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M Janusz

Publications and source records attributed to M Janusz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Cognitive effects of Colostral-Val nonapeptide in aged rats.

Colostrinin, a complex of polypeptides derived from sheep colostrum retards the progress of Alzheimer's disease and facilitates acquisition and retrieval of spatial memory in aged rats. Here we investigated the cognitive effects of colostrinin-derived nonapeptide (Colostral-Val nonapeptide, CVNP) in aged rats that demonstrated learning deficits. Administered for 14 days, CVNP did not affect the acquisition of spatial learning or memory retrieval in the Morris water maze. As a result of reversal learning, placebo treated rats shifted searching behavior and swam less in the area of original platform position and more in the area of recent platform position, suggesting formation of the new spatial map. CVNP treated rats did not change the searching pattern and still investigated the area that contained "original" escape platform, suggesting that CVNP treatment delays the extinction of spatial memory. In another experiment, CVNP administered for 8 days did not influence the acquisition of the active avoidance task, but significantly delayed its extinction. The present findings indicate that colostrinin-derived nonapeptide may delay the extinction of long-term memories.

Aging↗
PubMed2001

Towards an understanding of biological role of colostrinin peptides.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the structure and possible function of colostrinin, also known as a proline rich polypeptide (PRP). The molecular weight of colostrinin was originally determined by gel filtration to be 17,200 daltons. In the presence of guanidinum chloride, however, the molecular weight was found to be about 6,000 daltons. Further studies utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectroscopy revealed that colostrinin is a complex consisting of many low molecular-weight polypeptides. A total of 32 peptides were isolated from the original colostrinin preparation by HPLC and subjected to the N-terminal sequence analysis. The results of sequence analysis revealed significant homology of the peptides to three protein precursors: annexin, beta-casein, and a hypothetical beta-casein homolog. In addition, the sequence of several peptides showed no significant homology to any specific protein in the current GenBank database. The synthetic peptides of various lengths representing the N-terminal sequence of the colostrinin peptides were made to study some biological effects. Here we report that colostrinin and some of its component peptides are potent inducers of leukocyte proliferation and of certain cytokines. Also, a series of monospecific antibodies were produced in rabbits against the synthetic peptides. The antibodies were used to study the kinetic of antigen reduction in colostrum and mature milk following lambing. A threefold decrease was common for most antigens studied over the period of 72 h. Based on the results of these studies we postulate that colostrinin represents a diverse group of peptides produced in the mammary gland of mammals for the development of the optimal physiologic responses in offspring. Also, it is hoped that the beneficial use of colostrinin in Alzheimer's Disease (AD), recently reported elsewhere, will revive interest in its clinical application for treatment and/or prophylaxis of many age-related disorders.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Usefulness of thoracic electrical bioimpedance in detection of ejection fraction changes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a usefulness of thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) in following adaptive haemodynamic adjustments to postural change and isometric exercise. Sixteen subjects with intact cardiovascular system took part in this study. Haemodynamic parameters were obtained in recumbency and after taking up erect posture. Besides, TEB was performed during handgrip test and the results were compared with baseline resting data. Each time the radionuclide ventriculography (RV) was performed concurrently with TEB to obtain an independent measurement of ejection fraction (EF). Active orthostasis was associated with a change in stroke volume, cardiac output and total vascular resistance by -29.7%, -3.4%, +3.9%, respectively. The handgrip produced a significant increase in cardiac output by 16.3%, however it was not associated with an enhancement of stroke volume. Although there was a moderate correlation between EF calculated by TEB and RV in supine position (r=0.66; p < 0.001), TEB failed to reflect changes of EF in orthostasis and isometric exercise. In conclusion, our results suggest that TEB offers in subjects with normal cardiovascular function a valuable alternative to cardiovascular monitoring of stroke volume and cardiac output, but calculation of EF is associated with a risk of serious error.

Electric Impedance↗
PubMed2000

[Mechanical occlusion of alimentary tract caused by the adhesion of gangrene-related changes in Meckel's diverticulum].

The case concerns the occlusion of alimentary canal caused by the incarceration of small intestine in the ring of internal hernia. The ring was formed by pathologically changed Meckel's diverticulum, which had accreted to the internal surface of the abdominal cavity in the umbilical region. Appendicitis occurred as the secondary result of this pnenomenon. This complication referred to the 9 year old boy. He was in good condition after the operation and the wound also healed right.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

Colostrinin, a polypeptide isolated from early milk, facilitates learning and memory in rats.

