Effect of iodothyronine hormone status on doxorubicin related cardiotoxicity.

The anthracycline anticancer agent doxorubicin has been recognised to induce a dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. The chronic form of such complication is characterized by an irreversible cardiac damage and congestive heart failure. Although the pathogenesis of anthracycline cardiotoxicity seems to be multifactorial, the pivotal role has been attributed to reactive oxygen species formation. Because redox equilibrium in cardiomyocytes may be regulated via iodothyronine hormones, the aim of the study was to appraise the effect of hypothyroidism on heart damages induced by doxorubicin. The rats received methimazole in drinking water (0.001 and 0.025%) after doxorubicin administration (2.0, 5.0 and 15 mg/kg). The cardiac morphology and blood biochemical markers of heart damage were assessed. Decreased levels of iodothyronine hormones had not significant impact on cardiac morphological changes and no effect on the level of B-type natriuretic peptide in rats receiving doxorubicin. Lower hormonal levels had sporadic, diverse effect on blood transaminases, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase levels, but any relation to time, doxorubicin doses and hypothyroid status was found. Hypothyreosis leads to increase in fatty acid binding protein in rats receiving higher dose of doxorubicin. Hypothyreosis had no effect on heart stretching and on necrosis at morphological level, but caused biochemical symptoms of cardiomyocyte necrosis in rats receiving doxorubicin.

Examinations on the new lang test.

The New Lang-II stereopsis test employs, as compared to the Lang-I test, smaller disparities and a less dense arrangement of random dots. In 162 subjects the authors comparatively evaluated the results of the Lang-I and Lang-II tests. Ninety percent of subjects with normal binocular vision passed both tests without making any mistake (n = 127). However, about 70% of patients with microstrabismus failed both tests (n = 35). Little difference was found between the results of both tests.

[Liver function in cows with traumatic inflammation of the reticulum and peritoneum after rumenotomy]. / badania nad stanem czynnosciowym watroby u krúw z urazowym zapaleniem czepca i otrzewnej poddanych zabiegowi rumenotomii.

The studies resulted from clinical observations recorded earlier on the basis of which it was found that traumatic inflammation of the reticulum and peritoneum Uzco is accompanied by liver lesion. Basing on the animal material (72 cows) collected in the area of the Station's activity at Busko-Zdrój, the diagnostic value of the selected laboratory liver tests was estimated to be utilized in diagnosing the damage of this organ as well as in the treatment of cows after rumenotomy. The studies showed that for these purposes the determination of total bilirubin and its fraction, the concentration of which in cows of the Uzco breed before the operation exceeded considerably their normal level, is of highest value. In the postoperation period lasting about 10 days, the level of total bilirubin constantly decreased. The determination of total cholesterol and protein was found to be of slightly lower value. Among the opacity tests the iodic one is of highest value in determinations of liver parenchyma lesions in cows with the Uzco. The decrease in the level of total bilirubin and its fraction as well as the decrease in the number of positive reactions to iodic test in the postoperaton period have been recognized as prognostically favourable symptom.