Do toxic heavy metals affect antioxidant defense mechanisms in humans?

The aim of this study was to prove whether anthropogenic pollution affects antioxidant defense mechanisms such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, ferritin (FRT) concentration and total antioxidant status (TAS) in human serum. The study area involves polluted and salted environment (Kujawy region; northern-middle Poland) and Tuchola Forestry (unpolluted control area). We investigated 79 blood samples of volunteers from polluted area and 82 from the control in 2008 and 2009. Lead, cadmium and iron concentrations were measured in whole blood by the ICP-MS method. SOD and CAT activities were measured in serum using SOD and CAT Assay Kits by the standardized colorimetric method. Serum TAS was measured spectrophotometrically by the modified Benzie and Strain (1996) method and FRT concentration-by the immunonefelometric method. Pb and Cd levels and SOD activity were higher in volunteers from polluted area as compared with those from the control (0.0236 mg l(-1) vs. 0.014 mg l(-1); 0.0008 mg l(-1) vs. 0.0005 mg l(-1); 0.137 Um l(-1) vs. 0.055 Um l(-1), respectively). Fe level, CAT activity and TAS were lower in serum of volunteers from polluted area (0.442 g l(-1) vs. 0.476 gl(-1); 3.336 nmol min(-1)ml(-1) vs. 6.017 nmol min(-1)ml(-1); 0.731 Trolox-equivalents vs. 0.936 Trolox-equivalents, respectively), whilst differences in FRT concentration were not significant (66.109 µg l(-1) vs. 37.667 µg l(-1), p=0.3972). Positive correlations between Pb (r=0.206), Cd (r=0.602) and SOD in the inhabitants of polluted area, and between Cd and SOD in the control (r=0.639) were shown. In volunteers from both studied environments TAS-FRT (polluted: r=0.625 vs. control: r=0.837) and Fe-FRT (polluted area: r=0.831 vs. control: r=0.407) correlations, and Pb-FRT (r=0.360) and Pb-TAS (r=0.283) in the control were stated. The higher lead and cadmium concentrations in blood cause an increase of SOD activity. It suggests that this is one of the defense mechanisms of an organism against oxidative stress caused by environmental factors, whilst non-enzymatic mechanisms marked by TAS are the main antioxidant defense system in relation with Pb concentration in humans from unpolluted area. Simultaneously, the higher CAT activity and TAS can indicate that these mechanisms play a key role in the antioxidant protection in non-stressed environments.

The Impact of Sex and Age on Serum Prohepcidin Concentration in Healthy Adults.

INTRODUCTION: Within the last 8 years, it has become evident that hepcidin has a diagnostic and therapeutic potential. Therefore, it is a great need to establish the reference interval for hepcidin and its precursor. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of age and sex on serum prohepcidin concentration in healthy adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 100 healthy volunteers were enrolled during the 18 months of the study - 56 males and 44 females, mean age 34.8±10.1 yrs. Serum prohepcidin, ferritin, soluble transferring receptor (sTfR) and plasma erythropoietin were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Serum iron and unsaturated iron binding capacity were determined on ARCHITECT ci8200 (Abbott Diagnostics) according to the manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: Serum prohepcidin concentrations ranged from 74.9 ng/ml to 300.4 ng/ml in healthy adults of both sexes. However, prohepcidin levels were significantly higher in males (median value 145.7 ng/ml) than in females (median 127.3 ng/ml) (p=0.0016). Serum prohepcidin was not associated with age in the group of healthy adults. CONCLUSIONS: Serum prohepcidin concentrations were found to be related to sex. Significantly lower prohepcidin levels were observed in females compared with males.

Combined periprocedural evaluation of CRP and TNF-alpha enhances the prediction of clinical restenosis and major adverse cardiac events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions.

To assess the value of serial C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) evaluation in the risk stratification in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The study was designed as a prospective cohort trial with a 1-year follow-up. Eighty patients (70 with stable angina, 10 with unstable angina) were enrolled. Blood samples were collected before the procedure and after 6 and 24 h, and 1 month. Clinical follow-up visits were performed (*with exercise test) 7 days* and 1*, 3, 6* and 12 months after the procedure. Any symptoms of restenosis were verified angiographically. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified increased preprocedural TNF-alpha and CRP levels and elevated CRP concentrations evaluated 24 h after the procedure as significant predictors of both clinical restenosis and major adverse cardiac events (MACE), while high SAA values at 24 h accurately predicted clinical restenosis. Patients, who were in the highest tertile of, either, baseline TNF-alpha and/or baseline CRP/CRP at 24 h, were more prone to develop restenosis and MACE than stratified only on the basis of a single marker. Our data indicate that combined analysis of CRP and TNF-alpha might be an effective approach to the clinical restenosis and MACE prediction. Additionally, long-term outcome is markedly influenced by the periprocedural activation of inflammation.

