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Carpesium divaricatum Sieb. & Zucc., a traditional medicinal plant used as an inflammation-relieving remedy, is a rich source of terpenoids. At least 40 germacrane-type sesquiterpene lactones, representatives of four different structural groups, were isolated from the plant. Cytotoxicity against cancer cells in vitro is the most frequently described biological activity of the compounds. However, little is known about the selectivity of the cytotoxic effect. The anti-inflammatory activity of the germacranolides is also poorly documented. The objective of the present study was to assess the cytotoxic activity of selected C. divaricatum germacranolides-derivatives of 4,5,8,9-tetrahydroxy-3-oxo-germacran-6,12-olide towards cancer and normal cell lines (including cells of different p53 status). Moreover, to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of the compounds, the release of four proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines (IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α and CCL2) by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human neutrophils was measured by ELISA. The investigated sesquiterpene lactones demonstrated nonselective activity towards prostate cancer (Du145 and PC3) and normal prostate epithelial cells (PNT2) as well as against melanoma cells (A375 and HTB140) and keratinocytes (HaCaT). Cytotoxic activity against osteosarcoma cells was independent of their p53 status. In sub-cytotoxic concentrations (0.5-2.5 µM) the studied compounds significantly decreased cytokine/chemokine release by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human leukocytes.

Introduction: The term allergic march has been used to describe natural evolution of the atopic disease in children, accompanied by the change in organ manifestation with time. The aim of the study was to analyze the role of the cellular components of the nasal cytology as a tool for prediction of atopic diseases and clinical symptoms preceding allergic march., Material and Methods: In a retrospective manner out of a group of 1620 children, 146 symptomatic children (60 girls and 86 boys) meeting inclusion criteria (age below 4 years at first visit, symptoms suggesting allergy, nasal cytology performed at the beginning of observation, observation of at least 4 years) were included in analysis., Results: Mean age of children at time of enrollment was 27 months (SD 10 months). After 4 years allergic rhinitis (AR) was diagnosed in 85 children (58.2%), atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) in 51 (34.9%) and asthma in 48 (32.9%). Nonallergic etiology was identified in 36 patients (22.5%). All patients with asthma suffered from AR. Significant differences between groups were found in number of eosinophils (p < 0.001), neutrophils (p < 0.001), and lymphocytes (p = 0.028) in cytological examination of nasal mucosa. In children with AR (alone or combined with other comorbidities) nasal eosinophilia was higher than in children with AEDS (18% v. 3%; p = 0.004) or non-allergic disease (18% v. 4%; p < 0.001). Nasal eosinophilia of at least 8% was predictive for development of AR (sensitivity 80%, specificity 95%)., Conclusions: In children below 4 years nasal eosinophilia >or= 8% was predictive for AR development. Allergic march was observed in children with AEDS or/and gastrointestinal allergy symptoms present at the beginning of observation. Nasal eosinophilia in small children might be predictive for the risk of allergic march.

Recently, centenarians are involved in many research programs as they are believed to represent so-called successful aging. The aim of the study was to characterize morphological alterations observed in neutrophils from their peripheral blood. The study involved 40 centenarians (group B--34 females and 6 males) as well as 40 young healthy subjects aged 20-30 years (group K--35 females and 5 males). The study is a part of the Polish Centanarians Program coordinated by the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw. In this study, the morphometry of neutrophils from blood smear was performed in all studied subjects. Additionally, in centenarians, the relationship between observed alteration and serum level of vitamin B12 and folic acid was analyzed. Both the mean size of granulocytes and the mean value of neutrophil lobe counts were higher in group B vs group K (15.5 +/- 0.6 mm and 13.9 +/- 0.7 mm; p<0.0001 and 4.01 +/- 0.7 and 3.2 +/- 0.2; p<0.0001). Chromatin chips and toxic granules in cytoplasm were observed more often in centenarians as well (39/40 vs 20/40--p<0.0001 and 40/40 vs. 23/40--p<0.0001; respectively). In centenarians, there was no relationship between the presence of morphological alterations in granulocytes and the serum level of vitamin B12 and folic acid. In conclusion, morphological alterations were very common in studied centenarians. Detailed analysis of biochemical parameters and clinical status is necessary to answer the question about their pathomechanism.

Background: The induced sputum is used in the diagnosis of chronic airways diseases. Up to now there has not been performed studies in Poland describing the distribution of cells in sputum. The aim of the study was to work out the range of normal values for cells in sputum, based on a group of healthy Polish people living in Silesia region., Methods: One hundred healthy volunteers in age 17-79 without respiratory symptoms were examined. They had normal spirometry, no airways hyperresponsiveness to metacholine and no history of allergic diseases. The sputum was obtained from 85 people. Viability, total and differential cell counts was performed., Results: The range of the normal values for induced sputum cells was following [mean (+/- SD)]: macrophages 49.3% (11.5-77.1%), neutrophils 48.5% (9.6-87.2%), eosinophils 0.8% (<4.8), lymphocytes 1.4% (<4.2%). Smoking and age of subjects influenced the number and percentage of cells in sputum., Conclusions: Finding of high percentage of eosinophils (>4.8%) in sputum may be helpful in the diagnosis of asthma. Counting of neutrophils and other cells is of limited practical value. E.S.; G.G.; A.S.; A.B.; W.P. Range of the normal value for induced sputum cells in people living in Silesian region.

To investigate the role of genetic factors on susceptibility to atherosclerotic arterial disease, the influence of haptoglobin phenotypes (Hp) on serum elastase activity, neutrophil count, and elastin concentration in the aorta was measured in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA; n=52) and aortoiliac atherosclerotic occlusive disease (AOD; n=37). Findings (serum elastase activity, peripheral blood neutrophil count) were compared to a control group (CG) of 37 subjects without atherosclerosis. Hp phenotyping performed by starch-gel electrophoresis produced a haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex of three phenotypes: Hp1-1, Hp2-2, and Hp2-1. Distribution of Hp phenotypes was similar in the three study groups (AAA, AOD, CG). Significant increases in serum elastase activity and neutrophil count was measured in Hp2-1 phenotype of AAA patients. Although the aorta wall of aneurysm patients contained less (p<0.001) elastin than that of AOD patients, no significant difference of aorta elastin concentration between the three Hp phenotypes, including Hp2-1, was measured. The postulated association of AAA susceptibility with Hp2-1 phenotype was supported by the study data that demonstrated an increase in serum elastase activity in patients undergoing AAA repair.