[Increased percentage of "double phenotype" form T lymphocytes in blood of patients with multiple sclerosis]. / Zwiekszona wartosc odsetkowa "podwójnie dodatniej" formy fenotypowej limfocytów T we krwi chorych na SM.

We studied the percentage of double positive (CD4+CD8+) form of T-cells in a group (total 77) multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, measured by means of monoclonal antibodies anti-CD3, CD4/FITC, CD8/RPE and flow cytometry FACScan (Becton Dickinson). In our study we have shown that the percentage of the double positive T cells is higher (p < 0.05) in the peripheral blood of patients with acute exacerbation of MS (n = 21), and in the course of chronic progressive MS (n = 27) comparing to MS remission (n = 29) and other neurological diseases (n = 25) groups. In the study we have shown that the percentage of double positive T-cells in peripheral blood depends mainly on disease activity.

[Platelets oxygen metabolism in women and men in different age groups]. / Metabolizm tlenowy krwinek plytkowych u kobiet i mezczyzn w róznym wieku.

The aim of the study as to assess the influence of the physiological aging process on the platelet cell metabolism in middle-aged people. A group of 17 healthy women (aged 47-59 years), and a group of healthy men (aged 45-60 years) were examined. The control group was composed of healthy women aged 19-25 years, and healthy men aged 19-27 years. The activity of hyperoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and the concentration of malonyldialdehyde were determined in platelets. In comparison to the control group, a significant decrease in the activity of hyperoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase as well as an enhanced concentration of malonyldialdehyde were observed in the group studied. Moreover, a diminished catalase activity was noted in platelets of men, while in women there were no significant changes. The study indicated that disorders in the function of thrombocytes, an excessive generation of oxygen free radicals, and impaired mechanisms of cellular antioxidative defence accelerate atherosclerosis and aging process. Therefore, it is necessary to cover middle-aged people, particularly those occupationally exposed to factors affecting defence mechanisms, with adequate preventive programmes.