Alina Woźniak

Inter‐relationships of the chronobiotic, melatonin, with leptin and adiponectin: implications for obesity

Obesity and its medical complications represent a significant problem throughout the world. In recent decades, mechanisms underlying the progression of obesity have been intensively examined. The involvement of both the behavioral aspects, such as calorie‐rich diet, low physical activity and sleep deprivation, and the intrinsic factors, including adipose tissue deregulation, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronodisruption, has been identified. The circadian disturbances of the adipose tissue endocrine function have been correlated with obesity. Leptin and adiponectin are adipokines strongly associated with glucose and lipid metabolism and with energy balance. Their synthesis and secretion display circadian rhythms that are disturbed in the obese state. Hyperleptinemia resulting in leptin resistance, and hypo‐adiponectinemia have been linked to the pathophysiology of the obesity‐related disorders. A deficiency of melatonin, one of the consequences of sleep deprivation, has also been demonstrated to correlate with obesity. Melatonin is a pineal secretory product involved in numerous actions, such as regulation of internal biological clocks and energy metabolism, and it functions as an antioxidant and as an anti‐inflammatory agent. There exists a substantial amount of evidence supporting the beneficial effects of melatonin supplementation on obesity and its complications. In the current review, the results of studies related to the interactions between melatonin, and both leptin and adiponectin are discussed. Despite the existence of some inconsistencies, melatonin has been found to normalize the expression and secretion patterns of both adipokines. These results support the concept of melatonin as a potential therapeutic agent for obesity and related disorders.

Enhanced lipid peroxidation processes in patients after brain contusion

Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) activity and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentrations were determined in 30 patients with brain contusion and in 37 control patients with low back pain due to noninflammatory degenerative lumbar disc disease. In comparison to controls, during 10-day follow-up patients with brain contusion had significantly increased erythrocyte SOD-1 activity and CSF, blood plasma (LDL), and erythrocyte TBARS concentrations. The highest CSF TBARS concentrations were observed in five patients who died 2, 7, or 8 days following head injury. A significant negative correlation was found between erythrocyte SOD-1 activity or TBARS concentrations, in the blood plasma LDL fraction and erythrocytes, and The Glasgow Coma Scale score. These results suggest that enhanced lipid peroxidation processes, which seem to correlate with the severity of head injury, accompany brain contusion.

The Effect of Submaximal Exercise Preceded by Single Whole-Body Cryotherapy on the Markers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Blood of Volleyball Players

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of single whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) session applied prior to submaximal exercise on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, the concentration of lipid peroxidation products, total oxidative status, and the level of cytokines in blood of volleyball players. The study group consisted of 18 male professional volleyball players, who were subjected to extremely cold air (−130°C) prior to exercise performed on cycloergometer. Blood samples were taken five times: before WBC, after WBC procedure, after exercise preceded by cryotherapy (WBC exercise), and before and after exercise without WBC (control exercise). The activity of catalase statistically significantly increased after control exercise. Moreover, the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase was lower after WBC exercise than after control exercise (P < 0.001). After WBC exercise, the level of IL-6 and IL-1β was also lower (P < 0.001) than after control exercise. The obtained results may suggest that cryotherapy prior to exercise may have some antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The relations between the level of studied oxidative stress and inflammatory markers may testify to the contribution of reactive oxygen species in cytokines release into the blood system in response to exercise and WBC.

The effect of a single Finnish sauna bath after aerobic exercise on the oxidative status in healthy men

Abstract Background. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Finnish sauna as a regeneration method post-exercise on the oxidant-antioxidant balance in healthy men. Material. 43 men aged 24.0 ± 4.3 years performed a 30-min aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer and rested for 39 min at a room temperature (Day 1; 20°C) or in a sauna for post-workout recovery (Day 2; 90°C, air humidity 10%). Blood was taken 3 times during both study days: Before the exercise (baseline), 20 and 40 min after the recovery. Methods. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was determined in the subjects’ erythrocytes. The concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was measured both in plasma (TBARSpl) and in the erythrocytes (TBARSer). Results. A 12.7% increase in the TBARSpl concentration versus the baseline was observed 40 min after the Finnish sauna (p < 0.01). The CAT activity observed 20 and 40 min after the sauna was also found higher by 8.1% and 8.9%, respectively, in comparison with the baseline (p < 0.05). In turn, the TBARSer concentration was lower by 17.5% 40 min after the recovery in the sauna, as compared with the TBARSer concentration 40 min after the recovery at the room temperature (p < 0.05). Conclusions. A single Finnish sauna bath as a source of free radicals per se is able to reduce oxidative stress induced by a 30-min aerobic exercise in healthy men.

