Machine learning-based prediction of rheumatoid arthritis with development of ACPA autoantibodies in the presence of non-HLA genes polymorphisms.

Machine learning (ML) algorithms can handle complex genomic data and identify predictive patterns that may not be apparent through traditional statistical methods. They become popular tools for medical applications including prediction, diagnosis or treatment of complex diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is an autoimmune disease in which genetic factors play a major role. Among the most important genetic factors predisposing to the development of this disease and serving as genetic markers are HLA-DRB and non-HLA genes single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Another marker of RA is the presence of anticitrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) which is correlated with severity of RA. We use genetic data of SNPs in four non-HLA genes (PTPN22, STAT4, TRAF1, CD40 and PADI4) to predict the occurrence of ACPA positive RA in the Polish population. This work is a comprehensive comparative analysis, wherein we assess and juxtapose various ML classifiers. Our evaluation encompasses a range of models, including logistic regression, k-nearest neighbors, naïve Bayes, decision tree, boosted trees, multilayer perceptron, and support vector machines. The top-performing models demonstrated closely matched levels of accuracy, each distinguished by its particular strengths. Among these, we highly recommend the use of a decision tree as the foremost choice, given its exceptional performance and interpretability. The sensitivity and specificity of the ML models is about 70% that are satisfying. In addition, we introduce a novel feature importance estimation method characterized by its transparent interpretability and global optimality. This method allows us to thoroughly explore all conceivable combinations of polymorphisms, enabling us to pinpoint those possessing the highest predictive power. Taken together, these findings suggest that non-HLA SNPs allow to determine the group of individuals more prone to develop RA rheumatoid arthritis and further implement more precise preventive approach.

The Association between Inefficient Repair of DNA Double-Strand Breaks and Common Polymorphisms of the HRR and NHEJ Repair Genes in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation affecting up to 2.0% of adults around the world. The molecular background of RA has not yet been fully elucidated, but RA is classified as a disease in which the genetic background is one of the most significant risk factors. One hallmark of RA is impaired DNA repair observed in patient-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The aim of this study was to correlate the phenotype defined as the efficiency of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair with the genotype limited to a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of DSB repair genes. We also analyzed the expression level of key DSB repair genes. The study population contained 45 RA patients and 45 healthy controls. We used a comet assay to study DSB repair after in vitro exposure to bleomycin in PBMCs from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays were used to determine the distribution of SNPs and the Taq Man gene expression assay was used to assess the RNA expression of DSB repair-related genes. PBMCs from patients with RA had significantly lower bleomycin-induced DNA lesion repair efficiency and we identified more subjects with inefficient DNA repair in RA compared with the control (84.5% vs. 24.4%; OR 41.4, 95% CI, 4.8-355.01). Furthermore, SNPs located within the RAD50 gene (rs1801321 and rs1801320) increased the OR to 53.5 (95% CI, 4.7-613.21) while rs963917 and rs3784099 (RAD51B) to 73.4 (95% CI, 5.3-1011.05). These results were confirmed by decision tree (DT) analysis (accuracy 0.84; precision 0.87, and specificity 0.86). We also found elevated expression of RAD51B, BRCA1, and BRCA2 in PBMCs isolated from RA patients. The findings indicated that impaired DSB repair in RA may be related to genetic variations in DSB repair genes as well as their expression levels. However, the mechanism of this relation, and whether it is direct or indirect, needs to be elucidated.

New N-Adducts of Thiadiazole and Thiazoline with Levoglucosenone and Evaluation of Their Significant Cytotoxic (Anti-Cancer) Activity.

The conjugate N-adducts of thio-1,3,4-diazole and 2-thiazoline with levoglucosenone were synthesized via a stereoselective, base-catalyzed conjugate N-Michael addition to levoglucosenone at C-4. Structural assignments were established using 1H and 13C NMR analysis, and X-ray single-crystal analysis for one of the compounds. The biological properties of the novel compounds were tested on a cell model. Cytotoxicity was analyzed via colorimetric assay. Two distinct types of cell death, apoptosis and necrosis, were analyzed by determining the phosphatidylserine levels from the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, caspase activation, and lactate dehydrogenase release. We also evaluated DNA damage using an alkaline comet assay. The level of oxidative stress was measured with a modified comet assay and an H2DCFDA probe. The thio-1,3,4-diazole adduct (FCP23) and the 2-thiazoline adduct (FCP26) exhibit similar cytotoxicity values for cancer cells (ovarian (A2780), breast (MCF-7), cervix (HeLa), colon (LoVo), and brain (MO59J and MO59K)), but their mechanism of action is drastically different. While FCP23 induces oxidative stress, DNA damage, and necrosis, FCP26 induces apoptosis through caspase activation.

