Oral administration of lithium increases tissue magnesium contents but not plasma magnesium level in rats.

The aim of this work was to determine the influence of different doses of lithium on magnesium concentration in plasma and tissues of rats. For a period of eight weeks rats had been provided with aqueous solutions of Li(2)CO(3) whose concentrations were established as follows: 0.7; 1.4; 2.6; 3.6; 7.1; 10.7 mmol Li(+)/l. Magnesium concentration was determined in plasma and tissue supernatants. Lithium caused no changes in magnesium concentration in plasma, whereas Mg concentration in tissues was found to be enhanced, although the degree of the increment depended on the studied tissue. In the liver, brain and heart muscle, the increase was statistically insignificant vs. control. In the kidney, the higher Li doses were required to result in the significant Mg enhancement, whereas in femoral muscle all the used doses caused well-marked Mg increase vs. control. Positive correlations between average daily Li intake and tissue Mg concentration in the kidney (r = 0.650) and femoral muscle (r = 0.696) were found. In conclusion, the present study indicates that the different Li doses disturbed tissue homeostasis of magnesium. The increase in Mg tissue concentration, observed in groups receiving higher Li doses can influence nervous-muscular excitability.

[Congenital and genetic related causes of end-stage renal disease--data from Polish Registry of Renal Rreplacement Therapy in Children 2000-2004]. / Genetycznie uwarunkowane i wrodzone choroby nerek prowadzace do schylkowej niewydolnosci nerek--dane z polskiego rejestru dzieci leczonych nerkozastepczo (2000-2004).

UNLABELLED: One of the objectives of Polish Registry of Renal Replacement Therapy in Children established on 31st Dec. 2000 was to collect complete data on etiology of end stage renal disease (ESRD) in polish children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on 469 patients (251 boys, 218 girls) aged 0-22 years treated with renal replacement therapy (RRT) at 13 pediatric dialysis units in Poland from 2000 to 2004 were analyzed. The mean age at start of dialysis was 10 years and 3 months. Renal diseases were defined according to EDTA coding system. Data is presented for the whole group, in 5-year age groups and separately for both sexes. RESULTS: Congenital and genetic renal diseases were the cause of ESRF in 56% of the polish population of children and adolescents on RRT. 39% of causes were acquired diseases, 5% remained unidentified. Congenital and genetic causes dominated in children < 5 years of age (71%). They accounted for 49%, 61% and 45% of causes in the consecutive 5-year age groups. The most numerous group of congenital diseases leading to ESRF were uropathies 37% and 25% of causes in the consecutive age groups. In boys the most frequent uropathy was obstructive uropathy (25%), the majority caused by posterior urethral valves. In girls the most frequent uropathies were reflux nephropathy (10%) and nephropathy secondary to neurogenic bladder (9%). Uropathies were followed by renal hypo-dysplasia without urinary tract anomalies (11%) and cystic diseases (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Congenital kidney anomalies and genetic diseases are the leading cause of end-stage renal disease in children up to 15 years of age.

[Peritoneal transport properties for glucose and creatinine in Polish children and adolescents on chronic peritoneal dialysis]. / Ocena przepuszczalnosci otrzewnej dla kreatyniny i glukozy w polskiej populacji dzieci i mlodziezy dializowanych otrzewnowo.

INTRODUCTION: The mode of PD treatment is dependent on the individual transport properties of the peritoneal membrane. Two multicentre trials performed in the U.S. (PPDSC) and Europe (MEPPS) have established reference curves for solute equilibration in children performed with the use of 1100 ml/m2 fill volume in the former and 1000 ml/m2 in the latter study. AIM OF THE STUDY: Assessment of basal peritoneal membrane equilibration based on PET tests in polish children and adolescents treated with chronic peritoneal dialysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 58 PET tests from patients treated at 8 Polish PD centres were analysed. The mean time of performing PET test was 6,5 months after the start of PD therapy. All of the patients had been peritonitis free from onset. The mean fill volume was 1021 (906-1170) ml/m2. RESULTS: Based on the results of creatinine and glucose equilibration we established basal peritoneal solute transport curves for polish PD children using an average fill volume of 1020 ml/m2. The following values were obtained at 4hrs of dwell time for 2.27% glucose solution: D/P for creatinine = 0.68 +/- 0.15 and D/Do for glucose = 0.39 +/- 0.12. CONCLUSIONS: The DIP creatinine equilibration curves were similar to the previously published reference curves for children, whereas those for glucose was significantly lower. Using a fill volume scaled to body surface area of 1020 ml/m2 equilibration curves for glucose and creatinine are similar in children over 1 year of age and adults.

