Occupational exposure to mercury vapour on genotoxicity and DNA repair.

We have conducted a population study to investigate whether current occupational exposure to mercury can cause genotoxicity and can affect DNA repair efficiency. Blood samples from 25 exposed workers and 50 matched controls were investigated for the expression of genotoxicity. The data indicate that mercury exposure did not cause any significant differences between the workers and controls in the baseline levels of DNA strand breaks (as measured by the alkaline version of the single cell gel electrophoresis [SCGE] assay) or sister chromatid exchanges (SCE). However, the exposure produced elevated average DNA tails length in the SCGE assay and frequency of chromosome aberrations. In the studies, isolated lymphocytes were exposed to 6J/m2 UV-C light or 2 Gy dose of X-rays in a challenge assay and repair of the induced DNA damage was evaluated using the SCGE assay. Results from the UV-light challenge assay showed no difference between the workers and controls in the expression of DNA strand breaks after exposure followed by incubation in the absence or presence of the cellular mitogen (phytohemagglutinin, PHA). No difference in DNA strand breaks between the workers and controls was seen immediately after the X-ray challenge, either. However, significant differences were observed in cells that were incubated for 2h with and without phytohemagglutinin. Data from the X-rays challenge assay were further used to calculate indices that indicate DNA repair efficiency. Results show that the repair efficiencies for the workers (69.7% and 83.9% in un-stimulated and stimulated lymphocytes, respectively) were significantly lower than that of matched controls (85.7% and 90.4%, respectively). In addition, the repair efficiency showed a consistent and significant decrease with the duration of occupational exposure to mercury (from 75.7% for <10 years employment, to 65.1% for 11-20 years and to 64.1% for 21-35 years) associated with increase of cytogenetic damage. Our study suggests that the occupational exposure to mercury did not cause a direct genotoxicity but caused significant deficiency in DNA repair. Our observations are consistent with previous studies using the standard chromosome aberration assay to show that exposure to hazardous environmental agents can cause deficiency in DNA repair. Therefore, these affected individuals may have exposure-related increase of health risk from continued exposure and in combination with exposure to other genotoxic agents.

Immunological findings in cigarette smokers.

The aim of our study was to assess the effects of cigarette smoking on selected indices of immunity. The study comprised 116 men divided into three groups: 37 subjects smoking for not more than 10 yr, 39 subjects smoking for more than 10 yr, and control group consisting of 40 age-matched men who never used to smoke. The following parameters were studied: total number of lymphocytes, B-cells, T-cells subpopulations: (CD3+)T-, (CD4+)T-helper, (CD8+)T-cytotoxic and (CD16+)natural killer (NK)-cells and serum concentration of immunoglobulins A, D, G and M, C3c and C4 complement components, acute phase proteins: alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin and lysozyme. The (CD4+)/(CD8+) ratio was also calculated. The suppressive effect of tobacco smoke on human immunity was seen as decreased serum concentration of immunoglobulins and lysozyme, especially in men smoking for more than 10 yr, decreased (CD16+)NK-cells absolute number and elevated population of (CD8+)T-cytotoxic lymphocytes entailing a decrease in CD4+/CD8+ ratio.

The activity of erythrocyte enzymes and basic indices of peripheral blood erythrocytes from workers chronically exposed to mercury vapours.

The influence of occupational exposure to mercury vapours on the activity of the red cell enzymes [glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)], as well as on peripheral blood indices [erythrocyte number (RBC), HCT, Hb, MCHC] and on serum concentrations of iron, ferritin, transferrin and total iron binding capacity (TIBC), was assessed. Studies were carried out on 46 men aged between 21 and 56 years (X = 39 +/- 10.4) exposed to mercury vapours during their work from 7 months to 32 years (= 14.7 +/- 10.8). The control group consisted of 35 healthy workers aged between 20 and 54 years (X = 33.6 +/- 9.8) not exposed to chemical nor physical agents. In both groups studied, there were 50% and 34.3% smokers, respectively. The activity of studied red cell enzymes--G-6PD, AChE, GR and SOD--was estimated according to the colorimetric methods described by Beutler and expressed as international units per gram of hemoglobin (IU g Hb(-1)). Peripheral blood cell parameters were determined using an automatic cell counter. The concentration of serum iron and TIBC was determined using colorimetric methods (Beckman), while that of ferritin and transferrin by nephelometric methods. The time-weighted average (TWA) of mercury concentration in the air determined before the study was 0.0028 mg m(-3). Statistical analysis of the data was performed using either the Cochran and Cox C-test or the Student's t-test. The medium mercury concentration in the urine was 77.44 +/- 48.15 microg l(-1). In the group exposed to mercury vapours, a significant decrease was found in G-6PD activity (23.9%, P<0.001), GR (18.8%, P<0.001), and SOD (5%, P<0.001) with a concomitant increase in AChE activity (35.9%, P<0.001) was found. Moreover, a statistically significant increase occurred in HCT and RBC, and a decrease in MCV and MCHC as well as increases of ferritin (130.9%, P<0.001), transferrin (118.4%, P<0.001) and TIBC (11.2%, P<0.05). Our results indicate that long-term exposure to mercury vapours induces changes in the activity of red cell enzymes--G-6PD, AChE, GR and SOD--and may also influence other important hematological parameters of the peripheral blood.