Ro52/TRIM21 - From host defense to autoimmunity.

Ro52 (TRIM21) belongs to the ubiquitin ligase family. This protein plays a crucial role in many immunological processes, including antibody-dependent intracellular neutralization, synergy with the complement system, antiviral response, death mediation, oxidative stress response, and protein ubiquitination. Abnormal expression of TRIM21 can break immunological tolerance and lead to the production of autoantibodies against TRIM21. Antibodies against TRIM21 are detected in various autoimmune diseases, including Sjögren's syndrome (SS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or myositis. However, anti-TRIM21 presence is not limited to autoimmune connective tissue disorders. It was observed in patients with malignancies, various cancerous processes, infectious diseases, and idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. The occurrence of TRIM21 autoantibodies is also associated with clinical features, such as the prevalence of interstitial lung diseases and cardiac or haematological involvement in connective tissue disorders. The purpose of this review was to summarize current knowledge of the immunological functions of TRIM21 and analyze the clinical implications of anti-TRIM21 antibodies in the disease course.

Biological properties of (1-4)-thio disaccharides.

Thio sugars are carbohydrate derivatives in which one or more oxygen atoms have been replaced with sulfur. Thio sugars are effective inhibitors of glycosylases, have considerable therapeutic potential, and are used as drugs in the treatment of diabetes and infectious diseases. The development of this branch of carbohydrate chemistry would not be possible without the development of novel methods for its synthesis and the analysis of their biochemical properties. In this Review Article, we summarize our findings on the biological properties of a collection of thio sugars and their derivatives synthesized by the Witczak and Bielski team using their original methods based on the Michael addition of sugar thiols to levoglucosenone.

SNP in PTPN22, PADI4, and STAT4 but Not TRAF1 and CD40 Increase the Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Polish Population.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in non-HLA genes are involved in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). SNPS in genes: PADI4 (rs2240340), STAT4 (rs7574865), CD40 (rs4810485), PTPN22 (rs2476601), and TRAF1 (rs3761847) have been described as risk factors for the development of autoimmune diseases, including RA. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of polymorphisms of these genes in the Polish population of patients with rheumatoid arthritis as compared to healthy controls. 324 subjects were included in the study: 153 healthy subjects and 181 patients from the Department of Rheumatology, Medical University of Lodz who fulfilled the criteria of rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. Genotypes were determined by Taqman SNP Genotyping Assay. rs2476601 (G/A, OR = 2.16, CI = 1.27-3.66; A/A, OR = 10.35, CI = 1.27-84.21), rs2240340 (C/T, OR = 4.35, CI = 2.55-7.42; T/T, OR = 2.80, CI = 1.43-4.10) and rs7574865 (G/T, OR = 1.97, CI = 1.21-3.21; T/T, OR = 3.33, CI = 1.01-11.02) were associated with RA in the Polish population. Rs4810485 was also associated with RA, however after Bonferroni's correction was statistically insignificant. We also found an association between minor alleles of rs2476601, rs2240340, and rs7574865 and RA (OR = 2.32, CI = 1.47-3.66; OR = 2.335, CI = 1.64-3.31; OR = 1.88, CI = 1.27-2.79, respectively). Multilocus analysis revealed an association between CGGGT and rare (below 0.02 frequency) haplotypes (OR = 12.28, CI = 2.65-56.91; OR = 3.23, CI = 1.63-6.39). In the Polish population, polymorphisms of the PADI4, PTPN22, and STAT4 genes have been detected, which are also known risk factors for RA in various other populations.