Initial observations in humans indicated that colostrinin, a complex of polypeptides derived from the colostrum of sheep, facilitates cognitive functioning in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Its effect on learning and memory in more controlled settings as well as the specificity of these effects were, however, unknown. The present experiments evaluated the effects of colostrinin on spatial learning (Morris water maze) and incidental memory (habituation test) in male Wistar rats of two age groups. Colostrinin, at a dose of 4 microg/rat IP, facilitated acquisition of spatial learning of 13- (aged) but not 3-month-old (young) rats. At the same dose, it improved incidental learning in aged rats, while the dose of 20 microg/rat attenuated it. Colostrinin did not change locomotor activity of rats. Taken together, the present findings indicate that colostrinin may have some beneficial effects on cognitive functioning, particularly in aged subjects. Given the fact that colostrum is the first nutritive agent of neonates, it might be speculated that its peptides may facilitate the early postnatal development of the cerebral neurons and their plasticity.

Aging↗
PubMed1999

Effect of proline rich polypeptide from ovine colostrum on virus replication in human placenta and amniotic membrane at term; possible role of endogenous tumour necrosis factor alpha.

Freshly prepared organ cultures of human placentae and amniotic membranes at term show different sensitivity to vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection. In six of 16 amniotic membranes and seven of 17 placentae VSV replicated to relatively high titres (10(3)-10(6)TCID(50)/ml). The others were partially or completely resistant to virus infection (<10(1)-10(2)TCID(50)/ml). Addition of the immunomodulating agent, proline-rich-polypeptide (PRP) from ovine colostrum to explants freshly obtained from the organs, influenced VSV replication in a manner dependent on the innate immune state of the organ culture. In cultures resistant to the virus, PRP at a concentration of 10 microg/ml increased 10-10 000 times the VSV titre. In contrast, treatment of highly sensitive cultures by PRP hardly influenced viral replication at all. The effect of virus stimulation by PRP was abolished by specific anti-TNF antibodies. The results indicate that endogenous TNF may be one of the mediators of virus stimulation by PRP. Antibodies against TNFalpha, added to VSV infected organ cultures sensitive to the virus reduced viral replication. The antibodies caused stimulation of virus replication in VSV-infected resistant organ cultures. The results indicate the double role of endogenous TNF in viral replication in placenta and the amniotic membrane.

Amnion↗
PubMed1999

Colostrinin: a proline-rich polypeptide (PRP) complex isolated from ovine colostrum for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

A proline-rich polypeptide (PRP) complex, subsequently called Colostrinin, was isolated from ovine colostrum. The complex showed immunomodulatory properties in mice, rats, and chickens, inducing maturation and differentiation of thymocytes. It was recently found that Colostrinin is a cytokine-like factor that acts as an inducer of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and other cytokines in human peripheral blood and cord blood leukocyte cultures and has psycho-immuno-enhancing activity in volunteers. These observations prompted us to study the effect of Colostrinin on patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Forty six AD patients were divided into 3 groups and randomly assigned to receive orally either Colostrinin (100 microg per tablet, every second day), commercially available bioorganic selenium (100 microg selenium per tablet, every second day) or placebo tablets. One cycle of the treatment lasted 3 weeks and was separated from the next cycle by a 2 week hiatus. Each patient received 10 cycles of treatment during the year of the clinical trial. Outcomes were assessed by psychiatrists blinded to the treatment assignment. Eight of the 15 AD patients treated with Colostrinin improved and in the 7 others the disease had stabilized. In contrast, none of the 31 patients from the selenium or placebo groups with similar mild or moderate AD improved. The administration of selenium promoted stabilization in 13 of the 15 patients, whereas in the placebo group only 8 of the 16 patients were stabilized at the 12 month trials end-evaluation. Colostrinin was found to be a remarkably safe drug. Mild and transient effects were anxiety, stimulation, insomnia, and tiredness. The results obtained showed that oral administration of Colostrinin improves the outcome of AD patients with mild to moderate dementia. The results are very encouraging and deserve further research.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1998

Interaction of IgG immunoglobulins with the guinea pig peritoneal macrophage Fc gamma receptors. Effect on the association of the receptors with the membrane skeleton and the cytoskeleton.

