Electrophysiological correlates of attentional processes in patients with liver cirrhosis without minimal or clinically-overt hepatic encephalopathy.

Liver cirrhosis is often accompanied by a spectrum of cognitive deficits, labelled hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The precise specification of cognitive impairment associated with HE has not been yet elucidated. The aim of this study was an attempt to examine cortical function in cirrhotic patients using EEG event-related potentials during a demanding task involving selective attention. We compared group of 30 patients with liver cirrhosis without minimal or overt HE with education-, age- and sex-matched 29 non-cirrhotic controls. Both groups performed an attentional blink (AB) task, which requires detecting and identifying two target characters in a longer series of rapidly and sequentially presented characters. EEG signals from 32 electrodes were measured and then analyzed in the paradigm of event-related potentials (ERP). Though the groups did not differ in the detection rate of the target stimuli, ERP waveforms revealed two group differences of component amplitudes. The first difference was related to the waveform amplitude within the 200-400 ms after first target in the right frontal region (frontocentral N2 component). Moreover, in patient group this amplitude positively correlated with the blood plasma level of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. The second amplitude difference was observed in the midline parieto-occipital regions within the 400-600 ms after the first target (P3b component). The AB task and ERP analysis allowed to find differences in cortical functioning in cirrhotic patients even without overt cognitive deficits. Our finding demonstrates that liver dysfunction can influence cortical processing associated with detecting and categorizing stimulus change.

Cognitive evoked response potentials in patients with liver cirrhosis without diagnosis of minimal or overt hepatic encephalopathy. A pilot study.

Liver cirrhosis is often accompanied by cognitive deficits called minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) when it is observed to a moderate extent. In the present study, brain activity and cognitive functioning were examined in patients with liver cirrhosis without MHE or overt clinical hepatic encephalopathy. A battery of neuropsychological tests and event related potentials (ERPs) were used. Moreover, an additional n-back task was administered with two difficulty levels (1- and 2-back). This task was designed to engage cognitive processes of storage and manipulation of information in working memory. The participants have to decide whether the letter shown was the same as a target (congruence condition). No significant differences were found in the performance of either the neuropsychological tests or the n-back task. However, the expected effects of decreased performance as well as a decrease in P3 amplitude with difficulty level were identified. The interaction of group x congruence condition was also observed in the P2 component time window. These results may indicate group differences manifesting in early stages of information processing in working memory. It confirms that the patients whose neuropsychological performance is within the normal range can still reveal subtle changes in CNS functioning visible in ERP research. The study confirms the usability of the ERP method in diagnosis of neurocognitive functions in patients with liver cirrhosis, which seems to be more sensitive than neuropsychological tests.

Magnetic field anti-inflammatory effects in Crohn's disease depends upon viability and cytokine profile of the immune competent cells.

AIM: We investigated effects of pulsating electromagnetic field (PEMF-50 Hz, 45 +/- 5 mT) on viability and cytokine production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors and from Crohn's disease patients (CD). METHODS: The study was performed after activation of cells with phytohaemaglutinin (PHA) and lipopolisaccharide (LPS). Exposure of PBMC cultures to PEMF from both CD patients and from healthy donors decreased cell's viability of about 10% and 5% (p>0.05) respectively. PEMF influence was most effective after threefold application. Susceptibility of PBMCs to magnetic field exposure differs among the stimulated (PHA, LPS) and not stimulated (NS) cells. Mitogen activated cells during cell division are most susceptible to induction of the cell death as a result of magnetic interaction, contrary PEMF exposure has minimal effect on non-diving PBMCs from CD patients and from controls. Decreased viability of the Crohn derived cells upon magnetic stimulation was accompanied by altered cytokines profile. Exposed and stimulated PBMCs from Crohn patients decreased IFN-gamma proinflammatory and increased IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokine production. The electromagnetically induced cell death could be an important step for non-invasive PEMF treatment in chronic inflammatory diseases.

Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system activity is responsible for gastric myoelectric disturbances in the irritable bowel syndrome patients.

