Associated between cognition, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and macronutrients in normal and overweight postmenopausal women.

BDNF is a protein associated with cognitive dysfunction. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between BDNF and cognitive functions and the intake of macronutrients in postmenopausal women. For this purpose, 72 postmenopausal women were recruited to the study and divided into two subgroups: overweight/obese and normal weight. Using a 3-day food record, nutrition was assessed. The markers studied were the level of BDNF, which was determined from the venous blood serum collected from women, and selected cognitive functions. We observed that in the normal BMI group macronutrient intake was correlated with BDNF levels, and only total fat and carbohydrate intake were inversely correlated with BDNF levels. There were inverse correlations observed among selected parameters of cognitive functioning. In the Ov/Ob group, macronutrient intake correlated with the BDNF level for several variables, e.g. vice versa with total protein, fat and carbohydrate intake, as well as dietary cholesterol. It has also been noted that there are links between the BDNF factor and excessive body weight.

Physical activity of women over 60 - methodology of activity measurement.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity has a positive effect on health. The level of physical activity changes with age. Elderly people often reduce their physical activity, among other things, due to deteriorating health or the belief that it is inappropriate to indulge in sports or be physically active at old agge. On the other hand, the lack of systematic physical activity in the elderly can lead to a reduction in the body's efficiency in many health aspects. Although there are many methods of measuring human physical activity, there is no ideal tool for measuring that activity. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the use of selected methods of measuring physical activity in the elderly, as well as to evaluate the influence of the measured activity on the nutritional status of women over 60 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out in the area of western Poland in a group of 110 generally healthy women above the age of 60, who were divided into 3 groups of intensity of undertaken physical activity (low active 30.00%, moderately active 41.82% and active 28.18%). A pedometer and a physical activity diary were used to measure physical activity. Body composition was assessed by the bioelectrical impedance method which uses a body composition analyzer. Body height and weight, lean mass of limbs and body, adipose tissue content, total water content, waist circumference to hip circumference (WHR), and BMI (Body Mass Index) were assessed. RESULTS: The correlation coefficient between the methods of assessing physical activity, i.e. the number of minutes/day and the number of steps/day, was 0.92 and was statistically significant at the level of p<0.001. This was assumed to be a strict correlation. Based on the physical activity diary, it was estimated that women spent an average of 92.85 minutes a day on physical activity, while the data obtained from the pedometer showed that they performed an average of 4,462 steps a day. The average age of the respondents was 67.25 years, and average BMI - 28.07 kg/m2. CONCLUSIONS: A close correlation was demonstrated between the applied methods for assessing physical activity shows about the appropriate selection of methods, as well as, due to their ease of use, their use to assess physical activity in the elderly.

Natural Occurrence of Deoxynivalenol in Cereal-Based Baby Foods for Infants from Western Poland.

The study examined 110 samples of baby products based on rice, wheat, maize and multi-grains available on the western Polish market in order to detect the level of deoxynivalenol (DON) by means of HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) with a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). DON was detected in 9.09% of the infant food samples, with an average and maximum level of 107.8 ± 30 and 148 µg/kg, respectively. The highest concentration of DON was detected in food for infants: wheat-based (mean 121 ± 7.07, 4.8%), multi-grain (mean 118 ± 5.65, 4.25%) and maize-based (mean 100 ± 37.96; 35.30%). No high DON content and high estimated daily intake were observed in the analyzed products. However, in order to minimize the harmfulness associated with the presence of DON in food for infants and young children, a risk assessment should be performed based on the monitoring results.

The Association between Physical Activity and Selected Parameters of Psychological Status and Dementia in Older Women.