Binding of ligands to cell surface receptors may induce an interaction of the receptors with the cytoskeleton and/or membrane skeleton and decrease the solubility of the receptors in nonionic detergents. Cytochalasins, reagents affecting the structure of microfilaments, inhibit some cell functions induced by cross-linking of the receptors with ligands. Information concerning the function of the cytoskeleton in insolubilization of Fc gamma receptors (Fc gamma R) and in Fc gamma R-mediated signal transmission is rather limited. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of binding of homologous (guinea pig IgG1 and IgG2) and heterologous (rabbit IgG) immunoglobulins to guinea pig peritoneal macrophages on association of the macrophage Fc gamma receptors with the membrane skeleton and cytoskeleton. Cross-linking the macrophage Fc gamma receptors with immunoglobulin ligands induced insolubilization of the receptors in nonionic detergents suggesting association of the receptors with the membrane skeleton and the cytoskeleton. The ligands showed differential effects depending on a subclass and origin of the IgG used. The process of association of the Fc gamma receptors with the skeletons was fast and did not depend on temperature. Treatment of insoluble complexes with cytochalasin D, DNAse I or colchicine showed that actin microfilaments and microtubules play a role, at least partially, in insolubilization of the cross-linked macrophage Fc gamma receptors. Inhibition of insolubilization of the macrophage Fc gamma receptors by genistein indicated that tyrosine kinases are involved in the process of insolubilization. The association with the skeletons might be a part of the process of transduction of a signal which depended on the subclass and origin of IgG used and on the type of the Fc gamma receptor.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗
PubMed1998

Cardiovascular effects of ephedrine, caffeine and yohimbine measured by thoracic electrical bioimpedance in obese women.

Low caloric diet is a commonly accepted treatment in obesity. However, owing to moderate results, a pharmacological support has been proposed. As some efficacious drugs activate overall sympathetic activity, they might modify functions of the cardiovascular system. Three groups of subjects were studied: (1) nine obese women receiving only a standard hypocaloric diet; (2) nine obese women receiving a standard hypocaloric diet and ephedrine (2 x 25 mg) with caffeine (2 x 200 mg); (3) nine obese women receiving a standard hypocaloric diet and ephedrine (2 x 25 mg) with caffeine (2 x 200 mg) and yohimbine (2 x 5 mg). The cardiovascular state was evaluated by thoracic electrical bioimpedance, automatic sphygmomanometry and continuous ECG recording. In each patient, the haemodynamic study was performed twice: at rest, i.e. before treatment; and after 10 days of treatment. On the same days in each patient, the haemodynamic tests were performed during physical exercises (handgrip stress and cycloergometer exercise). Caffeine and ephedrine had no haemodynamic effect in resting patients. These two drugs led to an increase in ejection fraction during cycloergometer exercise. Addition of yohimbine increased diastolic pressure and heart rate but decreased ejection fraction and stroke index during rest. We also observed that addition of yohimbine decreased ejection fraction during the handgrip and cycloergometer exercise and increased cardiac load during dynamic exercise. Pharmacological supplement of ephedrine and caffeine to a low caloric diet modified the cardiovascular system weakly, but the addition of yohimbine to this regimen attenuated cardiac performance during rest and handgrip and increased cardiac work during dynamic exercise.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1998

Effect of colostrinin, an immunomodulatory proline-rich polypeptide from ovine colostrum, on sialidase and beta-galactosidase activities in murine thymocytes.

