Do dietary interventions exert clinically important effects on the bioavailability of ß-lactam antibiotics? A systematic review with meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND: Managing drug-food interactions may help to achieve the optimal action and safety profile of ß-lactam antibiotics. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review with meta-analyses in adherence to PRISMA guidelines for 32 ß-lactams. We included 166 studies assessing the impact of food, beverages, antacids or mineral supplements on the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters or PK/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) indices. RESULTS: Eighteen of 25 ß-lactams for which data on food impact were available had clinically important interactions. We observed the highest negative influence of food (AUC or Cmax decreased by >40%) for ampicillin, cefaclor (immediate-release formulations), cefroxadine, cefradine, cloxacillin, oxacillin, penicillin V (liquid formulations and tablets) and sultamicillin, whereas the highest positive influence (AUC or Cmax increased by >45%) for cefditoren pivoxil, cefuroxime and tebipenem pivoxil (extended-release tablets). Significantly lower bioavailability in the presence of antacids or mineral supplements occurred for 4 of 13 analysed ß-lactams, with the highest negative impact for cefdinir (with iron salts) and moderate for cefpodoxime proxetil (with antacids). Data on beverage impact were limited to 11 antibiotics. With milk, the extent of absorption was decreased by >40% for cefalexin, cefradine, penicillin G and penicillin V, whereas it was moderately increased for cefuroxime. No significant interaction occurred with cranberry juice for two tested drugs (amoxicillin and cefaclor). CONCLUSIONS: Factors such as physicochemical features of antibiotics, drug formulation, type of intervention, and patient's health state may influence interactions. Due to the poor actuality and diverse methodology of included studies and unproportionate data availability for individual drugs, we judged the quality of evidence as low.

Selectivity Screening and Structure-Cytotoxic Activity Observations of Selected Oleanolic Acid (OA)-Type Saponins from the Amaranthaceae Family on a Wiade Panel of Human Cancer Cell Lines.

Plants from the Amaranthaceae family are a source of oleanolic acid (OA)-type saponins with cytotoxic activity. Two known OA-type saponins, calenduloside E and chikusetsusaponin IVa, were isolated from the roots of Chenopodium strictum Roth. Their structures were confirmed using MS and NMR techniques. This constitutes the inaugural report of the saponins in Ch. strictum. Both the isolated saponins and structurally similar compounds, momordin Ic and OA, were compared for their cytotoxicity against various cancer and normal cell lines (including skin, breast, thyroid, gastrointestinal, and prostate panels). Their effects were dose- and time-dependent, varying with the specific cell line and compound structure. A chemometric approach demonstrated the effects of the compounds on the cell lines. The study discusses the structure-activity observations. The key structural elements for potent cytotoxic activity included the free carboxyl group 28COOH in the sapogenin structure (OA) and the presence of a sugar moiety. The monodesmosides with glucuronic acid (GlcA) at the C3 position of OA were generally more cytotoxic than bidesmosides or OA alone. The addition of xylose in the sugar chain modified the activity towards the cancer cells depending on the specific cell line. OA-type saponins with GlcA (particularly calenduloside E and momordin Ic) represent a promising avenue for further investigation as potential anticancer agents.

Pseudocereal Oils, Authenticated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and their Chemopreventive Properties.

Amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat are the representatives of pseudocereals, different parts and by-products of which are used in daily nutrition and food processing industry. However, only scarce information exists on the bioactivity of their oils. Thus, oils obtained from amaranth, buckwheat, and red, yellow, and white quinoa seeds were evaluated in terms of their nutritional (fatty acid profile, squalene), cytotoxic (against normal and neoplastic gastrointestinal, prostate, and skin cells), anti-inflammatory and antiradical (interleukin 6, TNF-alpha, nitric oxide, DPPH, Total phenolics, and superoxide dismutase) potential in the in vitro model. Linoleic (42.9-52.5%) and oleic (22.5-31.1%) acids were the two main unsaturated, while palmitic acid (4.9-18.6%) was the major saturated fatty acid in all evaluated oils. Squalene was identified in all evaluated oils with the highest content in amaranth oil (7.6 g/100 g), and the lowest in buckwheat oil (2.1 g/100 g). The evaluated oils exerted a high direct cytotoxic impact on cancer cells of different origins, but also revealed anti-inflammatory and antiradical potentials. Yellow quinoa oil was the most active, especially toward skin (A375; IC50 6.3 µg/mL), gastrointestinal (HT29 IC50 4.9 µg/mL), and prostate cancer cells (LNCaP IC50 7.6 µg/mL). The observed differences in the activity between the oils from the tested quinoa varieties deserve further studies. High selectivity of the oils was noted, which indicates their safety to normal cells. The obtained results indicate that the oils are good candidates for functional foods with perspective chemopreventive potential.

