Snake venoms promote stress-induced senescence in human fibroblasts.

Snake venoms are widely studied in terms of their systemic toxicity and proteolytic, hemotoxic, neurotoxic, and cytotoxic activities. However, little is known about snake-venom-mediated effects when used at low, noncytotoxic concentrations. In the current study, two human fibroblast cell lines of different origin, namely WI-38 fetal lung fibroblasts and BJ foreskin fibroblasts were used to investigate snake-venom-induced adaptive response at a relatively noncytotoxic concentration (0.01 µg/ml). The venoms of Indochinese spitting cobra ( Naja siamensis), western green mamba ( Dendroaspis viridis), forest cobra ( Naja melanoleuca), and southern copperhead ( Agkistrodon contortrix) were considered. Snake venoms promoted FOXO3a-mediated oxidative stress response and to a lesser extent DNA damage response, which lead to changes in cell cycle regulators both at messenger RNA and protein levels, limited cell proliferation and migration, and induced cellular senescence. Taken together, we have shown for the first time that selected snake venoms may also exert adverse effects when used at relatively noncytotoxic concentrations.

Selected anti-health behaviours among women with osteoporosis

Background: In the prevention of osteoporosis and its treatment, it is important to prevent bone loss by reducing the occurrence of factors determining human health, which reduce the risk of osteoporosis, such as health behaviors. Objective: Characteristics of modifiable risk factors predisposing to osteoporosis, such as: low intake of calcium and vitamin D3 in the diet, smoking, coffee and alcohol abuse. Material and methods: The study involved 400 women aged 50-74 who are suffering from osteoporosis T-score <-2.5 SD and those who are healthy T-score> -1 SD, living in the Malopolska voivodeship. A questionnaire was used to conduct the study. Results: More than half of the respondents with osteoporosis (51%) were drinking coffee several times a day. In the healthy group, the majority of respondents (77.5%) were drinking coffee once a day. None of the healthy subjects drank more than two units of alcohol per day, and in the group of patients 2% of respondents declared consumption of more than two units of alcohol every day. Women with osteoporosis were more likely to smoke cigarettes and declared more frequent intake of calcium-containing products than healthy women. In the group of 200 examined women suffering from osteoporosis, 26.5% daily consumed milk, and 21.5% included this product three times a week in their diet. Healthy women did not drink milk every day. One-third (30.5%) of women with osteoporosis provided the daily recommended dose of calcium by consuming a slice of cheese. None of the healthy women examined included yellow cheese in daily meals, but only once (22%) or three times (26.5%) a week. Conclusions: It is important to introduce a health education in order to increase knowledge about the risk factors of osteoporosis , including the principles of proper nutrition with an emphasis on calcium and vitamin D3 intake.