Sylwia Płaczkowska

Serum and whole blood Zn, Cu and Mn profiles and their relation to redox status in lung cancer patients

Disturbed redox status may be critical to lung cancerogenesis, however little research has been conducted on general changes in total redox status in lung cancer. Levels and activities of antioxidants, especially enzymatic ones, are related to trace element concentration. Trace element status is often disturbed in cancers, however no studies concerning the association between redox and trace element status have been performed for lung cancer. We hypothesized that disturbed redox status in lung cancer patients is partially determined by trace elements while their distribution amongst blood compartments may differ compared to healthy subjects. Blood samples from lung cancer patients (n=44) and control subjects (n=44) were collected to assess redox and trace element status. Serum and whole blood Cu and Mn levels were determined with GF-AAS, and Zn-with F-AAS. In serum the total antioxidant status (TAS) was determined with the commercial kit TAS (Randox, UK), total oxidant status (TOS) was determined based on the method developed by Erel and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Total protein (T-Prot), albumin (Alb), uric acid (UA) and total bilirubin (T-Bil) concentrations were measured with an auto-analyser (Konelab 20i, Thermoscientific, USA), SOD and CAT activity - with commercially available kits (Cayman, USA). The level of TAS, T-Prot, Alb, T-Bil, the activity of SOD, the concentration of whole blood Mn as well as serum and whole blood Zn were lower while TOS, OSI, serum Cu levels and serum Cu:Zn ratios were higher in lung cancer patients compared to the control group. In the lung cancer group TAS correlated positively with Alb and UA, serum Zn and negatively with whole blood Mn. Additionally, SOD positively correlated with the whole blood Mn and Cu:Zn ratio, while CAT - negatively with the whole blood Cu:Zn ratio. In the lung cancer sub-group at clinical stage I-II, TOS additionally negatively correlated with whole blood Zn, and CAT negatively with serum Cu and Cu:Zn ratio. In advanced lung cancer, we found a positive correlation between TAS and serum Zn, and a negative one - with serum Cu:Zn ratio. We observed a similar correlation between endogenous non-enzymatic antioxidants and TAS in the control group, however considerably fewer correlations between trace elements and antioxidants were observed. This study supports the hypothesis that disturbed redox status in lung cancer patients is linked with alterations in trace element status regarding Zn, Mn and Cu. Moreover, the type of biological fluid influences both - alterations in the metal profile and relationships with redox status parameters.

Prolactin as an immunomodulatory factor in psoriatic arthritis

Prolactin (PRL) is a hormone synthesized and secreted by lactotroph cells in the anterior pituitary gland. There is also extrapituitary hormone secretion by many cells, including cells of the immune system. In physiological conditions PRL is responsible for lactogenesis and other processes associated with it. PRL plays a significant role during the immune response as a cytokine, affecting proliferation and differentiation of many immune system cells. The biological effect of the hormone depends on binding with the specific prolactin receptor PRL-R, and activation of the transcription factors of targeted genes. For T lymphocyte stimulated PRL, that factor is mainly the interferon regulatory factor (IRF-1), which gives the possibility of adjusting the prolactin immune response. Literature data indicate that hyperprolactinemia (HPRL) is one of the important factors in the pathogenesis and course of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis and Sjogrens syndrome. HPRL is diagnosed in nearly one-third of these patients. However, only a few data indicate the role of prolactin in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), whose etiology and disease progression are not fully elucidated, and the diagnosis is very difficult. Currently there is indicated a pronounced connection between the course of HPRL and activity of PsA. It seems also to be interesting that, regardless of the PRL levels in serum of patients with PsA, administration of bromocriptine--drug-lowering hormone--improves joint and skin symptoms, which indicates a decrease in disease activity, and is a promising way of alternative therapy for psoriatic arthritis. However, the effect of PRL on the pathogenesis and the severity of psoriatic arthritis has not yet been fully understood and further research will provide a possibility to assess the prognostic and diagnostic significance of prolactin in patients with PsA.

Estimation of metabolic factors related to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in young people

Abstract Civilizational developments occurring during recent decades have resulted in an increased incidence of a variety of metabolic disorders related to insulin resistance in younger people. The determination of decision limits for insulin resistance indices, especially among young people, is a significant challenge in clinical practice. The aim of this study was the estimation of metabolic factors related to their relationship to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome (MS) features in young, apparently healthy people. Moreover, we evaluated the optimal decision limits for patients with MS identification for HOMA1-IR, HOMA2-IR, HOMA2 obtained from C-peptide concentrations. 349 apparently healthy people aged 18–31 (260 women and 89 men), were enrolled in this study. The present analysis of metabolic, anthropometric and clinical parameters observed them in clusters covering the criteria of MS recognition, but MS in this group was only partially related to insulin resistance. The HOMA1-IR decision limit estimation is likely to became be useful in the prognostication of metabolic disturbances in young, apparently healthy people. A measure of insulin resistance that can provide a reliable early prediction of MS is likely to provide an opportunity for instigating preventive measures of significant clinical utility.

