TPH1 gene polymorphism rs211105 is associated with serotonin and tryptophan hydroxylase 1 concentrations in acute pancreatitis patients.

BACKGROUND: The role of serotonin and its metabolic pathway in proper functioning of the pancreas has not been thoroughly investigated yet in acute pancreatitis (AP) patients. Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) as the rate-limiting enzyme of serotonin synthesis has been considered for possible associations in various diseases. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TPH genes have been already described in associations with psychiatric and digestive system disorders. This study aimed to explore the association of a rs211105 (T/G) polymorphism in TPH1 gene with tryptophan hydroxylase 1 concentrations in blood serum in a population of acute pancreatitis patients, and to investigate this association with acute pancreatitis susceptibility. RESULTS: Our data showed an association between the presence of the T allele at the position rs211105 (OR = 2.47, 95 % CI 0.94-6.50, p = 0.06) under conditions of a decreased AP incidence. For TT and GT genotypes in the control group, the lowest concentration of TPH was associated with higher serotonin levels (TT: Rs = - 0.415, p = 0.0018; GT: Rs = - 0.457, p = 0.0066), while for the AP group the highest levels of TPH among the TT genotype were associated with lower levels of serotonin (TT: Rs = - 0.749, p < 0.0001, and in the GG genotype higher levels of TPH were associated with higher levels of serotonin (GG: Rs = - 0.738, p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Here, a new insight in the potential role of a selected genetic factor in pancreatitis development was shown. Not only the metabolic pathway of serotonin, but also factors affecting serotonin synthesis may be interesting and important points in acute pancreatitis.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Vitamin D Receptor Gene (VDR) May Have an Impact on Acute Pancreatitis (AP) Development: A Prospective Study in Populations of AP Patients and Alcohol-Abuse Controls.

Vitamin D imbalance is suggested to be associated with the development of pancreatitis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), Apa-1, Bsm-1, Fok-1, and Taq-1, in the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) are known in various diseases, but not yet in pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to explore possible associations of the four SNPs in the VDR receptor gene in a population of acute pancreatitis patients and alcohol-abuse controls, and to investigate the association with acute pancreatitis (AP) susceptibility. The study population (n = 239) included acute pancreatitis patients (n = 129) and an alcohol-abuse control group (n = 110). All patients met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) criteria for alcohol dependence. DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes and analyzed for VDR polymorphisms using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression analysis. To date, we have found allele T in Taq-1 (OR = 2.61; 95% CI: 1.68⁻4.03; p < 0.0001) to be almost three times more frequent in the AP group compared to the alcohol-abuse control patients. Polymorphism Taq-1 occurring in the vitamin D receptor may have an impact on the development of acute pancreatitis due to the lack of the protective role of vitamin D.

µ-Opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) polymorphism in patients with breast cancer.

Structure-dependent µ-opioid receptor (MOR) activity is an important element in cancer opioid analgesic effectiveness. It is widely accepted that guanine (G) substitution for adenine (A) at OPRM1 gene sequence position 118 changes receptor glycosylation pattern. This is associated with decreased binding ability in both exogenous and endogenous opioids, resulting in increased human pain resistance. The endogenous opioid system's function in body homeostasis maintenance is considered mainly regulatory, so its participation in breast tumor formation and progression is identified herein. We examine the association of the most frequent MOR (A118G) gene polymorphism on breast cancer risk in a Northeastern Polish population by PCR-RFLP comparison of A and G allele frequency at OPRM1 gene A118G polymorphic site in breast cancer-diagnosed patients with healthy control group frequencies. Our results highlight a strong association between G allele presence at µ-opioid receptor A118G and increased breast cancer incidence (OR = 3.3, 95 % CI 2.2-5.0, p < 0.0001) and female gender (OR = 2.0, 95 % CI 1.4-2.9, p = 0.0004). Consequently, OPRM1 G allele presence at that site is a highly significant risk factor in breast cancer development.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on potential health emergencies in paediatric patients: a retrospective cohort study.

