Cytostatic and immunomobilizing activities of polymer-bound drugs: experimental and first clinical data.

An N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer carrier containing doxorubicin and human immunoglobulin as an actively/passively targeting moiety was used in four patients with generalized breast cancer resistant to standard cytotoxic chemotherapy. The dose and time schedule were deduced from a Phase I clinical trial in which doxorubicin bound to HPMA copolymer carrier (PK1) was tested. It was confirmed that the Dox-HPMA-HuIg conjugate is stable and doxorubicin remains in the peripheral blood with a small amount also in the urine, mostly in its polymer-bound form. More than 116 biochemical, immunological and hematological parameters were determined for blood samples taken from patients 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 1 to 11 weeks after treatment. Depending on the patient, some parameters decreased permanently or temporarily to the normal level (CRP, C3, CA 72-4, beta(2)-microglobulin, ferritin, CEA, CA 125, CD4, CD8, CE19, CD16(+)56(+), leu, ery) and some moved markedly towards physiological values (AST, ALT, ALP, GMT, CA 15-3, NSE, AFP). While the number of peripheral blood reticulocytes was significantly decreased after treatment with the classical free drug, their number was not affected or was even elevated after treatment with Dox-HPMA-HuIg. Increased absolute numbers of CD16(+)56(+) and CD4(+) cells in the peripheral blood and activation of NK and LAK cells in all patients support data obtained in experimental animals, pointing to a dual, i.e. cytostatic and immunomobilizing character of Dox-HPMA conjugates containing a targeting immunoglobulin moiety.     

In vitro studies of delayed hypersensitivity: inhibition of macrophage spreading in rats sensitive to tuberculin and diphtheria toxoid

Wistar rats were sensitized by footpad injection of BCG in adjuvant, or Mycobacterium butyricum in adjuvant, or diphtheria toxoid in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. It was found that the cell population of the peritoneal washings contained approximately 57 per cent macrophages, 22 per cent lymphocytes, 11 per cent granulocytes and 8 per cent mast cells. The lymphocyte count was significantly reduced and the granulocyte count increased after sensitization. The animals sensitized to M. butyricum exhibited delayed skin reactivity to tuberculin and the spreading of macrophages in vitro was significantly inhibited with the same antigen. On the contrary, the spreading of macrophages obtained from animals sensitized to BCG was not inhibited by tuberculin and there was no cutaneous reactivity. Spreading of macrophages obtained from rats sensitized by diphtheria toxoid was significantly inhibited in the presence of diphtheria toxoid, but not in the presence of tuberculin. These animals displayed delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity to diphtheria toxoid. Spreading of macrophages from normal rats was unaffected by serum antibodies. This was true either when the peritoneal cells were treated with antiserum prior to contact with antigen, or when the antigen—antibody reaction took place in the chamber containing the macrophages ready to spread. These results indicate that the technique of macrophage spreading inhibition is able to detect specifically hypersensitivity of delayed type and offers a convenient method for the in vitro study of delayed hypersensitivity.     

Application of salutogenic concept in social work with diabetic patients

In the context of salutogenesis, coping with diabetes is perceived as a dynamic process of changes in all aspects of biopsychosocial model of health/disease. Understanding of salutoprotective factors allows for estimation of client’s extent of vulnerability and ability to cope with the disease. The objective of the study is to assess selected salutoprotective factors in diabetic clients (SOC-type hardiness, well-being—subjective feelings and states scale [SUPOS], perceived social support scale [PSSS]). Low values of SOC, PSSS, and SUPOS suggest an increased need in psychosocial care. The possibility to strengthen an individual’s hardiness and to influence perceived social support adverts to the irreplaceable role of social workers at counseling and educational levels as well as that of a form of social support.     

Oxidative stress in schizophrenia patients treated with long-acting haloperidol decanoate

In this study the role of oxidative stress in schizophrenia was investigated by evaluating the relationship of oxidative stress markers with neurochemistry, psychopathology, and extrapyramidal symptoms. Antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and concentrations of malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls, nitrite, nitrate, glutathione, dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and serotonin were measured in 52 outpatients with DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia treated with haloperidol decanoate. Psychopathology and extrapyramidal symptoms were assessed by positive and negative syndrome scale, global assessment of functioning, abnormal involuntary movement scale, Simpson Angus scale, and Barnes akathisia rating scale. Haloperidol dose was positively correlated with plasma protein carbonyls. Longer duration of illness was associated with decreased levels of glutathione peroxidase. Increased activity of superoxide dismutase was associated with increased levels of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and reduced glutathione, and decreased concentration of malondialdehyde, indicating joint action of various antioxidative systems. Increased levels of nitrite and noradrenaline were associated with decreased level of malondialdehyde. Akathisia was greater in patients with decreased catalase activity, indicating involvement of impaired antioxidant defense in developing extrapyramidal symptoms. These results confirm the hypothesis that oxidative stress is involved in pathophysiology of schizophrenia and severity of extrapyramidal symptoms.     

Seasonal variations of polychlorinated biphenyls in ambient air in Zagreb,Croatia

Levels of polychlorinated byphenils (PCBs) were monitored continuously in Zagreb between June 1999 and February 2000 and analysed qualitatively and quantitatively using high resolution gas chromatography (HRGC). Total PCBs were determined with respect to Aroclor 1260, which was used as the standard reference. The concentrations of PCBs ranged from 1.6 to 136 pg/m3 and were higher in warmer seasons (temperatures above 10 degrees C; 5.1-136 pg/m3) than in colder seasons (temperatures from -10 degrees C to about 10 degrees C; PCB range: 1.6-23.5 pg/m3). The increase in PCBs concentration with temperature followed an exponential curve.