Maria Fołta

Use of pattern recognition methods in the interpretation of heavy metal content (lead and cadmium) in children's scalp hair

A study has been performed to identify the exposure to toxic metals and possible adverse effects in children from various rural and industrial areas in southern Poland. The population studied consisted of school children of age 7–12. The concentrations of Pb and Cd were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean Pb and Cd content in the hair of the sampled individuals was found to be 4.85 ± 5.91 µg g–1 and 0.430 ± 0.569 µg g–1, respectively. The hair of boys (particularly those living in the areas of greater industrial contamination) exhibited statistically significant higher levels of Pb and Cd than the hair of girls from the same areas. No relationship was revealed between metal content and either anthropometric indices (weight : height ratio or height : age ratio) or educational achievements.

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.

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.

Effect of broccoli sprouts on thyroid function, haematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters in rats with thyroid imbalance

Broccoli sprouts may exert a negative influence on thyroid function as they are a rich source of glucosinolates, in particular glucoraphanin. Under the study in a long-term experiment broccoli sprouts were tested as an element of rats diet, combined with deficient iodine, or sulfadimethoxine ingestion - two models of hypothyroidism. Evaluations were performed for serum TSH and thyroid hormones completed with analyzes of selected haematological, biochemical and immunological (IL-6, IL-10) parameters, as well as cytosolic glutathione peroxidase (GPX1), thioredoxin reductase (TR) in the thyroid, and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPX3). A thermographic analysis was conducted to provide auxiliary indicators for determining a potential thyroid dysfunction under the specific experimental conditions. The levels of TSH, fT3 and fT4 remained unchanged following broccoli sprouts ingestion, which was even found to have a protective effect against sulfadimethoxine induced thyroid damage. Moreover, TR activity significantly increased in response to sprouts ingestion. In animals with hypothyroidism, broccoli sprouts were found to exert a beneficial influence on the antioxidant balance of the thyroid gland. In comparison to the rats with iodine deficiency, broccoli sprouts addition to the diet was observed to decrease IL-6 level. No significant differences in IL-10 concentration were determined. Neither addition of broccoli sprouts to the diet, nor sulfadimethoxine and iodine deficiency, caused negative changes in red blood cell parameters, glucose and uric acid concentrations, or kidney function. However, such a dietary intervention resulted in reduced WBC and PLT levels, and it may adversely interfere with liver function in rats, most likely due to a higher dietary intake of glucosinolates.

The toxicological analysis of lead and cadmium in prescription food for special medical purposes and modified milk products for newborns and infants available in Polish pharmacies

There is currently a lack of risk assessments around Pb and Cd in prescription food for special medical purposes (FSMPs) and modified milk products available in from pharmacies in Poland. This article describes and evaluates a toxicological analysis of lead and cadmium in prescription FSMPs (n = 6) and modified milk products (n = 6) available in Polish pharmacies. The metals were determined using electrothermal atomisation atomic absorption spectrometry. To make the appropriate risk assessment, we considered (1) the levels of lead and cadmium in a powdered product, (2) the amount of the metals consumed in one portion (single exposure), (3) the daily dose depending on age (months) and body weight and (4) the weekly intake of Pb and Cd in samples in comparison to provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The results demonstrated that the samples analysed do not represent a health hazard to newborns and infants. This study is important because of the concerns around the complex risk assessment of prescription FSMPs and modified milk products available in Polish pharmacies related to lead and cadmium.

Investigations on the Elements Status Markers in Humans. Lead. Significant Correlation between PB Content in Milk Teeth and Blood of 6-Year-Old Children

Strong positive correlation of lead content in milk teeth and blood of 6-year old children suggests a potential usefulness of analysis of milk teeth in population studies, even for the populations not highly exposed to lead.