Analysis of the impact of sex and age on the variation in the prevalence of antinuclear autoantibodies in Polish population: a nationwide observational, cross-sectional study

The detection of antinuclear autoantibody (ANA) is dependent on many factors and varies between the populations. The aim of the study was first to assess the prevalence of ANA in the Polish adult population depending on age, sex and the cutoff threshold used for the results obtained. Second, we estimated the occurrence of individual types of ANA-staining patterns. We tested 1731 patient samples using commercially available IIFA using two cutoff thresholds of 1:100 and 1:160. We found ANA in 260 participants (15.0%), but the percentage of positive results strongly depended on the cutoff level. For a cutoff threshold 1:100, the positive population was 19.5% and for the 1:160 cutoff threshold, it was 11.7%. The most prevalent ANA-staining pattern was AC-2 Dense Fine speckled (50%), followed by AC-21 Reticular/AMA (14.38%) ANA more common in women (72%); 64% of ANA-positive patients were over 50 years of age. ANA prevalence in the Polish population is at a level observed in other highly developed countries and is more prevalent in women and elderly individuals. To reduce the number of positive results released, we suggest that Polish laboratories should set 1:160 as the cutoff threshold

Application of hypericin in photodynamic therapy – review of preclinical studies

Terapia fotodynamiczna znajduje zastosowanie w wielu obszarach onkologii. Połączenie fotouczulacza, światła i tlenu prowadzi do powstania reaktywnych form tlenu, które niszczą patologiczne komórki. Celem niniejszej pracy jest przedstawienie stanu badań przedklinicznych z wykorzystaniem naturalnego fotouczulacza –hiperycyny uzyskiwanej z dziurawca zwyczajnego. Pozytywne rezultaty uzyskano w przypadku nowotworów skóry, jamy nosowo-gardłowej, pęcherza moczowego, nerki, popromiennych włókniakomięsakach oraz w hematologii i pediatrii. Terapia fotodynamiczna może stać się bezpieczną metodą leczenia nowotworów oraz uzupełnieniem standardowego leczenia płynu.Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used in various oncological fields. The combination of photosensitizer, light, and oxygen leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which destroy pathological cells. Presented review informs on preclinical studies with the use of the natural photosensitizer – hypericin, derived from Hypericum perforatum. Positive results were achieved in case of tumors of skin, nasopharyngeal, bladder, kidney neoplasms, radiation-induced fibrosarcoma, in haematology and paediatrics. Photodynamic therapy can become a safe treatment method for neoplasms, as well as an additional method in conventional protocols

Photodynamic therapy in the treatment of periodontitis – literature survey

Celem pracy jest przedstawienie dostępnych informacji o zastosowaniu i skuteczności terapii fotodynamicznej w leczeniu zapalenia przyzębia. W literaturze przedmiotu opisano korzystny wpływ włączenia terapii fotodynamicznej (PDT) do leczenia zapalenia przyzębia. Szczególnie dużą skuteczność PDT zaobserwowano, w aspekcie zmniejszania liczebności typowych patogenów, bez konieczności stosowania antybiotykoterapii, w próbkach z jamy ustnej pobranych po przeprowadzeniu terapii fotodynamicznej oraz w badaniach przeprowadzonych w warunkach in vitro. Najczęściej obserwowanym efektem było zmniejszenie krwawienia z dziąseł, będące jednym z elementów oceny nasilenia stanu zapalnego. W badaniach na szczurach wykazano ograniczenie zaniku kostnego. Efekty tych badań zachęcają do dalszego zgłębiania możliwości zastosowania terapii fotodynamicznej w leczeniu zapalenia przyzębia.The aim of the study is to present the available information on the use and effectiveness of the photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of periodontitis. In the literature beneficial effects of including photodynamic therapy in treatment of periodontitis, are described. A particularly high efficiency of PDT was observed in terms of reducing the number of common pathogens without the use of antibiotics in samples taken from the oral cavity after photodynamic therapy, and in studies carried out in vitro. The most commonly observed effect was a reduction in bleeding gums, which is one of the criteria for assessing the severity of inflammation. Tests on rats shows reduction of bone loss. The results of these tests are encouraging to explore the possibilities of application of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of periodontitis

The use of hypericin in photodynamic therapy – recent clinical trialsinical studies

Terapia fotodynamiczna (PDT) jest perspektywiczną metodą leczenia wybranych chorób nowotworowych i nienowotworowych. Hiperycyna, która jest otrzymywana z dziurawca zwyczajnego, jest obiecującym fotouczulaczem w aspekcie badań klinicznych, które wykazały korzystny efekt w leczeniu schorzeń dermatologicznych, laryngologicznych, urologicznych i okulistycznych. Na podstawie powyższych badań można sądzić, iż terapia fotodynamiczna może stać się skuteczną alternatywną, a co najważniejsze, małoinwazyjną metodą leczenia onkologicznego.Photodynamic therapy is a perspective treatment of some cancer and non-cancer diseases. Hypericin, which is obtained from the plant Hypericum perforatum, is the future photosensitizer in the context of clinical trials. Positive results were obtained in the field of dermatological diseases, laryngeal (earth, nose, throat - ENT), in urology and ophthalmology. On the basis of these results, one may assume that photodynamic therapy can become an effective minimally invasive alternative method for cancer treatment

