Regular cold water swimming during winter time affects resting hematological parameters and serum erythropoietin.

Recreational winter swimming in cold sea water evokes body responses to regularly repeated cold water immersion. However, the understanding of adaptive changes is still limited and data regarding very short-term exposure to severe cold stress are scarce. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of regular active cold water exposure on resting blood elements and erythropoietin in male and female cold water swimmers (CWSs). Thirty four healthy subjects (18 men and 16 women) aged 50.0 ± 12.2 years were swimming in cold sea water during winter season at least twice a week. The average water temperature was 9.5°C in October, 1.0°C in January and 4.4°C at the end of April. Fasting blood samples were taken within the first weeks of October, January and April. Serum erythropoietin (EPO), complete blood count (CBC) including evaluation of: red blood cells (RBC count, hemoglobin, hematocrit and RBC indices), white blood cells (WBC count with WBC differential), platelets (PLT count), serum folate and serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) were determined. Between October and April an increase was observed in the following parameters: RBC (from 4.8 x 1012/L to 5.2 x 1012/L, P < 0.001), hemoglobin (from 8.6 mmol/L to 9.4 mmol/L, P < 0.001), MCH (from 1.8 fmol to 1.9 fmol, P = 0.003), MCHC (from 19.9 mmol/L to 20.6 mmol/L, P < 0.001), EPO (from 6.3 IU/L to 8.1 IU/L, P = 0.001). At the same time decreased concentrations of PLT (from 249.9 x 109/L to 221.6 x 109/L, P = 0.005), folate (from 10.5 ng/mL to 7.4 ng/mL, P < 0.001) and immunoglobulins (IgG: from 11.8 g/L to 10.9 g/L, P < 0.001; IgA: from 2.5 g/L to 2.2 g/L, P < 0.001; IgM: from 0.9 g/L to 0.8 g/L, P < 0.001). Statistically significant changes in EPO and PLT values were noted only in female CWSs. We conclude that regular cold water swimming induces adaptive changes in the resting blood elements and EPO concentrations which are more evident in female organism.

The applicability of biochemical markers of bone metabolism for predicting the risk of bone fractures and for the assessment of bone tissue resorption in the course of osteoporosis.

The role of increased metabolism of bone tissue as a risk factor for bone fractures in the course of osteoporosis has been investigated. The importance of the assay of biochemical markers of bone remodelling for determining the degree of bone tissue resorption has been evaluated.

The value of tissue polypeptide specific antigen TPS determination in serum of women with breast cancer comparison to mucin-like associated antigen MCA and CA 15-3 antigen.

The aim of the study was TPS diagnostic value determination in the serum of women with breast cancer as compared with MCA and CA 15-3. The relationship between the serum concentration of these antigens and patient age, clinical stage, histological grade, presence of metastases to lymph nodes and histological type of neoplasm was evaluated. Studies were conducted on the sera of 139 women before surgical procedure aged 28-81, treated in the Clinic of Oncology, at Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences in Poznan. The TPS concentration was determined using the "BEKI Diagnostics" immunoenzymatic method, MCA - by the "Roche" test and CA 15-3 concentration was determined by the "Abbott" immunofluorescent test. The study showed significantly higher levels of TPS, CA 15-3 and MCA in women with cancer, compared with values in healthy women and women with mastopathy. The highest median of concentration and frequency of occurrence was obtained for TPS. A correlation between enhancement of TPS and CA 15-3 concentration with clinical stage was observed. A similar connection was noted in women with metastases to the lymph nodes. Serum MCA concentration results did not demonstrate the above effects. The study suggests, that in estimating the clinical condition of women with breast cancer, the simultaneous determination of TPS with CA 15-3 seems to be a more useful prognostic factor than TPS or CA 15-3 with MCA.

The biochemical modification of the erythrocyte membranes from women with ovarian cancer.

