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Biomedical subjects

J Szczeklik

Publications and source records attributed to J Szczeklik.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Detection of benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adducts in leukocytes of coke oven workers.

Coke oven workers are often heavily exposed to polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and particularly to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), which has been associated with a high incidence of cancer. B[a]P is metabolically activated to its diol-epoxide derivative, benzo[a]pyrene-trans-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE-I), a potent carcinogen which binds covalently to DNA, thereby producing BPDE-I-DNA adducts. In this study, an investigation was made of the exposure of coke oven workers to PAH via the measurement of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) levels, and of exposure to B[a]P by the analysis of BPDE-I-DNA adducts in leukocytes using an ELISA competitive immunoassay. 1-OHP levels measured in post-shift samples correlated with those of DNA adducts detected in leukocytes, with a mean value (140.11 fM/50 micrograms of DNA) which differed significantly from the control value (P < 0.001). It is concluded that measurement of BPDE-I-DNA adduct levels in coke plant workers is essential in determining cancer risk due to high exposure to PAHs, and in particular of B[a]P.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2000

[Cytoimmunologic changes in material obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in asymptomatic individuals chronically exposed to silica dust].

The aim of this study was to determine and to evaluate silica induced lung cell reactivity--if any--in bronchoalveolar space, before clinical changes develop. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was carried out in 15 nonsmoking individuals with chronic professional silica exposure, free of lung signs and symptoms. Controls were healthy nonsmokers. Routine BAL cytology (HE, MGG) was completed by mast cell staining (toluidine blue). BAL lymphocyte subsets were phenotyped by direct two- and three-color immunofluorescence (applied DAKO A/S monoclonal antibodies: anti-CD3, CD4, CD8, CD11b, CD14, CD15, CD16 + 56, CD19, CD25, CD45, HLA-DR). Parallel staining was performed in peripheral blood. In individuals with chronic silica exposure we found: significant increase in alveolar macrophage (362 +/- 45 vs 160 +/- 33 x 10(3) cells/ml, p < 0.05), lymphocyte (61 +/- 9 vs 24 +/- 5 x 10(3) cells/ml, p < 0.05) and BAL total cell (415 +/- 76 vs 187 +/- 34 x 10(3) cells/ml, p < 0.05) numbers; significant increase in mast cell (0.4 +/- 0.1 vs 0.2 +/- 0.1, p < 0.05), NK cell (7.0 +/- 1.8 vs 3.6 +/- 1.0, p < 0.05) and Th early activated lymphocyte percent (CD4 + CD25+ calculated as percentage of CD4+ cells: 15.1 +/- 1.5 vs 7.8 +/- 1.6, p < 0.01). All results were presented as median +/- SEM. Bronchoalveolar space of people with chronic silica exposure usually shows pathological reaction (especially macrophagic alveolitis), although they are free of manifested pulmonary disease. Th early activated lymphocytes, NK cells and mast cells seem to play important role in the early interstitial lung tissue reaction to silica.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Biomarkers of carcinogenesis in humans exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

The frequencies of micronuclei (MN) in cytokinesis-blocked lymphocytes of 91 steel foundry workers were analysed. On the basis of ambient PAH levels at the work stands and 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations in the urine, the coke-oven workers were the most exposed as compared to the rollers reference group. The difference in results for the two groups studied was not statistically significant, although MN were slightly higher for coke-oven workers. The frequency of MN did not increase with exposure: after some increase in 1-10 years, a decreasing tendency was observed.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

[Symptoms of atopy in persons exposed to chronic immunosuppression of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons].

The frequency of the atopy symptoms was estimated in 126 coke oven workers chronically exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The assessment was based on questionnaire, point skin tests with the allergens of dust, feathers, mould grass as well as on the measurements of total blood serum IgE concentration. The control group was consisted of 75 men, workers of cold rolling mill division where the environmental conditions were much better. It was observed that positive questionnaire data and positive skin tests were significantly less frequent in men exposed to PAHs. The men serum IgE values were not statistically different in both group workers although in coke oven workers the tendency to higher IgE values was observed. It is rather suggested that more useful method might be the measurement of specific serum IgE.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Humoral immunosuppression in men exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and related carcinogens in polluted environments.

