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Biomedical subjects

M Nowacka

Publications and source records attributed to M Nowacka.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Should newborn mutation scanning for hyperphenylalaninaemia and galactosaemia be implemented? A Polish experience.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate whether screening for mutations causing hyperphenylalaninaemia (HPA) and classic galactosaemia could provide important, additional information on a clinical phenotype. METHOD: Genotypes that cause disease at the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene and galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) gene in a group of 101 hyperphenylalaninaemic and 77 patients with classic galactosaemia were established. The PAH and GALT mutations were identified in genomic DNA extracted from whole blood leucocytes using single stranded conformational analysis and direct fluorescent sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. RESULTS: Mild HPA and mild phenylketonurea (PKU) were caused by divergent genotypes. In the studied group a total of 26 different mild and intermediate PAH mutations were identified, most of them being rare ones. Classic galactosaemia was caused by two frequent mutations, accounting for 82% of all mutated alleles. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of mild or intermediate mutations causing HPA could provide fast and reliable information about future clinical outcome of a newborn infant. Molecular diagnosis of HPA should be preceded by biochemical analysis and implemented to differentiate mild forms of HPA and cases of ambiguous classification. Because of multiple rare mutations scattered on all exons, scanning of the entire PAH coding sequence could be useful and cost beneficial. Routine genotyping is not proposed in classic phenylketonuria and classic galactosaemia, as it provides limited additional, prospective information on the clinical phenotype.

Adolescent↗

Chlorpropamide toxicity with survival despite 27-day hypoglycemia.

CASE REPORT: In the past 5 years at our institution, 12 cases involving the ingestion of chlorpropamide 3-15 g were fatal. We report a 23-year-old woman with an estimated ingestion of chlorpropamide 5-10 g. Initial cardiovascular collapse, attributed to the blockade of potassium channel transport, responded to intensive support including 3 days of cardiac pacing. Urinary excretion of chlorpropamide and hypoglycemia persisted until day 27. The toxic mechanisms and high risk of chlorpropamide are summarized. A fatal therapeutic dose ratio as low as 4:1 has made this antidiabetic agent obsolete.

Adult↗

Mutations in exon 3 of the PAH gene causing mild hyperphenylalaninemia.

Phenylketonuria (PKU), an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of hepatic phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), is clinically very heterogeneous. On molecular level more than 350 mutations in the PAH gene are known to date, which in different genotype combinations could account for biochemical and clinical variability. Mutations located in exon 3 coding for a part of the regulatory domain of the PAH enzyme cause classical PKU, mild PKU, and mild hyperphenylalaninemia (MHP). We describe the phenotypic effects of seven mutations in exon 3 of the PAH gene (R68G, R68S, R71H, S87R, P89S, I95F, and A104D). We propose that mutations located between amino acid positions 71 through 94 cause MHP.

Adolescent↗

Identification of Mutations Causing 6-Pyruvoyl- Tetrahydrobiopterin Synthase Deficiency in Polish Patients With Variant Hyperphenylalaninemia.

Background: 6-Pyruvoyl-tetrahydrobiopterin synthase (PTPS) is required for biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin, the cofactor of various enzymes including the hepatic phenylalanine hydroxylase. Mutations in the PTS gene result in a variant type of hyperphenylalaninemia, requiring cofactor replacement therapy for treatment. Methods and Results: Four Polish patients with PTPS deficiency were screened for mutations in the PTS gene. Three novel mutations E35G, N36K, and F100V were identified. In one patient, a known mutation D136V was identified in both PTS alleles. Conclusions: Mutation D136V present in both alleles was proposed to be connected with a mild form of PTPS deficiency. The other three mutations were found in heterozygous patients with a central type of PTPS deficiency. D136V mutation is a common mutation in the Polish population.

Journal Article↗

Molecular basis of mild hyperphenylalaninaemia in Poland.

