Analysis of hematological parameters in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving biological therapy: contribution to prevention of avoidable hematological complications.

Administration of biological therapy (BT) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is often associated with hematological complications, which result in switching among therapies. Thus, there is an instant need for suitable screening parameters that will help to individualize the therapy and minimize the onset of adverse effects. We analyzed the hematological profile of 99 RA patients receiving TNFα (Adalimumab - ADA, Golimumab - GOL, Etanercept - ETA) or IL-6 receptor (Tocilizumab - TCZ) inhibitors in order to find possible indicators to improve personalization of RA therapy. BTs significantly affect the levels of observed hematological parameters. In contrast to TNF-α inhibitors, TCZ normalized almost all monitored hematological parameters to values of healthy donors. Only GOL from the TNF-α inhibitors studied, was able to normalize neutrophil counts, as well as platelet indicators. Importantly, effects on the blood parameters (e.g. lymphocytes or platelet count) differ even within the same therapeutic group (anti-TNFα). Variable effects of individual biological agents in RA treatment point to importance to evaluate the patient's hematological profile to improve the selection of suitable BT. It will help to personalize the administration of BT and prevent unnecessary switching from an effective therapy just because of provocation of avoidable hematological complications.

The real UVB photoprotective efficacy of vegetable oils: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Some vegetable oils are currently being promoted as a safe alternative to commercial sunscreens. The true UVB photoprotective efficacy of 14 virgin vegetable oils and the suitability of the dilution method for determining their SPF value were evaluated. Oils and standard sunscreens were investigated in vitro by the Mansur's method in Slovakia and in vivo by the ISO method in the Czech Republic. SPF values in vitro (0.1; 0.0; 0.4; 0.2 and 0.2) and in vivo (2.5; 1.2; 2.6; 2.6; and 2.8) of the five most promoted oils (from carrot seed, coconut, raspberry seed, rosehip seed, and wheat germ) were significantly lower than the values reported in the controversial studies. We have shown that the overestimated SPF values of these oils were determined by authors who did not strictly follow Mansur's original methodology. The other eight vegetable oils also provide no or negligible SPF values. Only the in vitro SPF value of 11.2 tamanu oil is worth mentioning, probably due to high proportion of calophyllolides. In vitro and in vivo SPF ratios from 1.14 to 0.94 obtained by two methods in two laboratories for six commercial sunscreen oils used as controls confirm the correctness of performing the Mansur's method in this study. However, this dilution method has proven to be fundamentally flawed in determining the SPF value of substances with such negligible photoprotection as most vegetable oils can provide. An SPF value of less than 1, which can be determined by this Mansur's method, is physiologically impossible and meaningless.