Biomedical subjects

Wojciech Piekoszewski

Publications and source records attributed to Wojciech Piekoszewski.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Increase in synaptic hippocampal zinc concentration following chronic but not acute zinc treatment in rats.

Electroconvulsive seizures (ECS), one of the most effective treatments of depression, induce mossy fiber sprouting (when assayed by means of synaptic zinc method), and this indicates an increase in the synaptic zinc level in the hippocampus following such therapy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of acute and chronic zinc hydroaspartate administration on the synaptic and total zinc level in the rat hippocampus. We used two methods of zinc determination: (1) zinc-selenium method, which images the pool of synaptic zinc, and (2) flame atomic absorption spectrometry, which assays the total concentration of zinc. Our results indicate that chronic (14 x 65 mg/kg), but not acute, zinc hydroaspartate administration intraperitoneally (i.p.) increases the pool of synaptic zinc in the majority of rat hippocampal layers (by 72-190%), except for the stratum moleculare and stratum radiatum CA, and perforant path DG. On the other hand, no changes were found in total hippocampal zinc level, measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. These data suggest that chronic zinc treatment increases the pool of synaptic zinc in the hippocampus, and this effect is similar to that observed following chronic ECS treatment. The measurement of zinc concentration in the whole hippocampus by the flame atomic absorption spectrometry method is not sensitive enough to detect such subtle alteration.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Monitoring of verapamil enantiomers concentration in overdose.

A 52-year-old woman with a history of depression and personality disorders, hypertension, coronary disease and asthma was admitted to the Department of Clinical Toxicology after taking 60 tablets of Staveran (immediate release verapamil), and 4 tablets of acetaminophen. One and a half hours after ingestion her condition was critical. She required endotracheal intubation and artificial respiration. Her heart rate was 75 beats per minute, (bpm) and her blood pressure dropped from 70/50 to 50/00 mmHg. Additionally, drowsiness and headache were observed. On admission, R-(+)- and S-(-)-verapamil serum concentrations were 2252 ng/ml and 810 ng/ ml, respectively. Monitoring of the verapamil serum concentration was carried out over 74 h. Terminal elimination half-lives were 18.7 (21.3) and 17.0 (18.5) hours, respectively, for R-(+)- and S-(-)-verapamil. Monitoring of verapamil enantiomers concentrations in serum indicated a higher concentration of the less active form and slightly faster elimination of the more active enantiomer. The data-support a stereoselective difference between first pass clearance and later systemic clearance of verapamil, when taken in overdose.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMed2006

Disposition of valproic acid in self-poisoned adults.

Acute intoxication with valproic acid is increasingly being observed in clinical practice. In Poland, such intoxication frequently occurs as a result of mixing different drugs or alcohol. We studied the pharmacokinetics of valproic acid in five intoxicated patients. Apart from valproic acid, barbiturates, chlorprotixene, tricyclic antidepressants, tetrahydrocannabinols and alcohol were detected and measured. The absorption of the drug was rapid and the maximum concentration was observed after the period of 3.5-5.6 hr. The lowering of the valproic acid level in plasma was biphasic, with terminal half-life ranging between 8.8-30.9 hr. The calculated apparent volume of distribution was 0.17-0.72 l/kg and could be affected by varied levels of doses as well as time of drug intake (data from interviews of patients) used for calculation and reduction in plasma protein binding at higher concentration of valproic acid. Frequent multiple drug poisonings oblige toxicological laboratories not only to monitor valproic acid concentration in serum, but also to perform the toxicological screenings.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

A search for genes modulated by interleukin-6 alone or with interleukin-1beta in HepG2 cells using differential display analysis.

Interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 are principal cytokines involved in regulation of expression of acute-phase proteins. In the joint action of both cytokines IL-1 can suppress or enhance the IL-6-dependent induction of gene expression. Here, we report changes in the transcriptome profile of HepG2 cells exposed to IL-6 alone, or IL-1 and IL-6. Cytokine-responsive genes were identified by differential display analysis. Validation of observed changes in the transcript level was carried out using the slot blot method. Out of 88 cDNA species modulated by IL-6, only 38 represent different known genes whereas 18 clones match genomic clones in NCBI data with hypothetical cDNA sequences (the remaining 32 clones showed no homology with the database or represented several clones of the same gene). In the experiments with HepG2 cells prestimulated for 3 h with IL-1 and then stimulated with IL-6, 43 cDNA fragments were amplified. Twenty-three of them represent known genes while 10 clones have inserts matching hypothetical cDNA sequences in NCBI data. The identified transcripts modulated by IL-6 or both cytokines in HepG2 cells code for intracellular proteins of various function. The largest groups represent genes engaged in metabolism, protein synthesis and signaling pathways. Among all genes identified as differentially regulated under stimulation by IL-6, or IL-1/IL-6, six were detected in both types of stimulation. None of the typical genes coding for plasma acute phase proteins was identified in our experiments. This indicates that differential display cannot be used to characterize the profile of a given transcriptome. On the other hand, it is a useful technique for detection of new genes responding to IL-6 alone or IL-6 in combination with IL-1.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

PubMed2005

The role of laboratory examinations in medical toxicology.

Medical toxicology is a medical subspecialty focusing on the diagnosis, management and prevention of poisoning and other adverse health effects due to medications, occupational and environmental toxins, and biological agents. The medical toxicology laboratories operates an analytical facility for clinical toxicology (intentional or unintentional drug overdose), environmental medicine (occupational and environmental toxicology, workplace drug monitoring), drug of abuse management, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and in some cases forensic toxicology. This article is focus on clinical toxicology, monitoring of drug abused patients and TDM. Still the most popular in medical toxicology is determination of xenobiotics in classic biological materials (blood/plasma, urine) however alternative materials (saliva, hairs) cause increasing attention. Alternative materials has special value in drug of abuse management (evaluation of drug abstinence), when collecting the blood create some problems and urine samples can be adulterated. For screening usually immunology based assays are applied and for some xenobiotics thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method. Conformation and quantitative analysis are carrying on using chromatographic method. In clinical toxicology chemical analysis are performed for diagnostic, therapeutic and some time for legal purposes. If results of toxicological analysis have direct influence on diagnosis or treatment they should be available during 2 hours other determination ought to be performed during 24 or 48 hours. Integral part of toxicological analysis is interpretation of results carried over by well-trained analyst with close co-operation with clinical toxicologist (physician).

Biomarkers↗

PubMed2005

[Effect of exposure to tobacco smoke and selected socioeconomic factors in occurrence of low birth weight].

The aim in this survey was analysis of contribution of exposure to tobacco smoke and selected socioeconomic factors in occurrence of low birth weight. The research was done on the group of 1528 pregnant women. Smoking habit was declared by 18.2% of women and passive exposure to tobacco smoke was stated by 31% of respondents. Significant association between active and passive smoking and socioeconomic status of respondents was observed. Cigarette smoking during pregnancy was the main cause of lower birth weight of newborns. The newborns of actively smoking mothers were lighter of about 332 g according to those ones of mothers who did not smoke and were not exposed to passive smoking, and were lighter than newborns of mothers who were not exposed to passive smoking of about 342 g.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Urinary cotinine in patients with hyperthyroidism].

The aim of our study was an analysis of cotynine, the main nicotine metabolite in the urine among hyperthyroid patients. The study group included 39 females and 4 males. The mean age was 35.59+/-14.22 yrs. (range: 18-73 yrs.; median: 32 yrs) among hyperthyroid patients suffering from: Graves-Basedow disease (GB), Graves' Ophtalmopathy (GO) and toxic nodular goiter (TNG). To evaluate the nicotine smoking intensity and ETS Environmental Tobacco Smoke, the urine analysis of cotynine level were performed. According to the statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney test, the statistically significant difference between the level of cotynine among smokers suffering from GO and Graves-Basedow disease was revealed (p = 0.03). Similar results were obtained among the GO and TNG (p=0.02) using t-Student test with Welsch correction. To compare, there was no stastistically significant difference between the GB and TNG series (p=0.4). In the group of smoking patients with GO we found out incresed level of urine cotinine than in smoking patients with GB and TNG. We didn't found differences between GB and TNG in depends on an urine analysis of cotynine level.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[Evaluation exposition to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of pregnant women who smoking tobacco].

