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Biomedical subjects

U Demkow

Publications and source records attributed to U Demkow.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[The influence of rifampicin on selected parameters of immunologic response].

Rifampicin (RMP), antituberculous drug, has been controversially described for many years as an immunosuppressant. The goal of this work was to determine the influence of RMP on selected parameters of the immune response in vivo and in vitro. In vivo (in B6AF1 mice) the influence of long-term treatment on primary humoral response and cellular response was evaluated. Drug dose was 50 mg/kg. In vitro (using peripheral blood of volunteers) the influence of RMP on mitogen induced proliferation, metabolic activity of granulocytes and leukocyte induced angiogenesis by diverse subpopulation of mononuclear cells was examined. The concentrations tested were 7 and 70 micrograms/ml. RMP slightly stimulated production of anti-SRBC antibodies and suppressed cellular response in mice, decreased PHA and ConA induced proliferation in higher concentration and strongly inhibited chemiluminescence at concentration used. RMP inhibited also leukocytes induced angiogenesis.

Animals↗

Screening of angiogenesis inhibitors by modified tumor-induced angiogenesis (TIA) test in lung cancer.

Aberrant angiogenesis-the new vessels formation is a mandatory event in the process of tumor growth and expansion. Studies on mechanisms involved in tumor-induced angiogenesis (TIA) and on its possible inhibitors are needed in order to introduce in future new methods of tumor treatment. The aim of our study was to determine the usefulness of the modified cutaneous TIA (mice without immunosuppression) test for screening in vivo of the angiogenesis modifiers. In both models (classical and modified TIA) we demonstrated comparable angiogenesis activity following human lung cells inoculation and similar degree of neovascularization response inhibition caused by theobromine. We reported that in modified TIA model preincubation with theobromine significantly suppressed angiogenic potential of human lung cancer cells as well as the ability of those cells to produce proangiogenic cytokine-bFGF.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Pulmonary reaction after furazidin (Furagin). Case report].

For the first time in Poland we present the case of pulmonary reaction to furazidin which is by chemical structure closely related to nitrofurantoin. 63 years old woman presented generalized symptoms of acute hypersensitivity reaction induced by furazidin as well as features of chronic pulmonary fibrosis. After few months of treatment with this drug patients complained of weight loss, dyspnea on effort, non-productive cough, chills and fever. Radiological and functional evaluation of respiratory system confirmed features of lung fibrosis. Drug provocation test was positive. In vitro furazidin in low concentrations stimulated proliferation of patient's lymphocytes. After cessation of treatment we have observed rapid improvement of clinical, radiological, biochemical and functional parameters.

Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary↗

[Immunomodulatory properties of therapeutic and subtherapeutic levels of theophylline: effect on metabolic activity of human monocytes].

The aim of present study was to analyze the potential immunomodulatory effects of theophylline. We studied the influence of therapeutic and subtherapeutic drug concentrations on the metabolic human monocytes activity using the chemiluminescence test, that allows to evaluate the production of free oxygen radicals. Subtherapeutic theophylline concentrations of 2.5 and 5 micrograms/ml significantly increased monocytes spontaneous chemiluminescence activity. Moreover, in concentrations 5-20 micrograms/ml theophylline interfered with the process of monocyte activation by zymosan: decreasing O2-total and maximal production as well as affecting duration of the "respiratory burst" reaction. Correlation between theophylline concentration and intensity of its suppressive effect was also observed. Therefore we concluded that theophylline might be useful in the treatment of allergic inflammation characterising bronchial asthma.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

[Theophylline does not exert an effect on the early phase of TNF-alpha through the activity of human monocytes].

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is commonly recognized as a one of the most important mediators of allergic inflammation and hyperreactivity in bronchial asthma. Several studies proved the inhibitory effect of theophylline (including it's subtherapeutic doses) on the synthesis of TNF-alpha in 24 hrs monocyte cultures. The aim of our study was to determine the influence of therapeutic and subtherapeutic concentrations of the drug on the early phase of TNF-alpha release. We showed that theophylline did not significantly alter the cytokine concentration measured by Elisa method in supernatants from 2 hrs monocyte cultures stimulated by LPS (1 microgram/ml). Therefore, we concluded that the mechanism of theophylline inhibitory action on TNF-alpha production is more likely associated with changes in genome expression, than with the inhibition of the cytokine liberation from the cell.

