Gerard Drewa

Effect of altitude training on the peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in sportsmen.

PURPOSE The aim of this work was an evaluation of the influence of physical exercise in high-altitude conditions (about 2000 m above sea level) on thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in 10 kayakers and 10 rowers. METHODS During their training, the sportsmen performed different kinds of static and dynamic efforts. The blood samples were taken from the cubital vein on the control day at low altitude and at high altitude, and on the 4th, 10th, and 18th days of the training camp before and after exercise. The TBARS and lactic acid concentrations in blood plasma and SOD and CAT activities in erythrocytes were measured. RESULTS A statistically significant increase of SOD and CAT activities in erythrocytes after exercise on the 4th, 10th, and 18th days of training was found. The TBARS concentration in erythrocytes decreased in a statistically significant way after the end of the 10th day of exercise (P < 0.01), and on 18th day it more than doubled (P < 0.001) when preexercise values were compared with postexercise values of each day. A statistically significant increase of TBARS concentration in blood plasma was observed only after the end of exercise on the 10th day-using the same comparison as above. A statistically significant increased lactic acid concentration in blood plasma was noticed both on 4th or 18th days of training. CONCLUSIONS The results obtained show the increasing generation of oxygen-derived free radicals and the compensatory intensification of SOD and CAT activities after training in altitude (high mountain) conditions.

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.

Activity of antioxidant enzymes and concentration of lipid peroxidation products in selected tissues of mice of different ages, both healthy and melanoma-bearing

Summary.The activity of antioxidant enzymes and the concentration of the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) as indicator of oxidative damage were determined in selected tissues of healthy mice and transplanted B16 melanoma-bearing mice with increasing age. A total of 60 male mice were divided into 6 groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 consisted of tumor-free, healthy mice aged 1, 9 and 16 months, respectively (average life span: 2 years). Groups 4, 5 and 6 consisted of mice of the same age as the healthy mice, but given intraperitoneally 106 cells of B16 melanoma for 2 weeks.An increase in the concentration of MDA was found in all the studied tissues (brain, liver, lungs, erythrocytes) and blood plasma of 16-month old healthy mice compared with the younger ones. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) was elevated in the brain and the activity of CAT and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the liver of aged healthy mice.The transplantation of melanoma caused an increase of the concentration of MDA and of the activity of all studied enzymes in all tissues. This elevation was most pronounced in the youngest mice group 4 and was higher than in the oldest healthy group 3. Thus, these early changes of the “(anti-)oxidative status” in the investigated tissues caused by the tumor development have similarities with age-associated alterations of healthy mice, especially in regard to MDA in all tissues or SOD and CAT in brain.Zusammenfassung.In Abhängigkeit vom Alter wurde in mehreren Geweben von gesunden Mäusen und solchen mit einem transplantierten Tumor (B16-Melanom) die Aktivität von antioxidativen Enzymen und die Konzentration des Lipidperoxidationsproduktes Malondialdehyd (MDA) als Indikator für oxidative Schäden bestimmt. 60 Mäuse (♂) wurden in 6 Gruppen unterteilt. Die Gruppen 1, 2 und 3 bestanden aus tumor-freien, gesunden Mäusen mit einem Alter von 1, 9 und 16 Monaten (durchschnittliche Lebenserwartung 2 Jahre). Die Gruppen 4, 5 und 6 umfassten Mäuse desselben Alters, denen zusätzlich 106 Zellen des B16-Melanoms, i. p. appliziert wurden (2 Wochen lang).In allen untersuchten Geweben (Gehirn, Leber, Lungen, Erythrocyten) und im Blutplasma der 16 Monate alten, gesunden Mäuse wurde eine erhöhte Konzentration von MDA im Vergleich mit den jüngeren Tieren festgestellt. Ebenfalls war die Aktivität der Superoxiddismutase (SOD) und der Catalase (CAT) im Gehirngewebe bzw. die Aktivität von CAT und Glutathionperoxidase (GPx) im Lebergewebe der alten, gesunden Mäusen erhöht.Die Tumorapplizierung bewirkte eine erhöhte Konzentration von MDA und eine erhöhte Aktivität der untersuchten Enzyme in allen untersuchten Geweben. Dieser Anstieg war am stärksten ausgeprägt bei den jüngsten Mäusen (Gruppe 4). Diese durch die Tumorentwicklung bewirkte frühe Änderung des (anti-)oxidativen Status in den untersuchten Geweben hat somit manche Ähnlichkeit mit Altersveränderungen gesunder Mäuse, insbesondere hinsichtlich der MDA-Konzentration in allen Geweben und der Aktivität von SOD und CAT im Hirngewebe.