[Is polycystic kidney disease a risk factor for neoplasm formation?]. / Czy wielotorbielowate zwyrodnienie nerek stanowi czynnik ryzyka zachorowania na nowotwór?

Our study aimed to elicit possible association between molecular and cytogenetic damage detected in lymphocytes of three members of family with polycystic kidney disease (41 and 19 years old females and in 9 years of age boy) and predictability to develop cancer or their susceptibility to environmental exposure. The DNA damage detected by Comet assay, chromosome aberrations and sisster chromatid exchanges were tested in lymphocytes and p21ras protein level in blood plasma. Lymphocytes of two persons showed higher level of cytogenetic damages and higher in responses to 0.5 Gy dose of radiation. We think it might be associated to specific aberration present in cells of these persons. A final conclusions can be taken when an application of FISH technique would be completed.

[The effect of various occupational exposures to microwave radiation on the concentrations of immunoglobulins and T lymphocyte subsets]. / Wplyw promieniowania mikrofalowego na stezenie immunoglobulin i subpopulacje limfocytów T w róznych ekspozycjach zawodowych.

The immunoglobulins' concentrations and T lymphocyte subsets during occupational exposures to microwave radiation were assessed. In the workers of retransmission TV center and center of satellite communications on increased IgG and IgA concentration and decreased count of lymphocytes and T8 cells was found. However, in the radar operators IgM concentration was elevated and a decrease in the total T8 cell count was observed. The different behaviour of examined immunological parameters indicate that the effect of microwave radiation on immune system depends on character of an exposure. Disorders in the immunoglobulins' concentrations and in the T8 cell count did not cause any clinical consequences.

Monitoring of molecular and cytogenetic damage in lymphocytes from three persons with polycystic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Much interest has been generated in the studies that would help to understand whether there is a causal association between disease and various types of molecular or cytogenetic damage detected in human cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aims of this study were to elicit the possible association between DNA and cytogenetic damage induced in lymphocytes of three members of a family with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The predictability to develop cancer or to sensitive response to environmental exposure of the young girl at the age of 19, her brother (9 years old) and a maternal aunt at the age of 41 were sought. Cytogenetic studies, analysis of DNA damage by single cell gel electrophoresis assay (SCGE known as a Comet assay), and analysis of p21ras protein level in blood plasma were carried out on their lymphocytes. RESULTS: The analysis for presence of chromosome aberrations in the first mitosis and sister chromatid exchanges in the second mitosis revealed elevated levels of cytogenetic biomarkers when compared to the mean values observed in the reference group in environmental biological monitoring studies. Results of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and percent of cells with elevated number of exchanges (high frequency cells) that were significantly higher in two probands had demonstrated susceptibility to or possibility of environmental exposure (pesticides, smoking). The results of this study show that the lymphocytes of two persons revealed increased sensitivity to 0.5 Gy dose of gamma radiation expressed in the increased, although statistically insignificant, damage detected on the molecular level after cell irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: The latter might be associated with a specific aberration present in the cells of these persons. But final conclusions can be arrived at when an application of FISH technique is completed.

[Vertebral hemangiomas--two case reports]. / Naczyniaki kregoslupa--opis dwóch przypadków.

It was described two cases of vertebral haemangiomas. The first one at a 30-year old man was situation in the 5-th lumbal vertebra. The second of the 7-th thoracic vertebra at a 57-th year old man simultaneously connected with oesophagus cancer. It not settled with of neoplasmas was the first one. The reason of the "cancer disorder" and appear of oesophagus cancer is probably the result of long habitual smoking and improper high consumption of animal fats and a small quantity of vegetables and fruits.

[Coexistence of Baker's cysts with a 5th chromosome aberration--case report]. / Wspólistnienie torbieli Bakera z aberracja chromosomu 5--opis przypadku.

A case of bilateral ruptured Baker's cysts in a 27-year-old woman was described. Their cause was probably the inborn flexibility of articular capsules conditioned by the genetic aberration of the 5-th chromosome.

[A case of toxic epidermal necrolysis with a low level of IgA in serum]. / Przypadek toksycznej nekrolizy naskórka z niskim stezeniem IgA w surowicy.

A case of the toxic epidermal necrolysis in a 52-year-old woman treated for hypoxia of cerebral trunk during the severe attack of bronchial asthma and the bacterial infection of respiratory system was described. The pause of toxic epidermal necrolysis was treated with ceftriaxone and cefuroxime. The woman died on the 20th day of disease.