Health effect of chronic exposure to carbon disulfide (C2) on women employed in viscose industry.

Many women are exposed to carbon disulfide (C2) hazards at work every day. Working with C2 may cause some women to experience abnormalities in their reproductive health. Until now obtained data is generally concentrated on the health effects of C2 observed in the viscose industry. To date, C2 has not been studied precisely for its potential to have damaging effects on female reproductive system, especially the frequency of menstrual disturbances and the course of menopause. The aim of the study was to sum up female reproductive health hazards amongst women chronically exposed to C2 in their workplace in the viscose industry. In order to study the effect of C2 in the contemporary viscose industry, exposure measurements should be collected in prospective or cross-sectional studies. In conclusion, reproductive health hazards for women chronically exposed to C2 in the workplace in the viscose industry are the following: 1) menstrual disorders essentially are more frequent than in the case of the healthy women, 2) for women chronically exposed to C2 the average menopausal age is statistically earlier, as compared to healthy women, 3) complex disturbances in neurohormonal system for women exposed to C2, resulting from toxic influences of C2, which cause the secretion of estrogens and progesterone in ovaries and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the adrenal gland to diminish. Med Pr 2018;69(3):329-335.

Micronized estradiol and progesterone therapy in primary, preinvasive endometrial cancer (1A/G1) in young women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

CONTEXT: This report presents original, combined mode of treatment of preinvasive endometrial cancer (IA/G1) in young women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was the assessment of treatment with natural female sexual hormones in combination with antidiabetic, antioxidative, antidopaminergic, and antiserotonin therapy on the concentrations of hormones and serotonin in blood serum in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome and preinvasive endometrial cancer. DESIGN: This study was performed within 12 months. SETTING: The study was conducted in the Department of Menopause and Andropause of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland. PARTICIPANTS AND STUDY DESIGN: Participants were 57 young PCOS women with concomitant preinvasive endometrial cancer (1A/G1). These women were 18­29 years old. They were treated with modified transdermal hormonal replacement therapy. Moreover, in permanent combined treatment, metformax 850 mg/d, bromcriptine mesylate 2.5 mg/d, and melatonin 5 mg/d were applied. INTERVENTIONS: Interventions in the study included blood sampling and dilation and curettage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The concentrations of gonadotropins, estrogens (estrone, 17-estradiol), progesterone, total/free T, and prolactin in basic conditions and after a metoclopramide stimulating test, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and serotonin in blood serum were measured. RESULTS: A significant increase in the concentrations of gonadotropins, estrogens, and progesterone was found. Moreover, the concentrations of androgens, prolactin, and serotonin were significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: Micronized estradiol and progesterone in primary, preinvasive endometrial cancer (IA/G1) in young women, with polycystic ovarian syndrome with concomitant antidiabetic, antioxidative, antidopaminergic, and antiserotonin therapy, favorably influenced on the concentrations of female sexual hormones and lipid metabolism and caused the restoration of normal endometrium.

Content of nutritive components, dietary fibre and energy value of artichoke depending on the variety.

BACKGROUND: The artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) is a perennial plant belonging to Asteraceae family. It is less popular vegetable in Poland but very valuable from nutritive and medicinal points of view plant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experiments were conducted in 2008 and 2009 on fi ve artichoke varieties: 'Deutscher Hybrid', 'Emerald F1', Green Globe', 'Gros Camus de Bretague' and 'Kerlouan', grew in Poland, France and Austria. The experimental material was assessed for: dry mass, protein, ash, vitamin C and dietary fiber contents and some mineral components (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, iron, zinc) levels. Also the energy value and total carbohydrates content were calculated in the vegetable. RESULTS: Among assessed varieties, the highest contents of such components as: dry mass (total solids), carbohydrates, ash, vitamin C, sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron were found in 'Gros Camus de Bretague'. The hearts of that artichoke had also higher energy value than others, whereas the lowest ash, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and magnesium were noticed in 'Kerlouan' variety. But the highest values of dietary fiber was observed in that variety. CONCLUSIONS: Basing on performed assessments the differences in nutritive components and dietary fiber, between analysed vegetable varieties were found.

Metabolism of histamine in tissues of primary ductal breast cancer.

