Lipid-bound sialic acid in alcoholics participates in increased level of total sialic acid.

Serum total sialic acid (TSA) concentration is a sensitive marker of excessive alcohol consumption and is the sum of protein-bound sialic acid, lipid-bound sialic acid (LSA), and free sialic acid. The LSA is the fraction of SA attached to gangliosides that are transported in the blood by the lipoproteins. In this article, the effect of chronic alcohol consumption on the serum levels of LSA was evaluated. The objective of the study was to understand the mechanism of elevated serum TSA concentration during alcohol abuse. Additionally, the association of LSA with serum lipid profile was tested. For this purpose, the levels of LSA, TSA, lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins (apos) in the sera of 106 alcoholics were measured. The serum level of LSA in alcohol abusers was significantly elevated. This increase was because of the elevated level of LSA in patients drinking alcohol up to 2 days before sampling. The elevated level of LSA positively correlated with TSA, and also with biochemical indices of hepatocellular injury such as aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase, but did not correlate with any lipids, apos, and lipoproteins. The increase in LSA level is not related with the status of serum lipid profile but is related to the liver status estimated by the biochemical markers of liver cell damage. On the basis of our results, we conclude that the elevated level of LSA in alcohol abusers contributes to an increase in the serum concentration of TSA, and contrary to TSA, is affected by the status of liver cells.

[The effect of chronic alcohol drinking on the total concentration of sialic acid and lipid-bound sialic acid]. / Wplyw przewleklej konsumpcji alkoholu na stezenie calkowite kwasu sjalowego oraz kwasu sjalowego zwiazanego z lipidami.

UNLABELLED: Chronic alcohol drinking markedly influence on the total level of sialic acid (TSA) and glycolipids in the blood. The diagnostics parameter that connects the evaluation of these both metabolites is sialic acid attached to glycolipids named lipid-bound sialic acid (LSA). THE AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate an effect of chronic alcohol consumption on the serum level of TSA and LSA taking into consideration the presence of hepatocellular injury proved by liver enzymes activity. Additionally, the diagnostic usefulness of serum TSA and LSA determination was compared with traditional markers of alcohol abuse and hepatocellular injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experimental group comprised 118 alcohol-dependent subjects. They were divided into 2 subgroups according to the liver enzymes activity. The diagnosis of dependency was made on the basis of ICD-10 criteria. The control group was consisted of 27 healthy social drinkers. LSA was measured according to the resorcinol method described by Katopodis and Stock, and TSA was assayed with a colorimetric enzymatic method. RESULTS: The TSA and LSA concentrations in the alcohol abuse patients were significantly higher than that of healthy controls. Taking into consideration the presence of hepatocellular injury, the concentration of LSA differs between subgroups with elevated and normal liver enzymes activity but the levels of TSA does not differ. The elevated level of LSA distinguish (ROC analysis) the patients with normal and elevated liver enzymes activity but the level of TSA does not. Diagnostic power of TSA and LSA determination in the sera of alcohol dependent patients was lower than that of AST and GGT. CONCLUSION: From this study we can conclude that TSA can be recognized to be a good test of alcohol abuse independent on the presence of hepatocellular injury but LSA indicated on the alcoholic hepatocellular injury.

[The effect of chronic alcohol abuse on the lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins concentrations in the sera]. / Wplyw przewleklego spozywania alkoholu na stezenie lipidów, lipoprotein i apolipoprotein we krwi.

UNLABELLED: Alcohol abuse causes changes in the lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins concentrations in the blood, which may be related to the risk of the development of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of alcohol abuse on the serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, high and low density lipoproteins, apolipoproteins AI and B, and lipoprotein (a), and to asses the risk of exposure to the cardiovascular diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out in 118 alcohol dependent patients, who were divided into the 7 subgroups according to various criteria: the amounts of weekly alcohol intake, the time of abstinence and the period of last drinking; and in 27 social drinkers men. RESULTS: In alcohol abuse patients, the levels of apo AI and HDL-Ch are increased, but of apo B, LDL-Ch and Lp(a)--decreased. The analysis of lipid markers according to the history of alcohol abuse showed that the levels of HDL-Ch and LDL-Ch were dependent on the amounts of weekly alcohol intake and the time of abstinence, while the apo AI, apo B and Lp(a) on the time of abstinence. The concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides did not significantly change. CONCLUSION: In alcohol abuse patients the concentrations of some lipid markers are changed. These alterations depend on the amounts of weekly alcohol intake, the time of abstinence and the period of last drinking. The concentrations of antiatherogenic markers are increased, but the atherogenic--decreased. The changes in the lipid markers of cardiovascular diseases risk, should not be treated as an explicity favourable, in alcohol abuse patients.

