Marcin Feldo

The changes of plasma thrombin-antithrombin complex in the patients with peripheral arterial disease undergoing surgical revascularization.

UNLABELLED In patients with severe lower limb ischemia the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems have been found to be activated preoperatively. The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes of TAT level as a selected coagulation factor, before, during and after surgical revascularization and the analysis of the impact of coexisting diseases on the coagulation during the procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS 50 patients with PAOD, in Fontaine stages IIb to IV (29 men and 21 women; median age 65.8 years, ASA II/III) undergoing elective surgical revascularization were studied. Two groups of patients were compared: 20 undergoing reconstruction on aorto-femoral and 30 on femoropopliteal level. Blood samples were collected 5 times: 24 hours before the operation; intraoperatively after artery exposure; after heparin administration and clamping; after reperfusion and -24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS Elevated values of TAT (10.5 g/l ±7.1) were found before the operation. The elevated value of TAT increased intraoperatively (25.1 g/l ±44.58; p<0.001) (norm 1-4.1 g/l) and maintaining higher levels after the surgery. The significant correlations between plasma level of TAT and ischemia degree were found. Also the correlation between intraoperative increase of TAT and the duration of surgery was noticed. No significant differences between two analysed groups were observed. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate the activation of coagulation and prothrombotic state in the patients with advanced arteriosclerosis. During the surgical revascularisation permanent increase of activation of blood coagulation was observed. This activation depends on duration of the procedure and maintains increased one-day after the operation. Our findings may explain the unexpected occurrence of early thrombotic complications after technically successful vascular reconstructions.

Cide-A Gene Expression in Patients with Obesity Qualified for Endovascular Treatment of Abdominal Aorta Aneurysm

UNLABELLED CIDE-A gene and the genes of LRP group play a key role in the regulation of the body weight and lipid metabolism in mammals. CIDE-A is defined as a potential human obesity gene and the LRP1 gene is associated with the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The aim of the study was to define the role of CIDE-A gene in patients with dyslipidemia and asymptomatic AAA. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study group consisted of 38 subjects, including 27 men and 11 women qualified for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). The subjects with abdominal aortic aneurysm were enrolled in the study group, depending on the body mass index (BMI); in obese patients (BMI > 30). The control group (n = 16) included subjects without lipid disorders. One-step isolation of RNA from lymphocytes and adipose tissue cells was performed using the modified TRI method by Chomc-zynski and Sacchi, and then the gene expression was tested by real-time PCR. RESULTS The highest mean relative of the gene expression for CIDE-A was reported in subjects with the normal body weight. The lowest mean relative of the gene expression for CIDE-A was observed in the group of obese patients with aortic aneurysm and lipid disorders. A high negative correlation (r = -0.7101) in the gene expression for CIDE-A was observed in the group of obese patients with aortic aneurysm, depending on the BMI. CONCLUSIONS Due to the important role of the CIDE-A gene and Cide-A protein in the development of metabolic syndrome, obesity and the accompanying vascular lesions such as abdominal aortic an-eurysm, seen in this context, the tested gene and protein Cide-A represent a potential therapeutic target in these diseases.

Influence of Diosmin Treatment on the Level of Oxidative Stress Markers in Patients with Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathophysiology of many human disorders, while antioxidants prevent the development of various adverse symptoms. Diosmin is a natural flavonoid applied in vascular system disorders, especially in chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and it plays a significant part in the alleviation of CVI symptoms. Due to antioxidant activity, it also has the ability to scavenge the oxygen free radicals and hence decreases the level of oxidative stress biomarkers, such as prostaglandins and their precursors—isoprostanes. In the study, the influence of diosmin treatment on the level of isoprostanes in plasma samples of patients suffering from CVI was examined. The qualitative analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography with spectrometry detection (LC-MS). The statistically significant decrease of isoprostane content after 3 months of treatment was observed within the studied group; however, the most significant changes were observed in patients who smoke.

