Autoimmune thyroid diseases include several distinct clinical entities, mainly Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. An incompetent immune response directed against the body's own tissues, and the production of antibodies against specific cell antigens accompanied by chronic inflammation, all occur in autoimmune thyroid diseases. The autoimmune process is induced by genetic and environmental factors that are difficult to identify and generates the development of concomitant diseases in other systems. Leukocyte activation and overproduction of inflammatory mediators, as well as improper levels of thyroid hormones, play an essential role in the chronic course of these diseases. The development of autoimmune thyroid diseases results from the impairment of the regulatory and suppressor functions of T-cells or NK cells and activation of B cells, or from the changes in the number of those cells. Many reports have shown the significant role of platelet-leukocyte interaction in inflammation. Autoantibodies react with target antigens in different kinds of cells, including blood platelets, and autoimmune processes can modulate the mutual cooperation of blood platelets and lymphocytes. The activity of blood platelets and lymphocytes is reciprocally regulated. It has been suggested that blood platelets can influence lymphocyte function by direct contact with receptors, and indirectly via soluble mediators. The interactions of platelet-immune cells (neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocyte and dendritic cells) can have a potent enhancing effect on immune cells functions.
Introduction. Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) that has an effect on living organisms may be a source of oxidative stress. A lack of proper compensation by antioxidant defences on the part of proteins leading to an uncontrolled growth of reactive forms of oxygen, which may give rise to numerous health conditions. Various scientific studies have indicated that propolis has multiple valuable medicinal properties: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, protective - in relation to liver parenchyma, as well as anti-cancer. Nonetheless, the results of studies concerned with its antioxidant capabilities are not explicit and require further tests and analyses. Objective. Determination of the effect of propolis supplementation on selected oxidative stress parameters in blood platelets exposed to electromagnetic radiation mitted by LCD monitors. Material and methods. The material was a suspension containing human blood platelets. A 7% propolis solution was added to a cellular preparation before an exposure to EMR with a frequency of 1 kHz and an intensity of the electric component of 220 V/m (corresponding to sitting a distance of 15 cm from an LCD screen) for a total of 60 minutes. Before the exposure, as well as immediately following it, the researchers determined the level of activity of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde concentration, and evaluated it with regard to the control sample, i.e. material which was not subjected to EMR exposure. Results. Electromagnetic radiation caused a statistically significant decrease in superoxide dismutase activity as compared with the reference group, irrespective of propolis supplementation. All of the studied groups indicated a minimal increase in the malondialdehyde concentration as compared with its initial values; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions. The obtained results allow to conclude that the analysed electromagnetic radiation produced unfavourable changes in the activity of one of the enzymes responsible for antioxidative protection - superoxide dismutase (SOD - 1), and, moreover, a slight intensification in lipid peroxidation, which is expressed by an increase in malondialdehyde concentration (MDA). The supplementation with 7% propolis solution does not constitute sufficient protection against the negative effect of EMR. It is necessary to conduct further studies as well as determine the behaviour of other antioxidative enzymes.
Elevated concentration of homocysteine (Hcy) in human tissues, definied as hyperhomocysteinemia has been correlated with some diseases, such as cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and kidney disorders. Homocysteine occurs in human blood plasma in several forms, including the most reactive one, the homocysteine thiolactone (HTL) - a cyclic thioester, which represents up to 0.29% of total plasma Hcy. In the article, the effects of hyperhomocysteinemia on the complex process of hemostasis, which regulates the flowing properties of blood, are described. Possible interactions of homocysteine and its different derivatives, including homocysteine thiolactone, with the major components of hemostasis such as endothelial cells, blood platelets, plasmatic fibrinogen and plasminogen, are also discussed. Modifications of hemostatic proteins (N-homocysteinylation or S-homocysteinylation) induced by Hcy or its thiolactone seem to be the main cause of homocysteine biotoxicity in hemostatic abnormalities. It is suggested that Hcy and HTL may also act as oxidants, but various polyphenolic antioxidants are able to inhibit the oxidative damage induced by Hcy or HTL. We also discuss the role of phenolic antioxidants in hyperhomocysteinemia -induced changes in hemostasis.
Hydrogen sulfide is a simple, non organic chemical compound with the general formula of H2S. It has very characteristic odour similar to rotten eggs. H2S is heavier than air and it has very good dissolution in water (it occurs in the form of ions). Hydrogen sulfide takes part in a lot of important functions and has a positive impact on many systems like the excretory, nervous and circulatory system. Studies have shown that the role of hydrogen sulphide in the cardiovascular system is vast and complex. This compound is involved in many essential processes for our body associated with angiogenesis, blood clotting action and blood platelet activation. It has been investigated that H2S takes part in the protection against atherosclerosis.
