Telomerase activity in melanocytic lesions: A potential marker of tumor biology

Telomerase activation, being a cardinal requirement for immortalization, is a crucial step in the development of malignancy. With a view toward diagnostic and biological aspects in melanocytic neoplasia, we investigated the relative levels of telomerase activity in 72 nevi and 16 malignant melanomas by means of a modified telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay, including an internal amplification standard. We further compared telomerase activity with the expression of two different proliferation-specific proteins, Ki-67 and repp86, a protein expressed exclusively in the cell cycle phases S, G2, and M. Telomerase activity was associated with the overall growth fraction (Ki-67) but showed a closer correlation with the expression of repp86. Both telomerase activity and proliferation indices discriminated clearly between malignant melanomas and nevi, but not between common and dysplastic nevi. Nonetheless, a portion of nevi exhibited markedly elevated telomerase activity levels without proportionally increased proliferation. This was independent of discernible morphological changes. Clinicopathological correlations showed an association between high telomerase activity and early metastatic spread in melanomas, linking telomerase to tumor biology. Our results provide arguments in favor of an occasional progression from nevi to melanomas and imply that proliferation measurements in combination with telomerase assays may help to elicit early malignant transformation that is undetectable by conventional morphology.

[Interleukin-13 in the nasal lavage of pollinosis patients after specific intranasal challenge]

The unique properties of interleukin-13 have drawn the attention of investigators to its role in atopic diseases and in the mechanism of specific immunotherapy. The aim of this paper was to determine whether the presence of interleukin-13 will, apart from interleukina-4, be found in the nasal lavage after specific challenge and if the levels of these cytokines will differ. The studies included 13 patients in whom grass and rye pollen allergy was confirmed by the case history, skin tests and the presence of specific IgE in the blood serum. In all these persons active anterior rhinomanometry and than specific challenge with gradually increasing concentrations of the grass pollen allergen were performed before the season. At the end of these challenge, nasal lavage was done and the lavage fluid was preparated for determination of IL-4 and IL-13. Both cytokines were found to be present in the nasal lavage and in 6 patients the IL-13 concentration was higher than that of IL-4. Three of these patients had been previously hyposensitized. Although the results presented here are preliminary, they may provide inspiration four further investigations of the role of IL-13 in the specific immunotherapy in pollinosis patients.

The effects of a new generation of H1 antihistamines (cetirizine and loratadine) on histamine release and the bronchial response to histamine in atopic patients

The effects of two selective H1 receptor blockers, cetirizine and loratadine, in comparison with placebo, on basophil histamine release and the bronchial response to histamine were assessed. The studies were performed in a group of 18 patients with pollinosis and 22 with atopic asthma. Both tests were performed before and after medication. Histamine release from isolated basophils was evaluated by Shore's method using anti-IgE and pollen antigen as stimulants. The bronchial provocation tests were performed by Ryan's method. The results were expressed as PC20FEV1. It was shown that both drugs significantly inhibited basophil histamine release induced by anti-igE or specific allergen. It was also found that these drugs effectively reduced the bronchial response to histamine challenge. These findings confirm the beneficial clinical effect of a new generation of selective H1 blockers in the treatment of IgE-mediated allergic diseases, and also the possible role of these drugs in the therapy of atopic asthma.

[Selected clinical and laboratory tests during specific immunotherapy of patients hypersensitive to insect bites]

The study aimed at determining selected immunologic parameters of the cellular histamine secretion and skin reactivity in the group of 9 patients hypersensitive to insect poison with effective immunotherapy following 2 years of maintenance treatment. It has been shown that the continuation of the specific immunotherapy for 2 years maintains and even increases favourable changes in humoral and cellular immunity induced already in the early phase of desensitization. An assay of the specific IgE and IgG4, cellular histamine secretion, and skin reactivity is of value in monitoring specific allergy to insect poison immunotherapy.

[Evaluation of the combined action of muscarinic receptor antagonists and beta receptor agonists on reactivity of basophils isolated from blood of patients with atopic bronchial asthma]

The study aimed at evaluating effects of selective M1 receptors antagonist-pirenzepine-and selected beta-receptor-agonists-orciprenaline or salbutamol, given alone or in combination, on histamine release from basophils isolated from patients with atopic asthma. Histamine concentration in the cells was assayed with spectrofluorimetric technique described by Shor and modified by Scov and Norn, using anti-IgE and metacholine as liberators. It was showed, that pirenzepine inhibits histamine release caused by both anti-IgE and metacholine. In the latter case this inhibitory effect was more significant. Beta-sympathicomimetics acted conversely, significantly inhibiting immunological histamine release. This effect was weaker, if metacholine was used. Combination of these agents increased protective effect of pirenzepine on histamine release induced by metacholine.

[Usefulness of testing histamine release from isolated human basophils in anti-allergic and anti-asthmatic drug assessment]

Histamine release from isolated human basophils test was used to evaluate an activity of: histamine receptors H1 and H2 blockers, agonists of beta-receptors, calcium channel blocking agents, hydrocortisone, and disodium cromoglycate (Intal). The study involved 84 patients hospitalized for the bronchial asthma. Basophils were isolated with Day's technique modified by Shov and Norn. Histamine was measured with Shov's spectrofluorimetric technique. It was found that histamine release from isolated human basophils may be used in both evaluation of the mechanism of action and efficiency of drugs used in allergic diseases therapy.

