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Biomedical subjects

A Hermanowicz

Publications and source records attributed to A Hermanowicz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Neutrophil function in chemical plant workers employed in the production of dust pesticides.

In two divisions of a chemical plant producing dust pesticides, employees exposed to dust, containing 28%-65% SiO2, were examined. In the first division (group I, 38 males and 35 females), the average air dust concentration was 5.0 mg/m3, and the active substances were: chlorinated hydrocarbons, captan, carbamates and dodine. In the other division (group II, 26 males and 33 females), the air dust concentration was 4.8-5.2 mg/m3, and the active substances included: carbamates, triazine compounds, cupric oxychloride, captan, lindane, carboxine. Spirographic investigations showed signs of pulmonary emphysema (RV/TLC) in 65.8% males and 60% females of group I and 38.5% males and 40.6% females of group II. In leucocyte concentrate smears, the cytochemical reactions to beta-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase and myeloperoxidase, as well as the nitroblue tetrazolinum (NBT)-dye reduction of neutrophils were performed. The random migration and chemotaxis of isolated neutrophils, washed or incubated in 10% autologous serum, their phagocytic activity and tube adherence test were also investigated. Compared to the controls, the reaction to beta-glucuronidase as well as the NBT reduction were increased, whereas the acid phosphatase and myeloperoxidase reactions were lowered. Impairment of neutrophil chemotaxis stimulated with zymozan-activated serum was observed in all groups of workers; random migration was enhanced in workers of group I and lowered in male workers of group II. Higher phagocytosis of latex particles occurred in workers of group I and in males of group II, while tube adhesion was impaired in group I and enhanced in males of group II.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Tumour related inhibition of macrophage chemotaxis in patients with colon cancer.

The chemotactic migration in vitro of peripheral blood, intestinal mucosal, and mesenteric lymph node mononuclear cells has been assessed in patients with colorectal carcinoma. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients exhibited normal chemotaxis. For control patients with non-malignant, non-inflammatory intestinal disease, the chemotaxis of mucosal mononuclear cells was similar to that of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The chemotactic migration of mucosal mononuclear cells, however, isolated distant from a colon cancer was less than that of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Chemotactic migration was progressively impaired with increasing closeness to the tumour itself. Chemotaxis of mucosal mononuclear cell was independent of the site of tumour and the Dukes' grading. Mononuclear cells from mesenteric lymph nodes, however, exhibited impaired migration only in patients with Dukes' C tumours. Supernatants of the collagenase digestion of either tumour or adjacent mucosa contained macrophage directed inhibitors of chemotaxis and these inhibitors were not produced by tumour mononuclear cells. The presence of such inhibitors in the digestion supernatants and the demonstration that proximity to the tumour was associated with impaired mononuclear cell motility suggest that the production of macrophage directed chemotactic inhibitors is by colon cancer cells and that this may be occurring in vivo.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Function of phagocytes in experimentally induced colitis in rabbits. I. The Arthus phenomenon in the colon.

Adhesion, random and chemotactic migration, phagocytosis and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye reduction of peritoneal exudate polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and macrophages were examined in 110 rabbits with immune complex-mediated colitis and in controls. We may conclude that Arthus-like colitis in rabbits is accompanied by an impairment of adhesion and phagocytosis, and an increase in chemotactic and random migration of both PMN and macrophages. The examined phagocytes were obtained from the peritoneal cavity, and the changes in their function are related much more directly to the presence of circulating immune complexes than to the colitis. The mentioned impairment in their function may be responsible for prolonged persistence of immune complexes in the serum of rabbits with colitis; however, it does not prolong the time of healing of the ulcers.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Function of phagocytes in experimentally induced colitis in rabbits. II. The Shwartzman phenomenon in the colon.