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Siarkowodór to prosty, nieorganiczny związek chemiczny o ogólnym wzorze H2S. Jego cechą charakterystyczną jest zapach – przypomina on aromat zgniłego jajka. Jest to związek cięższy niż powietrze, bardzo dobrze rozpuszczalny w wodzie (występuje w niej w postaci jonów). Siarkowodór spełnia wiele bardzo ważnych funkcji w organizmie człowieka i ma pozytywny wpływ na wiele układów – między innymi na układ wydalniczy, nerwowy czy układ krążenia. Badania dowiodły, iż rola siarkowodoru w układzie krążenia jest różnorodna. Związek ten uczestniczy w wielu istotnych dla naszego organizmu procesach związanych z angiogenezą, krzepnięciem krwi czy aktywacją płytek krwi oraz chroni przed miażdżycą.
There was a noticeable progress in psychopharmacotherapy of affective disorders in the past two decades. New drugs and drug’s classes were developed and introduced to daily psychiatric practice including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). They have proven to be effective in the treatment of depression in out- and inpatients and, in comparison with other antidepressants i.e. tricyclics, SSRIs seem to have fewer side effects and therefore have become more frequently recommended and widely prescribed by specialists and general practitioners. Despite better tolerability and safety, numerous case reports and observational studies have described an association between SSRIs and the risk of various bleeding disorders including ecchymoses, petechiae, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and intracranial bleeding as well as surgical hemorrhagic complications. Serotonin potentiates platelet aggregation and plays a crucial role in the early phase of platelet activation, called platelet shape change. SSRIs inhibit serotonin uptake from the blood to platelets and decrease its intracellular content, which leads to aggregation disturbances and ineffective primary hemostasis. The authors review the available literature akconcerning antidepressant related bleeding risk, describe the mechanism of that adverse effect, its probability, enumerate risk groups and provide some practical considerations about management of depressive patients at increased risk of hemorrhagic complications.
PL
W ostatnim dwudziestoleciu nastąpił znaczny postęp w psychofarmakoterapii zaburzeń depresyjnych. Wynaleziono i wprowadzono do terapii nowe leki i grupy leków przeciwdepresyjnych, w tym selektywne inhibitory wychwytu zwrotnego serotoniny – SSRI, skuteczne w leczeniu depresji i, jak wynikało z przeprowadzonych badań, charakteryzujące się większym bezpieczeństwem w porównaniu z wcześniej stosowanymi preparatami, np. trójpierścieniowymi lekami przeciwdepresyjnymi – TLPD. Lepsza tolerancja i mniejsza liczba objawów niepożądanych sprawiły, że SSRI zaczęto często stosować zarówno w leczeniu szpitalnym, jak i ambulatoryjnym, przez specjalistów, a także przez lekarzy pracujących w ramach podstawowej opieki zdrowotnej. Już po wprowadzeniu ich na rynek pojawiły się liczne doniesienia kazuistyczne oraz badania obserwacyjne wiążące występowanie różnego rodzaju krwawień ze stosowaniem SSRI. Wśród powikłań krwotocznych opisywano drobne podbiegnięcia krwawe, wybroczyny, poważne krwawienia z górnego odcinka przewodu pokarmowego, układu moczowo-płciowego, krwawienia wewnątrzczaszkowe oraz wzmożone krwawienia podczas zabiegów operacyjnych. Serotonina jest jednym z promotorów agregacji płytek i odgrywa istotną rolę we wstępnej fazie aktywacji trombocytów – procesie nazywanym zmianą kształtu płytek. SSRI hamują wychwyt krążącej we krwi serotoniny i zmniejszają jej wewnątrzpłytkowe zasoby, co powoduje zaburzenia agregacji i upośledzenie pierwotnej hemostazy. Autorzy dokonali przeglądu dostępnego piśmiennictwa na temat ryzyka krwawień związanego ze stosowaniem SSRI, opisali mechanizm powstawania i prawdopodobieństwo jego wystąpienia, wyszczególnili grupy pacjentów o podwyższonym ryzyku krwawień oraz przedstawili praktyczne wskazówki odnośnie do postępowania z chorymi należącymi do grup ryzyka, którzy wymagają leczenia przeciwdepresyjnego.
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