Svetlana Zunic - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Svetlana Zunic

General physiology and biophysics, 2009

The role of extracellular purines and purinoreceptors in the pathophysiology of different neurolo... more The role of extracellular purines and purinoreceptors in the pathophysiology of different neurological disorders is the focus of rapidly expanding area of research. Ectonucleotidases are the enzymes with multiple roles in extracellular nucleotides metabolism and regulation of nucleotidebased intercellular signaling. The aim of present study was to investigate the changes in the ATP, ADP and AMP hydrolyzing activities after ribavirin treatment in spinal cord during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Our results demonstrate that ribavirin itself had no significant effect on ectoenzyme activities, when tested in vitro and in vivo on spinal cord crude membrane preparation of intact animals. We observed significant increase in ATP, ADP and AMP hydrolyzing activity in the spinal cord crude membrane preparation in EAE animals at 15 days post immunization compared to control animals. The increase was registered at 28 days post immunization, as well. At same time points, ribavi...

Archives of Biological Sciences, 2006

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a commonly used animal model of the human neur... more Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a commonly used animal model of the human neurological disorder multiple sclerosis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of combined treatment with two nucleoside analogs, ribavirin and tiazofurin, on development of EAE actively induced in highly susceptible dark agouti rats. The obtained results showed that ribavirin and tiazofurin applied either separately or in combination from the onset of the firstsymptoms of EAE after its induction (therapeutic treatment) significantly suppressed EAE?s clinical symptoms. However, the most pronounced effect was gained with combined treatment, probably as a result of synergistic/additive action.

Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, 2004

1. Spatio-temporal changes in phosphorylated (pNFP) and nonphosphorylated (npNFP) neurofilament p... more 1. Spatio-temporal changes in phosphorylated (pNFP) and nonphosphorylated (npNFP) neurofilament proteins were assessed immunocytochemicaly in adult rat cerebellum, 2-30 days following unilateral injection of kainic acid (KA) or physiological saline (SC). 2. Analysis of the staining intensity and pattern demonstrated that injection of both KA and physiological saline elicited significant and long-lasting increase of pNFP and npNFP immunoreactivity, at the ipsilateral, and to lesser extent at the contralateral side of lesion. 3. Kainate intoxication induced abundant expression of pNFP and npNFP in cerebellar white matter, as well as in all layers of perilesioned cortex. Higher pNFP expression was evidenced in the Purkinje cell layer, particularly at cell bodies, initial segments, and proximal dendrites, which normally do not contain pNFP. In addition, synaptophysin immunocytochemistry was used as a marker of synaptogenesis and plasticity. 4. Spatio-temporal pattern of NFP and synaptophysin expression suggests that perilesioned cortex undergoes dynamic changes following brain demage and possess a reparative capacity to abridge the consequences of brain trauma.

Archive of oncology, 2002

Jugoslovenska medicinska biohemija, 2002

The effects of four-site intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions were examined in adult ... more The effects of four-site intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions were examined in adult male rats. Five days after the lesions the animals were checked for specific rotational behavior induced by middle dose of amphetamine and the results confirmed the effectiveness of the lesions. The RNAs from the striatum were isolated at different time points after the lesion, and the RT-PCR analyse were performed for the D1 and D2 receptor mRNA. The results show a decline in the D2 receptor mRNA level (40%) at 6 h and 24 h points while this change was not observed seven days after the lesion. In contrast, no statistically significant changes in the level of the D1 receptor mRNA after the lesion at any time point were found.

Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, 2012

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of CNS inflammatory and demyel... more Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of CNS inflammatory and demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis. Microglia and astrocytes represent two related cell types involved in the brain pathology in EAE. Accumulations of hypertrophic reactive astrocytes, intensely stained with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), which also expressed vimentin, are prominent features of EAE lesions. Recent studies from our laboratory reported that ribavirin attenuated the disease process in EAE by reducing clinical and histological manifestations. EAE was induced in genetically susceptible Dark Agouti rats with syngeneic spinal cord homogenate in complete Freund's adjuvant. Real time PCR and immunohistochemistry were used for determination of GFAP and vimentin gene and tissue expression. We have observed the increased gene and tissue expression of GFAP and vimentin in EAE rats. Ribavirin treatment significantly decreased the number of reactive astrocytes at the peak of disease. At the end of the disease, we have observed reactive GFAP + and vimentin + astrocytes in both immunized and ribavirintreated groups, accompanied by increased level of GFAP mRNA. The present study indicates that ribavirin may have the ability to attenuate astrocyte proliferation and glial scaring at the peak of the disease and modulate the astroglial response to EAE during the time-course of the disease.

Zygote, 2015

SummaryReverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) investigation of the expression o... more SummaryReverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) investigation of the expression of the components supposedly taking part in serotonin regulation of the early development ofParacentrotus lividushas shown the presence of transcripts of five receptors, one of which has conservative amino acid residues characteristic of monoaminergic receptors. At the early stages of embryogenesis the expressions of serotonin transporter (SERT) and noradrenaline transporter (NET) were also recognized. The activities of the enzymes of serotonin synthesis and serotonin transporter were shown using immunohistochemistry and incubation with para-chlorophenylalanine (PСРА) and 5-hydroxytryptophan (HTP). Pharmacological experiments have shown a preferential cytostatic activity of ligands characterized as mammalian 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1-antagonists. On the basis of the sum of the data from molecular biology and embryo physiological experiments, it is suggested that metabotropic serotonin r...

Jugoslovenska medicinska biohemija, 2004

Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and relies on the production of angiogenic factors. By... more Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and relies on the production of angiogenic factors. By comparative analysis using RT-PCR method of angiogenic growth factors: VEGF, bFGF, PDGF-A, angiogenin- 1 and IL-8 we established the level of expression of these genes necessary for angiogenesis in glioma and neuroblastoma cell lines. Our analyses were also extended to CD44 gene, which plays an important role in cascade of metastasis and progression of brain tumors. Significant differences in the level of gene expression of angiogenic factors and CD44 gene between the two cell lines observed throughout this study can be used as a prognostic marker for predicting clinical outcome in human brain tumors at the time of the initial staging.

Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo

Introduction. Carney triad is a rare non-hereditary condition characterized by gastrointestinal s... more Introduction. Carney triad is a rare non-hereditary condition characterized by gastrointestinal stromal tumors ? intramural mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract with neuronal or neural crest cell origin, pulmonary chondromas, and extra-adrenal paragangliomas. The term incomplete Carney triad more precisely refers to the occurrence of at least two of these tumor types. Carney triad named after J. Aidan Carney is considered to be a specific type of multiple endocrine neoplasia. Less than 30 cases of complete and less than 100 cases of incomplete Carney triad have been reported worldwide. Carney triad primarily affects young women (mean age of onset of 20 years). Case outline. A 35-year-old female patient had an initial presentation at the National PET Center, Clinical Center of Serbia, after the gastrectomy, with multiple hepatic metastases as well as bilateral pulmonary chondromas. 18F-FDG PET/CT scan revealed the following: 1) intense 18F-FDG uptake in the liver metastat...

Journal of Thoracic Oncology

European Respiratory Journal, 2016

European Journal of Cancer Supplements, 2007

Cancer Investigation, 2008

In the present study, we used DNA profiling to measure genomic instability in 22 patients with no... more In the present study, we used DNA profiling to measure genomic instability in 22 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Genomic instability was correlated with gender, the age of the patients at the time of diagnosis, the NSCLC subtype, histological grade and stage of the tumor, necrosis presence in the tumor and lymph node invasion. Genomic instability was significantly higher in patients older than 50 and those with adenocarcinoma compared to squamous-cell carcinoma. Most importantly, genomic instability significantly decreased as the tumor grade increased. Extensive genomic instability in the early carcinogenesis could be the prerequisite for NSCLC progression.

