Effects of Spherical and Rod-like Gold Nanoparticles on the Reactivity of Human Peripheral Blood Leukocytes.

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are widely used in the technological and biomedical industries, which is a major driver of research on these nanoparticles. The main goal of this study was to determine the influence of GNPs (at 20, 100, and 200 µg/mL concentrations) on the reactivity of human peripheral blood leukocytes. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the respiratory burst activity and pyroptosis in monocytes and granulocytes following incubation with GNPs for 30 and 60 min. Furthermore, the concentration of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in human blood samples was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after their incubation with GNPs for 24 h. Under the conditions tested in the study, the GNPs did not significantly affect the production of reactive oxygen species in the granulocytes and monocytes that were not stimulated using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in comparison to the samples exposed to PMA (p < 0.05). Compared to the control sample, the greatest significant increase in the mean fluorescence intensity of the granulocytes occurred in the samples incubated with CGNPs = 100 and 200 µg/mL for tinc = 30 and 60 min (p < 0.05). From our results, we conclude that the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles, chemical composition, and the type of nanoparticles used in the unit, along with the unit and incubation time, influence the induced toxicity.

The beetroot component betanin modulates ROS production, DNA damage and apoptosis in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of betanin, one of the beetroot major components, on ROS production, DNA damage and apoptosis in human resting and stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate13-acetate polymorphonuclear neutrophils, one of the key elements of the inflammatory response. Incubation of neutrophils with betanin in the concentration range 2-500 µM resulted in significant inhibition of ROS production (by 15-46%, depending on the ROS detection assay). The antioxidant capacity of betanin was most prominently expressed in the chemiluminescence measurements. This compound decreased also the percentage of DNA in comet tails in stimulated neutrophils, but only at the 24 h time point. In resting neutrophils an increased level of DNA in comet tails was observed. Betanin did not affect the activity of caspase-3, in resting neutrophils, but significantly enhanced the enzyme activity in stimulated neutrophils. The western blot analysis showed, however, an increased level of caspase-3 cleavage products as a result of betanin treatment both in resting and stimulated neutrophils. The results indicate that betanin may be responsible for the effect of beetroot products on neutrophil oxidative metabolism and its consequences, DNA damage and apoptosis. The dose and time dependent effects on these processes require further studies.

[Evaluation of the activity of selected elements of the immune system in depression]. / Ocena aktywnosci wybranych elementów ukladu odpornosciowego w depresji.

AIM: The evaluation of the activity of selected elements of the immune system in depression. METHOD: Lymphocyte subsets evaluation (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD16+, CD19+, CD4/CD8) was performed in 32 patients with depression (21 women and 11 men in the age from 21 to 66 years) using the flow cytometry method. The cytokine evaluation (sIL-2R, IL-4, IL-6) was performed in 39 patients with depression (23 women and 16 men in the age from 21 to 66 years) using the ELISA method. The evaluation was also performed in 32 healthy controls (16 women and 16 men in the age from 23 to 61). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed in lymphocyte subsets between depressed patients and healthy controls (increase of CD16+, CD4/CD8, decrease of CD3+, CD8+ in depression, decrease of CD3+, CD8+, CD19+ and increase of CD4/CD8 in remission). There were no significant differences between depressed men and women in the above parameters during exacerbation and remission of depression. Statistically significant differences were observed in cytokine concentration between patients during acute episodes of depressions and healthy controls (higher sIL-2R level, lower IL-4 level), but not in remission. Also, there were no significant differences between men and women in the above parameters during exacerbation and remission of the illness. No correlation was found between age and immunological indicators. CONCLUSION: The results obtained confirm changes of immune system activity in depression, including both activation and supression in the same time. It may suggest an immunological inbalance during depression.