Cross-sectional study of the ossification center of the C1-S5 vertebral bodies.

PurposeKnowledge on the normative growth of the spine is relevant in the prenatal detection of its abnormalities. This study describes the size of the ossification center of C1–S5 vertebral bodies.Materials and methodsUsing CT, digital-image analysis, and statistics, the size of the ossification center of C1–S5 vertebral bodies in 55 spontaneously aborted human fetuses aged 17–30xa0weeks was examined.ResultsNo sex significant differences were found. The body ossification centers were found within the entire presacral spine and in 85.5xa0% of S1, in 76.4xa0% of S2, in 67.3xa0% of S3, in 40.0xa0% of S4, and in 14.5xa0% of S5. All the values for the atlas were sharply smaller than for the axis. The mean transverse diameter of the body ossification center gradually increased from the axis to T12 vertebra, so as to stabilize through L1–L3 vertebrae, and finally was intensively decreasing to S5 vertebra. There was a gradual increase in sagittal diameter of the body ossification center from the axis to T5 vertebra and its stabilization for T6–T9 vertebrae. Afterward, an alternate progression was observed: a decrease in values for T10–T12 vertebrae, an increase in values for L1–L2 vertebrae, and finally a decrease in values for L3–S5 vertebrae. The values of cross-sectional area of ossification centers were gradually increasing from the axis to L2 vertebra and then started decreasing to S5 vertebra. The following cross-sectional areas were approximately equivalent to each other: for L5 and T3–T5, and for S4 and C1. The volumetric growth of the body ossification center gradually increased from the axis to L3 vertebra and then sharply decreased from L4 to S5.ConclusionsNo male–female differences are found in the size of the body ossification centers of the spine. The growth dynamics for morphometric parameters of the body ossification centers of the spine follow similarly with gestational age.

Cell cycle in sporadic melanoma

Sporadic melanoma is a neoplasm whose etiology has not been fully investigated. Contemporary achievements in molecular biology have made it possible to localize the genes whose damage can contribute to the initiation of neoplastic transformation of melanocytes and lead to a progression of the disease. The majority of these genes are responsible for the correct progression of phase G1 of the cell cycle. Phase G1 of the cell cycle is subject to control by many protooncogenes and antioncogenes, which constitute the pRb or p53 pathway, damage to which can lead to the development of malignant melanoma. The present paper discusses disorders in the control of phase G1 of the cell cycle in sporadic melanoma.

Physical exercise combined with whole-body cryotherapy in evaluating the level of lipid peroxidation products and other oxidant stress indicators in kayakers.

The influence of exercise combined with whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) on the oxidant/antioxidant balance in healthy men was assessed. The study included 16 kayakers of the Polish National Team, aged 22.7 ± 2.6, subjected to WBC (−120°C–−145°C; 3u2009min) twice a day for the first 10 days of a 19-day physical training cycle: pre exercise morning stimulation and post exercise afternoon recovery. Blood samples were taken on Day 0 (baseline) and on Days 5, 11 and 19. The serum concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes (CD), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyls, vitamin E, urea, cortisol, and testosterone were determined, along with the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and morphological blood parameters. On 5th day of exercise/WBC, the baseline GPx activity decreased by 15.1% (P < 0.05), while on 19th day, it increased by 19.7% (P < 0.05) versus Day 5. On Day 19 TBARS concentration decreased versus baseline and Day 5 (by 15.9% and 17.4%, resp.; P < 0.01). On 19 Day urea concentration also decreased versus 11 Day; however, on 5th and 11th days the level was higher versus baseline. Combining exercise during longer training cycles with WBC may be advantageous.

Oxidant-Antioxidant Balance in the Blood of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease After Smoking Cessation

The effect of smoking cessation on the oxidative stress in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was assessed. We recruited 73 smokers with COPD (study group), whose blood was analysed before smoking cessation, after the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd months of abstinence, 35 healthy nonsmokers (Control I), and 35 smokers with COPD (Control II). Blood was taken once in Control I and 4 times (every month) in Control II. In the study group conjugated dienes (CDs) level in plasma and erythrocytes before smoking cessation was 3 and 6.5 times higher than in Control I, respectively (P < 0.001), while thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) level was 89% (P < 0.001) and 51% higher (P < 0.01), respectively. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was 40% higher (P < 0.05) while glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was 41% lower (P < 0.001) than in Control I. In Control II, the similar differences as compared to Control I were observed throughout the study. Smoking cessation resulted in decrease of CDs, TBARS, and SOD and GPx increase, with no changes in catalase and vitamins A and E. COPD is accompanied by oxidative stress. A three-month tobacco abstinence facilitated restoring the oxidant-antioxidant balance systemically, but it did not affect spirometric parameters.

