[Lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activity and trace element concentration in II and III trimester of pregnancy in pregnant women with diabetes]. / Peroksydacja lipidów, aktywnosc enzymów antyoksydacyjnych oraz stezenie metali sladowych w II I III trymestrze ciazy u ciezarnych z cukrzyca.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA)--end product of lipid peroxidation, activity of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (Cat) as well as selenium (Se), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentration in erythrocytes in 63 patients divided into the three groups: I--control group, II--normal pregnancy, III--pregnant type I diabetics. All parameters were investigated in hemolysate of erythrocytes. MDA concentration increased significantly in pregnant women when compared with control group, as well as in pregnant diabetics when compared with healthy pregnant women. The activity of GSH-Px decreased significantly in pregnant diabetics in comparison with groups I and II. The activity of CuZn-SOD and Cat was significantly lower in III group than in control group. The concentration of Se and Zn decreased, and the concentration of Cu increased significantly in pregnant diabetics in comparison with the other groups. No differences in concentration of MDA, Se, Zn, Cu and activity of GSH-Px were found between particular trimesters in studied patients. The activity of CuZn-SOD and Cat were significantly higher in III trimester than in II one in pregnant diabetics while the activity of GSH-Px remained unchanged during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Increased lipid peroxidation and the lack of compensatory mechanisms--an increase in antioxidant enzymes activity as well as disorder of trace elements concentration are found in pregnant type I diabetics.

[Level of beta endorphins and insulin in blood of obese subjects. Effect of surgical treatment for obesity on higher exchange parameters]. / Stezenie beta-endorfiny i insuliny we krwi u otylych. Wplyw leczenia operacyjnego otylosci na wyzej wymienione parametry.

The basal and hyperglycaemia-stimulated secretion of glucose, IRI and beta-endorphin (BE) were studied in subjects who had gone surgical treatment for obesity few years ago and the results were compared with those of obese subjects and lean controls. 58 persons were divided into the following groups: A-obese subjects BMI > 30, B--obese subjects 25 < BMI < 30, C--subjects treated by truncal vagotomy and gastric banding, D--subjects treated by jejunoileostomy, E--control group BMI < 25. Oral glucose (75 g) tolerance test was performed in all subjects. Blood concentration of glucose, and serum concentration of IRI and BE were studied before and 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after ingestion of glucose. The basal levels and areas over basal values (AOBV) of investigated parameters were evaluated. Both the basal and glucose stimulated levels of IRI and BE were higher in the obese subjects than in the control group. Truncal vagotomy and gastric banding or jejunoileostomy resulted in reduction of IRI secretion without any decrease in BE levels. The alteration of the opioid system may play some role in the pathogenesis of obesity.

DNA adducts in human environmentally exposed to aromatic compounds in an industrial area of Poland.

The effect of environmental pollution on DNA adducts in humans was analysed in a highly industrialized area of Poland. Coded samples of white blood cell DNA were analysed by 32P-postlabelling and immunoassay from three populations: coke workers, exposed occupationally to high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); residents of the towns around cokeries (local controls); and residents from rural Poland (countryside controls). Local controls exhibited adduct levels and patterns similar to those of coke workers, while the levels in rural controls were 2-3 times lower. The results, based on coded samples and two different assays, suggest that environmental pollution is likely to contribute to the adduct levels in local controls. Furthermore, the results show that the levels of aromatic adducts in white blood cell DNA do not linearily relate to ambient air levels of PAHs but other sources such as food may be important contributors.

Aromatic DNA adducts in white blood cells of coke workers.

White blood cell DNA adducts were measured in coke workers, local controls and countryside controls using the 32P-postlabelling technique. The method detected aromatic adducts including those formed by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Coke workers are heavily exposed to PAHs particularly when working at the batteries. A difference in adduct levels was noted between the coke workers at the battery as compared to other jobs. The adduct levels in the non-battery were higher than those in the countryside controls.

DNA adducts in humans related to occupational and environmental exposure to aromatic compounds.

White blood cell DNA adducts were measured in coke workers, local controls and countryside controls using the 32P-postlabelling technique and immunoassay. The methods detected aromatic adducts, including those formed by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Coke workers are heavily exposed to aromatic compounds, which are also emitted in large amounts into the environment. The two techniques detected a large difference in adduct levels between the coke workers and the countryside controls. The adduct levels in the local controls were substantially higher than those in the countryside controls. As occupational exposure did not account for such a difference, the data suggest that the source of aromatic adducts in local controls is environmental pollution.

[Biochemical studies in the evaluation of the health status of workers chronically exposed to lead]. / Badania biochemiczne w ocenie stanu zdrowia pracowników dlugotrwale narazonych na dzialanie olowiu.

The effects of chronic occupational exposure to lead on the function of internal organs in 150 workers of lead works have been investigated biochemically. Ten percent of the staff constantly exposed to lead and 8 percent of the staff periodically exposed presented heme synthesis disturbances in form of plumbic anaemia accompanied by an increased ferrum level in blood serum, whereas 26 percent of workers exhibited positive tests of biological reaction to lead. The constantly exposed workers exhibited decreased humoral immunity with a statistically significant decrease of IgG and IgM and increase of IgA. Furthermore, gastric juice excretion disturbances were observed. The concentration of beta-lipoproteins and free fatty acids in the blood serum as well as the concentration of uric acid were found to increase. No findings showing deficient hepatic and renal functions were found.

Evaluation of the chelating action of methicillin in prolonged experimental metallic mercury poisoning.

Studies were conducted to measure the effect of methicillin on the urinary excretion of mercury in rabbits poisoned for three months by mercury vapour. Simultaneously, studies were done to compare the quantity of eliminated mercury after treatment with methicillin or penicillamine (Cuprenil). The results show that the urinary excretion of mercury in animals treated with either drug was clearly greater than in untreated controls. Furthermore, the quantity of eliminated mercury after treatment with methicillin was significantly greater than after treatment with penicillamine.