The COVID-19 pandemic compromised the principles underlying the functioning of public health, which is understood as the prevention of diseases and care for the health of entire communities. During the pandemic period, the efforts of the health system focused on patients with suspected infection and those infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which led to changes in the provision of health services and the characteristics of patients receiving medical services at the pre-hospital stage. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on potential health emergencies in paediatric patients based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10). The data used in the study were derived from interventions carried out by Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) in central and eastern Poland, involving patients who were under 18 years of age (n = 12,619). The data were collected from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2022. The study used descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U Test, and the Chi-square test. The study reveals that fewer paediatric patients (5.28%) were provided medical services by EMTs during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (5.86%). There was a decrease in the number of injuries in paediatric patients (from 42.0 to 32.7%; p < 0.001), and more patients were left at the location from which the call was made (18.9 vs. 23.9%; p < 0.001). Moreover, during the pandemic, as compared to the pre-pandemic period, there was an increase in the number of cases of pre-hospital assistance provided to paediatric patients with fever, irrespective of gender, area (village, city) or patient age. During the pandemic, paediatric patients consumed alcohol more frequently. The age of patients who were provided with assistance by EMTs decreased (median of 10.0 vs. 9.0; p < 0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic brought about changes in the prevalence of potential health emergencies in children. The incidence of injuries decreased, while the number of interventions due to fever and alcohol consumption increased. There was a reduction in the number of patients transported to the hospital. In addition, the age of patients who received medical assistance decreased. The study shows health problems that were faced by paediatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and, therefore, can be helpful in preparing the healthcare system for emergency situations.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Health and Life Emergencies Resulting from Illness Cases and Injuries-A Preliminary Study.

Background: Despite organised efforts, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the health status of the population and health services including the emergency medical system. The objective of the study was to investigate, based on the Emergency Medical Teams' (EMT) interventions, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health and life emergencies resulting from illness cases and injuries of Polish females and males. Material and Methods: The data under analysis concern EMT interventions carried out in central and eastern Poland from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2022 (n = 226,038). The study used descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U Test, and the Chi-square test. Results: A significant increase was observed in the proportion of EMT interventions (p < 0.001) to patients with illness cases (80.30% vs. 83.17%) and a decrease in interventions to patients with injuries (19.70% vs. 16.83%) during the pandemic as compared to the pre-pandemic period. As for illness cases, the patients' ages during both periods were similar (Me = 66.00 vs. 66.00, p = 0.071). On the other hand, during the pandemic, injuries mainly affected elderly patients as compared to the pre-pandemic period (Me = 50.00 vs. 47.00, p < 0.001). The increase in the proportion of EMT interventions to patients with illness cases and the decrease in patients with injuries during the pandemic, as compared to the pre-pandemic period, concerned the area of intervention, patient's sex, and age. During the pandemic period, a significantly lower proportion of patients transported to the hospital (p < 0.001) and an increase in the proportion of patients left at the place of call (p < 0.001) were noted. Conclusions: The restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus contributed to a reduced number of injuries without, however, reducing the number of illness cases. During the pandemic, the elderly were affected by injuries. The study indicates the need for further in-depth analyses to prepare the pre-hospital care system in Poland for the occurrence of other or similar emergencies.

ICD-10 Classification in the Practice of Emergency Medical Teams: New Insights.

The role of the emergency medical system is to provide assistance to every person in a state in the event of a sudden threat to health and life. Emergency medical teams (EMTs) are an important element of this system, making diagnoses based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). The study was aimed at analysing the causes of EMT intervention based on groups of diagnoses codified according to the ICD-10. The analysis was based on data from 116,278 EMT interventions in central-eastern Poland in 2017-2019. The research showed that EMT most often made diagnoses based on groups of ICD-10 codes: R00-R99-Symptoms, signs, and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (39.11%); S00-T98-Injury, poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes (18.23%); and I00-I99-Diseases of the circulatory system (15.57%). The analysis of the obtained results showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.0001) regarding the area of intervention (urban, rural), sex, age of the patient, and the method of completion of the activities by EMTs in relation to the group of ICD-10 diagnoses for the diagnosis. The conducted study showed the actual reasons for EMT calls. The use of the ICD-10 classification has practical application in EMTs, as it enables the identification of a disease or health problem.

