Anna M. Witkowska

On the Role of sIL-2R Measurements in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Cancers

A soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) is a circulating form of a membrane receptor localized on lymphoid and some cancer cells. The biological function of sIL-2R has not been completely understood. Substantially, it seems to reflect T-lymphocyte activation in diseases of different pathology. Moreover, the soluble receptor has been considered, at least in part, responsible for unsuccessful immunotherapy with IL-2 in cancers. Several lines of evidence indicate sIL-2R measurements to be useful in determining disease progress and prognosis. This review summarizes current knowledge on the sIL-2R behavior in RA and solid cancers of varied etiology.

Potential Application of Curcumin and Its Analogues in the Treatment Strategy of Patients with Primary Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Recent findings on the molecular basis of ovarian cancer development and progression create new opportunities to develop anticancer medications that would affect specific metabolic pathways and decrease side systemic toxicity of conventional treatment. Among new possibilities for cancer chemoprevention, much attention is paid to curcumin—A broad-spectrum anticancer polyphenolic derivative extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa L. According to ClinicalTrials.gov at present there are no running pilot studies, which could assess possible therapeutic benefits from curcumin supplementation to patients with primary epithelial ovarian cancer. Therefore, the goal of this review was to evaluate potential preclinical properties of curcumin and its new analogues on the basis of in vivo and in vitro ovarian cancer studies. Curcumin and its different formulations have been shown to display multifunctional mechanisms of anticancer activity, not only in platinum-resistant primary epithelial ovarian cancer, but also in multidrug resistant cancer cells/xenografts models. Curcumin administered together with platinum-taxane chemotherapeutics have been reported to demonstrate synergistic effects, sensitize resistant cells to drugs, and decrease their biologically effective doses. An accumulating body of evidence suggests that curcumin, due to its long-term safety and an excellent profile of side effects should be considered as a beneficial support in ovarian cancer treatment strategies, especially in patients with platinum-resistant primary epithelial recurrent ovarian cancer or multidrug resistant disease. Although the prospect of curcumin and its formulations as anticancer agents in ovarian cancer treatment strategy appears to be challenging, and at the same time promising, there is a further need to evaluate its effectiveness in clinical studies.

Antioxidant Potential and Polyphenol Content of Selected Food

Phenolic compounds are natural antioxidants present in plant foods, which are important to human health. This study aimed to measure the total antioxidant potential with the FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) method and the total polyphenol content of 44 common consumed foods; represented by vegetables, pulses, fruits, cereals and breads. The antioxidant potential ranged: in vegetables 0.033–3.209, in pulses 0.342–0.387, in fruits 0.312–2.833, and in cereals and breads 0.062–1.709 mmol/100 g in fresh mass, respectively. The antioxidant potential of the foods tested was related to the total polyphenol contents.

Influence of Dietary Habits on Serum Selenium Concentration

Background: A serum selenium concentration of 70 µg/l is considered to be sufficient for glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity, a selenium-dependent enzyme reflecting the body selenium status. The purpose of the study was to assess which foods or food groups best affect serum selenium in subjects with selenium concentrations below or above 70 µg/l. Methods: A food frequency questionnaire was employed to describe the dietary habits of 129 subjects. Serum selenium concentrations were determined using the electrothermal absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) technique following serum dilution. Results: Multiple regression analysis revealed that consumption of ham, honey and tea was positively associated with the selenium concentration in the sera of selenium-inadequate subjects. In selenium-inadequate subjects, alcohol consumption may be responsible for selenium losses. Unlike the selenium-inadequate subjects, the selenium concentrations in the sera of the selenium-adequate subjects were positively correlated with the frequencies of wholegrain bread consumption and processed fruit consumption. In all the groups tested, the serum selenium concentration was not affected by cigarette smoking. Conclusions: The serum selenium concentration is influenced by dietary habits, but not by cigarette smoking. Frequent consumption of ham, tea and honey may be effective to improve the selenium concentration in the sera of selenium-inadequate subjects.

Comparison of Various Databases for Estimation of Dietary Polyphenol Intake in the Population of Polish Adults

The primary aim of the study was to estimate the consumption of polyphenols in a population of 6661 subjects aged between 20 and 74 years representing a cross-section of the Polish society, and the second objective was to compare the intakes of flavonoids calculated on the basis of the two commonly used databases. Daily food consumption data were collected in 2003–2005 using a single 24-hour dietary recall. Intake of total polyphenols was estimated using an online Phenol-Explorer database, and flavonoid intake was determined using following data sources: the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) database combined of flavonoid and isoflavone databases, and the Phenol-Explorer database. Total polyphenol intake, which was calculated with the Phenol-Explorer database, was 989 mg/day with the major contributions of phenolic acids 556 mg/day and flavonoids 403.5 mg/day. The flavonoid intake calculated on the basis of the USDA databases was 525 mg/day. This study found that tea is the primary source of polyphenols and flavonoids for the studied population, including mainly flavanols, while coffee is the most important contributor of phenolic acids, mostly hydroxycinnamic acids. Our study also demonstrated that flavonoid intakes estimated according to various databases may substantially differ. Further work should be undertaken to expand polyphenol databases to better reflect their food contents.

