Grzegorz Cieślar

Decrease in antioxidant status of plasma and erythrocytes from patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant status in plasma and erythrocytes from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS 16 patients with AS and 16 healthy volunteers were involved in this study. Activities of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and its isoenzymes - (SOD-Mn) and (SOD-ZnCu), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione transferase (GST), as well as the total antioxidant status (TAS) and concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma and/or erythrocytes, respectively were determined. RESULTS In patients with AS, a statistically significant decrease in plasma activity of SOD, SOD-CuZn and TAS, significant drop in activity of SOD, GPx, GST and GR in erythrocytes, as well as increased concentration of MDA in comparison with control group of healthy volunteers was observed. CONCLUSION Decrease in antioxidant status leading to generation of oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis.

Variable spatial magnetic field influences peripheral nerves regeneration in rats

Abstract Generator of spatial magnetic field is one of most recent achievements among the magnetostimulators. This apparatus allows to obtain the rotating magnetic field. This new method may be more effective than other widely used techniques of magnetostimulation and magnetotherapy. We investigated the influence of alternating, spatial magnetic field on the regeneration of the crushed rat sciatic nerves. Functional and morphological evaluations were used. After crush injury of the right sciatic nerve, Wistar C rats (n = 80) were randomly divided into four groups (control and three experimental). The experimental groups (A, B, C) were exposed (20 min/day, 5 d/week, 4 weeks) to alternating spatial magnetic field of three different intensities. Sciatic Functional Index (SFI) and tensometric assessments were performed every week after nerve crush. Forty-eight hours before the sacrificing of animals, DiI (1,1’-di-octadecyl-3,3,3’,3’-tetramethyloindocarbocyanine perchlorate) was applied 5 mm distally to the crush site. Collected nerves and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were subjected to histological and immunohistochemical staining. The survival rate of DRG neurons was estimated. Regrowth and myelination of the nerves was examined. The results of SFI and tensometric assessment showed improvement in all experimental groups as compared to control, with best outcome observed in group C, exposed to the strongest magnetic field. In addition, DRG survival rate and nerve regeneration intensity were significantly higher in the C group. Above results indicate that strong spatial alternating magnetic field exerts positive effect on peripheral nerve regeneration and its application could be taken under consideration in the therapy of injured peripheral nerves.

Autofluorescence endoscopy with “real-time” digital image processing in differential diagnostics of selected benign and malignant lesions in the oesophagus

BACKGROUND Oesophageal papilloma and Barretts oesophagus are benign lesions known as risk factors of carcinoma in the oesophagus. Therefore, it is important to diagnose these early changes before neoplastic transformation. METHOD Autofluorescence endoscopy is a fast and non-invasive method of imaging of tissues based on the natural fluorescence of endogenous fluorophores. The aim of this study was to prove the diagnostic utility of autofluorescence endoscopy with digital image processing in histological diagnosis of endoscopic findings in the upper digestive tract, primarily in the imaging of oesophageal papilloma. RESULTS During the retrospective analysis of about 200 endoscopic procedures in the upper digestive tract, 67 cases of benign, precancerous or cancerous changes were found. White light endoscopy (WLE) image, single-channel (red or green) autofluorescence images, as well as green and red fluorescence intensities in two modal fluorescence image and red-to-green (R/G) ratio (Numerical Colour Value, NCV) were correlated with histopathologic results. The NCV analysis in autofluorescence imaging (AFI) showed increased R/G ratio in cancerous changes in 96% vs. 85% in WLE. Simultaneous analysis with digital image processing allowed us to diagnose suspicious tissue as cancerous in all of cases. Barretts metaplasia was confirmed in 90% vs. 79% (AFI vs. WLE), and 98% in imaging with digital image processing. In benign lesions, WLE allowed us to exclude tissue as malignant in 85%. Using autofluorescence endoscopy R/G ratio was increased in only 10% of benign changes causing the picture to be interpreted as suspicious, but when both methods were used together, 97.5% were cases excluded as malignancies. Mean R/G ratios were estimated to be 2.5 in cancers, 1.25 in Barretts metaplasia and 0.75 in benign changes and were statistically significant (p=0.04). CONCLUSION Autofluorescence imaging is a sensitive method to diagnose precancerous and cancerous early stages of the diseases located in oesophagus. Especially in two-modal imaging including white light endoscopy, autofluorescence imaging with digital image processing seems to be a useful modality of early diagnostics. Also in observation of papilloma changes, it facilitates differentiation between neoplastic and benign lesions and more accurate estimation of the risk of potential malignancy.