[Isoforms A and B of lysosomal N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase in serum and urine of parenterally fed patients]. / Izoenzymy A i B lizosomalnej N-acetylo-beta-D-heksozoaminidazy w surowicy i moczu chorych zywionych pozajelitowo.

UNLABELLED: Parenteral nutrition entails numerous metabolic complications resulting from food bypass of the gastrointestinal tract. Up to now have not been established all complications of parenteral nutrition, despite intensive research and clinical observations. Knowledge of the biochemical changes resulting from parenteral nutrition is essential to effective prevention, early detection and effective treatment of the metabolic disorders induced by parenteral nutrition. The aim of the study was to evaluate the catabolism of glycoconjugates of parenterally fed patients, reflected by the activity of N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase (HEX): HEX A and HEX B isoenzymes in serum and urine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Samples of blood and urine were collected from 23 patients: before intravenous alimentation, at start, as well as of fifth and tenth day of parenteral nutrition. The activity of HEX A and HEX B in serum and urine was determined by the colorimetric method of Zwierz et al. as modified by Marciniak et al. The activity of urinary HEXA and HEX B has been calculated per 1 mg of creatinine. RESULTS: The activity of serum HEXA significantly decreased at fifth day, in comparison to the activity before parenteral alimentation, and significantly increased at tenth day of parenteral nutrition. The activity of HEX B in serum increased significantly at fifth and tenth day of the parenteral nutrition. CONCLUSIONS: Parenteral nutrition alter the catabolism of glycoconjugates, reflected by significant changes in serum HEX A and HEX B activities. Urine was the not appropriate material to evaluate the catabolism of glycoconjugates in view of HEX A and HEX B activities.

Activity of alpha-fucosidase and beta-glucuronidase in serum and urine of patients administered parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND: In hospital patients suffering from adverse clinical and biochemical symptoms of malnutrition, it is often necessary to employ parenteral nutrition to avoid the body's tissue becoming broken down by being metabolised. Thus, the patient's welfare and survival can be supported throughout any periods of medical crisis. Two of the enzymes responsible for metabolising glycoconjugates are alpha-fucosidase (FUC) and beta-glucuronidase (GLU), present in lysosomes. They release fucose or glucuronic acid from the non-reducing end of oligosaccharide chains. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of parenteral nutrition administered to ill patients, on glycoconjugate metabolism, by measuring serum and urinary activities of FUC and GLU. Material and methods. Blood samples and the daily urine collection were taken from 23 patients' who had been undergoing parenteral nutrition for either 5 or 10 days, as well as from a baseline sample. Enzyme activities in serum and urine were determined by the method of Zwierz et al. RESULTS: Serum FUC activities were significantly lower after 10 days compared to 5, (p< 0.0172), whereas GLU activities were significantly lower after both 5 and 10 days, (p< 0.0007 and p< 0.0208 respectively), compared to levels before starting parenteral nutrition. GLU activities were however higher after 10 days than those after 5 days, (p< 0.0023). In urine, FUC activities were significantly decreased after 10 days compared to 5 days after starting parenteral nutrition, (p< 0.0245). Urine GLU activities were unaffected by parenteral nutrition nor was any effect seen on FUC or GLU activities when calculated per 1mg creatinine. CONCLUSIONS: Serum FUC and GLU activities can be used for assessing the effect of parenteral nutrition on glycoconjugate metabolism. The significant decreases of serum GLU activity observed after 5 and 10 days, may serve to indicate that the components of parental nutrition are appropriate and that the body has become suitably adapted to this form of nutrition.

