Pollen extracts reduce the hepatotoxicity of paracetamol in mice

Cernitins are preparations obtained from plant pollen which contain numerous compounds of potential biological significance. This work deals with the influence of cernitins upon acute paracetamol toxicity in mice. The survival rate and indices of hepatic injury: aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, bilirubin level in serum, glutathione and cytochrome P-450 content in liver, liver weight, histopathologic picture of the liver and presence of glycogen and lipids in stained liver sections, under different experimental protocols, were determined. It was found that cernitins are able to increase the survival rate of mice and reduce liver injury in acute paracetamol poisoning. Cernitins are more effective when administered after, rather than before, a dose of paracetamol. The possible mechanism through which cernitins may act is discussed.     

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its application in transfusion medicine and hematology]

The new technique, polymerase chain reaction, used for in vitro DNA fragments amplification is described. The conditions of the reaction and methods of data analysis are discussed as well as the usefulness of this technique in research and medical practice.     

Immunologic phenotype of lymphocytes in chronic B-cell lymphocytic leukemia. I. B- and T-lymphocytes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia]

This article contains the review and the critical discussion of studies of T and B lymphocytes in chronic B-cell lymphocytic leukaemia. It is not explicitly known now, which stage of differentiation of lympho-haemopoietic cells undergoes malignant transformation in CLL-B. Basing on VDJ recombination activity it is supposed that some cases derive from the stem cell, others--from B lineage cells.     

Sensitivity of human pulmonary mast cells obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage to immunological and nonimmunological histamine releasers

We have studied the sensitivity of human pulmonary mast cells to some immunological and nonimmunological histamine releasers. The pulmonary mast cells were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of nonasthmatic patients. Mast cells constituted about 1% of total cell population and were morphologically intact. These cells were highly sensitive to the challenge with anti-human IgE. They responded to calcium ionophore A23187, polymyxin B and concanavalin A, however the magnitude of histamine release was low. BAL mast cells were unresponsive to the compound 48/80.     

Studies on the mechanism of the toxic action of sodium nitrite on intestinal absorption in rats

The biochemical parameters Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, alkaline phosphatase, oxygen consumption, and lactic acid level were evaluated in the small intestine mucosa of male Wistar rats duringin situ perfusion of the rat with sodium nitrite. Sodium nitrite was poorly absorbed (10% of the administered dose), but it inhibited the activity of Na⁺/ K⁺-ATPase and alkaline phosphatase. It had no effect on the lactic acid level, pointing to normal oxygen in the intestine, evidently reducing the utilization of oxygen by this tissue. Using metabolism inhibitors added to the perfusion fluid in the concentrations: ouabaine 0.1 mM, NaN₃ (sodium azide) 1 mM, L-phenylalanine 50 mM and during functional ischaemia of the intestine produced by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for the time of the perfusion, it was possible to find the site of action and the direction of the toxic influence of sodium nitrite.