Colostrinin: a proline-rich polypeptide (PRP) from ovine colostrum and its nonapeptide active fragment (NP) induce maturation and differentiation of murine thymocytes, formation of helper cells from PNAhigh thymocytes and cytotoxic T cells from PNAlow thymocytes. These processes are accompanied by changes in expression of receptors for peanut agglutinin (PNA), PNAhigh thymocytes were transformed into PNAlow cells, and vice versa. It was shown, in various laboratories, that sialyltransferases are involved in the transformation of PNAhigh thymocytes into PNAlow cells. To find out whether the expression of receptors for PNA on murine thymocytes might also be influenced by other enzymes, we decided to study the effect of PRP and NP on sialidase and beta-galactosidase activities in these cells. The results obtained showed that the most of sialidase activity of murine thymocytes is present in the plasma membrane compartments. Both thymocyte subpopulations PNAhigh and PNAlow, showed similar sialidase activity, which was not affected either by PRP or NP. In contrast to sialidases, most of beta-galactosidase activity was present in the cytosol. PNAhigh, thymocytes showed a higher beta-galactosidase activity than PNAlow cells. Incubation of immature, PNAhigh, thymocytes with PRP or NP enhanced the beta-galactosidase activity in these cells. The presented results suggest that sialidases seem not to be involved in modulation of surface sialic acid content during murine thymocyte maturation. On the other hand, stimulation of activity of beta-galactosidase in PNAhigh, immature thymocytes by PRP and NP suggests that beta-galactosidase in murine thymocytes might be involved in transformation of PNAhigh into PNAlow cells.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1998

Antiviral effect of proline-rich polypeptide in murine resident peritoneal cells.

It is known that resident peritoneal (RP) cells from BALB/c female mice express a constitutive non-specific antiviral immunity which is progressively reduced during several days of cultivation in vitro. In this report, we have studied the effect of a proline-rich polypeptide (PRP) isolated from ovine colostrum on the kinetics of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) replication in freshly isolated and one-day cultured RP cells. The polypeptide was added to the cells immediately after virus adsorption or one day before or after viral infection. Independently on time of PRP addition, an inhibition of VSV replication (virus titres reduced by up to 4 log units) was observed. Occasionally, however, a weak stimulation of VSV replication by PRP (virus titres increased by 1-2 log units) was noticed in RP cells constitutively resistant to the infection.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

Stimulatory effect of ovine colostrinine (a proline-rich polypeptide) on interferons and tumor necrosis factor production by murine resident peritoneal cells.

We describe effects of ovine colostrinine (proline-rich polypeptide--PRP) isolated from ovine colostrum and nonapeptide fragment of PRP on interferon (IFN) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production by murine resident peritoneal cells (RPC). The cells from several mouse strains have been found to produce small amounts of IFN-beta and TNF-alpha constitutively. The colostrinine at concentrations of 1-100 micrograms per one ml of cell suspension containing 1 x 10(6) RPC isolated from BALB/c mice, enhanced the IFN and TNF production by 3-30 folds. Upregulation of TNF and IFN production has been observed in the RPC cultures that produced spontaneously less than 16 units of the cytokines only. Synthetic nonapeptide fragment of the colostrinine (Val-Glu-Ser-Tyr-Val-Pro-Leu-Phe-Pro) at concentration of 1-100 micrograms/ml stimulated TNF synthesis but not IFN production. In 1996 Inglot et al. suggested that the colostrinines may be classified as cytokines produced by the mammary gland of mammals. In this paper we have found that the ovine colostrinine at low concentrations modulate the production of other cytokines (IFN-beta and TNF-alpha) in mouse cells that means that it may function in the cytokine network.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Coincidence between spontaneous release of interferon and tumor necrosis factor by colostral leukocytes and the production of a colostrinine by human mammary gland after normal delivery.

We have tentatively identified colostrinines as novel cytokines produced by the mammary gland after delivery and detectable in colostrum. The primary colostrinine, the proline-rich polypeptide, was isolated from ovine colostrum in 1974. It is generally understood that the various factors present in colostrum play a pivotal role in transmitting of passive or active immunity from mother to child. We have found previously that both ovine and human colostrinines are inducers of interferon (IFN) gamma and other cytokines. In this paper, we reported that the leukocytes isolated from human colostrum donated by healthy mothers at 1-9 days after delivery, produced IFNs and tumor necrosis factors (TFNs) spontaneously. The release of IFNs and TNFs coincided with production of a colostrinine that has been isolated from the human colostrum samples and partially characterized. Our results suggest that the maximum production of colostrinine occurs 3 days after delivery. The tolerance (hyporeactivity) of the colostral leukocytes to IFN inducers and the modulation of the TNF response may be the late effects of the colostrinine release.

