Barbara Stawiarska-Pięta

Influence of sodium fluoride and caffeine on the kidney function and free-radical processes in that organ in adult rats

An experiment was carried out on Sprague-Dawley rats (adult males) that for 50 days were administered, in the drinking water, NaF and NaF with caffeine (doses, respectively: 4.9 mg of NaF/kg body mass/24 h and 3 mg of caffeine/kg body mass/24 h). Disturbances were noted in the functioning of kidneys, which were, particularly noticeable after the administration of NaF with caffeine. Changes in the functioning of kidneys were also confirmed by such parameters as the level of creatinine, urea, protein, and calcium. Modifications of the enzymatic antioxidative system (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) were also observed. Changes in the contents of the above parameters as well as pathomorphological examinations suggest increased diuresis, resulting in dehydration of the rats examined.

The effect of antioxidative vitamins A and E and coenzyme Q on the morphological picture of the lungs and pancreata of rats intoxicated with sodium fluoride

Fluorides, when taken in amounts exceeding the standard therapeutic dosage, are regarded as toxic substances. Recent studies show that fluorides may affect the oxidoreductive processes of cells. The aim of the following study is to investigate the effect of antioxidative vitamins A and E and coenzyme Q on the morphological picture of the lungs and pancreata of rats exposed to high doses of sodium fluoride. The study was performed on 18 female rats, which were divided into 3 groups: a control group and 2 experimental groups. The control group received distilled water and standard fodder. Experimental groups I and II both received sodium fluoride (2.5mg/rat/24h). In addition, animals in group II received vitamin A (250 IU/rat/24h), vitamin E (3mg/rat/24h), and coenzyme Q (200 microg/rat/24h). The experiment was conducted for a period of 35 days. Upon dissection, lungs and pancreata were taken for histopathological examination. Pathomorphological evaluations of the removed organs were performed using paraffin preparations, stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The aldolase activity in the pancreata was measured using colorimetric methods and the protein concentration by the Lowry method. In the case of group I, pathomorphological examinations of the lungs revealed the appearance of erythrorrhagia, hyperaemia, necrosis of epithelium cells, numerous macrophages in interalveolar septa, infiltrations in the area of blood vessels and emphysematous blebs. Focal vacuolar degeneration cells and inflammatory infiltrations appeared only in pancreata. The results confirmed that the administration of vitamins A and E and coenzyme Q has a counteracting influence upon the degenerative changes seen in the examined organs.

The Ethanol Extract of Polish Propolis Exhibits Anti-Proliferative and/or Pro-Apoptotic Effect on HCT 116 Colon Cancer and Me45 Malignant Melanoma Cells In Vitro Conditions.

BACKGROUND Propolis is a natural product widely consumed in folk medicine. Different biological activities, such as anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and antifungal effects have been reported for propolis and its constituents. OBJECTIVES An in vitro study focused on an evaluation of the biological activity of EEPP, including its anti-proliferative influence on selected neoplastic cells, considering qualitative-quantitative chemical characterization of Polish propolis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Cytotoxicity was evaluated by means of the MTT and LDH assays. The apoptosis was determined using fluorescence microscopy with annexin V-FITC. Additional EEPP composition was analyzed by a High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against Streptococcus aureus, Enetecoccus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans.

. RESULTS The total content of flavonoids per quercetin in the examined propolis extract amounted to 0.442±0.091 mg/mL. The flavonoid compounds identified in Polish propolis included flavones, flavonones, flavonolols, flavonols and phenolic acids. The multi-directional interactions among the various chemical compounds in propolis seem to be the essential biological activities when considering its anticancer effects. The results showed that in case of Me45 and HCT 116 cell lines, the ethanol extract of propolis could inhibit cell growth as well as cell size reduction. Regarding antimicrobial activity, EEPP showed MICs ranging from 0.39 to 6.25 mg/mL. CONCLUSIONS Ethanol extract of propolis from Poland obtained in the study exhibits anti-proliferative activity in different carcinoma cells.

