Tissue level, distribution, and total body selenium content in healthy and diseased humans in Poland.

The authors obtained tissue samples taken at autopsy from 46 healthy individuals killed in accidents and from 75 corpses of victims of various diseases to analyze selenium levels. The per-weight-unit basis of selenium levels (all expressed as ng/gm wet tissue) in tissues decreased in the following order: kidney (469) > liver > spleen > pancreas > heart > brain > lung > bone > skeletal muscle (51). The highest proportion of body selenium was found in skeletal muscles (27.5%); much less selenium was found in bones (16%) and blood (10%). In the tissues of cancer corpses, the selenium levels were much lower than levels in controls. The lowest selenium levels were found in the livers of alcoholics. Tissue selenium levels found in the study were significantly lower than levels reported in Japan, United States, Canada, and other countries. The low selenium levels in the tissues of Polish residents result from inadequate selenium levels in the soil. The authors used selenium levels in tissues to calculate the amount of selenium in humans in Poland (i.e., approximately 5.2 mg). This level was similar to levels found in New Zealand (i.e., 3.0-6.1 mg), but it was lower than the mean level found in Germany (i.e., 6.6 mg) and in the United States (i.e., 13.0-20.3 mg).

Determination of paracetamol (acetaminophen) in different body fluids and organ samples after solid-phase extraction using HPLC and an immunological method.

A solid-phase extraction method routinely used for serum samples was improved and applied to the qualitative and quantitative determination of paracetamol in different body fluids, e.g. blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, vitreous humor, and in tissue samples. A very simple method showed best results: Body fluids were mixed with phenacetine as internal standard and phosphate buffer (pH 6.8). Then protein was precipitated using acetonitrile. After strong centrifugation the supematant was transferred to a preconditioned Bakerbond C18-SPE-column. Elution with methanol without a prior washing step showed best recovery rates. The extracts were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection, a photometrical and an immunochemical method.

[Post-mortem concentration of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) in the vitreous body of the human eye]. / Posmiertne stezenie tkankowego aktywatora plazminogenu (t-PA) i inhibitora aktywatora plazminogenu (PAI-1) w ciele szklistym oka ludzkiego.

UNLABELLED: After sudden death the blood remains fluid and after late death the thrombi are present in heart and vasa. Earlier we observed after sudden death high concentrations of t-PA Ag in plasma with strong activation of fibrinolysis, consumption of PAI-1, plasminogen, fibrinogen, alfa-2 antiplasmin and a big increase of FDP. Fibrinolysis is mainly regulated by t-PA, u-PA and PAI-1. PURPOSE: The aim of our study was the evaluation of t-PA and PAI-1 in corpus vitreous and plasma of patients after sudden (26) and late death (12). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The concentration of t-PA Ag was measured with COA SET of Kabi Vitrum and the activity of PAI-1 with reagents of Biopool. RESULTS: In corpus vitreous the concentration of t-PA after sudden death was 3.65 +/- 1.83 ng/ml and after late death 1.93 +/- 1.63 ng/ml. The activity of PAI-1 was respectively 0.61 +/- 1.2 IU/ml and 2.25 +/- 3.30 IU/ml. After sudden death the concentration of t-PA was twice higher and PAI-1 three times lower as after late death. CONCLUSION: No dependence of t-PA concentration and the time after death could be observed.