Physical activity has an unquestionable impact on broadly understood human health. One interesting issue related to this is the importance of movement on mental health and cognitive functioning. Research shows that regular physical activity improves the cognitive functioning of adults and people with mental disorders. Regular physical activity can be an important and powerful protective factor in cognitive impairment and dementia in the elderly, and exercise is an important non-pharmacological treatment for mild cognitive impairment or neurodegenerative diseases. This study aims to present the impact of physical activity on selected cognitive functions in physically active women over 60 years of age. The research was carried out in a group of 110 generally healthy women from the area of western Poland over 60 years of age, who were divided into four groups based on the intensity of their physical activity. A pedometer (sport watch) and a physical activity diary were used to measure physical activity. Body Mass Index was assessed. Selected cognitive functions were assessed using the MMSE test, motor and psychomotor skills were measured, and Luria's auditory memory test and recall test, a clock drawing test, and a GDS test were performed. There were statistically significant relationships between the level of physical activity and the effectiveness of cognitive processes. These results show that about 5000 steps a day is enough to see a positive effect on the mental health and cognitive functioning of this group of the elderly population. The women had an average BMI of 28.1 ± 4.7. BMI, indicating an overweight condition (over 30 kg/m2), was observed in 31% of women. The results of this study lead the authors to conclude that physical activity positively influences cognitive function and can be recommended for all seniors who do not have other serious comorbidities that would prevent them from playing sports.

The influence of Li+ ions on pepsin and trypsin activity in vitro.

BACKGROUND: The paper presents a study on the influence of different lithium carbonate and lithium citrate concentration on proteolytic enzymes, namely pepsin and trypsin, in vitro. Lithium can directly affect enzyme activity. Its influence on many bodily functions in both ill and healthy people has been proven. METHODS: To assess the influence of Li+ ions concentration and the substrate/enzyme ratio on pepsin and trypsin activity in vitro, 60 factorial experiments were conducted (each repeated 30 times). MAIN FINDINGS: For both enzymes, statistically significant changes in their activity under the influence of lihium carbonate and lithium citrate were observed. The biggest increase in enzyme activity reached even 198.6 % and the largest decrease in enzyme activity reached about 50 %. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that both organic and inorganic forms of lithium salts cause changes in the activity of digestive enzymes. Different concentrations of lithium carbonate and lithium citrate stimulate or inhibit the activity of trypsin and pepsin.

Comparison of deoxynivalenol and zearaleone concentration in conventional and organic cereal products in western Poland.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) and Zearalenone (ZEA) are mycotoxin contaminants of cereals and cereal products that pose a significant threat to food safety. The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of DON and ZEA in different organic and conventional unprocessed cereals and cereal products that are available on the Polish agricultural fields and market. A total of 78 unprocessed cereal and cereal product samples of organic and conventional production were sampled from agricultural fields situated in western Poland and from available on the Polish market packaged comercial products produced by different domestic manufacturers. All samples were analyzed for DON and ZEA by HPLC with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). RESULTS: Results. Co-occurrence of DON was detected in cereals from the organic production system, the average content was 285.25 ± 134,04 µg kg -1 and from the conventional system - 373.71 ± 171,20 µg kg -1 , In flour from organic farming, the average DON content was 213.80 ± 151,28 µg kg -1, in conventional flour the average was 336.29 ± 188,90 µg kg -1. The range of DON concentrations in samples of cereal products from organic and conventional farms was detected in 26.3% and 31.6%, whereas the average concentrations of DON in cereal products was 199.60 ± 149.82 µg kg -1 and 387.67 ± 250.24 µg kg -1, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mycotoxins contamination seen in organic cereals and cereal products does not statistical differ from that witnessed in their conventional counterparts.

The Effectiveness of Supportive Psychotherapy in Weight Loss in a Group of Young Overweight and Obese Women.

Overweight and obesity are among the most widespread health problems worldwide. The primary cause of obesity is an inability to control overeating. Therefore, today, obesity needs to be treated more as an eating disorder, i.e., a mental disorder, and thus, it should be approached as such. Taking the above together, this study aimed to assess the impact of supportive psychotherapy on reducing body weight in young overweight and obese women who attempted slimming therapy and, additionally, the possibility of maintaining the weight-loss effect in the long term. Sixty young women aged 20-30 were randomized into three groups that differed in therapeutic management. With the help of an individually selected diet plan, the highest effectiveness in weight loss was demonstrated in people whose weight reduction was supported by goal-oriented psychotherapy. In this group, a sustained effect of slimming and even further weight loss were observed six months following the discontinuation of the therapy. In conclusion, traditional slimming therapies using an individual diet plan and a dietitian's care are effective; however, supportive psychotherapeutic work provides more beneficial results and maintains the change from a long-term perspective.

