[Leukotrienes B4 and C4 in cerebrospinal of patients with multiple sclerosis]. / Leukotrieny B4 i C4 w plynie mózgowo--rdzeniowym chorych na stwardnienie rozsiane.

Leukotrienes B4 and C4 have been assayed in CSF of 24 patients with the attacks or slowing-progressing course of multiple sclerosis, and in 23 patients with other noninflammatory diseases. Leukotrienes concentrations have been assayed with RIA technique with the use of commercially available kits manufactured by Amersham. Leukotrienes B4 and C4 levels in CSF of patients with multiple sclerosis have been 91.8 +/- 5.6, and 88.6 +/- 7.5 pg, and have been significantly higher than those in other neurological disorders (p < 0.01). Mean LTB4 and LTC4 levels have been significantly lower in patients with atherosclerotic dementia (69, 12.2 and 63, 02.9 pg/ml) or in patients with headache (72.7 +/- 2.8 and 64.5 +/- 8.2 pg/ml). Higher LTB4 and LTC4 levels in patients with multiple sclerosis is probably due to both increased penetration through blood-brain barrier and their synthesis in blood-brain barrier, and cerebral nervous tissue. Further investigations are necessary to show whether LTB4 and LTC4 levels may indicate a stage of inflammatory process activity and enable to draw any conclusions on efficacy of anti-inflammatory therapy.

[Serum lipid peroxides in alcoholic patients]. / Nadtlenki lipidów w surowicy osób uzaleznionych od alkoholu.

The study presents the estimations of serum lipid peroxide (LPx) concentrations in alcoholic patients during acute ethanol intoxication and in abstinence period. The increase of lipid metabolism in alcoholic drunkenness suggests that LPx plays marked role in this turnover.

[Leukotrienes in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis]. / Leukotrieny w plynie mózgowo-rdzeniowym chorych na podostre stwardniajace zapalenie mózgu.

In the cerebrospinal fluid of two groups of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), the determinations of LTB4 and LTC4 leukotriene concentrations were performed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). In the first group of 10 patients with chronic SSPE (from 2 to 11 years), the LTB4 and LTC4 levels were 94.8 +/- 17.0 and 97.4 +/- 16.8 pg/ml respectively, and were significantly higher than those in six patients with discopathy, epilepsy and headache (p < 0.01). In the second group of 10 patients with beginning SSPE (disease duration from 1 to 11 months) LTB4 level was lower (was not different from that in the control group), while LTC4 concentration was 97.6 +/- 10.8 pg/ml and again was significantly raised. Higher LTB4 and LTC4 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with SSPE indicate that these compounds participate in chronic inflammatory reaction around cerebral veins.

[Evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid proteins in patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)]. / Ocena bialek plynu mózgowo-rdzeniowego u chorych na podostre stwardniejace zapalenie mózgu (SSPE).

CSF proteins of 62 patients with SSPE aged 6 to 26 years were analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The total IgG concentration in the CSF was increased to 16.8 +/- 10 mg/dl and the IgG index was raised to from 2.7 +/- 0.5 to 3.6 +/- 3.0. All SSPE patients had pathological subfractions gamma 4 and gamma 5. The per cent proportion of the gamma 1 subfraction was raised only in the youngest patients. A tendency was observed for higher values of the prealbumin:albumin index and the prealbumin: transferrin index. The youngest SSPE patients had a tendency for greater total protein concentration, lower prealbumin concentration, and highest IgG index values (3.6 +/- 3.0). In early disease period a tendency was noted for higher concentration of total protein, higher total IgG level and higher IgG index. These results suggest that SSPE patients have a constant stimulation of B-cells and variable increase of blood-brain barrier permeability.

[Lipid peroxides in the sera of patients with multiple sclerosis]. / Nadtlenki lipidów w surowicy chorych na stwardnienie rozsiane.