Adhesion, phagocytosis, chemotactic and random migration, nitroblue tetrazolium dye reduction of peritoneal exudate neutrophils and macrophages, fibrinogen level, gelation of soluble fibrin and serial dilution protamine sulfate test were investigated in 115 New Zealand white rabbits with experimentally induced Shwartzman phenomenon in the colon, and in control animals. The results presented in this report demonstrated impairment of chemotactic migration of phagocytes in the presence of endotoxin. The depression was dose-dependent and less marked when neutrophils were stimulated with monocyte-derived chemotactic factor or with casein, than with complement-derived chemotactic factor. The prolonged depression of chemotactic migration of neutrophils and macrophages in rabbits with colitis, however, did not affect the healing time of the ulcers in the colon.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Normal chemotactic migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated with mononuclear-derived chemotactic factor in ulcerative colitis.

The migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes preincubated with autologous or heterologous serum was examined in 100 patients with untreated ulcerative colitis (UC) and in 100 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The activity of complement-derived chemotactic factors and mononuclear-derived chemotactic factor (MDCF) was also investigated in the same group of patients. No significant difference was found in random and chemotactic migration of patients or control leukocytes preincubated in different concentrations (10, 50 and 100%) of autologous or heterologous serum. Defective chemotaxis of leukocytes stimulated with complement-derived chemotactic factors was found in UC and was more marked in patients in remission than with active UC independently of whether complement was activated by the alternative or the classical pathway. However, the random migration of neutrophils was enhanced in both groups of UC patients. The leukocytes of patients stimulated with MDCF (mononuclear cells were activated with lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli O55:B5) show normal chemotaxis. Our data suggest an impairment of neutrophil receptors for complement-derived chemotactic factor in UC. The decreased response of neutrophils to these factors and normal response to MDCF suggest that the main way in which cells are attracted to the site of inflammation in UC may be a factor produced by stimulated mononuclear cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Isolation of intestinal mononuclear cells: factors released which affect lymphocyte viability and function.

Whether toxic or immunomodulatory factors are released during the collagenase digestion phase of the isolation of mononuclear cells from human intestinal mucosa was investigated by assessing the effect of the collagenase supernatant on the viability and natural killer activity of normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Three hours' incubation in collagenase supernatant suppressed natural killer activity by 25 +/- 4% and decreased the viability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by 11 +/- 2%. The ability of collagenase supernatants to kill 51Cr-labelled peripheral blood mononuclear cells over four hours was assessed in 16 collagenase supernatants, eight of which produced lysis of 20 +/- 4%. There was no ultrastructural evidence of early degenerative changes in the viable intestinal mononuclear cells fresh from the isolation process or in peripheral blood mononuclear cells incubated in collagenase supernatant. Because prostaglandins are known to inhibit natural killer activity, PGE was measured in 20 collagenase supernatants by radioimmunoassay and found to be high at 27.5 +/- 4.0 ng/ml. Addition of indomethacin to the collagenase medium, however, failed to abolish the inhibitory effect of collagenase supernatant on natural killer activity and did not increase the natural killer activity of isolated intestinal mononuclear cells. The release of cytotoxic and immunomodulatory factors during the isolation of intestinal mononuclear cells indicates the necessity for careful assessment of the potential effects of the isolation process on any function being examined and casts doubt upon the relationship between in vitro findings and in vivo functional capabilities.

Cell Separation↗
PubMed1985

Effect of long-term therapy with sulphasalazine, levamisole, corticosteroids and ascorbic acid and of disease activity on polymorphonuclear leukocyte function in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Adhesion, random migration and chemotactic migration, phagocytosis, and spontaneous nitroblue tetrazolium-dye reduction (NBT) capacity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were analysed in 38 patients with ulcerative colitis before and during therapy with sulphasalazine (12 months), corticosteroids (6 months), levamisole (12 months), ascorbic acid (6 months) and sulphasalazine plus levamisole (12 months). Remission was achieved by levamisole in as many patients as by sulphasalazine and by sulphasalazine and levamisole used together. Nevertheless, the only function of PMNs affected by levamisole therapy was a depression of chemotaxis, whereas other functions as well as chemotaxis were altered by sulphasalazine, whether used alone or in combination with levamisole. Of patients treated with corticosteroids, all were in remission at 6 months and the most marked decrease in chemotaxis was seen. No clinical benefits were observed after 6 months of treatment with ascorbic acid and PMNs function was unaltered. The depression of chemotaxis occurred whether or not remission was achieved, suggesting a direct drug-induced effect. The apparent discrepancies of the "in vivo" drug effects in comparison with previously reported findings may reflect abnormal reactivity of PMNs in UC.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1984

Neutrophil function and infectious disease in workers occupationally exposed to phosphoorganic pesticides: role of mononuclear-derived chemotactic factor for neutrophils.

