Bartosz Woźniak

Enhanced lipid peroxidation processes in patients after brain contusion

Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) activity and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentrations were determined in 30 patients with brain contusion and in 37 control patients with low back pain due to noninflammatory degenerative lumbar disc disease. In comparison to controls, during 10-day follow-up patients with brain contusion had significantly increased erythrocyte SOD-1 activity and CSF, blood plasma (LDL), and erythrocyte TBARS concentrations. The highest CSF TBARS concentrations were observed in five patients who died 2, 7, or 8 days following head injury. A significant negative correlation was found between erythrocyte SOD-1 activity or TBARS concentrations, in the blood plasma LDL fraction and erythrocytes, and The Glasgow Coma Scale score. These results suggest that enhanced lipid peroxidation processes, which seem to correlate with the severity of head injury, accompany brain contusion.

The Effect of Submaximal Exercise Preceded by Single Whole-Body Cryotherapy on the Markers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Blood of Volleyball Players

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of single whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) session applied prior to submaximal exercise on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, the concentration of lipid peroxidation products, total oxidative status, and the level of cytokines in blood of volleyball players. The study group consisted of 18 male professional volleyball players, who were subjected to extremely cold air (−130°C) prior to exercise performed on cycloergometer. Blood samples were taken five times: before WBC, after WBC procedure, after exercise preceded by cryotherapy (WBC exercise), and before and after exercise without WBC (control exercise). The activity of catalase statistically significantly increased after control exercise. Moreover, the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase was lower after WBC exercise than after control exercise (P < 0.001). After WBC exercise, the level of IL-6 and IL-1β was also lower (P < 0.001) than after control exercise. The obtained results may suggest that cryotherapy prior to exercise may have some antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The relations between the level of studied oxidative stress and inflammatory markers may testify to the contribution of reactive oxygen species in cytokines release into the blood system in response to exercise and WBC.

Oxidant-Antioxidant Balance in the Blood of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease After Smoking Cessation

The effect of smoking cessation on the oxidative stress in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was assessed. We recruited 73 smokers with COPD (study group), whose blood was analysed before smoking cessation, after the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd months of abstinence, 35 healthy nonsmokers (Control I), and 35 smokers with COPD (Control II). Blood was taken once in Control I and 4 times (every month) in Control II. In the study group conjugated dienes (CDs) level in plasma and erythrocytes before smoking cessation was 3 and 6.5 times higher than in Control I, respectively (P < 0.001), while thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) level was 89% (P < 0.001) and 51% higher (P < 0.01), respectively. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was 40% higher (P < 0.05) while glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was 41% lower (P < 0.001) than in Control I. In Control II, the similar differences as compared to Control I were observed throughout the study. Smoking cessation resulted in decrease of CDs, TBARS, and SOD and GPx increase, with no changes in catalase and vitamins A and E. COPD is accompanied by oxidative stress. A three-month tobacco abstinence facilitated restoring the oxidant-antioxidant balance systemically, but it did not affect spirometric parameters.

Effects of thermal stress on the activity of selected lysosomal enzymes in blood of experienced and novice winter swimmers

Background. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of exposure to cold and heat on the activity of selected lysosomal enzymes as well as on the activity of the protease inhibitor, which are all considered to be markers of cellular damage. Material. Two groups of healthy volunteers were included in the study. The first group consisted of experienced winter swimmers who practiced bathing in ice-cold water once a week, while the other group was comprised of persons who had never taken part in winter swimming before. During the experiment all the participants bathed in a river with a water temperature of 0°C. The same volunteers were later subjected to a sauna bath at an air temperature of 85°C. Methods. The activity of cathepsin D, alpha-1-antitrypsin, arylsulphatase and acid phosphatase was measured in the participants blood serum. Results. After exposure to cold water no changes in the parameters studied could be found. However, after the sauna an increase in the activity of arylsulphatase and alfa-1-antitrypsin accompanied by a decrease of cathepsin D activity could be observed. Conclusions. Winter swimming seems to have no effect on the activity of the lysosomal enzymes. By contrast, an increase of certain lysosomal enzymes after the sauna suggests that it may be deleterious to the lysosomal membranes. Furthermore it seems that regular winter swimming combined with sauna, according to hormesis theory, induces some adaptive response.

Lipid Peroxidation and Activity of Some Antioxidant Enzymes in Patients with Glioblastoma and Astrocytoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of malondialdehyde—MDA (one of the lipid peroxidation products)—in blood plasma and erythrocytes and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in red blood cells of patients with a primary brain tumour. The study was performed on 24 patients with a brain tumour (9 with glioblastoma and 15 with asrocytoma) treated in the Department and Clinic of Neurosurgery and Neurotraumatology at Ludwik Rydygier Medical University in Bydgoszcz. The control group consisted of 20 healthy volunteers. A statistically significant higher MDA concentration in erythrocytes and blood plasma and a higher activity of SOD or CAT in erythrocytes was shown in patients with a brain tumour as compared to the control group. Neither the histological type of tumour nor surgery has an effect on the tested biochemical parameters.