The aim of the study was to evaluate the exposure of smoking pregnant women (total number 52) to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) on the base of determination of 1-hydroxypyrene in urine. Standardised survey questionnaire and determination of cotinine in urine estimated the smoking habit. In the case of smoking women the mean concentration of cotinine was 362+/-320 ng/mg creatinine, passive smokers had cotinine concentration 32+/-6 ng/mg creatinine and non smokers below 5 ng/mg creatinine. In the urine of pregnant women, 1-hydroxypyrene a biomarker of PAH exposure was measured. The urine of smokers contained 0.17+/-0.18 micromol/mol creatinine, passive smokers 0.11+/-0.20 pmol/mol creatinine and nonsmokers 0.10+/-0.12 pmol/mol creatinine. The obtained results confirmed the higher risk of exposure to PAH in group of smoking pregnant women, however cigarette smoke are not only one source of these cancerogenic compounds.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Level of cadmium and zinc in placenta of smoking women].

One possible mechanism of lowering of the birth weight by tobacco smoke is disturbance in zinc transfer trough placenta caused by accumulation of cadmium in placenta. The aim of the study was determination of cadmium and zinc in placenta of smoking women and correlation its with cotinine concentration and birth weight The study shown that concentration of cotinine in urine of smoking woman was 859+/-1234 ng/mg creatinine. Cadmium and zinc concentrations in smokers were higher (Cd 0.095+/-0.041 microg/g; Zn 46.7+/-8.3307 microg! g) than in non smokers (Cd 0.067 +/-0.022 microg/g; Zn 41.0+/-5.54 microg/g). Concentration of cadmium in placenta shown week correlation with concentration of cotinine in urine. The birth weight of newborn of smoking women (2935.7+/-836.83 g) was statistically lower than non smokers (3288.9 +/-744.47 g), however it was not correlated with placenta cadmium and zinc concentration. The high variability of the ratio of zinc to cadmium concentration caused that was not statistical differences between studied groups. The performed research shown the influence of cigarette smoking of birth weight and cadmium concentration in placenta, however did not proved the hypotheses that accumulation of cadmium and zinc in placenta influence on birth weight.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Are tobacco smoking teachers knowledgeable on their habit?].

Teachers are an important part of anti-tobacco education. The aim of this study was evaluation of the level of tobacco smoking among teachers as well as to check their knowledge on tobacco toxicity. The study group consisted of 745 teachers from whom 671 participated in the study. We found that 32% teachers were smokers and it was a higher level than average for Polish population. Two thirds of responders were smoking from 6 to 20 cigarettes per day. 35% of teachers pointed tobacco smoke tar as risk factor of tobacco-related diseases (e.g. lung cancer). Similar percentage of responders pointed on the correlation between tobacco smoking and osteoporosis. As a conclusion of this study we would like to stress that the knowledge on tobacco-related topics among teachers is insufficient for a proper anti-tobacco education. In the future a repeated courses for teachers on such issues should be prepared.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Education program about tobacco for medical students.

Tobacco smoking is one of the principal causes of morbidity and mortality in the worldwide. By the year 2030, more than four million people per year worldwide will die of tobacco-related cause. No other consumer product is as dangerous as many people. Tobacco causes more deaths than any other dependence-producing substances, e.g. poor diet, alcohol, bacterial infections, poisoning, firearms, and illicit drugs. The morbidity and the mortality associated with tobacco use is caused by several toxic substances (e.g. nicotine, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, aza-arenes, N-nitrosamines, aromatic amines, acrylonitrile, crotonaldehyde, vinyl chloride, formaldehyde, benzene, inorganic compounds). Tobacco smoking is a major independent risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), cancer (lung, larynx, pharynx, oesophagus, pancreas, kidney, urinary bladder, nasal cavity, uterine cervix), coronary heart disease (CHD) and reproduction. In 2004 42% of Polish man and 23% Polish women smoked. This publication presents a program that has been designed to educate medical students (fourth or fifth year) about tobacco in University of Medical Sciences. There are two parts in total six hours education. Part I is concerned with the epidemiology of smoking, the toxicology of tobacco smoke, the health effects of tobacco use, the process of smoking cessation, the treatment for smokers, and smoking prevention. Part II (workshops) deals with teaching medical students how to motivate patients to stop smoking. The second part consist of: identifying the smoker, taking a smoking history, evaluation of the level of dependence and assessing the smoker's readiness to stop smoking, motivating smokers to change, and preventing relapse. Both parts (theory and practical sessions), are scheduled to take three hours each.

