Halina Grajeta

The role of selenium in human conception and pregnancy.

Selenium (Se) is a trace element essential for the appropriate course of vital processes in the human body. It is also a constituent of the active center of glutathione peroxidase that protects cellular membranes against the adverse effects of H2O2 lipid peroxides. Epidemiological surveys have demonstrated that selenium deficiency in the body may contribute to an increased risk for certain neoplasmic diseases (including colonic carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, pulmonary carcinoma and prostate carcinoma), as well as diseases of the cardiovascular, osseous and nervous systems. Apart from its cancer prevention and antioxidative activities, selenium protects the body against detrimental effects of heavy metals and determines the proper functioning of the immunological system. Furthermore, selenium plays a significant role in the undisturbed functioning of the reproductive system. Many studies have addressed correlations between its intake and fertility as well as disorders of procreation processes. Selenium deficiencies may lead to gestational complications, miscarriages and the damaging of the nervous and immune systems of the fetus. A low concentration of selenium in blood serum in the early stage of pregnancy has been proved to be a predictor of low birth weight of a newborn. A deficiency of this element may also cause infertility in men by causing a deterioration in the quality of semen and in sperm motility. For this reason, supplementation in the case of selenium deficiencies in the procreation period of both women and men is of utmost significance.

Effect of cellulose, pectin and chromium(III) on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in rats.

The effects of cellulose, pectin and chromium(III) on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism were investigated in rats. Eighty male Buffalo rats (n=10/group, 4 weeks old) were fed experimental diets for 6 weeks. The two control groups received a fiber free diet (FF) or a fiber free diet plus chromium (FF+Cr) (2.53 mg Cr/kg diet). The other groups were fed diets containing 5% of cellulose (CEL), 5% of pectin (PEC) or 2.5% of cellulose plus 2.5% of pectin (CEL+PEC) with or without chromium. The daily food intake and body weight of the rats were not affected by the experimental diets. Total cholesterol level in plasma was significantly lower (p≤0.05) in the PEC group than the rats fed the FF diet. Feeding of rats with the PEC+Cr diet resulted in a significantly higher concentration of plasma HDL cholesterol (p≤0.05) when compared with the CEL+Cr group. No statistically significant differences in the concentrations of plasma triglycerides (TG) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) between the groups were observed. Rats fed the CEL+Cr diet had a significantly lower content of cholesterol and rats fed the CEL+Cr diet lower contents of cholesterol and TG in the liver (p≤0.05) when compared with other groups. The concentration of HbA1c was significantly lower (p≤0.05) in rats fed the CEL and CEL+Cr diets than in other groups. A significantly lower concentration of plasma glucose (p≤0.05) was observed in rats receiving the CEL+PEC diet in comparison with the FF group. A significant effect of fiber and chromium combination was shown only in the case of triglyceride content in the liver of rats (p≤0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that a diet containing fiber (PEC) and chromium or their supplements may be beneficial for correcting some disturbances of lipid metabolism, and a diet containing cellulose or its supplements may be used to improve glycemic control.

Characteristics of rose hip (Rosa canina L.) cold-pressed oil and its oxidative stability studied by the differential scanning calorimetry method.

Two new commercially available high linolenic oils, pressed at low temperature from rose hip seeds, were characterised for their composition, quality and DPPH radical scavenging activity. The oxidative stability of oils was assessed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Phytosterols, tocopherols and carotenoids contents were up to 6485.4; 1124.7; and 107.7 mg/kg, respectively. Phenolic compounds determined for the first time in rose hip oil totalled up to 783.55 μg/kg, with a predominant presence of p-coumaric acid methyl ester. Antiradical activity of the oils reached up to 3.00 mM/kg TEAC. The acid, peroxide and p-anisidine values as well as iron and copper contents indicated good quality of the oils. Relatively high protection against oxidative stress in the oils seemed to be a result of their high antioxidant capacity and the level of unsaturation of fatty acids.

