Sex-specific differences in the regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase by bisphenol A in neutrophils.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of bisphenol A (BPA) on nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression by neutrophils with regard to sex and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway participation in this process. This study demonstrated that BPA intensifies the production of NO and the expression of iNOS in the cytoplasmic fraction of neutrophils of women as well as men. In addition, an enhanced expression of NF-κB in the cytoplasmic and nuclear fraction of neutrophils exposed to BPA was observed in the cells of both sexes. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of neutrophils of both sexes led to an intensification of NO production and expression of all tested proteins. However, simultaneous stimulation of neutrophils of both men and women with LPS and BPA decreased the production of NO and expression of iNOS and NF-κB in both fractions compared to the cells exposed only to xenoestrogen. Moreover, expression of iNOS and NF-κB was higher in female neutrophils than in male cells. This study demonstrated that BPA affects the production of NO with the participation of iNOS by human polymorphonuclear neutrophils. This process is associated with the activation of the NF-κB pathway. In addition, different activity of NF-κB in neutrophils, observed with respect to sex, indicates a different role of this pathway in female and male cells.

Hemiballismus following general anesthesia. A case report.

Hemiballismus is characterized by the abrupt onset of violent proximal flinging movements, affecting the limbs, neck and trunk on one side of the body. It is caused by the lesion in the region of the contralateral subthalamic nucleus of the Luys. Usually it is a self-limiting disease, lasting 6-8 weeks. A 49-year-old man has been admitted to the hospital after flinging movements of his right arm and the right side of the trunk occurred. A few days earlier he had undergone general anesthesia prior to a dental procedure. There was trouble in waking the patient afterwards. The movements lasted a few days. MRI of the brain revealed ischemic lesions areas in T2-weighted images localized in the region of globus pallidus bilaterally. EEG was abnormal, and showed slowed background activity with slow waves in left temporal lobe. He was treated with haloperidol, clonazepam and vasoactive medications. In spite of administered treatment, hemiballic movements reappeared occasionally. Due to increased frequency of the movements the patient was hospitalized again two years later. The second MRI revealed changes described earlier and a new ischaemic focus in left parietal lobe. Continuation of treatment with haloperidol was administered.

[The role of iron in the pathology of nervous system]. / Rola zelaza w patologii ukladu nerwowego.

Iron is one of few metal ions whose role in the central nervous system has received little attention, even though it is important in many enzymatic, metabolic and structural processes. The brain is rich in iron, and iron is the most likely initiator of free oxygen radicals generation. Recent investigations have reported that iron-generated free radicals play an important role in the pathogenesis of many neurological disorders. Experimental studies have shown that iron chelators and free-radical scavengers may have an important therapeutic potential in the future trends of treatment. This paper reviewed the current state of knowledge in this highly complicated field.

[Iron and transferrin in the blood serum of the patients with acute cerebral vascular disease]. / Zelazo i transferyna w krwi chorych z ostrym naczyniowym uszkodzeniem mózgu.

The purpose of this study was to determine the ferrokinetics in patients suffering from acute cerebral vascular diseases by assaying the iron and transferrin levels in the blood serum. Studies were performed on 80 patients. Also a single estimation of the haemoglobin level and of the red blood cell counts were performed in each patient. The iron level in the blood serum was assayed by photocolorimetry, while the level of transferrin was tested by radial immunodiffusion technique. The obtained results were analysed statistically by t-Student test. The accepted significance level was p < 0.05. In all groups of stroke patients a decrease of the average iron level and increase of the average transferrin level in the blood serum was found. It can be explained by the general disorders of the metabolism during the course of acute cerebral vascular disorders and feed-back mechanism.