Fractioned exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)) is not a sufficiently reliable test for monitoring asthma in pregnancy.

It has been reported that fractioned exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) can be used for monitoring airway inflammation and for asthma management but conclusions drawn by different researchers are controversial. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of FENO assessment for monitoring asthma during pregnancy. We monitored 72 pregnant asthmatics aged 18-38years (Me=29 years) who underwent monthly investigations including: the level of asthma control according to GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma), the occurrence of exacerbations, ACT (Asthma Control Test), as well as FENO and spirometry measurements.

[Chlamydial infection in asthma. Macrolide treatment].

Atypical microorganism infections, including Chlamydophila pneumoniae, play an important role in asthma course. A significant influence of chlamydial infection on severity of asthma exacerbations and increase in chronic asthma symptoms has been shown. The group of medication with high antibacterial activity against atypical microorganisms are macrolides, which also have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.

Bronchial hyper-responsiveness, subepithelial fibrosis, and transforming growth factor-beta(1) expression in patients with long-standing and recently diagnosed asthma.

Introduction: Chronic inflammation in asthmatic airways leads to bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) and the development of structural changes. Important features of remodeling include the formation of subepithelial fibrosis due to increased collagen deposition in the reticular basement membrane. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta might be a central mediator of tissue fibrosis and remodeling.

Circadian variations of histamine binding to lymphocytes and neutrophils and skin reactivity to histamine in atopic and healthy subjects.

Introduction: Numerous pathophysiological conditions change during 24-hour periods. Histamine, the main mediator in allergic reactions, exerts a multiplicity of pathophysiological actions through binding to specific receptors on effector cells. Nocturnal exacerbation of symptoms occurs in many atopic diseases in which histamine is an important mediator.

[Airway remodeling in asthma].

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Structural alteration of the airways and lung parenchyma, "remodeling", is a recognized feature of chronic asthma and a cause of irreversible airway obstruction. Airway and lung remodeling in asthma involves subepithelial fibrosis, but also alterations of bronchial epithelium, airway smooth muscle cells, myofibroblasts, extracellular matrix, mucous glands, blood vessels and nerves.

Skin reactivity to histamine and expression of histamine receptors mRNA in lymphocytes of healthy subjects and non-small-cell lung cancer patients before and after surgery.

Histamine modulates an immunological response through stimulation of appropriate receptor--H1R proinflammatory or H2R suppressive. The participation of histamine in regulation of an immunological response in the course of neoplastic disease is determined by the expression of particular receptor. The aim of our work was the investigation of the expression of mRNA of two types of histamine receptors in peripheral blood lymphocytes and the evaluation of skin-prick test with histamine in lung cancer patients before and after surgery.

[Mechanisms of action of nebulized low molecular weights heparin in patients with bronchial asthma].

Bronchial asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory tract. Search for alternative to presently used therapies seems to be the way to obtain a better control of asthma. Heparin is an acidic mucopolysaccharide and in the past years there has been a number of reports on the role of heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in chronic inflammatory disorders of the respiratory tract.

Histamine receptor expression on peripheral blood lymphocytes is influenced by specific and nonspecific activation.

Histamine is a physiological mediator which exerts both effector and regulatory functions through its receptors on various cells. The aim of the study was to investigate changes in histamine receptor expression on peripheral blood lymphocytes affected by stimulation with both specific and nonspecific stimuli. Lymphocytes were obtained from both healthy and allergic subjects.

[Effects of anti-inflammatory drugs on adhesion and migration of lymphocytes].

The first crucial step of cell recruitment to the sites of inflammation is adhesion and motility, which are interdependent phenomena. The purpose of our study was investigate the influence used anti-inflammatory drugs (Aspirin, Cyclosporin A, Methotrexate) and endogenous substances of anti-inflammatory activity (Cortisol, TGF-beta) on these phenomena. Lymphocytes from healthy subjects were preincubated with various concentrations of these substances and adhesion to plastic bound CD11a/CD18, CD11c/CD18, CD44 and CD62L mAbs was determined.

[The effect of theophylline on neutrophil and lymphocyte chemotaxis stimulated with fMLP in health subjects and asthma patients].

Theophylline, for many years used as a bronchodilatator, is also known to have some anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of theophylline on random locomotion and chemotaxis of neutrophils and lymphocytes from 12 patients with mild bronchial asthma and 12 healthy volunteers. fMLP in concentration 10(-8) M was used as a chemoattractant.

Modulation of adhesion and chemotaxis of human neutrophils by cortisol, transforming growth factor-beta and antiinflammatory drugs.

