Catechol-oxide-methyltransferase (COMT rs4680:G>A) gene polymorphism does not affect analgesics' demand after elective hip replaceme.

Pain in patients with hip osteoarthritis appears long before surgery, and requires effective management as it affects patient comfort and daily activities. Therefore, the search for factors influencing response rate to analgesics is mandatory. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to genetic factors underlying pain threshold and treatment efficacy. Polymorphic gene of catechol-oxide-methyltransferase (COMT) is a candidate gene associated with pain pathology and treatment response. The aim of the study was to evaluate association between the COMT rs4680:G>A polymorphism and demand for analgesics in patients subjected to elective hip replacement. The study included 196 patients after hip replacement surgery. Opioid demand was recorded and analgesic efficacy was scored using a four-level verbal pain intensity scale. COMT rs4680:G>A polymorphism was analysed by PCR-RFLP method. The studied COMT genotypes did not influence opioid administration in the studied patients from the day of surgery till day 6 afterwards. The distribution of the COMT rs4680:G>A in the studied subjects was as follows: GA­52.04%, AA­23.98% and GG­23.98%. It can be concluded that the COMT rs4680:G>A polymorphism is not associated with opioid demand in patients after elective hip replacement.

Estimation of BDNF gene polymorphism and predisposition to dependence development for selected psychoactive compounds: genetic aspects of addiction with the selected drugs, amphetamine, tetrahydrocannabinol and opiates.

The etiology of drug addiction, a central nervous system (CNS) disease, is not fully known. This complex problem is believed to be connected with concurrently affecting genetic, psychological and environmental factors. The development of addiction is connected with CNS reinforcement system and dopaminergic neurotransmission. Molecular processes are postulated to be of universal character and allow to presume a similar mechanism of dependence for both ethanol and other substances. Therefore, elements of dopaminergic transmission become excellent candidates for the examination of genetic influence on the development of addiction. A relationship between alcoholic disease and the presence of TaqIA1 and DRD2 alleles permits to initiate another investigation of gene-coding DRD2 dopamine receptor. The latest results indicate the importance of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the regulation of dopaminergic route. The purpose of this research was to reveal the relationship between the Val66Met BDNF gene polymorphism and dependence of psychoactive agent. The examinations were performed with the Local Research Ethics Committee approval and patient's consent. The study group consisted of 100 patients (88 men and 12 women) aged 18-52 years, qualified for research program according to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) requirements, medical examination and detailed questionnaire.

Effect of lecithin on the development of experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits.

Thirty male mongrel rabbits were divided into 3 equal groups: (1) controls, (2) animals receiving a high-fat diet (HFD) containing cholesterol and coconut oil, and (3) HFD + lecithin. The experiment lasted 12 weeks. In animals receiving a HFD (group II) the QRS interval (ECG) was significantly prolonged, and the concentration of lipid fractions (except for HDL-cholesterol) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the blood was markedly elevated. Distinctly lower concentrations of zinc in the serum and cytochrome P-450 in the liver microsomes were observed. When administered together with the HFD, lecithin normalized QRS interval duration, inhibited the diet-induced lipid metabolism disturbances, reduced MDA concentrations and increased zinc concentrations in the serum. Elevated under the influence of lecithin, the content of cytochrome P-450 in the liver microsomes was shown. Surface area of the lipid deposits at 12 weeks, measured planimetrically averaged 24.43% in HFD-fed animals vs 9.28% in lecithin-treated rabbits. We conclude that lecithin is responsible, not only for the hypolipidaemic properties, but also for the antiatherosclerotic action in rabbits.

Temporal changes in the fluoride levels of jaws of European deer in industrial regions of Western Pomerania, Poland.

The factories processing natural phosphates and apatites in Poland release into the atmosphere considerable amounts of fluorine compounds. Fluoride is known to accumulate in the hard tissues of animals and humans. This paper describes the determination of fluoride in mandibles of deer in the years 1982 and 1990. In recent years, the establishments have restricted their output and modernized the technology of phosphate fertilizer production. The fluoride content in jaws has decreased, particularly in those animals having their habitat in the vicinity of the two factories.

[Fluoride level in human nails and its significance]. / Poziom fluorków w paznokciach u ludzi i jego znaczenie.

Bone tissue investigation provides the best indicator for fluorine saturation of the organism. However, the intravital bone biopsy--as an invasive method, is not applicable in prophylactic studies. Thus, attention was focussed on the nails that constitute an easily accessible material being able to reflect the chronic accumulation of fluorine in the organism. In the actual paper it has been endeavoured to find out the routes, on which fluorine is deposited in the nails, if there is any dependence between the fluorine content in the nails and the age of the studied subjects, and whether the concentration of fluoride in the nails depends on the fluctuation of this element in the environment, and which of the parameters exert influence upon it. The performed investigations permitted the following conclusions to be drawn: 1. The nails furnish a readily accessible material for studying fluorine saturation in the organism. 2. Fluorine may be accumulated in the nails on internal pathway through circulatory system, and from outside--by means of direct absorption. 3. Since relatively high content of fluoride has been revealed in the nails of the youngest children, they should be protected against further supply of fluorine compounds from outside. 4. In the areas not polluted by fluorine compounds there is a lack of statistically significant dependence between the content of fluoride in the nails and the age.