The combined effect of supplementary Cr(III) propionate complex and iron deficiency on the chromium and iron status in female rats.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the combined effect of supplementary chromium(III) and iron deficiency on the chromium and iron status in female rats. The study was carried out on female Wistar rats, which were divided into 6 experimental groups with different Fe levels (deficient 10% RDA and recommended (adequate) 100% RDA). Simultaneously, for six weeks their diets were supplemented with Cr(III) at doses of 1, 50 and 500mgkg-1. The tissular chromium and iron levels were measured with the AAS method. The serum iron and TIBC were measured with colorimetric methods The serum ferritin level was measured by means of electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The serum transferrin level was measured with the ELISA method. The haematology was measured with an automated blood analyser. Supplementary Cr3 increased the Cr content in the tissues. This effect was weaker in the Fe-deficient groups than in those with the recommended Fe level, but it did not affect the Fe status. Fe deficiency significantly reduced the Fe content in the tissues. Simultaneously, Cr3 supplementation mitigated the symptoms of Fe deficiency. Fe deficiency increased TIBC and transferrin levels but reduced ferritin and most haematological parameters. However, simultaneous addition of high doses of Cr3 did not deepen these adverse changes. Our results show that the trend of changes in the Fe-Cr interaction depends on the content of these elements in the body.

The Combined Effects of Iron Excess in the Diet and Chromium(III) Supplementation on the Iron and Chromium Status in Female Rats.

Inadequate iron supply has significant consequences to health. There are some relations between the metabolism of different trace elements, such as iron, zinc, copper and chromium. However, the direction of these interactions can be antagonistic or synergistic, and it depends on many factors. The aim of the study was to evaluate the combined effects of supplementary of chromium(III) propionate complex (Cr3) with iron excess on the Cr and Fe status in healthy female rats. The 36 healthy female Wistar rats were divided into six experimental groups (six animals in each) with different Fe levels-adequate (45 mg kg-1-100% RDA) and high (excessive-180 mg kg-1-400% RDA). At the same time, they were supplemented with Cr(III) at doses of 1, 50 and 500 mg kg-1 of diet: C1-control (Fe 45 mg kg-1, Cr 1 mg kg-1); C50 (Fe 45 mg kg-1, Cr 50 mg kg-1); C500 (Fe 45 mg kg-1, Cr 500 mg kg-1); H1 (Fe 180 mg kg-1, Cr 1 mg kg-1); H50 (Fe 180 mg kg-1, Cr 50 mg kg-1); H500 (Fe 180 mg kg-1, Cr 500 mg kg-1). The serum iron level and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were measured with colorimetric methods. The serum ferritin level was measured by means of electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The serum transferrin level was measured with the ELISA method. Haematological measurements were made with an automated blood analyser. The Cr and Fe tissular levels were measured with the AAS method. The exposure to a high level of Fe(III) alone or in combination with Cr caused Fe accumulation in tissues, especially in the liver and kidneys, but there were no significant changes in the TIBC, transferrin, ferritin concentration in the serum and most haematological parameters. Moreover, the serum, hepatic and renal Cr concentrations decreased. The doses of supplementary Cr(III) given separately or in combination with high level of Fe(III) disturbed the Cr content in the liver and kidneys of healthy female rats. However, they did not change most of the parameters of Fe metabolism, except the Fe kidney concentration. Supplementary Cr3 decreased the renal Fe level in groups with adequate Fe content in the diet. However, the renal Fe levels increased along with a higher Cr level in the diet in groups with high Fe content. The findings proved a relationship between Fe(III) and Cr(III) metabolism in healthy female rats. However, the direction of change varied and depended on relative amounts of these elements in the diet.

The Effects of Supplementary Mulberry Leaf (Morus alba) Extracts on the Trace Element Status (Fe, Zn and Cu) in Relation to Diabetes Management and Antioxidant Indices in Diabetic Rats.