18F-FDG PET/CT “hepatic superscan” in incomplete Carney triad, 2020

Introduction Carney triad is a rare non-hereditary condition characterized by gastrointestinal st... more Introduction Carney triad is a rare non-hereditary condition characterized by gastrointestinal stromal tumors-intramural mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract with neuronal or neural crest cell origin, pulmonary chondromas, and extra-adrenal paragangliomas. The term incomplete Carney triad more precisely refers to the occurrence of at least two of these tumor types. Carney triad named after J. Aidan Carney is considered to be a specific type of multiple endocrine neoplasia. Less than 30 cases of complete and less than 100 cases of incomplete Carney triad have been reported worldwide. Carney triad primarily affects young women (mean age of onset of 20 years). Case outline A 35-year-old female patient had an initial presentation at the National PET Center, Clinical Center of Serbia, after the gastrectomy, with multiple hepatic metastases as well as bilateral pulmonary chondromas. 18F-FDG PET/CT scan revealed the following: 1) intense 18F-FDG uptake in the liver meta-static lesions, with reduced physiological activity in the brain and heart, bowel, and renal tracer uptakes commonly known as FDG hepatic superscan; 2) multiple irregular-shaped lesions, mostly calcified in bilateral pulmonary parenchyma; 3) a nodular lesion in the left adrenal gland with accumulation of 18F-FDG in its anterior part. Conclusion The present study describes a hepatic superscan in a patient with incomplete Carney triad, including gastrointestinal stromal tumors and pulmonary bilateral chondromas, as well as a tumor in the left adrenal gland.

Journal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents

A ten-year (December 1992 - December 2002) evaluation of 225 pediatric bronchoalveolar lavage (BA... more A ten-year (December 1992 - December 2002) evaluation of 225 pediatric bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) differential cell counts showed appearance of the cells corresponding to the cytological entity - lupus erythematosus cell (LEC) in 47 specimens of which not a single case was associated with the coexistent autoimmune disease. There was a significant increase in the percentage of LEC in BAL samples of the examinees during the first 6 months after the bombing of targets in Serbia (July-December 1999) in comparison to the period 1992 to March 24, 1999, and after the bombing of targets in Serbia (2000-2002). Maintaining the character of occurrence of LEC in BAL as nonspecific (Zunic et al. 1996), the devastating power of alpha particles (originated from uranium decay) gives an opportunity to discuss this phenomenon more comprehensibly and perceive a new vista related to the pathogenesis of LEC phenomenon in BAL. Since the period after 1991 corresponds to the time after the first Gulf War, and later the bombing of targets in Bosnia, the possibility of occurrence of LEC in BAL as a manifestation of radiation alveolitis due to contamination by air transferred depleted uranium (DU) particles could not be excluded.

Journal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents

Apoptotic capacity of pulmonary tissue to produce or remove apoptotic cells by alveolar macrophag... more Apoptotic capacity of pulmonary tissue to produce or remove apoptotic cells by alveolar macrophages (ALMs) was investigated in three groups: healthy volunteers, smokers and patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Differential cell counting of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens revealed significantly higher percentages of neutrophils and eosinophils and decreased percentage of macrophages in BAL of patients with NSCLC in comparison with nonsmokers and smokers. Proportion of lymphocytes was significantly higher in patients with NSCLC than in smokers. These changes in the BAL cell profile may reflect immunology of the lung in pulmonary malignancies. BAL eosinophils were significantly lower and AMs increased in smokers in comparison with nonsmokers. This result might be understood as a consequence of changed tissue architecture of pulmonary tissue in situ, influenced by smoking. Apoptotic detection in cytocentrifuge preparations of BAL cell suspensions was evaluated by TUNEL method. Subsequent steps, adsorption, internalization and digestion of apoptotic cells by alveolar macrophages (AMs) were estimated by semiquantitative cytochemical scoring and indexing method and correlated with percent of free apoptotic cells. Significant increase of apoptotic capacity of pulmonary tissue in control smokers (289.55+/-50.77) in comparison with that of non-smokers (218.29+/-56.24) could be a consequence of stimulated digestion inside the AMs; decreased apoptotic capacity of pulmonary tissue in NSCLC (150.30+/-40.61; p<0.05), in comparison with non-smokers and smokers is in relation to a reduced phagocytosis of the apoptotic remnants, which might be either the cause or the consequence of the oncogenic process.