Modulation of Multidrug Resistance Gene Expression by Coumarin Derivatives in Human Leukemic Cells

The presence of multidrug resistance (MDR) in tumor cells is considered as the major cause of failure of cancer chemotherapy. The mechanism responsible for the phenomenon of multidrug resistance is explained, among others, as overexpression of membrane transporters primarily from the ABC family which actively remove cytostatics from the tumor cell. The effect of 20 coumarin derivatives on the cytotoxicity and expression of MDR1, MRP1, BCRP, and LRP genes (encoding proteins responsible for multidrug resistance) in cancer cells was analyzed in the study. The aim of this research included determination of IC10 and IC50 values of selected coumarin derivatives in the presence and absence of mitoxantrone in leukemia cells and analysis of changes in the expression of genes involved in multidrug resistance: MDR1, MRP, LRP, and BCRP after 24-hour exposure of the investigated cell lines to selected coumarins in the presence and absence of mitoxantrone in IC10 and IC50 concentrations. The designed research was conducted on 5 cell lines derived from the human hematopoietic system: CCRF/CEM, CEM/C1, HL-60, HL-60/MX1, and HL-60/MX2. Cell lines CEM/C1, HL-60/MX1, and HL-60/MX2 exhibit a multidrug resistance phenotype.

Carlina vulgaris L. as a Source of Phytochemicals with Antioxidant Activity

The methanol extracts from three populations of Carlina vulgaris L. were examined for the chlorogenic acid content, mineral content, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity. Two populations originated from natural nonmetallicolous habitats (NN (populations from Nasiłów) and NP (populations from Pińczów)), and one metallicolous population (MB) was collected from Bolesław waste heap localized at the place of former open-cast mining of Ag-Pb and Zn-Pb ores dating back to the 13th century and 18th century, respectively. The level of Zn, Pb, Cd, Fe, Ni, and Mn was significantly higher in the root and leaves of MB plants as a result of soil contaminations compared to those of the NN and NP ones. The highest antioxidant potency has been showed by the plants growing in a nonmetallicolous habitat. The flower head extracts obtained from the nonmetallicolous populations also contained the largest amount of chlorogenic acid, whereas the lowest was determined in the roots (ca. 2–3.5 mg/g and 0.2–0.4 mg/g of air-dry weight, resp.). These studies provide important information on the influence of a habitat on the quality of herbal materials and the content of the biologically active primary and secondary metabolites.

The new era in the treatment of deep vein occlusion

Abstract A non-invasive, conservative treatment has been a standard in treating acute and chronic deep vein thrombosis. This treatment turned out to be ineffective, particularly in the hip area. Also, it was demonstrated that it does not influence the frequency of manifestations of post-thrombotic syndrome. Previous attempts to surgically reconstruct deep veins, unlike arteries reconstruction, yielded no positive results and also increased hemorrhagic and embolic complications. Currently, already in the period of the acute thrombosis of deep veins, the methods of early re-canalization, both with the application of targeted thrombolisis, as well as of pharmacomechanical methods, are applied. Thanks to a wide array of image examination methods applied in pre-operational and intra-operational diagnostics optimum, it is possible to plan a revascularising treatment in the sick individuals suffering from the already developed manifestations of the post-thrombotic syndrome. The development of endovascular methods, made possible thanks both to the surgeons’ experience in the re-canalization field, as well as constant improvements of stents dedicated to the venous system, allowed for effective use of these techniques in curing the occlusion of deep veins. It was the case with the arterial system and works here as well. Applying the hybrid proceeding, combining opened techniques and endovascular ones, works very well in selected cases.

Buerger’s disease-like arteritis associated with Crohn’s disease. A case of ‘vas-colitis’?

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are classified as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) [1]. Crohn’s disease is characterized by the involvement of the intestinal wall, which leads to the formation of ulcers, fistulas and strictures of the intestine. The disease is more frequently found among Caucasians. Parenteral manifestations are possible in the course of IBD, including osteoarticular and ocular manifestations, affecting the skin or the blood vessels. Only a few cases of the coexistence of Takayasu’s disease and IBD have been reported so far [2–5]. Takayasu’s disease is a chronic inflammation of the large-diameter vessels, which was described for the first time nearly two hundred years ago [6]. The incidence of Takayasu’s disease in the U.S. is estimated at about 2.6 cases per million. This condition, in contrast to IBD, is most common among young women of the Asian origin [7]. In this paper we discuss the case of the co-existence of Crohn’s disease and vasculitis, with symptoms and some angiographic features similar to Buerger’s disease, that was classified as vasculitis associated with systemic disease. So far, the available literature lacks descriptions of similar cases of Crohn’s disease associated with vasculitis mimicking Buerger’s disease.