[The comparison of diagnostic usefulness of transferrin determination by immunological and chemical method in iron deficiency anemia]. / Porównanie przydatnosci diagnostycznej immunologicznej i chemicznej metody oznaczania stezenia transferyny w niedokristosci z powodu niedoboru zelaza.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of two methods of transferrin determination in iron-deficiency anemia (IDA): immunological and chemical based on the total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The examination was carried out in 60 women with IDA and 20 healthy controls. Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin concentration less than 120 g/l, ferritin level below 30 microg/l and clinical date. RESULTS: In female IDA the transferrin level measured by immunological method was significantly higher than that evaluated by chemical procedure. In control subjects the results were not significantly different. The serum transferrin concentration measured by these two methods correlated positively each other. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, efficiency, positive and negative predictive values were higher for immunological methods. The diagnostic accuracy of immunological methods (area under the curve - AUC) did not differ in comparison to the chemical methods when calculated from empirical coefficient (value 22.3). CONCLUSION: Calculation at the theoretical coefficient (value 25.0), the diagnostic accuracy of immunological method was higher than that of chemical. The good points of immunological methods of transferrin determination (direct, simplicity, higher precision, un-dependent on iron binding, higher sensitivity) should be taken into account for the introduction of this method for routine laboratory diagnostics instead of chemical methods based on total iron-binding capacity.

Relationship between serum sialic acid and sialylated glycoproteins in alcoholics.

AIMS: Total sialic acid (TSA) has been suggested as a marker for chronic alcohol abuse. It seems that the elevation of TSA during excessive alcohol consumption reflects the changes in sialylated glycoproteins in the sera. On the other hand, chronic ethanol consumption increases the desialylation rate of many serum glycoproteins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the total and free form of sialic acid levels (FSA), and the concentration of sialylated glycoproteins in alcoholics. METHODS: We determined the serum concentration of many glycoproteins (alpha1-antitrypsin, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, complement C3 protein, fibrinogen and immunoglobulin G) in a sample of 100 alcoholics and 30 healthy controls. Total sialic acid was determined by the enzymatic method and its free form by using a modification of the thiobarbituric acid method. RESULTS: Among alcoholics, we found increased concentrations of alpha1-antitrypsin and alpha1-acid glycoprotein but decreased levels of transferrin. The concentrations of TSA and FSA were significantly higher in alcoholics than in healthy controls. The tested glycoproteins, except for transferrin and immunoglobulin G, positively correlated with TSA and FSA. The correlations with TSA were higher than that with FSA. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic alcohol abuse alters the concentrations of some sialylated glycoproteins in the sera. The alpha1-antitrypsin, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, and transferrin are the only affected glycoproteins. The serum level of total and free form of sialic acid in the sera of alcoholics depends on the concentration of the most sialylated glycoproteins.

Serum free sialic acid as a marker of alcohol abuse.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that serum total sialic acid (TSA) concentration significantly increases during alcohol abuse. Chronic ethanol consumption impairs glycosylation of many proteins. The increased desialylation rate of serum glycoproteins is one of the effects of alcohol abuse. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of free sialic acid (FSA) as a marker of alcohol abuse. METHODS: We determined serum FSA concentrations in the group of 156 alcoholic subjects and 35 healthy control subjects by means of a modification of the thiobarbituric acid method. The alcoholic group was divided into subgroups according to their history of abuse. RESULTS: The FSA concentration was significantly higher in alcoholic subjects than in healthy controls. The subjects who consumed alcohol for longer than a week showed significantly higher FSA level than those who consumed alcohol for a shorter period. The serum FSA concentration was significantly higher in alcoholic subjects with elevated markers of liver dysfunction. The diagnostic accuracy of FSA was high, although it did not differ from TSA, and was limited by its low sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that FSA concentration in the sera of alcoholic subjects is increased. The low diagnostic sensitivity is accompanied by high specificity, however the accuracy is high and similar to the accuracy of TSA. Free sialic acid does not seem to be a better marker of alcohol abuse than TSA and current markers.