Histamine performs an important role in the pathologic and physiologic aspects of the breast gland. Among monoamines, histamine demonstrates the greatest proliferative activity in breast cancer. The aim of the study was to evaluate histamine concentration in plasma and tissues of breast cancer dependent on the activity of histamine metabolism enzymes in neoplasmatic tissues of the breast gland. Ninety-five women aged 38 to 70 years were divided into 2 groups. The control group (group I) consisted of 30 healthy women. Group II consisted of 65 women with primary ductal breast cancer. The concentration of histamine in plasma was assessed by immunoenzymatic method. The concentration of histamine in cancerous tissues of the breast and the metabolism of histamine enzymes, specially histidine decarboxylase, decarboxylase of aromatic L-amino acids, N-histamine methyltransferase, monoamine oxydase B, and diamine oxydase, were determined using isotope technique. In the course of 24 hours, excretion of N-methylimidazoleacetic acid was evaluated by the methods of chromatography. The statistical analysis was made based on Statistica Pl Ed (StatSoft, Cracow, Poland, 1998). A significant increase in the concentration of histamine in plasma (P < .01) and tissues of ductal breast cancers (P < .001), and in the activity of histidine decarboxylase (P < .01), aromatic L-amino acids (P < .05), and histamine methyltransferase (P < .05) was found. Activity of monoamine oxidase B (P < .01) and diamine oxidase (P < 0.01) and excretion of N-methylimidazoleacetic acid were significantly decreased compared with the control group (P < 0.001). The conclusions are as follows: (1) Concentration of histamine in the plasma of women is dependent on the concentration of histamine in the tissues of ductal breast cancers. (2) The significant increase of histamine in cancerous tissues of ductal breast cancer could suggest the participation of this monoamine in the development of breast cancer. (3) The increase of histamine concentrations in ductal breast cancer tissues can be connected with the disturbances of the balance between synthesis and enzymatic inactivation of this monoamine. (4) The concentration of histamine in the plasma of women with ductal breast cancers is dependent on the number of involved lymph nodes and the grade of histologic malignancy.

Influence of modified transdermal hormone replacement therapy on the concentrations of hormones, growth factors, and bone mineral density in women with osteopenia.

The metabolic and therapeutic action of estrogens depends on their type, dosage, form, route of administration, and treatment-free interval during the therapeutic cycle. Hormone therapy is generally subclassified into 2 forms that differ in the type of hormones. In hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), estrogens and progesterone components do not differ in chemical structure and molecular mass from those naturally produced by the female organism. In hormonal supplementary therapy (HST), the estrogen and progestagen components do differ from the natural hormones in structure and mass. The aim of the study was to compare 2 kinds of hormonal therapy in early postmenopausal women with osteopenia. These forms of therapy are modified transdermal HRT and orally given HST. The objective of this study was the estimation of sex hormone, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), prolactin (PRL), osteocalcin, and procollagen concentration in serum as well as the degree of mineralization of the lumbar spine in women in the early postmenopausal period with osteopenia under different kinds of hormonal therapy. The study was conducted in 75 women with an average age of 52.4 +/- 3.5 years and with primary osteopenia, in the early postmenopausal period, who were randomly assigned to 3 groups depending on the form and route of administration of therapy: Group I (n = 25, control) was receiving placebo in the form of patches. Group II (n = 25) was treated with modified transdermal HRT. This group obtained micronized 17beta-estradiol at increasing-decreasing doses and progesterone in the second phase of the therapeutic cycle. Group III (n = 25) was receiving orally given HST and obtained Cyclo-Menorette (Wyeth, Munster, Germany). The therapeutic cycle in each group lasted 21 days, followed by a 7-day medication-free interval. Estradiol concentration in serum was increased 5-fold and estrone (E(1)) was increased about 11-fold in the group of women receiving orally given HST (P < .0001) compared with control group. Estrone and estradiol levels were increased about 3-fold in women receiving modified transdermal HRT compared with the baseline values. Basal PRL concentration and PRL level after metoclopramide stimulation test significantly increased after 3 and 12 months of treatment in the group receiving orally given HST. In women receiving modified transdermal HRT, increased IGF-I concentrations were statistically significant after 3 months of treatment. In the group of women receiving orally given HST, a significant decrease of IGF-I after 1 year therapy was found. During the entire time of treatment in this group, an increase of growth hormone was observed. No significant changes were shown in osteocalcin and in carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen in all groups. Increase in bone mineral density L(2)-L(4) was statistically significant in the group receiving modified transdermal HRT (P < .01) and was insignificant in women receiving orally given HST after 12 months of therapy as compared with baseline values. Following are the conclusions: (1) Low-dose modified transdermal HRT modulates concentration of hormones, growth factor, IGF-I, osteocalcin, procollagen, and bone metabolism. (2) The curve concentrations of estrogens and progesterone in serum are similar to the type observed in the physiologic menstrual cycle. (3) The lack of significant increase in bone mineral density of lumbar spine in women after HST may be a result of significantly lower concentration of IGF-I in serum and occurring hyperprolactinemia.

Does the type of hormone replacement therapy affect lipoprotein (a), homocysteine, and C-reactive protein levels in postmenopausal women?

