[Influence of tobacco smoking on the level of alfafetoprotein and circuleting immune complexes in serum of smokinig and nonsmoking women being in second trimester of pregnancy]. / Wplyw palenia papierosów na poziom alfa- fetoproteiny oraz krazacych kompleksów immunologicznych w surowicy kobiet ciezarnych w drugim trymestrze ciazy.

In Poland 35% of women, 25% of them being in reproductive age, smoke cigarettes. Substances included in tobacco smoke have highly toxic properties. Their presence in the human organizm may affect immunological mechanisms which are an important element determining dynamic balance betwen the mother and the fetus. The aim of the article is to compare the level of AFP and circulating immune complexes (KKI) concentrations in smoking and non smoking pregnant women in the second trimester. The levels of immunological complexes in the women's sera were determined by means of the Elisa immuno-enzymatic method using DRG Instruments GmbH Germany tests. The levels and the properties of circulating immune complexes were estimated in sera of 27 women being in the second trimester of pregnancy by means of polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation test. Molecular weight of the proteins of CIC was studied by SDS/PAGE. In the group of smoking women AFP levers were higher and KKI levels were lower than in the non smoking women group.

The presence and structure of circulating immune complexes in patients with prostate tumors.

BACKGROUND: The detection, measurement and characterization of circulating immune complexes (CICs) in tumor patients has shown both good and poor correlation with progression of the disease. The origin of the antigens making up the immune complexes in the sera of the cancer patients examined is unknown. They are perhaps antigens specific to the cancer's progress. MATERIAL/METHODS: The levels and molecular weights of circulating immune complexes were estimated in the sera of 48 patients with adenocarcinoma (grades G-1, G-2, and G-3) and 21 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) by means of the polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation test. RESULTS: The results were compared with those of a group of 45 healthy blood donors. Elevated levels of CICs were observed in 66.7% of the patients with adenocarcinoma and in 38% of those with BPH. No seropositivity for CICs was observed in the control group. Increased seropositivity for CICs was observed in patients with the highness grade of adenocarcinoma: the proportion of seropositive patients in the group of patients with the G-1 phase of disease was 50%, with G-2 75%, and with G-3 71.3%. The molecular weights of the CIC proteins were determined by SDS/PAGE. The serum CICs of both BPH and prostate cancer patients consisted of proteins absent in the CICs of the sera of healthy persons. CONCLUSIONS: Determination and analysis of atypical proteins in CICs resulting from carcinogenesis may by useful in improving the diagnosis.