Oxidative Stress Markers in Prostate Cancer Patients after HDR Brachytherapy Combined with External Beam Radiation

Assessment of oxidative stress markers was perfomed in prostate cancer (PCa) patients subjected to high-dose brachytherapy (HDR) with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Sixty men with PCa were subjected to combined two-fraction treatment with HDR (tot. 20 Gy) and EBRT (46 Gy). Blood samples were taken before treatment, immediately afterwards, after 1.5–3 months, and approx. 2 years. Control group consisted of 30 healthy men. Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity in the patients was lower than in healthy subjects by 34% (P < 0.001), 50% (P < 0.001), 30% (P < 0.05), and 61% (P < 0.001), respectively, at all periods. No significant differences were found by comparing superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in PCa patients with that of the controls. After 2 years of the end of treatment, the activity of studied enzymes demonstrated a decreasing tendency versus before therapy. Blood plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration was higher than in the controls at all periods, while erythrocyte TBARS decreased after 2 years to control levels. The results confirm that in the course of PCa, imbalance of oxidant-antioxidant processes occurs. The therapy did not alter the levels of oxidative stress markers, which may prove its applicability. Two years is too short a period to restore the oxidant-antioxidant balance.

Effects of open versus laparoscopic nephrectomy techniques on oxidative stress markers in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

The aim of the study was to determine the concentration of lipid peroxidation products, the activity of selected antioxidant and lysosomal enzymes, and protease inhibitor in patients with renal cell carcinoma who underwent radical nephrectomy. The studied group included 44 patients: 21 of them underwent open surgery, while 23 underwent laparoscopy. Blood samples were collected three times: before treatment and 12 hours and five days after nephrectomy. In blood of participants, the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and the activity of acid phosphatase (AcP), arylsulfatase (ASA), cathepsin D (CTSD), and α 1-antitrypsin (AAT) were assayed. No statistically significant differences in investigated parameters were found between studied groups. Moreover, TBARS concentration and CAT, SOD, and GPx activity were not altered in the course of both types of surgery. Five days after both open and laparoscopic nephrectomy techniques, AAT activity was higher than its activity 12 hours after the procedure. The obtained results suggest that laparoscopy may be used for nephrectomy as effectively as open surgery without creating greater oxidative stress. Reduced period of convalescence at patients treated with laparoscopy may be due to less severe response of acute-phase proteins.

Correlation of Oxidative and Antioxidative Processes in the Blood of Patients with Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

The effect of cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) on oxidative stress parameters was assessed. The study was conducted in 42 patients with CSCI (studied group), 15 patients with cerebral concussion, without CSCI (Control II), and 30 healthy volunteers (Control I). Blood was taken from the basilic vein: before and seven days after the spinal cord decompression surgery (mean time from CSCI to surgery: 8 hours) in the studied group and once in the controls. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and conjugated dienes (CD) concentrations, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and creatine kinase (CK) activities before the surgery were higher in the studied group than in the controls. Reduced glutathione concentration was similar in all groups. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the studied group was 16% lower (P ≤ 0.001) than in Control I. Lipid peroxidation products, and GPx and CAT activities in erythrocytes seven days after the surgery were lower (P ≤ 0.001), while SOD was 25% higher (P ≤ 0.001) than before the surgery. CK in blood plasma after the surgery was 34% lower (P ≤ 0.001) than before it. CSCI is accompanied by oxidative stress. Surgical and pharmacological treatment helps to restore the oxidant-antioxidant balance.

Activity of α1-Antitrypsin and Some Lysosomal Enzymes in the Blood Serum of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease after Smoking Cessation

The activity of α 1-antitrypsin (AAT) and the lysosomal enzymes, cathepsin D (CTS D), arylsulfatase (ASA), and acid phosphatase, (AcP) was determined in patients with COPD (GOLD category A). Moreover, the diagnostic usefulness of these parameters in blood serum was assessed along with establishing whether smoking cessation affects these parameters. The study included 70 patients with COPD who ceased smoking (study group) and two control groups of 33 subjects each: nonsmokers without COPD (control I) and patients with COPD who continued smoking (control II). In control I, blood was taken once and in control II, at the start of the experiment and after the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd months. AAT in the patients exhibited higher activity than in the healthy subjects at all time points. AAT activity in the patients before the start of the experiment was ~80% higher (P < 0.001) than in control I. No statistically significant differences in CTS D, ASA, and AcP activity were found. COPD involves increased AAT activity and unchanged activities of the assessed lysosomal enzymes. Three-month tobacco abstinence does not affect these parameters in peripheral blood. Determining the AAT levels in blood serum can be used in the diagnostics of COPD.