Mulberry leaves (Morus alba) have been used in folk medicine to mitigate symptoms of diabetes. The mulberry plant contains phenolic compounds that are able to decrease blood glucose concentration. Since various phenolics have antioxidant and metal binding properties, they can be used to alleviate oxidative stress and chelate trace elements involved in redox reactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with mulberry leaf extracts (acetone-water (AE) and ethanol-water (EE)) on the trace element status (Fe, Zn and Cu) in relation to diabetes management and antioxidant indices in high-fat diet-fed/STZ diabetic rats. The experiment was performed on 38 male Wistar rats with diabetes (induced by high-fat diet (HF) and streptozotocin injection) or the control fed with AIN-93M or high-fat diet. As a result, five experimental groups were used: (1) a healthy control group fed with AIN-93M; (2) an HF control group; (3) a diabetic HF group; (4) a diabetic HF + AE group (6 g/kg diet); (5) a diabetic HF + EE group (6 g/kg diet). The rats were fed with appropriate diets for 4 weeks. The content of trace elements (Fe, Zn and Cu) in the serum and tissues was measured by means of atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Biochemical analyses (glucose, TBARS, FRAP) were performed on the blood serum. It was shown that the AE decreased hepatic and renal Fe stores, while the EE increased hepatic Cu levels in diabetic rats and confirmed their ability to regulate the Fe and Cu status in diabetes. The results confirmed a significant hypoglycaemic and antioxidant potential of both mulberry leaf extracts in diabetic rats.

Reduced iron parameters and cognitive processes in children and adolescents with DM1 compared to those with standard parameters.

Anemia in patients with diabetes is not scarce and may contribute to the complications of the disease. The risk of iron deficiency parameters in child sufferers of diabetes type 1, observed in studies, can lead to cognitive impairment. The aim of the study was to determine whether children and adolescents with diabetes type 1, in whom reduced ferric parameters are observed in control tests, may also show reduced cognitive performance. The study included 100 children with diabetes type 1 at the age of 6-17 years. During control tests, patients' morphological blood parameters were measured: red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC volume, the molar mass of hemoglobin in RBC (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin in RBC and iron concentrations in serum using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R). Results in the group of children with a diabetes type 1 significantly lower concentration of three ferric parameters affect the non-verbal intelligence measured with WISC-R. The prevalence of reduced ferric parameters justifies further screening in all children with diabetes type 1 and taking up appropriate preventive measures to reduce the risk of their occurrence.

The occurrence of iron-deficiency anemia in children with type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: A higher risk for iron deficiency, which can lead to anemia, has been noticed in children with early stages of type 1 diabetes. Anemia in diabetes is not uncommon and thus may contribute to disease complications. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of type 1 diabetes incidence on the manifestation of iron-deficiency anemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 100 children with type 1 diabetes, aged 6 to 17 years. The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in all patients was made on the basis of clinical symptoms and, at a later stage, on the basis of the occurrence of islet cell autoantibodies. The patients were divided into groups according to the duration of the disease: those with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (ND), those who have the disease for 1 to 3 years (FMD), those who have it for 4 to 6 years (SMD), and those who have it for more than 6 years (LD). Morphological parameters of blood have been measured by means of the flame atomic absorption spectrometry method: red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), acetylated HGB, hematocrit (HCT), RBC volume (mean corpuscular volume [MCV]), HGB mass in RBC (mean corpuscular HGB [MCH]), mean HGB content in RBC (MCH concentration), and serum iron concentration. RESULTS: In the ND children, significantly lower concentrations of HCT and HGB as well as the amount of RBC and MCV have been shown, in comparison with the children who have type 1 diabetes longer: for HGB, compared with the FMD children; for HCT, compared with the SMD and LD children; for RBC, compared with the LD children; and for MCV, compared with the SMD children. Some significant inverse correlation has been observed in the MCH concentration in comparison with the children who have type 1 diabetes for more than 1 year. It has been shown that, when compared with the FMD, SMD, and LD children, more ND children are characterized by the coexistence of at least 3 reduced values of the morphological blood parameters associated with iron-deficiency anemia (26%, 17%, 7%, and 3%, respectively). At the same time, it has been found that the mean iron concentration in the blood serum of the ND group is significantly lower than that of the SMD and LD groups. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of anemia in the early stages of the disease justifies conducting the screening in all children with type 1 diabetes and taking appropriate preventive measures toward the patients at risk for iron-deficiency anemia.

Effect of short-term food restriction on iron metabolism, relative well-being and depression symptoms in healthy women.