The relationship between total body fat and distribution of body fat mass and markers of insulin resistance in young women with normal weight — a pilot study

Introduction. Total body fat and body fat distribution are factors closely associated with development of insulin resistance, including subjects with normal body weight and BMI (body mass index). Objectives. The objective of the study was to determine relation between insulin resistance index and selected parameters of body fat distribution in potentially healthy young females with body mass index below

Associations between basic indicators of inflammation and metabolic disturbances

BACKGROUND Inflammation is involved in initiation and progression of diabetic complications related to cell damage of tissues, especially endothelial cells, and deepening of metabolic disturbances. This study was conducted in order to assess potential associations between basic laboratory parameters of inflammation and common metabolic factors such as glycated hemoglobin and C-reactive protein. MATERIALS AND METHODS The studied group consisted of 95 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and 77 subjects without signs of disturbances in glucose metabolism, aged between 40 and 74 years. Fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, complete blood count and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration in blood were determined. Also blood pressure as well as weight and height measurements were taken to calculate BMI. RESULTS Fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin concentrations, total leukocyte count and granulocytes were significantly higher in diabetics. Significant correlations between both glycated hemoglobin and BMI and C-reactive protein concentration were noted. However, after adjusting for age and gender, leucocyte count was independently related to BMI and glycated hemoglobin, while C-reactive protein concentration was dependent on gender and BMI. CONCLUSION Glycated hemoglobin as a marker of long-term glycemic control and BMI as an indicator of adipose tissue accumulation are significantly related to white blood cell count and C-reactive protein concentration, even when values of these parameters are in the normal range. This is consistent with the hypothesis that chronic activation of the immune system plays a role in the pathogenesis and progression of type 2 diabetes.

Systemic redox status in lung cancer patients is related to altered glucose metabolism

Altered systemic redox status is often observed in lung cancer. However, detailed information on factors other, than smoking, which influence this perturbation is rather scarce. Elevated oxidative stress has been linked with disturbances in glucose metabolism before, but such associations have not been investigated in lung cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between systemic parameters of glucose metabolism and redox status in lung cancer patients (LC). Biochemical variables related to circulating glucose, i.e. glucose, insulin, c-peptide, fructosamine (FA), and glucose metabolism, i.e. β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), lactate (LACT), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), as well as redox status i.e. total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were determined for LC (n = 122) and control subjects (CS) (n = 84). HOMA-IR and the oxidative stress index (OSI) were calculated. LC patients had an altered redox status and glucose metabolism compared to CS. Positive correlations in LC were observed between TOS, OSI and circulating glucose as well as FA, while TAS positively correlated with BHB and NEFAs. In contrast, in metastatic LC, NEFAs and BHB positively correlated with OSI. Smoking status additionally stratified the observed relationships. In conclusion, we found that parameters related to circulating glucose or non-enzymatic glycation were correlated with oxidative stress (TOS and OSI), while metabolites such as BHB and NEFAs were correlated with antioxidant capacity (TAS). Metastasis prevalence and smoking seem to influence these correlations. However, the detailed mechanism of this relationship requires further research, in particular as regards the surprising positive correlation between NEFAs and TAS.

Diet Quality and Its Relationship with Antioxidant Status in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

A direct contribution towards destructive, proliferative synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been attributed to reactive oxygen species action. Some nutrients are considered to be capable of improving the oxidant/antioxidant status in RA; however the impact of diet composition on the antioxidant capacity of serum has not yet been studied in this disease. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between diet quality and antioxidant status in patients with RA and healthy controls. Nutritional assessment was performed, and antioxidant status in serum, without and with deproteinization (TAS and DSAS, resp.), was determined in 82 RA and 87 healthy subjects. The diet of the RA group was low-energy and imbalanced. TAS and DSAS were significantly lower in RA patients than in controls. Antioxidant status significantly correlated with the supply of foods and nutrients influencing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory defense in RA; however, in this group, TAS was more sensitive to diet than DSAS. In healthy subjects, the nonprotein pool of serum antioxidants was more tightly linked to diet. These outcomes indicate the need to monitor diet quality of patients with RA and the usefulness of TAS measurements in this monitoring.

