Biomedical subjects

G Drewa

Publications and source records attributed to G Drewa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in liver and muscles of some fish.

In this study we examined superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration in liver and muscles of four fish species: the carp, the brown trout, the white cod and the flounder. Higher SOD activity and higher TBARS concentration was revealed in the tissues of marine fish in comparison to freshwater fish. The highest SOD activity was observed in the cod while the highest TBARS concentration was in the flounder. The observed differences are probably an effect of the different living mode of the compared fish.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Activity of antioxidant enzymes and concentration of lipid peroxidation products in selected tissues of mice of different ages, both healthy and melanoma-bearing.

The activity of antioxidant enzymes and the concentration of the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) as indicator of oxidative damage were determined in selected tissues of healthy mice and transplanted B16 melanoma-bearing mice with increasing age. A total of 60 male mice were divided into 6 groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 consisted of tumor-free, healthy mice aged 1, 9 and 16 months, respectively (average life span: 2 years). Groups 4, 5 and 6 consisted of mice of the same age as the healthy mice, but given intraperitoneally 10(6) cells of B16 melanoma for 2 weeks. An increase in the concentration of MDA was found in all the studied tissues (brain, liver, lungs, erythrocytes) and blood plasma of 16-month old healthy mice compared with the younger ones. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) was elevated in the brain and the activity of CAT and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the liver of aged healthy mice. The transplantation of melanoma caused an increase of the concentration of MDA and of the activity of all studied enzymes in all tissues. This elevation was most pronounced in the youngest mice group 4 and was higher than in the oldest healthy group 3. Thus, these early changes of the "(anti-)oxidative status" in the investigated tissues caused by the tumor development have similarities with age-associated alterations of healthy mice, especially in regard to MDA in all tissues or SOD and CAT in brain.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2003

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity in selected tissues of healthy black C57BL/6J mice and B16 melanoma-bearing mice.

During the process of melanogenesis free radicals are generated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melanogenesis in B16 melanoma on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity in selected tissues of black C57BL/6J mice. The study was conducted on 24 mice: 12 healthy controls and 12 with a transplanted B16 melanoma. Two weeks after the melanoma transplant, when the average weight of the tumours was approximately 2.0 g, blood samples were taken from the orbital venous plexus. The mice were killed by dislocation of the spinal cord, and the brain, liver and lungs were removed for analysis. The level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reactive substances were determined in full liver, lung and brain homogenates and in serum. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was determined only in homogenized tissue. The concentration of TBARS and the SOD activity were statistically significantly higher in all the studied tissues from mice with B16 melanoma than in tissues from healthy mice. The antioxidant capacity, however, was lower in the tissues of melanoma-bearing mice. The results obtained demonstrate an increase in oxidative stress in the tissues of mice bearing a transplanted B16 melanoma.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Activity of some lysosomal enzymes in serum and in tumors of patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma.

The aim of the study was an assessment of some lysosomal enzymes activity in serum and in tumors of patients with lung cancer histopathologically confirmed as squamous cell lung carcinoma. The first group constisted of 10 patients with stage II of the disease and the second group consisted of 11 patients with stage III of the disease. Lysosomal enzymes activities were assayed in serum before surgery and on the 10th day after surgery in serum and in tumors. Arylsuphatase, cathepsin D and acid phosphatase activities were higher in the patients serum than in that of the control group. The decrease of arylsulphatase and cathepsin D activities after surgery was statistically significant in both groups of patients, but the cathepsin D activity was still 3 times higher in patients than in those from the control group. The decrease of acid phosphatase activity after surgery was about 50% in both groups of patients and this decrease was statistically significant. The arylsulphatase and acid phosphatase activity in tumors was nearly 3 times higher in stage III patients than it was in stage II patients, but the cathepsin D activity was nearly the same in both patient groups. Higher lysosomal enzyme activity may be a useful factor in diagnosing and monitoring of lung cancer. However, further investigations are needed.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed2002

Activity of antioxidant enzymes and concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in melanotic and amelanotic Bomirski melanoma tissues in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus, Waterhouse).