The pathogenesis of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is still unsolved. Lately most attention has been focused on visceral hypersensitivity related to dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the ANS activity and gastric motility in constipation-predominant IBS patients using the heart rate variability (HRV) and gastric myoelectric activity (EGG) recording. 23 patients (45+/-13 yrs) matching Manning criteria and 30 healthy volunteers (47+/-5 yrs) participated in the study. EGG and HRV in fasted and fed subjects with fasted serum catecholamine levels were measured in both groups. Fasting IBS pts showed gastric dysrrhythmia (29+/-14% vs. 11+/-7%), DP was 128.860 +/- 112.000 vs. 46.000+/- 23.200microV2, DF 2.37+/-0.8 vs. 2.9+/-0.2cpm. Feeding (300 kcal) improved dysrrhythmia to 20+/-13% vs. 8+/-5%, DP decreased to 74.500+/-57.720 vs. 165.600+/-89.000microV(2) and DF increased to 2.53+/-0.7 vs. 3.2+/-0.3cpm. In fasted and fed IBS pts SWC (channels 3-4) was about 60+/-11 vs. 84+/-8% and 68+/-14 vs. 92+/-8% respectively. In IBS pts resting HRV parameters were lower (LF - 650.3 vs. 811.6 ms2; HF - 508.8 vs. 854.6 ms2); with higher LF/HF ratio in IBS patients (1.52 vs. 1.2). The serum fasting level of adrenaline and noradrenaline in IBS pts were higher 1.28+/-0.06 vs. 0.65+/-0.05 nmol/L, and 3.54+/-1.2 vs. 2.89+/- 08 nmol/L, p<0.05 respectively. Increased sympathetic drive in IBS pts reflected by high catecholamine levels and LH/HF ratio is responsible for gastric dysrrhythmias and low DF and coupling. Meal has negligible effect on EGG parameters improvement. The ANS dysfunction observed in IBS patients is most probably responsible for disturbances in gastric myoelectric activity presented as gastric dysrrhythmias resulting in gastric emptying delay and dyspeptic symptoms.

Event-related cerebral potentials for the diagnosis of subclinical hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis.

PURPOSE: Subclinical hepatic encephalopathy (SHE) seems to be a common problem in liver cirrhosis, however, studies assessing the pathogenesis of this disease remain unclear. Currently no gold standard exists for the diagnosis of this complex neuropsychiatric syndrome. The present study was undertaken firstly to examine the diagnostic usefulness of auditory event-related cerebral potentials (ERPs) in the detection of SHE, and secondly to compare it with that of the most validated psychometric test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 22 patients with liver cirrhosis without overt hepatic encephalopathy and 28 healthy controls were studied, using auditory ERPs. In addition they underwent a battery of neuropsychological and laboratory tests. RESULTS: P300 latency analysis turned out that cirrhotics patients had significantly longer P300 latency than controls. The only neuropsychological test showing significant difference between clinical and control group was the similarities subtest of WAIS-R. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that ERPs are more sensitive method than psychometric tests in detecting early changes in the brain function of patients with cirrhosis and for this reason this neurophysiological method should be applied in clinical practice.

Optimal maintenance therapy in patients with non-erosive reflux disease reporting mild reflux symptoms--a pilot study.

PURPOSE: This pilot study aimed at finding trend for further investigation of the optimal maintenance therapy with lansoprazole in patients with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) suffering from mild symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients with diagnosed NERD reporting mild symptoms were included in the study. After successfully finishing a four-week treatment with lansoprazole (30 mg daily), the patients were randomized into three groups administered: 1--lansoprazole 30 mg "on-demand", 2--lansoprazole 15 mg daily, 3--lansoprazole 30 mg in four-week courses during a relapse. The intensity of symptoms was assessed with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at the baseline, as well after 4 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months of therapy. The general satisfaction of treatment was evaluated with the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) at the same time. RESULTS: At the baseline, the mean intensity of symptoms assessed by VAS was 2.8 +/- 1.0 points and fell to 0.4 +/- 0.5 points after a 4-week therapy. In Group 1, after 3, 6 and 12 months, it was 0.85 +/- 0.6, 1.0 +/- 0.8 and 1.0 +/- 0.8, in Group 2: 0.65 +/- 0.7, 0.65 +/- 0.7, 0.5 +/- 0.3, and in Group 3: 1.1 +/- 0.6, 1.55 +/- 0.7, 1.65 +/- 0.8 points, respectively. No significant differences were observed between Groups 1 and 2. Intermittent therapy (Group 3) showed a significantly lower efficacy in comparison to other groups (p < 0.05). "On-demand" therapy was 30% cheaper whereas intermittent therapy was 55% cheaper than the most expensive daily treatment. However, general satisfaction of treatment assessed by VRS was non-significantly different between any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with NERD and mild symptoms, both on-demand and daily treatment models of maintenance therapy showed a similar high efficacy, whereas intermittent therapy was significantly less effective. However, general satisfaction of each treatment options was high and non-significantly different between the groups. Due to a pilot character of this study further investigation based on a larger number of patients is necessary to confirm the clinical value of cheaper models of maintenance therapy which could be then recommended as more cost-effective.