Magnesium and branched chain amino acids in rats intoxicated with Pb2+ or Cd2+ and receiving certain bioflavonoids or bioflavonoids with glutamine.

Experiment was carried on Wistar male rats. Eleven groups, each of 6 rats, were given: group I: plumbum nitrate (500 mg Pb/dm3), group II: plumbum ions--500 mg Pb/dm3 and quercetin--200 mg/dm3, group III the same what group II and glutamine 4 g/dm3, group IV: Pb(NO3)2--500 mg Pb/dm3 and catechin (200 mg/dm3), and group V the same as group IV, Pb ions, catechin, and additionally glutamine--4 g/dm3. The IA - VA groups obtained the same that groups I-V but they received instead of lead cadmium chloride in amount of 500 mg Cd/dm3. Group IX was a control group, and that animals received redistilled water to drink. After six weeks of experiment blood, liver and kidneys were collected, and magnesium and branched amino acids concentrations were determined. The aim of these studies was to determine the influence of administered quercetin and catechin individually or with free glutamine on magnesium and BCAAs concentrations in blood serum, liver and kidneys of rats.

Influence of admission procedure and hospitalization form on the value of magnesium concentration in serum, blood cells and urine in children hospitalizated due to pneumonia or obstructive bronchiolitis.

Wide spectrum of biological properties of magnesium is very well documented in pathomechanism of large number of diseases, where increased stressogenic actions with simultaneous magnesium deficiency have been observed. Our paper describes researches on trials to find out the relationships between stress reaction and magnesium deficiency, admission procedure and hospitalization form of children with pneumonia or obstructive bronchiolitis. It has been shown that serum magnesium concentration before treatment of sick children that during hospitalization had contacted parents, was significantly lower and essentially increased in examinations after treatment. However, in both groups of ill children (that which had constant as well as sporadic contact with parents during hospitalization period) blood cell magnesium concentration was essentially lower before and significantly increased after treatment, and urine magnesium concentration was essentially higher before and significantly decreased after treatment.

[Melatonin and its biological significance]. / Melatonina i jej biologiczne znaczenie.

Melatonin is a hormone produced in human by the pineal body, the endocrine gland localized in the central part of cerebrum. It regulates many vital processes. Its main and best known effect is restoring the natural cycle of organism functions. It is safe and non-addictive sleep-inducing drug, which can eliminate disruptions in our circadian rhythm, in such situations as shift working, changing of time zones (during intercontinental air travelling) or insomnia. It improves mood and quality of sleep. Melatonin function consisting in stabilization of biological rhythms, free radical scavenging or immune system stimulating can delay aging processes. Its appropriate supplementation can prolong life even by decades, keeping our body in good both physical and psychological condition. Additionally, profitable for health properties of melatonin include ability to control some illnesses (prophylaxis of cardiovascular system diseases, neoplastic diseases and other functional disorders of organisms). It makes the immune system stronger, decreases susceptibility of the organism to stress, and improves mood and general feeling.

[Melatonin and bio-elements]. / Melatonina i biopierwiastki.

Melatonin occurs naturally in human organism, and its basic and the best investigated function is stabilization of biological rhythms, mainly day-night cycle. Properties very profitable for organisms, this hormone owes to its great ability of free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity. Connection between melatonin and elements occurring in human organism can be based on various relationships. Calcium ions play active role in melatonin biosynthesis, and sodium and potassium ions, thank to their properties of membranes polarization, influence melatonin penetrating possibility into cells, where this active molecule can exerts its physiologic functions. Another type of relationship exists between melatonin and zinc ions. Genomic action of melatonin appears in its ability to stimulate antioxidant genes expression, and its direct cellular action appears in increasing of these enzymes activity, among which very important place takes zinc-enzyme-superoxide dismutase (SOD). Melatonin also prevents poisoning by such elements like chromium (III) and (VI), iron and copper, through levelling toxic actions of these ions on organism. The role of melatonin in these processes relies mainly on scavenging of arisen free radicals, detoxification of hydrogen peroxide and combining excess of toxic ions into compounds harmless for organism.

Bioflavonoids and glutamine in diet and the Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn concentrations in heavy metals intoxicated rats' skins.