Relationship Between Anti-DFS70 Autoantibodies and Oxidative Stress

Background: The anti-DFS70 autoantibodies are one of the most commonly and widely described agent of unknown clinical significance, frequently detected in healthy individuals. It is not known whether the DFS70 autoantibodies are protective or pathogenic. One of the factors suspected of inducing the formation of anti-DFS70 antibodies is increased oxidative stress. We evaluated the coexistence of anti-DFS70 antibodies with selected markers of oxidative stress and investigated whether these antibodies could be considered as indirect markers of oxidative stress. Methods: The intensity of oxidative stress was measured in all samples via indices of free-radical damage to lipids and proteins such as total oxidant status (TOS), concentrations of lipid hydroperoxides (LPH), lipofuscin (LPS), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The parameters of the non-enzymatic antioxidant system, such as total antioxidant status (TAS) and uric acid concentration (UA), were also measured, as well as the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Based on TOS and TAS values, the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. All samples were also tested with indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and 357 samples were selected for direct monospecific anti DFS70 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing. Results:: The anti-DFS70 antibodies were confirmed by ELISA test in 21.29% of samples. Compared with anti-DFS70 negative samples we observed 23% lower concentration of LPH (P = .038) and 11% lower concentration of UA (P = .005). TOS was 20% lower (P = .014). The activity of SOD was up to 5% higher (P = .037). The Pearson correlation showed weak negative correlation for LPH, UA, and TOS and a weak positive correlation for SOD activity. Conclusion: In samples positive for the anti-DFS70 antibody a decreased level of oxidative stress was observed, especially in the case of samples with a high antibody titer. Anti-DFS70 antibodies can be considered as an indirect marker of reduced oxidative stress or a marker indicating the recent intensification of antioxidant processes

Metabolic syndrome is associated with similar long-term prognosis in non-obese and obese patients. An analysis of 45 615 patients from the nationwide LIPIDOGRAM 2004-2015 cohort studies

Aims We aimed to evaluate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and long-term all-cause mortality. Methods The LIPIDOGRAM studies were carried out in the primary care in Poland in 2004, 2006 and 2015. MetS was diagnosed based on the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III) and Joint Interim Statement (JIS) criteria. The cohort was divided into four groups: non-obese patients without MetS, obese patients without MetS, non-obese patients with MetS and obese patients with MetS. Differences in all-cause mortality was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Results 45,615 participants were enrolled (mean age 56.3, standard deviation: 11.8 years; 61.7% female). MetS was diagnosed in 14,202 (31%) by NCEP/ATP III criteria, and 17,216 (37.7%) by JIS criteria. Follow-up was available for 44,620 (97.8%, median duration 15.3 years) patients. MetS was associated with increased mortality risk among the obese (hazard ratio, HR: 1.88 [95% CI, 1.79-1.99] and HR: 1.93 [95% CI 1.82-2.04], according to NCEP/ATP III and JIS criteria, respectively) and non-obese individuals (HR: 2.11 [95% CI 1.85-2.40] and 1.7 [95% CI, 1.56-1.85] according to NCEP/ATP III and JIS criteria respectively). Obese patients without MetS had a higher mortality risk than non-obese patients without MetS (HR: 1.16 [95% CI 1.10-1.23] and HR: 1.22 [95%CI 1.15-1.30], respectively in subgroups with NCEP/ATP III and JIS criteria applied). Conclusions MetS is associated with increased all-cause mortality risk in non-obese and obese patients. In patients without MetS obesity remains significantly associated with mortality. The concept of metabolically healthy obesity should be revised

Relationship Between Anti-DFS70 Autoantibodies and Oxidative Stress

Background: The anti-DFS70 autoantibodies are one of the most commonly and widely described agent of unknown clinical significance, frequently detected in healthy individuals. It is not known whether the DFS70 autoantibodies are protective or pathogenic. One of the factors suspected of inducing the formation of anti-DFS70 antibodies is increased oxidative stress. We evaluated the coexistence of anti-DFS70 antibodies with selected markers of oxidative stress and investigated whether these antibodies could be considered as indirect markers of oxidative stress. Methods: The intensity of oxidative stress was measured in all samples via indices of free-radical damage to lipids and proteins such as total oxidant status (TOS), concentrations of lipid hydroperoxides (LPH), lipofuscin (LPS), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The parameters of the non-enzymatic antioxidant system, such as total antioxidant status (TAS) and uric acid concentration (UA), were also measured, as well as the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Based on TOS and TAS values, the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. All samples were also tested with indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and 357 samples were selected for direct monospecific anti DFS70 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing. Results: The anti-DFS70 antibodies were confirmed by ELISA test in 21.29% of samples. Compared with anti-DFS70 negative samples we observed 23% lower concentration of LPH (P = .038) and 11% lower concentration of UA (P = .005). TOS was 20% lower (P = .014). The activity of SOD was up to 5% higher (P = .037). The Pearson correlation showed weak negative correlation for LPH, UA, and TOS and a weak positive correlation for SOD activity. Conclusion: In samples positive for the anti-DFS70 antibody a decreased level of oxidative stress was observed, especially in the case of samples with a high antibody titer. Anti-DFS70 antibodies can be considered as an indirect marker of reduced oxidative stress or a marker indicating the recent intensification of antioxidant processes