[Fibrinolytic activity and tissue plasminogen activator level in healthy individuals prior to and after a ten-minute venous stasis]. / Aktywnosc fibrynolityczna oraz stezenie tkankowego aktywatora plazminogenu u osób zdrowych przed i po 10-minutowej stazie zylnej.

Fibrinolytic activity and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) level were measured in 33 healthy individuals prior to and after fibrinolytic system stimulation (i.e. a ten-minute venous stasis). Fibrinolytic activity was measured with the aid of euglobin lysis time, and lysis test on the fibrin plates (in own modification). Tissue plasminogen activator concentration was assayed spectrophotometrically with the COA-SET t-PA (Kabi Vitrum). No fibrinolytic activity of plasma specimens taken before the venous stasis was noted during fibrin lysis plate test whereas it was seen in 13 subjects after the venous stasis. Fibrinolytic activity of the plasma euglobins, measured as a surface on fibrin plates, increased significantly after the venous stasis in both sexes (by 35.5 mm2 on the average, i.e. by 51%). It was more marked in men than in women both prior to and after venous stasis (by 10.9% and 19.0%, respectively). A time of plasma euglobin lysis was shorter after venous stasis (by 110 minutes, on the average). There was no significant difference between the sexes. Tissue plasminogen activator concentration increased by 5.8 times (from 1.7 IU/ml to 9.9 IU/ml) after the stasis. Correlation between t-PA concentrations and fibrinolytic activity, measured on the fibrin plates, was highly positive. No such a correlation existed between t-PA concentrations and the time of euglobin lysis. The obtained results indicate variety of assessments of fibrinolytic system activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An improved immunomagnetic procedure for the isolation of highly purified human blood eosinophils.

A simple method is described for the isolation of human peripheral blood eosinophils by an immunomagnetic procedure. Superparamagnetic particles were coupled to a monoclonal antibody against CD16, a molecule present on neutrophils but not on eosinophils. A peripheral blood granulocyte preparation, containing neutrophils and eosinophils, was incubated with these anti-CD16 particles. In the magnetic field of a permanent magnet, magnetically labelled neutrophils were then retained on columns with a ferromagnetic matrix. By this negative selection procedure, eosinophils of 99.5% purity were obtained from normal individuals and 99.6% purity from patients with eczema. A comparison was made between the immunomagnetic method and eosinophil isolation after N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenyl-alanine treatment. Even in the case of individuals with very low eosinophil counts, the immunomagnetic method permits the efficient isolation of highly purified and functionally active eosinophils.

[Role of lipoprotein (a) in the development of atherosclerosis and formation of thrombi]. / Udzial lipoproteiny (a) w rozwoju miazdzycy i powstawaniu zakrzepów.

Lipoprotein (a)--a component of plasma lipoproteins is characterized by a high similarity to plasminogen. Epidemiological studies indicate, that increased lipoprotein (a) levels predispose to the atherosclerosis. Certain studies of fibrinolytic system indicate also, that lipoprotein (a) inhibits the activity of this system. These actions may explain its contribution to the development of the arterial thrombosis.

[Treatment of respiratory tract infections with pefloxacin]. / Leczenie stanów zapalnych ukladu oddechowego pefloksacyna.

Pefloxacin, a 4-quinolone derivative, was administered in the dose of 800-1200 mg for the mean of 12 days to 24 patients with respiratory tract infection complicating chronic bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease. Patients with positive sputum culture and bacteria sensitive to pefloxacin were included in the study. Total eradication of the offending microorganisms was achieved in 54% of patients, and partial--in the next 20%. A poor efficacy of pefloxacin against Streptococcus species has been confirmed. In a few cases we have observed the development of resistance of isolated bacteria to pefloxacin during the course of treatment.

[Lipoproteins (A) after a history of myocardial infarction, arteriosclerosis obliterans, hypertension and hyperlipidemia]. / Lipoproteina(A) po przebytym zawale serca, w miazdzycy tetnic obwodowych, nadcisnieniu tetniczym i hiperlipidemii.

Serum lipoprotein(a) concentration in men with hypertension, arteriosclerosis obliterans, hypercholesterolemia and after myocardial infarction was measured using Laurell's immunoelectrophoresis. Lp(a) distribution and mean serum concentrations did not differ significantly from the controls, with the exception of a group of premature myocardial infarction (age below 45), in which high values were more frequent.

[Netilmicin in the treatment of bacterial respiratory tract infections]. / Netylmycyna w leczeniu bakteryjnych zakazen ukladu oddechowego.

Netilmicin - a semisynthetic aminoglycoside - was administered to 33 patients with the acute or chronic lower respiratory tract or pulmonary infections in a daily dose of 5 mg/kg body weight for 10 days. A principle criterium of patients classification to netilmicin therapy were sensitive bacterial strains either in sputum or in BAL liquid. A significant clinical improvement was noted in 88% of the treated patients. However, elimination of pathogens from the sputum was achieved only in 52% of these patients. No improvement was observed in 4% of the treated patients. No adverse reactions were noted. Netilmicin proved safe and effective antibacterial agent in patients with respiratory infections.

An abnormality of arachidonic acid metabolism is not a generalized phenomenon in patients with aspirin-induced asthma.

Aspirin (ASA)-induced asthma is a distinct clinical syndrome in which bronchoconstrictive response to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be predicted on the basis of their in vitro activity as inhibitors of cyclooxygenase. In ten ASA-sensitive asthmatics and ten matched healthy controls we measured 12-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) production by platelets and 5-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production by polymorphonuclear leucocytes. The blood cells were obtained before administration of the threshold doses of ASA and during the ASA-induced reactions. Initial levels of eicosanoids determined did not differ between the two groups. In both groups, after ASA challenge, 12-HETE rose to similar levels while 5-HETE and LTB4 remained unchanged. These data do not support the concept that an abnormality in the regulation of arachidonic acid oxidative pathways in ASA-sensitive asthmatics is a generalized phenomenon which embraces the platelets and leucocytes; rather it is inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase within the tissues of the respiratory tract that triggers asthmatic attacks in the sensitive patients.

The effect of six prostaglandins, prostacyclin and iloprost on generation of superoxide anions by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated by zymosan or formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine.

Prostaglandins (PG) E2,E1,6-keto-E1 and D2 at concentrations of 0.15-0.80 microM inhibited by 25% the generation of superoxide anions (O2-) in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) stimulated with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). The potency of that inhibition by either PGD2 or PGE1 was the same when zymosan was used as a stimulator whereas PGE2 and 6-keto-PGE1 were by 13 and 21 times less potent inhibitors of O2-) in zymosan-stimulated as compared to FMLP-activated PMNs. PGF2 alpha inhibited the generation of O2- by activated PMNs only when used at the highest concentration studied (30 microM). Prostacyclin, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and Iloprost (a carbacyclin analogue of prostacyclin) at concentrations up to 30 microM showed no significant inhibition of O2- in human PMNs stimulated either with FMLP or with zymosan. It is concluded that PGD2 and PGEs use a common basic mechanism for inhibition of the generation of O2- by PMNs activated with FMLP or zymosan. PGD2 is most generously furnished with these properties. In addition to this basic mechanism PGE2 and 6-keto-PGE1 abrogate the FMLP-induced response by occupation of formyl peptide receptor of PMNs. It is hypothesised that inhibition of the generation of O2- in PMNs and, possibly, in other cells by PGD2, PGE2 and by products of prostacyclin biotransformation might be responsible for their cytoprotective action in myocardial infarction, stroke, liver damage and peripheral vascular disease.