The effect of whole-body cryostimulation on the activity of lysosomal enzymes in kayaker women after intense exercise

In this study higher activity of certain lysosomal enzymes with concomitant lower α₁-antitryspin activity was revealed in serum of kayaker women after intense exercise without any external stimuli as compared with the exercise preceded by extreme cold application. Whole-body cryostimulation may have hormetic, beneficial impact on reduction of muscle damage.     

Thermal stress and oxidant–antioxidant balance in experienced and novice winter swimmers

The adaptation of human organism to environmental stress plays an important role in maintaining good health. The exposure to both low and high ambient temperature may provoke thermal stress and such a condition potentially leads to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species, which may result in oxidative stress. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of one session of swimming in ice-cold water and one hot sauna session (performed few months later) on oxidant–antioxidant balance in two groups of healthy volunteers: 21 experienced winter swimmers and 19 people who participated in winter swimming for the first time (novices). The activity of antioxidant enzymes: catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase was measured in erythrocytes of studied persons. Moreover, in blood plasma and erythrocytes the concentration of lipid peroxidation products was estimated. No statistically significant differences in initial values of antioxidant enzymes activity and lipid peroxidation products level were revealed between experienced and novice winter swimmers. The crucial antioxidant enzyme that neutralizes reactive oxygen species generated as a result of thermal stress seems to be catalase, since statistically significant changes of CAT activity after sauna were observed. Increased TBARS level observed as a result of sauna bath proves that exposure of organism to high ambient temperature is a source of oxidative stress. However, such a stress was hardly noticed in regular winter swimmers. The regular baths in cold water combined with sauna probably lead to adaptive changes that protect the organism against harmful effects of thermal stress.     

Plasmodium knowlesi as a Threat to Global Public Health

Malaria is a tropical disease caused by protozoans of the Plasmodium genus. Delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis are strongly associated with higher mortality. In recent years, a greater importance is attributed to Plasmodium knowlesi, a species found mainly in Southeast Asia. Routine parasitological diagnostics are associated with certain limitations and difficulties in unambiguous determination of the parasite species based only on microscopic image. Recently, molecular techniques have been increasingly used for predictive diagnosis. The aim of the study is to draw attention to the risk of travelling to knowlesi malaria endemic areas and to raise awareness among personnel involved in the therapeutic process.     

The effect of brachytherapy on antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in patients with cancer of the uterine cervix

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of brachytherapy on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in patients with uterine cervix cancer. The study was conducted on 84 uterine cervix cancer patients from the Brachytherapy Department of the Regional Centre of Oncology in Bydgoszcz. Patients with uterine cervix cancer were found to have elevated levels of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defence system impairment relative to healthy females. The results of the study indicate that brachytherapy has no direct effect on the antioxidant system of patients with uterine cervical carcinoma. However, the normalisation of catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity and erythrocyte TBARS level observed six months after the end of therapy may be due to the arrest of the progression of the disease.     

Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in liver and muscles of some fish

In this study we examined superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration in liver and muscles of four fish species: the carp, the brown trout, the white cod and the flounder. Higher SOD activity and higher TBARS concentration was revealed in the tissues of marine fish in comparison to freshwater fish. The highest SOD activity was observed in the cod while the highest TBARS concentration was in the flounder. The observed differences are probably an effect of the different living mode of the compared fish.