[Myoelectric activity of the stomach and esophageal pH changes in reflux disease]. / Aktywnosc mioelektryczna zoladka a zmiany pH w przelyku w chorobie refluksowej.

UNLABELLED: The oesophageal inflammation during gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) has been considered to be an acid and pepsine related disorder. The oesophagus remains under the prolonged exposure of gastric acid, which damages the mucosa and causes an esophagitis. Amongst the most important pathogenetic factors of GERD, the delayed gastric emptying and transient episodes of low esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation have been described. The examinations like electrogastrography (EGG) and 24-hours pH-metry are useful for the evaluation of these disturbances. AIM: The aim of the study was to confirm the co-existence among the abnormal gastric myoelectric activity and the esophageal pH changes in patients with GERD. METHODS: Ten patients (8 m., 2 f.) 20-61 years of age (mean 46 +/- 15.3 years) with GERD were examined. The EGG recording lasted one hour: 30 min. in fasting state and 30 min. after a standard meal. The 24-hours pH-metry measurement, five cm above the upper edge of LES, was done on separate days. A control group, matched for number and age, for the comparison of the EGG recording, was recruited. RESULTS: Amongst the patients suffering from GERD the results of fasting EGG showed the lower normogastria (mean 45.3 +/- 21.9% vs. 86.5 +/- 8.8%: p < 0.01) and the high dysrrhytmia time period (mean 54.7 +/- 21.9% vs. 13.5 +/- 9.6%: p < 0.01), than in the control group. After the meal, the dysrrhytmia persisted (mean 43.5 +/- 24.3% vs. 9.6 +/- 11.5%: p < 0.01). The mean increase of the slow waves amplitude after the meal was 0 +/- 55% vs. 80 +/- 146%; p < 0.05. The recording of the 24-hours pH-metry showed an increase of the pH < 4 episodes number (mean 329 +/- 246) and time percentage (mean 12.2 +/- 6.6%). The patients obtained mean 65.5 +/- 61 points in the De Meester and Johnson scoring. A significant correlation among the postprandial dysrrhytmia and reflux episodes time percentages was observed (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our studies suggest the importance of the gastric myoelectric activity disturbances in pathogenesis of GERD.

[The diagnosis of subclinical hepatic encephalopathy]. / Rozpoznawanie subklinicznej encefalopatii watrobowej.

Subclinical hepatic encephalopathy, has been recognized in patients with cirrhosis, irrespectively of its etiology. Patients exhibit different cognitive deficits (in visual-spatial perception, attention, concentration, constructional ability, etc.), which are not detectable during standard neurological examination, but adversely affect daily functioning. The prevalence of this disorder among patients with cirrhosis is estimated to vary from 30 to 84% according to various studies. We presented the pathogenesis of subclinical hepatic encephalopathy. We discussed psychometric tests, which were the most important and sensitive diagnostic tools in this disorder. The significance of the abnormalities in the electrophysiological examination (EEG, visual evoked potentials, P300 wave, event-related potentials) and in computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, single photon emission computed tomography and proton-magnetic resonance spectroscopy were presented.

[Hemochromatosis--report of 2 cases]. / Hemochromatoza--opis 2 przypadków.

Hereditary hemochromatosis is an iron metabolism disorder known for a century, leading to iron overload and dysfunction of the major organs of the body. Early diagnosis and treatment result in a normal life expectancy. Authors present a report of two cases (the father and his son) in early stadium of the disease.

