Lucyna Kapka-Skrzypczak

Toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in central nervous system

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have found many practical applications in industry and daily life. A widespread application of TiO2 NPs rises the question about safety of their use in the context of potential occupational, environmental and intentional exposure of humans and biota. TiO2 NPs easily enter the body through inhalation, cross blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain, especially in the cortex and hippocampus. Toxicity of these NPs and the molecular mechanisms of their action have been studied extensively in recent years. Studies showed that TiO2 NPs exposure resulted in microglia activation, reactive oxygen species production, activation of signaling pathways involved in inflammation and cell death, both in vitro and in vivo. Consequently, such action led to neuroinflammation, further brain injury. A spatial recognition memory and locomotor activity impairment has been also observed.

Proteomic approach to nanotoxicity

UNLABELLEDnIn recent years a large number of engineered nanomaterials (NMs) have been developed with promising technical benefits for consumers and medical appliances. In addition to already known potentially advantageous biological properties (antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral activity) of NMs, many new medical applications of NMs are foreseen, such as drug carriers, contrast agents, radiopharmaceuticals and many others. However, there is increasing concern about potential environmental and health effects due to NMs exposure. An increasing body of evidence suggests that NMs may trigger undesirable hazardous interactions with biological systems with potential to generate harmful effects. In this review we summarized a current state of knowledge on the proteomics approaches to nanotoxicity, including protein corona formation, in vitro and in vivo effects of exposure to NMs on proteome of different classes of organisms, from bacteria and plants to mammals. The effects of NMs on the proteome of environmentally relevant organisms are also described.nnnSIGNIFICANCEnDespite the benefit that development of nanotechnology may bring to the society, there are still major gaps of knowledge on the influence of nanomaterials on human health and the environment. Thus, it seems necessary to conduct further interdisciplinary research to fill the knowledge gaps in NM toxicity, using more holistic approaches than offered by conventional biological techniques. “OMICS” techniques will certainly help researchers in this field. In this paper we summarized the current stage of knowledge of the effects of nanoparticles on the proteome of different organisms, including those commonly used as an environmentally relevant indicator organisms.

Environmental exposure to zinc and copper influences sperm quality in fertile males

INTRODUCTIONnThe presented study was designed to investigate the associations between environmental exposure to zinc and copper and levels of the parameters of oxidative stress and antioxidant defence system and selected cytokines in the seminal plasma of fertile males.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThe study population consisted of 65 fertile male volunteers from the southern region of Poland. Based on the medians of the levels of copper and zinc in seminal plasma, the study subjects were divided into 4 subgroups: groups with low and high environmental exposure to copper (Cu-L and Cu-H), groups with low and high environmental exposure to zinc (Zn-L and Zn-H).nnnRESULTSnSemen volume, pH, count, motility and morphology of sperm cells in the Cu-L and Cu-H groups did not differ significantly. In the Cu-H group, TOS was increased significantly by 243% when compared to the Cu-L group. Similarly, median of IL-10 level in the Cu-H group was increased by 144% compared to the Cu-L group. Spearman correlation showed positive correlations between the levels of copper and TOS and IL-10. Negative correlations between copper and G-CSF and GM-CSF were also shown. In the Zn-L group, the percentage of progressively motile sperm cells after 1 hour was significantly higher by 17%, compared to the Zn-L group. In the Zn-H group, levels of G-CSF and MCP-1 were significantly higher by 70% and 145%, respectively, compared to the Zn-L group. The level of IL-10 was significantly lower in the Zn-H group by 60%, compared to the Zn-L group. Spearman correlation indicated that there is a positive correlation between the level of zinc and thiol groups, G-CSF and GM-CSF. Negative correlations between zinc and TOS and IL-10 were also shown.nnnCONCLUSIONnZinc enhances motility in fertile men. This beneficial effect of zinc may be due to zinc-induced reduction in the plasma oxidative stress intensity and modulations of the immune response. This study confirms the antagonistic relationship between zinc and copper.

Cholinesterase activity in blood and pesticide presence in sweat as biomarkers of children's environmental exposure to crop protection chemicals

INTRODUCTIONnOn the contrary to the adult population exposed to pesticides, mostly on occupational basis, rural children are mostly exposed to pesticides deposited in the environment. However, even this constant, distributed in time exposure to low concentrations of pesticides may led to permanent health disorders and limit childrens harmonious development.nnnOBJECTIVEnThe main objective of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of aacetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity determination as a marker of childrens environmental exposure to pesticides. An additional aim was to evaluate the usefulness of sweat patches as a novel, non-invasive method of detection of pesticides in sweat as a measure of pesticide exposure.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODnA total of 108 children living in areas of intense pesticide use, and as a control group, 92 children living in an agro-tourist area were enrolled in the study. The AChE and BuChE activity was assayed colorimetricaly in diluted whole blood or plasma, respectively. In addition, selected pesticides were measured by GC/MS analysis in samples of the subjects sweat absorbed onto a sorbent.nnnRESULTSnThe study demonstrated significantly lower AChE and BuChE activity, respectively, in the diluted whole blood and plasma of children exposed to pesticides, compared to the control group (p<0.001 and p=0.003, respectively). The measured mean level of AChE activity was 241.63 ± 26.76 and 348.0 ± 46.95 mU/µmolHb in the exposed and the control group, respectively, whereas the mean activity of BuChE was 424.1 ± 81.1 and 458.6 ± 86.5 mmol/L/min. In addition, pesticide metabolites were detected in 19 (17.6%) sweat samples collected from exposed children.nnnCONCLUSIONSnAltogether, the study indicated that cholinesterase activity is a sensitive marker of the childrens environmental exposure to pesticides, whereas sweat patches are useful devices for collecting samples to be analysed for the presence of the pesticides.