Polymorphisms in DNA Repair Genes and Association with Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Pilot Study on a Central European Population.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, multifactorial autoimmune disease characterized by chronic arthritis, a tendency to develop joint deformities, and involvement of extra-articular tissues. The risk of malignant neoplasms among patients with RA is the subject of ongoing research due to the autoimmune pathogenesis that underlies RA, the common etiology of rheumatic disease and malignancies, and the use of immunomodulatory therapy, which can alter immune system function and thus increase the risk of malignant neoplasms. This risk can also be increased by impaired DNA repair efficiency in individuals with RA, as reported in our recent study. Impaired DNA repair may reflect the variability in the genes that encode DNA repair proteins. The aim of our study was to evaluate the genetic variation in RA within the genes of the DNA damage repair system through base excision repair (BER), nucleotide excision repair (NER), and the double strand break repair system by homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). We genotyped a total of 28 polymorphisms in 19 genes encoding DNA repair-related proteins in 100 age- and sex-matched RA patients and healthy subjects from Central Europe (Poland). Polymorphism genotypes were determined using the Taq-man SNP Genotyping Assay. We found an association between the RA occurrence and rs25487/XRCC1, rs7180135/RAD51, rs1801321/RAD51, rs963917/RAD51B, rs963918/RAD51B, rs2735383/NBS1, rs132774/XRCC6, rs207906/XRCC5, and rs861539/XRCC3 polymorphisms. Our results suggest that polymorphisms of DNA damage repair genes may play a role in RA pathogenesis and may be considered as potential markers of RA.

Highlighting the versatility of the citrullination process.

Protein citrullination is one of the processes of post-translational modification of proteins and peptides, playing a crucial role in the homeostasis of important processes, however also leading to pathological processes in autoimmune and neoplastic disorders. Citrullination regulates epidermal function, reproduction being also involved in NET formation. Nowadays, the knowledge about citrullination spreads and opens up a new field for investigation of compounds that potentially be used as a treatment. Inhibitors of PADI are currently being tested in various diseases. As these enzymes play an essential role in the disease progression, one should also look for the basics of regulation of their expression in the cell as well as focus on environmental factors like air pollution or smoking, which can augment the process of citrullination. Despite its pathological properties, citrullination can be a prognostic marker of diseases and a good target for therapies. In this revision, we used PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), and Google Scholar to collect data which presents information from severalarticles, reviews, case reports, case studies, cohort studies, and clinical trials. Studies conducted in vitro, in vivo on mouse models, postmortem tissue models of animal and human origin were included and non-english articles were excluded. We mainly used keywords like "PAD", Peptidylarginine deiminases", "citrullination" or "deimination" in the search. This revision contains description using both original and review papers can be useful for doctors, scientists, and patients.

BET Proteins as Attractive Targets for Cancer Therapeutics.

Transcriptional dysregulation is a hallmark of cancer and can be an essential driver of cancer initiation and progression. Loss of transcriptional control can cause cancer cells to become dependent on certain regulators of gene expression. Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins are epigenetic readers that regulate the expression of multiple genes involved in carcinogenesis. BET inhibitors (BETis) disrupt BET protein binding to acetylated lysine residues of chromatin and suppress the transcription of various genes, including oncogenic transcription factors. Phase I and II clinical trials demonstrated BETis' potential as anticancer drugs against solid tumours and haematological malignancies; however, their clinical success was limited as monotherapies. Emerging treatment-associated toxicities, drug resistance and a lack of predictive biomarkers limited BETis' clinical progress. The preclinical evaluation demonstrated that BETis synergised with different classes of compounds, including DNA repair inhibitors, thus supporting further clinical development of BETis. The combination of BET and PARP inhibitors triggered synthetic lethality in cells with proficient homologous recombination. Mechanistic studies revealed that BETis targeted multiple essential homologous recombination pathway proteins, including RAD51, BRCA1 and CtIP. The exact mechanism of BETis' anticancer action remains poorly understood; nevertheless, these agents provide a novel approach to epigenome and transcriptome anticancer therapy.

