate that MEL may influence on the bone directly by acting osteoclasts and perhaps osteoblasts, and/or indirectly by down-regulating RANK-mediated osteoclast formation and activation. Induced by MEL, changes in the level of factors which play a role in the regulation of bone remodelling, may secondarily (directly and/or indirectly through RANKURANK/OPG system) influence on bone status.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Assessment of selected parameters measured on panoramic radiographs in postmenopausal women].

Osteoporosis and pathological bone fractures which are its consequences are a serious health problem of today's world. The aim of this study was to check if the picture of panoramic radiographs may contribute to early risk determination of this disease. The examination was carried out in women at the age 51-69. The group consisted of female patients, in whom, due to the lasting process of osteoporosis, the distal ephiphysis of radial bone was pathologically broken. The control group consisted of women who were volunteers and agreed to be examined. Density of bone tissue within the calcaneal bones was evaluated. In these female patients the panoramic radiographs were taken. The compacted substance of the base of mandible was assessed on both sides of the radigraph, distally from the mental foramen. Depending on the morphology of the compacted substance, the values of the MIC index were assigned to them. The value of PMI index was calculated. The results of the study were analysed statistically. Significant differences were indicated between parameters, which are derivatives of bone density and also statistically significant differences concerning the value of MIC index in both groups.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

[Circadian rhythm of melatonin in patients with hypertension].

Few reports, especially experimental ones indicate cause-effect connection between melatonin (Mel) and blood pressure. The aim of the study was to assess connection between a daily profile of Mel concentration in saliva and 24-hour cycle of blood pressure in 22 patients with moderate hypertension (12 men, 10 women), 20 patients with severe hypertension (9 men, 11 women) and 25 healthy subjects with normal blood pressure (13 men, 12 women). The age of studied subjects oscillated between 37 and 46 years. Concentrations of Mel were assessed in saliva collected during the day with intervals of 3 hours with the use of RIA method. Blood pressure assessment was done at the same time. A significant decrease of mesor's value and amplitude of Mel rhythm without essential changes in acrophase's value were observed in men and women with severe hypertension. Mean concentrations of Mel in saliva were significantly decreased from 8 pm to 5 am. Significant, negative correlation between nighttime Mel concentrations in saliva and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was shown in patients with moderate and severe hypertension. Correlation coefficients values were in general higher in patients with severe hypertension. Results of our studies seem to confirm the conception that decreased Mel secretion can be one of the causes of hypertension.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[The apolipoprotein E polymorphism in age related macular degeneration].

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate association of apo E polymorphism with AMD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The included participants of this study were: 45 patients aged 60 to 71 (mean age 66.2 +/- 3.6), treated because of AMD. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes, and the subsequent analysis of apo E genotypes was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: In our study the allele frequencies in control group of patients weresimilar to the apo E allele distribution presented by other authors in Caucasian populations. We have not found significant differences between AMD and control group patients for apo (E) genotype or allele frequency. Compared with control group (epsilon4 -13.6%, epsilon2 -2.27%), the frequency of epsilon4 allele was not significantly decreased (11.11%) and epsilon2 allele frequency (7.77%) increased in AMD patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our present study have not indicate a significant association between AMD development and apo E allele frequency, in our studied population of AMD patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Serum free testosterone in men with coronary artery atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The role of testosterone in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic changes has not been fully explained. The aim of our work was to determine whether levels of serum free testosterone differ between men with and without coronary artery disease. MATERIAL/METHODS: We examined the serum concentration of free testosterone by the radioimmunoassay method in two groups of subjects, carefully matched for body mass index and age: 105 men with angiographically diagnosed coronary artery disease, and 23 control subjects without any changes in coronary arteries. We also evaluated the concentrations of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides by enzymatic methods. RESULTS: Men with coronary artery disease had significantly lower levels of free testosterone than did controls. The concentration of free testosterone diminished with age, and a negative correlation was found between free testosterone and body mass index. We did not discover any connection between the concentration of free testosterone and lipids. CONCLUSIONS: A low level of free testosterone may be related to the development of coronary artery disease.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Serum aminoterminal peptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C].