The Effect of Neoglandin on the Activity of N-Acetyl-ß-D-Hexosaminidase in the Serum and Urine of Alcohol-Dependent Men.

Dietary supplementation of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in the form of a commercial drug neoglandin (containing GLA and vitamin E), in people following alcohol abuse allows bypassing of the ineffective delta-6-desaturase system involved in the transformation of linoleic acid into GLA. Determination of the activity of N-acetyl-ß-D-hexosaminidase (HEX) in the serum and urine reflects neoglandin action on the catabolism of glycoconjugates and the functioning of liver and kidneys in people following alcohol abuse. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The serum and urine were collected from men with alcohol dependence, treated (n = 31, age 33.16 ± 9.72 years) and not treated (n = 50, age 35.46 ± 11.37 years) with neoglandin. HEX activity were assayed in the supernatants by the colorimetric method, with the p-nitrophenyl derivative of sugar as substrate. RESULTS: Our study on alcoholic men not treated with neoglandin indicates a significantly higher concentration of the serum and urinary HEX activity (nKat/L) on day 1 compared to days 7, 10, 14 and 30 (p < 0.001). For days 14 and 30 (p < 0.01), the urinary HEX activity was expressed in µKat/kgCr. No significant differences were observed in the activity of serum (nKat/L) and urinary (nKat/L and µKat/kgCr) HEX in alcoholics during treatment with neoglandin compared to day 1 of neoglandin treatment. We found significantly different (p < 0.05) concentration of HEX activity (nKat/L) in serum of alcohol-dependent men treated with neoglandin compared to those not taking neoglandin on days 7, 10, 14 and 30 of treatment. The urinary concentration of HEX activity (nKat/L) on days 1, 4, 10 and 30 and HEX activity in µKat/kgCr on days 1, 4 and 7 it was significantly higher (p < 0.05) during the treatment of alcohol-dependence without the use of neoglandin as compared to alcoholics treated with neoglandin. We found a positive correlation between the amount of alcohol consumed and the urinary activity of HEX in the early phase after alcohol withdrawal and a lack of correlation between the HEX activity in serum and urine of alcohol-dependent men not treated with neoglandin. CONCLUSIONS: Neoglandin supplementation in alcoholic men significantly slows down the catabolism of glycoconjugates, thus reducing the effects of ethanol poisoning that are harmful to the kidneys. Neoglandin reduces the harmful effects of ethanol poisoning more on the kidneys than on the liver. The activity of HEX in the serum may be used in monitoring the treatment of alcoholism and whether alcohol reuse occurred during the therapy. In the early stages of alcohol withdrawal, urinary HEX activity can be used as a marker of the amount of alcohol consumed during previous alcohol abuse.

The influence of extreme thermal stress on the physiological and psychological characteristics of young women who sporadically use the sauna: practical implications for the safe use of the sauna.