[Effect of fenoterol, ipratropium bromide and their combination--Berodual--on pulmonary ventilation in patients with asthma]

The study aimed at evaluating FVC, FEV1, and FMF25-75% following and inhalation of fenoterol, ipratropium bromide and Berodual in 10 patients with the bronchial asthma. Berodual may be inhaled directly from the metered dose inhaler or with added tube spacer. Spirometry was performed after a single deep inspiration of each drug in the consecutive days, and after 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes as well as 2, 3, 4, and 5 hours following the inhalation. The differences at each time point were compared with baseline values and expressed as percentage of the increase. The obtained results were analysed statistically. It was shown that bronchodilatory action of Berodual, being both beta 2-agonist and anticholinergic agent, is the most pronounced. The highest values of the measured spirometric parameters followed Berodual inhalation with the aid of tube spacer but the differences compared with Berodual applied with the metered dose inhaler were not statistically significant.

[Effect of cimetidine and ranitidine on bronchial reactivity in patients with asthma]

The results of studies on the effect of cimetidine and ranitidine on the bronchial reactivity in a group of 10 patients with atopic bronchial asthma are discussed. The patients received 800 mg of cimetidine daily for 6 days and, after a three-day interval, 300 mg of ranitidine daily for a further 6 days. Bronchial reactivity was determined with the histamine test, according to Spector and Farr, before the administration of each drug and on the third and sixth days of each course of the treatment. A comparison of the effect of cimetidine and ranitidine on the bronchial reactivity in the same patients revealed that a 3-day exposure to each of the two drugs, cimetidine enhanced bronchial reactivity to a greater extent than ranitidine; the difference between the action of the two drugs being statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Bronchial reactivity was found to increase significantly after a 6-day treatment with each of the drugs but no statistically significant differences were noted comparing the effect of these drugs.

Comparison of the effects of cimetidine and ranitidine in histamine provocation tests in atopic asthma

The effects of cimetidine and ranitidine on the bronchial reactivity in the group of 10 patients with atopic bronchial asthma are presented. The patients received 800 mg of cimetidine daily for 6 days and, after a three-day interval, 300 mg of ranitidine daily for a further 6 days. Bronchial reactivity to histamine was determined before the administration of each drug and on the third and sixth days of each course of treatment. A comparison of the effect of cimetidine and ranitidine on the bronchial reactivity of the same patients revealed that after 3 days' exposure to each of the two drugs, cimetidine enhanced bronchial reactivity to a statistically (p less than 0.05) greater extent than ranitidine. Bronchial reactivity was found to increase significantly after 6 days of treatment with each of the drugs but no statistically significant differences were noted on comparing the effect of these drugs. The results seem to indicate that H2 receptor antagonists may cause bronchoconstriction in some patients with bronchial asthma. The blocking effect depends on the type of the drug used and is connected with the chemical structure of the compounds.

The role of H2-receptors in bronchial reactivity in atopic asthma

The aim of the present study was to evaluate lung function and bronchial reactivity during therapy with the H2-blockers, cimetidine and ranitidine, in order to determine the role of H2-receptors in the bronchial response of asthmatic patients. Bronchial reactivity was evaluated by the histamine provocation test before, and 3 or 6 days after administration of cimetidine (800 mg per day) or ranitidine (300 mg per day). It was shown that after 6 days treatment, an increase in bronchial reactivity occurred in 85% of the patients treated with cimetidine and in 64% of the patients treated with ranitidine. These results seem to confirm the presence of H2 receptors in the bronchial tree of asthmatic patients. Blockade of these receptors causes an increase in bronchial reactivity and potential exacerbation of the asthmatic symptoms.

The influence of cimetidine and ranitidine on basophil histamine release and bronchial reactivity in asthmatic patients

Anti-IgE induced histamine release from isolated basophils after Cimetidine and Ranitidine administration was evaluated in 22 patients with atopic bronchial asthma. The histamine provocation test after Ranitidine treatment in 10 patients with atopic bronchial asthma and 10 patients with peptic ulcer was also performed. Investigations in vitro revealed that Cimetidine and Ranitidine in low concentrations had an inhibitory effect whereas in concentrations of over 10(-6) M and 10(-4) M, respectively, they enhanced histamine release. Investigations in vivo after administration of Ranitidine showed that it does not cause marked changes in the bronchial reactivity in patients with bronchial asthma and any change in patients with peptic ulcer. These preliminary studies seem to suggest that in patients with atopic bronchial asthma and concomitant peptic ulcer Ranitidine is preferable to Cimetidine in the treatment of digestive tract disorders.

[Anginin effect in cerebovascular disorders in the light of psychological studies]

Seventeen patients aged 40 to 69 years with cerebral atherosclerosis and peripheral atherosclerotic changes treated for 6 months with Anginin were investigated psychologically. The purpose of the investigation was assessment of the effects of Anginin on certain higher psychic functions and motor fitness, duration of drug effects, and the influence of patients' attitude on health improvement. The investigations comprised a set of 10 psychometric tests assessing objectively the state of different kinds of memory and motor fitness, that is those functions which are most frequently disturbed in cerebral atherosclerosis, and evaluation of the symptoms associated with the disease (in the light of interviews). Each patient was investigated 4 times with parallel sets of tests: before starting treatment, after 3--4 months of treatment, 6 months after the beginnning of treatment, and 6 months after completion of treatment. Seven patients received placebo during the first 2 months. Statistically analysed results showed that during the treatment immediate and delayed visual and auditory memory increased, visumotor coordination improved and disturbances of attention concentration and motor fitness were alleviated. After 3--4 months of treatment the results of the tests for these functions improved further. The effect of Anginin lasted for 6 months after comletion of treatment showing only a slight tendency for decrease. The analysis of symptoms and comparison of the placebo group with the drug group demonstrated a high influence of the attitude of the patient on health improvement, and the psychotherapeutic effect of the drug was considerable. The good effects were obtained in cases with moderately severe and slight intensity of disturbances.