Humans↗

PubMed2004

Simultaneous determination of eight underivatized amphetamines in hair by high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-APCI-MS).

The aim of this study was to develop, optimize, and validate an analytical procedure to determine a group of eight amphetamines, amphetamine (AMP), ephedrine (EP), methcathinone (MTC), paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA), methamphetamine (MA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA), in hair. The target substances were extracted with 1-chlorobutane after alkaline (1M NaOH) digestion and analyzed underivatized with high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LC-APCI-MS). APCI-MS parameters such as fragmentor and capillary voltage, corona current, drying gas temperature and flow rate, vaporizer temperature, and nebulizer gas pressure were optimized with the application of flow injection analysis. Quantitation was performed using selected ion monitoring of protonated molecular ions of the studied drugs, and their deuterated analogues were used as internal standards. The limits of detection were 0.05 ng/mg for MA, MDA, MDMA, and MDEA; 0.10 ng/mg for EP and AMP; and 0.20 ng/mg for MTC and PMA. A linear response was observed for all drugs from 0 to 20 ng/mg. The method was applied to the determination of amphetamines in 93 authentic hair samples obtained from detoxification and methadone treatment patients, revealing the following concentrations: 0.17-17.28 ng/mg (EP), 0.52-2.08 ng/mg (MTC), 0.15-62.52 ng/mg (AMP), 0.10-16.52 ng/mg (MA), 0.10-0.88 ng/mg (MDMA), and 0.10-0.16 ng/mg (MDEA). MDA and PMA were never detected.

Amphetamines↗

PubMed2004

[Acetaldehyde concentration in acute ethanol-intoxicated patients addicted to alcohol].

Ethanol is oxidized to acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and this is the main way of alcohol oxidizing in social drinkers. Microsomal Ethanol Oxidizing System (MEOS) is induced in ethanol addicted individuals and plays the main role in ethanol oxidation in this group. The aldehyde dehydrogenase (AIDH), enzyme oxidizing acetaldehyde to acetic acid, activity is not induced and does not get changed. This may lead to acetaldehyde cumulation in alcoholics. The aim of the study was to define the usefulness of acetaldehyde concentration measurement in the blood as the marker of alcohol addiction. 53 alcohol addicted and acutely poisoned patients (males) participated in the study. The control group was social drinkers, 43 males, accidentally poisoned with ethanol. Alcohol addiction was diagnosed according to ICD-10 criteria. Ethanol and acetaldehyde measurements were carry out on admission. The ethanol concentration in blood was measured by enzymatic method (ADH) and acetaldehyde concentration using headspace gas chromatography. Because of differences of ethanol concentrations in two examined groups (alcoholics and social drinkers) the normalization of acetaldehyde results was performed dividing acetaldehyde concentration by ethanol concentration. The results indicated higher blood acetaldehyde and ethanol concentrations in alcoholic individuals acutely poisoned with ethanol in comparison to acutely poisoned social drinkers. The acetaldehyde/ethanol ratio, used in the study, is higher in alcoholics as well and the difference is statistically significant. These results suggest the usefulness of acetaldehyde concentration measurement as a marker of ethanol addiction.

Acetaldehyde↗

PubMed2004

[Psychoactive substances in biological samples--toxicological laboratory data].