The International journal of biological markers

Cytochemical examination of alveolar macrophages (AM) obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) wa... more Cytochemical examination of alveolar macrophages (AM) obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in healthy volunteers (11 non-smokers and 11 smokers) and in 9 patients with squamous lung carcinoma (all of them smokers or ex-smokers) in order to analyze its peculiarities related to the smoking habit and to lung malignancy. Assessment of non-specific esterases: alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) and butyrate esterase (BUT), chloroacetate esterase (CHL), acid phosphatase (AcP), intracellular glycogen (PAS reaction), lipids (Sudan black B reaction-SBB) and iron (Perl's reaction) was performed by a semiquantitative cytochemical method (1). A significant correlation was obtained between BUT and stage of squamous lung carcinoma (varying between I and IV) (r = 0.52, p < 0.05). There was a correlation between BUT and Perl's in healthy controls (r = 0.76, p < 0.05). The same type of correlation was observed in control smokers (r = 0.64, p < 0.05), in addition to a correlation between CHL and AcP (r = 0.69, p < 0.05). There was no significant BUT/Perl's correlation in patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma (r = 0.23, p > 0.05), but significant AcP/CHL correlation as was observed in control smokers (r = 0.73, p < 0.05), and a "new" type of correlation was shown to exist between ANAE and SBB (r = 0.77, p < 0.05). In spite of the unresolved nature of lung cancer, correlation analysis of cytochemical parameters in AM might have an important part in the analysis of their relative contribution to the development of smoking-related disorders and lung malignancies.

General physiology and biophysics, 2009

The role of extracellular purines and purinoreceptors in the pathophysiology of different neurolo... more The role of extracellular purines and purinoreceptors in the pathophysiology of different neurological disorders is the focus of rapidly expanding area of research. Ectonucleotidases are the enzymes with multiple roles in extracellular nucleotides metabolism and regulation of nucleotidebased intercellular signaling. The aim of present study was to investigate the changes in the ATP, ADP and AMP hydrolyzing activities after ribavirin treatment in spinal cord during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Our results demonstrate that ribavirin itself had no significant effect on ectoenzyme activities, when tested in vitro and in vivo on spinal cord crude membrane preparation of intact animals. We observed significant increase in ATP, ADP and AMP hydrolyzing activity in the spinal cord crude membrane preparation in EAE animals at 15 days post immunization compared to control animals. The increase was registered at 28 days post immunization, as well. At same time points, ribavi...

Archives of Biological Sciences, 2006

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a commonly used animal model of the human neur... more Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a commonly used animal model of the human neurological disorder multiple sclerosis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of combined treatment with two nucleoside analogs, ribavirin and tiazofurin, on development of EAE actively induced in highly susceptible dark agouti rats. The obtained results showed that ribavirin and tiazofurin applied either separately or in combination from the onset of the firstsymptoms of EAE after its induction (therapeutic treatment) significantly suppressed EAE?s clinical symptoms. However, the most pronounced effect was gained with combined treatment, probably as a result of synergistic/additive action.

Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, 2004

1. Spatio-temporal changes in phosphorylated (pNFP) and nonphosphorylated (npNFP) neurofilament p... more 1. Spatio-temporal changes in phosphorylated (pNFP) and nonphosphorylated (npNFP) neurofilament proteins were assessed immunocytochemicaly in adult rat cerebellum, 2-30 days following unilateral injection of kainic acid (KA) or physiological saline (SC). 2. Analysis of the staining intensity and pattern demonstrated that injection of both KA and physiological saline elicited significant and long-lasting increase of pNFP and npNFP immunoreactivity, at the ipsilateral, and to lesser extent at the contralateral side of lesion. 3. Kainate intoxication induced abundant expression of pNFP and npNFP in cerebellar white matter, as well as in all layers of perilesioned cortex. Higher pNFP expression was evidenced in the Purkinje cell layer, particularly at cell bodies, initial segments, and proximal dendrites, which normally do not contain pNFP. In addition, synaptophysin immunocytochemistry was used as a marker of synaptogenesis and plasticity. 4. Spatio-temporal pattern of NFP and synaptophysin expression suggests that perilesioned cortex undergoes dynamic changes following brain demage and possess a reparative capacity to abridge the consequences of brain trauma.

Archive of oncology, 2002

Jugoslovenska medicinska biohemija, 2002

The effects of four-site intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions were examined in adult ... more The effects of four-site intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions were examined in adult male rats. Five days after the lesions the animals were checked for specific rotational behavior induced by middle dose of amphetamine and the results confirmed the effectiveness of the lesions. The RNAs from the striatum were isolated at different time points after the lesion, and the RT-PCR analyse were performed for the D1 and D2 receptor mRNA. The results show a decline in the D2 receptor mRNA level (40%) at 6 h and 24 h points while this change was not observed seven days after the lesion. In contrast, no statistically significant changes in the level of the D1 receptor mRNA after the lesion at any time point were found.

Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, 2012

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of CNS inflammatory and demyel... more Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of CNS inflammatory and demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis. Microglia and astrocytes represent two related cell types involved in the brain pathology in EAE. Accumulations of hypertrophic reactive astrocytes, intensely stained with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), which also expressed vimentin, are prominent features of EAE lesions. Recent studies from our laboratory reported that ribavirin attenuated the disease process in EAE by reducing clinical and histological manifestations. EAE was induced in genetically susceptible Dark Agouti rats with syngeneic spinal cord homogenate in complete Freund's adjuvant. Real time PCR and immunohistochemistry were used for determination of GFAP and vimentin gene and tissue expression. We have observed the increased gene and tissue expression of GFAP and vimentin in EAE rats. Ribavirin treatment significantly decreased the number of reactive astrocytes at the peak of disease. At the end of the disease, we have observed reactive GFAP + and vimentin + astrocytes in both immunized and ribavirintreated groups, accompanied by increased level of GFAP mRNA. The present study indicates that ribavirin may have the ability to attenuate astrocyte proliferation and glial scaring at the peak of the disease and modulate the astroglial response to EAE during the time-course of the disease.

Zygote, 2015

SummaryReverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) investigation of the expression o... more SummaryReverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) investigation of the expression of the components supposedly taking part in serotonin regulation of the early development ofParacentrotus lividushas shown the presence of transcripts of five receptors, one of which has conservative amino acid residues characteristic of monoaminergic receptors. At the early stages of embryogenesis the expressions of serotonin transporter (SERT) and noradrenaline transporter (NET) were also recognized. The activities of the enzymes of serotonin synthesis and serotonin transporter were shown using immunohistochemistry and incubation with para-chlorophenylalanine (PСРА) and 5-hydroxytryptophan (HTP). Pharmacological experiments have shown a preferential cytostatic activity of ligands characterized as mammalian 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1-antagonists. On the basis of the sum of the data from molecular biology and embryo physiological experiments, it is suggested that metabotropic serotonin r...

Jugoslovenska medicinska biohemija, 2004

Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and relies on the production of angiogenic factors. By... more Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and relies on the production of angiogenic factors. By comparative analysis using RT-PCR method of angiogenic growth factors: VEGF, bFGF, PDGF-A, angiogenin- 1 and IL-8 we established the level of expression of these genes necessary for angiogenesis in glioma and neuroblastoma cell lines. Our analyses were also extended to CD44 gene, which plays an important role in cascade of metastasis and progression of brain tumors. Significant differences in the level of gene expression of angiogenic factors and CD44 gene between the two cell lines observed throughout this study can be used as a prognostic marker for predicting clinical outcome in human brain tumors at the time of the initial staging.

Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo

Introduction. Carney triad is a rare non-hereditary condition characterized by gastrointestinal s... more Introduction. Carney triad is a rare non-hereditary condition characterized by gastrointestinal stromal tumors ? intramural mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract with neuronal or neural crest cell origin, pulmonary chondromas, and extra-adrenal paragangliomas. The term incomplete Carney triad more precisely refers to the occurrence of at least two of these tumor types. Carney triad named after J. Aidan Carney is considered to be a specific type of multiple endocrine neoplasia. Less than 30 cases of complete and less than 100 cases of incomplete Carney triad have been reported worldwide. Carney triad primarily affects young women (mean age of onset of 20 years). Case outline. A 35-year-old female patient had an initial presentation at the National PET Center, Clinical Center of Serbia, after the gastrectomy, with multiple hepatic metastases as well as bilateral pulmonary chondromas. 18F-FDG PET/CT scan revealed the following: 1) intense 18F-FDG uptake in the liver metastat...

Journal of Thoracic Oncology

European Respiratory Journal, 2016

European Journal of Cancer Supplements, 2007

Cancer Investigation, 2008

In the present study, we used DNA profiling to measure genomic instability in 22 patients with no... more In the present study, we used DNA profiling to measure genomic instability in 22 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Genomic instability was correlated with gender, the age of the patients at the time of diagnosis, the NSCLC subtype, histological grade and stage of the tumor, necrosis presence in the tumor and lymph node invasion. Genomic instability was significantly higher in patients older than 50 and those with adenocarcinoma compared to squamous-cell carcinoma. Most importantly, genomic instability significantly decreased as the tumor grade increased. Extensive genomic instability in the early carcinogenesis could be the prerequisite for NSCLC progression.

18F-FDG PET/CT “hepatic superscan” in incomplete Carney triad, 2020

Introduction Carney triad is a rare non-hereditary condition characterized by gastrointestinal st... more Introduction Carney triad is a rare non-hereditary condition characterized by gastrointestinal stromal tumors-intramural mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract with neuronal or neural crest cell origin, pulmonary chondromas, and extra-adrenal paragangliomas. The term incomplete Carney triad more precisely refers to the occurrence of at least two of these tumor types. Carney triad named after J. Aidan Carney is considered to be a specific type of multiple endocrine neoplasia. Less than 30 cases of complete and less than 100 cases of incomplete Carney triad have been reported worldwide. Carney triad primarily affects young women (mean age of onset of 20 years). Case outline A 35-year-old female patient had an initial presentation at the National PET Center, Clinical Center of Serbia, after the gastrectomy, with multiple hepatic metastases as well as bilateral pulmonary chondromas. 18F-FDG PET/CT scan revealed the following: 1) intense 18F-FDG uptake in the liver meta-static lesions, with reduced physiological activity in the brain and heart, bowel, and renal tracer uptakes commonly known as FDG hepatic superscan; 2) multiple irregular-shaped lesions, mostly calcified in bilateral pulmonary parenchyma; 3) a nodular lesion in the left adrenal gland with accumulation of 18F-FDG in its anterior part. Conclusion The present study describes a hepatic superscan in a patient with incomplete Carney triad, including gastrointestinal stromal tumors and pulmonary bilateral chondromas, as well as a tumor in the left adrenal gland.