Application of Bladder Acellular Matrix in Urinary Bladder Regeneration: The State of the Art and Future Directions

Construction of the urinary bladder de novo using tissue engineering technologies is the “holy grail” of reconstructive urology. The search for the ideal biomaterial for urinary bladder reconstruction has been ongoing for decades. One of the most promising biomaterials for this purpose seems to be bladder acellular matrix (BAM). In this review we determine the most important factors, which may affect biological and physical properties of BAM and its regeneration potential in tissue engineered urinary bladder. We also point out the directions in modification of BAM, which include incorporation of exogenous growth factors into the BAM structure. Finally, we discuss the results of the urinary bladder regeneration with cell seeded BAM.

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.

Influence of cardiac resynchronization therapy on oxidative stress markers in patients with chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to assess changes of substances of oxidative stress in patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). METHODS The study comprised 51 patients with median age of 66 years. The presence, severity, and changes of oxidative stress during CRT were assessed and expressed as malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in plasma or in red blood cells. Antioxidant activity was assessed by the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in red blood cells. The concentration and activities were analyzed directly prior to implantation, 2-5 days after the procedure and after 6 months. Follow-up (6 months) included clinical, echocardiographic and implanted device assessments. RESULTS During the follow-up, 14% patients died. The median percentage of biventricular pacing was 99.29%. After 6 months 88% of patients improved NYHA, 12% remained as non-responders. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased from median 21.5% to 29% (p < 0.05). Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased significantly from a median of 69.5 mm to 63 mm (p < 0.05). After a 6-month study, MDA plasma concentration and the activity levels of each antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GPx) showed a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05). Changes concerning MDA concentrations in red blood cells remained statistically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS Resynchronization effect oxidative stress by reducing plasma concentration of MDA, CAT, SOD and GPX.

Evaluation of selected parameters of lipid peroxidation and paraoxonase activity in blood of patients with joint osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND Oxidative stress constitutes an important risk factor for tissue/cell damage and is involved in the occurrence and progression of Osteoarthritis (OA). OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of Malondialdehyde (MDA) in Synovial Fluid (SF) and blood as well as the activity of serum and SF paraoxonase (PON1) of patients with OA. Our study aimed to assess local and systemic responses to oxidative stress. METHODS The study included 43 subjects with OA qualified to total joint replacement. The control group consisted of 58 subjects with no musculoskeletal disorders. The malondialdehyde level were measured in venous blood plasma, erythrocytes (MDAe) and Synovial Fluid (SF) while PON1 activities were estimated in serum and SF. RESULTS No differences in MDA concentrations in erythrocytes and blood plasma between healthy subjects and OA patients were observed. The significant higher level of MDA in SF compared with blood serum was seen in both genders (in woman about 46.2%, in men - 75.0%) and in both assessed joints (in hip about 53.8%, in knee - 115.9%). Total protein concentration and PON1 activity in serum were significantly higher in OA patients (about 14.6% and 87.9% respectively). The systemic response to osteoarthritis (serum PON1 activity) was higher about 33.6% in men than women and not dependent on affected joint. CONCLUSION The changes observed in osteoarthritic SF show that the process of antioxidant enzymatic defence is intensified locally, not systemically. The lipid hydroperoxides elimination may lead to restore joints homeostasis.

Plane warts on the back of the hand successfully treated with oral isotretinoin

Address for correspondence: Agnieszka Białecka MD, Chair of Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Immunodermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 9 Skłodowskiej-Curie St, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland, phone: +48 696 557 558, +48 535 854 568, e-mail: agnieszka_bialecka@wp.pl Received: 13.07.2017, accepted: 24.08.2017. Plane warts on the back of the hand successfully treated with oral isotretinoin