The influence of vitamin E and methionine on the activity of enzymes and the morphological picture of liver of rats intoxicated with sodium fluoride

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin E and methionine on the activity of enzymes regulating carbohydrate metabolism and enzymes associated with glutathione as well as to examine the morphology of the liver in rats exposed to sodium fluoride. The study was conducted in 18 male rats of Wistar strain. The rats were divided into three groups: a control group, which received distilled water and two experimental groups, which received sodium fluoride (10 mg/kg of body mass/24 h) in water solution. Animals in the second experimental group received 3 mg of vitamin E/rat/24 h and 2 mg methionine/rat/24 h. The experiment lasted 35 days. In supernatants obtained after homogenization of rat liver slices, the activity of the following enzymes was assayed: fructose-1,6-biphosphate aldolase (ALD) malate dehydrogenase (MDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR). Pathomorphological evaluation was conducted on preparations made by standard paraffin method, followed by staining with hematoxylin and eosin. The administration of antioxidants counteracted changes in the activity of the enzymes and the morphological abnormalities of the liver induced by NaF. Antioxidants may be important in preventing toxicity of fluoride compounds.

Serum level of the circulating angiogenesis inhibitor endostatin in patients with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism

SummarySerum level of endostatin, a natural angiogenesis inhibitor, was measured in 12 patients with hyperthyroidism and 9 patients with hypothyroidism. Control values were obtained from 12 healthy individuals. Hyperthyroidism was shown to be associated with an increased level of endostatin and hypothyroidism with a decreased endostatin level. There was no correlation of serum endostatin with thyroid hormone levels. Endostatin is a fragment of type XVIII collagen, and it is possible that reported changes are related to the effect of thyroid hormones on connective tissue metabolism.

Influence of α-lipoic acid on morphology of organs of rabbits fed a high fat diet with the addition of oxidised rapeseed oil

Abstract Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of α-lipoic acid (ALA) on the morphology of the aorta and liver of rabbits fed high fat diet with addition of oxidised (ORO) and non-oxidised rapeseed oil (N-ORO). Material and Methods: The study was conducted on male chinchilla rabbits divided into six groups. The control group (C) was fed a breeding standard diet (BSD), group I received BSD with the addition of ALA in the dose of 10 mg/kg b.w., groups II and III received BSD enriched with 10% addition of N-ORO or ORO, whereas rabbits from groups IV and V received BSD with 10% addition of N-ORO or ORO and ALA. Results: Addition of ORO caused necrosis and steatosis of hepatocytes, as well as atherosclerotic plaques of various intensification in the aorta. In the liver of rabbits from group II (N-ORO) infiltrations of mononuclear cells was observed in the area of liver triads and between liver lobules. The beneficial influence of ALA was demonstrated in rabbits fed a diet containing N-ORO or ORO. In case of ORO, the activity of ALA was not fully effective. Conclusion: Diet supplementation with ALA counteracts the changes generated in the liver and aorta under increased exposure to higher fat content in diet, in particular thermally treated fats.

INFLUENCE OF NON-OXIDISED AND OXIDISED RAPESEED OIL CONSUMPTION ON LIVER METABOLISM PATHWAYS AND NON-ALCOHOLIC STEATOHEPATITIS DEVELOPMENT IN RABBITS

Abstract For 24 weeks, rabbits were fed feed containing non-oxidised or oxidised rapeseed oil. At the beginning of the experiment and every six weeks the rabbits were weighed and blood was taken. After the experiment was completed, their liver was dissected for biochemical and histological examinations. The activity of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotrasferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, and aldolase in blood plasma and liver were determined. Enzymes of the protein and liver metabolic pathways were determined using kinetic and spectrophotometric methods. The content of fatty acids was determined by means of fatty acid methyl ester concentration measurement using gas chromatography. It was found that the applied diet with oxidised rapeseed oil caused the development of slight liver steatosis and disturbances in the activity of enzymes involved in the liver pathways, despite the fact that it was a balanced diet, and differed only in the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids. The obtained results indicate that more profound oil oxidation and its increased supply in diet may result in the development of liver steatosis.