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Tobacco smoking, counted as one of the alternating external cardiovascular risk factors, can cause disadvantageous changes of concentration of compounds considered to be the new internal risk factors. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of tobacco smoke on concentration levels of homocysteine, dimethylarginine (ADMA), fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) in healthy smoking male's blood plasma. 71 healthy male volunteers, aged 30-59, were chosen for the study. Based on a questionnaire they were divided into non-smoking group (37 individuals) and active smokers group (34 individuals). The results obtained indicate the most significant increasing effect of tobacco smoke on blood plasma homocysteine levels (by 11.9%) and then, successively, on fibrinogen (by 10.1%) and ADMA (by 9.1%). Changes of CRP concentration, although differentiated similarly to other factors, were insignificant. Since the coexistence of elevated risk factors shows a synergistic effect on cardiovascular risk level in general, it is advisable to perform tests of new risk factors among people exposed to tobacco smoke. The tests will appoint the ones at risk of disease and help to cover them with a medical care.

The first paper concerning hair nicotine determination was published in 1983 by Ishiyama et al. Since then, examining hair nicotine content has become a valuable tool facilitating assessment of exposure to tobacco smoke in various groups of people (active and passive smokers or even neonates and fetus). The present article describes briefly recent research studies on the use of hair nicotine as a biomarker. Furthermore, the paper describes various determination techniques related to nicotine in hair, as well as advantages and disadvantages of hair nicotine as a biomarker.

Toxic tobacco smoke exposure to human organism is strictly related to progress of atherosclerosis changes. One of the mechanisms of these effects is a change of blood lipoprotein fraction concentrations. The concentrations of the lipid profile parameters (TCL, HDL, LDL, TG) and the chosen biomarkers (urine cotinine and 1-hydroxypyrene and blood carboxyhaemoglobine) were determined. It was studied whether the procedure of the groups determination (nonsmokers, passive and active smokers) affect the calculated average values of lipid profile parameters. The role of the applied biomarkers for the detection of the effects related to the tobacco smoke exposure is also discussed. It is concluded that there is no difference among the lipid profiles of passive smokers and nonsmokers. Cigarette smoking increases and lowers the TG and HDL concentrations, respectively. Urine cotinine seems to be the best indicator of tobacco smoke exposure among three chosen biomarkers. Study subjects were 300 male and female volunteers.

Tobacco smoking is considered to be one of the main factors that negatively affect the skin, mucous membranes and teeth, i.e. the body parts that decide on the so called 'healthy look' and 'attraction'. This paper is a review of literature on the subject of harmful and pathological influence of tobacco smoking on the skin and the immunological system. Furthermore, the paper described such smoking results as wrinkle development, skin elasticity and thickness loss, as well as a decreased ability of tissues to regenerate. Finally, the authors discussed various diseases connected with tobacco use: changes in the skin, teeth and mucous membranes, and cancerous lesions.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of tobacco smoke on homocysteine concentration in plasma. 168 healthy males between the age of 18 and 60 were qualified for the study. The exposure to tobacco smoke in examined group was determined on the basis of personal questionnaire and cotinine concentration in plasma. Three groups were chosen: non-smokers (control, 53 people), passive (48 people) and active smokers (67 people). The average levels of plasma cotinine concentration for selected groups were 4.3; 18.3 and 115 ng/ml respectively. Significant difference (p=0.019) of plasma homocysteine concentration between passive smokers and non-smokers was determined (10.4 and 9.2 micromol/L, respectively). A difference of homocysteine concentration in plasma for active smokers relatively to control group was higher and was 12.2 vs 9.2 micromol/L, p<0.001. Concentrations of plasma homocysteine were significant and positively correlated with concentrations of cotinine in plasma and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was 0.341 for passive smokers and 0.678 for active ones. The results obtained indicate that passive smoking has effect as toxic as active smoking which, inter alia, is manifested by increase in concentration of aterogenic homocysteine in plasma for both passive and active smokers.

