Mirosław Krośniak

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.

Evaluation of zinc content in children’s hair

The zinc content in the hair of 654 children living in various rural and industrial areas in southern Poland was assayed by means of the atomic absorption spectrometry, following the dry digestion procedure. The hair of girls exhibited statistically significant higher level of Zn than the boys’ hair, although in the site of extremal Zn contamination, the inverse relation was found.

The neuroprotective effect of cornus MAS on brain tissue of Wistar rats.

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) is a valuable source of phenolic antioxidants. Flavonoid derivatives as nonenzymatic antioxidants are important in the pathophysiology of many diseases including neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimers disease) or heart disease. In this study, we examined the effect of an addition of freeze-dried fruit of cornelian cherry on three types of diets: control diet, fructose diet, and diet enriched in fats (high-fat diet). This effect was studied by determining the following antioxidant parameters in both brain tissue and plasma in rats: catalase, ferric reducing ability of plasma, paraoxonase, protein carbonyl groups, and free thiol groups. Results indicate that both fructose diet and high-fat diet affect the antioxidant capacity of the organism. Furthermore, an addition of cornelian cherry resulted in increased activity of catalase in brain tissue, while in plasma it caused the opposite effect. In turn, with regard to paraoxonase activity in both brain tissue and plasma, it had a stimulating effect. Adding cornelian cherry to the tested diets increased the activity of PON in both tested tissues. Moreover, protective effect of fruits of this plant was observed in the process of oxidation of proteins by decreasing levels of protein carbonyl groups and thiol groups in brain tissue as well as in plasma.

Determination of vanadium in animal tissues by PIXE and AAS

Proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) were used for vanadium determination in animal tissues. The vanadium concentration levels were determined in blood, kidneys and livers taken from rats. Two groups of the animals were treated with different diets. The diet for the first group was supplemented with vanadium compounds while the diet for the second one was assumed to be a “normal” diet. The second group was treated as control. In order to achieve the best minimum detectable limit (MDL)1 the samples were subject to a special sample preparation procedure. Blood and kidneys were mineralized with an APDC compound. The mineralization process was performed according to the procedure described previously.2 The application of PIXE3 is very useful for different types of samples. PIXE measurements were performed with a proton beam at the Institute of Nuclear Physics in Cracow, Poland while the AAS measurements were done at the Institute of Molecular Biology, Jagiellonian University, Poland. The concentration levels of vanadium in blood and kidneys are compared and discussed. There were no significant statistical differences between results of vanadium concentration levels determined by the abovementioned techniques. The PIXE technique had the advantage over the AAS technique of giving a broad spectrum of trace elements analyzed in a single measurement. Therefore with the help of sample preparation procedure the application of the PIXE method seems to be suitable for such analyzes.

Aronia melanocarpa Treatment and Antioxidant Status in Selected Tissues in Wistar Rats

Aronia juice is considered to be a source of compounds with high antioxidative potential. We conducted a study on the impact of compounds in the Aronia juice on oxidative stress in plasma and brain tissues. The influence of Aronia juice on oxidative stress parameters was tested with the use of a model with a high content of fructose and nonsaturated fats. Therefore, the activity of enzymatic (catalase, CAT, and paraoxonase, PON) and nonenzymatic (thiol groups, SH, and protein carbonyl groups, PCG) oxidative stress markers, which indicate changes in the carbohydrate and protein profiles, was marked in brain tissue homogenates. Adding Aronia caused statistically significant increase in the CAT activity in plasma in all tested diets, while the PON activity showed a statistically significant increase only in case of high fat diet. In animals fed with Aronia juice supplemented with carbohydrates or fat, statistically significant increase in the PON activity and the decrease in the CAT activity in brain tissue were observed. In case of the high fat diet, an increase in the number of SH groups and a decrease in the number of PCG groups in brain tissue were observed.

Characterisation of flour by means of pattern recognition methods

Abstract Samples of 20 varieties of flour were examined for contents of toxic elements (Pb, Cd) and of some macro- and microelements (Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn). Chemical composition of flour and its baking characteristics found in the course of routine analysis were also studied. The relationship between both groups of parameters was assessed by the canonical correlation method.

Accumulation of Cesium and Radiocesium in Forest Litter in Selected Regions of Poland and Its Influence on Litter-to-Mushroom Transfer Factor

The aim of this work was to check whether the stable cesium content in forest litter affects the value of radiocesium from litter-tomushroom transfer factor Tf or not. Total cesium in litter, measured by AAS, varied from 0.1–2.7 pg/g. These data, combined with earlier results for mushrooms, showed no simple correlation for Tf. More complex relationships provided very high correlation coefficients, but their validity needs further investigation.

Bis(4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine)oxidovanadium(IV) Sulfate Dehydrate: Potential Candidate for Controlling Lipid Metabolism?

Vanadium is a trace element mainly connected with regulation of insulin metabolism which is particularly important in diabetes. In recent years, organic complexes of vanadium seem to be more interesting than inorganic salts. Nevertheless, the effect of vanadium on lipid metabolism is still a problematic issue; therefore, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 3 organic complexes of vanadium such as sodium (2,2′-bipyridine)oxidobisperoxovanadate(V) octahydrate, bis(2,2′-bipyridine)oxidovanadium(IV) sulfate dehydrate, and bis(4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine)oxidovanadium(IV) sulfate dihydrate in conjunction with high-fat as well as control diet in nondiabetes model on the following lipid parameters: total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high density lipoprotein as well as activity of paraoxonase 1. All of these parameters were determined in plasma of Wistar rats. The most significant effect was observed in case of bis(4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′ bipyridine)oxidovanadium(IV) sulfate dehydrate in rats fed with high-fat diet. Based on our research, bis(4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine)oxidovanadium(IV) sulfate dihydrate should be the aim of further research and perhaps it will be an important factor in the regulation of lipid metabolism.

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.

Assessment of metabolic and hormonal profiles and striatal dopamine D2 receptor expression following continuous or scheduled high-fat or high-sucrose diet in rats

BACKGROUND Obesity has reached global epidemic proportions and is associated with serious medical comorbidities and economic consequences. In this preclinical study, we characterized how the palatable diet changed food intake pattern, caloric intake, metabolic profile and hormone levels. We also evaluated the expression of dopamine D2 receptors in the rat striatum. METHODS Male Wistar rats were fed with either high-fat or high-sucrose diet for 5 weeks according to different feeding regimes: ad libitum access or scheduled for a 2-h period each day without caloric restriction during the remainder of the day. RESULTS Both diets resulted in an enhancement in caloric intake and total body weight. Post-meal data showed that high-fat diet increased cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose concentrations. Animals fed on high sucrose diet were only hyperglycemic. High-fat diet schedules resulted in the enhancement of leptin concentrations, while increases in blood levels of ghrelin were noted after intermitted high-fat or continuous high-sucrose diet. Finally, we report that only ad libitum high-sucrose evoked a significant enhancement of the dopamine D2 receptor protein level and a reduction in the D2 mRNA and receptor affinity in the rat striatum. Independently of the diet type, a similar reduction in dopamine D2 receptor affinity (decrease in KD value) was found in the striatum of rats with intermittent food access. CONCLUSION The findings provide a better understanding of eating disorders and indicate that diet composition leading to obesity induces distinct changes in dopamine D2 receptor signaling in the striatum.