Chemometrics as a valuable tool for evaluating interactions between antiretroviral drugs and food.

AIMS: Clinically significant interactions with food occur for more than half of antiretroviral drugs. Different physiochemical properties deriving from the chemical structures of antiretroviral drugs may contribute to the variable food effect. Chemometric methods allow analysing a large number of interrelated variables concomitantly and visualizing correlations between them. We used a chemometric approach to determine the types of correlations among different features of antiretroviral drugs and food that may influence interactions. METHODS: Thirty-three antiretroviral drugs were analysed: ten nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, six non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, five integrase strand transfer inhibitors, ten protease inhibitors, one fusion inhibitor and one HIV maturation inhibitor. Input data for the analysis were collected from already published clinical studies, chemical records and calculations. We constructed a hierarchical partial least squares (PLS) model with three response parameters: postprandial change of time to reach maximum drug concentration (ΔTmax ), albumin binding (%) and logarithm of partition coefficient (logP). Predictor parameters were the first two principal components of principal component analysis (PCA) models for six groups of molecular descriptors. RESULTS: PCA models explained 64.4% to 83.4% of the variance of the original parameters (average: 76.9%), whereas the PLS model had four significant components and explained 86.2% and 71.4% of the variance in the sets of predictor and response parameters, respectively. We observed 58 significant correlations between ΔTmax , albumin binding (%), logP and constitutional, topological, hydrogen bonding and charge-based molecular descriptors. CONCLUSIONS: Chemometrics is a useful and valuable tool for analysing interactions between antiretroviral drugs and food.

Interactions of Antiretroviral Drugs with Food, Beverages, Dietary Supplements, and Alcohol: A Systematic Review and Meta-analyses.

Multiple factors may affect combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). We investigated the impact of food, beverages, dietary supplements, and alcohol on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of 33 antiretroviral drugs. Systematic review in adherence to PRISMA guidelines was performed, with 109 reports of 120 studies included. For each drug, meta-analyses or qualitative analyses were conducted. We have found clinically significant interactions with food for more than half of antiretroviral agents. The following drugs should be taken with or immediately after the meal: tenofovir disoproxil, etravirine, rilpivirine, dolutegravir, elvitegravir, atazanavir, darunavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir. Didanosine, zalcitabine, zidovudine, efavirenz, amprenavir, fosamprenavir, and indinavir should be taken on an empty stomach for maximum patient benefit. Antiretroviral agents not mentioned above can be administered regardless of food. There is insufficient evidence available to make recommendations about consuming juice or alcohol with antiretroviral drugs. Resolving drug-food interactions may contribute to maximized cART effectiveness and safety.

RESUMEN: Múltiples factores pueden afectar la terapia antirretroviral combinada (cART). Investigamos el impacto de los alimentos, las bebidas, los suplementos dietéticos y el alcohol en los parámetros farmacocinéticos y farmacodinámicos de 33 medicamentos antirretrovirales. Se realizó la revisión sistemática en apego a las guías PRISMA, con 109 reportes de 120 estudios incluidos. Para cada fármaco se realizaron metanálisis o análisis cualitativos. Hemos encontrado interacciones clínicamente significativas con alimentos para más de la mitad de los fármacos antirretrovirales. Los siguientes medicamentos deben tomarse durante o inmediatamente después de comer: tenofovir, disoproxil, etravirina, rilpivirine, dolutegravir, elvitegravir, atazanavir, darunavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir. Didanosina, zalcitabina, zidovudina, efavirenz, amprenavir, fosamprenavir e indinavir deben tomarse con el estómago vacío para obtener el máximo beneficio para el paciente. Los fármacos antirretrovirales no mencionados anteriormente se pueden administrar independientemente de los alimentos. No hay suficiente evidencia disponible para hacer recomendaciones sobre el consumo de jugo o alcohol con medicamentos antirretrovirales. Resolver las interacciones entre medicamentos y alimentos puede contribuir a maximizar la eficacia y la seguridad de cART.