Influence of extremely low-frequency magnetic field on the activity of antioxidant enzymes during skin wound healing in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of the antioxidant enzymes mitochondrial and cytosolic superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1), glutathione peroxidase (POX, EC 1.11.1.9) and glutathione S-transferase (EC 3.1.2.7), as well as the concentration of malone dialdehyde (MDA), as an indicator of lipid peroxidation rate in the liver tissue homogenates and blood serum of male rats exposed to extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) in order to improve the healing process of an experimental cut wound on the back of each animal. The exposure to ELF-MF with frequency 40 Hz and magnetic flux density 10 mT induced an increase in POX serum activity and a decrease in MDA contents in the liver tissue, which suggests the inhibition of phospholipid peroxidation and subsequent stabilization of cellular membranes, as a result of ELF-MF action. Based on the results obtained, it seems that ELF-MF could be a useful supplement in the complex treatment of prolonged wound healing, due to the activation of endogenous enzymatic antioxidant system.

The Influence of Electromagnetic Radiation Generated by a Mobile Phone on the Skeletal System of Rats

The study was focused on the influence of electromagnetic field generated by mobile phone on the skeletal system of rats, assessed by measuring the macrometric parameters of bones, mechanical properties of long bones, calcium and phosphorus content in bones, and the concentration of osteogenesis (osteocalcin) and bone resorption (NTX, pyridinoline) markers in blood serum. The study was carried out on male rats divided into two groups: experimental group subjected to 28-day cycle of exposures in electromagnetic field of 900 MHz frequency generated by mobile phone and a control, sham-exposed one. The mobile phone-generated electromagnetic field did not influence the macrometric parameters of long bones and L4 vertebra, it altered mechanical properties of bones (stress and energy at maximum bending force, stress at fracture), it decreased the content of calcium in long bones and L4 vertebra, and it altered the concentration of osteogenesis and bone resorption markers in rats. On the basis of obtained results, it was concluded that electromagnetic field generated by 900 MHz mobile phone does not have a direct impact on macrometric parameters of bones; however, it alters the processes of bone mineralization and the intensity of bone turnover processes and thus influences the mechanical strength of bones.

Electromagnetic fields in medicine – The state of art

ABSTRACT Introduction: Intense development of methods belonging to physical medicine has been noted recently. There are treatment methods, which in many cases lead to reduction treatment time and positively influence on quality of life treatment patients. Research implications: The present physical medicine systematically extends their therapeutic possibilities. This above applies to illnesses and injuries of locomotor system, diseases affecting of soft tissues, as well as chronic wounds. The aim of the study: The evidence on this are the results of basic and clinical examinations relating the practical use of electromagnetic fields in medicine. Originality: In this work the authors introduced the procedure using the current knowledge relating to physical characteristic and biological effects of the magnetic fields. In the work the following methods were used: static magnetic fields, spatial magnetic fields, the variable magnetic fields both with laser therapy (magnetolaserotherapy) and variable magnetic fields both with light optical non-laser (magnetoledtherapy) talked.

Clinical evaluation of twenty cases of heterotopic gastric mucosa of upper esophagus during five-year observation, using gastroscopy in combination with histopathological and microbiological analysis of biopsies