The aim of our work was quantitative evaluation of the protein and phospholipid fractions of mature erythrocyte membranes separated from women with ovarian cancer. Blood was sampled from 30 women with ovarian cancer, aged 24-79 years, in the third stage of clinical progression of the disease. Phospholipids were separated from membranes by Müller's acidic extraction method and analysed in thin-layer two-dimensional chromatography. On the silica gel plates nine fractions of phospholipids were separated: sphingomyelin (SPH), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidlyserine (PS), phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), phosphatidic acid (PA), phosphatidylinositol (Ptd Ins), phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (Ptd Ins-4-P), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-diphosphate (Ptd Ins-4,5-P2). The activity of phospholipase C in erythrocyte membranes was determined by Akhrem's spectrophotometric method. Membrane proteins were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE. It was shown that PS, SPH, LPC and PA fractions were significantly diminished. The concentration of Ptd Ins-4-P and Ptd Ins-4,5-P2 was significantly increased with simultaneous reduction in Ptd Ins level. The inhibition of phospholipase C reached 80%. The quantitative protein evaluation showed a statistically significant decrease in spectrin and a significant increase in 4.1 protein. The quantitative changes, observed in phospholipid and protein fractions, led to the restructuring of the erythrocyte membrane cytoskeleton, which may be connected to increased susceptibility to haemolysis of red blood cells.

[The diagnostic value of determination of tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) in serum of women with breast cancer]. / Wartosc diagnostyczna oznaczania specyficznego polipeptydowego antygenu tkankowego (TPS) w surowicy kobiet z nowotworem gruczolu sutkowego.

Studies were conducted in serum of 132 women. In 39 cases mastopathia fibrosocystica was diagnosed whereas the remaining 73 women had malignant breast cancer: 34-lobulare, 20-ductale and 19 of them-ductale and lobulare carcinoma. The concentration of tissue polypeptide specific antigen was determined by immunoenzymatic, BEKI DIAGNOSTIC test. The results showed, that TPS antigen concentration in serum of women without cancer symptoms was physiological, under 80 U/l. Whereas in 42 patients with benign neoplasm, in 5 of them the concentration of determined marker was over the cut-off. Our study showed, that the mediane of concentration of TPS antigen in serum of women with malignant neoplasm was over twice higher than in healthy women. The frequency of increased results and absolute value of TPS level showed trend to significant increase with the clinical progression of disease and grade of histological malignancy of neoplasm. The similar dependence of TPS concentration on metastasis number to lymph nodes was observed.

The value of estimating CA 125 in fluids from benign or malignant cysts, in the exudate and blood serum in women with ovarian cancer.

CA 125 levels were estimated by immunoenzymatic technique: in fluids obtained by puncturing benign ovarian cysts under guidance of USG and in the patients' sera (23 cases); in serum and in ascites of 39 ovarian cancer patients at the IIIrd or IV th stage of clinical advance; in the content of malignant tumors in the course of surgery (in 16 of the above listed patients). Ca 125 level was significantly lower in the content of benign Cysts as compared to malignant ones. CA 125 level higher than 1000/ml pointed to a malignant process. Both in serum and in ascites, more advanced tumors and tumors showing progression manifested higher levels of the marker than less advanced tumors and tumors characterized as stable disease. In the group of patients analysis of CA 125 levels provided less information on the disease course than in individual cases.

[Diagnostic value of mucin-like associated antigen (MCA) in neoplasms of the mammary gland]. / Wartosc diagnostyczna mucynopodobnego antygenu raka sutka (MCA) w nowotworach gruczolu sutkowego.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the new tumour marker MCA in serum from women with breast cancer. Relationship between presence MCA in serum and cER, cPgR, nER, nPgR in aqueous extracts from cancer tissues was subject of our investigation, too. Immunoenzymatic method (Roche) which employed monoclonal antibody MAb b-12 was used for determination of MCA in serum 49 operable patients (preoperative determination). In a group of 26 cancer patients MCA and cER, cPgR, nER, nPgR were tested simultaneously. Steroid hormone receptors were measured by immunoenzymatic method (Abbott). Mean concentration of MCA in women with breast cancer (n = 36) was higher as compared with control (n = 21, p < 0.001). When 6.86 U/ml was took as mean level of MCA in control group it was found that 46% women with benign tumours, 64% with carcinoma ductal and 62% with carcinoma lobular have had concentrations of MCA below this value. Also it was found that differences between mean levels of MCA and cER, cPgR, nER, nPgR were statistical significance only in women with carcinoma ductal. On the basis of our own investigations we can suggest that MCA has limited value in the diagnosis of breast cancer.