Relationships between Molecular Characteristics of Novel Organic Selenium Compounds and the Formation of Sulfur Compounds in Selenium Biofortified Kale Sprouts.

Due to problems with selenium deficiency in humans, the search for new organic molecules containing this element in plant biofortification process is highly required. Selenium organic esters evaluated in this study (E-NS-4, E-NS-17, E-NS-71, EDA-11, and EDA-117) are based mostly on benzoselenoate scaffolds, with some additional halogen atoms and various functional groups in the aliphatic side chain of different length, while one compound contains a phenylpiperazine moiety (WA-4b). In our previous study, the biofortification of kale sprouts with organoselenium compounds (at the concentrations of 15 mg/L in the culture fluid) strongly enhanced the synthesis of glucosinolates and isothiocyanates. Thus, the study aimed to discover the relationships between molecular characteristics of the organoselenium compounds used and the amount of sulfur phytochemicals in kale sprouts. The statistical partial least square model with eigenvalues equaled 3.98 and 1.03 for the first and second latent components, respectively, which explained 83.5% of variance in the predictive parameters, and 78.6% of response parameter variance was applied to reveal the existence of the correlation structure between molecular descriptors of selenium compounds as predictive parameters and biochemical features of studied sprouts as response parameters (correlation coefficients for parameters in PLS model in the range-0.521 ÷ 1.000). This study supported the conclusion that future biofortifiers composed of organic compounds should simultaneously contain nitryl groups, which may facilitate the production of plant-based sulfur compounds, as well as organoselenium moieties, which may influence the production of low molecular weight selenium metabolites. In the case of the new chemical compounds, environmental aspects should also be evaluated.

Chickpea and Lupin Sprouts, Stimulated by Different LED Lights, As Novel Examples of Isoflavones-Rich Functional Food, and Their Impact on Breast and Prostate Cells.

Among all legumes sprouts' active compounds, isoflavones seem to be the most important; nevertheless, their high content is not always associated with beneficial effects. These compounds may prevent or stimulate hormone-dependent cancers due to their estrogen-like activity. Different LED light quality can change the synthesis of active compounds and significantly influence the biological activity of the sprouts. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of LED light (red, blue, green, yellow), as well as total darkness, and natural light conditions (as reference), on isoflavones content, determined by HPLC-UV-VIS, during 10 days of harvesting of chickpea and lupin sprouts. Due to the ambiguous estrogenic potential of isoflavones, the impact of these sprouts on normal and cancer prostate and breast cells was evaluated. Yellow LED light resulted in the highest sum of isoflavones in chickpea sprouts (up to 1 g/100 g dw), while for green LED light, the isoflavones sum was the lowest. The exact opposite effect was noted for lupin sprouts, with the predominance of green over the yellow LED light. The examined sprouts were of high safety to non-neoplastic breast and prostate cells, with interesting cytotoxic effects on breast MCF7 and prostate DU145 cancer cells. No clear relationship was observed between the activity and isoflavones content.

Optimization of Extraction Conditions and Cytotoxic Activity of Rapanone in Comparison to Its Homologue, Embelin.