Antioxidant Potential and Polyphenol Content of Beverages, Chocolates, Nuts, and Seeds

Polyphenols present in plant foods as natural antioxidants may inhibit the pathogenesis of many diseases, which involve oxidative reactions. This study aimed to measure the total antioxidant potential with the ferric reducing antioxidant power method and the total polyphenol contents of 15 kinds of beverages, 4 types of chocolates, and 6 sorts of nuts and seeds commonly consumed. The antioxidant potential and polyphenol content ranged (respectively): in beverages 0.216–2.940 mmol/100 ml and 31–241 mg/100 ml, in chocolates 0.550–14.67 mmol/100 g and 222–1617 mg/100 g, in nuts and seeds 0.851–55.91 mmol/100 g and 125–3521 mg/100 g. The antioxidant potential of the foods tested was related to the total polyphenol contents.

TNF-α and sICAM-1 in intracranial aneurismal rupture

IntroductionSubarachnoidal hemorrhage (SAH) occurring after aneurismal rupture produces an inflammatory response in the cerebral circulation. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is a major cytokine in this process. Adhesion molecules provide information on inflammatory reactions taking place in the walls of blood vessels. Clinical evidence suggests a role of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1 in early hemorrhagic events. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of early TNF-α and sICAM-1 serum measurement for the prognosis of patient outcome after intracranial aneurismal rupture.Materials and MethodsThe study consisted of 27 patients with a diagnosis of intracranial aneurysm. SAH was evaluated on admission according to the Fisher scale, patients-consciousness with the Glasgow Coma Scale, clinical grading with the Hunt and Hess scale, and clinical outcome with the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Blood samples were drawn within 72 h after arrival at the emergency room. Serum concentrations of TNF-α and sICAM-1 were assayed with the ELISA method.ResultsThe initial serum TNF-α concentration in the aneurismal patients was low and did not correlate with radiological and clinical scores. The serum sICAM-1 level positively correlated with the severity of bleeding assessed by the Fisher scale and negatively with the patient’s scoring in the GOS.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the absence of a systemic TNF-α-mediated inflammatory response at the onset of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Early measurement of serum sICAM-1 levels offers a potential prognostic value in the assessment of patients-outcome after brain aneurismal rupture.

Relationship among TNF-α, sICAM-1, and selenium in presurgical patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms

The purpose of our study was to estimate the utility of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and selenium (Se) measurements as subsidiary parameters for the diagnosis and differentiation of large aortic abdominal aneurymms (AAAs). The TNF and sICAM-1 levels in AAAs were significantly higher than in the controls. On the contrary, the Se level in AAAs was slightly lower; however, the difference was not significant. sICAM-1 did not correlate with TNF or Se as well as with any physical parameter. TNF was related to body mass index (r=0.375). A negative correlation was found for Se and the aneurysms diameter (r=−0.382), especially for the height-adjusted diameter (r=−0.418). The results of the present study do not allow one to count TNF and sICAM-1 as markers of AAA advancement. It was shown for the first time that the level of serum Se is low in ruptured aneurysms, but not in the unruptured AAAs.

Endogenous non-enzymatic antioxidants in the human body

The exposure of cells, tissues and extracellular matrix to harmful reactive species causes a cascade of reactions and induces activation of multiple internal defence mechanisms (enzymatic or non-enzymatic) that provide removal of reactive species and their derivatives. The non-enzymatic antioxidants are represented by molecules characterized by the ability to rapidly inactivate radicals and oxidants. This paper focuses on the major intrinsic non-enzymatic antioxidants, including metal binding proteins (MBPs), glutathione (GSH), uric acid (UA), melatonin (MEL), bilirubin (BIL) and polyamines (PAs).

Dietary Antioxidant and Flavonoid Intakes Are Reduced in the Elderly.

The objective of this study was to determine sources and patterns of antioxidant and flavonoid intakes in the elderly (61–74 yrs) in comparison with young (20–40 yrs) and middle age (41–60 yrs) groups in a cross-sectional study. More than 6000 subjects of both genders, aged 20–74 years, participants of the National Multicenter Health Survey (WOBASZ) took part in this study. Daily food consumption was estimated by the single 24-hour dietary recall. Dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and flavonoid content (FC) were calculated according to the amount of food consumed by the participants combined with antioxidant capacity and flavonoid contents in foods. Food consumption, dietary TAC, and FC were significantly lower in the elderly, especially elderly women in comparison to the young and middle age groups. The consumption of tea, coffee, and apples was associated with the largest contribution to dietary TAC and FC in all participants. Despite high nutrient density of the energy-adjusted diet of ageing people, the elderly consumed the lowest amounts of antioxidants and flavonoids due to the lowest food intake.