The major cause of the different forms of hyperphenylalaninaemia (HPA) is mutations in the gene encoding phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). The aim of this study was to determine the mutations responsible for mild forms of HPA and to relate different clinical phenotypes of HPA patients to their PAH genotypes. Four "mild" mutations, including the most frequent A403V and R297H mutations, occurred exclusively in mild hyperphenylalaninaemia (MHP). Mutations A104D, R243Q, R241H, and Y414C were detected in patients with mild phenylketonuria (mild PKU) only. These results may be useful in establishing a molecular differential diagnosis for PAH deficiency in Poland.

Humans↗

Molecular modeling of singlet-oxygen binding to anthraquinones in relation to the peroxidating activity of antitumor anthraquinone drugs.

Anthraquinone derivatives are important anti-cancer drugs possessing, however, undesirable peroxidating and, in consequence, cardiotoxic properties. This results from the mediation by these compounds of the one-electron reduction processes of the oxygen molecule, which produces the highly toxic superoxide anion radical and other active oxygen species. This article summarizes the results of our studies on the molecular aspects of the mechanism of anthraquinone-mediated peroxidation which were carried out using enzymatic-assay, electrochemical, and quantum-mechanical methods.

Anthraquinones↗

Frequencies of the most common mutations responsible for phenylketonuria in Poland.

We screened 91 Polish phenylketonuric (PKU) children for the presence of 18 common mutations in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene, and 75.7% of PAH alleles were identified. The R408W mutation accounted for 54.9% of PAH mutant alleles. In the other 20.8%, eight mutations were detected: R158Q (6.6%), IVS10 (4.9%), IVS12 (2.7%), R261Q (2.2%), G272ter (1.65%), Y414C (1.1%), R252W (1.1%) and P281L (0.54%). Correlations between genotype and clinical phenotype were described.

Alleles↗

Effect of exposure to cold and fasting on the placental glycogen and triglyceride content in the rat.

The effect of exposure to cold (+2 degrees C, 3 and 24 h) and fasting (1, 2 and 3 days) on placental glycogen and triglyceride content was investigated in rats pregnant for 20 days. The stimuli did not affect the level of glycogen in the placenta. The level of triglycerides remained unchanged in the rats exposed to cold. It rose after only one day of fasting and then levelled out on the 2nd and 3rd days. Fasting, but not exposure to cold produced hypoglycemia and elevation of the plasma free fatty acids level. We conclude that activation of the adrenergic system during exposure to cold does not interfere with the glycogen and triglyceride content of the placenta. Prolonged hypoglycemia also does not affect the placental glycogen level although it increases the accumulation of neutral fat.

Animals↗

Effect of prolonged exercise on the level of triglycerides in the rat liver.

This study examined the effect of prolonged exercise on the level of triglycerides (TG) in rat liver. The rats were divided into groups: 1-control, 2-treated with nicotinic acid, 3-fed with glucose during exercise, 4-fasted, 5-adrenalectomized, 6-adrenalectomized and fed with oil. In the control group, there was gradual accumulation of TG in the liver and their level was doubled at exhaustion as compared to the resting value. Nicotinic acid lowered the resting level of TG and prevented their accumulation during exercise. Administration of glucose during exercise partially prevented the increase in TG level in the liver. In rats fasted for 24 h before exercise, the net increase in liver TG level during exercise was similar to that in the controls. Adrenalectomy, like nicotinic acid, lowered TG level at rest and prevented its increase during exercise. Feeding the adrenalectomized rats with oil elevated the plasma free fatty acid level but did not result in accumulation of TG in the liver, either at rest or during exercise. It is concluded that prolonged exercise results in accumulation of TG in the liver and that the process depends on the supply of free fatty acids and glucose and requires the presence of glucocorticoids.

Animals↗

[Mutations causing hereditary hyperphenylalaninemia].

Mutations in the genes encoding different parts of phenylalanine hydroxylation system cause persistent hyperphenylalaninaemia. The most frequent form of hyperphenylalaninaemia is caused by mutations in the PAH gene. The most common variant result from defect of tetrahydrobiopterin synthase. Mutations in the PAH and PTS genes in the Polish population are presented. Genotype--phenotype correlations are discussed.

Biopterins↗

[Serum tyrosine in children with phenylketonuria and mild hyperphenylalaninemia].

