Oxidative stress markers in the blood of persons with different stages of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

The aim of the study was to determine some biochemical factors reflecting oxidant-antioxidant balance in the blood of patients being in different stages of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The patients, suspected of OSAS, were submitted to biochemical and somnographic examinations. APolyMesam device was used to establish the severity of apnea episodes. The control group was composed of subjects without OSAS. The following parameters were determined: concentration of plasma total antioxidant status, TAS; activity of erythrocyte Cu, Zn-superoxide dysmutase, SOD; plasma lipid peroxidation products, TBARS. The OSAS patients had lower levels of SOD and TAS, and increased level of TBARS. We conclude that oxidative stress markers increase in the blood of OSAS patients to a variable degree, depending on the severity of the syndrome and, therefore, may be suitable for a clinical follow-up of such patients.

[The effect of chemotherapy on bone metabolism in patients with non-small cell lung cancer]. / Wplyw chemioterapii na metabolizm kostny u chorych na niedrobnokomórkowego raka pluca.

UNLABELLED: In this study the influence of chemotherapy on bone metabolism in patients with III stage of non-small cell lung cancer has been evaluated. 30 patients (men) in average age 57.1 years were enrolled to this trial. The trial carried out on 2 groups of patients: group A consisted of 30 patients with NSCLC, group B of 15 patients without neoplastic process. In all participants bone scintigraphy was done and the following biochemical markers were measured: osteocalcin concentration, alkaline phosphatase's bone fraction, twenty-four-hour calcium and hydroxyproline urine excretion. In patients after two courses of chemotherapy (mitomycin, cisplatin, vinblastine) statistically significant reduction of serum concentration of osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, also reduction of calcium and hydroxyproline urine excretion have been observed. Scintigraphic examination of bones showed statistically significant decrease in resorption of isotope (MDP 99mTc) in patients after chemotherapy (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study shows positive influence of chemotherapy on bone metabolism in patients with NSCLC. Patients treated with chemotherapy have bone metastases less frequently.

[Evaluation of the character of morphologic traits in persons with obstructive sleep apnea]. / Ocena charakteru cech morfologicznych osób z zespolem obturacyjnego bezdechu sennego.

The aim of the study was carried out to show the anthropometric analysis of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and to answer the question about the relations between the degree of SAS and obesity. The research has begun since May 1993 in an interdisciplinary team. The study was carried out in a group of 40 men diagnosed as SAS in Sleep Apnoea Unit of Department of Pulmonary Diseases. The anthropometric analysis consists of basic somatometric measurements. The relations between obesity and the degree of apnoeas was determined by analysis of variance and the model of single and multiple regression. The obtained results demonstrate the dependence between the grade of apnoeas pathology during sleep and the measurements of upper body parts. The slope of the line B not equal to 0 indicates that the intensity of SAS increases in patients "commonly considered as obese". Obesity is an important factor leading to disturbances in respiratory ventilation. An important development of fatty tissue of the neck can cause pressure changes and can induce adipose degeneration. An increased fatty thickness of the thorax is a factor which can lead to the aggravation of symptoms.

[Long-term corticosteroid therapy as a risk factor of osteoporosis in patients with asthma and chronic bronchitis]. / Dlugotrawla kortykosteroidoterapia jako czynnik ryzyka wystapienia osteoporozy u chorych na astme i przewlekle zapalenie oskrzeli.

This work evaluates frequency of steroid induced osteoporosis according to kind of steroid drugs (systemic, inhaled), dose and duration of treatment. In group of 80 young patients with asthma and chronic bronchitis the following examinations have been used: biochemical markers of bone turnover, X-ray of thoracic lumbar part of vertebral column and bone density in quantitative computed tomography of vertebrae L2-L4. Osteoporosis appeared in patients chronically treated with systemic steroids (prednisone) and in patients treated with inhaled steroids in typical dose as well. Usefulness of biochemical markers of bone turnover in connection with quantitative computed tomography in diagnostic of steroid induced osteoporosis has been confirmed.