Ryszard Gryglewski

Polish pharmacologist (1932–2023)

Ryszard Jerzy Gryglewski

Born| (1932-08-04)4 August 1932

Wilno, Poland (now Vilnius, Lithuania)

Died| 30 January 2023(2023-01-30) (aged 90)

Kraków, Poland

Nationality| Polish
Citizenship| Polish
Alma mater| Jagiellonian University
Known for| Discovery of prostacyclin
Awards| Prize of the Foundation for Polish Science (1997)
Sir Hans Krebs Medal (2004)
Scientific career
Fields| Pharmacology, medicine

Ryszard Jerzy Gryglewski (Polish: [ˈrɨʂard ˈjɛʐɨ ˈɡrɨɡlɛfskʲi]; 4 August 1932 – 30 January 2023) was a Polish pharmacologist and physician. He is known for co-discovering prostacyclin. He was a Member of the Polish Academy of Learning (PAU)[1] and the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN).[2] He was the recipient of Sir Hans Krebs Medal as well as Poland's highest order of merit, the Order of the White Eagle.

## Life and career[edit]

Gryglewski graduated in medicine from the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, where he also wrote his doctorate in Pharmacology and in 1971 became a professor. In 1965, he was appointed as the head of the Department of Pharmacology at the Medical Academy in Kraków.[3] He was a member of many pharmacological associations around the world and since 1993 president of the Jagiellonian Medical Research Centre (Jagiellońskie Centrum Badań Medycznych).

His scientific work concerned experimental pharmacology. His research focused on the contribution of the blood-vascular system in building up immunity against thrombosis in the development of sclerosis. In 1976, together with S. Bunting, J. Vane and S. Moncada, he discovered prostacyclin, which set off many further scientific discoveries.[4]

In 1975, he showed that the inhibition of the release of arachidonic acid represents the mechanisms of action of glucocorticosteroids.7 His study describing discovery of the free radical mediated mechanism underlying the regulation of nitric oxide stability was published in Nature in 1986.[5]

Together with Andrzej Szczeklik, he was involved in the research on the so-called “aspirin-induced asthma” (AIA) and contributed to the concept that this disease is not caused by sensitization to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs but results from the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase type 1 (COX-1) pathway.[6]

Among his other notable discoveries was the fact that antiplatelet drugs, such as Clopidogrel, exert a strong fibrynolitic effect in the mechanism depentent on the endothelial cells.[7]

Gryglewski died in Kraków on 30 January 2023, at the age of 90.[8]

## Awards and honours[edit]

In 1997, he was awarded the Prize of the Foundation for Polish Science for a series of studies on the regulation of thromboresistance.[9]

In 2002, he received the Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta from President Aleksander Kwaśniewski for "outsanding merits in his scientific and didactical work".[10]

In 2004, he received Sir Hans Krebs Medal of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS).[11]

On 20 January 2017, he was awarded Poland's highest decoration, the Order of the White Eagle, by President Andrzej Duda for his "distinguished contributions to the development of pharmacology and clinical medicine".[12][13]

## See also[edit]

* List of Polish scientists
* Timeline of Polish science and technology

## References[edit]

1. ^ MEMBERS OF POLISH ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, PAU CLASS V OF MEDICINE, Full Members, Archived 14 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine Polish Academy of Learning. Accessed 28 January 2010
2. ^ Full Members - Division VI,[permanent dead link] Polish Academy of Sciences. Accessed 27 January 2010
3. ^ Jacek Jawień, Janusz Marcinkiewicz (27 February 2023). "Professor Ryszard Jerzy Gryglewski (1932–2023): in memoriam". mp.pl. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
4. ^ Jacek Jawień and Janusz Marcinkiewicz (27 February 2023). "Professor Ryszard Jerzy Gryglewski (1932–2023): in memoriam". mp.pl. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
5. ^ Jacek Jawień, Janusz Marcinkiewicz (27 February 2023). "Professor Ryszard Jerzy Gryglewski (1932–2023): in memoriam". mp.pl. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
6. ^ Jacek Jawień, Janusz Marcinkiewicz (27 February 2023). "Professor Ryszard Jerzy Gryglewski (1932–2023): in memoriam". mp.pl. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
7. ^ Gryglewski J, Dupin J, Uracz W, Swies J, Hou G, Gravier D, Casadebaig F (2000). "Thrombolysis by thienopyridines and their congeners". Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology: 683–693. PMID 11192941.
8. ^ "Nie żyje prof. Ryszard Gryglewski, wybitny uczony, autor przełomowych odkryć w dziedzinie farmakologii". www.cm-uj.krakow.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 11 January 2024.
9. ^ "Prof. Dr hab. Med. Ryszard Gryglewski - lauret Nagrody FNP 1997". fnp.org.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 8 November 2023.
10. ^ "M.P. 2002 nr 50 poz. 722". isap.sejm.gov.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 8 November 2023.
11. ^ "Sir Hans Krebs Medal to Harald Stenmark". ous-research.no. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
12. ^ "M.P. 2017 poz. 108". isap.sejm.gov.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 3 November 2023.
13. ^ "Order Orła Białego dla prof. Ryszarda Jerzego Gryglewskiego". prezydent.pl (in Polish). 26 January 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2023.

## Sources[edit]

* RYSZARD GRYGLEWSKI
* Gryglewski awarded honorary degree from Medical University of Łódź[permanent dead link]
* Gryglewski family history

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