Henryk Bartoń

Some essential phytochemicals and the antioxidant potential in fresh and dried persimmon

Fresh persimmon contains high quantities of bioactive compounds, but is only available in the autumn and winter months. The aim of this investigation was to compare fresh and dried persimmon in order to determine whether the latter could be a substitute for fresh fruit. It was found that the contents of dietary fibers and trace elements in fresh and equivalent quantities of dried fruits were comparable. The content of total polyphenols in fresh persimmon was higher than in dried fruit, but not significantly (P>0.05). Also the antioxidant potential in fresh persimmon as determined by all three used tests was higher than in dried fruit, but not significantly (P>0.05). The methanol extracts of fresh and dried persimmon using the β-carotene–linoleate model system have shown 91% and 88% of antioxidant activity at 50 µl, respectively. Radical scavenging activity with the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method has shown 88% and 84% for the same extracts and the nitric oxide test showed similar results. The best correlation was found between polyphenols, β-carotene, DPPH and nitric oxide values (R2 ranges between 0.9535 and 0.9934). In conclusion, both fresh and dried persimmon possess high contents of bioactive compounds and have a high antioxidant potential. When fresh fruits are not available, proper dried persimmon can be successfully used.

Effect of Diet Supplemented with Quinoa Seeds on Oxidative Status in Plasma and Selected Tissues of High Fructose-Fed Rats

Oxidative stress plays an important role as a mediator of damage produced by fructose metabolism. This work was designed to investigate the effect of diet supplemented with quinoa seeds on oxidative stress in plasma, heart, kidney, liver, spleen, lung, testis and pancreas of fructose administered rats. Fructose administration (310 g/kg fodder for 5 weeks) caused oxidative stress that was manifested by the increase in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.05), and by the non-significant changes in the enzymatic antioxidant potential in plasma and most of tissues. Co-administration of quinoa seeds (310 g/kg fodder) maintained normal activities of some enzymes. It also influenced the oxidative stress as was evidenced by decreasing MDA in plasma, and decreasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes (erythrocyte superoxide dismutase - eSOD, catalase -CAT, plasma glutathione peroxidase - pGPX). These findings demonstrate that quinoa seeds can act as a moderate protective agent against potential of fructose-induced changes in rats by reducing lipid peroxidation and by enhancing the antioxidant capacity of blood (plasma) and heart, kidney, testis, lung and pancreas.

Effect of quinoa seeds (Chenopodium quinoa) in diet on some biochemical parameters and essential elements in blood of high fructose-fed rats.

The effect of Chenopodium quinoa seeds on lipid profile, glucose level, protein metabolism and selected essential elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) level was determined in high—fructose fed male Wistar rats. Fructose decreased significantly LDL [42%, p < 0.01] and activity of alkaline phosphatase [20%, p < 0.05], and increased triglycerides level [86%, p < 0.01]. The analysis of blood of rats fed quinoa indicated, that these seeds effectively reduced serum total cholesterol [26%, p < 0.05], LDL [57%, p < 0.008] and triglycerides [11%, p < 0.05] when compared to the control group. Quinoa seeds also significantly reduced the level of glucose [10%, p < 0.01] and plasma total protein level [16%, p < 0.001]. Fructose significantly decreased HDL [15%, p < 0.05] level in control group but when the quinoa seeds were added into the diet the decrease of HDL level was inhibited. Quinoa seeds did not prevent any adverse effect of increasing triglyceride level caused by fructose. It was shown in this study that quinoa seeds can reduce most of the adverse effects exerted by fructose on lipid profile and glucose level.

Selenium status indices, laboratory data, and selected biochemical parameters in end-stage renal disease patients

We investigated the relations between selenium status (SeS) parameters, indexes of nutrition, erythropoiesis, and uremic toxemia, serum electrolytes, and other biochemical markers in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, as no multivariate statistical analysis concerning all of these parameters was performed so far. SeS was evaluated by plasma Se concentration (plSe) and glutathione peroxidase (plGSHPx) activity in 69 uremic patients treated with hemodialysis (HD) and 40 healthy controls. The hierarchical multivariate partial least squares model (PLS2) was employed to establish data structure and correlations between parameters investigated. plSe and plGSHPx activity were significantly lower in patients when compared with controls (p=0.000). plSe was positively associated with indexes of erythropoiesis and nutritional status, as well as serum electrolytes and parameters of uremic toxemia. plGSHPx was inversely dependent on the pair of parameters: intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and aluminum plasma concentration (Al). We conclude that (1) ESRD strongly decreases selenium status and (2) the PLS2 approach revealed the existence of significant interactions among plSe, plGSHPx, and selected biochemical parameters or groups of such parameters; some of these associations need further studies to be clarified.