The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), as well as the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in tissues of transplantable melanoma in the golden hamster were measured and compared. Ten inbred male hamsters were used for the experiment. They were divided into two groups and were given Bomirski melanoma cells subcutaneously. The first group was given melanotic (Ma) melanoma cells. The second group was given amelanotic (Ab) melanoma cells. Thirty days after the transplantation the hamsters were dissected and the tumor tissues were taken and homogenized. A statistically significantly higher activity of the measured antioxidant enzymes was found in homogenates of Ma tumor than in homogenates of the Ab tumor. Activity of SOD is 8% higher in melanotic melanoma, 24% higher in CAT, and 45% higher in GSHPx. Statistically significant differences between TBARS concentrations were not confirmed. The higher activity of antioxidant enzymes in the melanotic tumor is a result of increased generation of oxygen-derived free radicals. It is presumed that it is strictly connected with intensified production of quinone and semiquinone radicals in the process of melanogenesis.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Enhanced lipid peroxidation processes in patients after brain contusion.

Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) activity and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentrations were determined in 30 patients with brain contusion and in 37 control patients with low back pain due to noninflammatory degenerative lumbar disc disease. In comparison to controls, during 10-day follow-up patients with brain contusion had significantly increased erythrocyte SOD-1 activity and CSF, blood plasma (LDL), and erythrocyte TBARS concentrations. The highest CSF TBARS concentrations were observed in five patients who died 2, 7, or 8 days following head injury. A significant negative correlation was found between erythrocyte SOD-1 activity or TBARS concentrations, in the blood plasma LDL fraction and erythrocytes, and The Glasgow Coma Scale score. These results suggest that enhanced lipid peroxidation processes, which seem to correlate with the severity of head injury, accompany brain contusion.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Effect of altitude training on the peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in sportsmen.

PURPOSE: The aim of this work was an evaluation of the influence of physical exercise in high-altitude conditions (about 2000 m above sea level) on thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in 10 kayakers and 10 rowers. METHODS: During their training, the sportsmen performed different kinds of static and dynamic efforts. The blood samples were taken from the cubital vein on the control day at low altitude and at high altitude, and on the 4th, 10th, and 18th days of the training camp before and after exercise. The TBARS and lactic acid concentrations in blood plasma and SOD and CAT activities in erythrocytes were measured. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase of SOD and CAT activities in erythrocytes after exercise on the 4th, 10th, and 18th days of training was found. The TBARS concentration in erythrocytes decreased in a statistically significant way after the end of the 10th day of exercise (P < 0.01), and on 18th day it more than doubled (P < 0.001) when preexercise values were compared with postexercise values of each day. A statistically significant increase of TBARS concentration in blood plasma was observed only after the end of exercise on the 10th day-using the same comparison as above. A statistically significant increased lactic acid concentration in blood plasma was noticed both on 4th or 18th days of training. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained show the increasing generation of oxygen-derived free radicals and the compensatory intensification of SOD and CAT activities after training in altitude (high mountain) conditions.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Influence of quercetin on B16 melanotic melanoma growth in C57BL/6 mice and on activity of some acid hydrolases in melanoma tissue.

Quercetin (QC) (5, 7, 3', 4' -tetra oxyflavonolol) is an ubiquitous flavonoid in many plants. The influence of QC on the growth of B16 melanotic melanoma in C57BL/6 mice and activity of some acid hydrolases in the tumor homogenates were investigated. Two series of experiments were carried out: In the first experimental group mice were inoculated s.c. with 10(6) of tumor cells (TC) suspended in 1 ml of saline. TC were obtained from the current serial passages. In the second series of experimental group mice were inoculated with melanoma cells preincubated 15 min. in different concentrations of QC. Mice of both series were divided into three subgroups. Mice of the first series were treated with QC i.p. every second day in a dose of 0.1 mg, 0.5 mg or 1.0 mg (total dose of 1.0 mg, 5.0 mg or 10.0 mg per mice). Animals of the second series did not obtain any treatment. After the nineteenth day of experiment the mice were killed, tumors excised and weighed. Tumor tissue pieces were homogenized for enzyme activity determination. Fragments of tumor tissue were taken for electron microscopy (EM) investigation. In mice injected i.p. with QC mean tumor weight was significantly higher than in control I. The mean tumor weight in the first experimental group was higher than in control from 170% to 196% and in the second experimental group from 69% to 147%. Enzymes activity was also higher in both experimental groups as compared to controls. Arylsulphatase activity in the first group was higher from 102% to 144% and in the second one - from 97% to 115% than in control I. Acid phosphatase activity was higher from 100% to 155% in the first experimental group and from 56% to 161% in the second one. Cathepsin D activity was greater from 133% to 333% and from 113% to 300%, respectively. EM studies revealed the presence of greater number of Golgi structures and primary lysosomes in experimental groups of tumors (mice treated with QC and mice with melanoma preincubated in QC). These results clearly indicate that QC significantly enhances melanotic melanoma growth and increases acid phosphatase and cathepsin D activity in these tumors. The mechanism of QC action on the melanotic melanoma is not fully understood and remains to be defined.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed1998

[Genetic basis of malignant melanoma].