Neutrophil function and the prevalence of infections in 85 workers occupationally exposed to phosphoorganic pesticides were examined and compared to those of age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Activity of cholinesterase (ChE) in red blood cells (RBC) and in serum was used as marker of organophosphate toxicity. A decrease of CHE activity was observed in all groups of workers, both in serum and in RBC, and was dependent on the degree of exposure to the pesticides. A marked impairment of neutrophil chemotaxis stimulated with zymosan-activated serum (from workers or controls) was observed in all groups of workers. There was no significant change of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) migration after their preincubation in 10% autologous serum or washed cells. However, neutrophil chemotaxis was normal after stimulation with specific mononuclear-derived chemotactic factor (MDCF). The area of random migration increased in those working directly in the production of organophosphates. A decrease of adhesion and an increase of nitroblue tetrazolium-dye reduction was also found. The frequency of upper respiratory tract infection (in 68.8%) was greater in workers than in controls and similarly to their recurrence was dependent upon the time of exposure to the insecticides. A normal frequency of infections localized outside of the upper respiratory tract was observed. It may be concluded that (1) impairment of chemotaxis in the workers is not dependent on serum factors; (2) stimulation of neutrophil chemotaxis by MDCF occurs by a different mechanism to their stimulation by zymosan-activated serum; (3) the increase of morbidity in the workers is probably caused by prolonged inhalation of both the insecticides and solvents; (4) the impaired function of neutrophils may be not so important as expected. However, the local effects of the pesticides should be explored.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Controlled therapeutic trial of levamisole and sulphasalazine in acute ulcerative colitis.

Forty five patients with acute ulcerative colitis were randomly allocated to receive (a) sulphasalazine, (b) levamisole, or (c) a combination of sulphasalazine and levamisole. Each group contained 15 patients. The ulcerative colitis activity index (UCAI), the remission and relapse rates were compared at three monthly intervals for one year. The UCAI fell in each group. Detailed analysis of all clinical and biochemical parameters used for estimation of UCAI showed that the only difference was in patients receiving combined therapy who continued to have a raised ESR and platelet count. Fewer patients, however, went into remission on levamisole therapy (46.6%) compared with the other two groups (66.6%). The cumulative relapse rate was 20% for those receiving levamisole compared with 6.6% in the other groups. Side effects were observed in 20% of patients receiving levamisole, 26% receiving sulphasalazine, and 40% in those having combined therapy. The results indicate that levamisole is unlikely to have a major role in the management of patients with ulcerative colitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

Factors affecting the spontaneous cell-mediated cytotoxicity of intestinal mononuclear cells.

This study was performed to determine what factors related to the enzymatic isolation technique and assay conditions may influence the measurement of spontaneous cell-mediated cytotoxicity (SCMC) of mononuclear cells (MNC) isolated from human intestinal mucosa. In 18 studies, the SCMC of freshly isolated cells was 1.8 +/- 0.4% but increased to 12 +/- 3% following 24 hr culture without a change in the proportion of cells with the NK phenotype (Leu-7+). The SCMC tended to plateau with more prolonged culture. Culturing peripheral blood (PB) MNC for 24 hr did not alter SCMC nor the proportion of Leu-7+ cells. However, the suppression of the SCMC of PBMNC preincubated with the supernatant of the collagenase digestion of intestinal mucosa was completely reversed by 24 hr culture. Intestinal MNC were found to suppress the SCMC of autologous PBMNC in mixing experiments. However, 24 hr culture did not affect the degree of suppression and the proportion of T cells of the suppressor-cytotoxic phenotype (Leu-2a+) was also unchanged. It is concluded that the SCMC of intestinal MNC may be accurately assessed following 24 hr culture of the cells to allow recovery from the suppressive influences of the isolation process and that this does not introduce other artefactual problems. However, suppression of cytotoxicity within the assay may result in an underestimation of the SCMC of intestinal MNC when compared to that of PBMNC.

