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Biomedical subjects

Barbara Rogala

Publications and source records attributed to Barbara Rogala.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Markers of antioxidant defence system and lipid peroxidation in peripheral blood of female patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Oxidative stress is an important event in lesional skin of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). In the present study, we assessed blood oxidant/antioxidant status of patients suffering from CIU with positive response to autologous serum skin test (ASST) and with negative ASST, to improve our understanding of biological processes and the part of oxidative stress in this disease. Activities of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and catalase (CAT) as indices of enzymatic antioxidant capacity, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) level as a maker of lipid peroxidation were measured in plasma and erythrocytes from 14 CIU female patients showing positive ASST, 31 CIU female patients with negative ASST and in 19 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects. The antioxidant enzyme activity in plasma and in erythrocytes did not differ significantly among the three groups. Also, the plasma and erythrocytes MDA levels were similar in the three groups. Based on our results, it seems that systemic activity of the enzymatic antioxidants (CuZn/SOD, MnSOD, GSH-Px, and CAT) as well as level of lipid peroxidation determined by MDA may not be increased in the course of immune-inflammatory processes associated with CIU. We also suggest that the systemic oxidant/antioxidant status of CIU patients, showing positive response to ASST, may not be different from that of CIU patients with negative ASST.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Blood urokinase plasminogen activator system in chronic urticaria.

The evidence gathered has pointed to the fibrinolytic system, which apart from its major role in hemostasis may also be involved in inflammatory and immune processes. To understand better the role of fibrinolysis in urticaria, we measured plasma levels of the urokinase system associated molecules such as urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), its soluble receptor (suPAR; CD87) and an inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) activity in chronic urticaria (CU) patients. Plasma was obtained from symptomatic sixteen CU patients (12 females and 4 males) showing positive response to autologous serum skin test (ASST), 28 CU patients with negative ASST (20 females and 8 males) as well as from healthy subjects matched by sex and age. The plasma level of uPA and suPAR antigens, PAI-1 activity did not differ significantly among the three subjects groups. The data obtained suggest that CU patients showing positive response to ASST have plasma profile of the urokinase system-associated proteins, which is not markedly different as compared with CU patients with negative ASST as well as healthy subjects. Our findings have also confirmed the earlier studies, suggesting that systemic fibrinolysis may not be involved in chronic urticaria.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

sCD30, interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme and anti-Annexin V autoantibodies concentrations in heart transplant recipients.

UNLABELLED: sCD30 and ICE/caspase-1 as apoptosis-regulating factors are suspected to be involved in the survival rate of immunocompetent cells during immunosuppression after allotransplantation. Serum CD30 and ICE/caspase-1 concentrations were estimated and associated with unspecific serum apoptosis marker--anti-Annexin V antibodies and myocardial biopsies results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 28 clinically stabile patients--heart transplant recipients at least 3 months after cardiac transplantation performed due to heart failure caused by ischaemic and/or congestive cardiomyopathy or/and primary valvular heart disease (26 men and 2 women, mean age=36.8 years, S.D.=7.6) with normal heart function assessed by use of ultrasound scan--were involved in the trial. The patients were divided and analyzed in two ways: first according to the results of elective endomyocardial biopsies and second to main immunosuppressive agent used. The enzyme immunoassay (CD30, Dako; interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme (ICE)/Caspase-1 ELISA and anti-Annexin V BENDER MedSystem) for soluble CD30, caspase-1 and anti-Annexin V autoantibodies serum levels was used. RESULTS: sCD30 and caspase-1 concentrations were non-significantly up-regulated in all analysed groups--with or without rejection signs or immunosuppressed with cyclosporine or especially tacrolimus. In contrast anti-Annexin V autoantibodies concentration was non-significantly down-regulated also in all studied groups. Moreover in the group with signs of transplant rejection, strong negative correlation between anti-Annexin antibodies and rejection grade was observed (-0.65, p<0.05). Biopsy results were comparable in groups treated with tacrolimus and cyclosporine A. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing tendency of sCD30 and caspase-1 as well as the decrease in anti-Annexin V autoantibodies concentrations in heart recipients could be the result of post-transplant apoptosis disturbances. This tendency seems to be inhibited in a greater degree by tacrolimus than by cyclosporine. Anti-Annexin V autoantibodies might be considered as negative rejection markers due to their strong negative correlation with the rejection grade.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Effect of allergen-specific immunotherapy on platelet secretory activity in patients with grass-pollen allergy.

