[Thrombopoietic growth factor--thrombopoietin. Molecular and biological properties]. / Plytkotwórczy czynnik wzrostu--trombopoetyna. Wlasciwosci molekularne i biologiczne.

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is a newly identified hematopoietic growth factor, that stimulates both megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis through its interaction with a specific cell surface receptor (c-Mpl), a member of hematopoietic receptor superfamily, encoded by the c-mpl proto-oncogene. Recently the Janus kinases and STAT proteins have emerged as important elements in signaling via this family of receptors. The complete gene for human thrombopoietin has been cloned and mapped. TPO is believed to be the major physiological regulator of circulating platelet levels and it is hoped that this hormone will be valuable in stimulating megakaryocyte and platelet recovery in patients with thrombocytopenia, just as erythropoietin and GM-CSF or G-CSF have been valuable in stimulating the production of red and white cells.

[The role of magnesium in the pathogenesis and therapy of bronchial asthma]. / Rola magnezu w patogenezie i terapii astmy oskrzelowej.

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant metal found in the body. It plays a crucial role in numerous biological processes. It is a natural calcium antagonist. New experimental data suggest that Mg+2 influences a variety of lung structures. Intracellular Mg+2 is thought to modulate smooth muscle contractions and it is known to have a direct effect on calcium uptake, resulting in smooth muscle relaxation. Magnesium has been forgotten cation from the therapeutical point of view, but now several clinical reports point to the salutary actions of Mg+2 in various lung diseases. Many reports suggests that magnesium sulfate and aspartate has certainly a role as an adjunct to traditional therapy in asthma and asthma-like conditions and have been helpful in the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma.