Cytotoxic reaction mediators: granzymes A and B in women with ovarian cancer

The purpose of this work was the assessment of cytotoxic reaction mediators - granzymes A and B in the serum of women with ovarian tumors. The study included 120 women with proven ovarian tumors. The control group consisted of 60 healthy women in whom no pathological changes within the reproductive system were detected. Concentrations of granzymes A and B were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay. The highest concentrations of the studied parameters were observed in serum of women with ovarian cancer. Moreover, the concentrations of granzymes A and B in patients with ovarian cancer were substantially increased in comparison to concentrations in patients with ovarian cystadenomas (P < 0.0001) or ovarian teratomas (P < 0.0001).

Soluble Fas receptor and soluble Fas ligand in the serum of women with uterine tumors

It is commonly accepted that apoptosis plays an important role in the death of normal and neoplastic cells. Related proteins and their receptors on cell surfaces regulate apoptosis. One of the best-characterized systems is the Fas-Fas ligand system. The aim of the study was to examine the concentrations of soluble Fas receptor (sFas) and the soluble ligand for the Fas receptor (sFasL) in serum of women with uterine tumors. The study included 42 women with uterine tumors. As a normal control, sera were obtained from 20 healthy female volunteers. The concentrations of sFas and sFasL in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA. Significant increases of the mean value of sFas and sFasL were found in the serum of women with uterine tumor compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). The mean levels of these parameters increased in consecutive stages of the clinical extent of the uterine cancer (I-III). The lowest concentration was observed in women with stage I and the highest in women with stage III of clinical extent according to FIGO. Apoptosis that appears to occur in the cancerous cells of malignant uterine tumors is associated with high levels of sFas and sFasL in serum.

Serum interleukin-10 in ICU patients with severe acute central nervous system injuries

RATIONALE

IL-10, the main anti-inflammatory cytokine, may play a pivotal role in cerebral inflammation implicated in the development of brain edema and secondary brain damage after injury.

AIM OF THE STUDY

1) Determining absolute IL-10 serum level and its pattern in critically ill patients with traumatic and non-traumatic acute brain injury. 2) Assessment of prognostic value of serum IL-10 in those patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serum IL-10 levels in 46 adults (multi-profile ICU, teaching hospital) with traumatic brain injury (TBI, N = 18), nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage (SAH, N = 11) and polytrauma with concomitant brain injury (POL, N = 17) were measured using ELISA. Relationship of IL-10 and initial diagnosis, clinical state, outcome and risk of infection development was evaluated.

RESULTS

IL-10 was detectable in the serum of all but one patient on ICU admission (56.6 +/- 91.9 pg/ml; mean +/- SD). No statistically significant differences in IL-10 between TBI, SAH and POL groups as well as between survivors and non-survivors on any day were found. No correlation between IL-10 and GCS or SAPS II was seen. Significant fall in serum IL-10 during the first 4 days of injury in patients of all subgroups was observed. Patients with initial serum IL-10 below 77 pg/ml were at significantly higher risk of development of any infection within the first week of injury.

CONCLUSIONS

After acute brain injury, serum IL-10 in adults is detectable independent of CNS lesion type. Its systemic release is strongly individualized. Serum IL-10 on ICU admission may have some prognostic value to predict development of infection in patients with CNS lesions.

Do fibrinolytic proteins of human bile derive exclusively from gall bladder?

BACKGROUND

In this study we addressed the issue of whether fibrinolytic proteins are presented in gall bladder bile only or in choledochus bile as well.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Gall bladder bile was obtained from 20 patients (Group I) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Bile from common bile duct was aspirated after insertion Kehr drainage from 9 patients (Group II). The concentrations of t-PA, u-PA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

We have shown that in cholecystectomized patients fibrinolytic proteins can be detected in bile both from gall bladder and from choledochus. Mean concentrations of t-PA, u-PA, PAI-1 were lower in Group II (5.69 ng/ml vs 15.7; 0.46 ng/ml vs 0.7; 16.82 ng/ml vs 26.16 ng/ml) or nearly equal for PAI-2 (343.53 ng/ml vs 341.02). All differences were insignificant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these results we concluded that the entire biliary tree produces the fibrinolytic proteins thus this production is not restricted to the gall bladder as it was earlier reported [1].

Lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to examine the hypothesis that total blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) lymphocytes and their subsets in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) with coexistent alveolitis are different from those in patients with PBC alone. Total blood and BAL lymphocytes and their subsets were evaluated in both types of patients and compared with a control group of normal healthy subjects.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

17 patients with well-documented PBC were divided into two groups: Group A--patients with coexisting alveolitis and Group B--patients with no alveolitis. Diagnosis was based on bronchoalveolar lavage. The control group consisted of healthy subjects. The lymphocyte subsets, including CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20 and CD56 were identified in blood and BAL cytospin smears using specific monoclonal antibodies.

RESULTS

The percentage of CD3 and CD8 lymphocytes in BAL was significantly lower in a Group A, whereas the percentage of NK was significantly increased in group B as compared with the reference group. The percentage of blood CD4 lymphocytes in both subgroups of the PBC patients was significantly decreased as compared with the controls. The percentage of NK in both groups was significantly increased as compared with the controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The relationship between the blood and BAL lymphocyte subsets in both studies groups were similar. Therefore, we suggest that PBC is a systemic disease in which lymphocytic infiltrations are not limited to the liver but may also involve lungs and probably other organs.

Effect of immunosuppressive cladribine treatment on serum leucocytes system in two-year clinical trial in patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis is presumably cell-mediated autoimmune disorder with immune abnormalities as presence of activated T-cells and increase interleukin 2 (IL-2) and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels in central nervous system and peripheral blood of patients. The aim of immunosuppressive treatment is to diminish such activation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of immunosuppressive cladribine treatment with total dose of 2.1 mg/kg b.w. administered in 7 cycles for 12 months, on serum leucocytes in 34 chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (CPMS) patients observed for 2 years as well as IL-2 and sIL-2R serum levels assessed before and right after the treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was designed as a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. The patients were divided in two groups: group I, cladribine-treated, n = 34; group II, placebo-treated, n = 35. Group III were healthy controls, n = 20. Leucocyte levels were determined with flow-cytometry. IL-2 and sIL-2R levels were assessed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Statistically significant gradual decrease of lymphocyte level was observed from 7th week to 12th month after the beginning of treatment. During the following 12 months, lymphocyte levels remained decreased in comparison to baseline. Mean values of IL-2 and sIL-2R levels measured 12 months after the treatment were found to be lowered by 20% (p. = 0.01) and by 24% (p. = 0.0005), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results obtained indicate fast and long-lasting decrease of serum leucocyte level and suppressive influence of cladribine treatment on immune processes in multiple sclerosis patients.

Accuracy of t-PA, u-PA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 estimation in human bile by ELISA kits

The aim of this study was to establish the accuracy of determination of fibrinolytic proteins in human bile using commercial kits.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Gall bladder bile was obtained from patient undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The concentrations of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), urokinase (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and inhibitor-2 (PAI-2) in bile were measured by enzyme linked immunoassay. Afterwards we conducted so called 'recovery test'.

RESULTS

Recovery percents of t-PA, u-PA, PAI-1, PAI 2 were very high i.e. 91.94, 94.07, 93.95, 91.2. We concluded that human fibrinolytic proteins in bile could be detected very accurately using commercial kits.

Antibodies against fibrinogen in pregnant women, in post delivery women and in the newborns

Pregnancy and delivery have measurable effects on haemostatic and immunological changes. Degradation of fibrinogen induces significant structural and conformational modulation and leads to the progressive loss of antigenic sites present on the parent molecule but also exposes some new sites. These neoantigens may be recognized by the immune system and may be elicited by the autologous host manifested by the production of autoantibodies. Therefore in the present study, in pregnant and post delivery women and in the newborns, levels of antibodies against fibrinogen, fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP) and fibrin degradation products (D-dimer) were examined. Enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) was used to detect and quantitate autoantibodies against fibrinogen (class G immunoglobulin) in human sera. In all sera there were found varying concentrations of autoantibodies and their levels were significantly higher in all pregnant women in comparison with non-pregnant ones. Significantly higher levels were found in Rh immunized and clinically complicated pregnancies. The level of autoantibodies, coagulation and fibrinolytic system components were higher in post delivery women than in normal pregnant women. Also antibodies to fibrinogen were studied in cord serum of newborns in different terms of delivery. The low levels of antibodies in all newborns raise questions of possible foetal-maternal immunologic interactions. Positive correlation between mothers and newborns was demonstrated after delivery at gestational age from 34th to 41st week, and negative in 42nd and more week. There were no significant differences in antibody level among the newborns delivered by the same mothers. It was found that autoantibodies bind selectively to the fibrinogen and fibrinogen fragments X, Y and D. These autoantibodies may represent a new interface between the coagulation and the immune systems which may be significant in controlling the pathologic activities of the cleavage fragments.