[The concentration of sialylated glycoproteins in the sera of alcohol dependent men]. / Stezenie sjalowanych glikoprotein w surowicy mezczyzn uzaleznionych od alkoholu.

UNLABELLED: Alcohol misuse impairs the glycosylation, secretion and metabolism of glycoproteins what may influence on their blood concentration. THE AIM OF THIS STUDY: To evaluate the effect of alcohol abuse on the level of sialylated glycoproteins such as: alpha1-antitripsin, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, complement C3 protein, immunoglobulin G and fibrinogen in the blood. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out in 156 alcohol dependent men, who were divided into 6 subgroups according to three criteria: the amounts of weekly alcohol intake, the time of abstinence before examination and the period of last drinking; and in 35 healthy social drinkers. The concentration of glycoproteins was measured using an immunoturbidimetric methods. RESULTS: There were changes in the serum levels of 3 from 8 tested glycoproteins in alcohol dependent men. The concentrations of alantitripsin and alpha1-acid glycoprotein were increased, but of transferrin - decreased. The analysis of glycoproteins according to the history of alcohol abuse showed that alpha1-acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin and complement C3 protein were sensitive to the amounts of weekly alcohol intake. The alpha1-antitripsin, as the only, was sensitive to the period of last drinking. None of the tested glycoproteins was sensitive to the time of abstinence before examination. CONCLUSION: Alcohol abuse leads to the alterations of sialylated glycoproteins concentrations in the blood, what is a proof of disturbances in their synthesis in the liver. The direction of these changes is typical of acute phase reaction. The quantitative alterations may accompany the qualitative changes in the form of glycosylation disturbances, what is documented by the increased concentration of low sialylated isoforms of transfferin.

[Outcome of immunosuppressive treatment of a patient with renal failure due to retroperitoneal fibrosis]. / Pomyslny wynik leczenia immunosupresyjnego chorego na niewydolnosc nerek w przebiegu zwlóknienia zaotrzewnowego.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is an uncommon disease of unclear aetiology. The review of the literature over the past 20 years revealed 160 published cases. Till now, no accepted diagnostic or therapeutic strategy exist. Most of patients diseases progress to end-stage renal failure without pharmacological treatment. In the paper we report a case of a 58-year old man admitted to the department of urology due to body mass loss, lower-back pain, vomiting, development of oliguria and anuria and intermittent claudication. On physical examination arterial hypertension (180/100 mm Hg), peripheral oedema, tenderness of the enlarged kidneys and lower limbs ischemia were found. Creatinine serum level (Pcr) was 232 micromol/l (2.69 mg/dl). On ultrasonography, symmetrical hydronephrosis and the existence of a hypoechogenic mass along of the aorta and below of renal arteries was found. The diagnosis of RPF was confirmed with MRI. Ureteral catheters were inserted with subsequent decompression of both kidneys and the patient was discharged from the hospital. Seven months later he still presented symptoms of lower limbs ischemia, arterial pressure was high and Per decreased to 138 micromol/l (1.55 mg/dl). The patient was admitted to the department of internal diseases. The treatment with prednisone at the dose of 40 mg/d during 6 weeks was introduced, and the dose was decreased gradually to 10 mg/d within 6 months. Simultaneously, the patient received intravenous therapy with cyclophosphamide 600 mg/infusion once monthly during 6 months. Two month after starting immunosuppressive treatment the intermittent claudication disappeared and after six months MRI examination demonstrated the regression of RPF. The ureteral catheters were removed. After 18 months of follow up, no recurrence of RPF is observed and the kidney function is normal.