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Biomedical subjects

Anna Bodzenta-Łukaszyk

Publications and source records attributed to Anna Bodzenta-Łukaszyk.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) in asthma patients with acute exacerbation].

In recent years there has been an upsurge in interest in exhaled markers of inflammation, and nitric oxide (NO) in particular. The aim of the study was to evaluate the exhaled NO in monitoring anti-inflammatory therapy in asthma patients with acute exacerbation. The study was conducted in the group of 12 asthma patients, during acute asthma exacerbation treated with oral corticosteroids. NO was measured in exhaled air by means of chemiluminescence (model 280i nitric oxide analyzer, Sievers Instruments, Inc, USA. During 15 days of study a significant decrease in exhaled NO was observed. In our study the improvement of this inflammation marker correlated with clinical markers of disease control (the need for rescue beta 2-agonist use). The significant decrease in exhaled NO was started long before than increase in spirometric parameters. Treatment of airway inflammation in asthma with systemic and inhaled corticosteroids reduces levels of NO in exhaled air. Measurement of exhaled NO is non-invasive, safe and causes no inconvenience to the patients' method to monitoring of anti-inflammatory therapy.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

[Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) in patients with respiratory tract diseases].

Nitric oxide (NO) is highly active molecule playing a key role in physiological as well as in pathological processes in the organism. Asthmatic patients show an increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in airway epithelial cells and an increased level of NO in exhaled air. The aim of the study was to evaluate the exhaled NO in different groups of allergic patients and healthy volunteers. The study was conducted in the group of 94 patients and healthy subjects. NO was measured in exhaled air by means of chemiluminescence (model 280 nitric oxide analyzer. Sievers Instruments, Inc, USA. Healthy, nonsmoking subjects had exhaled NO levels of 10-20 ppB and smoking was one of the factors reduces exhaled NO. Exhaled NO was elevated in asthma patients. The patients with stable COPD have been shown to have exhaled NO on the same level that healthy smoking subjects. We observed, that the study patients with pollinosis who did not have asthma symptoms had increased levels of exhaled NO during pollen season. Measurement of exhaled NO is an easy, non-invasive procedure that can be used to monitor the level of airway inflammation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Involvement of Na+/H+ exchanger in desmopressin-induced platelet procoagulant response.

Desmopressin (DDAVP) action on platelets is associated with the development of procoagulant response but the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon is not known. We investigated whether this effect of DDAVP might be due to activation of plasma membrane Na+/H+ exchanger. The DDAVP-induced platelet procoagulant response, measured as phospholipid-dependent thrombin generation, was dose dependent and significantly weaker than that produced by collagen or monensin (mimics Na+/H+ antiport). Both the DDAVP- and collagen-produced procoagulant responses were less pronounced in the presence of EIPA, an Na+/H+ exchanger inhibitor. Flow cytometry studies revealed that in vitro treatment of platelets with DDAVP or collagen was associated with the appearance of both degranulated (and fragmented) and swollen cells. The DDAVP-evoked rise in size and granularity heterogeneity was similar to that produced by collagen or monensin and was not observed in the presence of EIPA. Using flow cytometry and annexin V-FITC as a probe for phosphatidylserine (PS) we demonstrated increased and uniform binding of this marker to all subsets of DDAVP-treated platelet population. The DDAVP-evoked PS expression was dose dependent, strongly reduced by EIPA and weaker than that caused by monensin or collagen. As judged by optical swelling assay, DDAVP in a dose dependent manner produced a rise in platelet volume. The swelling was inhibited by EIPA and its kinetics was similar to that observed in the presence of monensin. Electronic cell-sizing measurements showed an increase in mean platelet volume and a decrease in platelet count and platelet crit upon treatment with DDAVP. DDAVP elicited a slow (much slower than collagen) alkalinization of platelet cytosol. Altogether the data indicate an involvement of Na+/H+ exchanger in the generation of procoagulant activity in DDAVP-treated platelets.

Amiloride↗
PubMed2003

The plasmin system in airway remodeling.

Recent studies suggest that the plasmin system plays an active role in tissue remodeling. Plasmin degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM), either directly removing glycoproteins from ECM or by activating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). PAI-1 blocking MMPs may prevent ECM degradation, but inhibiting fibrinolysis leads to fibrin accumulation and fibrosis. Components of the plasmin system including tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA), and plasminogen activator inhibitors PAI-1 and PAI-2 are synthesised by airway cells, and inflammatory mediators affect their expression. The plasmin system, in turn, actively influences the production of inflammatory mediators and growth factors, extending pathological structural changes in the airway. Modulation of the plasmin system might be a new pharmacological strategy that could inhibit the development of airway remodeling.

Asthma↗
PubMed2003

[Nitric oxide in preterm labor].

Synthesis of nitric oxide proceeds in the human myometrium. Decrease of its concentrations can play an essential part in the initiation of uterine contractions in term. Authors suppose, that inhibition of the synthesis of nitric oxide plays a role in premature labour. Concentrations of nitric oxide in women with threatening premature labour were marked. Group I consisted of women with premature departure of amniotic fluid, group II--woman with retained amniotic fluid and with idiopathic contractile activity, group III--woman with departure of amniotic fluid and with idiopathic contractile activity. Concentration of nitric oxide was lower in the group of women with a premature contractile activity in comparison with healthy pregnant women in the same period of pregnancy. Higher concentrations of nitric oxide were observed in the group of patients without contractile activity after departure of amniotic fluid.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Nitric oxide in bronchial asthma].

Nitric oxide (NO) is highly active molecule playing a key role in physiological as well as pathological processes in the organism. Asthmatic patients show an increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in airway epithelial cells and an increased level of NO in exhaled air. Exhaled NO increases during exacerbation and decreases with recovery in patients with asthma. The role of excessively produced NO in the pathogenesis of asthma is under active investigation. Determination of airway production of NO may be an important biomarker of inflammation for monitoring anti-inflammatory therapy.

Asthma↗
PubMed2002

[The role of platelets in allergic inflammation].

Platelets are the smallest blood cells, which perform various functions. They are able to activate and cooperate with leukocytes and endothelial cells by biologically active substances released from their granules. They play a key role in the inflammatory process, and are important contributors to allergic diseases. This article presents a short review of actual knowledge about platelets and their role in allergic inflammation.

Asthma↗