[Activation of fibrynolysis in children with chronic B or C hepatitis]. / Aktywacja ukladu fibrynolizy u dzieci chorych na przewlekle wirusowe zapalenie watroby typu B lub typu C.

UNLABELLED: Fibrinolysis is involved in numerous systemic processes, including inflammation and tissue remodeling. Up to date researchers focused on hemostasis problems in patients with cirrhosis. There are little data about fibrynolysis in patient with chronic viral hepatitis. The aim of the study was to evaluate selected fibrinolytic parameters in children with chronic B or C hepatitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 98 children aged 4 to 17 years (27F, 71M) with histopatologically confirmed chronic B or C hepatitis were included in the study. The control group consisted of 51 children median aged 12.5 years (25F, 26M) on strict gluten-free diet at least 5 years because of coeliac disease. In platelet-poor plasma obtained from all children selected fibrinolytic parameters were determined: fibrinogen level (Hemolab Fibrinomat bioMerieux S.A.), plasminogen activity (Berichrom-Plasminogen Behring), tissue plasminogen activator antigen level (t-PA) (Imulyse t-PA Biopool), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 level (PAI-1) (Imulyse PAI-1 Biopool), plasmin-alpha2-antiplasmin complex level (PAP) (Enzygnost PAP micro) oraz D-dimer level (Vidas D-Dimer bioMérieux S.A.). RESULTS: In children with chronic viral hepatitis statistically significant lower fibrinogen level (p<0.03) and PAI-1 level (p<0.0001) and higher t-PA level (p<0.0001) in comparison to control group were found. In children with chronic B hepatitis significant lower PAI-1 level (p<0.0001) and higher PAP level (p<0.0001) than in controls were observed. In children with chronic C hepatitis statistically significant lower PAI-1 level (p<0.0001) and fibrinogen level (p<0.005) and higher PAP level (p<0.0001) and t-PA level (p<0.03) were found. There were no differences in fibrinolytic parameters levels between children with B and C hepatitis. CONCLUSION: Activation of fibrinolysis, especially plasminogenesis seems to be present in children with chronic viral hepatitis independently on type of hepatotropic virus.

Antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae and haemostatic factors in acute coronary syndrome without ST segment elevation.

BACKGROUND: Various chronic infections, including Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae), are regarded as one of the possible factors which initiates, progresses and exacerbates atherosclerotic process. The relationship between C. pneumoniae infection and haemostatic factors which also may promote atherosclerosis, has not yet been established. AIM: To assess the relationship between C. pneumoniae-specific IgA and IgG serum antibodies and haemostatic factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: The study group consisted of 31 patients (17 males, mean age 62 years, and 14 females, mean age 60.6 years) with ACS and without ST segment elevation in whom antibodies to C. pneumoniae and such haemostatic factors as von Willebrand factor (vWF), thrombomodulin (TM), tissue plasmin activator (tPA), tPA inhibitor (PAI-1) and fibrinogen were measured. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with C. pneumoniae seropositivity was 35.4% in our study which is lower than that reported in literature. No significant relationship between vWF, TM, tPA and PAI-1 levels, and C. pneumoniae infection was found whereas a significant (p=0.05) relationship between C. pneumoniae-specific IgG antibodies and fibrinogen level was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Excluding fibrinogen, the presence of antibodies to C. pneumoniae is not associated with increased levels of haemostatic factors in patients with ACS without ST segment elevation.

Endothelial dysfunction in acute coronary syndrome without ST segment elevation in the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is one of the most common chronic infections in humans. While a causative relationship between H. pylori infection and several gastrointestinal disorders has been well established, the association between this condition and the development of atherosclerosis and coronary artery diseases (CAD) is less clear. AIM: To examine the relationship between H. pylori infection and endothelial function in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) without ST segment elevation. METHODS: The study group consisted of 31 patients (17 males aged 38-78 years and 14 females aged 45-80 years) with ACS and without ST segment elevation in whom we measured antibodies to H. pylori and haemostatic factors indicating endothelial function, such as von Willebrand factor (vWF), thrombomodulin (TM), tissue plasmin activator (tPA:Ag), tPA inhibitor (PAI-1:Ag) and fibrinogen. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with H. pylori seropositivity was 93.5%. No significant relationship between parameters of endothelial function and IgG antibodies to H. pylori were found. There was a significant association between antibodies to p54 protein and vWF (p=0.027) and between antibodies to p33 protein and PAI:Ag concentration (p=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the type of H. pylori antigens and antibodies to these antigens rather than the presence of IgG antibodies to H. pylori may play a role in the development of CAD.