BACKGROUND: The results of studies evaluating the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the cardiovascular risk raise many controversies. This may be related to both the type of treatment used and the disregard of additional risk factors. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of natural estrogens taken transdermally and synthetic estrogens taken orally on the concentrations of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], homocysteine, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in healthy women in the early postmenopausal period. Material The study was conducted on 61 healthy women with average age of 52.3 +/- 4.1 years, in the postmenopausal period, who were randomly assigned to 3 groups depending on the type and route of administration of the products. Group I (n = 24) was administered transdermal estrogens (micronized 17beta-estradiol; Systen, Janssen-Cilag, Switzerland) and progesterone in the second phase of the cycle. Group II (n = 21) was administered oral hormones (Cyclo-Menorette). Group III (n = 16), serving as a control, included women taking placebo in the form of patches. In each group, therapeutic cycles took 22 days and were followed by a treatment-free interval of 7 to 10 days for a 3-month period. RESULTS: After 3 months of treatment, Lp(a) and homocysteine levels were not significantly different from the baseline, irrespective of the route of administration of estrogens or placebo. Both forms of HRT used indicate significant difference in changes of CRP concentration during 3 months of administration (analysis of variance P = .0356). CRP concentration values increased in the group of women using oral HRT from 1.22 to 2.68 mg/L. In the group of women using oral therapy, significantly more cases (61%) of increase in CRP concentration compared with 39% in the transdermal HRT group (chi(2) P = .015) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our observations, it appears that in women in the early postmenopausal stage with normal initial concentrations of Lp(a) and homocystein, the form of therapy used has no influence on values of these parameters. The 2 forms of HRT therapy differ in effect, which is expressed as a change in CRP concentration. A tendency to increase CRP values when using oral HRT is observed, while such an effect is not observed in case of transdermal therapy after 3 months.

Selenium as an element in the treatment of ovarian cancer in women receiving chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective is to examine how selenium (Se) supplementation influences oxidative stress (malondialdehyde) and the glutathione peroxidase system in patients with ovarian cancer undergoing chemotherapy. MATERIAL: The study group included 31 patients with ovarian cancer undergoing chemotherapy receiving the drug Protecton Zellactiv (Smith Kline Beecham, Fink Naturarznei GmbH, Germany), two capsules, four times daily (200 microg). RESULTS: Following the Se supplementation in a daily dose of 200 microg, the concentration of this microelement in serum (P < 0.05) and hair (P < 0.05) was significantly higher than in the control group. It has also been found that Se concentration in serum was significantly increased after 2 (P < 0.0000) and 3-months' (P < 0.0000) length of supplementation, as compared to the values after 1 month. In the hair of patients receiving this supplementation, an insignificantly higher concentration of this microelement was found after 2 (NS) and 3 months (NS) in comparison to the concentration after 1 month. The patients with ovarian cancer undergoing chemotherapy and receiving Se showed a significant increase in the activity of GSH-P(x) in erythrocytes after 2 months' (P < 0.0015) and 3 months' (P < 0.0038) supplementation. An increase of the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) following the administration of Se after 2 months (P < 0.0363) and 3 months (P < 0.0489) was found to be significant. The increase of MDA calculated into platelet count was found to be significant after 3 months (P 0.0477) of Se supplementation. Se administration for 3 months resulted in the significant increase of white blood cells (WBC) (P < 0.0001). After 2 and 3 months of Se administration, a significant decrease of hair loss (P < 0.0000; P < 0.0392, respectively), flatulence (P < 0.0000; P< 0.0000), abdominal pain (P < 0.0006; P < 0.0202), weakness (P < 0.0001; P < 0.0000), malaise (P < 0.0017; P < 0.0000), loss of appetite (P < 0.0000; P < 0.0000) was stated. CONCLUSION: As a result of this clinical trial, we conclude that there are beneficial effects caused by ingesting selenium, as a supportive element in chemotherapy.

[The concentrations of prolactin and estrogens in women with fibrocystic changes in the breast]. / Stezenia prolaktyny i estrogenów u kobiet ze zmianami wlóknisto--torbielowatymi gruczolu piersiowego.

OBJECTIVE AND STUDY DESIGN: To evaluate the concentrations of prolactin and estrogens in blood sera in women with fibrocystic changes in the breast (FCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The control group consisted of 32 women without any pathological changes in the breast (mean age 44.9 +/- 4.4 y.). The studied group comprised 81 women having FCC (mean age 45.5 +/- 3.5 y.). Both groups were divided into two subgroups according to age: the first subgroup ranged 40-44 y. and the second 45-51 y. The hormonal profiles, namely: prolactin in basal conditions (PRL I), and after metoclopramide-test (PRL II), follitropin (FSH), lutropin (LH), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) were assayed by means of "bioMerioux" kits. Estrone (E1) was assayed by means of "DBC Diagnostic kits. RESULTS: In both subgroups of the study group (40-44 and 45-51 y.) a significantly higher (p < 0.001) concentration of prolactin was shown after metoclopramide test, as well as significantly higher percentage increase in prolactin after metoclopramide test (p < 0.001) were shown in comparison with the control group. In age compartment of 40-44 y. in the study group significantly lower (p < 0.05), progesterone-estradiol index (PEL) was found in comparison with the control group. In age compartment of 45-51 y. a progesterone-estradiol index (PEL) in study group was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in comparison with the control group. CONCLUSION: Functional hyperprolactinemia and relative hyperestrogenism are risk factors of the development concerning fibrocystic changes in the breast.