Fibrosis is the process accompanying majority of chronic diseases of liver, independent of etiological factor and leading to cirrhosis and hepatic failure. Monitoring fibrosis process by liver's biopsy is limited, so many attempts are undertaken to assess concentrations of definite proteins in blood, which could be easily accessible marker of intrahepatic process. It seems, that among others, determinations of blood concentration of aminoterminal propeptide of procollagen III--index of collagen's III synthesis and TGF-beta 1--cytokine of antiproliferative action and inhibiting hepatocytes' growth, yet inducing fibroblasts' growth and stimulating fibrosis process brings out such a possibility. The aim of the study was simultaneous determination of TGF-beta 1 and PIIINP concentration in blood of patients with chronic hepatitis B and C before interferone's therapy in comparison to healthy controls, assessment of the parameters in dependence on stage of liver fibrosis and determination of correlation between TGF-beta 1 and PIIINP. Studies were performed in 40 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CAH B) and 35 patients with chronic hepatitis C (CAH C). Significantly increased serum concentrations of TGF-beta 1 as PIIINP in both groups of patients (CAH B and CAH C; grading 2-3, staging 1-2) in comparison with control group was noted. Significant positive correlation of TGF-beta 1 and PIIINP serum concentrations in both groups of patients was observed. There was not significant changes in PIIINP serum levels in patients with hepatitis B and C in dependence on stage of liver fibrosis (staging 1 vs staging 2) but TGF-beta 1 serum levels was significantly increased in CAH B and C patients with higher stage of liver fibrosis process. On the base of obtained results, it seems that changes in TGF-beta 1 concentrations in blood reflect "grading" and "staging" and can be a marker of intensification of intrahepatic fibrosis process whereas PIIINP levels in blood have rather the relation with "grading".

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Influence of dithranol therapy on clinical status and serum calcitonin concentrations in patients with common psoriasis].

The aim of this work was to study the effects of external dithranol therapy of psoriatic patients on the clinical status and serum calcitonin concentrations. This was done on 19 patients with common psoriasis using Cignoderm in the short contact therapy. Calcitonin concentration in serum samples was determined before and after a 14-day therapy. Results obtained before were compared with concentrations after dithranol treatment and with results in control group. Serum TSH was also measured in serum samples from both groups at the very beginning time. The determinations showed statistically significant lower serum TSH level in psoriatic patients before therapy vs. control and significant, negative correlation with calcitonin concentration in those patients. After a 14-day dithranol therapy a significant calcitonin concentration decrease as well as clinical effects were observed in the investigated group.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Influence of pinealectomy and long-term melatonin administration on bone metabolism in orchidectomized rats].

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to demonstrate whether pinealectomy and long-term MEL administration can affect bone metabolism (as evaluated on the basis of serum concentrations of PICP and ICTP) in orchidectomized rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 248 adult male Wistar rats; 6 remained intact, 120 were orchidectomized (Orch), and the remaining ones underwent a sham operation (SOrch). Two weeks after surgery, the rats were divided into 8 groups: 1) SOrch + SPx; 2) SOrch + SPx + MEL; 3) Orch + SPx; 4) Orch + SPx + MEL; 5) SOrch + Px; 6) SOrch + Px + MEL; 7) Orch + Px; 8) Orch + Px + MEL. Animals from 5(th), 6(th), 7(th) and 8(th) groups were pinealectomized (Px) while the remaining ones underwent a sham operation (SPx). Two weeks after surgery rats in the 2(nd), 4(th), 6(th) and 8(th) groups were administered MEL (50 microg/100 g of bm) intraperitoneally while the remaining animals were administered solvent only (daily between 5 and 6 pm during a month). The animals were decapitated before the experiment (intact rats), after 2 weeks from Orch and SOrch, Px and SPx, after 4 weeks from MEL or solvent administration and after 4 and 8 weeks from discontinuing administration of MEL, and blood was collected for PICP and ICTP concentrations assays with the use of RIA method. DISCUSSION: In Orch rats, a distinct tendency to increase the studied bone markers, especially ICTP was shown. Pinealectomy had inducing, while MEL suppressing effect upon the level of PICP and ICTP; these changes were more pronounced in Orch + Px and SOrch + Px + MEL groups, respectively. After discontinuing administration of MEL distinct tendency to increase of PICP and ICTP level was shown. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that MEL is an important modulator of bone tissue metabolism in male rats and that deficiency of MEL concentration may be a co-factor in osteoporosis development.

Animals↗