Humans↗

[Evaluation of angiogenic activity in sera from patients with interstitial lung diseases].

Angiogenesis is a process of new blood vessels' formation occurring in many physiological and pathological conditions. Neovascularisation is the principal vascular response in chronic inflammation and concomitant fibrotic process. Microvascular changes in various organ sites in sarcoidosis (BBS) and some of the symptoms of the disease may be related to microangiopathy. Moreover, vascular alterations were also observed in lung specimens from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and avian fanciers lung (AFL) patients. The present study was aimed at testing the effects of serum from 43 patients with ILD (24 BBS, 8 AFL, 8 IPF, 3 DIPF--drug induced pulmonary fibrosis) and 11 healthy controls on angiogenic capability of normal blood peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) in the murine intradermal angiogenesis assay (according to Sidky and Auerbach). The data demonstrated that sera from ILD patients significantly enhanced angiogenic capacity of normal PBMC as compared to control sera (p < 0.001). The effect was more pronounced for AFL patients than for BBS and IPF ones (p < 0.05). Sera from DIPF did not stimulate angiogenesis compared to control sera. The data showed that sera from ILD patients constitute sources of mediators participating in angiogenesis. This phenomenon may play role in pathogenesis of chronic immunological processes in lung.

Adult↗

Effect of antituberculous drugs, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and rifampicin, on chemiluminescence of the human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) was used to assay the effect of three antituberculous drugs [isoniazid (INH), pyrazinamide (PZA), rifampicin (RM)] on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) isolated from blood of 5 healthy donors. Drugs were added directly to the medium in concentrations; INH 5 micrograms/ml, PZA 40 micrograms/ml, RM 7 micrograms/ml. These concentrations correspond to peak serum concentrations after usual doses. RM was found to inhibit FMLP (N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl -phenylalanine)-induced CL response of PMN, PZA did not influence the metabolic activity of neutrophils, and INH stimulated PMN CL.

Antitubercular Agents↗

[Evaluation of selected immunologic parameters in healthy persons infected with mycobacterium tuberculosis bacillus].

Selected immunological parameters of peripheral blood leukocytes in 30 tb contracts and control group consisting of 30 healthy blood donors in similar age were examined. All contacts showed the exudate type Mantoux reaction (over 20 mm in diameter) and all revealed normal chest X-ray. No differences between both groups in total T cells, CD4, CD8 counts, CD4/CD8 ratio and in proliferative response to mitogens (PHA and Con A) were found. Tb contacts had the similar serum IgM and elevated IgG and IgA concentrations as compared with the controls. Tb contacts showed depressed granulocyte metabolic activity as measured by CL response to chemostatic peptide N-FORMYL-MET-LEU-PHE (FMLP) in comparison with control subjects.

Adult↗

Effect of purinergic receptor antagonists suramin and theobromine on tumor-induced angiogenesis in BALB/c mice.

The purinergic receptor antagonists suramin (SRN) and theobromine (TBR) were examined for their anti-angiogenic activity in BALB/c mice. SRN or TBR were subcutaneously administered to BALB/c mice in doses of 1-125 mg/kg body weight on days 0, 1 and 2 after intradermal inoculation of E14/W lung carcinoma cells. It was shown that SRN and TBR inhibited tumor-related angiogenesis. Accordingly, it may be suggested that purinoceptor antagonists may inhibit neovascularization in tumor growth and metastasis.

Animals↗

[Assessment of the value of stimulation from a preparation of Tołpa peat for treatment of trauma related osteomyelitis].

Tołpa peat preparation at the dose of 5 mg per day was administered to 10 patients with chronic posttraumatic osteomyelitis for 6 weeks period of time. Good clinical result (ceasing of the inflammatory process) was found in 4 patients but 3 of them were concurrently treated surgically. Immunological examination (angiogenesis test and chemiluminescence test) performed before the onset and after completion of the treatment with Tołpa preparation did not reveal meaningful changes indicating immunomodulating action of the preparation on the course of posttraumatic osteomyelitis.