Serum tyrosine concentration, Phe/Tyr scores and psychomotor/mental development scores were analysed in 32 children with phenylketonuria (PKU) and 39 with mild hyperphenylalaninaemia. Observation period included the first 6 years of life. Tendency to tyrosine deficiency was observed; stronger in dietary treated PKU patients than in those with mild hyperphenylalaninaemia. Statistically significant differences between patient groups were found only in 3 and 6 years old children (lower tyrosine values in PKU patients). It was observed that evaluation of Phe/Tyr score value might be usefull in differentiation between PKU and mild hyperphenylalaninaemia. Moreover, the above score may help in the evaluation of hypo- and hyperalimentation state in the course of dietary treatment. The level of tyrosine deficiency in the analysed patient groups did not influence their normal intellectual development.

Child↗

Metabolic response to starvation in late pregnant rats. I. Maternal response.

The aim of the present study was to examine effect of prolonged fasting on muscle glycogen and triglyceride concentration as well as on non-protein nitrogen excretion with urine in late pregnant rats. They were divided into four groups: I--fed, pregnant for 21 days, II--fasted for one day (from 20 to 21 day of pregnancy), III--fasted for two days (from 19 to 21 day) and IV--fasted for three days (from 18 to 21 day). The concentration of glycogen and triglycerides was determined in the following tissues: the white and red layers of the vastus lateralis, the soleus, the diaphragm, the heart and the liver. The urine was collected in each group 24 h (from 20 to 21 day). It has been found that concentration of glycogen in the leg muscles is reduced by about 50% and in the diaphragm by 75% already after 24 h fasting and then remains stable. The concentration of glycogen in the heart increases after one day of fasting and then returns to the control value. The effect of fasting on the concentration of triglycerides in the tissues depends on a tissue studied. It decreases gradually in the white vastus, and in the soleus only on the third day. It is elevated during the first two days of fasting in the red vastus, diaphragm and liver and returns to the control level on the third day. The fasting doubled the concentration of triglycerides in the heart. The urinary urea, creatinine, and uric acid excretion decreases and ammonia excretion increases during fasting. The results obtained indicate that the late gestation does not alter response of muscle glycogen metabolism to fasting as compared to the male rats. It does effect metabolism of triglycerides.

Animals↗

Metabolic response to starvation in late pregnant rats. II. Fetal response.

Effect of prolonged maternal fasting on the fetal liver and heart glycogen and triglyceride content and on concentration of glucose, urea, uric acid and alpha amino-nitrogen in the amniotic fluid has been studied in rats. The animals were divided into four groups: fed (control), fasted for one day (from 20 to 21 day of pregnancy), fasted for two days (from 19 to 21 day) and fasted for three days (from 18 to 21 day). Maternal fasting for two and three days resulted in reduction in fetal growth. The fetal liver glycogen content was reduced already after one day of fasting, stabilized after two days and then further decreased after three days. The fetal heart glycogen content was reduced only after three days of fasting. The fetal liver triglyceride content increased gradually during the first two days of fasting and then stabilized. The content of triglycerides in the heart was elevated after two and three days of food deprivation. The amniotic fluid glucose concentration decreased after one day of fasting and then stabilized. Fasting did not effect the concentration of the nitrogenous compounds in the amniotic fluid. It is concluded that maternal fasting affects markedly metabolism of energy substrates stored in the fetal liver and the heart and the composition of the amniotic fluid.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Effect of exercise on energy substrates metabolism in tissues of adrenalectomized rats.

Effect of adrenalectomy and exercise on skeletal muscle, heart and liver glycogen and triglycerides, blood glucose and plasma free fatty acid level has been studied in the rat. It has been found that exercise-induced mobilization of glycogen in vastus deepest and soleus was diminished whereas utilization of liver glycogen was accelerated in adrenalectomized rats as compared to sham-operated controls. Triglyceride content in vastus deepest was reduced and in the liver increased in control rats but remained stable during exercise in adrenalectomized rats. In the latter group hypoglycemia occurred earlier and was more pronounced, whereas plasma free fatty acid level was markedly lower than in the control group.

Adrenal Glands↗