Potassium bromate (KBrO(3)) is classified as a carcinogenic agent. KBrO(3) induces tumors and pro-oxidative effects in kidneys. Melatonin is a well known antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), an indole substance, also reveals antioxidative properties. Recently, some antioxidative effects of propylthiouracil (PTU)-an antithyroid drug-have been found. The aim of the study was to compare protective effects of melatonin, IPA, and PTU against lipid peroxidation in the kidneys and blood serum and, additionally, in the livers and the lungs, collected from rats, pretreated with KBrO(3). Male Wistar rats were administered KBrO(3) (110 mg/kg b.w., i.p., on the 10th day of the experiment) and/or melatonin, or IPA (0.0645 mmol/kg b.w., i.p., twice daily, for 10 days), or PTU (0.025% solution in drinking water, for 10 days). The level of lipid peroxidation products-malondialdehyde + 4-hydroxyalkenals (MDA + 4-HDA)-was measured spectrophotometrically in thyroid homogenates. KBrO(3), when injected to rats, significantly increased lipid peroxidation in the kidney homogenates and blood serum, but not in the liver and the lung homogenates. Co-treatment with either melatonin or with IPA, but not with PTU, decreased KBrO(3)-induced oxidative damage to lipids in the rat kidneys and serum. In conclusion, melatonin and IPA, which prevent KBrO(3)-induced lipid peroxidation in rat kidneys, may be of great value as protective agents under conditions of exposure to KBrO(3).

Potassium bromate (KBrO3) is a prooxidant and carcinogen, inducing thyroid tumors. Melatonin and indole-3-propionic acid (IPA) are effective antioxidants. Some antioxidative effects of propylthiouracil (PTU)--a thyrostatic drug--have been found. The aim of the study was to compare protective effects of melatonin, IPA, and PTU against lipid peroxidation in the thyroids, collected from rats treated with KBrO3, and in homogenates of porcine thyroids, incubated in the presence of KBrO3. Wistar rats were administered KBrO3 (110 mg/kg b.w., i.p., on the 10th day of the experiment) and/or melatonin, or IPA (0.0645 mmol/kg b.w., i.p., twice daily, for 10 days), or PTU (0.025% solution in drinking water, for 10 days). Homogenates of porcine thyroids were incubated for 30 min in the presence of KBrO3 (5 mM) plus one of the antioxidants: melatonin (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 7.5 mM), or IPA (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 mM), or PTU (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 mM). The level of lipid peroxidation products (MDA + 4-HDA) was measured spectrophotometrically in thyroid homogenates. In vivo pretreatment with either melatonin or with IPA or with PTU decreased lipid peroxidation caused by KBrO3--injections in rat thyroid gland. Under in vitro conditions, PTU (5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 mM), but neither melatonin nor IPA, reduced KBrO3-related lipid peroxidation in the homogenates of porcine thyroids. In conclusion, melatonin and IPA may be of great value as protective agents under conditions of exposure to KBrO3.

Purpose. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) permits the detailed visualization of clinically significant features of portal hypertension; however, it is an invasive procedure that is not widely available. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether a correlation exists between the features of portal hypertension detected using both Doppler ultrasound and EUS in subjects with liver cirrhosis. Materials and Methods. Analyzed cohort included 42 patients who underwent a detailed Doppler ultrasound focusing on the parameters of blood flow in the portal/splenic vein as well as an endoscopic/EUS procedure that included the assessment of the size and localization of “deep” varices. Results. The size of “deep” oesophageal varices detected with EUS exhibited no correlation with the parameters assessed by Doppler ultrasound. However, the size of the “deep” gastric varices detected using EUS correlated with the time averaged maximum velocity (Tmax as well as Vmin, Vmax) for the portal vein using Doppler ultrasound and exhibited a correlation with the Vmax and Tmax for the splenic vein. No significant correlation was determined between the diameter of the azygous vein and the thickness of the gastric wall when seen on EUS versus the parameters measured with Doppler ultrasound. Conclusion. EUS provides important information regarding the features of portal hypertension, and in the case of “deep” oesophageal varices exhibits a limited correlation with the parameters detected by Doppler ultrasound. Thus, despite its invasiveness, EUS is a method that provides a reliable and unique assessment of the features of portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis.

(1) ADA activity in leukocytes, obtained from patients with Hashimoto's disease, was significantly higher than in control leukocytes, as well as in leukocytes from patients with Graves' disease; (2) dCK activities in leukocytes from patients with both Graves' and Hashimoto's diseases were approximately four and five times higher, respectively, than in leukocytes of control subjects; (3) a positive correlation was observed between dCK activity in leukocytes and serum Tg Ab concentration in patients with Graves' disease. In conclusion, the increased ADA and dCK activities in leukocytes from patients with Graves' and Hashimoto's diseases may be regarded as indicators of autoimmunological thyroid diseases.

Melatonin can serve as an effective agent in protection against nitrobenzene-induced lipid peroxidation in porcine thyroid.