The subject of the research was the analysis of frequency and type of psychoactive substances used, basing on the determinations the blood and/or urine samples, performed in the toxicological laboratory of the Department of Clinical and Industrial Toxicology Jagiellonian University in Kraków in the period from December 2001 to November 2003. From 17,649 performed determinations--45.5% were positive. 50% of the positive determinations were psychoactive substances. The most often psychoactive substance determined was ethyl alcohol (52.86%), next benzodiazepines (17.41%), amphetamines (10.54%), opiates (8.05%), THC (6.87%), barbiturates (3.74%), and occasionally atropine and cocaine. There was observed a variety of mixed, simultaneously taking psychoactive substances, especially ethyl alcohol, opiates, amphetamine derivatives and cannabinoids. The analysis of the occurrence of psychoactive substances in biological samples from patients treated in different hospital departments, others hospitals and ordered by private persons also was performed. In the last two years 369 private patients ordered psychoactive substances determinations and 78 of them were positive.

Amphetamines↗

PubMed2004

[Use of a questionnaire and biomarkers for evaluation of tobacco smoking in parturient women].

According epidemiological study tobacco smoking is popular addiction around the world. It was estimated, that one third of world population smoking tobacco. The statistical data from 2002 show that in Poland 42% of men and 22% of women smoke tobacco on a daily basis. As many as 60% of non-smokers are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). The aim of the study was verification the answer on a standardised survey questionnaire (related to tobacco smoking) by laboratory method--determination of cotinine in urine. In the study participated 244 delivering women. In the tested group 23.8% of surveyed declared smoking during their pregnancy and around 28% of non-smoking women were exposed to passive inhalation of tobacco smoke. More than 15% of women, which declared non smoking has concentration of cotinine higher than 50 ng/mg creatinine (mean 227.3 ng/mg creatinine) what indicated active smoking of cigarettes. From these results we can conclude that as much as 35.6% of women smoking tobacco during pregnancy and is higher than suggested the questionnaire examination.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Using questionnaire and cotinine concentration in urine for studying the smoking habits and ETS exposure of pregnant women.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure of pregnant women to tobacco smoke on the basis of a standardised survey questionnaire, and determination of cotinine in urine. In the study participated 133 women delivering, checked in at the Obstetric Department of Independent Public Health Care Unit in Srem in 2003. The all women fill in the questionnaire forms referring smoking and exposure to ETS (Environmental Tobacco Smoke). In the tested group 22.6% were smoking during pregnancy. Only 5 pregnant women quit smoking, however around 60% of smokers reduced the number of cigarettes. Near 56% of women were exposed to ETS, mainly during social events. In case of women, who declared smoking the mean concentration of cotinine was 2164 ng/mg of creatinine. Passive smokers had cotinine concentration between 10 and 50 ng/mg of creatinine Cotinine may be used to validate tobacco smoke exposure assessment from surveys.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Experimental assessment of exposure to the tobacco smoke and its effect on superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities].

Activities of two antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were determined in plasma of rats exposed to tobacco smoke (500, 1000 and 1500 mg CO/m3 air in 5 days) and to 1000 mg CO/m3 in 1, 2 and 3 weeks. When compared to controls, the SOD activity was decreased in the exposed animals, the lowest smoke dose gave the most pronounced effect and the highest dose revealed the least diminution. GPx activity was statistically higher in the rats inhaled with the highest smoke dose. Time of exposure did not effect GPx but SOD raised in correlation to week number, although it did not reach control values over the experiment period. The observed alterations in plasma probably mirror the organ adaptation to oxidative stress in animals exposed to tobacco smoke.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[Tobacco smoke effects the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant status in pregnant and non-pregnant animals].

Total antioxidant status was measured as the reduction of the ABTS radical cation as well as the activities of SOD and GPx in female rats exposed and non-exposed to the cigarette smoke, pregnant and non-pregnant. The assessment was done in lungs, plasma, kidneys, liver and placenta of Wistar rats exposed to the cigarette smoke (1500 mg CO/m3 air) for 21 days. Total antioxidant status was significantly elevated in lungs and plasma of smoke-exposed animals, pregnant and non-pregnant, when compared to the matched controls. In other examined tissues antioxidant capacity was diminished in all tested groups of animals. Activities of SOD and GPx were markedly decreased in tissues of all examined animals. Exposition to the cigarette smoke, despite some changes due to the adaptation to stress, diminishes the antioxidant capacities of the body and in the pregnant animals it may effect the pregnancy outcome.

Animals↗