Aim of the study Heterotopic gastric mucosa of the upper esophagus (HGMUE) may be connected with disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract, exacerbated by Helicobacter pylori. Furthermore, HGMUE may be the origin of malignant progression to cervical esophageal carcinoma. Material and methods In this work, 20 patients with diagnosed heterotopic gastric mucosa of the upper esophagus (HGMUE) were subjected to 5-year follow-up to determine the extent and structure of histopathological changes within HGMUEs, as well as HGMUE dysplasia and metaplasia, and risk of their malignant transformation. As a diagnostic tool to describe localization, form, size and surface feature of HGMUEs, endoscopy was used. At the same time, the biopsies were collected for histopathological and microbiological analysis. Results In examined patients, HGMUEs were associated with inflammation, chronic gastritis, hiatus hernia, duodenal bulb erosion and ulcer and infection of H. pylori. Intestinal metaplasia and low grade dysplasia were also indicated. During 5 years of observation, both the clinical and histopathological image of diagnosed HGMUEs was stable. The patients with detected presence of H. pylori were treated with triple or quadruple therapy. These results show that HGMUEs may be associated with severe complications in the gastrointestinal tract, such as infection by H. pylori, hiatus hernia or duodenal ulcer. Although dysplasias and metaplasias found in diagnosed HGMUEs were not very numerous and relatively stable both clinically and histopathologically, at the present stage of the study we cannot exclude the possibility of HGMUE malignant transformation.

Proposal of thermal imaging application in photodynamic therapy—Preliminary report

There are many different skin lesions that manifest a skin temperature gradient. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequently occurring type of malignant skin lesion (almost 95% of all skin tumors). BCC is sometimes treated by using photodynamic therapy which is very well tolerated by patients and provides good results, especially in superficial skin layer lesions. The results of our studies showed significant changes in the area of temperature gradient due to photodynamic therapy. It seems that the ability to acquire knowledge of such area changes may provide additional useful information to physicians. The increase of observed isotherm area in comparison to lesion size on the skin was a few times higher. It may suggest the range of areas where the metabolism processes take place. Due to the accumulation of photosensitivity only in tumor cells, we theorize that such a large region of increased metabolism observed during therapy may be connected with a larger range of tumor cells than was previously predicted through diagnosis. However, it should be noted that the region can be much bigger due to the existing heat transfer. The results obtained have a potential meaning in describing the range of chemical and physiological processes occurring during photodynamic therapy.

Whole-Body Cryostimulation as an Effective Method of Reducing Oxidative Stress in Healthy Men

BACKGROUND Whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) is the therapeutic exposure of the total human body (without underwear) to a very low temperature (below -100°C) for 120-180 s. Currently, WBC is used more frequently not only in the treatment of patients suffering from various diseases, but also by healthy people as a wellness method. OBJECTIVES The aim of this research is to evaluate the impact of WBC procedures on oxidative stress parameters in healthy men. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 32 healthy male subjects who were randomly divided into 2 groups: 16 men exposed to WBC procedures with subsequent kinesiotherapy (WBC group) and 16 men exposed only to kinesiotherapy procedures (KT group). Depending on the group, the subjects were exposed to 10 daily WBC procedures lasting 3 min, with a subsequent 60-min of kinesiotherapy, or exclusively to kinesiotherapy. In subjects from both groups, a day before the beginning of a cycle of treatment and a day after its completion, the level of selected indicators of oxidative stress and non-enzymatic antioxidants, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes in serum, plasma and erythrocyte lysates were determined. RESULTS In the WBC group subjects, we recorded a statistically significant decrease in the concentrations of most of the parameters of oxidative stress with an accompanying increase in plasma concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidants (total antioxidant status and uric acid). We recorded no significant changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (plasma total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and its isoenzymes SOD-Mn and SOD-ZnCu, erythrocyte catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase). CONCLUSIONS The results we obtained confirmed that WBC decreases oxidative stress in healthy men.

Impact of low-frequency pulsed magnetic fields on defensin and CRP concentrations in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy and in healthy subjects.

Aim. The aim was to assess whether magnetic field influences defensin and CRP concentrations in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy and in healthy subjects. Methods. 61 diabetic patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: study group—32 patients exposed to low-frequency magnetic field; and control group—29 patients with sham exposure. Additionally, 20 healthy subjects exposed to low-frequency magnetic field. Exposures were performed during 3 weeks, 5 days in a week. Defensin and CRP concentrations were measured at baseline, after 3 weeks and at the end of the study. Results. There were no significant changes in defensin concentration in patients with diabetes in both the real and sham exposure group. We observed increased concentration of defensin in healthy subjects in week 5 vs. baseline value (P<0.02). Conclusions. Magnetic field has no impact on defensin concentration in diabetic patients but has positive influence on this parameter in healthy subjects.