Telomerase activity in melanocytic lesions: A potential marker of tumor biology.

Telomerase activation, being a cardinal requirement for immortalization, is a crucial step in the development of malignancy. With a view toward diagnostic and biological aspects in melanocytic neoplasia, we investigated the relative levels of telomerase activity in 72 nevi and 16 malignant melanomas by means of a modified telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay, including an internal amplification standard. We further compared telomerase activity with the expression of two different proliferation-specific proteins, Ki-67 and repp86, a protein expressed exclusively in the cell cycle phases S, G2, and M. Telomerase activity was associated with the overall growth fraction (Ki-67) but showed a closer correlation with the expression of repp86. Both telomerase activity and proliferation indices discriminated clearly between malignant melanomas and nevi, but not between common and dysplastic nevi. Nonetheless, a portion of nevi exhibited markedly elevated telomerase activity levels without proportionally increased proliferation. This was independent of discernible morphological changes. Clinicopathological correlations showed an association between high telomerase activity and early metastatic spread in melanomas, linking telomerase to tumor biology. Our results provide arguments in favor of an occasional progression from nevi to melanomas and imply that proliferation measurements in combination with telomerase assays may help to elicit early malignant transformation that is undetectable by conventional morphology.

Metabolic activity of neutrophils in patients suffering from chronic viral hepatitis.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the functional state of peripheral blood neutrophils in patients with chronic active viral hepatitis. Twenty-six patients with HBV, HCV or CMV in different clinical status were included in the analysis. In the study, the number of leukocytes and neutrophils was determined. The metabolic activity of neutrophils was examined in NBT reduction tests i.e. spontaneous (NBTsp) test and the one stimulated with LPS E. coli (NBTst). The results were analysed in relation to disease advancement and the type of viral infection. The data obtained from the affected patients were compared with the results from 46 healthy subjects. Most patients displayed neutropenia. It was found that the number of NBT positive cells and the coefficient of neutrophil metabolic activity (CNMA) in NBT sp test were highly significantly increased. The majority of patients had reduced values in NBTst test, which suggested lack of response to LPS E. coli by neutrophils. These findings may reflect the state of inflammation in the body. NBT reduction tests may be useful in monitoring metabolic activity of neutrophils in patients with chronic active viral hepatitis.

[Interleukin-13 in the nasal lavage of pollinosis patients after specific intranasal challenge]. / Interleukina-13 w popluczynach nosa chorych na pylkowice po swoistej prowokacji donosowej.

The unique properties of interleukin-13 have drawn the attention of investigators to its role in atopic diseases and in the mechanism of specific immunotherapy. The aim of this paper was to determine whether the presence of interleukin-13 will, apart from interleukina-4, be found in the nasal lavage after specific challenge and if the levels of these cytokines will differ. The studies included 13 patients in whom grass and rye pollen allergy was confirmed by the case history, skin tests and the presence of specific IgE in the blood serum. In all these persons active anterior rhinomanometry and than specific challenge with gradually increasing concentrations of the grass pollen allergen were performed before the season. At the end of these challenge, nasal lavage was done and the lavage fluid was preparated for determination of IL-4 and IL-13. Both cytokines were found to be present in the nasal lavage and in 6 patients the IL-13 concentration was higher than that of IL-4. Three of these patients had been previously hyposensitized. Although the results presented here are preliminary, they may provide inspiration four further investigations of the role of IL-13 in the specific immunotherapy in pollinosis patients.

[The influence of ursodeoxycholic acid on some biochemical, immunologic and histopathologic parameters in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis]. / Wplyw kwasu ursodezoksycholowego na niektóre parametry biochemiczne, immunologiczne oraz obraz histopatologiczny u chorych z pierwotna zólciowa marskoscia watroby.

