Łukasz Obołończyk, Małgorzata Siekierska-Hellmann, Piotr Wiśniewski, Anna Lewczuk, Monika Berendt-Obołończyk, Anna Lakomy, Zofia Michalska, Danuta Radowska, Grażyna Moszkowska, Agnieszka Bianek-Bodzak, Krzysztof Sworczak
{"title":"Epidemiology, risk factors and prognosis of Interferon alpha induced thyroid disorders. A Prospective Clinical Study.","authors":"Łukasz Obołończyk, Małgorzata Siekierska-Hellmann, Piotr Wiśniewski, Anna Lewczuk, Monika Berendt-Obołończyk, Anna Lakomy, Zofia Michalska, Danuta Radowska, Grażyna Moszkowska, Agnieszka Bianek-Bodzak, Krzysztof Sworczak","doi":"10.5604/01.3001.0010.4782","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0010.4782","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide problem and hepatitis, which is its natural unfavourable course, is still a challenge for hepatologist. At present, standards of treatment are changing from combined therapy with interferon alpha (IFN-α) and ribavirin to new antiviral drugs. The current classification divides interferon induced thyroid diseases (IITD) into two groups: autoimmune (Hashimoto disease, Graves disease, positive antithyroid autoantibodies in euthyroid patients) and non-autoimmune (destructive thyroiditis, non-autoimmune hypothyroidism). A common complication of cytokine therapy is the induction of antithyroid autoantibodies de novo without thyroid dysfunction. During therapeutic regimens combined with ribavirin, destructive thyroiditis with typical biphasic course is more common than in IFN-α monotherapy. Clinically, overt pathologies often have discrete symptoms, which cause diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>The aim of this study was to estimate IITD occurrence, to find risk factors for IITD development.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>The study group consisted of 66 patients treated for HCV infection. Before and during antiviral therapy, hormonal (TSH, fT4, fT3), immunological (thyroid autoantibodies), ultrasonographic and genetic (HLA-A2) parameters were evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Hormonal disturbances were detected in 24.2% of patients; however, 43.9% of patients had positive thyroid autoantibodies (de novo) without hormonal imbalance. Multivariate analysis revealed the following: female sex, elevated TSH level, occurrence of anti-TPO autoantibodies (TPO-Ab), and increased blood velocity in thyroid arteries are risk factors for IITD development.</p><p><strong>In conclusion: </strong>Thyroid disorders are common during IFN-α therapy. Previous epidemiological data seem to be underestimated. Important risk factors for IITD development are: female sex, elevated serum TSH concentration (≥2.5 μU/mL), positive TPO-Ab and increased blood velocity in thyroid arteries.</p>","PeriodicalId":87132,"journal":{"name":"Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online)","volume":"71 0","pages":"842-849"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35614532","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aleksandra Wilk, Dagmara Szypulska-Koziarska, Barbara Wiszniewska
{"title":"The toxicity of vanadium on gastrointestinal, urinary and reproductive system, and its influence on fertility and fetuses malformations.","authors":"Aleksandra Wilk, Dagmara Szypulska-Koziarska, Barbara Wiszniewska","doi":"10.5604/01.3001.0010.4783","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0010.4783","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vanadium is a transition metal that has a unique and beneficial effect on both humans and animals. For many years, studies have suggested that vanadium is an essential trace element. Its biological properties are of interest due to its therapeutic potential, including in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Vanadium deficiencies can lead to a range of pathologies. However, excessive concentration of this metal can cause irreversible damage to various tissues and organs. Vanadium toxicity mainly manifests in gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, and weight reduction. Vanadium also exhibits hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic properties, including glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis. Vanadium compounds may also lead to partial degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium of the seminiferous tubules in the testes and can affect male fertility. This paper describes the harmful effects of vanadium on the morphology and physiology of both animal and human tissues, including the digestive system, the urinary tract, and the reproductive system. What is more, the following study includes data concerning the correlation between the above-mentioned metal and its influence on fertility and fetus malformations. Additionally, this research identifies the doses of vanadium which lead to pathological alterations becoming visible within tissues. Moreover, this study includes information about the protective efficacy of some substances in view of the toxicity of vanadium.