[The influence of salmon calcitonin on the soluble form of VCAM-1 (CD 106) and E-selectin (CD 62E) in serum of patients with atopic bronchial asthma]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of salmon calcitonin (CT) on serum level of soluble form of VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1 = soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) and E-selectin (sE-selectin = soluble E-selectin) in patients with atopic bronchial asthma. Twenty-four individuals divided into 4 groups (6 persons each) were investigated. The first group consisted of patients with chronic moderate bronchial asthma, the second and third groups consisted of patients with mild bronchial asthma and the fourth group K consisted of healthy individuals. The patients of the first and second group were treated with CT at a dose of 100 i.v./days s.c. for three days. The patients of the third group were given placebo (phychological saline) in similar way as CT. The indices were measured before the treatment with CT or placebo and on the 4th day of the treatment. It was found that CT treatment decreased sVCAM-1 in serum only in the patients of the first group (p < 0.05) but had no effect upon sE-selectin level. The obtained results suggest that CT interfered into mechanisms of inflammation involving adhesion molecules in patients with bronchial asthma.

[Level of neopterin in blood serum in selected thyroid diseases]

The aim of our study was to estimate the levels of neopterin (NTP), anti thyroglobulin antibodies (ATG), anti thyroid microsomal antibodies (MAB), immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM) and creatinine in the serum of patients with thyroid diseases. The clinical material consisted of 71 patients (64 women and 7 men) with non-toxic nodular goitre (30 persons), neoplasms (33 persons: 22 with thyroid adenoma and 11 with thyroid carcinoma) and thyroiditis (8 persons). The control group consisted of 30 healthy women. In studied groups the mean serum levels of NTP and creatinine were in normal range. The highest levels of NTP were found in patients with thyroid carcinoma (7.14 +/- 5.95 nmol/l) and with non-toxic nodular goitre (5.13 +/- 3.57 nmol/l). It was statistically significant in comparison with control group (p < 0.05). Anti thyroglobulin antibodies (ATG) were detected in serum of 36 patients (50.7%) and anti thyroid microsomal antibodies (MAB) were in serum of 28 patients (39.4%). Mean levels of these autoantibodies were significantly higher than in control group (< 0.05). In patients with autoantibodies (ATG and/or MAB) mean serum level of NPT was significantly higher than in patients without these autoantibodies (p < 0.05). We did not find a significant correlation between the level of NPT and the levels of ATG and MAB.

[Level of antifibrinogen antibodies in newborns and women during the postpartum period]

In newborns and women who have just delivered antifibrinogen antibodies level was measured by means of immunoenzymatic method (ELISA). It has been found significantly higher antibodies level in women than in newborns. All newborns had lower antibodies level than their mothers. It has been found significantly lowered antibodies level before 38 week of gestation. Especially high antibodies level was observed in women who gave birth after 42 week of gestation and in newborns born in the same time.

[Occurrence of antifibrinogen antibodies in serum of individuals diagnosed with serum sickness]

Occurrence and antifibrinogen antibodies level have been determined in sera of 50 individuals with serum sickness and in 50 blood donors constituting the control group. Antifibrinogen antibodies have been detected in blood of 41 (82%) blood recipients. Titre of these antibodies have ranged from 1:8 to 1:512, and their agglutination potency has ranged from 5 to 67 Dunsford's units. Immediately after serum sickness diagnosis a decrease in both level and agglutination potency of these antibodies has been noted. Further treatment with full blood constantly increased both the level and agglutination potency of antifibrinogen antibodies. It is probable, that fibrinogen and its degradation products present in the given blood stimulated antibodies production. This hypothesis is fortified by the observation, that stable decrease in both the level and agglutination potency of antifibrinogen antibodies in patients with serum sickness treated with washed erythrocytes. Antifibrinogen antibodies of a titre ranging from 1:4 to 1:16, and agglutination potency of 5-18 Dunford's units have been detected in 14 blood donors constituting a control group. Specificity of the detected antifibrinogen antibodies as well as their IgG character have been also confirmed.