Adolescent↗

Neuroendocrine phenotype of non-small cell lung carcinoma: immunohistological evaluation and biochemical study.

AIMS AND METHODS: The prevalence and distribution of neuroendocrine differentiation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was estimated by assays for synaptophysin (SYN), chromogranin A (CgA), Leu7 and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). Serum NSE and CgA were determined in parallel to find the values of these markers for distinguishing neuroendocrine differentiation in NSCLC. Fifty-eight resected NSCLC specimens and 34 sera of NSCLC patients entered the study. Neuroendocrine differentiation was graded according to the percentage of neuroendocrine tumor cells as NE0--0%, NE1-NE4--1%->76%. Serum NSE <12.5 ng/mL and serum CgA <46 U/L were taken as cutoff levels. RESULTS: 63.8% (37/58) of NSCLC were scored as NE1-NE4 according to the SYN, CgA and Leu7 levels; 34.5% as NE1; 29.3% as NE2-NE4. 56.8% of tumors were positive for SYN, 34.4% for CgA, 22.4% for Leu7, and 79.3% for NSE. A significant relationship was found between tumor SYN and tumor CgA expression, and between tumor SYN expression and tumor stage. Adenocarcinomas showed a significantly higher rate of neuroendocrine differentiation than squamous cell carcinomas. All normal serum CgA levels corresponded to a lack of CgA expression in the tumors. The increased serum NSE levels presented by 26% of NSCLC patients (mainly <16 ng/mL) did not correlate with tumor NSE expression. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of neuroendocrine differentiation in NSCLC varies and depends on the immunohistochemical criteria used; this warrants standardization of the immunohistochemical criteria for neuroendocrine differentiation in NSCLC. NSE expression in the tumor and a mild increase in serum NSE are poor markers for distinguishing neuroendocrine differentiation in NSCLC.

Adult↗

Diagnostic utility of CYFRA 21-1 and CEA assays in pericardial fluid for the recognition of neoplastic pericarditis.

A positive cytology result in pericardial fluid is the gold standard for recognition of malignant pericardial effusion. Unfortunately, in 30-50% of patients with malignant pericardial effusion cytological examination of the pericardial fluid is negative. Tumor marker assessment in pericardial fluid may help to recognize malignant pericardial effusion. The aim of our study was to estimate the value of CYFRA 21-1 and CEA measurement in pericardial fluid for the recognition of malignant pericardial effusion. To our knowledge this is the first study on CYFRA 21-1 assessment in pericardial effusion. The examined group consisted of 50 patients with malignant pericardial effusion and 34 patients with non-malignant pericardial effusion. Median CEA concentrations in malignant pericardial effusion and non-malignant pericardial effusion were 80 ng/mL (0-317) and 0.5 ng/mL (0-18.4), respectively (p<0.001). Median CYFRA 21-1 concentrations in malignant pericardial effusion and non-malignant pericardial effusion were 260 ng/mL (5.3-10080) and 22.4 ng/mL (1.87-317.6), respectively (p<0.001). The optimal cutoff value for CYFRA 21-1 in pericardial effusion was 100 ng/mL. CYFRA 21-1 >100 ng/mL or CEA >5 ng/mL were found in 14/15 patients with malignant pericardial effusion and negative pericardial fluid cytology. We therefore strongly recommend the use of CYFRA 21-1 and/or CEA in addition to pericardial fluid cytology for the recognition of malignant pericardial effusion.

Adult↗

The effect of phenolic compounds of poplar leaves extract on cutaneous angiogenesis reaction induced in mice by human mononuclear leukocytes.

The influence of ether fraction of water-soluble extract of poplar leaves (Populus nigra L.) and nine phenolic acids (cinnamic and benzoic acids derivatives) on human mononuclear (MNL) leukocytes angiogenic activity was studied. Ether fraction, containing mainly phenolic acids, increased cutaneous angiogenesis induced in mice by human MNL isolated from the blood of healthy donors. Increase of angiogenic activity was also observed in case of caffeic, gallic, salicylic, ferulic and gentisic acids. Isovanillic, protocatechuic and p-hydroxybenzoic acids did not influence this parameter.

Animals↗