Platelet may become activated following antigen challenge to participate then actively in the immune-inflammatory response. Moreover, some evidence proves that specific immunotherapy induces changes in the platelet function. The objective of this study was to determine circulating platelet activity during the early phase of allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) in patients with grass pollen-sensitive allergic rhinitis. Twelve grass-pollen allergic patients (seven men and five women) with intermittent allergic rhinitis were treated with specific subcutaneous allergoid preparation. SIT was received by six weekly injections, the vaccine dose increasing until the maintenance level was reached. Blood was sampled at four different time points: before and directly before SIT, 30 min and 24 h after the maximum dose injection of the vaccine. Plasma level of beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), marker of platelet activation in vivo was measured using ELISA method. Baseline beta-TG level did not differ significantly among the patients and healthy subjects. Moreover, no significant differences were observed in the degree of platelet activity between the different times of this study in the patients group. We failed to detect any significant changes in circulating platelet activity, the measure of plasma level of beta-TG, in patients with grass-pollen induced intermittent rhinitis during the course of the dose increase phase of grass pollen SIT. In particular, it seems that both early (after 30 min) and late (after 24 h) changes in plasma level of this marker do not occur following the maximum dose administration of the allergen vaccine during the early SIT phase.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Circulating level of the platelet-derived CXC chemokine platelet factor 4 in chronic urticaria patients with or without coexistent euthyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

The concept of autoimmune aetiology of some cases of chronic urticaria (CU) has been supported by several observation including wheal-and-flare reaction induced by intradermal injection of autologous serum as well as association with other autoimmune diseases, in particular Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). It is known that activated platelets may actively participate in immune-inflammatory processes. Therefore, we assessed whether autoimmune phenomenon associated with CU influence the systemic platelet activity measured by circulating level of platelet factor 4 (PF-4). Plasma level of PF-4 was analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in twelve women with strong positive response to autologous serum skin test (ASST) suffering from CU, twelve female patients with strong positive ASST suffering from both CU and untreated, HT as well as sixteen healthy women. All the subjects were clinically and biochemically euthyroid. There were no statistically significant differences between the CU patients with or without euthyroid HT and plasma PF-4 level in healthy controls. In patients with both CU and thyroiditis, plasma level of PF-4 did not correlate significantly with the level of antibodies against thyroperoxidase. It seems that circulating level of the platelet-derived chemokine is not increased in CU patients with positive response to ASST, regardless the occurrence of euthyroid HT.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Circulating levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its soluble receptor (suPAR) in patients with atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome.

Accumulating evidence has indicated that different immune and inflammatory processes may be accompanied by up-regulation of the uPA/uPAR system. Moreover, it has been suggested that the fibrinolytic system participates actively in immune-mediated skin disorders, including atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS). To study a possible role of such uPA/uPAR system in AEDS, we investigated circulating levels of uPA and suPAR in patients at different clinical stages of AEDS. Levels of u-PA and suPAR were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay in plasma from 13 patients (five females and eight males; median age 27 years) with moderate AEDS, eight patients (three females and five males; median age 25.5 years) with severe AEDS, and 18 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Plasma levels of uPA and suPAR in AEDS patients did not differ significantly when compared with those in healthy subjects. Moreover, we failed to observe any significant differences in levels of these components between patients with moderate and severe AEDS and the controls. It seems that plasma levels of uPA and suPAR are similar in patients at the different stages of AEDS and the healthy subjects. Moreover, these data suggest that the release of uPA and its soluble receptor into the bloodstream is not increased in the course of complex immune-mediated processes associated with AEDS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Assessment of platelet activity as expressed by plasma levels of platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Blood platelet significance in inflammation is recognized but poorly characterized in urticaria. It is known that platelets are activated during inflammatory processes and are involved in modulating inflammatory and immune response via various mediator release. The aim of our study was to investigate the functional state of platelets, expressed by release reaction of C-X-C chemokines such as platelet factor 4 (PF-4) and beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) in chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). Plasma levels of PF-4 and beta-TG, which are established markers of in vivo platelet activation and which play important role in inflammatory processes, were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 19 patients with CIU and in 25 healthy subjects. Mean plasma PF-4 level in CIU patients and control subjects was 5.01 +/- 1.67 and 4.13 +/- 2.05 IU/ml, respectively, whereas that for beta-TG was 29.3 +/- 14.0 and 25.2 +/- 12.6 IU/ml, respectively. In our small study, there have been no significant differences found between the members of the control and CIU group regarding plasma levels of PF-4 and beta-TG. Further studies should be performed to elucidate whether any systemic platelet activation occurs in CIU.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Enhanced platelet activation in patients with atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome.