</p>","PeriodicalId":87132,"journal":{"name":"Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online)","volume":"71 0","pages":"850-859"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35614531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The cell on the edge of life and death: Crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis.","authors":"Daniela Kasprowska-Liśkiewicz","doi":"10.5604/01.3001.0010.4672","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0010.4672","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recently, the crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis has attracted broader attention. Basal autophagy serves to maintain cell homeostasis, while the upregulation of this process is an element of stress response that enables the cell to survive under adverse conditions. Autophagy may also determine the fate of the cell through its interactions with cell death pathways. The protein networks that control the initiation and the execution phase of these two processes are highly interconnected. Several scenarios for the crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis exist. In most cases, the activation of autophagy represents an attempt of the cell to cope with stress, and protects the cell from apoptosis or delays its initiation. Generally, the simultaneous activation of pro-survival and pro-death pathways is prevented by the mutual inhibitory crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis. But in some circumstances, autophagy or the proteins of the core autophagic machinery may promote cellular demise through excessive self-digestion (so-called \"autophagic cell death\") or by stimulating the activation of other cell death pathways. It is controversial whether cells actually die via autophagy, which is why the term \"autophagic cell death\" has been under intense debate lately. This review summarizes the recent findings on the multilevel crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis in aspects of common regulators, mutual inhibition of these processes, the stimulation of apoptosis by autophagy or autophagic proteins and finally the role of autophagy as a death-execution mechanism.</p>","PeriodicalId":87132,"journal":{"name":"Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online)","volume":"71 0","pages":"825-841"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35424194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Participation of BMI-1 protein in cancer.","authors":"Agnieszka Zaczek, Paweł Jóźwiak, Anna Krześlak","doi":"10.5604/01.3001.0010.4649","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0010.4649","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BMI-1 (B-lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1) protein is a constituent of Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) that via ubiquitination of histone H2A affects expression of many genes. BMI-1 is involved in cellular processes such as DNA repair, proliferation, growth, senescence and apoptosis. BMI-1 plays a key role in biology of stem cells including cancer stem cells by regulation of their self-renewal and differentiation. Accumulating evidence has revealed that overexpression of BMI-1 in many human cancers correlates with disease progression and therapy failure. The results of in vitro and in vivo studies confirm the involvement of BMI-1 in tumor initiation as well as invasion, metastasis and chemoresistance. Taking into account significant role of BMI1 in tumorigenesis, especially associated with cancer stem cells, it seems that this gene may be a promising target of anticancer therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":87132,"journal":{"name":"Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online)","volume":"71 0","pages":"811-824"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35424195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The role of vitamin D in the development of autoimmune diseases.","authors":"Katarzyna A Lisowska, Ewa Bryl","doi":"10.5604/01.3001.0010.3857","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0010.3857","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Witamina D, poza istotną rolą w utrzymaniu homeostazy wapnia i metabolizmie kostnym, odgrywa ważną rolę w funkcjonowaniu układu odpornościowego. Niedobór witaminy D wiąże się z wieloma niekorzystnymi dla zdrowia skutkami, włączając w to m.in. osłabienie odporności, czego skutkiem jest zwiększona podatność na zakażenia wirusowe, bakteryjne oraz grzybicze. W artykule opisano podstawy metabolizmu witaminy D oraz jej rolę fizjologiczną, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem wpływu na komórki układu odpornościowego. Ze względu na jej istotną rolę w regulacji odpowiedzi zapalnej oraz wytwarzaniu cytokin zwraca się uwagę na jej rolę w rozwoju chorób o podłożu autoimmunologicznym, takich jak cukrzyca typu 1, toczeń rumieniowaty, reumatoidalne zapalenie stawów, stwardnienie rozsiane, nieswoiste zapalenia jelit, łuszczyca, bielactwo, czy twardzina, w których witamina D ma potencjalne szerokie zastosowanie zarówno w prewencji, jak i wspomaganiu działań terapeutycznych.