Teresa Kamińska

The inhibitory effect of zinc on cadmium-induced cell apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cell cultures

The prevention of apoptosis by Zn(2+) is a well-known phenomenon. Both in in vitro and in vivo Zn(2+) supplementation prevents apoptosis induced by a variety of agents, among them by cadmium ions. The target for protective action of Zn ions on cell apoptosis is still unknown. In this paper we have evaluated the effect of in vitro ZnCl(2) supplementation at a concentration corresponding to the physiological level (10 microM) and higher (50 microM), on apoptosis induced with different Cd concentrations in two cell types: HeLa human tumor cell line and bovine aorta endothelial cells (BAECs). We demonstrated that Zn supplementation, especially at 10 microM concentration, significantly inhibited apoptosis in both types of cells. To assess the mechanism involved in the Zn effect we examined the influence of Zn supplementation on Cd accumulation in cells, Cd-induced superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) production. Zn caused 1.2-2.0-fold inhibition of Cd accumulation, 1.2-2.0-fold inhibition of Cd-induced apoptotic cell death, 1.1-2.0-fold decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in HeLa cells and in BAECs. These results indicate that inhibition of Cd-induced apoptosis in cells by Zn might be due, not only by inhibition of Cd accumulation in cells but, at least in part, to inhibition of Cd-induced production of ROS, which in turn are known as strong inducers of apoptosis.

Antiviral activity of the products of cyclization of dimethyl 2-[(1-arylamino-1-arylmethylidene)hydrazono]succinate

In this research, conditions of cyclization of dimethyl 2-[(1-arylamino-1-arylmethylidene)hydrazono]succinate 1-5 leading to the formation of 3,4-diaryl-5-carboxymethyl-1,2,4-triazole 6-10 and methyl 2-(5-oxo-3,4-diaryl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazine-6-ylidene)acetates 11-15 and the biological activity of some of them have been examined. Their chemical structures were confirmed by IR, 1H-NMR, EI-MS and elemental analysis. Substances 8 and 13 exhibited moderate virucidal activity and partially inhibited absorption of the viruses to the susceptible cells. The acute toxicity of compounds 6-10 was established. For compounds 8 and 13, the influence on the central nervous system of mice and rats in behavioral tests was examined.

Reactions of N3‐Substituted Amidrazones with cis‐1,2‐Cyclohexanedicarboxylic Anhydride and Biological Activities of the Products

A series of novel compounds were synthesized in reactions of N3‐substituted amidrazones with cis‐1,2‐cyclohexanedicarboxylic anhydride: linear, isoindole, and triazole derivatives. All new structures were confirmed by H1 NMR and IR spectrometry as well as elemental analysis. Potential biological effects of new compounds were predicted with the Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances (PASS) program. Antiviral, antibacterial, analgesic, and anti‐inflammatory activities were experimentally verified.

Influence of Low Dose rIL-2 Treatment on Endogenous Cytokine Production, Expression of Surface IL-2R and The Level of Soluble IL-2R in Patients With Minimal Residual Disease

This study was designed to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of low-dose IL-2 therapy (100 microg/day for 3 weeks) on interferon (IFN), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production in vivo and in vitro and on the expression of IL-2Ralpha/beta and soluble form of IL-2Ralpha. Patients enrolled in the study suffered from multiple myeloma (MM), Hodgkins disease (HD) and non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) All of them were in remission after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Our results indicated that IL-2 given subcutaneously at a low dose of 100 microg/day for 3 weeks induced IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in plasma (measured 24 hrs after the last dose of IL-2) and affected the ability of blood leukocytes to produce cytokines. Production of IFN-gamma induced in vitro with PHA was enhanced, but TNF-alpha production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and virus (Newcastle Disease Virus) was depressed. The expression of both: surface IL-2R, especially beta subunit on total population of lymphocytes and NK cells, and soluble form of IL-2R, of chain were significantly enhanced after low-dose IL-2 therapy. Low dose IL-2 therapy was well tolerated by all patients, and side effects not exceeding II grade of toxicity according to WHO scale were observed. Five patients with MM relapsed 3-10 month after cessation of IL-2 therapy, but all patients with Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins lymphomas are still in remission (20 months of observation).