The influence of tamoxifen on plasma coagulation and serous fibrinolysis.

Selected parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis were determined in 25 postmenopausal women, treated chronically for breast cancer with the use of tamoxifen. The significant influence of tamoxifen therapy on the serous fibrinolysis parameters was found. The time of euglobulin lysis was shorter, the concentration of alpha 2-antiplasmin decreased, and plasminogen concentration increased. The content of antithrombin III, fibrinogen, and caolin-cephalin time did not change significantly during therapy, except the prothrombin rate which increased. Tamoxifen is an important medicine with beneficial influence on the fibrinolytic system, without affecting the serous coagulation system.

[Evaluation of an immunoenzymatic assay for determining estrogen and progesterone receptors in breast tumors]. / Ocena metody immunoenzymatycznej do oznaczania receptorów estrogenowych (ER) i progesteronowych (PgR) w guzach sutka.

The aim of our research was the usability of immunoenzymatic assay for the determination of estrogen and progesterone receptors. We tested 59 women with breast tumours. 20 of these women have had carcinoma ductal, 10 carcinoma lobular and 3 women another histopathological type. 26 women have had benign tumours: 15 mastopathia fibrosocystica, 11 fibroadenoma. It was found that mean concentration of cER, nER and cPgR, nPgR were higher in malignant tumours as compared with benign tumours. Mean concentration of cER in carcinoma ductale (mean = 45.96 fmol/mg protein) and carcinoma lobular (mean = 130.38 fmol/mg protein) were of higher statistical significance than the levels of these receptors in mastopathia fibroso-cystica (mean = 16.82 fmol/mg protein). Mean concentrations nER and nPgR in benign and malignant tumours were not statistically significant. On the basis of our own investigations we can suggest that immunoenzymatic method supplied by Abbott is a simple test to perform and useful to evaluate hormonal dependence of cancer tissue.

[Studies of the effects of low-molecular uremic toxins on anaerobic metabolism of human erythrocytes]. / Badania nad oddzialywaniem niskoczasteczkowych toksyn mocznicowych na przemiany beztlenowe krwinek czerwonych czlowieka.

The effect of methylguanidine (MG) and guanidinosuccinic++ acid (GSA) on the anaerobic glycolysis of normal human red blood cells was studied in vitro after three-hours incubation at temperature 37 degrees C. The changes of glucose and lactic acid levels as well as intermediate metabolites and adenine nucleotides of carbohydrate metabolism were determined. Glucose and lactic acid were measured with enzymatic methods, however main phosphate compounds and nucleotide coenzymes were determined by a method of column chromatography. The studies have shown, that GSA in concentrations approximate to those appearing in the plasma patients with chronic renal failure, insignificant enhanced glucose utilization in normal erythrocytes with simultaneous significant decrease produce of lactic acid. Methylguanidine have weakly effected on this process. Subsequent studies have demonstrated that mixture MG (5.4 x 10(-5) mol/dm3) and GSA (2.8 x 10(-5) mol/dm3) induced characteristic changes in composition of main phosphate compounds of carbohydrate metabolism in human red blood cells. The statistically significant decrease of ATP in blood cells with simultaneous increase ADP and AMP were observed. The concentrations of hexose monophosphate, fructose-1,6-diphosphate, triosephosphate, and 2,3-diphosphoglycerinic acid were also higher. The inorganic phosphate concentration was over 80% higher than in control cells. The results of our studies have revealed that energetic metabolism was inhibited in red blood cells which were incubated with MG and GSA.

[Effect of methylguanidine and guanidine succinic acid on methemoglobin reductase activity in human red cells]. / Wplyw metyloguanidyny i kwasu guanidynobursztynowego na aktywnosc reduktazy methemoglobiny krwinek czerwonych czlowieka.