Rapanone is a plant-derived simple alkyl-dihydroxybenzoquinone structurally close to embelin, a well-known cytotoxic agent. The pharmacological characterization of rapanone is still incomplete, and to fill the data gap, a good source for its acquisition is required to conduct further research. This study aimed to optimize the conditions for the extraction of rapanone from the leaves of white-berried Ardisia crenata Sims. For this purpose, three methods were employed: heat reflux (HRE), shaking (SE), and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and such parameters as the extraction time, solvent, and the number of extractions from the same sample were set as experimental variables. Furthermore, cytotoxic activity toward prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, and colorectal carcinoma cell lines was investigated and compared with doxorubicin and embelin. The most effective and economical method for the extraction of rapanone was shown to be 20 min UAE with ethyl acetate or chloroform. Rapanone exhibited high cytotoxic activity against PC3 (IC50 = 6.50 µg/mL), Du145 (IC50 = 7.68 µg/mL), FTC133 (IC50 = 6.01 µg/mL), 8505C (IC50 = 7.84 µg/mL), and Caco-2 (IC50 = 8.79 µg/mL) cell lines after 24 h and against the HT29 cell line after 48 h (IC50 = 11.67 µg/mL). Furthermore, it revealed a more favorable safety profile than either its homologue, embelin, or doxorubicin. The set of optimal extraction parameters obtained may be utilized for scientific and industrial purposes to achieve the best rapanone yield. Moreover, this benzoquinone revealed a high cytotoxic activity with good selectivity.

Association between fecal levels of Short-Chain Fatty Acids and serum Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represents a group of chronic inflammatory disorders characterized by dysbiosis and altered short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) level. The association between individual SCFA levels and cytokine levels is unknown. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the fecal SCFA levels in patients with IBD in relation to disease severity and the serum levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 61 patients with IBD (inactive, 22; active, 39) and 16 controls. Fecal levels of organic acids (acetic, lactic, propionic, butyric, isovaleric, isobutyric, and valeric), serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-17, and IL-22, complete blood count and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. RESULTS: Patients with active IBD had reduced butyric, acetic, valeric, and isovaleric acid levels and elevated lactic acid levels in stool. Hemoglobin levels were positively correlated with the levels of acetic and butyric acids (R = 0.266 and R = 0.346, respectively; P <0.05). In addition, CRP levels were inversely correlated with butyric acid levels (R = -0.573; P <0.05). Higher serum TNF-α levels were observed in patients with active IBD compared with controls (6.64 pg/ml vs 2.05 pg/ml, P <0.05). No relationship was noted between the SCFA profile and cytokine levels. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that determination of SCFA levels can be used to evaluate the activity of IBD. The relationship between individual SCFA and cytokine levels seems to be complex and requires further studies.

Positive effects of selenium supplementation in women with newly diagnosed Hashimoto's thyroiditis in an area with low selenium status.

OBJECTIVE: Autoimmune thyroid diseases, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis, are the most common ones among autoimmune diseases. The reported effects of selenium supplementation on the course of Hashimoto's thyroiditis are not consistent. It is therefore important to continue this line of research. DESIGN: The participants received selenium in the form of sodium selenite(IV) at a dose of 100 µg/day for 6 months. PATIENTS: Newly diagnosed and previously untreated Hashimoto's thyroiditis with euthyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism. A total of 36 patients (aged 20 to 52 years) qualified for this study, of whom 29 women were successfully enrolled and completed the intervention. MEASUREMENTS: Both before and after supplementation the following parameters in serum were tested: anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies, thyroid function indicators, selenium as well as antioxidant status parameters and other biochemical parameters (lipid profile, glucose). Iodine supply and subjective assessment of physical and psychological health were also monitored. RESULTS: Selenium supplementation decreased significantly level of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies what might have had a stabilizing effect on thyroid function, as values of thyroid parameters were within normal range before and at the end of the study. Mean level of selenium among patients was not different to healthy people in Poland. Median of ioduria was within normal range. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows a potential way of protective effect of selenium in limiting development of overt hypothyroidism. The increase in the concentrations of Se and SELENOP in the serum of patients verifies successful supplementation and good compliance, but did not affect the antioxidant status parameters measured.

Relationship between Maturity Stage, Triterpenoid Content and Cytotoxicity of Sorbus intermedia (EHRH.) PERS. Fruits - A Chemometric Approach.