Serum lipid peroxides (LPX) were determined in 24 patients with multiple sclerosis and in 30 healthy controls. Patients with relapses or chronic progression had significantly higher serum LPX level than healthy controls: mean 3.09 +/- 0.15 nmol/ml versus 2.30 nmol/ml, p less than 0.01. Relapsing-remitting patients showed slightly higher LPX level than slowly progressive patients. It is supposed that lipid peroxides are unspecific mediators of the inflammatory reaction in multiple sclerosis.

[Serum levels of lipid peroxides in alcoholics]. / Nadtlenki lipidów w surowicy osób uzaleznionych od alkoholu.

Serum lipid peroxidases (LPx) concentration was assayed in the following groups: 25 patients with diagnosis of acute alcohol intoxication, 20 patients during alcohol abstinence and 30 healthy control individuals. In 25 patients the assessments were carried out twice: before and on the 3-7 day of detoxification. The serum LPx had been significantly higher in all patients during the acute intoxication period (4.33 +/- 0.20 nmol/l; p less than 0.01). In 38% of them the LPx concentration was falling down after detoxication. There were no difference in LPx concentration between the group of abstinents and the healthy controls. The results point to dependence between clinical state of alcoholics and serum LPx level.

[Free fatty acids in the serum of patients with alcoholism]. / Wolne kwasy tluszczowe w surowicy osób uzaleznionych od alkoholu.

Blood free fatty acids and their composition were investigated in 25 alcohol abusers hospitalized for detoxication. Blood samples were collected at the admission to the hospital and following detoxication therapy. Free fatty acids were assayed with Dole's technique whereas their composition with gas chromatography. Liver functioning was evaluated with the aid of the following tests: AspAT, AlAT, AP, bilirubin concentration, and thymol test. An increase in free fatty acids concentration was seen in 12 out of 25 patients prior to detoxication. Blood serum free fatty acids were within normal limits in all except one patient after detoxication. A decrease in linoleic acid levels was seen in both total fatty acids and free fatty acids before detoxication. It is more marked in total fatty acids than in free fatty acids and persists after detoxication. Linoleic acid content in free fatty acids returns to the normal values following detoxication. An increase in oleic acid level accompanying a decrease in linoleic acid concentration is probably secondary to the stimulation with hydrogen excess formed during alcohol fermentation.

[The HDL cholesterol level in patients treated with antiepileptic drugs]. / Cholesterol HDL (lipoprotein wysokiej gestosci) u pacjentów leczonych lekami przeciwpadaczkowymi.

Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and HDL2 and HDL3 cholesterol were estimated in individuals undergoing anticonvulsant therapy. Significantly higher, than in the corresponding control groups HDL concentration, concerning mainly HDL2 subfraction was found in female epileptic and in male alcoholic epileptic patients. It was observed that higher drug levels were accompanied by higher HDL cholesterol values. In alcohol addicted subjects undergoing anticonvulsant therapy low-nontherapeutic serum drug concentration was often observed. In spite of this, HDL levels were high. This could result from an additional induction of cytochrome P-450 caused by alcohol and an accelerated oxidation of the drugs. This observation indicates that frequent control of drug concentration in these patients is desirable.

[Gamma globulin subfractions and immunoglobulin G in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and other diseases of the nervous system]. / Podfrakcja gamma-globulin i immunoglobulina G w plynie mózgowo-rdzeniowym chorych na stwardnienie rozsiane, podostre stwardniajace zapalenie mózgu i inne choroby ukladu nerwowego.

