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Congo red (CR) and other self-assembling compounds creating supramolecular structures of rod- or ribbon-like architecture form specific complexes with cellulose and also with many proteins, including antibodies bound to the antigen and amyloids in particular. The mechanism of complexation and structure of these complexes are still poorly recognized despite the importance of the problem for medicine. This work proposes the progress in electron microscopy studies of amyloid-dye complexes by labeling supramolecular ligand CR with silver ions as a marker. Silver ions are introduced to CR carried by the strongly binding silver dye Titan yellow, which in addition form comicellar structures with CR. Silver carried by self-assembled dye molecules forms in the resulting metal nanoparticles, making the specific amyloid ligand CR perceptible in EM studies.

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Although it is known that drug addicts are a high-risk group for disruption of many homeostatic processes, little is know about changes in serum trace elements concentrations after taking the psychoactive substances. The aim of the study was to check the influence of the taking homemade heroin on serum level of copper. Blood samples were taken from 30 opiate addicts, and copper concentrations were measured by the means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The result of the study show that in the examined group, copper serum concentrations (1.35 mg/L) upon admission to the clinic were higher than in the control group (1.11 mg/L) but decreased during hospitalization (1.18 mg/L). There was no correlation between duration of stay at the hospital and changes in serum copper concentration.

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