UNLABELLED: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic, inflammatory disease, which affects the small and medium size bile ducts and is characterized by chronic cholestasis. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), that had earlier been used in treatment of cholesterol cholelithiasis, was introduced to pharmacotherapy of PBC 10 years ago. Our study was carried out in 30 patients, who were suffering from PBC and were treated at Department of Gastroenterology, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University in Cracow. Beside the routine biochemical and enzymatic tests all patients had the level of immunoglobulin checked and selected ones acute phase protein. The percutaneous liver biopsy was carried out in each case; the morphological changes were classified according to Ludwig scale. All above tests were carried out before implementing UDCA as well as after one year from the beginning of the treatment. The group of patients is still closely monitored. CONCLUSIONS: 1. By using the UDCA in treatment of PBC biochemical parameters of cholestasis improved, also in some cases the inflammatory reaction decreased; 2. UDCA used in monotherapy had no influence on the process of fibrosis.

[Primary sclerosing cholangitis--tests with ubiquitin treatment. Case report]. / Pierwotne twardniejace zapalenie dróg zólciowych--próby leczenia ubikwityna. Opis przypadku.

Treatment of chronic liver disease, including primary sclerosing cholangitis (CSP) is a difficult and still not fully solved problem. Both monotherapy and combined pharmacological therapy have shown little effect in inhibiting the disease process and preventing complications. The objectives of ubiquitin biotherapy were restitution of the immune system and inhibition of the disease process along with the stimulation of regenerative processes of the liver. In 1994 in Gastroenterological Clinic attempts at ubiquitin biotherapy were made with the use of thymus extract (TFX-JELFA ini.), which proved to be the ubiquitin preparation that was not only active in the immune system but also played a significant role in regenerative and adjuvant processes. It has been shown that ubiquitins play an essential role in proteolysis of proteins, their intracellular elimination and in the apoptosis. The early results of the clinical observations and laboratory tests indicate a gradual improvement and inhibition of the disease process the patient with CSP.

The effects of a new generation of H1 antihistamines (cetirizine and loratadine) on histamine release and the bronchial response to histamine in atopic patients.

The effects of two selective H1 receptor blockers, cetirizine and loratadine, in comparison with placebo, on basophil histamine release and the bronchial response to histamine were assessed. The studies were performed in a group of 18 patients with pollinosis and 22 with atopic asthma. Both tests were performed before and after medication. Histamine release from isolated basophils was evaluated by Shore's method using anti-IgE and pollen antigen as stimulants. The bronchial provocation tests were performed by Ryan's method. The results were expressed as PC20FEV1. It was shown that both drugs significantly inhibited basophil histamine release induced by anti-igE or specific allergen. It was also found that these drugs effectively reduced the bronchial response to histamine challenge. These findings confirm the beneficial clinical effect of a new generation of selective H1 blockers in the treatment of IgE-mediated allergic diseases, and also the possible role of these drugs in the therapy of atopic asthma.

[An immunologic evaluation of Polish pollen extract Catalet "C" and Catalet "D" in patients with pollinosis]. / Immunologiczna ocena polskich preparatów alergenowych Catalet "C" i Catalet "D" u chorych na pylkowice.

In a group of 41 hay fever and/or seasonal asthma patients, sensitive to weed or tree pollens the influence of specific immunotherapy (sIT) on the level of IgE, specific IgE and IgG4, and HR induced by anti-IgE and specific allergens was evaluated. It was shown that both allergenic extracts, Catalet C and Catalet D, are really immunogenic, which is manifested in a decrease in specific IgE and in a marked increase in specific IgG4, after 2 years of sIT. In comparison with the placebo, the sensitivity of blood basophils to both specific allergens and non-specific factors significantly decreased.

[Efficacy and tolerance of allergenic extracts Allergovit and Novo-Helisen depot in immunotherapy of allergic diseases]. / Skutecznosc i tolerancja preparatów alergenowych Allergovit i Novo-Helisen depot w immunoterapii chorób alergicznych.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, tolerance and immunogenity of allergenic extracts: Allergovit and Novo-Hellisen depot (produced by Allergopharma--Germany), used for sIT in pollinosis and house dust mite allergy. The treatment was carried out on 40 patients for three years. The evaluation included the results of a physical examination, the score of symptoms from self-observations and the consumption of antiallergic medicines. In addition to the serum IgE and IgG4 the percentage of histamine, liberated by a-IgE and specific allergens, from peripheral blood basophils was determined. In some of patients treated with Novo-Helisen depot the specific and nonspecific bronchial challenge tests were made. It was shown that the allergenic extracts Allergovit and Novo-Helisen depot are effective in treatment of pollinosis and house dust mite allergy, and are well tolerated by the patients. The changes in humoral response during sIT manifest their immunogenity. The sIT with Allergovit decreases the sensitivity of the peripheral blood basophils, whereas the treatment with Novo-Helisen depot causes a diminution of bronchial specific and nonspecific reactivity and a negativisation of late allergic reaction.