AIM: The idea that iron deficiency anemia can be recognized in depressive patients has been around for a few years, as well as negative association between ferritin levels and depression. Iron deficiency anemia, associated with low iron intake, has been observed in women using restriction diets, for example in vegetarians or anorexics. There are no data on the influence of the short-term food restrictions, observed for example in slimming women, on iron management and its connection with behavior expressed via changes in the subject's emotional state. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study describes the effect of one- and two-day food restrictions (every 8 days for a period of 48 days) on selected iron management parameters in the serum and blood of 46 healthy volunteer women (23 in each group), aged 25.5 ± 3.0 years, in association with the subjects' self-described emotional status and depression symptoms. The association between iron parameters and depression was also analyzed. RESULTS: Results show that short-term (2 days) fasting significantly decreases iron concentrations in serum and hair, as well as levels of ferritin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells, and total iron binding capacity, but the short-term fasting did not influence the other iron management parameters. Each model of food restrictions also increased negative feelings towards depression. A significant negative correlation between serum ferritin levels and depression was found in women who starved for 2 days. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that, through an impact on mineral levels, even short-term food restrictions, as observed in many slimming women and girls, can be a reason for iron deficiency and also can alter the emotional status of healthy women. Maybe depression symptoms in anorexia or other eating disorders patients can be associated with iron deficiencies.

Alterations of selected iron management parameters and activity in food-restricted female Wistar rats (animal anorexia models).

AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of food-restricted diets (anorexia models) on iron management and activity of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 48 rats were divided into 6 groups: 1 control (K) and 5 testing groups (K/2, GI, GII, GIII, GIV). K was fed ad libitum. K/2 received half the portion of the diet of K. The other groups received 100% of the diet eaten by K, but with different models of food restriction: GI-1 day on, 1 day starvation; GII-2 days on, 2 days starvation; GIII-3 days on, 3 days starvation; and GIV-4 days on, 4 days starvation. As a result, all testing groups ate half of the diet consumed by the control group. The concentrations of iron in selected tissues, ferritin, and selected iron management parameters in blood were examined, as well as the animals' activities associated with food craving. RESULTS: The animal anorexia models used in this study had a significant influence on the blood concentrations of hemoglobin (p < 0.01), hematocrit (p < 0.05), RBC (p < 0.05), iron levels in liver (p < 0.05), kidney (p < 0.001), and heart (p < 0.05), the serum ferritin concentration (p < 0.001) and the rats activity (p < 0.001); whereas there was no influence on the other parameters. Generally, the statistically negative effects of starvation models on iron management parameters and activity of animals were observed. However, these effects were dependent on the model of anorexia more than on the quantity of food intake. CONCLUSIONS: The negative effect of food deprivation on iron deficiency and rat activities were observed in all groups; however, the strongest effect was noticed in those animals subject to chronic starvation. Acute deprivations caused the reduction of activity in the rats, however, chronic starvation caused an increase in the activity of the first phase of the experiment, followed by a decline in the subsequent phase. It is possible that stress and frustration as well as depression may be caused by insufficient food intake, and as a result, by iron deficiency in a diet similar to human anorexia. However, more animal/human comparison studies are necessary.

The serum zinc, copper, iron, and chromium concentrations in epileptic children.

To assess whether epileptic children have abnormal values of some trace elements, the aim of this preliminary study was to assess the serum zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and chromium (Cr) concentrations in 23 children with initial recognition of epilepsy before beginning of pharmacological therapy in comparison with a healthy control group of 25 children, according to the gender. The study demonstrated that epilepsy decreases levels of Zn and Cr concentrations in all patients, and Fe level in girls, and increases level of Cu in all patients. The frequency distribution of these metals was significantly different in epileptic patients than in healthy subjects. There is a conclusion that status of trace elements in epileptic children needs to be monitored.

Effects of combined dietary chromium(III) propionate complex and thiamine supplementation on insulin sensitivity, blood biochemical indices, and mineral levels in high-fructose-fed rats.