Cigarette smokers believe that quitting smoking is the hardest thing in their life. Modern pharmacology offers a wide range of various drugs and therapies that might support smoking cessation. One of the most effective drug is varenicline. Varenicline has been introduced this year to Polish pharmaceutical market by Pfizer company under the trade name Champix. The aim of the study was to critically review all new information about Champix pharmacology and pharmacokinetics but also evaluate safety and economical aspects of using this new drug. From the presented data it might be concluded that nowadays varenicline is the most effective drug used in smoking cessation (about 40%). The unique properties of varenicline, which is a partial agonist and antagonist to alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptor, are the reasons of dual mechanism of the drug action. The agonist effect is caused by binding to nicotinic receptors and stimulating receptor-mediated activity. The antagonist effect occurs when varenicline blocks the ability of nicotine to activate nicotinic receptors. The most frequently adverse effects of varenicline are: nausea, headache, insomnia, and abnormal dreams. Although the price of complete therapy with Champix seems to be quite high, but potential benefits (in case of therapy finished successfully) are much higher than these costs. Pharmacological properties of varenicline described in the article, along with its high relative effectiveness and safeness, make the drug very attractive and promising for the smokers who want to quit.

Toxic effects of tobacco smoke may manifest by the increase of concentration of aterogenic compounds in the human body. One of them is asymmetric dimetyloarginine (ADMA) which is perceived not only as a significant risk factor of endothelium dysfunction and cardiovascular disease but also predicts all-cause and cardiovascular mortality independently of established and emerging cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of this work was to check to what degree ADMA concentration in plasma changes for people exposed to tobacco smoke in various intensity. The study population consisted of 168 healthy males between the age of 18 and 60. The exposure to tobacco smoke in examined groups was determined on the basis of questionnaires and cotinine concentration in plasma. Three groups were selected: non-smokers (53 people), passive smokers (48 people) and active smokers (67 people). Insignificant differences of ADMA concentration between passive and active smokers in relation to non-smokers were determined, 15.4% (0.45 vs. 0.39 mmol/l,) and 7.7% (0.42 vs. 0.39 mmol/l) respectively. There was no significant relationship between concentration of ADMA and cotinine in plasma (r=0.173; p=0.239 for passive smokers and r=0.218; p=0.076 for active smokers). The results obtained indicate that tobacco smoke has small influence on ADMA level in healthy males' plasma.

Tobacco (Nicotiana sp.) is of the most often used model plants for research in the field of physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology and genetic engineering. Tobacco was also the first plant subject to genetic transformation--in 1983 the plant was introduced with the kanamycin resistance gene. The internet database PubMed includes roughly 3,500 records concerning transgenic tobacco, out of which nearly 200 works were published this year. Advancement of state-of-the-art techniques of genetic engineering offers new, as yet unprecedented opportunities to take advantage of tobacco. Apparently tobacco is not only a source of carcinogenic tobacco smoke, but also a plant which due to genetic modifications may be used in a positive way in medicine and biological sciences. The aim of the article is to summarize the role of genetically modified Nicotiana genus plants in modern medicine and environmental protection. The publication describes the usage of transgenic plants in the tobacco industry and evaluates possible effects of such applications. Moreover, potential possibilities of deployment of genetically modified tobacco for production of anti-virus and antibacterial vaccinations, interferon, antibodies, etc. have been characterized.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of tobacco smoke on plasma concentration of atherogenic compounds, namely total homocysteine (tHcy), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). The study population consisted of 104 healthy males between the age of 34 and 45 years. Survey questionnaire and determination of plasma cotinine concentration were used to divide the group into smokers (62 males) and non-smokers (42 males). The arbitrary threshold value of plasma cotinine concentration was set to 15 ng/ml. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to estimate the plasma concentration of tHcy, ADMA, SDMA and cotinine. Significantly higher (by 38.5%) plasma concentration of tHcy in the group of active smokers in comparison with non-smokers was observed. The concentration of ADMA and SDMA was found out to be higher by 12.8% and 13.5% respectively, however those differences were highly non-significant. Positive significant correlation between concentration of tHcy and cotinine was determined, in the smoking group as well as in the entire study population (r = 0.303, P = 0.017; r 0.257, P = 0.009 respectively). There was no evidence, however, of correlation between the concentration of both ADMA and SDMA and cotinine. Correlation between the concentrations of atherogenic parameters showed weak but significant correlations for tHcy versus ADMA and tHcy versus SDMA and high for the ADMA versus SDMA correlations (r = 0.671 in the smoking group and r = 0.672 in the entire population). The results obtained indicate that tobacco smoke probably has a weak influence on smokers' plasma ADMA and SDMA concentration, while significant rising the concentration of homocysteine, an independent risk factor of atherosclerosis.