Data gathered prove that circulating platelets are activated upon human allergic inflammation, partly as a result of direct IgE-mediated process. It has been indicated that platelets may contribute to pathogenesis of atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS). Authors of the recent study have investigated systemic platelet activation in patients with AEDS on the basis of blood level of beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4), which are recognized markers of platelet activation, also belonging to C-X-C chemokine family. Plasma levels of beta-TG and PF4 were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) in 18 AEDS patients with moderate disease activity and 23 healthy, nonatopic individuals. No differences in peripheral platelet count of the two groups were noted. Only four (33.3%) AEDS patients represented beta-TG and PF4 within the control range; plasma beta-TG and PF4 were significantly increased (p < 0.001) in the AEDS group compared as a whole with the control subjects. No association between circulating concentrations of beta-TG or PF4 and total IgE levels in AEDS patients was proved. The results suggest that some patients with AEDS may have enhanced blood platelet activity as expressed by beta-TG and PF4 level.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Allergen specific-IgG4 in circulating immune complexes in patients with inhalant allergy undergoing specific immunotherapy].

The mechanism of action of specific immunotherapy (SIT) is still not definitely clear. The problem of the presence of allergen specific-IgG4 in circulating immune complexes (CIC) of patients with inhalant allergy is being discussed. The aim of the study was to determine the allergen specific-IgG4 serum levels and concentration in CIC in patients with inhalant allergy who underwent specific immunotherapy with relevance to its clinical benefits. The trial was carried out on 57 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and 55 with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR). Each of them underwent 3-year specific immunotherapy with Allergovit (Nexter-Allergopharma) or Novo Helisen Depot (Nexter-Allergopharma). 56 patients with pharmacologically treated allergic rhinitis served as a control group. Serum levels of allergen specific-IgG4 (as-IgG4), IgE, as-IgE and as-IgG4 concentration in CIC were measured in each patient and correlated with the clinical score of the disease activity. Nonparametric tests (the U Mann-Whitney test, Kruskall-Wallis test and Spearman's correlation rang test) were used. Serum levels of as-IgG4 and bound in CIC were statistically higher in the SIT group than in the control group and differed significantly between SAR and PAR groups. Immunotherapy caused significantly higher concentrations of as-IgG4 in CIC in PAR group than in SAR patients. No significant associations were found between studied immunological indices and clinical effects of SIT. Specific immunotherapy of allergic rhinitis is connected with the increase of as-IgG4 serum level and its concentration in circulating immune complexes.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Beta2-agonists--what does their chemical structure determine?].

The paper presents the structure and functional relationship of beta2-agonists and the beta2-adrenoceptor. The human beta2-adrenoceptor is a member of the 7-transmembrane family of receptors. Most of the actions of the beta2-receptor are mediated through the Gs protein and the cAMP-dependent PKA system. Alternative cAMP-independent pathways affected following beta2-receptor activation have also been described. Beta2-agonists have been used as bronchodilator agents in the treatment of asthma since the development of inhaled isoprenaline preparations in 1961. Over the years, these agents have been markedly improved through the development of short-acting beta2 selective agents followed by long-acting beta2 selective agents with prolonged duration of action. Efforts directed towards improving the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, including the long-acting and selective beta2-adrenoceptor agonists, included two major pathways of modifying the basic structure of the catecholamines, which are described in this paper. The pharmacological activity usually resides in the (R)-enantiomer. The kinetics of beta2-agonist-stimulated bronchodilation in asthma is determined by the differences in the molecular mechanism of beta2-agonists action. Regulation of the beta2-receptor is influenced by its desensitization following exposure to high concentrations of or repeated challenges with agonists, and up-regulation which can be induced by glucocorticoids and thyroid hormones.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed2004

[Lung function and exercise tolerance after treatment with salmeterol or ipratropium bromide in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 6 months therapy with salmeterol or ipratropium bromide on lung function (resting and dynamic parameters), exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In open, randomised study patients at visit 1 were included into trial, at visit 2 and, after 6 months therapy, at visit 3 lung function measured by a pressure body plethysmography, exercise tolerance was investigated by 6 minute walking test and dyspnoea was analysed by the means of Borg scale. We studied 24 patients (18 males, 6 females, range age 45-76 yrs, mean: 60.2+/-10.46) with stable COPD. 13 subjects (mean FEV1 = 63.61% predicted, SD = 15.66%) received salmeterol (2 x 50 microg/day) and 11 subjects (mean FEV1 = 62.52% predicted, SD = 12.39%) received ipratropium bromide (4 x 40 microg/day). There were no significant changes in lung function parameters (FEV1, VC, Rtot, TLC, RV and RV%TLC) after 6 months therapy with both drugs, but the treatment with salmeterol significantly improves exercise tolerance in 6 minute walking test (p=0.048) and Borg dyspnea ratings (p=0.008).

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Hyperserotoninemia as a cause of symptomatic bronchial asthma].