In this study, two ursane-type triterpenes, i. e., ursolic acid (UA) and 3-O-ß-acetoxyursolic acid (AUA), were isolated and quantified in Sorbus intermedia (EHRH.) PERS. fruits. UA and AUA levels differed slightly throughout fruit maturation, and both triterpenes showed similar dynamics of accumulation with the highest levels found in ripe fruits (up to 6.33±0.56 and 1.17±0.18 mg/g dw. of UA and AUA, respectively). The extracts derived from unripe fruits displayed significant cytotoxic effects against WM793, DU-145, PC3, 8505C, Caco2 and A549 cells, but no correlation between UA and AUA levels and cytotoxicity was found. On the other hand, extracts from mature fruits were not active towards almost all of the tested cell lines. The chemometric approach showed that the extracts derived from fruits harvested earlier clustered to form a clearly distanced group from extracts prepared from more-mature fruits. The extracts at higher concentrations formed separate groups, which indicated the concentration-dependent effect of these extracts on the cells.

Dragon Fruits as a Reservoir of Natural Polyphenolics with Chemopreventive Properties.

Dragon fruits are a valued source of bioactive compounds with high potential to become a functional food. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the chemopreventive potential and chemical composition of fruits harvested in Thailand and Israel. The amount of different compounds in water and methanol extracts and antioxidant activity was investigated. Moreover, cytotoxic activity against cancer and normal cells of skin, prostate, and gastrointestinal origin was performed, accompanied by anti-inflammatory assay based on NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophage model. Additionally, the quenching properties of polyphenols from fruits were determined by the interaction of the main drug carrier in blood human serum (HSA). The chemometric analysis was used to reveal the relationships between the determined parameters. Dragon fruits harvested in Israel revealed higher antioxidant properties and total content of polyphenols and betacyanins when compared to those from Thailand. The examined fruits of both origins showed significant cytotoxic activity toward colon and prostate cancer cells, with no toxic effect on normal cells, but also no anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover, a high binding ability to HSA was observed for water extracts of dragon fruits. All these predestine dragon fruits are the candidates for the attractive and chemopreventive elements of daily diet.

Health Promoting vs Anti-nutritive Aspects of Kohlrabi Sprouts, a Promising Candidate for Novel Functional Food.

Kohlrabi sprouts are just gaining popularity as the new example of functional food. The study was focused on the influence of germination time and light conditions on glucosinolates, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and fatty acids content in kohlrabi sprouts, in comparison to the bulbs. The effect of kohlrabi products on SW480, HepG2 and BJ cells was also determined. The length of sprouting time and light availability significantly influenced the concentrations of the phenolic compounds. Significant differences in progoitrin concentrations were observed between the sprouts harvested in light and in the darkness, with significantly lower content for darkness conditions. Erucic acid was the dominant fatty acid found in sprouts (14.5-34.5%). Sprouts and bulbs were less toxic to normal than to cancer cells. The sprouts stimulated necrosis (56.4%) more than apoptosis (34.1%) in SW480 cells, while the latter effect was predominant for the bulbs. Both sprouts and bulbs caused rather necrosis (45.5 and 63.9%) than apoptosis (32 and 32.5%) in HepG2 cells.

Influence of different light conditions and time of sprouting on harmful and beneficial aspects of rutabaga sprouts in comparison to their roots and seeds.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the presence and content of selected phytochemicals, namely glucosinolates, fatty acids and phenolic compounds, in rutabaga (Brassica napus L. var. napobrassica) sprouts grown under various light conditions, in comparison to rutabaga seeds and roots. As rutabaga sprouts are likely to become new functional food, special emphasis was placed on the related risks of progoitrin and erucic acid presence - compounds with proven antinutritive properties. RESULTS: Time of sprouting significantly decreased progoitrin content, especially after 10 days (by 91.5%) and 12 days (by 97.5%), as compared to 8 days. In addition, sprouts grown under dark conditions showed 27%, 60% and 17% reduction in progoitrin level in 8, 10 and 12 days after sowing, respectively, as compared to sprouts grown under natural conditions. Progoitrin was found to be the predominant glucosinolate in rutabaga seeds (804.07 ± 60.89 mg 100 g-1 dry weight (DW)), accompanied by glucoerucin (157.82 ± 21.04 mg 100 g-1 DW), also found in the roots (82.20 ± 16.53 mg 100 g-1 DW). Among the unsaturated fatty acids in rutabaga sprouts, erucic, linoleic, linolenic and gondoic acids decreased significantly, and only oleic acid increased as germination days progressed. The amount of harmful erucic acid in rutabaga sprouts was found to vary between 1.8% and 7%, depending on the day of seeding or light conditions, as compared to 42.5% in the seeds. CONCLUSION: The evaluated rutabaga products showed a wide content range of potentially antinutritive compounds, sprouts having the lowest amounts of erucic acid and progoitrin. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Comparative Study of Predominant Phytochemical Compounds and Proapoptotic Potential of Broccoli Sprouts and Florets.

