Evaluation of CA 15-3 serum levels in breast cancer patients.

The usefulness of post operative serum CA 15-3 determination was evaluated in a group of 57 breast cancer patients. CA 15-3 was assayed at baseline and every 3 months for a median follow-up of 34 months. Recurrence-free survival probability for patients with elevated serum CA 15-3 levels before surgery was 53.

Ultrastructural evaluation of lysosomes and biochemical changes in cathepsin D distribution in hepatocytes in methanol intoxication.

Methanol oxidation is accompanied by free radicals and formaldehyde formation. It is likely to cause damage of lysosomal membranes. Lysosomal ultrastructure under transmission electron microscope and biochemical localization of cathepsin D were estimated after rats intoxication with methanol.

Ultrastructural evaluation of hepatocytes membranes and changes in cytosolic enzymes distribution in methanol intoxication.

Acute methanol intoxication causes metabolic and structural disturbances of liver cells. The aim of this paper, therefore, was to evaluate the ultrastructure of liver cells membrane and the amount of lipid peroxidation products, as well as the concentration of marker enzymes of liver damage (ALT and AST) in blood serum. The experiment was done on Wistar rats which once received intragastrically 6,0 g methanol/kg b.

[The effect of protein oxidation modification on protease-antiprotease balance and intracellular proteolysis].

This review describe the oxidative modification of proteins and its effect on the proteases and antiproteases activity. The changes in the proteolytic-antiproteolytic balance and the susceptibility of the protein substrates on proteolysis are also presented.

Glutathione consumption and inactivation of glutathione-related enzymes in liver, erythrocytes and serum of rats after methanol intoxication.

The primary metabolic fate of methanol is oxidation to formaldehyde and then to formate. These processes are accompanied by formation of superoxide anion and further hydrogen peroxide. Glutathione plays a unique role in the cellular defense system against xenobiotics.

Activity of liver proteases in experimental methanol intoxication.

Intoxication of rats with methanol (1.5 and 3.0 g/kg body weight) led to a significant, time- and dose-dependent decrease in the activities of cathepsins A, B and C, while the activity of cathepsin D was unaffected.

Trolox-derivative antioxidant protects against methanol-induced damage.

This paper reports data on the effect of a new antioxidant, U-83836E, on the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status of liver, red blood cells (RBCs) and blood serum of rats intoxicated with methanol (3.0 g/kg body weight). Methanol administration slightly increased the levels of peroxidation products in the liver, and markedly increased them in RBCs and serum.

Liver and serum antioxidant status after methanol intoxication in rats.

Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) and concentration of ascorbate, alpha-tocopherol, non-protein and protein-bound sulfhydryl compounds and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-rs) were measured in liver and serum of rats 6, 12 and 24 h and 2, 5 and 7 days after intoxication with 1.5 g or 3.0 g methanol/kg b.

Spermine partially normalizes in vivo antioxidant defense potential in certain brain regions in transiently hypoperfused rat brain.

Activities of the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) as well as the level of reduced glutathione and the concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) in brain regions in transiently hypoperfused rat brain with or without intravenous infusion of spermine were evaluated. Cerebral hypoperfusion was induced by temporary occlusion of common carotid arteries for 30 min and subsequently, by reperfusion for 60 min. Infusion of spermine reversed the decrease in SOD activity in the cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus, hypothalamus and midbrain, and amounted to 50.

Diminished antioxidant defense potential of liver, erythrocytes and serum from rats with subacute methanol intoxication.

The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) and the concentration of ascorbate, alpha-tocopherol, non-protein and protein-bound sulfhydryl compounds, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-rs) in liver, erythrocytes and serum of rats dosed with 1.5 g methanol/kg bw were measured after 6, 12 and 24 h and 2, 5 and 7 d. Hematological erythrocyte parameters were also determined.

[Adaptation mechanisms of cells and removal of damage due to oxidative stress].

This review describe the role of adaptative mechanisms of the cell against oxidative damage induced by free radicals. Adaptative response refers the ability of cells to better resist the damaging effects of toxic agent when first preexposed to a lover dose. Extensive studies have revealed that oxidized proteins are recognized by proteases and completely degraded to amino acids.

Decreased antioxidant status and increased lipid peroxidation in rats after methanol intoxication.