Asthma-like symptoms, infrequently, may be secondary to other diseases like: gastro-esophageal reflux, allergic bronchial-pulmonary aspergillosis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, sarcoidosis or carcinoid syndrome. The diagnosis is often made after months of unsuccessful treatment. The authors discuss clinical picture and diagnostic problems in case of symptomatic bronchial asthma in course of hyperserotoninemia.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Flow cytometric analysis of type 1 and type 2 subsets of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in intermittent allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria--methodological aspects].

UNLABELLED: Human immune cells, included T helper cells and T cytotoxic/suppressor cells, may be divided into two distinct subtypes according to the profile of secreted cytokines. The allergic disorders are characterised by type 2 lymphocyte response, while the autoimmune diseases are associated with type 1 response. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of flow cytometric analysis of intracellular expression of cytokines typical for type 2 (IL-4) and type 1 response (IFN-gamma) in helper and cytotoxic/suppressor T cells in patients with chronic urticaria or intermittent allergic rhinitis. 10 subjects (6 male) with intermittent allergic rhinitis (a group ALER) and 6 subjects (1 male) with chronic urticaria (a group PP) were included into the study. The intracellular expression of IL-4 and IFN-gamma in CD4+ or CD8+ cells after stimulation with ionomycin/PMA was estimated by flow cytometer (FACSCalibur, Becton Dickinson) and serum levels of both cytokines were assessed with ELISA (R & D Systems) in all subjects. The percentage of CD4+ cell producing IFN-gamma was statistically higher in the PP group than in the ALER group, and the percentage of IL-4 producing CD8+ cells was also higher, although non significantly. The intracellular expression of IL-4 was comparable in both cell populations in the two examined groups. The surface expression of CD4 diminished after stimulation with PMA in all subjects. No correlations between serum level and intracellular expression of the examined cytokines were observed. CONCLUSION: A tendency to the predominance of type 1 response of T lymphocytes was observed in chronic urticaria compared to intermittent allergic rhinitis.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Assessment of antioxidative enzymes activity and intensification of lipids peroxidation in asthmatic patients].

Chronic immunoallergic inflammatory reaction plays a key role in pathogenesis of asthma. Importance of free oxygen radicals in mechanism of chronic inflammatory process has been proved. Activity of two antioxidative enzymes: isoenzymes of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (POX), and concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum and erythrocytes in asthmatics during exacerbation and improvement of disease were assessed. Disturbances in oxidative system in asthmatic patients have been observed. Lack of significant differences in antioxidative indexes between a period of exacerbation, not complicated by infection and a period of improvement indicates a pathophysiological role of chronic oxygen stress in asthma. It has been also shown that bacterial infection disturbs efficiency of antioxidative mechanisms.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

[Immunotherapy in allergology].

The current state of knowledge is presented of allergenic immunotherapy of atopic allergic diseases emphasizing the fact that desensitisation is an effective and safe method of treatment. Allergenic vaccines, altering the immune profile of patients, correct the deviated immune reactions in atopy. Immunotherapy prevents development of new allergies and the clinical effect is maintained longer than the administered treatment. The technological progress increases the availability of better and ever better standardised vaccines that provide high specificity of administered therapy.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

The effect of short-term and chronic glucocorticoid therapy on lymphocyte glucocorticoid receptor number in patients with asthma.

Glucocorticoid (GCs) hormones are widely used in the treatment of bronchial asthma. However, not all aspects of their pharmacological effects are well understood as yet. It is know that the effects of GCs are mediated through GC receptors (GCRs). We sought to evaluate the effect of short-term and chronic GC therapy on GCR number in peripheral blood lymphocytes, the relationship between GCR number and cortisol concentrations in asthma patients treated with GCs as well as the response to GC therapy in various pictures of this disease. Sixty-nine patients with bronchial asthma were investigated. Thirty-five of them had received steroid therapy: 18 patients for 1 to 15 years and 17 patients for 13 days after a prior 3-month discontinuation of steroid treatment. The control group consisted of 28 healthy, age-matched volunteers. GCR numbers were determined using tritriated dexamethasone as a ligand. The scatchard method was applied to calculate the maximal specific binding and the dissociation constant. The number of receptor sites per lymphocyte was calculated. Cortisol was measured by radioimmunoassay. Lymphocyte GCR numbers in patients with bronchial asthma who were not treated with steroids, did not differ from age-matched healthy persons (means 8115+/-812 and 7905+/-832). A significant decrease in receptor number was seen in patients receiving steroid therapy (mean 4331+/-1041). There was also a significant difference in receptor number between the groups with short-course (mean 3741+/-549) and chronic steroid therapy (mean 4885+/-1095). The number of GCRs did not correlate with age, sex, clinical state or serum cortisol concentration in either group.

Adolescent↗