The aim of the investigation was to determine the effect of suxamethonium chloride on potassium concentrations in serum during anaesthesia in renal transplantation. Potassium values were measured before the operation (control values), after the administration of suxamethonium chloride, after reinstatement of the blood flow in the transplanted kidney, and after the operation. The mean potassium values after suxamethonium chloride administration (5.33 mmol/L) and after the operation (5.17 mmol/L) were significantly higher than the values before the operation (4.82 mmol/L) (P less than 0.05). The difference between potassium concentrations before the operation (4.82 mmol/L) and those measured after reinstatement of the blood flow in the transplanted kidney (5.06 mmol/L) was not statistically significant (P greater than 0.05). Increase in potassium concentration following suxamethonium chloride administration calls for caution as it may produce a toxic effect on the cardiovascular system. The potassium values in patients with terminal renal failure should not be higher than 5 mmol/L before inducing anaesthesia.

The effect of a toxic trivalent chromium dose on histopathological changes in rat organs was investigated. To evaluate a protective effect of zinc, rats were treated with ZnCl2 two hours before chromium administration. The protective zinc action was best observed in respect to morphological changes in the organs of chromium poisoned rats, particularly in the liver. The lack of areas of focal necrosis on the liver capsule in the protected group of rats was the most evident macroscopic findings. The histopathological changes observed were in accordance with the results of own previous investigation of the changes in lactate dehydrogenase activity in rat organs induced by chromium and zinc. The mechanisms of the zinc protective effect against chromium poisoning are discussed.

This is a review of studies dealing with the physiological role of chromium in the body and its harmful effects to human health. Trivalent chromium is discussed as a trace element essential to normal metabolism of hydrocarbons and to functioning of some enzymes. Toxic and carcinogenic effects of chromium due to occupational exposure, environmental pollution, food contamination and accidental poisoning are described.

For estimation of the value of Chemetron method for LD isoenzyme separation on cellulose-acetate membranes in cancer tissues taken from corpses, malignant tumors revealed by autopsy were investigated. Overall stability of LD, as well as the maintenance of various forms of isoenzymes in the extracts with regard to post-mortem autolysis in corpse and long periods of freezing, have been demonstrated. No correlation was found between the degree of isoenzyme changes and the histologic grading of tumors. LD isoenzyme pattern in cancer metastasis has been considered with respect to vascular and metabolic role of the environmental normal tissue. In order to point out the possible role of LD isoenzyme pattern in cancer diagnosis a lot of preliminary studies has been reviewed. The clarification of the specific distribution of LD activities in different tissues has been considered.