Tracheal dimensions in human fetuses: an anatomical, digital and statistical study

PurposeRapid advances in perinatal medicine have resulted in increased number of various tracheo-bronchial interventions on fetal and neonatal airways. The present study was performed to compile normative data for external dimensions of the trachea at varying gestational age.Materials and methodsUsing anatomical dissection, digital image analysis (NIS-Elements BR 3.0) and statistical analysis (ANOVA, regression analysis), a range of measurements (prebifurcation and bifurcation lengths, proximal and distal external transverse diameters, proximal external cross-sectional area, and external volume) for the trachea in 73 spontaneously aborted fetuses (39 male, 34 female) aged 14–25xa0weeks was examined.ResultsNo significant male–female differences were found (Pxa0>xa00.05). The prebifurcation and bifurcation lengths ranged from 8.14xa0±xa01.90 to 20.77xa0±xa00.50xa0mm and from 2.23xa0±xa00.25 to 5.77xa0±xa00.76xa0mm, according to the functions yxa0=xa0−54.291xa0+xa023.940xa0×xa0ln (Age)xa0±xa01.681 (R2xa0=xa00.78) and yxa0=xa0−10.756xa0+xa04.860xa0×xa0ln (Age)xa0±xa00.731 (R2xa0=xa00.44), respectively. Their relative growth, expressed as the bifurcation-to-prebifurcation length ratio, was stable from the age of 16xa0weeks and attained the value 0.22xa0±xa00.05. The proximal external transverse diameter of the trachea was greater (36 fetuses, 49.3%), smaller (34 fetuses, 46.6%) or similar (3 fetuses, 4.1%), when compared to the distal external transverse diameter. The values for proximal and distal transverse diameters ranged from 2.39xa0±xa00.04 to 5.20xa0±xa00.17xa0mm and from 2.42xa0±xa00.20 to 4.93xa0±xa00.08xa0mm, expressed by the functions: yxa0=xa0−9.659xa0+xa04.574xa0×xa0ln (Age)xa0±xa00.313 (R2xa0=xa00.79) and yxa0=xa0−10.897xa0+xa04.984xa0×xa0ln (Age)xa0±xa00.327 (R2xa0=xa00.81). The values of proximal external cross-sectional area ranged from 3.38xa0±xa00.12 to 15.98xa0±xa01.04xa0mm2, according to the linear function yxa0=xa0−11.798xa0+xa01.077xa0×xa0Agexa0±xa01.463 (R2xa0=xa00.78). The values of external volume of the trachea ranged from 34.3xa0±xa011.6 to 370.6xa0±xa094.1xa0mm3 and generated the quadratic function yxa0=xa0−154.589xa0+xa00.858xa0×xa0Age2xa0±xa034.196 (R2xa0=xa00.87).ConclusionsThe tracheal parameters do not show male–female differences. The developmental dynamics of prebifurcation and bifurcation lengths and proximal and distal external transverse diameters of the trachea follow linear functions dependent on the natural logarithm of fetal age, its external cross-sectional area—according to a linear function, and its external volume—according to a quadratic function.

Effects of thermal stress on the activity of selected lysosomal enzymes in blood of experienced and novice winter swimmers

Background. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of exposure to cold and heat on the activity of selected lysosomal enzymes as well as on the activity of the protease inhibitor, which are all considered to be markers of cellular damage. Material. Two groups of healthy volunteers were included in the study. The first group consisted of experienced winter swimmers who practiced bathing in ice-cold water once a week, while the other group was comprised of persons who had never taken part in winter swimming before. During the experiment all the participants bathed in a river with a water temperature of 0°C. The same volunteers were later subjected to a sauna bath at an air temperature of 85°C. Methods. The activity of cathepsin D, alpha-1-antitrypsin, arylsulphatase and acid phosphatase was measured in the participants blood serum. Results. After exposure to cold water no changes in the parameters studied could be found. However, after the sauna an increase in the activity of arylsulphatase and alfa-1-antitrypsin accompanied by a decrease of cathepsin D activity could be observed. Conclusions. Winter swimming seems to have no effect on the activity of the lysosomal enzymes. By contrast, an increase of certain lysosomal enzymes after the sauna suggests that it may be deleterious to the lysosomal membranes. Furthermore it seems that regular winter swimming combined with sauna, according to hormesis theory, induces some adaptive response.