The study of possible application of sodium selenite as an adjuvant in lithium treatment: an effect on oxidative processes in heart of rats.

OBJECTIVE: Despite numerous side effects, including heart disturbances, lithium is still used in medicine. Selenium treatment can protect against toxicity of harmful substances and side effects of other drugs. In this study possibility of sodium selenite application as an adjuvant in lithium treatment was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats were treated with: control - saline; Li group - Li2CO3 (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w.); Se group - Na2SeO3 (0.5 mg Se/kg b.w.); Li+Se group simultaneously with Li2CO3 and Na2SeO3 (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w. and 0.5 mg Se/kg b.w., respectively) by stomach tube for a period of six weeks, once a day. In heart homogenates total antioxidant status (TAS), activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) were determined. SOD/GPx, CAT/GPx and SOD/CAT ratios were evaluated. RESULTS: TAS was insignificantly increased, particularly in groups receiving selenium. GPx was slightly decreased in Li group and partially restored by Li+Se treatment. Selenium markedly enhanced AA concentration vs. CONTROL: MDA was increased significantly in Li and Se groups and restored in Li+Se treated. SOD/GPx and CAT/GPx. Ratios were slightly increased in Li group and restored by selenium co-administration. CONCLUSIONS: As Li+Se treatment resulted in no significant differences vs. control and restored MDA, SOD/GPx and CAT/GPx ratios. Research on selenium application during lithium therapy seems to be worth continuation.

The protective influence of selenium on oxidant disturbances in brain of rats exposed to lithium.

For more than sixty years lithium carbonate has been used in medicine. However, during its administration different side effects including oxidative stress can occur. Selenium belongs to essential elements possessing antioxidant properties. This study aimed at evaluating if selenium could be used as a protective adjuvant in lithium therapy. The experiment was performed on four groups of Wistar rats: I (control), II (Li), III (Se), IV (Li + Se) treated with saline, lithium carbonate (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w.), sodium selenite (0.5 mg Se/kg b.w.) and lithium carbonate (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w.) + sodium selenite (0.5 mg Se/kg b.w.), respectively. All substances were administered as water solutions by stomach tube for 3 or 6 weeks. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as malonyldialdehyde (MDA) were determined in brain homogenates. Lithium slightly enhanced MDA and depressed CAT and SOD after 6 weeks as well as GPx after 3 weeks. Selenium co-administration showed tendency to restore the disturbed parameters. Selenium alone and given with lithium significantly increased GPx vs. Li-treated group after 3 weeks. Having regarded the outcomes of this study, the research on application of selenium during lithium treatment seems to be worth continuation.

[The content of selected trace elements and heavy metals in the hair of children from Chorzów]. / Zawartosc wybranych mikroelementów i metali ciezkich we wlosach dzieci z Chorzowa.

Hair zinc, copper, lead and cadmium concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in children aged 10-11 years. The studied children, 30 boys and 39 girls, lived in the most polluted district of the town of Chorzów. The mean Zn content in the hair of the children was 173.86 micrograms/g. Girls had significantly higher levels of Zn in their hair than boys (182.32 and 154.11 micrograms/g respectively, p = 0.02). The mean Cu concentration in the hair of the children was 12.57 micrograms/g. For girls, the mean Cu concentration was significantly higher than for boys (13.53 and 11.77 micrograms/g). The mean Pb content in the hair of children was 4.41 micrograms/g. Boys had almost twice the level of Pb in their hair than girls (6.15 and 3.57 micrograms/g respectively, p = 0.002). The mean Cd concentration in hair of children was 0.53 micrograms/g). For boys the mean Cd concentration was not significantly higher than for girls (0.91 and 0.44 micrograms/g).

[Enterocolitis necroticans in a neonate from a twin pregnancy with intrauterine death of the fetus]. / Martwicze zapalenie jelit u noworodka z ciazy blizniaczej z obumarlym wewnatrzmacicznie jednym plodem.

The turbulent perinatal period in a neonate from a pregnancy with intrauterine death of one fetus is described. The live fetus was born in the 37th week of pregnancy after the macerated twin was delivered spontaneously. Convulsions, hypocalcemia, thrombocytopenia and enterocolitis necroticans were observed during the neonatal period.

[Exposure to lead in selected population groups. IV. Lead exposure among nursery children in Chorzow]. / Narazenie na olów wybranych grup ludnosci. Cz. IV. Narazenie na olów dzieci zlobkowych Chorzowa.

Main goal of this studies was to determine the level of exposure to lead of selected representatives of children's population attended nursery school, aged 2 to 4 years, residing in three different districts of Chorzów as far as the traffic intensity is concerned. It is the most densely populated town in Poland with the high concentration of industry and considerable intensity of traffic. Number of tested samples of children were 41, 43, 40. The tests were made in summer. Lead (Pb-B), zinc protoporphyrin level (ZPP), hemoglobin (Hb), erythrocyte count in blood (E) and delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and creatinine concentration in urine were determined. The highest Pb-B level observed was 300 micrograms/l, the geometric mean of the blood lead concentrations were: 131, 132, and 199 micrograms/l and were not statistically valid in their differences. Median ranges were 118, 133 and 144 micrograms/l. Averages above the level 200 micrograms/l were found in the case of 19.5%, 11.8% and 15% children. Data were estimated in comparison with WHO recommended admissible blood lead level in overall population. The obtained data suggest higher lead absorption in the examined children's population.