Tobacco smoke contains many reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause oxidative stress. Crucial role in defending the organism against ROS play vitamins E and A. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of tobacco smoke on concentration of main ingredients of these vitamins alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol, as well as retinol. The study population consisted of 104 healthy males between the age of 34 and 45 years. Survey questionnaire and determination of plasma cotinine concentration were used to divide the group into smokers (62 males) and non-smokers (42 males). The arbitrary threshold value of plasma cotinine concentration was set to 15 ng/ml. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to estimate the plasma concentration of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol, retinol and cotinine. Within the smoking part of the study population a significantly lower (by 12.5%) concentration of alpha-tocopherol, and non-significantly higher (by 15.7%) concentration of gamma-tocopherol was ascertained, when compared to the plasma concentration of those compounds in the non-smoking group. Practically no difference in concentration of retinol was found between the two studied groups. In order to determine the magnitude of interdependency between the extensiveness of exposure to tobacco smoke and the concentration of analyzed antioxidants, correlations between their plasma concentrations and plasma concentration of cotinine were investigated. A significant, moderate and negative correlation of alpha-tocopherol versus cotinin was determined, in the smoking group as well as in the entire study population (r = -0.291 and r = - 0,317, respectively). Other relationship: gamma-tocopherol versus cotinine and retinol versus cotinine did not show any correlation. The obtained results suggest that tobacco smoke weakens the organism's antioxidant barrier by decreasing the concentration of plasma alpha-tocopherol, while not influencing significantly the plasma concentration of gamma-tocopherol and retinol.

The following biomarkers: cotinine, 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) were used for the estimation of the tobacco smoke exposure. In our study urine and blood sampled from 98 volunteers were subjected to assessment of the biomarkers concentrations under investigation. According to the self-reports of the volunteers, all of the volunteers were divided into three groups: non-smokers, passive and active smokers. The mean values of the biomarker concentrations were calculated for these groups. In order to verify the tobacco smoke exposure specified by volunteers, we tested the real urinary cotinine amount. Based on obtained values of this biomarker, the another volunteer's partition into the groups of nonsmokers, passive and active smokers were done. The new mean values for all of these groups were calculated. The mean values obtained for both group partitions differed. The latter partition gave opportunity to use 1-OHP for the estimation of the tobacco smoke exposure not only for the active smokers but also for the passive smokers. When HbCO was taken into consideration as the biomarker, the estimation of the tobacco smoke exposure of the passive smokers was not significant different, as compared with the group of nonsmokers. The analysis of the correlation between the concentrations of 1-OHP and cotinine gave opportunity for the estimation to tobacco smoke exposure of the passive and active smokers. The estimation of the correlation, between the HbCO and cotinine concentrations was restricted for this purpose.

The selenium status and the relationship of whole-blood selenium and plasma homocysteine are reported for healthy human subjects living in Upper Silesia. A total of 1063 individuals (627 male and 436 female) examined for whole-blood selenium were subdivided into six groups according to age; the youngest included adolescents (n=143) aged 10-15 yr, and the oldest were centenarians (n=132). The mean Se content was relatively low (62.5+/-18.4 microg/L), and it tended to be higher in men (65.9+/-17.2 microg/L) than in women (57.5+/-18.9 microg/L). Selenium levels appeared to be age dependent, as the highest values were observed in young and middle-age adults (21-40 yr), whereas they were significantly lower in adolescents and in the elderly. In more than 40% of apparently healthy adults (aged 21-69 yr), the Se concentration was within the range 60-80 microg/L (i.e., below the lower limit of the nutritional adequacy range [80 microg/L]). A significant inverse correlation between whole-blood selenium and plasma total homocysteine was detected in a smaller population sample of middle-aged and elderly persons (n=204).

