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Biomedical subjects

M Kupczyk

Publications and source records attributed to M Kupczyk.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

The effect of recombinant interleukin-8 on eosinophils' and neutrophils' migration in vivo and in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemokine that causes chemotaxis of neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes in vitro; however, its role as a chemoattractant in allergic inflammation is unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of nasal instillation of IL-8 on the influx of inflammatory cells. METHODS: Twelve patients suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis hypersensitive to grass pollens, with average age 30.1 +/- 2.67 years were challenged both with diluent for IL-8 and IL-8 on a subsequent day, in two phases: before the pollen season (unprimed mucosa) and during the season (primed mucosa). The number of neutrophils, eosinophils and myeloperoxydase (MPO) levels in the nasal fluid collected after IL-8 or placebo challenge were determined. RESULTS: Challenge with IL-8 of primed nasal mucosa induced a significant influx of neutrophils (29 x 10(4) cells/ml at 0.5 h, 251 x 10(4) at 2 h and 334 x 10(4) at 3 h). Number of eosinophils in comparison with diluent challenge was not significant. There was no difference in MPO levels in the nasal lavage between IL-8 and diluent challenge of unprimed and primed mucosa. We did not find the relationship between MPO levels and the neutrophils number in the lavage (rank Spearman factor, RS = 0.258, P = 0.42). CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that IL-8 causes influx of neutrophils but not eosinophils into nasal mucosa in vivo. MPO level seems to be of little value as a marker of neutrophil influx into nasal mucosa.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed2003

Comparison of standard and modified SPT method.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to compare clinical significance and economical factors of commonly used standard skin prick tests (SPT) method with new, modified and more handy way of performing SPT. METHODS: Twenty-one subjects [with an average age of 23 years (SD +/- 2.72)] with known sensitivity to examined allergen extracts were tested with histamine, negative control solution and standard allergen extracts (Allergopharma, Reinbeck, Germany). SPT were applied to the volar surface of randomly assigned forearm with two methods: standard technique using lancet needle to prick the epidermis under small drop of extract and tested method using lancet needle which was dipped in extract before prick. In this method all extracts were placed in marked, small, plastic chambers. RESULTS: Mean wheal to histamine was 5.49 (standard method) and 5.01 (modified method). There was no statistical difference between the standard and modified method for size of wheal to histamine (P = 0.654) and to allergen extracts (n = 36, P = 0.824, Wilcoxon test). Economical analysis revealed that examined SPT technique is cheaper than standard method. CONCLUSION: Examined method may be considered to be an alternative for performing SPT as it is safe, cheaper and more convenient than standard technique. SUMMARY STATEMENT: Comparison of standard and modified SPT method revealed the new method to be more economical.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Non-specific immunotherapy for the treatment of allergic diseases].

IgE antibodies play a key role in the development of allergic reactions. Non-specific immunotherapy which enables to control the IgE dependent response at either the synthesis level or the effector phase can be an effective therapeutic agent for atopic diseases. To decrease the quantity of IgE anti-IgE molecules have been developed. Humanized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) CGP 51901, CGP 56901 and rhuMAb E25 are currently under clinical studies. They bind to the C epsilon 3 domain of human free IgE and surface IgE of IgE expressing B cells but not to IgE bound to high affinity IgE receptors (Fc epsilon RI) on mast cells and basofils or low affinity IgE receptors (Fc epsilon RII) on other cells, and therefore they do not release the histamine and other mediators from these cells. Intravenous administration of anti-IgE mAb reduces circulating levels of IgE in atopic patients to low levels commonly seen in non-atopic individuals. Anti-IgE therapy offers protection against allergen-induced bronchoconstriction and reduces severity of symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Anti-IgE mAbs produce improvement in lung function and symptom control, they reduce the need for short acting inhaled beta 2-agonist and corticosteroids among asthmatic patients. Anti-IgE mAb are well tolerated. They do not induce anaphylaxis and the occurrence of antibodies against anti-IgE mAb is sporadic. The results of cited studies suggest that humanized anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies may have important immunotherapeutic benefit for treatment of allergic disorders.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

[The role of leukotrienes in inflammation and leukotriene inhibitors].

Over recent years it has become widely accepted that asthma is a chronic persistent inflammatory condition regulated by a variety of inflammatory cells and mediators such as leukotrienes. It has been shown that there are increased levels of cysteinyl leukotrienes in biological fluids from patient with chronic asthma and in acute bronchospasm experimentally induced by allergen or other stimuli. The evidence suggests that blocking the formation or action of cysteinyl leukotrienes may be benefit in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. In this article the leukotriene pathway, the biological role of these lipid mediators and their antagonists are widely characterised. There are three groups of leukotriene inhibitors: 5-lipooxygenase inhibitors, FLAP (activating protein) inhibitors and Cys-Lt1 receptor antagonists. On Polish market two representative drugs are currently: montelukast and zafirlukast, both leukotriene receptor antagonists. They bind competitively and selectively to Cys-Lt1 receptors blocking the pro-inflammatory effects of the cysteinyl leukotrienes. They offer protection against cold, dry air or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction significantly greater than placebo. These agents produce a modest improvement in lung function, symptom control and reduce the need for short acting inhaled beta2-agonist therapy. Some guidelines suggest that they may be considered as an alternative treatment to low dose inhaled corticosteroid therapy and cromones therapy of mild persistent asthma. It seems likely that aspirin-sensitive asthmatic patients may be benefited by LTD4-antagonists. These drugs have the great advantage of efficacy by oral administration and they do not appear any class-specific side effects. Also some basic information about zileuton--5-lipooxygenase inhibitor are given. Due to its induction of hepatic enzyme activity zileuton is not available in Poland, but it is important agent in evaluation of the leukotriene inhibitors in some models of inflammation. The introduction of leukotriene antagonists is undoubtedly an important breakthrough in asthma therapy.

Acetates↗