Cytogenetic analysis has contributed significantly to defining genomic region frequently altered in malignant melanoma. In the case of 1p, 6q i 9p consistent losses or partial deletions have predicted the location of tumor suppressor genes. Recent evidence suggests that the p16 CDKN2 gene located at 9p21 is important in sporadic and familial melanoma pathogenesis.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

PubMed1998

The influence of rutin on the weight, metastasis and melanin content of B16 melanotic melanoma in C57BL/6 mice.

The influence of rutin on the growth rate and tumor weight of B16 melanoma as well as melanin content and ultrastructure of melanoma cells and metastasis formation was studied in mice. All mice were injected s.c. into the left flank with 0.2 ml of suspension containing 10(6) B16 melanoma cells. The experimental groups were treated with a solution of rutin i.p. every two days with total doses of 1, 5 or 10 mg/mouse. The rutin was dissolved in DMSO. The control groups of mice were injected with 0.2 ml 0.9% NaCl and 0.2 ml DMSO. Increasing doses of rutin 1, 5 or 10 mg per mouse caused augmentation of the tumor mass to 2400 mg, 2600 mg and 2800 mg respectively, whereas the tumor weight of the control group was 980 mg. The median number of lung metastases in the control groups was 12; after treatment with 5 or 10 mg of rutin, the number of lung colonies increased to 19 and 27, respectively. The administration of 10 mg rutin inhibited melanin formation by about 43%. The melanosomes in the experimental groups were in the 2nd or 3rd stage, and the low content of melanin was noticed.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

A possible application of cathepsin B activity determination for estimating the spread of the cervix uteri carcinoma.

The value of cathepsin B activity determination for evaluation of the extent of disease was investigated in 98 patients with the cervix uteri carcinoma and 25 women with cervix uteri dysplasia. The measurements were performed before treatment. Cathepsin B activity was estimated in serum using Z-Phe-Arg-NMec, and in tumor tissue using Z-Arg-Arg-pNA . HCl as substrates. The mean activity of the enzyme increased both in serum and tumor tissue with progression of neoplastic disease and was dependent on the clinical stage of cervical carcinoma. It should be stressed, however, that among the patients with the clinically observed early stage of the disease, higher cathepsin B activity was observed in those in whom metastases to pelvic lymph nodes were detected than in those in whom the disease was limited to cervix uteri.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Cathepsin B in predicting the extent of the cervix carcinoma.

The value of cathepsin B activity in determining the extent of disease was investigated in 106 patients with carcinoma of the cervix uteri and in 20 women with dysplasia of the cervix uteri. The measurements of serum and tumor cathepsin B activity were performed before treatment. The levels of cathepsin B were estimated by direct fluorimetric assay based on the use of 2-Phe-Arg-NMec as a substrate. The results show that the mean serum and tumor activity of this enzyme increase with progression of neoplastic disease and was closely dependent on clinical stage of cervical carcinoma. Also, we found higher serum and tumor levels of cathepsin B activities in patients with clinical early disease (FIGO Stage Ib and IIa) in whom metastases to pelvic lymph nodes were detected than in patients with disease limited to the cervix uteri (p < 0.001, t-test). Enhanced activity of cathepsin B was observed in 64% of patients with cervical carcinoma.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Effect of trypan blue on the activity of lysosomal enzymes, tumor growth and cell ultrastructure in B16 melanotic melanoma in mice.