The gene expression of class III inhibitors of apoptosis in arteriosclerotic disease

Abstract Introduction. Recent research shows that programmed cell death has great importance in the pathomechanism of atherosclerosis. The BIRC5 and BIRC6 genes belong to Class III IAPs with the anti-apoptotic effect. The proteins display multidirectional action. According to the available literature, in addition to the effect of apoptosis inhibition they also display other properties. It is suggested that they play an important role in the processes of proliferation and cellular differentiation. Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the expression of the BIRC5 and BIRC6 genes in normal peripheral blood lymphocytes and in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients diagnosed with atherosclerosis. Material and methods. The analysis was carried out on RNA samples obtained from peripheral blood lymphocytes of 21 patients with diagnosed atherosclerosis. The specific fragment of the analysed gene was obtained through amplification with the use of cDNA synthesised in the reaction of reverse transcription. The test of expression was conducted with the use of the Real-Time PCR method. In the studied cases, the level of expression of the analysed gene was compared to the level of expression of the reference gene, B2M. Results. The study showed that mRNA of the BIRC5 and BIRC6 genes is present in the cells of patients with atherosclerosis, as well as in the cells of healthy individuals. The cells taken from the patients with atherosclerosis were mainly characterized by an increased gene expression in comparison to the normal cells. Conclusion. Increased BIRC6 and BIRC5 gene expression in the cells of the patients with atherosclerosis can suggest an increased amount of the inhibitor protein BRUCE and survivin, and also decreased sensitivity of cells to apoptosis. In the case of the patients who had significantly higher expression of the BIRC6 gene in lymphocytes compared to the norm, hypertension and diabetes mellitus were more common

Selected factors of fibrinolysis in the Buerger's disease.

UNLABELLED Thrombangiitis obliterans (TAO marked by coexistence of thrombotic and inflammatory changes of neurovascular tract has evoked a considerable dispute concerning pathogenesis of this disease. The aim of the study was to define the level of activation of fibirinolitic system in course of TAO disease by means of determination its basic constituents as well as to examine the essence of level of fibrinolysis disorders in pathogenesis and development of this disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty patients with thrombangiitis obliterans (TAO), 30 patients with peripheral occlusive disease - PAOD (ASO) and 20 healthy volunteers (K) have been subjected to the examination. We determined the activity some factors of fibrinolysis: t-PA, PAI-1, PAP, plasminogen, α2-antiplasminogen, D-dimmer as well as euglobulin lysis time. The analysis comprised 7 features and 8 factors of variability: a membership to a group of patients, sex, age, smoking, aggravation of the disease within last 3 months, occurrence of Raynauds symptom, a degree of ischemia according to Fontaine, time the disease lasted. RESULTS The significant differences between the average were checked by means of t-Student test or variance analysis (ANOVA) and co-relation rate r (Pearson). We concluded that the average value of PAI-1 in the group TAO was significantly higher than in comparison with ASO group. The increased values were revealed in case of 76 % of patients. The euglobulin lysis time was vitally extended in case of 60% of patients in ASO group. In all three groups higher levels of α2-antiplasmin were detected in case of elderly patients compared to the younger ones. CONCLUSIONS The obtained results allow us to ascertain the state of potentially weakened fibrinolysis in case of patients with Buergers disease as well as with PAOD.

CIDE--A gene expression in patients with abdominal obesity and LDL hyperlipoproteinemia qualified for surgical revascularization in chronic limb ischemia.

UNLABELLED According to the latest data, CIDE -A gene plays a key role in the regulation of body weight in both humans and mice, and therefore it is regarded a potential candidate gene for human obesity. The aim of the study was to define the role of CIDEA gene in patients with dyslipidemia and symptomatic limb ischemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study group contained 28 patients, including 17 men and 11 women. Patients were enrolled in the study group, depending on the value of body mass index (BMI); there was BMI>30 for obese patients. The group included untreated patients (n=14) and patients (n=14) receiving atorvastatin 20 mg/day for at least three months prior to the initiation of the study. The control group (n=16) contained patients with no lipid disorders. A one-step isolation of RNA from lymphocytes and adipose tissue cells was carried out using the TRI method modified by Chomczyński and Sacchi. Next, gene expression was tested using real-time PCR. RESULTS The highest mean relative expression of CIDE -A gene occurred in patients with normal body weight. The lowest mean relative expression of CIDE-A gene was observed in obese patients with lipid disorders. A high negative correlation (r=-0.7919) of CIDE -A gene expression, depending on BMI, was reported in the group of obese patients with lipid disorders. CONCLUSIONS Due to an important role of Cide-A protein demonstrated in the development of metabolic diseases such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and their vascular complications, CIDE -A gene and protein are potential therapeutic targets in the case of these diseases.