Background: Many individuals who use the sauna at a temperature of 120°C of higher are not aware of the negative consequences of extreme thermal stress. Despite extensive research into sauna use, the impact of extreme thermal stress on the physiological and psychological characteristics of sauna users have not been examined to date. Aim: The aim was to determine the effect of 20 min sauna sessions with a temperature of 80°C and 120°C on the physiological and psychological characteristics of women who sporadically visit the sauna. Methods: The study was conducted on 22 full-time female university students. Physical activity (PA) levels were evaluated with the Polish short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Anthropometric characteristics were measured before the first sauna session by the InBody270 body composition analyzer. Physiological parameters, including heart, energy expenditure, physical effort, and blood pressure (systolic blood pressure - SBP, and diastolic blood pressure - DBP), were assessed indirectly using Polar V800 heart rate monitors and the Omron M6 Comfort blood pressure monitor. The participants' wellbeing was assessed with the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. The presence of significant correlations between heat exhaustion and heat stress variables and syncope during the second sauna session was examined with the use of classification and regression trees (CRT) and the cross-validation technique. Results: Twenty-minute sauna sessions with a temperature of 80°C and 120°C induced a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in the values of SBP (excluding the temperature of 120°C), DBP, and body mass, as well as a significant increase in HR and forehead temperature. Exposure to a temperature of 80°C led to a significant (p < 0.001) increase in vigor with a simultaneous decrease in tension, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion. In turn, sauna bathing at a temperature of 120°C had an opposite effect on the above mood parameters. Vomiting and confusion were the main predictors of syncope that occurred in some of the surveyed women. Conclusion: Excessive air temperature can induce symptoms characteristic of heat exhaustion and heat stress nausea, heavy sweating, fast weak or strong HR, high body temperature, and confusion. Therefore, sauna bathing at a temperature of 80°C can be recommended to women who sporadically use the sauna, whereas exposure to a temperature of 120°C is not advised in this group of sauna users. The present findings provide highly valuable inputs for managing wellness and SPA centers.

Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) Gene Polymorphism in Patients Diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly occurring neoplasias in humans. The prevalence of CRC rates is still rising. Although the exact background of the disease still remains unknown, it is believed that CRC may not only be a result of environmental factors, but also genetic ones. One of the mechanisms underlying CRC might be the vitamin D pathway, as CRC is the most closely linked neoplasia to vitamin D deficiency. This study shows a possible association of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI with CRC susceptibility. A total of 103 patients diagnosed with CRC (61 men and 42 women, aged 57-82 years) and 109 healthy people (50 men and 59 women, aged 47-68 years) were genotyped using PCR-RFLP for FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI. None of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) individually increased or decreased the risk of CRC. The evaluation of haplotypes revealed two that might enhance the likelihood of CRC development: taB (OR = 30.22; 95% CI 2.81-325.31; p = 0.01) and tAb (OR = 3.84; 95% CI 1.29-11.38; p = 0.01). In conclusion, genotyping is an easy and robust procedure that needs to be performed only once in a lifetime. A creation of a relevant SNP's panel might contribute to the identification of the groups that are at the greatest risk of CRC.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-Alpha-Hydroxylase (CYP27B1) Gene: The Risk of Malignant Tumors and Other Chronic Diseases.

: Vitamin D is widely known for its roles in the promotion of apoptosis and differentiation, with simultaneous inhibition of proliferation, inflammation, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Modern literature lacks complete information on polymorphisms in CYP27B1, the only enzyme capable of vitamin D activation. This review presents gathered data that relate to genetic variants in CYP27B1 gene in correlation to multiple diseases, mostly concerning colorectal, prostate, breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers, as well as on other pathologies, such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, oral lichen planus, or multiple sclerosis.

CYP27B1 Gene Polymorphism rs10877012 in Patients Diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly occurring cancer worldwide. Intestinal cells are CYP27B1 gene expression sites and, as a consequence, they are capable of converting pro-vitamin D into the active paracrine and autocrine forms. It was demonstrated that rs10877012 polymorphism in the CYP27B1 gene influenced the circulating vitamin D level. This provided a rationale for determining the role that this polymorphism plays in the risk of developing colon cancer. In this study, we investigated the association of rs10877012 (T/G) polymorphism in the CYP27B1 gene with CRC susceptibility. The study population (n = 325) included CRC patients (n = 106) and healthy controls (n = 219). DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes and analyzed for the CYP27B1 polymorphism using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. We found an association between the presence of the T allele at the polymorphic site (odds ratio (OR) = 2.94; 95% CI 1.77-4.86; p < 0.0001) and a decreased CRC incidence.