Neutrophils are the first cells that accumulate in response to stimuli from the arising inflammation site. We have studied the influence of commonly used antiinflammatory (acetylsalicylic acid) and immunosuppressive (cyclosporin A, methotrexate) drugs and endogenous substances of antiinflammatory activity (cortisol, transforming growth factor-beta; TGF-beta) on the interdependent phenomena of cell motility and adhesion. Neutrophils from healthy subjects were preincubated with various concentrations of these substances and adhesion to plastic-bound monoclonal antibodies to CD11a/CD18, CD11c/ CD18 and CD44 was determined.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced sulfidoleukotriene release from peripheral blood leukocytes in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Bacterial endotoxins are seen to possess strong proinflammatory activities. These substances may intensify inflammation in the airways of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma by facilitating release of various mediators from different types of cells. Sulfidoleukotrienes (sLT) cause bronchoconstriction, increase vascular permeability and stimulate mucous secretion.

Spontaneous motility and chemotaxis of neutrophils is influenced by glycocorticosteroid therapy.

The migration of neutrophils is an important part of the allergic inflammatory response. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of glucocorticosteroids (GCS) on the stimulated and unstimulated migration of neutrophils. The study comprised 103 asthmatics including 44 subjects under GCS therapy (20 GCS resistant and 24 GCS sensitive) as well as 96 healthy control individuals.

Is mast cell activation during asthmatic reaction reflected in the circulation?

Allergic asthmatic patients were challenged with specific allergen that resulted in early asthmatic reaction (EAR). Serum tryptase concentration (STC) and neutrophil chemotactic activity (NCA) were measured before and during EAR. A significant increase in neutrophil chemotactic activity was noticed in the 60th min, without an accompanying increase in serum tryptase concentration.

[Concentration of eosinophil cationic protein in blood serum during early and late asthmatic reaction].

Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) was measured in blood serum of 15 atopic asthmatics during early (EAR) and late (LAR) asthmatic reaction triggered by specific allergen provocation. Nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity was evaluated in histamine provocation test before and 48 hours after the allergen challenge. We observed dual asthmatic reaction (DAR) in 8 and an isolated EAR in 7 patients.

[Granulocyte chemiluminescence during early and late asthmatic reaction].

Allergic asthmatic patients were challenged with specific allergen resulting in early and dual asthmatic reaction. FMLP induced granulocyte chemiluminescence was measured before and in 10 min, 60 min, 4 hours and 24 hours after allergen challenge. We have observed significant decrease of granulocyte chemiluminescence in both groups.

[Spontaneous and allergen induced basophil histamine release and bronchial hyperreactivity].

In this study we have measured spontaneous and allergen induced basophil histamine release before and 24 hours after specific allergen bronchoprovocation challenge. Non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity was estimated twice: before and after allergen challenge. 15 atopic asthmatic entered the study.

[Nedocromil sodium in treatment of bronchial asthma].

Clinical study on efficiency of the nedocromil sodium (Tilade, Fisons) was performed in 20 patients with atopic and nonatopic bronchial asthma. The drug was administrated in dose of 8 mg per day for 2 months which allowed to renounce regular using of Beclocort forte after 7 days of the treatment. In both types of bronchial asthma the positive effect of nedocromil sodium was confirmed, causing increase of pulmonary ventilation and decrease of bronchial hyperactivity.

[Effect of bacteria on chemotaxis of peripheral blood lymphocytes from nonatopic asthmatics].

The chemotactic response of peripheral blood lymphocytes from nonatopic asthmatics and healthy subjects in the gradients of various bacterial strains obtained from the airways of the asthmatic patients was investigated. The dominant autologous strains were found to be effective chemoattractants for lymphocytes form the asthmatics. However, none of the bacterial strains investigated in this study induced increased motility of lymphocytes from healthy subjects.

Autologous bacteria induce chemotaxis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) from non-atopic asthmatics.

The chemotactic response of peripheral blood MNC from healthy subjects and non-atopic asthmatics against the respective pathogen isolated and cultured from sputum of individual patients was investigated. We found that the wide range of concentrations of autologous bacteria induced chemotaxis of MNC from asthmatics but showed no influence on MNC from healthy subjects. This finding might explain the mechanism of lymphocyte accumulation in the lungs of non-atopic asthmatics.

[Bronchial provocation tests using bacterial suspensions in patients with bronchial asthma treated with autologous vaccines].

In 15 patients with non-atopic bronchial asthma bronchial aspirates were carried out. Bacterial strains were isolated from the aspirates and used to produce material for provocation tests andautologous vaccines. Bronchoprovocation was carried out twice--before and after treatment with autovaccines.

[Circulating immunologic complexes in blood sera of bronchial asthma patients treated with attenuated vaccine].

The study included 20 patients (8 males and 12 females) with non-atopic bronchial asthma treated with attenuated vaccines. Circulating immune complexes were assayed with two methods prior to and after the treatment of each patient. No increase in serum circulating immune complexes was produced after the treatment.