Biomedical subjects

Stanisław Sierakowski

Publications and source records attributed to Stanisław Sierakowski.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

[Therapeutic efficacy of peloid plasters in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the peripheral joints and spondylosis].

The objective of the study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of the peloid plasters in the group of 20 patients with osteoarthritis of peripheral joints (10 patients with gonarthrosis and 10 with omarthrosis) and 20 patients with spondylosis. This form of the pelotherapy decreased pain in joints after 10 days of the treatment. No allergic or other side effects were observed. Peloid plasters through the analgesic action improve the comfort of life and reduce the use of oral analgesic drugs.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

[Analysis of the acid glycoprotein heterogeneity in patients with arthritis].

The concentration measurement of the acute phase proteins in blood serum has been applied in differential diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis since a long time. However, it appeared that the qualitative changes such as the presence of different glycoforms of the acute phase protein that was a glycoprotein, enabled to differentiate acute inflammatory conditions including the chronic ones, and to determine the dynamics of inflammatory process. This phenomenon is defined as a main heterogeneity, whereas the determination of the proportions of particular glycoforms is known as glycosylation profile. The changes of this profile are well known in the course of acute inflammatory conditions such as: bacterial sepsis, skin burns complicated with bacterial infections or acute pancreatitis. Considerably less observations concern the chronic conditions as: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and degenerative joint disease. The examination encompassed 25 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 21 with systemic lupus erythematosus, 19 with reactive arthritis and 21 patients with degenerative joint disease whose diagnosis was established on the basis of international diagnostic criteria. In all these patient the changes of C-reactive protein (CRP), acid glycoprotein (AGP) as well as glycosylation profile of the AGP were evaluated. For this purpose the electrophoresis method of two affinity directions with concanavalin A was applied, whereas the concentration of particular acute phase protein was determined by Laurell's immunoelectrophoresis method. The variants of glycoprotein resulted from electrophoresis were calculated with aid of planimetric method, and the results were presented as a coefficient of glycosylation. The characteristic patterns of glycosylation profile in the course of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and reactive arthritis may be useful in differential diagnosis of the above mentioned diseases.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

PubMed2004

[Serum soluble adhesion molecules--sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin--in patients with systemic rheumatoid arthritis].

UNLABELLED: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterised by chronic inflammation of the joints and is often associated with internal organs involvement. Cell adhesion molecules play an important role in the pathogenesis of endothelial-leukocyte interactions, angiogenesis and lymphocyte activation, leading to the progression of the disease. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the serum profile of soluble adhesion molecules is associated with clinical feature and extra-articular manifestation of RA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and E-selectin (sE-selectin) were assessed by ELISA in 29 patients with RA and 25 healthy controls. Ten out of the 29 patients had systemic lesions. RESULTS: The serum concentrations of siCAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin were significantly increased in RA patients compared with controls (p<0.001 in all cases). RA patients with extra-articular involvement showed significantly higher levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 than those without organ injury (p<0.001 and p<0.01 respectively). The serum concentrations of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 correlated with CRP and ESR. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that serum levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 may be useful in the diagnosis of the systemic injury in RA patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

[Myocardial infarction in a 24-year-old woman with secondary antiphospholipid syndrome -- a case report].

Myocardial infarction in a 24-year-old woman with secondary antiphospholipid syndrome - a case report. A case of a 24-year-old female patient with a secondary antiphospholipid syndrome is described. She had a history of pulmonary embolism occurring after miscarriage. One month later she was admitted to the hospital due to acute myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography revealed distal occlusions in the left anterior descending and left circumflex coronary arteries. Angioplasty was not effective. She received thrombolysis, heparin and finally improved after administration of high doses of corticosteroids. She was discharged from hospital, however, died four weeks later. The treatment and complications of the antiphospholipid syndrome are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Elevated levels of leukotriene B4 and leukotriene E4 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with scleroderma lung disease.

OBJECTIVE: The leukotrienes are a family of arachidonic acid-derived lipid mediators with proinflammatory and profibrotic properties. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) and LTE(4) in the pathogenesis of scleroderma lung disease (SLD). METHODS: Nineteen systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with SLD, 11 SSc patients without SLD, and 10 healthy controls were studied. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was obtained during routine bronchoscopy of the right middle lobe in all study subjects. Levels of LTB(4) and LTE(4) were measured using enzyme immunoassay kits. RESULTS: Levels of LTB(4) and LTE(4) were significantly higher in SSc patients with SLD (251 +/- 170 pg/ml and 479 +/- 301 pg/ml, respectively), than those in patients without SLD (114 +/- 86 and 159 +/- 149 pg/ml) and those in normal controls (86 +/- 49 and 110 +/- 67 pg/ml). In the total group of patients with SSc, levels of both leukotrienes correlated positively with the total number of cells in the BAL fluid and correlated negatively with the forced vital capacity. After intravenous pulse therapy with cyclophosphamide in 6 patients, there was a significant reduction in the concentration of LTB(4) (from 380 +/- 196 pg/ml to 155 +/- 123 pg/ml) but no significant difference in the levels of LTE(4) (from 697 +/- 325 pg/ml to 418 +/- 140 pg/ml). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that LTB(4) and LTE(4) levels are elevated in SSc patients with SLD and correlate with parameters of inflammation in the lungs. These results indicate that leukotrienes may contribute to the pathogenesis of SLD and may represent a new therapeutic target.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Serum interleukin 6 (il-6A) concentration correlates with matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis].