Influence of iron on sperm motility and selected oxidative stress parameters in fertile males – a pilot study

INTRODUCTIONnThe presented study was designed to investigate the associations between iron level in seminal plasma and levels of the parameters of oxidative stress and antioxidant defence system and selected cytokines in the seminal plasma of fertile males.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThe study population consisted of 65 fertile male volunteers from the southern region of Poland. Based on the medians of the levels of iron in seminal plasma, the study subjects were divided into 2 groups: with low and high levels of iron in seminal plasma (Fe-L and Fe-H).nnnRESULTSnThe percentage of unprogressively motile sperm cells after 1 hour was significantly higher in the Fe-H group, compared to the Fe-L group. The activities of SOD and Mn-SOD and the level of MDA were significantly lower in the Fe-H group, compared to the Fe-L group. However, the value of TOC and OSI were significantly higher in the Fe-H group, compared to the Fe-L group. Median of IL-1β was significantly higher in the Fe-H group, compared to the Fe-L group, whereas medians of IL-2, IL-5, and GM-CSF were significantly lower in the Fe-H group.nnnCONCLUSIONnIn fertile males, iron may negatively affect sperm motility and elevate oxidative stress intensity. Iron additionally modulates the levels of several cytokines in human semen.

Plasma and erythrocyte relationship of catecholamines in hemodialysis patients.

The function of the autonomic nervous system is based on reciprocal interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts, most frequently in the form of antagonistic action on target organs. The main mediators of the sympathetic nervous system in the effectors part are catecholamines (CA), which are involved in various physiological processes. Moreover, CA also has a profound effect on the kidneys, being factors that impact on renal haemodynamics, and have been reported to be altered in pathological disorders, e.g. extracellular volume expression, hypertension and cardiovascular complications. The increased sympathetic nerve activity, at least in part, can explain the raised in plasma CA observed in chronic kidney diseases. Furthermore, plasma CA levels in ureamic patients cannot be considered a reliable index of sympathetic activity, due to existence of many factors which may affect their values. In addition, CA released into the circulation, as one of many substances, may penetrate across the cellular membranes of erytrocytes (RBC). Taking these observations together, the aim of the presented study was to investigate for the first time the plasma and erythrocyte relationship of catecholamines in haemodialysis. The studies were performed among 37 haemodialysed patients who were inhabitants of the Lublin commune. Plasma and intracellular concentration of CA were measured prior to and following haemodialysis by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The results suggest that RBC are able to accumulate CA at the stage of terminal renal failure; in addition, the levels of adrenaline and dopamine in RBC depend on the accumulation of urea in plasma. It was also found that the dynamic changes in concentration of RBC adrenaline are an independent predictor of mortality in haemodialysis patients.

A review of selected natural phytochemicals in preventing and treating malignant skin neoplasms

Malignant skin neoplasms are one of the most common human malignancies. The incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancers and malignant melanoma is constantly increasing. The current therapies, especially for malignant melanoma, have relatively low success rates. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new remedies that are both safe and effective. Natural substances have always been an important source for the discovery of new therapies. In turn, a number of studies have indicated that some phytocheicals could have an anti-tumour effect. In vitro and in vivo testing of malignant skin neoplasm models revealed different anti-tumour actions, including antioxidation, carcinogen inactivation, anti-proliferation, cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, or a combination of them. The aim of this paper is to describe anti-tumour compounds derived from natural sources that might be used in the therapy of malignant skin neoplasm. The phytochemicals discussed below include carotenoids, terpenoids and flavonoids.

Molecular and environmental aspects of skin cancers

Skin cancers are one of the most common cancers in the Caucasian population. A constantly increasing number of nonmelanoma skin cancers and malignant melanomas is observed. The incidence of skin cancers is associated mainly with exposure to sunlight. Therefore, agricultural workers who work in open spaces are a particularly vulnerable group. Currently, studies on the pathogenesis of skin cancer focus on the molecular basis associated with ultraviolet radiation. This study is an attempt to summarize the current state of knowledge on this issue. There have been demonstrated mutations in different classes of genes associated with carcinogenesis, including protooncogenes, tumour suppressor genes, genes that control apoptosis, genes encoding transcription factors and DNA repair genes in patients with skin cancers. Mutations in the latter result in reducing the effectiveness of DNA repair and fixation of mutations. All changes at the gene level lead to structural changes, quantitative and dysfunction of proteins encoded by these genes. All these factors contribute to the process of carcinogenesis. Due to increasing number of skin cancers, it seems important to increase knowledge of the molecular basis of skin cancers. This knowledge could be crucial for predicting the course of the disease, and for the development of new therapeutic strategies.