Catabolism of salivary glycoconjugates in acute ethanol intoxication.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to study the effects of a single large dose of ethanol (approximately 2.0 g/kg of body weight, as 40% vodka) on the specific activities of alpha-mannosidase, alpha-fucosidase, beta-glucuronidase, and beta-galactosidase as well as on the total protein concentration in saliva in eight healthy young volunteers. MATERIAL/METHODS: Resting whole saliva samples were collected 12 hours prior to and 36 and 108 hours after alcohol consumption. Exoglycosidase activities were assayed in the supernatants by the colorimetric method. Protein content was determined by the Lowry method. RESULTS: Thirty-six hours after alcohol consumption the specific activities of alpha-fucosidase and beta-glucuronidase were significantly higher than before drinking. The specific activity of beta-galactosidase showed a greater tendency to increase than alpha-mannosidase after the drinking session. The total protein concentration was significantly lower after alcohol consumption than at baseline, even at 108 hr. Significant inverse correlations between total protein content and the specific activities of the exoglycosidases in saliva were found after the drinking session. CONCLUSIONS: Acute ingestion of a large dose of ethanol increased the activity of salivary exoglycosidases, which might be followed by subsequent degradation of proteins in saliva. The observed changes might contribute to salivary defense system malfunction as well as to oral malodor production.

N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase and its isoenzymes A and B in blood serum and urine, as a potential colon cancer markers.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Evaluation of N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase (HEX), and its isoenzymes A (HEX A) and B (HEX B) activity in blood serum and urine as potential markers of colorectal cancer. METHODOLOGY: The study was performed in blood serum and urine of 32 patients with adenocarcinoma, 6 with adenocarcinoma mucinosum of the colon, and 20 healthy people. The activity of HEX, HEX A and HEX B was determined in blood serum and urine by spectrophotometric method of Marciniak et al. The concentration of CEA was determined in blood serum by immunoenzymatic method (MEIA). The concentration of protein was assessed by the Lowry method, whereas the concentration of creatinine in urine by the Jaffe method (without deproteinization). RESULTS: A significant increase in the concentration of HEX, HEX A and HEX B activity was proved in serum and urine of patients with colon adenocarcinoma. In patients with colon adenocarcinoma mucinosum, the higher activity of HEX was revealed in blood serum compared to healthy people, and the significantly higher activity of HEX and HEX B expressed as pKat/mg of creatinine, was found in urine. We observe a significant increase in the activity of HEX, HEX A and HEX B expressed in pKat/mg of creatinine was found in urine of patients bearing tumor of diameter 6.0-7.0 cm in comparison to patients with tumor of diameter 4.0-5.0 cm. CONCLUSIONS: The present study results suggest that determination of HEX, HEX A and HEX B activity in blood serum and urine may be used to detect colon cancer in its early stages. However, the use of HEX, HEX A and HEX B activity in oncological diagnostics requires further studies on a larger group of patients.

Colon cancer releases alpha-tocopherol from its O-glycosides better than normal colon tissue.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Free radicals, in a colon, may damage DNA, make difficult DNA repair and change course of post-translational modifications of regulatory proteins, which promote tumor initiation and progression. Therefore risk of colon cancer is closely related to diet and other lifestyle factors. Dietary antioxidants, such as vitamin E, should reduce the levels of harmful oxidation products. However vitamin E is not soluble in water, which decreases its bioavailability. As O-glycosides of alpha-tocopherol are better soluble in water and penetrate to tissues easier than free alpha-tocopherol, the aim of our work was to investigate the rate of release the free tocopherol from its O-glycosides in colon cancer, in comparison to human healthy colon tissue. METHODOLOGY: The activities of enzymes catalysing hydrolysis of alpha-tocopheryl glucoside (1a) and mannoside (1b) as well as p-nitrophenyl beta-glucoside (2a) and mannoside (2b) in cancer and healthy human colon tissues, were determined according to the modified method described by Zwierz et al. RESULTS: The alpha-tocopherol and p-nitrophenol were significantly better released from the respective glucosides and mannosides in cancer tissue than in "healthy" human colon tissues, with p = 0.000947 for la, p = 0.033024 for 1b; p = 0.0028 for 2a, and p = 0.0033 for 2b, respectively. CONCLUSION: Alpha-tocopherol and p-nitrophenol are released from the O-glycosides of glucose and mannose in significantly higher amount in colon cancer than in healthy tissues. The alpha-tocopherol O-glycosides can be considered as prodrugs in prevention and treatment of the colon cancer.

