Application of biomarkers in heavily polluted industrialized areas of countries of central and Eastern Europe

The effects of changes in cadmium and lead air pollution on cancer incidence in children

This article presents the results of research on the effects of air pollution on cancer incidence in children in the region of Silesia (Poland), which has undergone one of the most profound anthropogenic transformations in Europe. The main objective of the research was to specify the impact of changes in cadmium and lead pollution in the years 1990-2005 on the incidence of cancers reported in children. Lead concentration ranged from 0 to 1490 x 10(-9) G m(-2)/year, and cadmium concentration ranged from 0 to 33.7 x 10(-9) G m(-2)/year. There was no strong significant correlation (max 0.3) between air pollution and incidence rate (IR) in the general population of children in any particular year. Alongside the cartographic presentation of dependences, correlation coefficients between the variables in question were calculated. This made it possible to determine the relationship between the pollution levels and incidence rates in the area. There was a significant reduction in the level of pollution during the investigated period. The study of the relationship between the number of cancers reported and the condition of the natural environment revealed increased sensitivity to toxins in boys (correlation coefficient 0.3). In addition, the spatial distribution of the number of cases reported in boys suggests a correlation with the spatial distribution of the coefficients for the entire group of children included in the study. The yearly average IR of childhood cancer in specific districts ranged from 0 to 61.48/100,000 children under 18 years of age during the 1995-2004 period.

Gender-related early immune changes in mice exposed to airborne suspended matter

Immunotoxicity of the airborne suspended matter (ASM) from Upper Silesia (Poland) was investigated. The effect of the mixture of toxic components from the air suspended matter on the distribution and expression of several surface markers on lymphoid cells from thymus, spleen and axillary lymph nodes of female and male mice were examined. Corticosterone, a stress related hormone and sex hormones concentration in the plasma of animals were evaluated to discuss the interplay between the immune and endocrine system. The route, dose and length of application of ASM were examined. Thymus was shown to be a very sensitive organ to the effect of airborne suspended matter. Profound changes were shown in the distribution of CD4+ CD8+, CD4+ and CD8+ thymocytes subsets and TCRbeta and CD3 expression on thymic cells in young mice of both sexes exposed to ASM. Gender-related differences between female and male thymuses are rather quantitative than qualitative. Changes observed in the peripheral lymphoid organs were not so dramatic. The decrease of the percentage of CD19+ and Thy-1.2- in female spleens was noted. None changes in the plasma level of corticosterone and testosterone was observed in mice exposed to ASM, while a profound decrease of estradiol in female mice was noted. An interpretation all of these documented changes is attempted.