Lactoferrin as a Human Genome "Guardian"-An Overall Point of View.

Structural abnormalities causing DNA modifications of the ethene and propanoadducts can lead to mutations and permanent damage to human genetic material. Such changes may cause premature aging and cell degeneration and death as well as severe impairment of tissue and organ function. This may lead to the development of various diseases, including cancer. In response to a damage, cells have developed defense mechanisms aimed at preventing disease and repairing damaged genetic material or diverting it into apoptosis. All of the mechanisms described above are part of the repertoire of action of Lactoferrin-an endogenous protein that contains iron in its structure, which gives it numerous antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anticancer properties. The aim of the article is to synthetically present the new and innovative role of lactoferrin in the protection of human genetic material against internal and external damage, described by the modulation mechanisms of the cell cycle at all its levels and the mechanisms of its repair.

Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress-A Causative Factor and Therapeutic Target in Many Diseases.

The excessive formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and impairment of defensive antioxidant systems leads to a condition known as oxidative stress. The main source of free radicals responsible for oxidative stress is mitochondrial respiration. The deleterious effects of ROS on cellular biomolecules, including DNA, is a well-known phenomenon that can disrupt mitochondrial function and contribute to cellular damage and death, and the subsequent development of various disease processes. In this review, we summarize the most important findings that implicated mitochondrial oxidative stress in a wide variety of pathologies from Alzheimer disease (AD) to autoimmune type 1 diabetes. This review also discusses attempts to affect oxidative stress as a therapeutic avenue.

Protective Action of L. salivarius SGL03 and Lactoferrin against COVID-19 Infections in Human Nasopharynx.

In this study, we used live viral particles from oral secretions from 17 people infected with SARS-CoV-2 and from 17 healthy volunteers, which were plated on a suitable medium complete for all microorganisms and minimal for L.salivarius growth. Both types of media also contained an appropriately prepared vector system pGEM-5Zf (+) based on the lactose operon (beta-galactosidase system). Incubation was carried out on both types of media for 24 h with the addition of 200 µL of Salistat SGL03 solution in order to test its inhibitory effect on the coronavirus contained in the oral mucosa and nasopharynx, visible as light blue virus particles on the test plates, which gradually disappeared in the material collected from infected persons over time. Regardless of the conducted experiments, swabs were additionally taken from the nasopharynx of infected and healthy people after rinsing the throat and oral mucosa with Salistat SGL03. In both types of experiments, after 24 h of incubation on appropriate media with biological material, we did not find any virus particles. Results were also confirmed by MIC and MBC tests. Results prove that lactoferrin, as one of the ingredients of the preparation, is probably a factor that blocks the attachment of virus particles to the host cells, determining its anti-viral properties. The conducted preliminary experiments constitute a very promising model for further research on the anti-viral properties of the ingredients contained in the Salistat SGL03 dietary supplement.

Barley malt-based composition as a galactagogue - a randomized, controlled trial in preterm mothers.

OBJECTIVES: Delayed or insufficient breast milk production, as well as low milk supply, is still a challenging problem to overcome, particularly in the case of preterm delivery. Herbal galactagogues might be a good way to increase milk supply, however, there is a lack of clinical studies confirming their efficacy and safety. The aim of this study was to verify the safety and effectiveness as a galactagogue of the unique galactagogue composition based on barley malt with ß -glucan and lemon balm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 117 mothers of preterm infants randomly divided into the Galactagogue Group given galactagogue and the Placebo Group. A complete data set was obtained for 80 participants, divided equally between two groups. Volume of milk expressed by mothers during the first two weeks after delivery was the primary outcome and safety of the product was the secondary outcome. RESULTS: Volume of milk recorded on participants' last visit in the Galactagogue Group was significantly higher than in the Placebo Group (95 mL vs 62.5 mL, p = 0.049). The total expressed milk volume during the study was 4209 ± 335 mL in the Placebo Group vs 6036 ± 498 mL (p = 0.003) in the Galactagogue Group. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with unique Galactagogue composition was safe and increased milk output which allowed achieving target minimal volume of 500 mL per day in first week of lactation in preterm mothers.

Effect of Ligilactobacillus salivarius and Other Natural Components against Anaerobic Periodontal Bacteria.

In this present study, the bacteriostatic effect of Salistat SGL03 and the Lactobacillus salivarius strain contained in it was investigated in adults in in vivo and in vitro tests on selected red complex bacteria living in the subgingival plaque, inducing a disease called periodontitis, i.e., chronic periodontitis. Untreated periodontitis can lead to the destruction of the gums, root cementum, periodontium, and alveolar bone. Anaerobic bacteria, called periopathogens or periodontopathogens, play a key role in the etiopathogenesis of periodontitis. The most important periopathogens of the oral microbiota are: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola and others. Our hypothesis was verified by taking swabs of scrapings from the surface of the teeth of female hygienists (volunteers) on full and selective growth media for L. salivarius. The sizes of the zones of growth inhibition of periopathogens on the media were measured before (in vitro) and after consumption (in vivo) of Salistat SGL03, based on the disk diffusion method, which is one of the methods of testing antibiotic resistance and drug susceptibility of pathogenic microorganisms. Additionally, each of the periopathogens analyzed by the reduction inoculation method, was treated with L. salivarius contained in the SGL03 preparation and incubated together in Petri dishes. The bacteriostatic activity of SGL03 preparation in selected periopathogens was also analyzed using the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests. The obtained results suggest the possibility of using the Salistat SGL03 dietary supplement in the prophylaxis and support of the treatment of periodontitis-already treated as a civilization disease.

Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid on Apoptosis and Proliferation in the Placenta: Preliminary Report.

INTRODUCTION: Observational studies confirm a higher incidence of preeclampsia in patients with low erythrocyte concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids. Observations point to an association of disorders of pregnancy, such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia, with excessive apoptosis. One potential mechanism of action of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) promoting a reduction in the risk of pathological pregnancy may be by influencing these processes in the placenta. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated 28 pregnant women supplemented with a fish oil product containing 300 mg DHA starting from pregnancy week 20 until delivery (DHA group). The control group consisted of 50 women who did not receive such supplementation (control group). We determined the expression of Ki-67 and p21 as markers of proliferation and caspase 3 activity as a marker of apoptosis and DHA levels in umbilical cord blood. RESULTS: Caspase 3 activity was significantly lower in the DHA group in comparison to the control group. Umbilical cord blood DHA concentration was higher in the DHA group. The expression of the proteins p21 and Ki-67 did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We observed an association between DHA supplementation and inhibition of placental apoptosis. We did not find an association between DHA and proliferation process in the placenta.

[Verification of the effectiveness of the dietary supplementation in infertility treatment]. / Ocena skutecznosci suplementacji zywieniowej w terapii nieplodnosci.

UNLABELLED: Fertility problems are observed in a growing number of couples in many countries, including Poland. The treatment of infertile couple should be comprehensive and apart from medical procedures also other factors affecting fertility potential should be taken into account. There is increasing evidence that a properly balanced diet and/or administration of specifically composed supplements may increase the chances of conceiving both naturally as well as in result of assisted reproductive techniques. THE AIM OF STUDY: Preliminary verification of the effectiveness of vitamin preparation to improve the quality of semen and the number of pregnancies achieved. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total 28 infertile couples were included to the study. Within 6 months from the start of diet supplementation seminological studies and the assessment of getting pregnant have been conducted. RESULTS: The consumption of vitamin and mineral ingredients improves sperm quality and increases pregnancy rate. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplement may help to conceive by increasing the number and improving sperm motility.