Photochemical ring opening of barbital

Abstract Photolysis of barbital yields derivatives of urea and biuret. The mechanism of ring opening involves an isocyanate intermediate.

Effect of amaranth seeds (Amaranthus cruentus) in the diet on some biochemical parameters and essential trace elements in blood of high fructose-fed rats

The effect of amaranth seeds on the lipid profile, glucose level, protein metabolism and selected trace element (Na, K, Ca and Mg) levels were determined in high-fructose fed Wistar rats. Fructose addition to rat fodder caused changes mainly in the blood lipid profile, particularly manifesting in an increased triglyceride level within all subsequent pairs of rat groups, and ranged between 85% and 112%. Administration of amaranth seeds to rats did not inhibit the increase of triglyceride induced by fructose. There was an increase in glucose concentration of between 3% and 14%. Uric acid concentrations also increased in all groups (30–37%), while changes in creatinine levels were varied. Fructose addition to fodder also brought about a significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity (9–20%).

Chromatography of methyl derivatives of 5-ethyl-5-phenyl-2-thiobarbituric acid

Methylation of 5-ethyl-5-phenyl-2-thiobarbituric acid yields two pairs of monomethyl and dimethyl derivatives which are constitutional isomers differing in the N- vs. S-methyl substitution. These products were separated by column chromatography on silica gel and also by TLC and HPLC. The chiral methyl derivatives and closely related compounds were resolved using β-cyclodextrin in the mobile phase as a selector. The order of the eluted enantiomers was established by chemical transformation and correlation with enantiomers of known configuration.

Blood pressure, arterial stiffness and endogenous lithium clearance in relation to AGTR1 A1166C and AGTR2 G1675A gene polymorphisms:

Introduction: Although recently a matter of epidemiologic controversy, sodium overload and its interaction with genetic factors predispose to hypertension and related target organ complications. Methods: In 131 (66 male) treated hypertensives, we measured peripheral and central arterial pressures and pulse wave augmentation indexes (AIxP, AIxC1, AIxC2), pulse wave velocity (PWV), daily urinary sodium excretion and did genetic studies of AGTR1 A1166C and AGTR2 G1675A polymorphisms. Proximal (FELi) and distal (FDRNa) sodium reabsorption measurements were performed using endogenous lithium clearance. Results: In men, we found interaction between FDRNa and AGTR2 G1675A polymorphism with respect to AIxC1 (pINT=0.01), AIxC2 (pINT=0.05) and AIxP (pINT=0.006). Arterial stiffness increased with higher sodium reabsorption in the distal tubule, in the presence of AGTR2 G allele with the opposite tendency in A allele carriers. In the subgroup with FDRNa below median, as compared to those with FDRNa above median, the AIxC1 (139.6±3.8 vs 159.1±5.7%; p=0.009), AIxC2 (26.3±1.8 vs 33.3±1.7%; p=0.016) and AIxP (83.4±2.5 vs 96.5±2.6%; p<0.0001) were lower, in the G allele carrying men and GG homozygous women. Conclusions: The relation between sodium reabsorption in the distal tubule and the development of arterial stiffness depends on the AGTR2 G1675A polymorphism in blood pressure independent fashion.

Endogenous lithium clearance: a diagnostic method of assessing sodium sensitivity in hypertension. Methodological and clinical implications

1Department of Internal Medicine and Gerontology, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland 2Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Internal Diseases, Chair of Internal Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland 3Trace Element Research Laboratory, Department of Food Chemistry and Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland

Comparative Study of Predominant Phytochemical Compounds and Proapoptotic Potential of Broccoli Sprouts and Florets

The study compares lyophilized broccoli sprouts and florets in terms of their chemical composition, cytotoxic and proapoptotic potential against hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2, colorectal cancer SW480, and skin fibroblast BJ cells. Sinapic and isochlorogenic acids were predominant phenolics in the sprouts and florets, respectively. The amount of sulforaphane in the sprouts was significantly higher vs. florets. Oleic and linoleic acids dominated in the sprouts, while caproic, stearic and oleic acids in the florets. Broccoli sprouts were selectively cytotoxic on HepG2 and SW480 cells, with proapoptotic effect for the latter, while the florets were less selective, but more active, with profound proapoptotic effect for HepG2 cells (77.4%). Thus, lyophilized broccoli sprouts may be effectively used in dietary chemoprevention.