Activation of phospholipase A(2) by low levels of fluoride in THP1 macrophages via altered Ca(2+) and cAMP concentration.

Phospholipases (PLA's) participate in the regulation of physiological and pathological processes in the cell, including the release of pro-inflammatory mediators and stimulation of inflammatory processes. It is also well known that fluoride can increase the inflammatory reactions. Therefore we decided to examine the effect of fluorides in concentrations determined in human serum on cPLA(2) and sPLA(2) activity. The incubation of macrophages in fluoride solutions significantly increased the amount of synthesized cellular cAMP, intracellular calcium and sPLA(2) activity in a dose-dependent pattern. The cPLA(2) activity, estimated by the amount of released arachidonic acid, increased significantly when 10 µM NaF was used. The results of our study suggest that fluoride may change the activity of phospholipases in macrophage cells. Probably, increased cAMP concentration activates protein kinase C (PKC) and thus stimulates PLA(2). cAMP also regulates the passage of Ca(2+) through ion channels, which additionally influence PLA(2) throughout Ca(2+)-calmodulin dependent protein kinase.

[Effect of dietetic recommendations on the level of some lipid and hemostatic parameters in offspring of parents with risk factors for coronary heart disease]. / Wplyw zalecen dietetycznych na poziom niektórych parametrów lipidowych i hemostazy u potomstwa rodziców z czynnikami ryzyka choroby niedokrwiennej serca.

Atherosclerosis, the precursor of coronary heart disease may originate in childhood. The atherogenic potential of food is related to its cholesterol and saturated-fat content. The study population consisted of children from CHD-parents under the age 12 years with plasma total cholesterol > 170 mg/dl, LDL-Ch > 90 mg/dl and ApoB > 70 mg/dl. All the patients were advised a 6 month diet following National Program of Cholesterol Prevention recommendation. Plasma, TCh, LDL-Ch, ApoB, TG, Ch-esters saturated/unsaturated ratio and platelet factor 4 concentration decreased, LCAT activity and Ch-esters unsaturated increased during study period. We observed interesting correlation between: PF4 and ApoB, PF4 and LDL-Ch and PF4 and HDL-ECh 18:3. Our data show, that proper diet can modify risk factors of CHD in children with family history of CHD.

[The influence of modified sequential therapy on lipid metabolism in postmenopausal women]. / Wplyw wlasnej modyfikacji sekwencyjnej estrogenoterapii na przemiany lipidowe u kobiet w okresie pomenopauzalnym.

The study was performed in 50 women aged 49 to 55 years, divided into two groups. Group I received transdermally at a rising dose of 2 to 8 mg, altogether 16 mg during the therapeutic cycle of 20 days. Group II received estriol intravaginally 0.03 mg/day 10 days and 0.06 mg/day for 10 days. During the second part of the therapeutic cycle all women were given progesterone sublingually 25 mg/day for 6 days and 50/day for 6 days. Measurements in serum of total cholesterol, free cholesterol and triglycerides using an enzymic method, of HDL-Ch and LDL-Ch using a precipitation method and of cholesterol esters using thing-layer chromatography were performed before and after 3 months of therapy. It was found that the use of estradiol leads to a significant decrease in the level of triglycerides, total and free cholesterol, LDL-Ch, with a rise in HDL-Ch. The use of estriol leads to a decrease in LDL-Ch only. No changes in the composition of cholesterol esters were found in both groups, with the exception of an insignificant rise in the percentage of cholesterol oleate.

[Heparin increases platelet aggregation and inhibits fibrinolysis, especially in primary hypertriglyceridemia and after myocardial infarction]. / Heparyna nasila agregacje plytek krwi i hamuje fibrynolize szczególnie w hipertrójglicerydemii pierwotnej i po przebytym zawale serca.

The authors presented the effect of unfractionated heparin on platelet aggregation and fibrinolysis. The studies have been performed in the control group and with primary hypertriglyceridemia as well as in patients after myocardial infarction. Adrenaline and ADP induced platelet aggregation was examined in plasma rich platelets; fibrinolysis was estimated in euglobulin test. These parameters have been determined before and after (10, 20, 60, 240, 360 min.) intravenous injection of 50 units heparin per kg body weight. We have observed, that heparin increased also platelet aggregation and inhibited fibrinolytic activity in persons with primary hypertriglyceridemia particularly and after myocardial infarction. Correlation was found between investigated parameters and products of heparin lipolytic activity, especially with level of free fatty acids.