[Health status in cradled children from the city of Chorzow from districts of greatest atmospheric air pollution (morbidity, lead concentration in blood)]. / Stan zdrowia dzieci zlobkowych miasta Chorzowa z dzielnic o najwiekszym zanieczyszczeniu powietrza atmosferycznego (zachorowalnosc, stezenia olowiu we krwi).

The results are presented of health condition evaluation in 291 cradled children. High morbidity was found, mainly of respiratory tract diseases, and excessive exposure to lead was observed. The acceptable level of lead according to the WHO standards (10 micrograms/dl) was exceeded in 63.9% of the studied children. High per cent (47.6%) of children with lead level over 20 micrograms/dl showed rachitic bone deformities.

[Pneumocystis pneumonia in infants]. / Pneumocystozowe zapalenie pluc u niemowlat.

The acute and chronic forms are described of pneumocystis interstitial pneumonia in two infants which were observed during a hospital epidemic. The microscopic examination of bronchial secretion from the subglottic region made possible the use of guided treatment.

[Epidemic of Pneumocystis carinii infection in infants]. / Epidemiczne zakazenie Pneumocystis carinii u niemowlat.

Epidemic intra-ward infection caused by Pneumocystis carinii was described. 18 infants and small children were ill from among 21 treated in the infants ward. The diagnosis was given on the grounds of cytologic examination of bronchial excretion from subglottic region.

Lead exposure among nursery children in Chorzów.

The main goal of this study was to determine the level of exposure to lead of selected representatives of the child population attending nursery school, aged 2 to 4 years, residing in three districts of Chorzów with different traffic intensities. The numbers of tested samples of children were 41, 43, 40. The tests were made in summer. Lead (Pb-B), zinc protoporphyrin level (ZPP), hemoglobin (Hb), erythrocyte count in blood (E), and delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and creatinine concentration in urine were determined. The highest Pb-B level observed was 300 micrograms/l; the geometric means of the blood lead concentrations were 131, 132 and 119 micrograms/l and were not statistically different. Median ranges were 118, 133 and 114 micrograms/l. Ranges above the 200 micrograms/l level were found in 19.5%, 11.8% and 15% of the children. The obtained data suggest higher lead absorption in the examined child population.

[Passive smoking as the cause of life-threatening intoxication in a child]. / Palenie bierne przyczyna zatrucia zagrazajacego zyciu dziecka.

A case of poisoning with tobacco smoke was observed in a child aged two years exposed to this smoke. The child had COHb concentration 18%, pallor, tachycardia, tachypnoea, raised blood pressure, tonic seizures and loss of consciousness.

[Cigarette smoking as a risk factor of premature labor]. / Palenie papierosów jako czynnik ryzyka porodu przedwczesnego.

The effect of cigarette smoking by parents on the incidence of premature labour was analysed. Premature labours accounted for 14.1% of all labours. Cigarette smoking by pregnant women was a significant risk factors for prematurity, it increased significantly hypoxia caused by chemical pollution of the environment and contributed to intrauterine hypotrophy in premature babies. The per cent of smokers among premature babies with normal weight was 37.4%, but among premature babies with the syndrome of intrauterine hypotrophy it was 58.4%. The per cent of heavy smokers was significantly in the group of premature babies, and also the duration of smoking habit by mothers was longer.

[Socioeconomic factors and the incidence of premature labor in a polluted environment]. / Czynniki socjalno-ekonomiczne a czestosc wystepowania porodów przedwczesnych w skazonym srodowisku.

The effects of socioeconomic factors on the incidence of premature births were studied in Chorzów. For a better evaluation of the socioeconomic conditions a scoring system was used based on such parameters as marital status of the mothers, educational level, living conditions, flat equipment, property owned by the family and economic status. The incidence of prematurity was 14.1%. In over 40% of cases premature births were associated with poor conditions of life. Occupational work under stressful conditions significantly increased the rate of prematurity. After a review of similar studies of other authors it is accepted that environmental pollution is an additional risk factor for the fetus.

[Staphylococcal septicemia in a newborn infant with multiple organ involvement]. / Posocznica gronkowcowa u noworodka z wielonarzadowym umiejscowieniem zmian chorobowych.

The clinical course and therapeutic problems are presented in a case of staphylococcal septicaemia in a newborn. Generalized infection was associated with multiorgan location of pathological changes, among them, acute haematogenous osteitis and arthritis (of the temporomandibular joint, shoulder joint, hip, elbow joint, knee joint and wrist joint) and rarely occurring parotitis.

[Salmonella infections in infants hospitalized in the years 1979-1983]. / Uwagi dotyczace zakazen paleczkami Salmonella u niemowlat hospitalizowanych w latach 1979-1983.

The clinical course is described of Salmonella infections in 228 infants. The infection was associated, most frequently, with diarrhoea (with admixture of blood in stools in 57.2% of cases). In infants in the first 3 months of life the course of the disease was more serious, with evidence of toxic organ damage and prolonged diarrhoea. Salmonella infection was often associated with pneumonia or bronchitis (36.8%), urinary tract infection (29.8%), otitis media (22.8%). Iron-deficiency anaemia was present in three-fourths of children. In 35% of the infected children with Salmonella infection decreased level of gamma-globulins was found.