Renata Markiewicz

Polyphenolic compounds and in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts from leaves of some Cirsium species

Crude aqueous extracts from leaves of Cirsium arvense, C. oleraceum, C. palustre, C. rivulare and C. vulgare were investigated. The content of tannins in mentioned sources, determined by the weight method with hide powder, varied between 1 and 7.63%. Total phenolic content, analysed by using Folin–Ciocalteaus method, ranged between 54 and 96 mg g−1, was expressed as milligrams of gallic acid per gram of dry extract. Phenolic acids were identified by HPLC method. Antimicrobial activity of those extracts was examined. Cirsium palustre extract was the most active against investigated microorganisms. It was observed that the content of small-molecular phenolic compounds had greater influence on the activity of extracts than tannins. The total antioxidant activity indicated by radical cation 2,2′-azini-di-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulphonate) ABTS•+, expressed as total antioxidant status (TAS) ranged from 2.31 to 2.78 mM L−1.

Influence of Dietary Habits on Serum Selenium Concentration

Background: A serum selenium concentration of 70 µg/l is considered to be sufficient for glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity, a selenium-dependent enzyme reflecting the body selenium status. The purpose of the study was to assess which foods or food groups best affect serum selenium in subjects with selenium concentrations below or above 70 µg/l. Methods: A food frequency questionnaire was employed to describe the dietary habits of 129 subjects. Serum selenium concentrations were determined using the electrothermal absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) technique following serum dilution. Results: Multiple regression analysis revealed that consumption of ham, honey and tea was positively associated with the selenium concentration in the sera of selenium-inadequate subjects. In selenium-inadequate subjects, alcohol consumption may be responsible for selenium losses. Unlike the selenium-inadequate subjects, the selenium concentrations in the sera of the selenium-adequate subjects were positively correlated with the frequencies of wholegrain bread consumption and processed fruit consumption. In all the groups tested, the serum selenium concentration was not affected by cigarette smoking. Conclusions: The serum selenium concentration is influenced by dietary habits, but not by cigarette smoking. Frequent consumption of ham, tea and honey may be effective to improve the selenium concentration in the sera of selenium-inadequate subjects.

Copper, Zinc, and Cu/Zn Ratio in Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder

Introduction: Many epidemiological and experimental studies report a strong role of chemical carcinogens in the etiology of bladder cancer. However, involvement of trace elements in the tumorigenesis of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder has been poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between zinc, copper and bladder cancer. Materials and Methods: Zinc and copper concentration and Cu/Zn ratio in two 36-sample series of bladder cancer tissue and sera from patients with this neoplasm were matched with those of the control group. The amount of trace elements in every tissue sample was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. This was correlated with tumor stage. Results: While the copper concentrations reached statistically higher values in the bladder cancer tissue, the zinc levels in the sera and bladder tissue of the patients with this carcinoma were substantially lower as compared to those of the control group. The serum Cu/Zn ratio was significantly higher in the bladder cancer group and this increase was greater in the patients with muscle-invasive neoplasm. Conclusions: The results obtained suggest a relationship between trace elements and the bladder cancer.

Lead concentration in the bladder tissue and blood of patients with bladder cancer

Abstract Objective. To investigate the relationship between lead and bladder cancer. Material and methods. The levels of lead concentration in blood and bladder cancer tissue from a sample set of 36 bladder cancer patients were measured and then compared with those of a normal group. The levels of lead obtained in the bladder cancer tissue were evaluated depending on the stage of the tumour. The level of lead concentration in each tissue sample was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Results. The lead concentration reached statistically higher values in both the bladder cancer tissue and the blood of patients with this carcinoma compared with those of the control group. No relationship between lead concentration levels in the bladder cancer tissue and blood of patients with this neoplasm on stage of tumour was demonstrated. Conclusion. The results suggest that there is a relationship between exposure to lead and the initialization and development of bladder cancer.

Enhancement of antibacterial effects of extracts from Cirsium species using sodium picolinate and estimation of their toxicity

In this study, antimicrobial properties and toxicity of extracts from Cirsium spp.: Cirsium arvense, C. oleraceum, C. palustre, C. rivulare and C. vulgare in combination with sodium picolinate (PS) or sodium benzoate (BS), were investigated. Three micro-organisms were used: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of extracts was found at 1.56–50.0 mg mL−1. Unlike the case of BS, adding PS to extracts from flowers of C. palustre and C. arvense enhanced their antimicrobial effect on S. aureus (MIC from 6.25–12.5 mg mL−1 to 1.25–5.0 mg mL−1). An MTT test was used to study toxicity effects. The extracts from C. palustre or C. arvense mixed with PS had a concentration-dependent, slightly cytotoxic or stimulating effect on the viability of normal human skin fibroblasts. The total phenolic content (TPC) of samples varied from 44 to 178 mg gallic acid equivalent per 1 g of extract. The highest TPC was observed in C. palustre (l) and C. oleraceum (f). Our results did not show any correlation between antimicrobial activities and TPC. Cirsium palustre (f) and C. arvense (f) extracts were analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). About 30 compounds were found to be present in extracts from two Cirsium species in amounts of not less than 0.2% of TIC.