Essential phospholipids modify immunological functions and reduce experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits.

Atherosclerosis was induced in male mongrel rabbits with a high-fat diet and the influence of essential phospholipids (EPL) on plaque formation, parameters of lipid metabolism and immunological functions was studied. When EPL were added to the high-fat diet there was a significant reduction in the area of atherosclerotic involvement of the aorta. The serum concentration of lipids decreased, often to normal values, and cholesterol esterified with polyunsaturated fatty acids appeared. Normalization of the malonyldialdehyde level in plasma was accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of ascorbate free radicals in blood and liver. The high-fat diet caused a depression of both non-specific and specific immune functions studied. With EPL in the diet the tests showed near normal or normal values. It is inferred from these results that a normal state of the immune system is important for preventing the progress of atherosclerotic changes. This is discussed with reference to the role of some immune cells in the metabolism of lipids and to participation of essential phospholipids in plasma membrane functions.

[Effects of chronic inhalation intoxication with carbon disulfide on the content of various lipid metabolism indices in the serum, aorta and cardiac muscle in rabbits. II. Lipid phosphorus and phospholipid fractions in the serum, aorta and cardiac muscle]. / Wplyw przewleklego inhalacyjnego zatruwania dwusiarczkiem wegla na zawartosc wybranych wskazników metabolizmu lipidowego w surowicy, aorcie i miesniu sercowym królików. II. Fosfor lipidowy i frakcje fosfolipidowe w surowicy, aorcie i miesniu sercowym.

Lipid phosphorus and single phospholipids content was checked in serum, aorta and cardiac muscle of rabbits exposed in toxicological chamber for 3 and 6 months, to carbon disulfide of low concentration (0.44 mg/l) and higher concentration (0.8 mg/l). Phospholipids were separated using thin--layer chromatography. Lipid phosphorus content in each fraction was determined colorimetrically. Statistical analysis of obtained results was done based on the Student "t" test. Lipid phosphorus content in serum, aorta and cardiac muscle was found to increase in animals exposed to CS2 in lower concentration. A decrease in lipid phosphorus content (statistically significant) was noted in the serum of rabbits intoxicated with CS2 in high concentration for 3 months. Changes in the percentage of phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelins in cardiac muscle were found.

[Effect of chronic inhalation of carbon disulfide intoxication on the content of various lipid metabolism indices in rat serum, aorta and cardiac muscle. I. Total fats, triglycerides, free fatty acids in serum, free and esterified cholesterol in serum, aorta and cardiac muscle]. / Wplyw przewleklego inhalacyjnego zatruwania dwusiarczkiem wegla na zawartosc wybranych wskazników metabolizmu lipidowego w surowicy, aorcie i miesniu sercowym królików. Cz. I. Tluszcze calkowite, trójglicerydy, wolne kwasy tluszczowe w surowicy oraz cholesterol wolny i zestryfikowany w surowicy, aorcie i miesniu sercowym.

Fatty compounds were examined in blood serum, aorta and cardiac muscle of rats exposed to carbon disulphide in low (0.44 mg/l) and high (0.8 mg/l) concentration for 3 and 6 months in the toxicological chamber. The content of total lipids, triglycerides and free fatty acids in serum was determined using methods adopted in laboratory diagnostics. Separation of neutral fats in serum and tissue was done using thin--layer chromatography and free and esterified cholesterol was quantitatively determined by colorimetric methods. Statistical analysis of the results was based on the Student's test. In the rats intoxicated with CS2 increased content of total fats, triglycerides, free fatty acids in serum and cholesterol in cardiac muscle was found; these changes are not statistically significant. Statistically significant increase of free and esterified cholesterol was found in serum and aorta of the rats intoxicated with CS2. These changes were found mostly in rats intoxicated for 3 and 6 months with low concentrations of CS2.