The study compares lyophilized broccoli sprouts and florets in terms of their chemical composition, cytotoxic and proapoptotic potential against hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2, colorectal cancer SW480, and skin fibroblast BJ cells. Sinapic and isochlorogenic acids were predominant phenolics in the sprouts and florets, respectively. The amount of sulforaphane in the sprouts was significantly higher vs. florets. Oleic and linoleic acids dominated in the sprouts, while caproic, stearic and oleic acids in the florets. Broccoli sprouts were selectively cytotoxic on HepG2 and SW480 cells, with proapoptotic effect for the latter, while the florets were less selective, but more active, with profound proapoptotic effect for HepG2 cells (77.4%). Thus, lyophilized broccoli sprouts may be effectively used in dietary chemoprevention.

Doping in sport - attitude and professional experience among physicians in Poland.

INTRODUCTION: The history of using performance-enhancing substances (PES) is long and it goes back to ancient times. At present, PES are employed at all levels of sport competition, starting from Olympic level contestants to individuals recreationally involved in various sports disciplines. PURPOSE: e objective of the study was examining the views on doping in sports in a group of physicians, together with evaluating the frequency of their contacts with this phenomenon, in their professional activities. METHODS: e investigation was carried out using a validated questionnaire developed by the authors. Questionnaire included 34 questions divided into 6 sections. In total, 257 individuals participated in the study. e percentage of answers was 75.81%. RESULTS: Among the responders, 96.50% believed that using PES by sports competitors represented unethical behavior. 42% participants declared that they met doping problem during their professional career. Almost one-third of the physicians (28.79%) declared that during their work, they consulted patient suffering from adverse side effects resulting from using PES. CONCLUSIONS: In Poland, physicians regard using PES as unethical behavior. They believe that a health care system professional should participate in counteracting doping in sports. Physicians - regardless of their specialty - are also exposed to PES-related problems in their professional work. In view of the above facts and the consistently increasing popularity of PES, extending the knowledge in this field among physicians seems to be of importance to allow for their offering better medical services to their patients.

Ferric reducing ability of plasma and assessment of selected plasma antioxidants in adults with celiac disease.

INTRODUCTION: Oxidative stress with an excessive free radical production and a reduction in the activity of protective antioxidants is considered as one of the mechanisms responsible for gluten toxicity. However, its role in celiac disease (CD) is unclear. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of plasma nonenzymatic antioxidant capacity in patients with CD (both untreated patients and those receiving gluten-free diet [GFD]) by measuring the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) as well as assessing selected plasma antioxidants. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 169 adult patients: 48 patients with untreated active CD, 72 patients with CD on a GFD, and 49 healthy controls. In each group, we measured the serum levels of selected antioxidants (uric acid, bilirubin, albumin, and vitamin E) and used the FRAP assay to assess the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of plasma. In each patient, serological and histopathological activity of CD was also evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the TAC of plasma measured with the FRAP assay between the study groups. Patients with CD had higher uric acid levels compared with controls (p <0.001), while bilirubin levels were lower in patients with active disease than in controls (p <0.05). Serum vitamin E levels were lower in all patients with CD compared with controls (p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The FRAP assay is not the method of choice for assessing the TAC of plasma in patients with CD. Owing to high serum uric acid levels, the FRAP assay results in these patients may be overestimated despite the reduced levels of other plasma antioxidants.

CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACIDS (CLA) DECREASE THE BREAST CANCER RISK IN DMBA-TREATED RATS.