Colorectal carcinoma constitutes the second, as for the rate, death cause due to a malignant disease both in the western countries and in Poland. Despite deep knowledge concerning morphogenesis and spread of colorectal carcinoma as well as vast achievements in surgery, chemo- and radiotherapy, the percentage of 5-year-survivals still reaches 40%. According to most authors there are 4 risk factor categories: epidemiological, intestinal, dietetic, and mixed. It is well-known that colorectal carcinoma, like neoplasms localized in other organs and systems, is a disease, in which genetic mutations of somatic cells are the molecular base/source of the disease. The inner innervation of the colon seems to play an important role in carcinoma pathogenesis and spread. At present, 80% of colorectal carcinomas are diagnosed in the advanced stage, with infiltration exceeding the intestinal wall or spreading to neighboring organs, which gives full clinical symptoms. The prognosis as to survival and disease progression is usually poor. Therefore, the ways of early diagnosis, monitoring, and the knowledge of etiological factors are so important in medical practice.

In order to estimate the exposure of passive and active smokers to tobacco smoke one can use the questionnaire method or laboratory examination of chemical compounds being widely accepted exposure biomarkers. Substances that make such biomarkers include some of the tobacco smoke components and its metabolites formed in the body. The study discusses two groups of biomarkers. First, includes substances that serve as exposure markers of carcinogenous properties (metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, N-nitrosamines, trans,transmuconic acid, S-phenylmercapturic acid). Second group includes substances which role is limited to the evaluation of exposure to tobacco smoke (nicotine, cotinine, anatabine, anabasine, trans-3'-hydroxycotinine, thiocyanate, carboxyhemoglobin, carbon monoxide). Sensitivity and specificity of biomakers used were evaluated, their concentration ranges in physiological fluids in non-smokers, passive-, and active smokers. The simplicity of the examination method was evaluated. Articles published during last two decades indicate that the substance that have all features that make it the most appropriate biomarker is cotinine. It can be assessed in plasma and in urine of smokers and persons exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.

Passive smoking results from involuntary smoke inhalation in the environment where tobacco and other tobacco products are smoked. This is a common situation in numerous public objects, as restaurants, offices, dormitories and students' clubs. Non-smokers are exposed to very high concentrations of tobacco smoke in these places. Environmental exposure to tobacco smoke of the inhabitants of the Pharmacy School dormitory in Sosnowiec was studied. The evaluation was based on urine cotinine concentration measured with the HPLC method. Additionally, a Fagerström test was conducted among declared smokers in order to evaluate the degree of their pharmacologic addiction to nicotine. The obtained results indicate that non-smoking dormitory inhabitants are strongly exposed to environmental tobacco smoke, but active smokers did not presented with pharmacological addiction to nicotine.

The aim of our study was to estimate morphometric parameters of synaptophysin (Syn-38) immunoreactive ganglion cells in colorectal cancer (within and at various distances from neoplastic infiltration) in postoperative material from 60 patients. We analysed the intensity of Syn-38 expression in Auerbach ganglion neurones, mean number of these cells in the ganglion, and their longitudinal and transverse diameters. The results showed a statistically significant reduction in the number of neurones in intramural ganglia of the large intestine located in neoplastic infiltration and in its close proximity. The size of ganglion cells was directly proportional to the distance from cancer infiltration and inversely proportional to Syn-38 content, which may be explained by degenerative changes and dysfunction of these cells. This correlation was significant in the case of cells with the cytoplasmatic Syn-38 immunoreactivity pattern, but did not refer to the cells with perimembranous pattern, which seemed to be undamaged. Morphometric analysis of synaptophysin immunoreactive ganglion cells in Auerbach plexus in colorectal cancer may be a new useful marker for the description of changes in the intestinal nervous system as well as a prognostic factor for colorectal cancer.