</p>","PeriodicalId":87132,"journal":{"name":"Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online)","volume":"71 1","pages":"797-810"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35501561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The role of vitamin C in epigenetic regulation.","authors":"Jolanta Guz, Ryszard Oliński","doi":"10.5604/01.3001.0010.3853","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0010.3853","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is a micronutrient best known for its anti-scurvy activity in humans. Vitamin C is involved in many biological processes involving enzymatic reactions that are catalyzed by members of dioxygenases which use Fe(II) and 2-oxoglutarate as a co-substrate.The article reviews recent data that suggest the involvement of ascorbate in dioxygenases catalyzed chromatin and DNA modifications which thereby contribute to epigenetic regulation. Concerning chromatin modification, the dioxygenases are involved in distinct demethylation reactions with varying specificity for the position of the lysine on the target histone. TET hydroxylases catalyse the oxidation of methyl groups in the 5 position of cytosine in DNA yielding 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, while further iterative oxidation reactions results in the formation of 5-formylcytosine and 5-carboxylcytosine. A few previous studies demonstrated that ascorbate may enhance generation of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in cultured cells, probably acting as a cofactor of TETs during hydroxylation of 5-methylcytosine. Physiological concentrations of ascorbate in human serum (10-100 μM) may guarantee stable level of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, a modification necessary for epigenetic function of the cell. 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine level is substantially decreased in almost all investigated cancers, what may be linked with cancer development. Therefore, it is possible that supplementation with ascorbate could contribute to better management of individual cancer patient. This issue is also discussed in our paper.</p>","PeriodicalId":87132,"journal":{"name":"Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online)","volume":"71 1","pages":"747-760"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35396327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The role of bile acids in the pathogenesis of bowel diseases.","authors":"Magdalena Panek-Jeziorna, Agata Mulak","doi":"10.5604/01.3001.0010.3852","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0010.3852","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bile acids not only play a cardinal role in the digestion and absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins, but also significantly affect gastrointestinal motor, sensory and secretory functions, intestinal barrier permeability and the regulation of the inflammatory response. The results of recent studies have revealed complex interactions between bile acids and the gut microbiota. In addition, bile acids also play a role of signaling molecules regulating the activity of lipid and glucose metabolic pathways, as well as a role of ligands for transcription factors. Genetic factors associated with the regulation of bile acid synthesis, transport and action may significantly influence gastrointestinal function and predispose to diarrhea resulting from bile acid malabsorption. Methods used in the diagnosis of bile acid malabsorption include 75selenium-homotaurocholic acid test, serum C4 and fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19), as well as fecal bile acid levels. The paper presents the latest data on the role of bile acid in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer. Advances in the treatment of disturbances in bile acids absorption and synthesis are also presented. A better understanding of molecular mechanisms regulating bile acid action may have implication for colorectal cancer prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":87132,"journal":{"name":"Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online)","volume":"71 1","pages":"737-746"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35396328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Compounds of psoriasis with obesity and overweight.","authors":"Agnieszka Owczarczyk-Saczonek, Waldemar Placek","doi":"10.5604/01.3001.0010.3854","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0010.3854","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Many epidemiological studies have confirmed the relationship of obesity and psoriasis, and it is believed that obesity is an independent risk factor for its development and is associated with a worse prognosis. Furthermore, the reduction of body weight, using low-calorie diet combined with exercise, reduces the severity of psoriasis.Visceral adipose tissue is the largest endocrine organ, producing proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17) and adipokines (adiponectin, omentin, chemerin). They participate in the development of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, diabetes, and consequently of the cardiovascular diseases. Macrophages of visceral adipose tissue have a special role and they increase significantly in obesity. They are responsible for the development of inflammation in adipose tissue and produce inflammatory cytokines (TNF alpha, IL-6, Il-8, Il-17, Il-18, MCP-1) and other adipokines: resistin, visfatin, retinol-binding