The liver is the main metabolic place where the methanol is oxidized to formaldehyde and to formate. The aim of this paper was to study the liver antioxidant system in acute methanol intoxication, after 6, 12, 24 hours and 2, 5 and 7 days of alcohol administration into rats. In liver homogenates the superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and reductase glutathione activity and content of malondialydehyde (MDA), SH-compounds in protein and non-protein fraction and ascorbate were estimated.

Activity of enzymes of various subcellular localisation in cytosol obtained after cell organelle precipitation at pH 5.0.

Acidification to pH 5.0 of various organ homogenates prepared in 0.25 M sucrose causes aggregation of cell organelles.

The effect of activated alveolar macrophages on experimental lung emphysema development. I. Protease and antiprotease activities in the culture medium of alveolar macrophages.

Aim of the present study was to evaluate cathepsin D, base protease, antiplasmin, antitrypsin and antichymotrypsin activities and protein content in the 24h culture medium of the alveolar macrophages (AM) deriving from the rats treated BCG-vaccine and from rats with papain-induced emphysema. In the culture medium of cells isolated from the rats which were given BCG or papain and BCG+papain we observed an increase of base protease activity and a decrease of cathepsin D activity comparing with control group. Increased antitrypsin activity in BCG and BCG+papain-treated rats and decreased antitrypsin activity in papain-treated rats were observed.

[Interaction of free radicals with proteins].

This review describe the generation of free radicals in the cells under the influence of exogenously and endogenously acting factors. The interactions of free radicals with proteins and amino acids and the consequences of these effects are also presented.

Comparison of morphological and biochemical changes of BAL-isolated cells in experimental lung emphysema.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the protease and antiprotease activity in the fluid obtained from the culture of cells isolated from the lungs of animals with experimental emphysema. An attempt was made to correlate the results of biochemical examinations with adherence degree and ultrastructural changes of the surface of BAL-isolated cells. The experiment was carried out on male Wistar rats, of 180-220 g b.

[Proteolytic and antiproteolytic activity of cholesteatoma and granulomatosis tissue of the middle ear].

Cholesteatoma and granulomatosis tissue show proteolytic activity measured in pH 7.6. Cholesteatoma activity was found to be higher than this of granulomatosis tissue.

Complexoproductive and antiheparin properties of low density lipoproteins (LDL). III. Interaction of low density lipoproteins (LDL) with synthetic polyanionic compounds.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) form insoluble complex bonds with polymetacrylic and polyvinylsulphonic acids in the presence of calcium chloride. Quantity of arising complexes depends on the concentrations of LDL, acids and calcium chloride and on pH. These complexes dissociate solutions of sodium chloride, urea and guanidine hydrochloride.

[The influence of disulfiram on the metabolism of ethanol].

The author discusses the metabolism of disulfiram and the enzymes which metabolize ethanol. The restraining of the activity of ALDH in the liver by disulfiram causes an accumulation of acetaldehyde which in their turn cause a series of psychophysical symptoms which are unpleasant and in some instances dangerous for the patient. Thus, it is important to monitor changes in the activity of ALDH after administration of disulfiram.

[Metabolism of liver proteins in ethanol poisoning].

The present paper reviews the literature on influence of ethanol and acetaldehyde on synthesis, export and degradation of liver proteins. Direction and intensification changes caused by ethanol and acetaldehyde depend on concentration, time of activity and the way of administration of these compounds, and the way of feeding.

[Proteolytic enzymes of the digestive tract in ethanol poisoning].

The present paper reviews the literature on changes of proteolytic enzymes activity, disorders of protein digestion and absorption of protein degradation products from digestive tract in ethanol intoxication. Magnitude of the change depends on concentration, dose and time of ethanol consumption. Acute ethanol intoxication causes increase in gastric and pancreatic proteolytic enzymes secretion and reduces amino acids and peptides absorption.

[Interaction of acetaldehyde and proteins].

A review of literature dealing with acetaldehyde-proteins reactions in vitro and in vivo was done. The changes in proteins structure and functions resulting from acetaldehyde binding were discussed.

[Determining free activity of cathepsin D in tissue homogenates after precipitation of cellular organelles in pH 5,0].

Homogenate is prepared in 0.25 M sucrose. Cellular organelles are precipitated by acidification to pH 5.

[Histopathological evaluation of protective effect of L-cysteine in ethanol-induced liver damage in rats].

Rats fed standard diet were intoxicated during 4 weeks with ethanol at the dose of 0.6 g/100 g of the body weight. This poisoning causes vacuolar degeneration, disappearance of glycogen granules, steatosis of hepatocytes and focal necrosis changes in the liver.