The Assessment of the Integrated Antioxidant System of the Body in the Course of Radon Therapy: A Pilot Study

Introduction The sources of Reactive Oxidative Species (ROS) in the organism are the respiratory processes occurring in cells catalyzed by different enzymes. Operation of ROS is balanced by antioxidants, the compounds; although present in low concentrations, they significantly inhibit the degree of oxidation of particular molecules. The Aim of the Study The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the integrated antioxidant system under the influence of radon therapy in osteoarthritis patients. Material and Methods Observation included 35 patients suffering from degenerative joints and disc disease (mean age 56.5 years) undergoing radon water therapy and control group that consisted of 15 osteoarthritis patients (mean age 54.2) without contact with radon water. Before therapy and after 18 days of treatment, serum total antioxidant status (TAS) was assessed with the use of standard colorimetric assay. Results In the study group, we observed trends to increase TAS concentration, whereas, in the control group, TAS concentration was decreasing. Conclusions (1) Radon waters treatment influenced the level of TAS of osteoarthritis patients treated with the radon water. (2) The change in TAS concentrations in the study group may be the result of low doses of ionizing radiation, but further studies on larger patients groups are demanded. This study is registered with number NCT03274128.

The assessment of the integrated antioxidant system of the bodyand the phenomenon of spa reaction in the courseof radon therapy: A pilot study

BACKGROUND Spa reaction is an adaptive response of an organism, emerging as a result of external factors. It is a positive element of spa therapy leading to metabolic changes, which are important for the body. The effect of these changes is an increase in immune activity and regenerative reactions of the body. The mechanism of the response is not fully known. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes observed in the field of the integrated antioxidant system of the body in the course of radon therapy, especially in reference to spa reaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted in the health resort in Świeradów-Zdrój. The observation regarded patients undergoing treatment with radon water. Before the treatment, after 5 and 18 days of treatment, the total antioxidant status (TAS) was evaluated with the use of a standard colorimetric assay. The study group consisted of 35 patients with degenerative joints and disc disease. The control group consisted of 15 people selected from the employees of the spa, also suffering from osteoarthritis, who did not undergo radon therapy (without contact with radon). RESULTS On the 5th day of the treatment, in both groups, the TAS increase was observed with significantly worse results in the control group. After the treatment, in the study group, there was observed an increase in TAS, whereas in the control group, a significant decrease in the TAS concentration was noted. CONCLUSIONS A beneficial effect of radon treatments on the growth of TAS in the body of the patients treated in the spa was demonstrated. The increase in the TAS concentration on the 5th day of treatment may indicate the relationship between these changes and the phenomenon of spa response. The changes are a result of low doses of ionizing radiation originating from radon dissolved in medicinal water, used in the course of the therapy.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 profile during oral glucose tolerance test in young people

Introduction. Currently, a major social problem is the occurrence of insulin resistance and metabolic disorders, which are risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes. Particularly disturbing are the reports of an increasing number of such disorders in young people. The carbohydrate metabolism is regulated by neurohormonal mechanisms and insulin plays a major role in maintaining glucose homeostasis. Its secretion is determined by the current glucose concentration and the action of incretin hormones. The incretin effect describes the phenomenon whereby oral glucose elicits higher insulin secretory response than does the same intravenous glucose administration. This effect is visibly defective in patients with carbohydrate metabolism disorders. Objective. The aim of the study was to analyse the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) concentration profile during the extended (three-point) oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and to assess its relationship to OGTT curve shape after 75 g glucose load and presence or absence of metabolic syndrome (MS) features in young, potentially healthy individuals. Material and methods. The study group consisted of 53 volunteers (40 women and 13 men) aged 19–28 years, with normal fasting blood glucose and normal glucose tolerance. Body mass, waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total and HDL cholesterol, GLP-1 and hsCRP concentrations were measured in the fasting state. Glucose, insulin and GLP-1 levels were also measured at 60 and 120 min after oral administration of 75 g of glucose. The results were analysed in subgroups based on the time required to return to fasting levels of blood glucose and the number of identified features of MS. Results. Comparison of the results obtained in the fasting state and at 60 and 120 min of the extended OGTT showed no significant differences in glucose and GLP-1 concentrations, whereas fasting plasma insulin concentrations were significantly lower than those observed at 60 and 120 min of the OGTT. Neither the time for blood glucose to return to fasting values nor the number of metabolic syndrome features were associated with significant differences in GLP-1 concentrations between the groups analysed at any of the measurement points (fasting state, 60 and 120 min of the OGTT). Only the tendency to lower GLP-1 values was observed in the group of patients with the MS. Conclusions. Our observations may suggest that GLP-1 level measurements are not useful in determining the insulin response profile after glucose oral administration in young people without apparent carbohydrate disorders, but they may indicate disturbances in the incretin effect in subjects with MS. Our study will be continued with a larger number of volunteers to provide a more detailed mechanism of the regulation of insulin secretion by incretins and the potential role of GLP-1 in the development of MS in young people.