Journal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents

A ten-year (December 1992 - December 2002) evaluation of 225 pediatric bronchoalveolar lavage (BA... more A ten-year (December 1992 - December 2002) evaluation of 225 pediatric bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) differential cell counts showed appearance of the cells corresponding to the cytological entity - lupus erythematosus cell (LEC) in 47 specimens of which not a single case was associated with the coexistent autoimmune disease. There was a significant increase in the percentage of LEC in BAL samples of the examinees during the first 6 months after the bombing of targets in Serbia (July-December 1999) in comparison to the period 1992 to March 24, 1999, and after the bombing of targets in Serbia (2000-2002). Maintaining the character of occurrence of LEC in BAL as nonspecific (Zunic et al. 1996), the devastating power of alpha particles (originated from uranium decay) gives an opportunity to discuss this phenomenon more comprehensibly and perceive a new vista related to the pathogenesis of LEC phenomenon in BAL. Since the period after 1991 corresponds to the time after the first Gulf War, and later the bombing of targets in Bosnia, the possibility of occurrence of LEC in BAL as a manifestation of radiation alveolitis due to contamination by air transferred depleted uranium (DU) particles could not be excluded.

Journal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents

Apoptotic capacity of pulmonary tissue to produce or remove apoptotic cells by alveolar macrophag... more Apoptotic capacity of pulmonary tissue to produce or remove apoptotic cells by alveolar macrophages (ALMs) was investigated in three groups: healthy volunteers, smokers and patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Differential cell counting of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens revealed significantly higher percentages of neutrophils and eosinophils and decreased percentage of macrophages in BAL of patients with NSCLC in comparison with nonsmokers and smokers. Proportion of lymphocytes was significantly higher in patients with NSCLC than in smokers. These changes in the BAL cell profile may reflect immunology of the lung in pulmonary malignancies. BAL eosinophils were significantly lower and AMs increased in smokers in comparison with nonsmokers. This result might be understood as a consequence of changed tissue architecture of pulmonary tissue in situ, influenced by smoking. Apoptotic detection in cytocentrifuge preparations of BAL cell suspensions was evaluated by TUNEL method. Subsequent steps, adsorption, internalization and digestion of apoptotic cells by alveolar macrophages (AMs) were estimated by semiquantitative cytochemical scoring and indexing method and correlated with percent of free apoptotic cells. Significant increase of apoptotic capacity of pulmonary tissue in control smokers (289.55+/-50.77) in comparison with that of non-smokers (218.29+/-56.24) could be a consequence of stimulated digestion inside the AMs; decreased apoptotic capacity of pulmonary tissue in NSCLC (150.30+/-40.61; p<0.05), in comparison with non-smokers and smokers is in relation to a reduced phagocytosis of the apoptotic remnants, which might be either the cause or the consequence of the oncogenic process.

The International journal of biological markers

Cytochemical examination of alveolar macrophages (AM) obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) wa... more Cytochemical examination of alveolar macrophages (AM) obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in healthy volunteers (11 non-smokers and 11 smokers) and in 9 patients with squamous lung carcinoma (all of them smokers or ex-smokers) in order to analyze its peculiarities related to the smoking habit and to lung malignancy. Assessment of non-specific esterases: alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) and butyrate esterase (BUT), chloroacetate esterase (CHL), acid phosphatase (AcP), intracellular glycogen (PAS reaction), lipids (Sudan black B reaction-SBB) and iron (Perl's reaction) was performed by a semiquantitative cytochemical method (1). A significant correlation was obtained between BUT and stage of squamous lung carcinoma (varying between I and IV) (r = 0.52, p < 0.05). There was a correlation between BUT and Perl's in healthy controls (r = 0.76, p < 0.05). The same type of correlation was observed in control smokers (r = 0.64, p < 0.05), in addition to a correlation between CHL and AcP (r = 0.69, p < 0.05). There was no significant BUT/Perl's correlation in patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma (r = 0.23, p > 0.05), but significant AcP/CHL correlation as was observed in control smokers (r = 0.73, p < 0.05), and a "new" type of correlation was shown to exist between ANAE and SBB (r = 0.77, p < 0.05). In spite of the unresolved nature of lung cancer, correlation analysis of cytochemical parameters in AM might have an important part in the analysis of their relative contribution to the development of smoking-related disorders and lung malignancies.