Increased Sensitivity of PBMCs Isolated from Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis to DNA Damaging Agents Is Connected with Inefficient DNA Repair.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, inflammatory disease of the joints and surrounding tissues. RA manifests itself with severe joint pain, articular inflammation, and oxidative stress. RA is associated with certain types of cancer. We have assumed that RA patients' increased susceptibility to cancer may be linked with genomic instability induced by impaired DNA repair and sensitivity to DNA damaging agents. The aim of this work was to analyze the sensitivity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from RA patients to DNA damaging agents: tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH), bleomycin, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and calculate the repair efficiency. TBH induce oxidative DNA lesions repaired mainly by base excision repair (BER). Bleomycin induced mainly DNA double-strand breaks repaired by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination repair (HRR). We included 20 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 20 healthy controls and used an alkaline version of the comet assay with modification to measure sensitivity to DNA damaging agents and DNA repair efficiency. We found an increased number of DNA breaks and alkali-labile sites in the RA patients compared to those in the controls. Exposure to DNA damaging agents evoked the same increased damage in both groups, but we observed statistically higher PMBC sensitivity to TBH, MMS, bleomycin as well as UV. Examination of the repair kinetics of both groups revealed that the DNA lesions induced by TBH and bleomycin were more efficiently repaired in the controls than in the patients. These data suggest impaired DNA repair in RA patients, which may accelerate PBMC aging and/or lead to higher cancer incidence among RA patients.

Interleukin-33/suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (IL-33/ST2) axis in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies and its association with laboratory and clinical parameters: a pilot study.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are rare connective tissue diseases, which can lead to internal organ involvement. IL-33/ST2 pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases including autoimmune disorders. IL-33 fulfils cardioprotective function, while soluble ST2 (sST2) is a decoy receptor that reduces protective impact of IL-33. The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentrations of sST2 and IL-33 in sera of patients with IIM and evaluate its associations with the clinical course of the disease. Patients with IIM as well as age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited. Concentrations of sST2 and IL-33 were assessed with ELISA in sera of both patients and controls. Patients were asked to fill in the questionnaires concerning clinical symptoms and physical functioning. Concentrations of sST2 and IL-33 were correlated with the results of laboratory tests and clinical symptoms. Concentrations of sST2 were significantly higher in IIM group than in healthy subjects (median sST2 in IIM 26.51 vs in healthy controls 21.39; p = 0.03). In the majority of patients, IL-33 concentrations did not exceed the detection limit. Anti-SRP-positive patients presented significantly higher concentrations of sST2 as compared to anti-SRP-negative patients (p = 0.04). In patients with anti-Ro52 antibodies, sST2 concentrations were significantly lower than in anti-Ro52-negative patients (p = 0.02). Concentrations of sST2 correlated with the degree of disability evaluated with Health Assessment Questionnaire. sST2 is increased in patients with IIM and its concentration correlates with the degree of disability. In patients with anti-SRP antibodies, levels of sST2 are exceptionally high.

(1-4)-Thiodisaccharides as anticancer agents. Part 5. Evaluation of anticancer activity and investigation of mechanism of action.

(1-4)-Thiodisaccharides, thiosugars with the 1-4-thio bridge, were recently shown to induce oxidative stress, as well as, apoptosis in cancer cells in the low micromolar range; however, the detailed mechanism of their anticancer action still remains unknown. In order to clarify the mechanism of (1-4)- thiodisaccharides action, we performed a series of tests including cytotoxic, clonogenic and apoptosis assays using an in vitro glioma cancer model with one ATCC cell line U87 and two novel glioma cell lines derived from cancer patients - H6PX and H7PX. We also evaluated the ability of (1-4)-thiodisaccharides to interfere with protein folding and synthesis processes, as well as, the thioredoxin system. (1-4)-thiodisaccharides induced glioma cell death, which were found to be accompanied with endoplasmic reticulum stress, inhibition of global protein synthesis, reduced overall cellular thiol level and thioredoxin reductase activity. We also performed a RT-PCR and Elisa analysis of (1-4)-thiodisaccharides-treated glioma cells to identify any changes within the pathway affected by (1-4)-thiodisaccharides. We observed a significant increase of expression in key markers of endoplasmic reticulum stress and pro-apoptotic protein, FASLG. We proposed that (1-4)-thiodisaccharides react with cellular thiols and disturb any cellular thiol-depended processes like thioredoxin system or protein folding.