The aim of this study was to investigate how supplementation of diet of female Sprague-Dawley rats with different doses of conjugated linoleic acids and for a varied period of time influences breast cancer risk, fatty acids profile and lipids peroxidation in chemically induced mammary tumors. Animals were divided into nine groups with different modifications of diet (vegetable oil, 1.0 or 2.0% of CLA) and period of supplementation, which lasted after (A), before (B) and before and after (BA) carcinogenic agent--7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene administration at 50th day of life. Mammary adenocarcinomas occurred in all groups, but CLA supplementation decreased the cancer morbidity. Two percent CLA seems to be excessive because of the coexisting cachexia. Two CLA isomers (9-cis, 11-trans and 10-trans, 12-cis) were detected in tumors but content of rumenic acid was higher. Dietary supplementation significantly influenced some unsaturated fatty acids content (C18:2 n-6 trans, C20:1, C20:5 n-3, C22:2), but the anti- or prooxidant properties of CLA were not confirmed. CLA can inhibit chemically induced mammary tumors development in female rats, but their cytotoxic action seems not to be connected with lipids peroxidation. CLA isomers differ with their incorporation into cancerous tissues and they influence the content of some other fatty acids.

SERUM ANTIOXIDANT PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS POISONED BY DIFFERENT XENOBIOTICS.

There is a great diversity of the acute drugs overdose cases in clinical toxicology. Clinical situation is complicated by the coexistence of factors predisposing to the development of adverse drug reactions (chronic use of drugs, polypharmacy, alcohol or drugs dependence, nutritional disorders) and by the presence of chronic organ damage, especially the liver and the kidney. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there are sensitive plasma markers belonging to the antioxidant system in patients exposed to various xenobiotics. We measured the activity of antioxidant parameters: catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX3), glutathione (GSH), sulfhydryl groups (-SH), carbonyl groups (=CO) and free radicals (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH, assay) in serum of 49 patients with acute intoxication caused by carbamazepine (CBZ, n = 9), mixed drug intoxication (MDI) (n = 9), alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS, n = 9), acetaminophen (APAP, n = 7), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) (n = 5), valproic acids (VA, n = 4), narcotics (N, n = 3), and three others (benzodiazepines, BZD, n = 2; barbiturates, n = 1). The results were compared with the parameters of not intoxicated patients (n = 39). All patients had lower catalase activity in comparison to the control group (41.9 ± 16.5 vs. 196.0 ± 82.2 U/mg protein, p = 0.000), while the increase of GSH level was particularly apparent only in patients with AWS (391.3 ± 257.9 µmol/mg protein) compared to the control group (171.4 ± 88.4 µmol/mg protein, p = 0.034) and to patients intoxicated with carbamazepine (152.8 ± 102.5 µmol/mg protein, p = 0.027). Some differences, but without statistical significance, were also observed in GPX3 activity between different groups of poisoned patients.

Influence of selenium supplementation on fatty acids profile and biological activity of four edible amaranth sprouts as new kind of functional food.

Suitability assessment of amaranth sprouts as a new functional food was carried out. The optimisation of sprouting process and the influence of selenium supplementation, in doses 10, 15, and 30 mg/l of selenium as sodium selenite, on amaranth growth and fatty acid profile were examined. Methods such as FRAP, DPPH, polyphenols content and GPX activity were applied to characterize antioxidant potential of seeds and sprouts of four different edible amaranth genera. E. coli, S. aureus, C. albicans were used to evaluate amaranth sprouts antimicrobial properties. Interaction between amaranth sprouts and biological systems was assessed by analysing antibacterial and antifungal properties with a disc diffusion test. The studies proved amaranth sprouts to be potentially attractive as functional food. As confirmed by all the data amaranth sprouts are suitable as a moderate selenium accumulator and are rich in essential fatty acids, especially linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids, which are precursors of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Thus, it opens dietary opportunities for amaranth sprouts. They can also serve as a moderate source of antioxidant compounds. Nevertheless, the experiments revealed neither antibacterial, nor antifungal properties of sprouts. In general, amaranth sprouts biological activity under evaluation has failed to prove to be significantly impacted by selenium fertilization.