Serum and whole blood Zn, Cu and Mn profiles and their relation to redox status in lung cancer patients

Disturbed redox status may be critical to lung cancerogenesis, however little research has been conducted on general changes in total redox status in lung cancer. Levels and activities of antioxidants, especially enzymatic ones, are related to trace element concentration. Trace element status is often disturbed in cancers, however no studies concerning the association between redox and trace element status have been performed for lung cancer. We hypothesized that disturbed redox status in lung cancer patients is partially determined by trace elements while their distribution amongst blood compartments may differ compared to healthy subjects. Blood samples from lung cancer patients (n=44) and control subjects (n=44) were collected to assess redox and trace element status. Serum and whole blood Cu and Mn levels were determined with GF-AAS, and Zn-with F-AAS. In serum the total antioxidant status (TAS) was determined with the commercial kit TAS (Randox, UK), total oxidant status (TOS) was determined based on the method developed by Erel and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Total protein (T-Prot), albumin (Alb), uric acid (UA) and total bilirubin (T-Bil) concentrations were measured with an auto-analyser (Konelab 20i, Thermoscientific, USA), SOD and CAT activity - with commercially available kits (Cayman, USA). The level of TAS, T-Prot, Alb, T-Bil, the activity of SOD, the concentration of whole blood Mn as well as serum and whole blood Zn were lower while TOS, OSI, serum Cu levels and serum Cu:Zn ratios were higher in lung cancer patients compared to the control group. In the lung cancer group TAS correlated positively with Alb and UA, serum Zn and negatively with whole blood Mn. Additionally, SOD positively correlated with the whole blood Mn and Cu:Zn ratio, while CAT - negatively with the whole blood Cu:Zn ratio. In the lung cancer sub-group at clinical stage I-II, TOS additionally negatively correlated with whole blood Zn, and CAT negatively with serum Cu and Cu:Zn ratio. In advanced lung cancer, we found a positive correlation between TAS and serum Zn, and a negative one - with serum Cu:Zn ratio. We observed a similar correlation between endogenous non-enzymatic antioxidants and TAS in the control group, however considerably fewer correlations between trace elements and antioxidants were observed. This study supports the hypothesis that disturbed redox status in lung cancer patients is linked with alterations in trace element status regarding Zn, Mn and Cu. Moreover, the type of biological fluid influences both - alterations in the metal profile and relationships with redox status parameters.

The role of manganese in etiopathogenesis and prevention of selected diseases.

Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element, necessary for development and growth of the organism. The adequate content of this element in the body determines proper metabolism of amino acids, cholesterol and carbohydrates. This mineral influences activity of several enzymes involved in metabolic and redox processes. Mn absorption and retention disturbances may participate in etiopathogenesis of some diseases and disorders. This article is a review of knowledge about the role of Mn in etiopathogenesis and prevention of selected diseases: brain disorders, diabetes, lipid disturbances and cancers.

Boron content in daily meals for preschool children and school youth

Boron content in daily me als for preschool children and school youth was studied in this research. The boron content was measured in the meals taken from Wroclaw preschool and boarding school in December, March, June, and September. The whole meal was homogenized. Four grams of sample were mineralized and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Statistical assessment of the results was made with the Statistica v.5.1 program. The recovery was determined by the use of the standard additions method to evaluate the accuracy of the procedure. The mean boron content in 1 kg dry weight of a preschool meal was 2.31 mg B/kg dry wt, and in boarding-school meals, it was 2.15 mg B/kg dry wt. Based on these results, the estimated daily boron intake was calculated. The daily boron intake from food by preschool children was found to be 1.01 mg B/d for children and 1.2 mg B/d for youth. The actual intake of boron from food was determined after having related the quantity of the element to 1 kg of body weight. In the case of children, the mean intake of boron was 0.05 mg B/kg body wt/d, whereas in teenagers, it was 0.016 mg B/kg body wt/d. The results of this research show no significant differences between daily boron intake for preschool children and boarding-school youth.

Fe, Ca and Mg contents in selected fast food products in Poland

The Fe and Mg contents in selected fast food products available in restaurants and fast food outlets in Poland were determined by AAS, and the Ca content by AES. The mean Fe contents in the studied fast food products were from 0.7 to 2.3 mg/100 g, or from 0.6 to 2.3 per single serving. The highest means for this element were found in a serving of hamburger (2.3 mg), fishburger (2.0 mg) and chicken sandwich (2.0 mg). The mean Ca contents in the studied products were from 11.6 to 192.2 mg/100 g, or 10 to 192.2 mg per serving. The highest means for this element were found in a serving of pizza (192.2 mg) and cheeseburger (134.8 mg). The mean Mg contents in the studied products were from 6.8 to 34.1 mg/100 g1 or 5.9 to 37.3 mg per serving. The highest means for this element were found in a serving of french fries (37.3 mg), chicken sandwich (34.7 mg) and fishburger (30.4 mg). Based on the Fe, Ca and Mg contents found in these products, the percentage of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of these elements was calculated for one serving of each product. These calculations were done for various groups of people in Poland. The highest percentage of the recommended Fe intake could be covered by one serving of hamburger (15-23% RDA), fishburger (14-20% RDA), or chicken sandwich (13-20% RDA). The highest percentage of the recommended Ca intake could be covered by one serving of pizza (17-24% RDA) or cheeseburger (12-17% RDA); and for Mg one serving of french fries (11-19% RDA), chicken sandwich (10-17% RDA), or fishburger (9-15% RDA). From the conducted studies it may be concluded that some fast food products can serve as a source of Fe, Ca and Mg in the diet of people of various ages.