Biomolecular computers with multiple restriction enzymes

Abstract The development of conventional, silicon-based computers has several limitations, including some related to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and the von Neumann "bottleneck". Biomolecular computers based on DNA and proteins are largely free of these disadvantages and, along with quantum computers, are reasonable alternatives to their conventional counterparts in some applications. The idea of a DNA computer proposed by Ehud Shapiro's group at the Weizmann Institute of Science was developed using one restriction enzyme as hardware and DNA fragments (the transition molecules) as software and input/output signals. This computer represented a two-state two-symbol finite automaton that was subsequently extended by using two restriction enzymes. In this paper, we propose the idea of a multistate biomolecular computer with multiple commercially available restriction enzymes as hardware. Additionally, an algorithmic method for the construction of transition molecules in the DNA computer based on the use of multiple restriction enzymes is presented. We use this method to construct multistate, biomolecular, nondeterministic finite automata with four commercially available restriction enzymes as hardware. We also describe an experimental applicaton of this theoretical model to a biomolecular finite automaton made of four endonucleases.

Biomolecular computers with multiple restriction enzymes.

The development of conventional, silicon-based computers has several limitations, including some related to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and the von Neumann "bottleneck". Biomolecular computers based on DNA and proteins are largely free of these disadvantages and, along with quantum computers, are reasonable alternatives to their conventional counterparts in some applications. The idea of a DNA computer proposed by Ehud Shapiro's group at the Weizmann Institute of Science was developed using one restriction enzyme as hardware and DNA fragments (the transition molecules) as software and input/output signals. This computer represented a two-state two-symbol finite automaton that was subsequently extended by using two restriction enzymes. In this paper, we propose the idea of a multistate biomolecular computer with multiple commercially available restriction enzymes as hardware. Additionally, an algorithmic method for the construction of transition molecules in the DNA computer based on the use of multiple restriction enzymes is presented. We use this method to construct multistate, biomolecular, nondeterministic finite automata with four commercially available restriction enzymes as hardware. We also describe an experimental applicaton of this theoretical model to a biomolecular finite automaton made of four endonucleases.

Thio-functionalized carbohydrate thiosemicarbazones and evaluation of their anticancer activity.

Thiosemicarbazides and their analogs have shown potential medical applications as antiviral, antibacterial and anticancer drugs. We designed, synthesized and evaluated in vitro anticancer activity against ovarian (A2780), cervix (HeLa), colon (LoVo), breast (MCF-7) and brain (MO59J) human cancer cell lines of seven novel compounds -S-glycosylated thiosemicarbazones. We assessed the cyto- and genotoxic properties of all novel compounds using a variety of methods including comet assay, XTT assay, various fluorescent assays and toxicology PathwayFinder expression array. We tried to evaluate their possible mechanism of action with particular attention to induction of DNA damage and repair, apoptosis, oxidative stress analysis and cellular response in terms of changes in gene expression. The most sensitive cell line was human ovarian cancer. The results revealed that the major activity against A2780 cancer cell line displayed by our compounds is induction of DNA damage. This effect is not associated with apoptosis or oxidative stress induction and the resulting damage will not lead to cell cycle arrest. We also observed up-expression of heat shock related genes and NQO1 gene in response to our compounds. The second effect seems to be specific to glycosylated S-bond compounds as we observed it earlier. Upregulation of heat shock protein encoding genes suggest that our compounds induce stressful conditions. The nature of this phenomena (heat shock, pH shift or hypoxia) needs further study.

A detailed experimental study of a DNA computer with two endonucleases.

Great advances in biotechnology have allowed the construction of a computer from DNA. One of the proposed solutions is a biomolecular finite automaton, a simple two-state DNA computer without memory, which was presented by Ehud Shapiro's group at the Weizmann Institute of Science. The main problem with this computer, in which biomolecules carry out logical operations, is its complexity - increasing the number of states of biomolecular automata. In this study, we constructed (in laboratory conditions) a six-state DNA computer that uses two endonucleases (e.g. AcuI and BbvI) and a ligase. We have presented a detailed experimental verification of its feasibility. We described the effect of the number of states, the length of input data, and the nondeterminism on the computing process. We also tested different automata (with three, four, and six states) running on various accepted input words of different lengths such as ab, aab, aaab, ababa, and of an unaccepted word ba. Moreover, this article presents the reaction optimization and the methods of eliminating certain biochemical problems occurring in the implementation of a biomolecular DNA automaton based on two endonucleases.

The induction of oxidative stress in cervix carcinoma cells by levoglucosenone derived 4-S-salicyl derivative and (1-4)-S-thio-disaccharides. Part 4.