Breast↗
PubMed1996

Resting energy expenditure in patients with cirrhosis of the liver measured by indirect calorimetry, anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Energy expenditure was investigated in 15 patients with liver cirrhosis and 20 healthy controls by three methods: indirect calorimetry, anthropometry using the Harris-Benedict equation and bioelectrical impedance analysis. The energy expenditure was expressed in kcal/day, kcal/kg BW/day (BW - body weight), kcal/kg LBM/day (LBM - lean body mass, derived by bioelectrical impedance analysis) or in kcal/m2/day. We did not find statistical differences between values of resting energy expenditure obtained in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and healthy controls whichever method we used. We also did not find statistical differences between values obtained by indirect calorimetry, anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis. There was a significant correlation between indirect calorimetry and anthropometry in both groups. We found significant correlations between indirect calorimetry and anthropometry, and between indirect calorimetry and bioelectrical impedance analysis, in the control group only. We can conclude that (1) resting energy expenditure of patients with cirrhosis of the liver is not changed when compared with healthy controls, and (2) bioelectrical impedance is a useful method to calculate body composition from which energy expenditure is derived; however, it gives an appropriate result only in healthy people, and only approximate values in patients with cirrhosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effect of a proline-rich polypeptide on IgG level in Chickens.

We have previously shown that a proline-rich polypeptide (PRP) from ovine colostrum expresses an immunoregulatory activity in mice on humoral and cellular immune response. The results presented in this communication show that PRP also modulates the immune response in chickens. PRP administered to the chickens in portions before, simultaneously or after the antigen, stimulated the antibody production. The enhancement of the immune response was also observed when a single dose was injected to the chicken before or simultaneously with the antigen. On the other hand, the single doses of PRP applied to the chickens after the immunization caused an inhibition of the production of antibodies.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1996

Colostrinine: a proline-rich polypeptide from ovine colostrum is a modest cytokine inducer in human leukocytes.

A proline-rich polypeptide (PRP), now named colostrinine, molecular weight 18,000, was isolated from ovine colostrum and characterized by Janusz, Lisowski et al. The nonapeptide (NP) which is an active fragment of PRP was obtained by chemical synthesis. In mice, PRP has many regulatory effects on the humoral and cellular immune response. The present paper describes PRP as a cytokine inducer. PRP at concentration of 1-100 micrograms/ml was found to induce production of interferon (IFN) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in human peripheral blood leukocytes and in whole blood cultures. The effects were dose related. The identified till now cytokines induced by PRP were IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha but many other cytokines may be stimulated also. NP was considerably less active as the cytokine inducer than the natural PRP. Two volunteers given orally once daily for two to three weeks 100 or 200 micrograms PRP in tablets were found to develop the tolerance of IFN induction and had the modified TNF response. Furthermore, the PRP-treated volunteers showed signs of psycho-stimulation. Taken together our observations suggest that ovine PRP is active in humans and may have therapeutic value as an immunostimulant and/or neurotropic cytokine.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

Guinea pig peritoneal macrophages. Differential effects of lectins on interaction with IgG immunoglobulins.

Guinea pig peritoneal macrophages have on their surface two receptors, one (Fc gamma 1/gamma 2 R) binding both guinea pig IgG1 and IgG2 and the second (Fc gamma 2R) binding only IgG2 immunoglobulins. We have previously shown that treatment of macrophages with neuraminidase or glycosylation inhibitors affects, in a different way, the binding of guinea pig IgG1, IgG2, and rabbit IgG. In the present study we have shown that pretreatment of guinea pig macrophages with lectins (Con A, WGA, and PNA) also has a different effect on the interaction of the cells with IgG. The lectins increased the binding of guinea pig IgG1, whereas rabbit IgG and guinea pig IgG2 were bound with a lower efficiency than in the case of control cells. Since sialic acid residues seem to modulate the activity of receptors and WGA interacts with sialylated oligosaccharides, we determined the IgG-binding characteristics for WGA-pretreated macrophages. We found that the increase in IgG1-binding ability was caused by an increase in the value of Kapp, but the number of IgG-binding sites was lower than in the control cells. In the case of rabbit IgG and guinea pig IgG2 we observed a decrease of both the value of Kapp and the number of IgG-binding sites. WGA did not interact directly with the Fc gamma receptor. The results of our former papers and the different effects of lectins of various specificities described in this paper suggest different positions of Fc gamma 1/gamma 2 and Fc gamma 2R in the plane of the macrophage membrane in respect to various membrane glycoconjugates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