There is increasing interest in the development and application of biomarkers for the purpose of risk assessment among human populations exposed to adverse environmental agents. This paper reports a way of monitoring the effects of air pollution on human health by using epidemiological data and in vitro immunotoxicological parameters in lead (Pb) environmentally exposed subjects. Epidemiological and human health statistics collected over the past few years indicate a negative impact of pollution resulting in the increase of the incidence of major diseases: it increases the occurrence of pulmonary diseases, asthma attacks, cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, the development of cancer, and mortality by these major diseases. A pilot study on the target subjects living in the highly polluted air (exposed group H. n=86) indicated statistically significant increased values of blood lead level (BLL) compared to subjects living in low or no Pb polluted air (control group C, n=37). Serum and hematological parameter values, some of them significantly different between the two human groups, also confirm the negative effects of air pollution. In an ex vivo study, using peripheral whole blood cultures and multiplexed immunoassay xMAP technology, the cytokine profiles in the exposed and unexposed subjects were tested, Th1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-6, IL-8, and the regulatory Th2 interleukins IL-4, IL-10 were sensitively modulated in environmental exposure. The cytokine profile detection using small samples (500 mu g/L) of human whole blood is reproducible and can be effectively used as an in vitro biomarker in human epidemiological studies on environmentally exposed people.

Aims: Apaf-1 (apoptotic protease-activating factor 1), is commonly known as an indicator of apoptosis regulation. It is the core protein of the apoptosome and its dosage is also critical in various cancer types. The aim of our study was to investigate the expression of Apaf-1 and cathepsin B (as caspase-dependent and non-caspase-dependent) effectors of cell death, in order to correlate them with the invasivity of pituitary adenoma. Design:

Introduction: Angiogenesis is a dynamic process, essential for embryogenesis, morphogenesis, tumorigenesis and other biological processes, being the most important factor for growth and proliferation of tumors. Aim: Angiogenic growth factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) ensure vascularisation of the growing tumor tissue. The aim of our study was to analyze the relationship between the expression of VEGF and bFGF in pituitary adenomas cells and the corresponding serum levels in individual patients. The study also evaluated the potential of serum levels of the two growth factors as diagnostic markers. Materials and methods: VEGF and bFGF expression were determined by immunohistochemistry in 30 tumor samples, respectively. Serum VEGF and bFGF levels were determined in 20 pituitary adenoma patients and 10 healthy subjects, using a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique. Results: Median values of VEGF serum levels in pituitary adenoma patients was 199.77 pg/ml, versus 95.45 pg/ml (healthy subjects). There is also a difference between median values of VEGF in invasive adenomas 213.1 pg/ml and non-invasive adenomas 159.77 pg/ml. Median values of bFGF serum levels in pituitary adenoma patients was 6.25 pg/ml, versus 4.64 pg/ml (healthy subjects). The mean of bFGF serum level was 6.95 pg/ml in invasive adenomas compared with 4.95 pg/ml in non-invasive adenomas. By immunohistochemistry VEGF and bFGF expression is more prominent in certain adenoma subtypes (functioning); stronger in invasive pituitary adenomas. Conclusions: A direct correlation was observed between VEGF and bFGF expression in pituitary adenomas cells, serum level of two growth factors and tumor behavior.