CSF samples were obtained from 22 patients with multiple sclerosis, 14 patients with subacute sclerosis panencephalitis, and 10 with neuroses or headaches. Most samples were investigated simultaneously by a sensitive method of electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel (PE) and radial immunodiffusion (RID). The absolute IgG concentration was in multiple sclerosis 6.8 +/- 3.3 mg/100 ml, and in SSPE 21.4 +/- 16.8 mg/100 ml and it was higher than in control subjects (p less than 0.01). In 84% of MS patients the Bauer index (IgG: total protein) was raised, 72% had relatively raised subfractions gamma 2-gamma 3 in PE, 64% had higher absolute concentration of GG (0.045 g/l or more) and 63% had increased proportion of one of gammaglobulin subfractions (over 4%). Of positive diagnostic importance was a rise of the IgG: total protein index, since 7 patients with SM (31%) with normal per cent gammaglobulin level (less than or equal to 13%) had an evident rise of this index. Raised value of the index IgG: total protein (greater than or equal to 10%) was observed also in 100% of SSPE cases, while in 92% the proportional value of one of gamma globulin subfractions was increased (over 4%), in 92% the subfractions gamma 3-gamma 4 were increased, in 85-86% of patients the relative (over 13%) and absolute (0.045 g/l or more) levels of gammaglobulins were increased. The index beta/gamma in MS and SSPE was 0.85 and 0.57 respectively, and was significantly lower than in patients with headaches. The authors discuss the diagnostic value of these findings.

[Evaluation of the biological availability of 2 carbamazepine preparations]. / Ocena dostepnosci biologicznej dwu preparatów karbamazepiny.

The biological availability was determined of two carbamazepine preparations: Amizepin POLFA and Tegretol GEIGY in tablets. The study was carried out in 10 patients giving them the drug in doses of 400 mg by the crossover method at an interval of 3 weeks. The statistical analysis of the mean maximal values, mean times of reaching of maximal concentrations, and mean areas under the curve of serum carbamazepine concentration changes for both forms of the drug showed a comparable biological availability of Amizepin and Tegretol. The relative degree of bioavailability of Amizepin amounted to 98% of that of Tegretol. The values of pharmacokinetic parameters of both drugs were compared. The value of distribution volume was greater in the case of Tegretol, and the difference was statistically significant. No significant differences were found between the remaining calculated parameters.

[Effect of short-term administration of sunflower oil on the blood serum level of linoleic and arachidonic acids and lipids in multiple sclerosis]. / Wplyw krótkotrwalego podawania oleju slonecznikowego na poziom kwasów linolowego i arachidonowego oraz lipidów w surowicy krwi chorych ze stwardnieniem rozsianym.

Patients with multiple sclerosis had an oral load of sunflower seed oil in daily doses of 40 g during five days. This daily doses contained 27 g of linoleic acid (LA). Prior and after diet supplementation with sunflower seed oil the levels of linoleic and arachidonic acids were determined in the serum of patients. The values were expressed as relative percentages of total fatty acids. Before addition of sunflower oil to the diet the serum levels of linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA) were in these patients significantly lower than in controls amounting to 17.0% and 1.05% (p less than 0.001). After addition of sunflower oil the levels of LA and AA rose to 32.7% and 3.02%. The concentration of total lipids and non-esterified fatty acids in the serum increased also significantly after addition of sunflower oil. Determinations of LA and AA 10 days after withdrawal of sunflower oil showed that their levels were 23.7% and 1.95% respectively. In 2 patients addition of sunflower oil only slightly changed the very low serum LA level. These results indicate that LA and AA deficiency in patients with multiple sclerosis has the character of a non-specific dietary deficiency mainly, although the role of genetic factors controlling the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids cannot be ruled out.

[Cerebrospinal fluid prostaglandins in multiple sclerosis. Preliminary report]. / Prostaglandyny w plynie mózgowo-rdzeniowym u chorych na stwardnienie rozsiane. Doniesienie wstepne.

In 14 patients with multiple sclerosis exacerbations, in 7 with slowly progressive or stationary disease, and 5 patients with intervertebral disc prolapse the levels of total prostaglandins (PGs) were determined in the cerebrospinal fluid. The determinations were done by bioassay according to Ferreira and Vane. In multiple sclerosis patients the level of total PGs was significantly higher in the cerebrospinal fluid (286 +/- 20.3 pg/ml) than in patients with disc prolapse (142 +/- 7.7 pg/ml) (p less than 0.01). This rise in this level might be due to increased synthesis of PGs by activated macrophages, lymphocytes and neutrophils or to increased hypothalamic response to stress.