I Sutiaková’s research while affiliated with University of Prešov and other places

Four groups of male mice were injected with doses from 0.005 to 1.0 mg of protease ex Aspergillus oryzae (PAO) in 20.0 (l of a 0.9 % physiological saline solution (PSS) per mouse s.c. into their tails. The control mice received 20.0 (l of 0.9% PSS only. The inflammation of the tails was measured volumetrically before injection and 1, 2, and 3 days afterwards. The clinical responses of the mice to PAO were observed up to 30 days. The development of inflammation corresponded well with the quantity of enzyme used. The data obtained indicated the smallest dose (0.005 mg) of PAO induced oedemization of the tail (P<0.01) and more significant and longer lasting tail changes were observed at the higher doses. For inhibitory studies in vitro, we used the following conditions: 450 (gr PAO. 0.1 ml(-1), 20 mmol. 0.1 ml(-1) chromogenic substrate Suc-(Gly)2-Phe-NAn and Tris/HCI buffer in the volume of 0.7ml. Incubation was carried out at 37 °C for 15 min. The results obtained demonstrated that all three synthetic compounds (11 = (Ala)2-Leu-NH-EtPh, I 2 = Suc-(Ala)2 -Pro-NH-EtPh and I 3 = Glt-(Ala)2-Pro-NH-EtPh) exhibited inhibitory effects and four natural preparations of tannin (Tanin plv., Tanifarm plv.sol. a.u.v., Farmatan cps. a.u.v., and Pycnogel tbl) had even more effective inhibitory action (P<0.01) on PAO.

In this article, we deal with the 80th birthday of Prof. Jozef Vbdrazka, M.V.D., D.Sc., and also with 52-year history of the Department of Pharmacology, since the establishment of the University of Veterinary Medicine in Kosice, Slovak Republic, in the academic year 1949/1950. Our goal is to provide the basic information about the history of the Department of Pharmacology. We also describe the activity of its full-time staff as well as some other people (undergraduate and postgraduate home students, and some foreign visiting teachers and scientists) in a summary form. In conclusion we can say that the history of this department and its people has been very rich and highly productive, not only in their scientific and publishing activities but also in the pedagogical and intellectual orientation of the section. We hope that this tendency will remain not only in the nearest but also in more distant future to enhance the reputation of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Kosice.

The immunotoxic and genotoxic effect of endosulfan, an organochlorine insecticide, on sheep peripheral blood leukocytes was examined in in vitro conditions. The immunotoxic effect was evaluated by assays of the metabolic activity of phagocytes and assays for lymphocyte activation--the leucocyte migration-inhibition assay (LMIA) and lympho-proliferation. The significant inhibitory effect of endosulfan on metabolic activity of peripheral blood phagocytes was registered at the actual concentrations of 10(-3)- 10(-4) M. At 10(-3) M the migration of leukocytes was inhibited, both in activated and non-activated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) leukocyte suspensions (p < 0.01) in LMIA. This indicated the direct cytotoxic effect of endosulfan on the polymorphonuclears and monocytes of which the intensity of migration is an indicator of lymphocyte activation with mitogen. At the concentration of 10(-4) M an immunotoxic effect, ie significant decrease of lymphocyte activation with mitogen was recorded in LMIA. Lympho-proliferation test showed the significant inhibition of proliferation for PHA-stimulated lymphocytes at 10(-3) M and 10(-4) M. Micronucleus assay evaluated the genotoxic potential of endosulfan. Higher concentrations of insecticide (10(-5) M, 10(-6) M) resulted in a significant dose dependent increase in the number of micronuclei.

The chromosomal aberration assay is the most common and sensitive method for detecting the biological damage induced by a great variety of mutagenic, carcinogenic and environmental agents. In this study an organochlorine insecticide, endosulfan, was investigated for its ability to induce chromosomal aberrations in vitro using sheep peripheral lymphocytes. Lymphocyte cultures from two donors were exposed to four different concentrations of insecticide (4 × 10-3, 4 × 10-4, 4 × 10-5 and 4 × 10-7 M) for 48 h. At the lowest concentration (4 × 10-7 M) the percentage of aberrant cells was not significantly different (4.5 % versus 1.5 % in DMSO control, p < 0.05). Higher concentrations of insecticide (4 × 10-3, 4 × 10-4 and 4 × 10-5 M) resulted in significant increases of the chromosome aberration frequency (11 %; 11 % and 9 % versus 1.5 % in DMSO control, p < 0.05). The mitotic index was significantly decreased at the concentrations of 4 × 10-3; 4 × 10-4 M (p < 0.01) as well as 4 × 10-5 M (p < 0.05). In this species the insecticide tested induced a mutagenic effect at the higher concentrations which should not be attainable under agricultural conditions.