The effect of bioflavonoids on the Mg, Ca, Cu and Zn concentration in rats' skin intoxicated with heavy metals Pb or Cd. The animals were divided at random into nine groups, each of 6 rats. Group I obtained in drinking water the solution of plumbum nitrate, Pb(NO3)2 in concentration of 500 mg Pb/dm3, group II solution of lead ions--500 mg Pb/dm3 and quercetin--200 mg/dm3 and glutamine 4 g/dm3, group III--lead ions solution (500 mg Pb/dm3), catechin--200 mg/dm3 and glutamine 4 g/dm3, group IV received water solution of Pb(NO3)2--500mg Pb/dm3, naringenin--200 mg/dm3 and glutamine 4 g/dm3, V-VII groups obtained the same that groups I-IV, but instead of lead cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in the amount of 500 mg Cd/dm3 was used. Group IX was a control group, and these animals received redistilled water to drink. All the groups of rats were on a normal diet (LSM dry food) and they got solutions and food ad libitum. After the experiment, the animals were sacrificed under ketamine narcosis and while collecting tissues, the skins (together with furs) used for further studies were also obtained. Heavy metals intoxication caused a significant decrease of magnesium and calcium concentrations in the examined rats' skins, and bioflavonoids with glutamine dietary addition did not improve or improve to a small degree the levels of those elements. Lead, in opposition to cadmium, decreased zinc and copper levels in skins, and bioflavonoids with glutamine caused the return of those elements' concentrations to the values of control group.

Branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) in heart diseases (ischaemic heart disease and myocardial infarction).

Acute and chronic ischaemic diseases are among the main death reasons and civilized world menace. Branched chain amino acids (BCAAs): valine (Val), leucine (Leu), and isoleucine (Ile) are the main source of nitrogen to glutamine (Gln) and alanine (Ala) synthesis in muscles. In numerous cachexy-producing illnesses such as cancer, sepsis, diverse injuries and heart diseases increased consumption of BCAAs occurs. In myocardial ischemia BCAAs derived from the mobilization of muscle protein may be an important alternative energy substrate for the heart. BCAAs are oxidative energy substrates for the heart and may exert anabolic effects on myocardial protein (8). The aim of our study was to determine branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) concentrations in blood plasma of patients with chronic and acute ischeamic heart disease and to find out changes that those amino acids undergo during the first five days of patients' hospitalization.

The influence of chosen metals administration in drinking water on magnesium balance in rats.

The aim of our study was to estimate the influence of chromium, lead and aluminium on the magnesium level in serum and tissues of rats. Male Wistar rats received Cr, Pb and Al at the concentration of 500 mg of metal x dm(-3) in the form of drinking water for three or six weeks. After the period of administration the animals were sacrificed under ketamine narcosis and blood from the heart as well as the tissues of the liver, kidney, brain, spleen, femoral muscle and heart muscle were collected. Magnesium concentration was measured in serum and tissue homogenates. Chromium caused the increase of Mg level in some tissues after six weeks and no changes in serum. Lead influenced Mg level in serum and tissues mainly after six weeks but the changes were more diverse and depending on the tissue. After six weeks' administration aluminium caused the magnesium release from serum and its storage in tissues.

Cadmium--influence on biochemical processes of the human organism.

Heavy metals are too well-known environmental pollutants of particularly dangerous effect to human health. Because of their wide usage in many industrial branches they are present everywhere in the air, water and soils. Food contamination by heavy elements is hard to avoid and it is a result of environmental contamination by dusts, industrial gases, sewage, waste and coal burning processes. One of the most harmful heavy metals, widely spread in nature is cadmium. Toxic cadmium action involves free oxygen generation and inactivation of protein containing cysteine residues with -SH groups. It influences many metabolic processes causing great damage in many organs. Cadmium can also interact with some essential elements leading to their homeostasis disorders.

Mercury-influence on biochemical processes of the human organism.

Heavy metals are too well-known environmental pollutants of particularly serious health hazard to human health because of the effects of their actions are not immediate, but they show up after many years. Due to their wide usage in many industrial branches they are present everywhere in the air, water and soil. Food contaminant by heavy elements is hard to avoid and it is a result of environmental contamination by dusts, industrial gases, sewage, waste and coal burning processes. The content of heavy metals in the environment is quite diverse and their harmful action depends on the type of element, the chemical form of their occurrence and the state of organism's nutrition. One of the very toxic and also very frequently used heavy metal is mercury. Exposure to mercury can cause immune, sensory, neurological, motor and behavioral dysfunctions.