We evaluated humoral immunity by measuring IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE concentrations in 274 male workers in an iron foundry in Cracow, Poland. There were two groups: 199 coke oven workers and 76 cold-rolling mill workers. The groups were similar with respect to age, length of work (average 15 years), and smoking habits. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), assessed by personal and area monitoring, ranged from 0.2 to 50 micrograms/m3 benzo[a]pyrene in coke plant workers and was of 3-5 magnitudes higher than in the cold-rolling mill employees. Comparison of the two groups revealed a marked depression of mean serum IgG and IgA in coke oven workers (p < 0.001, Student's unpaired t-test). In the same subjects, serum IgM had a tendency to decrease, whereas serum IgE showed a trend toward higher values. Thus, workers exposed chronically to complex mixtures of air pollutants, composed primarily of PAHs, develop immunosuppression. It remains to be established whether the immunosuppression described here is related to the frequent development of lung cancer reported in coke plant employees. Workers exposed chronically to PAHs should have serum immunoglobulins monitored regularly.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Prospective studies of the respiratory system in coke plant workers].

In standardized conditions of 24 hours clinical hospitalisation the group of men employed as cooking battery staff was examined twice in a 16 years interval. The examined men worked all the time at the same workshops and were exposed to harmful chemical and physical agents. All the subjects underwent routine medical examination, spirometric tests and the questionnaire of Medical Research Council extended to a smoking habit was gathered for each of men. After 16 years occupational exposition an incidence of chronic bronchitis increased from 6.1 to 24.6%. Also the significant decline of ventilatory parameters was noted. About 80% of examined workers showed greater than expected related to natural process of growing old, decline of ventilatory functions. Non significant differences between smokers and non-smokers were noted.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of results derived from follow-up examination of respiratory systems in chosen groups of metallurgists.

In a 16.5-year follow-up study of the steel industry we investigated the relation of chronic occupational exposure to the changes of ventilatory efficiency and to the frequency of chronic bronchitis (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease--COPD) in a group of 65 men working in the harmful environment of a Coking Plant (CP). The reference group comprised 34 employees of Cold Rolling Mill (CRM) working in favorable hygienic conditions. The faster decline of VC and FEV1 were noted in the group of CP in comparison to the control group. Also the frequency of pathologic values of RT was significantly higher (p < or = 0.001) in the exposed group. The incidence of COPD increased more in the group of CP than in the group of rollers. No differences in the annual decline of FEV1 and VC between smokers and nonsmokers from CP were noted, while in the group of men working in favorable environmental conditions the differences between smoking categories were significant. It suggests that the impact of occupational exposure is so powerful that it can mask the unfavorable influence of cigarette smoking on the ventilatory function of men working in a Coking Plant.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Lipoproteins (A) after a history of myocardial infarction, arteriosclerosis obliterans, hypertension and hyperlipidemia].

Serum lipoprotein(a) concentration in men with hypertension, arteriosclerosis obliterans, hypercholesterolemia and after myocardial infarction was measured using Laurell's immunoelectrophoresis. Lp(a) distribution and mean serum concentrations did not differ significantly from the controls, with the exception of a group of premature myocardial infarction (age below 45), in which high values were more frequent.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Treatment with prostacyclin of various forms of spontaneous angina pectoris not responding to placebo.

We studied the effects of prostacyclin on the frequency, duration and severity of ischemic attacks in spontaneous angina. Twenty-seven patients who did not respond to 48 hours infusion of placebo, received after a two-day observation period, 48 hours infusion of prostacyclin at an average rate of 4.0 ng/kg/min. Prostacyclin decreased number of ischemic attacks in only one of four patients with Prinzmetal angina, and was without any effect in five other patients whose attacks were associated with increase in blood pressure and heart rate. However, in 12 of 18 patients with coronary atherosclerosis, whose attacks were characterized by ST-segment depression without increase in heart rate or blood pressure, and often occurred at night, prostacyclin consistently diminished both frequency of anginal attacks and nitroglycerin consumption. This improvement lasted from 10 days to 3 months. Healing of endothelial damage by prostacyclin could explain the favorable therapeutic response in this subset of patients with spontaneous angina.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Haemodynamic changes induced by prostacyclin in man.

Intra-arterial or intravenous infusion of prostacyclin at three dose levels (2, 5, and 10 ng/kg per min) in 10 subjects without evidence of coronary heart disease or cardiac failure, led to a distinct fall in peripheral and total pulmonary vascular resistances. This was accompanied by a drop in intra-arterial blood pressure, and the acceleration of heart rate. Stroke volume, cardiac output, mean right atrial pressure, and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure showed no significant changes. Except for sporadic headache no side effects occurred. Prostacyclin appears to act predominantly on resistance vessels. The haemodynamic effects produced by prostacyclin in man might be of clinical interest in the treatment of conditions associated with a significant rise in vascular resistance.

Adult↗