[Effect of antioxidant therapy on indicators of free radical activity in workers at risk of lead exposure]. / Ovlivnení ukazatelu pusobení volných radikálu u pracovníku v riziku olova antioxidacní lécbou.

The authors administered to 36 workers exposed to lead, for four weeks the preparation Prolong which contains vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium, zinc and chromium and investigated the effect on indicators of free radicals. A statistically significant increase of the following occurred: superoxide dismutase (p < 0.001), glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.01), an increase of the total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.01) and an increase of uricaemia (p < 0.05). Based on these results the authors consider supplementation with antioxidants indicated in workers exposed to lead.

[Indicators of effects of free radicals in workers at risk of lead exposure]. / Ukazatelé pusobení volných radikálu u pracovníku v riziku olova.

The authors examined indicators of the action of free radicals in 40 workers exposed to the risk of lead (work with lead containing glazing and prints). The lead concentration in the atmosphere did not exceed the highest permissible concentrations and the biological exposure tests as regards lead exposure did not exceed the highest permissible limits. In the examined subjects the authors found a significantly elevated level of superoxide dismutase activity (p < 0.05) which suggests long-term increased peroxide formation. The correlation of the selenium concentration in blood and the period of lead exposure was at the borderline of statistical significance (p = 0.1159). Further investigations will be focused on subjects with symptoms of increased exposure to lead and lead intoxication where the probability of pathological findings is greater.

[Determination of free radical activity in workers at risk for styrene exposure]. / Stanovení úcinku volných radikálu u pracovnku v riziku styrenu.

The authors examined indicators of the effect of free radicals (MDA, SOD, GSHPx, selenium) in 38 workers exposed to styrene. They revealed a statistically significant (p < 0.01) correlation of SOD activity and the period of exposure to styrene and also a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.05) between urinary selenium excretion and the period of exposure to styrene as well as a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.01) between the MDA serum concentration and urinary selenium excretion. There is no statistically significant difference between the MDA plasma concentration among smokers and non-smokers, the SOD activity is significantly higher in non-smokers (p < 0.05). Based on the revealed findings the authors assume that free radicals may also play a part in the action of styrene on the organism.

[Free radial activity in patients with pneumoconioses]. / Sledování úcinku volných radikálu u nemocných s pneumokoniózou.

The authors examined indicators of the effect of free radicals (MDA, SOD, GSHPx, selenium) in 20 patients with notified simple silicosis or miner's pneumoconiosis, in 11 patients with complicated silicosis or miner's pneumoconiosis and in 10 patients exposed to fibrogenic dust without an X-ray finding of pneumoconiosis. No statistically significant differences between individual groups were found. Subsequent investigations should be focused on subjects with incipient pneumoconiosis who are not yet entitled to damages.