Dietary carbohydrate content influences boron's effect on lipid and protein indices in rats.

The aim of the study was to establish whether an excess or deficiency of dietary carbohydrates would influence the effect of boron (B) on lipid, protein, and glucose metabolism in laboratory rats. Sixty male Buffalo rats were used in the study, divided into six groups fed a control diet or a low- or high-carbohydrate diet with or without a B supplement (3 mg B/kg fodder). The hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit were assessed in whole-blood samples, and the total protein, albumin, creatine, glucose, total lipid, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) choloesterol contents in the serum were established. The total cholesterol and triacylglycerol contents in liver lipid extracts were also measured.A low carbohydrate content in a B-supplemented diet led to an increase in the total protein and albumin contents in the serum of the rats compared to the levels for the rats on the control and high-carbohydrate B-supplemented diets. Under conditions of an excess or deficiency of carbohydrates in the diet, B did not significantly influence the cholesterol and total lipid contents in the serum. Boron’s influence on the other metabolic indexes (glucose, HDL cholesterol, and triacyglycerol contents in the serum; cholesterol and triacylglycerol contents in the liver) was unaffected by the carbohydrate content in the diet.

Total antioxidant status in lung cancer is associated with levels of endogenous antioxidants and disease stage rather than lifestyle factors – preliminary study

Aim of the study Decreased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) has been reported in different neoplasms, including lung cancer. However, no study concerning the relationship between endogenous antioxidants, lifestyle factors, and TAC has been conducted among lung cancer patients. The purpose of the study was to investigate the associations between endogenous antioxidants, severity of disease, lifestyle factors, and TAC in lung cancer patients. Material and methods The study was conducted among 59 lung cancer patients. The levels of total antioxidant status (ATBS method), endogenous antioxidants, and C-reactive protein were measured in patients’ sera automatically. Dietary habits of the subjects were evaluated based on the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) on the day of admission to hospital. Results We found a positive correlation between serum albumin, uric acid (UA), and TAC and a negative correlation between CRP and TAC. Moreover, TAC was significantly positively associated with disease stage. We did not find any significant relationship between the frequency of selected food consumption and TAC in lung cancer patients, except for a positive correlation between the frequency of refined cereal products consumption and TAC level. Smoking status did not correlate with TAC. Conclusions Total antioxidant status of lung cancer patients results from their disease stage and levels of endogenous antioxidants rather than from lifestyle factors. The lack of influence of diet and smoking on the TAC presumably result from disturbed homeostasis in which cancer, while developing, could determine the redox state to a greater extent than lifestyle factors.

Dietary habits of lung cancer patients from the Lower Silesia region of Poland

Aim of the study Assessment of lung cancer patients’ dietary habits before treatment enable medical staff to provide more individual, precise and complex care to patients, taking into consideration their nutritional status. The aim of this study was, therefore, to evaluate dietary habits related to lung cancer risk of lung cancer patients in comparison with controls from the Lower Silesia region of Poland. Material and methods Assessments of dietary habits, based on a validated questionnaire related to lung cancer risk were performed on 92 lung cancer patients and compared with the results obtained in 157 controls. Dietary patterns were evaluated concerning on eating frequency of high- and low- glycemic index products, vegetables and fruits, vegetable and fruit juices, green tea, liquid dairy products, meat and fried products over the previous year. Alcohol consumption was assessed on a dichotomous scale (yes or no). Results Majority of patients had inappropriate dietary habits, such as low consumption of low GI cereal products, vegetables, fruit and green tea, and a high consumption frequency of fried products. Conclusions Reported dietary mistakes indicate the need for dietary education among people at lung cancer risk and with newly diagnosed disease, to enhance their nutritional status.