protein 4. This explains the concept of «psoriatic march «and observations of the frequent coexistence of psoriasis with obesity. Inflammation associated with systemic disease, fanned by pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines produced by the visceral adipose tissue lead to the development of insulin resistance, endothelial cell damage. Endothelial dysfunction predisposes to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and faster development of cardiovascular events. Complication of obesity is the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which states twice as likely in patients with plaque psoriasis and is associated with the severity of the disease. Another consequence is the development of depression. Probably the proinflammatory cytokines can interact with metabolism of neurotransmitters. Obesity also has a significant impact on the treatment of psoriasis, increasing the risk of adverse effects of systemic drugs, reducing the efficacy of biological agents which dose should be adjusted to the weight of the patient. It is a factor responsible for the increased volume of distribution and it causes low titter of drug concentration.</p>","PeriodicalId":87132,"journal":{"name":"Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online)","volume":"71 1","pages":"761-772"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35396330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The pathophysiological basis of the protective effects of metformin in heart failure.","authors":"Aleksandra Dziubak, Grażyna Wójcicka","doi":"10.5604/01.3001.0010.3855","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0010.3855","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Metformin, currently recommended as the drug of first choice in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is one of the few antihiperglycemic drugs to reduce cardiovascular risk. Nonetheless, due to the risk of lactic acidosis during metformin therapy, its usage in patients with diabetes and heart failure (HF) is still a matter of debate. The aim of this review is to present data supporting the possibility of using metformin in the treatment of diabetic patients with concomitant heart failure. In the failing heart, metformin through the mechanism related to AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity, improves free fatty acids (FFA) and glucose metabolism, mitochondrial biogenesis, as well as nitric oxide (NO)-NO synthase pathway. Metformin can also inhibit the generation and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and thereby prevents the development of the adverse structural and functional changes in myocardium.In summary, experimental and clinical data indicate the ability of metformin to prevent the development of the structural and functional changes in myocardium, although further basic research and clinical studies assessing benefits and safety of metformin therapy in patients with HF are required.</p>","PeriodicalId":87132,"journal":{"name":"Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online)","volume":"71 1","pages":"773-787"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35396329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Łukasz Michalak, Magdalena Bulska, Karolina Strząbała, Piotr Szcześniak
{"title":"Neopterin as a marker of cellular immunological response.","authors":"Łukasz Michalak, Magdalena Bulska, Karolina Strząbała, Piotr Szcześniak","doi":"10.5604/01.3001.0010.3851","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0010.3851","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neopterin is a pyrazino-pyrimidine compound that belongs to the pteridine group. It is known to be a biochemical marker associated with cell-mediated immunity. It is produced by human monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells from guanosine triphosphate (GTP) upon stimulation with interferon gamma (IFNγ), which is released by activated limphocytes Th. Neopterin is a very important clinic parameter, though the physiological role has not been exactly definited thus far. The level of neopterin reflects the stage of activation of the cellular immune system, which is important in the pathogenesis and progression of various diseases. Measuring its concentration in body fluids is used in many different areas of modern medicine, such as infectious disease, gastroenterology, transplantology and transfusiology, rheumatology or oncology. In neurological, cardio-vascular and autoimmune diseases, cell-mediated immunity is also activated, which is proved by the elevated level of this marker. Measurements of neopterin concentrations are also helpful in monitoring the therapy of patients infected with the HIV virus or treated by using immunomudulating therapy. As a result of measuring levels of neopterin in patients with neoplasms of digestive tract, increased concentration was proved, but it is not routinely used in everyday clinic practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":87132,"journal":{"name":"Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online)","volume":"71 1","pages":"727-736"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35501566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}