Lysosomal exoglycosidases in serum and urine of patients with colon adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of determination the activity of lysosomal exoglycosidases: N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase (HEX - E.C. 3.2.1.30), beta-D-galactosidase (GAL - E.C. 3.2.1.23), alpha-L-fucosidase (FUC - E.C. 3.2.1.51) and alpha-D-mannosidase (MAN - E.C. 3.2.1.24) in blood serum and urine in diagnostics of colon adenocarcinoma. METHODOLOGY: The activity of lysosomal exoglycosidases was determined by the method of Marciniak et al. adapted to serum and urine of patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon. RESULTS: A significant increase in concentration of the activity of HEX, GAL and FUC was found in blood serum, as well as HEX and GAL in urine, of patients with colon adenocarcinoma, in comparison with healthy people. With the method of Marciniak et al. for determination the activity of HEX, GAL and FUC in blood serum as well as HEX and GAL in urine, the cases of colon adenocarcinoma were significantly differentiated from healthy people. CONCLUSIONS: The high diagnostic value, sensitivity and specificity of the method of Marciniak et al., suggests the possibility of its use for determination of the activity of HEX, FUC and GAL in blood serum as well as HEX and GAL in urine, in the diagnostics of colon adenocarcinoma.

Isoenzymes A and B of N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase in serum and urine of patients with pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Adenocarcinoma is the most frequent malignant tumor of the pancreas. Biochemical diagnostics of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is based on determination of carcinoma antigen (CA 19-9) in the blood. Determination of N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase (HEX) in the serum and urine was used in diagnosis of renal and gastric cancers. Therefore the aim of our research was to estimate N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase (HEX) and its isoenzymes (HEX A and HEX B) in the serum and urine as potential markers of pancreatic cancer. METHODOLOGY: Serum and urine samples were collected from 15 patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and 15 healthy persons. The activity of N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase and its isoenzymes (A and B) was determined by a colorimetric method of Zwierz et al. Absorbancy of the yellow product of the colorimetric reaction was determined on the microplate reader EL(x)800 produced by BIO-TEK. The concentration of HEX, HEX A and B was expressed in pKat/mL, and the specific activity in pKat/mg of protein. Protein concentration was determined in the serum by the biuret and in the urine by the Lowry method, respectively, and expressed in mg/mL. RESULTS: The concentration and specific activity of HEX and its isoenzyme A were significantly higher in the serum and urine of pancreatic cancer patients in comparison with the concentration and specific activity in the serum and urine of healthy people. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the activity of HEX and its isoenzyme A determined in the serum and urine can be used as a potential marker of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Cathepsin D and carcino-embryonic antigen in serum, urine and tissues of colon adenocarcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Application of neoplastic markers in early diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma has brought fresh hope to millions of sufferers. However such a marker, distinctive for this particular carcinoma and allowing its detection at a sufficiently early stage of development has not yet been found. Cathepsin D (CD) is lysosomal aspartyl proteinase. It is a component of a proteolytic cascade participating actively in neoplastic invasion as well as in metastasis formation. Carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) is a useful marker in oncological diagnostics of colorectal cancer. CEA undergoes expression in all kinds of adenocarcinoma and is found both intercellularly and extracellularly. High concentrations of CEA in the blood serum confirm neoplastic changes in the digestive tract with high probability. The objective of this study has been to evaluate CD activity in the blood serum, urine and tumor tissues as well as in the colon biopsies which were not changed macroscopically and CEA concentration in the serum of colon