Insulin resistance is the first step in glucose intolerance and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, thus effective prevention strategies should also include dietary interventions to enhance insulin sensitivity. Nutrients, such as microelement chromium(III) and thiamine, play regulatory roles in carbohydrate metabolism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the insulin-sensitizing potential of the combined supplementary chromium(III) propionate complex (CrProp) and thiamine in insulin resistance animal model (rats fed a high-fructose diet). The experiment was carried out on 40 nine-week-old male Wistar rats divided into five groups (eight animals each). Animals were fed ad libitum: the control diet (AIN-93 M) and high-fructose diets with and without a combination of two levels of CrProp (0.1 and 1 mg Cr/kg body mass/day) and two levels of thiamine (0.5 and 10 mg/kg body mass/day) for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment rats were sacrificed to collect blood and internal organs for analyses of blood biochemical and hematologic indices as well as tissular microelement levels that were measured using appropriate methods. It was found that both supplementary CrProp and thiamine (given alone) have significant insulin-sensitizing and moderate blood-lipid-lowering properties, while the combined supplementation with these agents does not give synergistic effects in insulin-resistant rats. CrProp given separately increased kidney Cu and Cr levels, while thiamine alone increased hepatic Cu contents and decreased renal Zn and Cu contents.

[The occurrence of tobacco smoking and obesity in schizophrenia women]. / Wystepowanie palenia tytoniu i otylosci w grupie kobiet ze schizofrenia.

The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of tobacco smoking and obesity in 58 schizophrenia women aged 45.1 +/- 9.9 years. 72% of women declared tobacco dependence as well as 14% smoked dependently on mood and 14% didn't smoke. There were statistically significant differences between women whose smoke or not in the case of BMI. The smoking women had significant higher BMI than non-smoking women (27.81 +/- 3.51 vs. 22.35 +/- 4.29, respectively). We didn't observe such comparisons between period smoking women and smoking women as well as non-smoking women. In the case of frequency distribution of schizophrenia women according to BMI we observed significant differences in this parameter. In the little underweight women (BMI below 20, n = 5) 60% didn't smoke. In the group of normal weight women (BMI = 21-25, n = 14) 64% smoked and 22% didn't. In the groups of overweight women (BMI = 26-30, n = 28) and obese women (BMI > 30) most of them were smoked. In the first of those groups 79% were smoking women and only 7% nonsmoking as well as in the second--all of women were smoked. These results show that the tobacco dependence and obesity could strongly correlate in schizophrenia and we need more studies in this case.

Chromium(III) propionate and dietary fructans supplementation stimulate erythrocyte glucose uptake and beta-oxidation in lymphocytes of rats.

The study describes the effects of 10-wk dietary supplementation with fructans (inulin and oligofructose, 5% and 10%, respectively) as well as the biomimetic Cr(III) propionate complex (0.5 and 5 mg Cr/kg diet) on blood glucose, insulin, glucose transmembrane transport, and beta-oxidation of fatty acids in healthy male rats. No significant differences in blood serum glucose concentrations were found. Rats fed diets supplemented with the biomimetic complex (5 mg Cr/kg diet) had markedly decreased serum insulin level by 15%, whereas the red blood cells (RBCs) glucose transmembrane transport and beta-oxidation of fatty acids in white blood cells (WBCs) were elevated by 9% and 77%, respectively. These effects were accompanied by a slight decrease of the insulin-resistance index. Oligofructose and the high-fructan diet (10%) were more effective in increasing the RBCs glucose transmembrane transport vs inulin and low-fructan diet (5%). Also, beta-oxidation of fatty acids in WBCs was increased by 37.5% in groups fed the high-fructan diet (10%). The results suggest that dietary fructans and the biomimetic Cr(III) complex exerted beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, increasing the efficiency of their utilization.

[Internal locus of control of health and smoking cigarettes in young adults]. / Umiejscowienie kontroli zdrowia a palenie tytoniu u mlodych doroslych.

Disturbances connected with nicotine lead to abuse on physical and psychological level, they are the reason of harm in individual and global perspective as well. They may be a reason of behavioural disturbances additionally. The aim of the study was to estimate the locus of health control in young adults-- students of Poznan University of Medical Sciences. Forty-six students aged 20-39 yrs. of age smoking and non-smoking participated in the study. MHLC Scale and questionnaire of own idea used in the study. Hypothesis verified with the statistical analysis test T, correlation analysis with help of SPSS program. The significance level p = 0.05 was stated as significant. The results show that most of students have internal locus of health control. The conclusion stated independently from the factor of smoking cigarettes. Respondents with smoking habits underline the influence of chance on health as well. The results confirm the data from the research studies in population of the students. The hypothesis on the lower level of internal control in people with smoking habits did not confirm in the study. However MHLC estimates as good tool for the estimation of the internal factors determining activities for health.