Nitrate and nitrite content in daily hospital diets during the winter season : comparison of analytical and calculation methods

A comparison of two methods: analytical and calculation on an estimation of dietary intakes of nitrate and nitrite from six different types of general hospital diets was studied. Studies were performed in the winter season of 1996–1997.It was found that the mean daily intake of nitrates was 85 mg per person in the analytical method, and 65 mg per person in the calculated method. The estimation of average dietary intakes of nitrite was adequate: 1.67 mg per person (the analytical method) and 1.18 mg per person (the calculated method). The main source of nitrates were vegetables, whereas the main source of nitrites was meat and meat-containing products.We suggest that the different methodologies, analytical and calculation methods, for measuring dietary intakes of nitrate and nitrite from diets make it possible to make direct comparisons of intakes.

The Effects of Diet on Selenium Concentration in Serum in Patients With Cancer

The aim of this study was to determine serum levels of selenium (Se) in patients with larynx and urinary system cancers. We also estimated the influence of dietary habits on Se status in examined patients. The mean content of Se in serum of patients with urinary system cancer (48.94 ± 16.3 μ/l) and larynx cancer (51.00 ± 18.6 μ/l) was lower than the mean content of Se in the control group (68.25 ± 15.6 μg/l; P = 0.000006 or 64.03 ± 16.8 μg/l; P = 0.0112, respectively). In tissue only, the mean level of Se in patients with kidney cancer (75.37 ± 40.3 μg/l) was lower to compare with the dead body control group (220.68 ± 83.6 μg/l). We have observed the correlation between the content of Se in serum and tissue (r = 0.297; P = 0.002). Patients with studied cancers have deficiency of Se in serum and kidney tissue, and it depends on the diet in about 30%. Frequent consumption of eggs, ham, and wine has the biggest influence on the content of Se in serum of patients in Poland, whereas frequent consumption of pulses, eggs, bacon, and lard is connected with the content of Se in tissue.

Cell Viability of Normal Human Skin Fibroblast and Fibroblasts Derived from Granulation Tissue: Effects of Nutraceuticals

The effects of lycopene, genistein, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on cell viability were tested in vitro using a normal human skin fibroblast (NHSF) cell line (CRL-1474) and granulation tissue fibroblasts (GTFs) obtained from a patient with middle ear cholesteatoma. Cell cultures were added with lycopene (1, 5, and 10 microM), genistein (1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 microM), and EGCG (1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 microM) and their respective control cultures were established by adding 5 mL/L tetrahydrofuran (THF), 5 mL/L dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and 5 mL/L DMSO. A colorimetric assay was employed for determining cell viability using thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide. Cell viability was expressed as a percentage of the control. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance separately for each compound. Lycopene addition decreased viability of NHSFs and GTFs compared with THF addition (64.1%, 60.5%, and 100%, respectively, P < .0001). Genistein addition also increased viability of both NHSFs and GTFs compared with DMSO addition (P < .02). Increasing EGCG concentration tended to cause a linear increase in viability of NHSFs but did not alter viability of GTFs (P < .10). Our data suggest that genistein and EGCG but not lycopene could help maintaining or improving skin health through enhancing viability of skin fibroblasts.

Ekspresja genów heksozoaminidazy w perlaku ucha środkowego u dorosłych

Summary Background Middle ear cholesteatoma is a cyst like structure composed of keratinizing squamous epithelium that contains keratin debris and subepithelial connective tissue. Bone resorption may lead to destruction of ossicular chain and temporal bone. The higher activity of N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (HEX) was noted in cholesteatoma tissue, compared to the controls. It is supposed, that HEX takes part in bone resorption in middle ear cholesteatoma. Using of HEX inhibitors in cultured fibroblasts and evaluation HEX mRNA expression may contribute to showing new ways of understanding cholesteatoma pathogenesis. The aim of the study was to elaborate cholesteatoma fibroblast cell culture (CF) technique and evaluate in vitro inhibition potential of pyrimethamine. Material and methods Cholesteatoma and normal retroauricular skin sample obtained during surgical treatment were used in the study. CF served as a study group and fibroblast derived from skin specimens – as controls. Pyrimethamine was used at the concentrations of 1.5, 3, 10 and 20 μg/ml. The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out for the determination of HEX gene expression. Results RT-PCR established the elevated expression of HEXA and HEXB mRNA in cholesteatoma. HEXA mRNA in CF was six times higher than in the controls. HEX mRNA expression found to be regulated by pyrimethamine. Inhibition of HEXA and HEXB mRNA expression was achieved when the highest concentration of PYR was used. Low concentrations of pyrimethamine upregulated HEX gene in CF. Conclusions Pyrimethamine, depending on its concentration, contributes to regulating the HEX gene expression in CF and controls. Pyrimethamine may be regarded as a new future research direction on factors, that may limit development of cholesteatoma.