We explored whether the serum concentration of interleukin 6 (IL-6) is associated with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Serum levels of IL-6, interstitial collagenase (MMP-1), stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), gelatinase B (MMP-9), TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were assessed with an ELISA technique in 30 RA patients. We observed the association between IL-6 and MMP-1 (p < 0.001), MMP-3 (p < 0.05), MMP-9 (p < 0.001), TIMP-1 (p < 0.01) and TIMP-2 (p < 0.05). Additionally, serum IL-6, measured MMPs and TIMP-1 correlated with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C reactive protein plasma level and the number of swollen joints. We suggest that assessing the serum IL-6, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels may be helpful in the prediction of the RA activity.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMed2003

[Correlation between tumor necrosis factor alpha and matrix metalloproteinases levels in serum of patients with rheumatic arthritis].

Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The present study was conducted to investigate whether the serum level of TNF-alpha is correlated with MMPs and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in RA patients. Serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, interstitial collagenase (MMP-1), stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), gelatinase B (MMP-9), TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were measured by ELISA in 34 patients with RA. We found the TNF-alpha to correlate with MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9 and total measured MMPs serum concentrations (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Furthermore, serum TNF-alpha, MMP-1 MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels correlated with markers of disease activity such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C reactive protein level and the number of swollen joints. No associations were observed between TNF-alpha and TIMPs serum concentrations. Our results support the concept of the regulation of the MMPs synthesis by cytokines such as TNF-alpha. We conclude that the measurement of the serum TNF-alpha, MMPs and TIMP-1 concentrations may be useful in the assessment of RA activity.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMed2002

[The effect of low dose methotrexate treatment on bone mineral density in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with MTX or SF. The study consisted of 56 premenopausal women diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Bone mineral density (BMD) of the lower lumbar spine was assessed before starting treatment, and again after 12 months of treatment. DEXA scanning was used to evaluate BMD. Corticosteroids or other substances known to affect bone metabolism were not administered. 45 women completed the study, of whom 23 were treated using SF and 22 MTX. The average dosage of MTX used was calculated to be 590 mg. A significant difference in the BMD of SF and MTX patients was not observed in the pretreatment phase, nor after 12 months of treatment. However, in all patients a significant reduction of BMD was observed, irrelevant of the choice of drug. The average loss of bone mass was 1.7% and 1.4% in the MTX and SF groups, respectively. MTX therapy administered in low doses as assessed after 12 months did not cause a rapid decrease of bone density in patients with RA.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2002

MR in neurological syndromes of connective tissue diseases.

BACKGROUND: Neurological complications in the course of SLE are mostly associated with vascular changes. An important role in their pathogenesis is played by immune mechanisms. The aim of the study was to determine the value of modern imaging techniques, with special reference to selected MR sequences (FLAIR, DWI) in the diagnosis of cerebral changes in patients with neurological symptoms of SLE. MATERIAL/METHODS: Fifty patients with neurological symptoms of SLE underwent CT and MR of CNS in routine sequences. In 12 cases EPI DWI sequences were also performed. Serum levels of antinuclear, anti-native DNA and antiphospholipid antibodies were also determined. RESULTS: The changes in CNS were detected in 48 patients in MR and in 42 patients in CT. Focal changes were observed in 29 cases, while atrophic changes were seen in the majority of subjects. In 10 cases, DWI showed changes typical for acute stroke. The extend and advancement of changes in CT and MR correlated with the severity of neurological symptoms; there was also a correlation between the changes and elevated levels of antiphospholipid antibodies. FLAIR was useful in the detection of gliosis and cortical scar, while DWI enabled us to detect acute ischaemic foci and to distinguish them from coexistent scars. CONCLUSIONS: MRI with FLAIR and DWI sequences enhances the sensitivity and specifity of neuroimaging techniques in the diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disease in SLE. There is a correlation between elevated titre of antiphospholipid antibodies and the presence of vascular changes in patients with neurological manifestations of SLE.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Cytokines and their antagonists in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis].

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease involving synovium and periarticular tissues, often with several systemic manifestations. Proinflammatory cytokines play an important role in promoting inflammatory responses and articular tissue destruction. Presence of anti-inflammatory cytokines in rheumatoid synovium seems to be too low to effectively neutralize their action. In this review we describe the possibilities of the alternative treatment strategies modifying the balance of cytokine network, in the RA patients, towards anti-inflammatory state. Several trials, in which the action of proinflammatory cytokines was inhibited with their specific inhibitors or with anti-inflammatory cytokines, have shown significant clinical benefits.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reduction of soluble adhesion molecules (sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sE-selectin) and vascular endothelial growth factor levels in serum of rheumatoid arthritis patients following multiple intravenous infusions of infliximab.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of repeated infusions of infliximab, a chimeric anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF)-alpha antibody, on the levels of soluble adhesion molecules and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The treatment design consisted of 9 infusions of infliximab (3 mg/kg) at weeks 0, 2, 6, and every 8 weeks thereafter. All patients had been receiving methotrexate (MTX; 7.5-20 mg/week). Serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM)-1, E-selectin (sE-selectin), and VEGF were measured by ELISA at weeks 0, 2, 6, 14, and 38 prior to infusion, and at week 62. RESULTS: A remarkable decrease in serum sICAM-1 (p<0.001), sVCAM-1 (p<0.01), sE-selectin (p<0.01) and VEGF (p<0.001) levels was observed in RA patients after the initial dose of infliximab. The second administration of the drug was followed by an even more significant suppression of serum sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, and VEGF (p<0.001 in all cases). Further infliximab infusions also significantly reduced serum soluble adhesion molecules and VEGF concentrations, although these were less effective. Infliximab treatment induced a significant decrease in the number of monocytes observed until the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Our study, besides a rapid suppression of disease activity, showed that serum soluble adhesion molecules and VEGF concentrations are down-regulated following anti-TNF-alpha antibody therapy combined with MTX. Repeated doses of infliximab sustained the reductions in the soluble adhesion molecules and VEGF concentrations, although they were less effective than the first and second infusions of infliximab.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