In chemical plant workers producing pesticides chronic bronchitis and disturbed pulmonary ventilation are frequent. The aim of the examination of the staff (sewage-treatment plant, waste combustion plant, waste storage, industrial water pumping station)--16 males aged 21-53 years--was to assess: 1. Connective tissue metabolism--serum concentration of type I and III procollagen propeptides, collagen I telopeptide, hydroxyproline, alpha1-AP and alpha2-M antiproteases, interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) activity, as well as urine hydroxyproline and desmosine. 2. Free radical damage--serum malonic dialdehyde (TBARS) and ceruloplasmin concentration, erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes activity (SOD, catalase, GPx, GR), and neutrophils myeloperoxidase reaction. 3. Humoral (serum IgG, A and M, C3 complement component and the circulating immune complexes) and cellular (percentage of CD3, CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes) immunity rates. As compared to controls the following changes were found: 1. decreased MMP-1 activity and increased alpha2-M serum concentration; 2. increased erythrocyte SOD and GPx activities; 3. decreased percentage of T lymphocytes (CD3), increased serum concentration of the C3 complement component and the circulating immune complexes. The results were compared with those in workers of the departments producing liquid pesticides, dust pesticides and chlorfenvinphose, the changes of the investigated parameters were found to be less expressed.

There is a common view that free radicals may play an important role in tissue damage resulting from circulatory insufficiency, cardiosurgery etc. There are very few data concerning the involvement of free radical reactions in the newborns and infants suffering from congenital heart defects (CHD). Antioxidant status was evaluated in 41 newborns and infants under 1 year of age, among them 23 suffering from CHD (14 with left-to-right shunt and 9 with cyanotic heart defect) and 18 healthy controls. The study based on the assessment of activities of antioxidant enzymes in blood (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase), levels of low molecular weight antioxidants (vitamin E, uric acid and selenium) and the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation. All subjects had low blood selenium concentration as compared to the level considered as being adequate. Infants suffering from CHD had lower, as compared to healthy controls, plasma vitamin E concentration. The difference was significant in the case of acyanotic ones. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in infants with CHD were not significantly different from the respective values recorded in healthy controls. The activity of glutathione peroxidase in whole blood was the lowest in infants with cyanotic heart defect in whom lipid peroxidation, as evaluated by MDA level, was the most enhanced. Significantly higher plasma concentration of uric acid which may be interpreted as a positive mechanism enabling better protection of red blood cells from peroxidative damage was found in this group of infants. It is concluded that enhanced oxidative stress due to imbalance between prooxidant and antioxidant reactions appears to be associated with congenital heart defect pathology in infants.

The goal of this study was to check if there is any connection between nonenzymatic antioxidant system and larynx cancer staging. Levels of retinol, alpha- and gamma-tocopherol were measured in blood of 28 patients with larynx cancer. The conclusion is that the levels of measured substances were significantly lower in patients with more advanced larynx cancer.

The goal of this study was to examine if there is any connection between enzymatic antioxidant system and larynx cancer staging. The levels of superoxide dysmutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, 6-phosphogluconic dehydrogenase and glucoso-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were measured in blood of 28 larynx cancer patients. The results show that the activity of this system is lower in sick patients than in healthy control group. It was becoming lower group of patients with more advanced cancer.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a low-carbohydrate (L-CHO) diet and graded cycling exercise on the enzymatic and non-enzymatic blood antioxidant defence system in young eumenorrhoeic women. Seven healthy physical education students exercised incrementally until they were fatigued under four different phase-diet conditions of the menstrual cycle, i.e. twice either during the mid-follicular or the mid-luteal phase, in each case either after 3 days of eating a normal mixed diet (59% carbohydrate, 27% fat, 14% protein) or 3 days of eating an isoenergy L-CHO diet (5% carbohydrate, 52% fat, 43% protein). In venous blood samples obtained at rest, immediately post test and during recovery, the activity of antioxidant enzymes and concentrations of reduced glutathione and selenium were determined. Plasma samples were analysed for concentrations of malondialdehyde, vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), uric acid and activity of creatine kinase. The 3 days of the L-CHO diet, which had been preceded by glycogen-depleting exercise, resulted in a stimulation of the blood antioxidant defence system in young eumenorrhoeic women both at rest and during the graded cycling exercise to maximal oxygen uptake. It seems justified to presume that higher daily doses of haem iron, selenium and alpha-tocopherol provided by the L-CHO diet contributed to the enhancement of catalase activity, the rise in plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and selenium, which resulted in better protection of the cell membranes against damage from peroxides, as reflected by a limited release of creatine kinase into plasma. With the exception of the case of glutathione reductase, the phases of the menstrual cycle had only minor effects on the indices of the blood antioxidant defence system.