Trypan blue is known to act as a lysosome membrane destabilizer. We investigated the effect of this dye on the activity of cathepsin D, acid phosphatase and arylsulfatase in tissue homogenates of B16 melanotic melanoma, transplanted subcutaneously in C57BL/6J black male mice. We also examined the tumor growth and the ultrastructure of its cells. The mice were given subcutaneous injections of the suspension of B16 cells (10(6)), and then received the trypan blue solution intraperitoneally in four divided doses, reaching the total does of 0.1 mg/g b.w. (group I) or 0.4 mg/g b.w. (group II). The dye was administered each other day after the tumor transplantation. The control mice were injected with melanoma cells only. The animals were killed 2 weeks after the beginning of the experiment. We found that the activity of lysosome hydrolases was increased by 30% to 50% in groups I and II, respectively, as compared to the control animals. The tumor growth in groups I and II was accelerated, and some ultrastructural changes in the melanoma cells were observed. These included irregular shape of the nucleus, uneven dispersion of the chromatin, increased number of premelanosomes and Golgi structures. The number of lysosomes, however, remained unaltered. We postulate that the trypan blue promotes tumor growth through the enhancement of the activity of lysosomal hydrolases; this may be due to the increased permeability of lysosome membranes caused by the trypan blue.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[Flavonoids in medicine].

Flavonoids are a broadly distributed class of naturally occurring plant products. Because of their widespread occurrence in edible plants such as fruits, vegetables and grains, they are an integral part of the human diet. Several problems concerning various biological actions of the flavonoids have been presented.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[Activity of cathepsin B and D in blood serum of women with uterine cervix neoplasms].

The activity of cathepsins B and D were determined in the serum in 98 patients with carcinoma of the cervix uteri and in 25 women with dysplasia of the cervix uteri. The clinical value of the examined enzymes was performed. The results show that the mean serum activity of cathepsins increase with progression of neoplastic disease. The elevation of at least one of two studied lysosomal hydrolases were estimated in 68 patients (69.5%) with carcinoma of the cervix uteri.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Actual views on neoplasm angiogenesis].

The paper presents review of the literature concerning the most recent data on the vascularization of tumor tissue, mechanisms involved in vascular growth, morphology of tumor vessels as well as angiogenesis factors. A special attention has been drawn to the role of the angiogenesis in tumor progression.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Influence of retinoids on growth and melanin content of Harding-Passey-melanoma cells in vitro and B16 transplantable melanoma in vivo.

Growth cessation and cell death of exponentially proliferating Harding-Passey melanoma cells (HPM-73 line) in monolayer culture resulted in the presence of 3.3 X 10(-5) M retinal, while retinol and retinoic acid caused growth retardation at 3.3 X 10(-5) M. Also at 1 X 10(-5) M, the growth-inhibitory effect of retinal was more pronounced than that of retinol or retinoic acid. Following serum removal from the culture media, all 3 retinoids at 3.3 X 10(-6) M or 1 X 10(-5) M revealed cytotoxic effects within 3 days as demonstrated by cell loss from the substratum. Thus, the presence of serum has "protective" effects. Addition of retinal, retinoic acid or retinol at 1 X 10(-5) M to cultures in stationary growth phase did not result in cell loss during period of 6 days. C57Bl mice with B16 melanotic melanoma were i.p. injected during 10 days with retinoids (30 or 100 mcg per mouse daily). All retinoids inhibited B16 tumor growth in vivo. In this respect, retinoic acid was the most effective one. The cellular melanin content of cultured HPM-cells and of B16 melanotic melanoma in vivo was elevated after treatment with retinoids; retinal having the strongest effect.

Animals↗

PubMed1978

Activity of some lysosomal hydrolases in the homogenates of transplantable melanotic and amelanotic melanoma in golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus, Waterhouse).

Activity of arylsulphatase, beta-glucuronidase, cathepsin D, and acid phosphatase in the homogenates of melanotic and amelanotic melanoma was determined. The activity of these enzymes is higher in melanotic than in amelanotic melanoma. Respective values for melanotic and amelanotic tumours are: arylsulphatase 10,78 +/- 3,20, and 1,45 +/- 0,66 micron 4-nitrocatechole/mg protein/hr; beta-glucuronidase 11,10 +/- 1,40, and 9,98 +/- 1,35 micron phenolphthalein/mg protein/hr; cathepsin D 4,24 +/- 1,37, and 3,26 +/- 0,73 micron tyrosine/mg protein/hr; acid phosphatase 230 +/- 22, and 180 +/- 25 micron p-nitrophenol/mg protein/hr. These differences are statistically significant. The increased activity of the lysosomal enzymes in melantoic melanoma probably depends on the occurrence of an higher number of lysosomes in tissues containing melanins.

Acid Phosphatase↗