[Evaluation of iron metabolism in workers exposed to led compounds in a tile glaze factory 1981-1982]. / Ocena gospodarki zelazowej u pracowników narazonych na zwiazki olowiu w wytwórni szkliw kaflarskich w latach 1981-1982.

The investigations have been aimed at an estimation of the iron balance in lead-exposed workers. The investigations were carried out in a group of 20 men producing lead glazes and a control group of 23 Medical Academy students. Lead concentration was found to be remarkably higher in the exposed group, as compared to the controls. In the control group 26% of subjects exhibited lead concentration within 40.5 micrograms/dm3. The obtained results of D-aminolevulinic acid concentrations in the exposed patients' urine did not differ from the controls. Toxic effects of lead on haem synthesis resulted in significantly higher concentration of iron and transferin saturation percent as compared to controls. The excessive concentration of lead found in the urine of 26% of students points to non-professional exposure.

The effect of methylbromophenvinfos (Polfos) on some enzymes in vivo and in vitro. I. In vivo studies.

The experiment was carried out on Wistar rats receiving orally either oil or oily solution of methylbromophenvinfos (Polfos) either in a single dose of 0.5 LD50, or doses of 0.1 LD50 once daily for a period of 2, 4 or 6 weeks. The activities of cholinesterase (ChE), beta-glucuronidase (beta-glu), lipase and amylase were assayed in the blood serum, the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-in brain homogenates, and the activities of lipase and amylase-in homogenates of the pancreas. Cholinesterases were inhibited in the course of both acute and chronic poisoning with Polfos. During the acute poisoning a sharp increase in the activity of beta-glu in the blood serum, 1 and 2 h after the pesticide administration, was observed. Polfos inhibited lipase and amylase both after acute and chronic treatment.

Investigations on the modification of postirradiation pancreatic lipase activity by some endo- or exogenic factors. Part II. The influence of some ions, biogenic amines and hormones.

The subject of investigations was the influence of some endogenic substances: ions (K+ and Ca++), amines (serotonin, histamine and acetylcholine) and hormones (hydrocortisone and glucagon) on the lipase release from pancreatic granules (zymogen and lysosomes) of control and irradiated rats (800 R=24 hours). The decrease of enzyme release under the influence of hydrocortisone (both concentrations: 10(-6) and 10(-8) M), Ca++ ions, serotonin, histamine and acetylcholine after their administration in greater concentration (10(-6) M) was stated. Smaller concentrations of these substances evoked the transitory enhancement of enzyme activity. K+ ions and glucagon increased the lipase release (both concentrations). In the fraction of organelles from irradiated rats the action of K+ ions, glucagon and acetylcholine was diminished or abolished, while the inhibitory effectiveness (of greater concentrations) of Ca++ ions, serotonin, histamine and hydrocortisone was maintained.

Investigations on the modification of postirradiation pancreatic lipase activity by some endo- or exogenic factors. Part I. The influence of some agonists of adrenergic system.

The role of some agonists of the adrenergic system and inhibitors of phosphodiesterase activity in the modulation of the degree of lipase release from pancreatic granular fraction (zymogen and lysosomes) of control and X-ray irradiated rats was investigated. It was shown the decrease of the release of enzymatic activity under the influence of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and noradrenaline (NA) in the fractions from both investigated groups. Effects were dependent on the concentration used. Isoprenaline evoked opposite changes in control and irradiated specimens. In controls it facilitated the enzyme release when applied in smaller (10(-8)M) concentration. In granules from irradiated animals the decrease of enzyme release was noted under the influence of greater concentration (10(-6)M) of the drug. The action of papaverine was nearly similar in control and irradiated groups. The drug evoked the decrease or increase of enzyme release when applied in greater (10(-6)M) or smaller (10(-8)M) concentration respectively. Lipase release was markedly enhanced in controls by theophylline (both concentrations); in specimens from irradiated pancreas, however, no significant alterations were observed.

A sensitive and specific determination of gamma aminobutric acid in brain.

A sensitive and specific method for the determination of gamma aminobutyric acid in small (30 mg) brain samples is described. It is based on preparation of the dansyl-butyrolactam (DBL), subsequent separation by thin layer chromatography and measurement of fluorescence after elution. Recovery is checked by routinely adding 14C labelled GABA.

Comparative studies on the influence of some radioprotectors on the postirradiation hydrolytic function of subcellular fractions of pancreas.

Comparative studies on the influence of the two radioprotectors Fenchlorfos and cysteamine on the hydroproteolytic activity of pancreatic subcellular fractions of rats were carried out. The animals were irradiated with the single dose of 800 R of X-rays. Biochemical estimation of lipase, beta-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase and catheptic (caseinolytic) activity were done 24 hours after exposition. The two radioprotective substances have a lot of common in their action against hydrolytic activity. They induce the decrease of some enzymes of subcellular fractions we checked both in control as well as in irradiated groups. The ambivalent influence of Trichlorfon on the lipase activity in granules and supernatant fraction seems to be of interest.

Free fatty acids and lipolytic activity of the pancreas of irradiated rats.

The effect of X-ray irradiation (800 R) on the lipolytic activity of pancreas was studied in rats. Lipase activity was assayed in the granules of zymogenmitochrondial fraction and in the perfusion fluid and free fatty acids (FFA) content was determined in blood serum, pancreatic homogenates and in perfusion fluid. The irradiation caused a marked increase of the activity of lipase released from zymogen-mitochondrial fraction. In the perfusate the enhancement of lipase activity accompanied by a simultaneous increase of FFA content. Irradiation resulted in an increase of FFA in pancreatic homogenates and a decrease of their content in blood serum.

The convulsive action of pentylenetetrazol and electroshock in irradiated rats.