In this article, we deal with the 80th birthday of Prof. Jozef Vodrážka, M.V.D., D.Sc., and also with 52-year history of the Department of Pharmacology, since the establishment of the University of Veterinary Medicine in Košice, Slovak Republic, in the academic year 1949/1950. Our goal is to provide the basic information about the history of the Department of Pharmacology. We also describe the activity of its full-time staff as well as some other people (undergraduate and postgraduate home students, and some foreign visiting teachers and scientists) in a summary form. In conclusion we can say that the history of this department and its people has been very rich and highly productive, not only in their scientific and publishing activities but also in the pedagogical and intellectual orientation of the section. We hope that this tendency will remain not only in the nearest but also in more distant future to enhance the reputation of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Košice.

DNA lesion induced by xenobiotics is implemented either through direct interaction of the chemical with DNA through covalent binding or intercalation, or indirectly, through interference with the processes of DNA replication and repair, interaction with proteins, nuclease release from lysosomes etc. The present study emphasizes that the assessment of genotoxic risk arising from xenogenous substances demands the development of sensitive, direct and more exact genotoxic testing methods. One of them is micronucleus assay. It is a simple and quick test for investigating of cytogenic damage with the advantage that exposure to both clastogens and aneugens may be detected.

The organochlorine insecticide, endosulfan, was investigated for its ability to induce micronuclei in vitro in sheep peripheral lymphocytes. Lymphocytes from two donors were exposed to four different concentrations of insecticide (4 × 10-3, 4 × 10-4, 4 × 10-5 and 4 × 10-7 M) for 48 h. The lowest concentrations used (4 × 10-5 and 4 × 10-7 M) did not change significantly the micronucleus frequency (24/1000 at both concentrations versus 23/1000 in the DMSO control, p < 0.05). Higher concentrations of insecticide (4 × 10-3 and 4 × 10-4 M) caused a significant dose dependent increase in the number of micronuclei (64/1000 and 50/1000, respectively, p < 0.05). Many of the treated cells also possessed multiple micronuclei. Endosulfan thus has a weak genotoxic effect in sheep peripheral lymphocytes in vitro.

In our experiments, 20 Slovak Merino sheep 36.5 ± 4.0 kg b.w., aged 3.5 years were used. They were starved 12 h before the experiment and for 6 h after the initial administrations of the agents. Sheep had free access to water throughout the period. Control sheep received in addition to urea (0.5 g/kg b.w.), an equimolar quantity of 15% nonbuffered glutamie acid solution and the experimental sheep received the same quantity of sodium hydroxide buffered glutamic acid solution. The laboratory indices demonstrated that nonbuffered glutamic acid in contrast to sodium hydroxide buffered glutamic acid was able to protect sheep from ammonia intoxication induced via p.o. administration of urea (see Tab. I). The experiments demontrated a significant trend towards higher concentrations of ammonia (P < 0.01) and lower values of pH (P < 0.01) in the rumen fluid and lower concentrations of ammonia in the blood (P < 0.01) of sheep with nonbuffered glutamic acid in contrast to sodium hydroxide buffered glutamic acid, especially 60 min and more after the administration of agents. We did not however register any significant differences in the dynamics of urea concentrations between both groups of sheep in blood plasma throughout the period of experiments (P < 0.05). Clinical observations of animals demonstrated that sodium hydroxide buffered glutamic acid was not able to protect sheep satisfactorily against ammonia intoxication. Sheep in this group showed some intoxication symptoms and one died, in contrast to sheep in the control group with nonbuffered glutamic acid.

The influence of chlorine doses in drinking water on the activities of lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzymes in blood plasma of ewe lambs was studied after short-term and long-term chlorine action. Drinking water was treated with chlorine gas and adjusted with preparation Savo-Super in such a way that it contained 0.3 mg active chlorine/1 at the time of administration. We also used a medication of chlortetracycline-chloride (preparation Aureovit 12 C 80 plv. a. u. v.), added to the feed mixture to ensure consumption of the preparation 0.35 g/kg 1.w./day. The short-term action of chlorine concentrations showed no significant differences in the total LD activity and LD isoenzymes between the control and the experimental groups. However, significant difference in the activity of isoenzyme LD1 (P < 0.05) was observed at one sampling in the experimental group treated with Aureovit after the 3-months exposure.