adenocarcinoma, considering the extent of spread of cancer (TNM), the grade of the differentiation of cancer cell (G) as well as the tumor size. The possibility of application of CD along with CEA as markers of colon adenocarcinoma has also been examined. METHODOLOGY: The examination included the serum and urine of 21 patients as well as 12 tissues biopsies with histopathologically confirmed colon adenocarcinoma. The reference group for the blood and urine comprised of 17 healthy controls, and for the colon adenocarcinoma tissues- samples collected from 14 people from the sites most distant from the resected tumor on the boundaries which were free of cancer cells. Activity of CD in the blood serum, urine as well as tissues was determined with a modified Greczaniuk et al. method and expressed by the amount of released tyrosine as the concentration of the activity in nmolTyr/mL/6h, whereas the specific activity was expressed in nmol Tyr/mg of protein /6h. The specific activity of CD in the urine was expressed in nmol Tyr/mg of creatinine/6h. CEA concentration in the blood serum was determined by the immunoenzymatic method (MEIA) on Axym Abbot Analyzer and was expressed in ng/mL. The protein concentration was determined by the Lowry method, and the results were expressed in mg/mL. The creatinine concentration in the urine was determined by the Jaffe method (without deproteinization) and was expressed in mg/100mL. RESULTS: CD activity was increased in the blood serum (p < 0.0001) and tissues (p = 0.022) of colon adenocarcinoma patients in comparison to the reference group. CD specific activity (Tyr/mg of protein/6h) was significantly increased in serum but decreased in the urine (p < 0.0001) whereas the specific activity of CD (nmol Tyr/mg of creatinine/6h) was increased in the urine (p = 0.0001). CD specific activity has tendency to increase in colon adenocarcinoma tissues (p = 0.441) as compared to the reference group. By examining data in regard to TNM clinical-histopathological classification, G and the tumor size, it could be concluded that CD activity in serum and urine in colon adenocarcinoma patients depends on progress of cancer in which CD activity increases with TNM. A statistically significant increase in CEA concentration was found in the serum of colon adenocarcinoma patients, which was almost threefold higher than the in reference group. No significant differences in CEA concentration were found depending on TNM, G and tumor size. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that examination of CD activity and CEA concentration in serum, as well as CD activity in the urine, might be used in oncological diagnostics of colon adenocarcinoma.

[Carcinoma and acute pancreatitis--case reports]. / Rak a ostre zapalenie trzustki--opis przypadków.

The coexistence of pancreatic carcinoma with severe form of acute pancreatitis (AP) is not only an extremely rare phenomenon described in literature but also a real problem in the aspect of differential diagnostics of neoplastic and inflammatory morphological changes in this organ. The study objective was the analysis of clinical material obtained from patients with inflammatory and neoplastic lesions, treated surgically in I Department of General and Endocrinological Surgery, Medical University of Bialystok in the years 1980-2005. Of these patients, 7 had pancreatic carcinoma at various stages of advancement diagnosed in the late postoperative period after severe form of AP. Patients' history, physical examination as well as biochemical tests and imaging diagnostic procedures (ultrasonography, CT) of the abdominal cavity explicitly showed severe form of acute pancreatitis. In every case, CA19-9 antigen values were substantially elevated (mean 780 +/-325 IU/ml, norm 0-37 IU/ml). Histopathological analyses of samples collected during laparotomy revealed the presence of necrotic-purulent tissues. In the late postoperative period, i.e. 3-24 months, all these patients were reoperated on for pancreatic carcinoma or its metastases. Only in one case, radical Whipple surgery was performed. All the remaining patients underwent palliative procedures or samples for histopathological examinations were only collected. In all the seven cases, metastatic carcinoma was diagnosed, including pancreatic carcinoma in 6 patients. These observations seem to indicate that severe AP may be insidiously accompanied by pancreatic carcinoma and that this coexistence should always be taken into consideration.