Activity of methemoglobin reductase was studied in human red cells treated with methylguanidine and guanidinosuccinic acid in concentrations similar to those in plasma of patients with chronic renal failure. Enzyme activity was measured with Richterich technique following an incubation at 37 degrees C for three hours. Results have shown that methylguanidine in concentration of 5.4 x 10(-5) mol/l decreases activity of methemoglobin reductase in human red cells on average by 13.9%. Higher concentrations potentiate this effect. Similar changes in methemoglobin reductase activity were noted after introduction of guanidine-succinic acid into the mixture. This agent in concentration 5.6 x 10(-5) mol/l inhibited activity of the tested enzyme by 34.2% on average. Combined methylguanidine in concentration of 5.4 x 10(-5) mol/l and guanidine-succinic acid in concentration of 2.8 x 10(-5) mol/l inhibited methemoglobin reductase activity by 33.0% on average. It may be suggested, that methylguanidine and guanidine-succinic acid being low molecular uremic toxins may significantly decrease methemoglobin reductase activity in red cells of patients with chronic renal failure.

[Effect of methylguanidine and guanidinosuccinic acid on pyruvate kinase activity in human red cells]. / Wplyw metyloguanidyny i kwasu guanidynobursztynowego na aktywnosc kinazy pirogronianowej krwinek czerwonych czlowieka.

An effect of methylguanidine and guanidinosuccinic acid on pyruvate kinase activity in human red cells was determined in vitro following a 3-hour incubation at 37 degrees C. The obtained results have shown that methylguanidine in the concentration of 1.8 x 10(-5) M/l inhibits pyruvate kinase activity by 20.8%. Pyruvate kinase activity was statistically significantly inhibited on addition of methylguanidine in the concentration of 5.4 x 10(-5) M/l whereas higher concentrations have no such an effect Guanidinesuccinic acid exerted similar but weaker effect on the activity of pyruvate kinase in human red cells. Mixture of methylguanidine (5.4 x 10(-5) m/l) and guanidinesuccinic acid (2.8 x 10(-5) M/l) does not affect pyruvate kinase activity in normal human red cells under identical experimental conditions.

CA 125 in monitoring chemotherapy of patients with ovarian cancer: early response to the treatment.

Using an immunoenzymatic technique, changes in serum levels of CA 125 were examined in 63 patients with ovarian carcinoma before treatment as well as following the first four courses of chemotherapy. Serum CA 125 level before treatment was dependent upon clinical advancement stage (20.0, 393.43 and 688.84 U/ml at the Stages I + II, III and IV, respectively). Good response to treatment was associated with decreased CA 125 levels, while tumor progression was linked to increasing levels of the marker. Treatment scheme including cisplatinum induced most pronounced decrease in serum CA 125 level which paralleled good clinical response to the treatment. Determination of CA 125 half-life time in serum seemed to provide a sensitive prognostic index in the disease. This index amounted to 10.73 +/- 4.0 days in patients with complete remission and 44.87 +/- 26.5 days in patients with progressive disease.

Studies on the effect of low-molecule uremic toxins on the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (E.C.1.1.1.49) and transketolase (E.C.2.2.1.1) in human red blood cells.

The effect in vitro was studied of methylguanidine (MG) and guanidinosuccinic acid (GSA) on the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-P DH) and transketolase (ETKA) of normal erythrocytes. The results show that MG in concentration (1.8 X 10(-5) mol/l) approximate to or higher then its concentration in plasma of patients with chronic renal failure (ch.r.f.) inhibits the activity of G-6-P DH. The changes of similar nature have been observed in case of GSA. In the same incubation conditions MG or GSA bring about the inhibition of ETKA activity in red blood cells. MG and GSA jointly introduced into incubation mixture in concentrations approximate to those appearing in plasma of patients with ch.r.f. cause the inhibition of G-6-P DH by 35.6% on the average, with no statistically significant differences in ETKA activity.

Studies on the effects of low-molecular uraemic toxins on the activity of 3-phospho-D-glycerol aldehyde dehydrogenase (E.C.1.2.1.12) in human erythrocytes.

The effects of known low-molecular uraemic toxins, such as guanidine, guanidinoacetic acid, creatinine, ornithine, or urea, on the activity of 3-phosphoglycerol aldehyde dehydrogenase (GDH) were studied in normal human erythrocytes. The study was carried out in vitro. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate in doses exceeding its physiological concentration was found also to exert an effect on GDH activity. The study demonstrated that various toxins affected the activity of the enzyme in various degrees depending on the type of the toxin and its concentration. Cyclic AMP in a concentration approximating that in the plasma of uraemic patients (10(-6) mol/l) inhibited 32.8% of GDH in the erythrocytes. A similar phenomenon was demonstrated also when the studied substances were given jointly.