Katarzyna Kotarska

The +1245g/t polymorphisms in the collagen type I alpha 1 (col1a1) gene in polish skiers with anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the association of +1245G/T polymorphisms in the COL1A1 gene with ACL ruptures in Polish male recreational skiers in a case-control study. Methods A total of 138 male recreational skiers with surgically diagnosed primary ACL ruptures, all of whom qualified for ligament reconstruction, were recruited for this study. The control group comprised 183 apparently healthy male skiers with a comparable level of exposure to ACL injury, none of whom had any self-reported history of ligament or tendon injury. DNA samples extracted from the oral epithelial cells were genotyped for the +1245G/T polymorphisms using real-time PCR method. Results Genotype distributions among cases and controls conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p = 0.2469 and p = 0.33, respectively). There was a significant difference in the genotype distribution between skiers and controls (p = 0.045, Fishers exact test). There was no statistical difference in allele distribution: OR 1.43 (0.91-2.25), p = 0.101 (two-sided Fishers exact test). Conclusions The risk of ACL ruptures was around 1.43 times lower in carriers of a minor allele G as compared to carriers of the allele T.

Distribution of the AMPD1 C34T polymorphism in Polish power-oriented athletes

Abstract The aims of this study were to determine the distribution of the AMPD1 genotype among groups of high-level Polish power-oriented athletes, and to investigate potential associations between genetic polymorphism in exon 2 of the AMPD1 gene and power-oriented athlete status. Altogether, 158 male Polish power-oriented athletes were genotyped by PCR-RFLP. The genetic control group comprised 160 unrelated male volunteers. We observed significant differences in genotype distribution when all 158 athletes (89.25% CC, 10.75% CT, 0.00% TT; P = 0.0025) were compared with controls (75.00% CC, 23.75% CT, 1.25% TT). A significant deficiency of the T allele was noted in all subgroups (short-distance runners: 5.21%, P = 0.032; short-distance swimmers: 5.56%, P = 0.031; weightlifters: 5.36%, P = 0.024) compared with controls (13.13%), while this trend was even stronger when the frequency of the T allele was compared between controls and all 158 athletes (5.38%, P = 0.0007). Our results indicate a lower frequency of the AMPD1 exon 2 T34 allele in elite Polish power-oriented athletes. Our data suggest that the C allele may help athletes to attain elite status in power-oriented sports.

Normalization of the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score in Polish population. A prospective, quantified electroencephalography study

The psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) is recommended as a gold standard in evaluation of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Normative databases have been collected in few countries, clearly showing differences among studied groups. Thus, the standardization of PHES for selected populations remains necessary.

FACTORS AFFECTING EXERCISE TEST PERFORMANCE IN PATIENTS AFTER LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

Background Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant recipients. In addition, low physical activity is a risk factor for cardiac and cerebrovascular complications. Objectives This study examined potential relationships between physical activity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and an exercise test in liver-graft recipients. Patients and Methods A total of 107 participants (62 men/45 women) who had received a liver transplantation (LT) at least 6 months previously were evaluated. Physical activity was assessed using three different questionnaires, while HRQoL was assessed using the medical outcomes study short form (SF)-36 questionnaire, and health behaviors were evaluated using the health behavior inventory (HBI). The exercise test was performed in a standard manner. Results Seven participants (6.5%) had a positive exercise test, and these individuals were older than those who had a negative exercise test (P = 0.04). A significant association between a negative exercise test and a higher level of physical activity was shown by the Seven-day physical activity recall questionnaire. In addition, HRQoL was improved in various domains of the SF-36 in participants who had a negative exercise test. No correlations between physical activity, the exercise test and healthy behaviors, as assessed via the HBI were observed. Conclusions Exercise test performance was affected by lower quality of life and lower physical activity after LT. With the exception of hypertension, well known factors that affect the risk of coronary artery disease had no effect on the exercise test results.