(1-4)-S-thiodisaccharides were shown to kill various cancer cell lines, including cervix, lung, mammary-gland and colon by unknown mechanisms. Here we identified two actions of levoglucosenone derived (1-4)-S-thiodisaccharides against cervix cancer cells: induction of oxidative stress and DNA damage. In consequence, (1-4)-S-thiodisaccharides lowered the cellular GSH level and changed the expression profile of genes encoding key proteins involved with oxidative stress response. We also observed that (1-4)-S-thiodisaccharides induced DNA damage and interfered with the thioredoxin (Trx) system. Both actions, as induced by FPC6, were stronger when dihedral angles of sulfur bridge were set to 110°, 100° and 109°, clearly indicating differences when compared to FPC8. These findings demonstrate that the 1-4-thio bridge of disaccharide is a powerful anticancer pharmacophore, and its potential use needs further studies.

The oxidative induction of DNA lesions in cancer cells by 5-thio-d-glucose and 6-thio-d-fructopyranose and their genotoxic effects. Part 3.

Thio-sugars have been described as potent inhibitors of cancer cell growth but the detailed mechanism of action remains unknown. Herein we investigated the mechanism of their anticancer action in the HeLa cell line. We investigated two thio-sugars: 5-thio-d-glucose (FCP1) and 6-thio-ß-d-fructopyranose (FCP2). We have observed that FCP1 as well as FCP2 clearly induced oxidative DNA lesions in cancer cells and increased the level of cellular ROS. A spin trap and antioxidants have decreased the level of DNA lesions induced by FCPs. FCPs also induced significant changes in the oxidative-stress gene expression. Therefore, we assume that ROS generation is correlated with the increased NOX5 expression by FCPs. Higher cyto- and genotoxicity of FCPs for HeLa cells in a low glucose environment suggested their role in the glucose metabolism. The data indicates that thio-sugars may become drug alternatives for the cancer treatment but such undertaking needs further studies.

Polyphenolic glycoconjugates from medical plants of Rosaceae/Asteraceae family protect human lymphocytes against γ-radiation-induced damage.

Radioprotective effects of the water-soluble polyphenolic glycoconjugates, isolated from flowers of Sanguisorba officinalis L.(SO) and Erigeron canadensis L.(EC), and from leaves of Fragaria vesca L. (FV) and Rubus plicatus Whe. Et N. E. (RP), against γ-radiation-induced toxicity in human peripheral blood lymphocytes were investigated. Cell treatment with glycoconjugates (1, 5 and 25µg/mL) prior exposure to 10/15Gy radiation resulted in concentration-dependent reduction of DNA damage including oxidative DNA lesions (comet assay), substantial inhibition of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and restoration of superoxide dismutase and S-glutathione transferase activities. Glycoconjugates isolated from SO and EC ensured better protection versus these from RP and FV, with the SO product potential comparable to that of the reference quercetin. Strong antioxidant/radioprotective activity of the SO and EC glycoconjugates could be attributed to high abundance of syringol-type and ferulic acid units in their matrices, respectively. Moreover, polyphenolic glycoconjugates (25µg/mL), including RP and FV products, significantly decreased DNA damage when applied post-radiation suggesting their modulating effects on DNA repair pathways. Preliminary data on the glycoconjugate phenolic structural units, based on GLC/MS of the products of pyrolysis and in situ methylation, in relation to application of plant products as potential radioprotectors is promising and deserves further investigation.

[Thiosugars used as drugs]. / Tiocukry jako leki.

Thiosugars are carbohydrate analogs in which one or few of the oxygen atoms were replaced by sulfur. The sulfur atom which is present in the furan and pyran structures, changes biological properties of carbohydrates, as compared to their oxygen analogs. Among others, thiosugars are effective inhibitors of various cellular and enzymatic pathways and also have great therapeutic potential. They are used as a drugs in diabetes and infectious diseases treatment. Recent evidence suggests that these compounds may have therapeutic properties and be also used in the treatment of some pathological conditions, including cancer diseases. This research are aimed towards the development and improvement of the current methods of synthesis of new thiosugars through stabilization of sulfur bonds and in vitro and in vivo analysis of their potential therapeutic properties. In this work the summary of the latest reports about thiosugars and their application in the medicine is presented for the first time in the Polish language literature.