Cell-Free System↗
PubMed1984

Humoral immune system and ulcerative colitis activity. I. Serum immunoglobulins and C-reactive protein levels.

Serum immunoglobulins and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were examined in 85 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and were correlated with activity, extension and duration of the disease, as well as with extraintestinal manifestations and therapeutic effects. An increase of IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, CRP and decrease of IgD levels was found in UC, but the activity of the disease was correlated only with CRP level. Patients with extraintestinal manifestations showed elevation of IgG, IgA and IgM level, however, only in inactive colitis. After 12 months of therapy with sulphasalazine the immunoglobulins and CRP returned to the level found in the inactive colitis. An elevation of IgE level was also observed in patients with accompanying allergic disorders. The examined parameters did not reveal any relationship with the duration or extension of the disease. It seems that abnormality in immunoglobulin and CRP levels is an accompanying phenomenon in UC. Increase of IgE level suggests the share of allergic mechanism in pathogenesis of the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Humoral immune system and ulcerative colitis activity. II. Complement level.

C4, C3 and C5 levels and the complement hemolytic activity were analysed in 84 ulcerative colitis patients and correlated with activity, extension and duration of the disease, with the presence of extraintestinal manifestation, and with therapeutic effects. The elevation of C3 was observed in both mild active and in severe colitis. Only C3 correlated with disease activity and with C-reactive protein level. On the other hand, C4 and C5 levels were significantly decreased in the active disease extended to the left side or to total great bowel. The importance of these findings is discussed. No significant connection of the examined complement components with duration, therapy and extraintestinal manifestation was observed. A trend to increase the complement hemolytic activity in severe colitis was noted. Our study of complement and its components activity suggests the secondary role of analysed parameters in pathogenesis of UC and clinical usefulness of C3 level as an indicator of the disease activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Humoral immune system and ulcerative colitis activity. III. Immune complexes.

Serum immune complexes (IMC) were examined by means of 4.166% polyethylene glycol precipitation. IMC were found in 33.3% of all examined patients (12.8% of inactive and 51.1% of active colitis). Polyethylene glycol serum precipitation was correlated with the activity of the disease, and was found to be increased in patients with extensive morbid process and with duration of the disease. In the patients with extraintestinal manifestations IMC increased particularly in those with skin lesions. Our study confirmed suggestion of other authors on the possible role of the pathogenesis of UC and in extraintestinal complications. Their secondary role however, cannot be excluded.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

The neutrophil function and infectious diseases in workers occupationally exposed to organochloride insecticides.

The function of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) was examined in 33 workers with occupational exposure to organochloride insecticides. A deep impairment of chemotaxis, adhesion, phagocytosis and nitroblue tetrazolium-dye reduction was found. A simultaneous increase of random migration and stimulated migration was observed. Perhaps the increase of the surface migration of leucocytes can partially compensate for the decrease of chemotaxis. However, no correlation between chemotaxis and spontaneous or stimulated migration could be demonstrated. The failure of PMN incubation in autologous serum to affect leucocyte migration and the fact that chemo-attractant generated from the plasma of both workers and controls show similar activity both suggest that the damaged PMN chemotaxis is not serum but cell-dependent. The simultaneous increase of infectious disease, especially of the upper respiratory tract, was found in the group of workers chronically exposed to organochloride insecticides. This kind of infection in the examined group of workers depends mainly on the chronic exposure to insecticides and only partially on the observed impairment of leucocyte function. A possible cause for the frequency of infections in workers is discussed.

Adult↗