Convulsive activity of pentylenetetrazol and electroshock was measured in rats irradiated 24 hr earlier with 800 R of X rays. At this time the content of "free" acetylcholine (ACh) was increased in the cerebral cortex, and the content of "bound" ACh was depressed in the brain stem. Irradiation facilitated the action of convulsogenic agents. Atropine did not prevent convulsions but facilitated them. An increase in the endogenous pool of ACh by eserine similarly to atropine facilitated the action of convulsogenic agents in control rats. In irradiated rats eserine shortened the duration of electrogenic convulsions, but it did not change significantly the latency of pentylenetetrazol convulsions. A causal relationship between the effects observed and post-irradiation modification of the content of "free" and "bound" ACh in the cerebral cortex and brain stem is discussed.

The influence of x-rays, vitamin A and protease inhibitor on the hydroproteolytic activity and serotonin content in pancreas and intestine of rats.

Activity of MAO, hydroproteolytic enzymes including some lysosomal markers as well as serotonin content were examined in pancreas and intestinal tissue of rats 24 hours after irradiation with the dose of 800R. It was stated that postirradiation disturbances of enzymatic activity in intestinal tract were accompanied by changes of serotonin content. Administration of vitamin A into rats caused in some parts of the intestine slight increase of acid phosphatase activity-and evident changes in serotonin content. Inhibitor of proteases (Trasylol) evidently prevented the disturbances of serotonin content both in rats exposed to X-rays or vitamin A administration- when simultaneously its influence on changes in hydroproteolytic activity (except of pancreas and colon) was of smaller degree.

Influence of trichlorfon and fractionated irradiation on hydroproteolytic activity of pancreas and intestinal tissues of rats.

Investigations into the hydroproteolytic activity of pancreas and intestinal tissues (small intestine and colon) of rats after fractionated irradiation (5 X 150 R) were carried out. There was found marked postirradiation enhancement of lipase activity in pancreas and duodenal part of intestine and increase of B-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase activity in nearly all parts of the examined intestinal tissues. Fractionated irradiation resulted in an increase of pancreatic catheptic (proteolytic) activity causing simultaneous decrease of proteolytic activity in intestine and colon. Preventive administration of Trichlorfon (ten days before irradiation) in the dose of 10 mg or 30 mg/kg evoked modification of hydroproteolytic activity in intestinal tissues of healthy and irradiated rats. Trichlorfon applied in the dose of 30 mg/kg exerted antilipolytic and anticatheptic effects in pancreas and intestinal tissues of irradiated rats.

Hydroproteolytic activity of the pancreas after single or fractionated x-ray irradiation of rats.

The enzymic activity of lipase, lysosomal markers (beta-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase) and cathepsin was checked in the pancreatic subcellular fraction of control and whole-body X-irradiated rats. Incubation of granules (zymogen and mitochondrial fraction) under hypoosmotic conditions resulted in greater activity of lipase and cathepsin in the irradiated than in the control group. However, formation of different pattern of enzymatic activity was found (both in the sediments and in the supernatant) in single and fractionated irradiated pancreas.

The influence of trypsin and neuraminidase on content of serotonin in rat blood platelets.

Trypsin produced phasic changes (increase or decrease) in the serotonin levels in blood platelets depending on the initial concentration of serotonin in the platelets. The lowest concentration of trypsin that was used raised the content of serotonin in unloaded platelets, while all tested concentrations of trypsin lowered content of serotonin when the platelets were loaded with serotonin. Prolongation of time of incubation from 6 to 12 minutes revealed an action of some of the concentrations of trypsin that were previously inactive. Neuraminidase lowered serotonin levels in rat platelets. The effect of the highest concentration of neuraminidase was enhanced in presence of some of the concentrations of trypsin.

Serotonin and proteolytic enzymes in brain of irradiated animals.

Early and late irradiation effects on biogenic amines (5-HT and NA) contents, intracellular hydrolytic enzyme activity and MAO in brain tissue was studied on mice and rats. In mice in the majority of cases (irradiated on the first day after birth) there occurs a remote effect of irradiation in the form of the increase in 5-HT content and different, species-dependent, changes in hydrolytic activity. Among early effects (24 hrs following the irradiation) the decrease in 5-HT and NA contents was stated in rats. These changes were accompanied by the increase in MAO and hydrolytic (proteolytic) activities.

Investigations on the relations between the biochemical changes in the brain and behaviour of irradiated rats.

The behaviour of irradiated rats and biochemical changes in the brain tissue were investigated in the early period after whole-body irradiation with the dose of 800 R. It was found that after exposition to X-ray psychomotoric activity undergoes phasic modifications. Within the first day the behavioural activation was stated, which was accompanied by the increase of hydroproteolytic and MAO, activity in the brain. Simultaneously a decrease of serotonin and noradrenalin content in the brain stem was found in irradiated rats. On the second and third day of postirradiation syndrome the behavioural inhibition was observed.

Hydro-proteolytic activity in rat's pancreas after irradiation.

Investigations were carried out on the problem of hydrolytic ability of rat's pancreas 24 h after whole body irradiation with the single dose of 800 R and after fractionated irradiation (5 x 150 R). Besides kallikrein, enzymes of intracellular digestion (B-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase, cathepsin) and enzymes of intraluminal digestion (amylase, lipase) were chosed for examination. It was stated, that single irradiation evokes rather moderate changes in the activity of examined enzymes causing increase of catheptic and lipolytic activity and decrease in amylase activity accompanied by sharp increase of kallikrein activity in the tissue. Mechanical obstruction of biliopancreatic duct renders trend to decrease of enzymatic activity in almost all enzymes of irradiated group. After fractionated irradiation the general increase of hydroproteolytic activity (with one exception of pancreatic amylase) was stated.