[Value of a specific bronchial provocation test in comparison with other methods in diagnosis of atopic bronchial asthma]. / Wartosc swoistego testu prowokacji oskrzelowej w porównaniu z innymi metodami stosowanymi w diagnostyce atopowej dychawicy oskrzelowej.

The aim of this study was to determine the relation between specific Bronchial Provocation Test (sBPT), the serum specific IgE level (sIgE) and specific basophil histamine release (Dpt HR) in asthma patients, sensitive to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt). The studies were carried out on 30 mild asthma patients with positive case history and strongly positive skin tests with Dpt. In all the patients were performed following tests: BPT with histamine, serum specific IgE level against Dpt (sIgE Dpt), spontaneous basophil HR (spHR), anti-IgE depended basophil HR (aIgE HR), Dpt depended basophil HR (Dpt HR), sBPT with Dpt (sBPT Dpt). The positive results of sBPT Dpt were observed in 27 patients. Twenty six of them had the early¿ asthmatic response (EAR) at least, 19--dual asthmatic response (EAR and LAR) and isolated late asthmatic response (LAR) demonstrated only one patient. The correlation coefficient (r) between sIgE and Dpt HR was 0.4 p < 0.04, between sIgE and sBPT Dpt r = -0.4, p < 0.03, and between sBPT Dpt and Dpt HR r = -0.37, p < 0.05. The results showed a significant correlation between sIgE and Dpt HR, sIgE and sBPT Dpt, sBPT Dpt and Dpt HR and these tests appear to be of value in casual diagnosis of allergic bronchial asthma, but only sBPT makes possible to observe LAR.

[Selected clinical and laboratory tests during specific immunotherapy of patients hypersensitive to insect bites]. / Wybrane badania kliniczne i laboratoryjne w przebiegu swoistej immunoterapii chorych uczulonych na jad owadów zadlacych.

The study aimed at determining selected immunologic parameters of the cellular histamine secretion and skin reactivity in the group of 9 patients hypersensitive to insect poison with effective immunotherapy following 2 years of maintenance treatment. It has been shown that the continuation of the specific immunotherapy for 2 years maintains and even increases favourable changes in humoral and cellular immunity induced already in the early phase of desensitization. An assay of the specific IgE and IgG4, cellular histamine secretion, and skin reactivity is of value in monitoring specific allergy to insect poison immunotherapy.

[The effect of loratadine on skin and bronchial reactivity and histamine liberation from basophils in patients with atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis]. / Wplyw loratadyny na reaktywnosc skóry i oskrzeli oraz na uwalnianie histaminy z granulocytów zasadochlonnych u chorych na atopowa dychawice oskrzelowa i alergiczny niezyt nosa.

The effect of the therapy with Loratadine on skin and bronchial reactivity to histamine and on a specific histamine release from isolated basophils of allergic patients was assessed. The studies were carried out on a 34 patients (23 with pollen rhinitis and 11 with a mild bronchial asthma). The effect loratadine versus placebo on the skin reactivity to histamine was measured in patients suffering from pollen rhinitis. Outside the pollen season in 12 patients from the above group a histamine release from isolated basophils was evaluated by Shore method, using a-IgE and pollen allergen as liberators, before and after 4 days therapy with loratadine. In the group of the 11 asthmatic patients the effect of the single dose of 10 mg Loratadine on spirometric parameters and on a bronchial response to histamine was studied. The Bronchial Provocation Test with histamine was performed by the Ryan's method. The results were expressed as PC20 FEV1. It was shown that loratadine statistically significant limited of the skin reactivity to histamine and specific histamine release from basophils. The one tablet of Loratadine have not changed of spirometric parameters in the patients with mild asthma, but statistically significant reduced their bronchial response to histamine.