The Pro12Ala Polymorphism of the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Gene Modifies the Association of Physical Activity and Body Mass Changes in Polish Women

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ is a key regulator of adipogenesis, responsible for fatty acid storage and maintaining energy balance in the human body. Studies on the functional importance of the PPARG Pro12Ala polymorphic variants indicated that the observed alleles may influence body mass measurements; however, obtained results were inconsistent. We have decided to check if body mass changes observed in physically active participants will be modulated by the PPARG Pro12Ala genotype. The genotype distribution of the PPARG Pro12Ala allele was examined in a group of 201 Polish women measured for selected body mass variables before and after the completion of a 12-week training program. The results of our experiment suggest that PPARG genotype can modulate training-induced body mass measurements changes: after completion of the training program, Pro12/Pro12 homozygotes were characterised by a greater decrease of body fat mass measurements in comparison with 12Ala allele carriers. These results indicate that the PPARG 12Ala variant may impair the training-induced positive effects on body mass measurements; however, the detailed mechanism of such interaction remained unclear and observed correlation between PPARG genotype and body mass differential effects should be interpreted with caution.

Leisure time physical activity and health-related behaviours after liver transplantation: a prospective, single-centre study

Introduction Leisure time physical activity is of proven significance in surveys of fitness levels in various patient groups. Low physical functioning may affect recovery after liver transplantation (LTx). Aim To assess patients’ leisure time activity and health-related habits after transplantation. Material and methods One hundred and seven patients after LTx were included. They were divided into groups depending on aetiology of liver problem and the period after LTx. Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (MILTPAQ) and Health Behaviour Inventory (HBI) were applied. Results Neither the primary indication for the procedure nor the period after surgery had a significant relationship with physical activity assessed with MILTPAQ; however, activity was lower in females than males (1804.3 ±1848.9 vs. 2619.9 ±2067; p = 0.03). Age at survey/surgery was inversely associated with higher activity (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively). Health Behaviour Inventory analysis showed a correlation between all four of its domains and age at transplantation/survey (p < 0.001 for both). There was a negative correlation between positive mental attitude and body mass index (BMI). Conclusions The primary indications for grafting and, surprisingly, the period after surgery did not seem to be related to the patients’ physical activity in leisure time. Younger and leaner patients appeared to understand the standards of healthy behaviour better and implement them in their daily activities. As higher BMI are associated with a negative mental attitude in patients after LTx, a particular emphasis should be placed on proper counselling in this subgroup of patients.

Relationship Between Pretransplantation Liver Status and Health-Related Quality of Life After Grafting: A Single-Center Prospective Study

BACKGROUND Severity of liver disease evaluated with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD)/Child-Pugh-Turcotte (CPT) score is of importance in liver transplantation (LTx) assessment. The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) is a widely used generic questionnaire of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study was a prospective analysis of the effect of pretransplantation liver status on HRQoL after the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and seven (62 male, 45 female, median age 52 years) consecutive patients were included. MELD/CPT score and diabetes status were evaluated during LTx assessment. Patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the period after LTx: 6 to 12 months (group I), 13 to 36 months (group II), and >37 months (group III). They also were divided into 2 groups depending on the age at LTx: group I (<50 years) and group II (>50 years). SF-36 was used in the assessment of HRQoL. RESULTS Correlation between pretransplantation MELD/CPT score and HRQoL was only seen in the general health domain of the SF-36 in patients from group I (r = 0.64; P = .004 and r = 0.61; P = .02, respectively). Diabetes exerted a significant effect on the physical component summary (P = .02), again in group I. No significant correlation was observed between MELD/CPT score and the presence of diabetes in groups II and III. Regarding age at LTx, no significant correlation between MELD/CPT score and HRQoL was seen. CONCLUSIONS Liver status assessed with MELD and CPT scores before transplantation has a minor effect on HRQoL after LTx and exerts no significant effect in patients evaluated >12 months after LTx. Patients with diabetes seem to have worse quality of life early after surgery; however, diabetic and nondiabetic patients had comparable HRQoL scores later on after LTx.