Determination of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in plastic medical devices

The presence of DEHP in dialysis and infusion sets for peritoneal dialysis and parenteral nutrition, which are made of PVC and other plastic polymeric materials, were investigated. Phthalate determination was carried out by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method (GC–MS). The results showed that the peritoneal dialysis set (bag and tubing) made of PVC contains DEHP in significant amount, about 31–34%. Solution for peritoneal dialysis which was stored in the investigated PVC bag, contains low amount of DEHP, about 3.72 µg dm–3. Infusion bottles which are made of LDPE, also contain DEHP but in lower amount than PVC bags. LDPE bottle for packaging physiological saline solution (0.9 % NaCl) showed higher amount of DEHP than LDPE bottle for packaging Ringer’s solution. In con-trast, solution stored in bottle with lower DEHP level, i.e., Ringer’s solution, contained about three times higher concentration of DEHP than physiological saline solution stored in bottle with higher DEHP level. Concentrations of DEHP in Ringer’s solution and physio-logical saline solution are 17.30 and 5.83 µg dm–3, respectively. The obtained values are under estimated upper-bound dose of DEHP received by adult patients undergoing pro-cedures of peritoneal dialysis and parenteral nutrition

EFFECT OF PUTRESCINE ON INTENSITY OF LIPID PEROXIDATION IN RATS’ BRAIN WITH CHOLESTASIS

Encephalopathy in cholestasis results from accumulation of unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) and hydrophobic bile acids (BA). Toxic BA and UCB induces neurotoxicity (apoptosis of neurons). Putrescine, spermidine and spermine are endogenous polyamines essential for cellular growth, regeneration and differen-tiation. Beneficial effects of putrescine in CNS injury have been attributed to anti-apoptotic ant anti-oxidant properties.The aim of the study was to examine the effect of putrescine at the level of lipid peroxidation in cholestatic brain injury.Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: I-control, II-sham operated rats, III-treated only with putrescine, IV-bile duct ligated (BDL) rats, V-BDL rats treated with putrescine (150mg/kg BW ip.). The animals were sacrificed after the 9 -day treatment.Administration of putrescine in BDL rats reduces concentration of blood plasma UCB and BA (29.2±3.3 vs. 43.6±5.9 μmol/l and 11.4±0.8 vs. 22.8±2.6 μmol/l; p < 0.001). The lipid peroxidation (MDA) was increased in brain of BDL rats (4.98±0.54 vs. sham operated rats 3.99±0.32 nmol/mg prot; p < 0.001). Putrescine decreased MDA level in brain of V group vs. IV group rats (2.25±0.42 vs. 4.98±0.54 nmol/mg p; p < 0.001). The amplification of cerebral activity of polyamine oxidase (PAO) in BDL rats (1.25±0.09 vs. sham operated rats 0.81±0.09 U/mg prot; p < 0.001), resulted in high local concentrations of 3-acetamidopropanol and H2O2 which lead to oxidative stress and cell death. Administration of putrescine of BDL rats, decreased activity of cerebral PAO compared with BDL rats (1.02±0.07 vs. 1.25±0.09 U/mg prot; p < 0.001).Administration of putrescine in BDL rats results in normalization of cerebral oxidative stress and has protective role after the CNS injury in cholestasis

How the Duration Period of Erythropoietin Treatment Influences the Oxidative Status of Hemodialysis Patients

Background: End-stage renal disease is a state of enhanced oxidative stress (OS) and hemodialysis (HD) and renal anemia further augment this disbalance. Anemia correction with erythropoietin (EPO) may improve oxidative status. However, there is no evidence of time dependent effects of EPO therapy on redox status of HD patients.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the duration of EPO treatment may affect OS parameters in uremic patients.Patients and methods: 104 HD patients and 29 healthy volunteers were included. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the duration of EPO treatment. Forth group consisted of HD patients without EPO treatment. Plasma and erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA, MDArbc), reactive carbonyl groups (RCG), plasma sulfhydryl (-SH) groups and total antioxidative capacity (TAC) levels were evaluated.Results: HD patients both with and without EPO treatment, showed a significant increase in all oxidative parameters without significance between EPO treated and -untreated group. The decrease in MDA and MDArbc levels coincided with the duration of EPO treatment. A negative correlation was observed between the duration of EPO treatment and serum MDA (r=&#727;0.309, p=0.003). Increasing periods of EPO treatment were associated with decrease in RCG, without significance between EPO groups. Increase in TAC accompanied increasing durations of EPO treatment, with EPO treatment for more than 24 months causing the most striking changes (p&#60;0.05). There were no significant differences in &#727;SH levels between EPO subgroups.Conclusion: Our results suggest that long term administration of EPO attenuated the lipid peroxidation process and restored the levels of antioxidants.</p