The reduced amount of NOTCH4 and JAG2 proteins and the decreased level of mRNA coding Notch proteins, as reported in our previous studies, supports the notion that Notch pathway has rather tumor-suppressive than oncogenic role in human endometrial cancer cells. It suggests that Notch pathway activation is a potential therapeutic target.

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Environmental pollution and consumption of alcohol evoke various immunomodulations promoting the progress of different pathologies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of alcohol consumption intensity on the immune system functions of humans living in ecologically different regions, i.e. in a district polluted with industrial siftings (Trakai, n = 270) and in a relatively clean district (Sirvintos, n = 250). In the Trakai cohort 96% and in Sirvintos group 89% of persons consumed alcohol. With regard to alcohol consumption habits the immunohaematological indices were investigated in the following four groups: abstinents, light alcohol users, moderate alcohol users and alcohol abusers. We determined the compensatory mechanisms of immune system functions of moderate alcohol users and alcohol abusers in comparison with abstinents in the relatively clean Sirvintos district. In the Trakai district polluted with industrial siftings such compensatory reactions where not found. Thus, damage to the immune system functions is not only an endogenous risk factor for many diseases, but also an indicator of organism injury. This investigation stated, that immunity disturbance in humans depends on alcohol consumption intensity and place of residence.

GSH and GST levels change significantly during the treatment process and these changes depend on the response to treatment, treatment type, and site of metastases. Further analysis of the changes in GSH and GST levels during treatment would allow the assessment of the predictive potential of this molecular marker.

SUMMARYEnvironmental contamination and use of alcohol may be a cause of immune system disturbances and various diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes of different alcohol consumption intensity on the immune condition of women and men living in a district contaminated with industrial siftings (Trakai) and in a relatively clean district (Širvintos).The immune system parameters were investigated in 282 Trakai district inhabitants (127 males and 155 females) and in 282 Širvintos district inhabitants (129 males and 153 females). Due to gender and alcohol consumption intensity the immune system functions were evaluated in the following groups: abstainers, light alcohol users, moderate alcohol users and alcohol abusers.Absolute number of CD5 + , CD4 + , concentration of IgA in blood serum and some other investigated indices of light alcohol users were signifi cantly increased in the male group of Trakai district in comparison with females of this district. However, in the same group of light alcohol drinkers of Širvintos district, males had lower indices (CD5 + , CD4 + , CD4 + /CD8 + , IgM) than females. Immune system parameters of males who were light and moderate alcohol users in Trakai district were stimulated in comparison with the same alcohol consumption groups of males in Širvintos district.Our investigations showed that combination of environmental pollution and different intensity of alcohol consumption cause various alterations of immune system functions in males and females.