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Abstract: Theophylline, popular diuretic, is used to treat asthma and bronchospasm. In blood it forms complexes with albumin, which is also the main transporter of fatty acids. The aim of the present study was to describe the influence of fatty acids (FA) on binding of theophylline (Th) to human serum albumin (HSA) in the high affinity binding sites. Binding parameters have been obtained on the basis of the fluorescence analysis. The data obtained for the complex of Th and natural human serum albumin (nHSA) obtained from blood of obese patients qualified for surgical removal of stomach was compared with our previous studies on the influence of FA on the complex of Th and commercially available defatted human serum albumin (dHSA). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Activation of cell-mediated immunity by soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha (sIL-2R α) release is well documented. The aim of this study was to measure serum concentrations of sIL-2R α in patients with autoimmune and non-autoimmune thyroid disorders in different stages of thyroid function, before and after administration of l-thyroxine ( l-T4) and its discontinuation as well as before and during methimazole administration. The study included 80 females: 16 with Graves’ disease, 15 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and subclinical hypothyroidism, 14 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis with fibrosis and clinical hypothyroidism, 20 after subtotal thyroidectomy following nodular non-toxic goitre and 15 healthy controls. Patients were examined at two different time points. Serum concentrations of sIL-2R α were measured with the use of enzyme immunoassay technique. Souble IL-2R α serum concentration increased in patients with untreated Graves’ disease and decreased after methimazole treatment. In Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the sIL-2R α level was within the normal range, in Hashimoto's thyroiditis with clinical hypothyreosis it was low and after l-T4 administration it increased in both patient groups. After thyroidectomy, patients treated with l-T4, had increased levels of sIL-2R α which decreased after discontinuation of therapy. There were a significant positive correlation between sIL-2R α and free thyroxine in patients with (i) Graves’ disease both before and after methimazole administration, (ii) Hashimoto's thyroiditis (with subclinical hypothyroidism) both before and after l-T4 therapy, (iii) Hashimoto's thyroiditis with fibrosis and (iv) overt hypothyroidism before l-T4 administration and in individuals during long-term l-T4 treatment (after subtotal thyroidectomy). Serum sIL-2R α concentration in autoimmune thyroid diseases depends on thyroid function. In both autoimmune and non-autoimmune thyroid diseases, thyroxine stimulates the release of sIL-2R α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]