Supplementation-induced change in muscle carnosine is paralleled by changes in muscle metabolism, protein glycation and reactive carbonyl species sequestering.

Carnosine is a performance-enhancing food supplement with a potential to modulate muscle energy metabolism and toxic metabolites disposal. In this study we explored interrelations between carnosine supplementation (2 g/day, 12 weeks) induced effects on carnosine muscle loading and parallel changes in (i) muscle energy metabolism, (ii) serum albumin glycation and (iii) reactive carbonyl species sequestering in twelve (M/F=10/2) sedentary, overweight-to-obese (BMI: 30.0+/-2.7 kg/m2) adults (40.1+/-6.2 years). Muscle carnosine concentration (Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; 1H-MRS), dynamics of muscle energy metabolism (Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; 31P-MRS), body composition (Magnetic Resonance Imaging; MRI), resting energy expenditure (indirect calorimetry), glucose tolerance (oGTT), habitual physical activity (accelerometers), serum carnosine and carnosinase-1 content/activity (ELISA), albumin glycation, urinary carnosine and carnosine-propanal concentration (mass spectrometry) were measured. Supplementation-induced increase in muscle carnosine was paralleled by improved dynamics of muscle post-exercise phosphocreatine recovery, decreased serum albumin glycation and enhanced urinary carnosine-propanal excretion (all p<0.05). Magnitude of supplementation-induced muscle carnosine accumulation was higher in individuals with lower baseline muscle carnosine, who had lower BMI, higher physical activity level, lower resting intramuscular pH, but similar muscle mass and dietary protein preference. Level of supplementation-induced increase in muscle carnosine correlated with reduction of protein glycation, increase in reactive carbonyl species sequestering, and acceleration of muscle post-exercise phosphocreatine recovery.

Speckle tracking can detect subclinical myocardial dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have shorter life expectancy and their risk of cardiovascular death is more than 50 % higher than the rest of the population. Early myocardial dysfunction in RA patients may be detectable sooner using speckle­tracking echocardiography. METHOD: Cross-sectional study enrolled 55 patients with RA (mean age 44.1 years) without known cardiovascular disease and 31 healthy controls. All subjects underwent a standard echocardiographic examination: indexed left ventricular mass, left ventricle ejection fraction, isovolumic contraction and relaxation times (IVCT and IVRT), mitral valve inflow curve (E/A), septal mitral annular motion (e'), and E/e' ratio as well as the speckle tracking assessment of left ventricle longitudinal, radial and circular strain and strain rate. RESULTS: In standard echocardiographic examination RA patients exhibited higher indexed left ventricle mass (96.36±20.90 g/m2 vs 95.84±21.86 %, p=0.013), lower ejection fraction (64.84±3.87 % vs 67.10±3.87 %, p=0.011) and prolonged IVCT (61.51±9.30 ms vs 53.71±8.95 ms, p=0.001). Diastolic dysfunction was demonstrated by prolonged IVRT (81.62±9.56 ms vs 74.58±12.02 ms, p=0.007) as well as by higher E/e' ratio (8.21±1.76 vs 7.21±1.52, p=0.009). Speckle­tracking method detected lower global longitudinal epicardial strain (-19.51 % vs -21.46 %, p=0.049). Radial, circular, and transversal strains and strain rates were same in both groups. Global longitudinal epicardial strain correlated with IVCT and IVRT, disease duration, and markers of myocardial damage NTproBNP. CONCLUSIONS: Standard echocardiographic assessment of myocardial function is examiner- and angle-dependent method with considerable limitations for evaluation of minimal subclinical changes. Speckle-tracking echocardiography significantly revealed incipient myocardial dysfunction in RA patients without overt cardiovascular diseases. This correlates with clinical RA characteristics and markers of cardiac damage (Tab. 4, Ref. 48).

Hyperosmotic environment blunts effectivity of ischemic preconditioning against ischemia-reperfusion injury and improves ischemic tolerance in non-preconditioned isolated rat hearts.

Several studies have shown that diabetes mellitus modulates heart resistance to ischemia and abrogates effectivity of cardioprotective interventions, such as ischemic preconditioning (IP). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the effect of hyperglycemic conditions on the severity of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in preconditioned and non-preconditioned hearts (controls, C) is related to changes in osmotic activity of glucose. Experiments were performed in isolated rat hearts perfused according to Langendorff exposed to 30-min coronary occlusion/120-min reperfusion. IP was induced by two cycles of 5-min coronary occlusion/5-min reperfusion, prior to the long-term I/R. Hyperosmotic (HO) state induced by an addition of mannitol (11 mmol/l) to a standard Krebs-Henseleit perfusion medium significantly decreased the size of infarction and also suppressed a release of heart fatty acid binding protein (h-FABP - biomarker of cell injury) from the non-IP hearts nearly to 50 %, in comparison with normoosmotic (NO) mannitol-free perfusion. However, IP in HO conditions significantly increased the size of infarction and tended to elevate the release of h-FABP to the effluent from the heart. The results indicate that HO environment plays a cardioprotective role in the ischemic myocardium. On the other hand, increased osmolarity, similar to that in the hyperglycemic conditions, may play a pivotal role in a failure of IP to induce cardioprotection in the diabetic myocardium.

Impaired PI3K/Akt signaling as a potential cause of failure to precondition rat hearts under conditions of simulated hyperglycemia.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of simulated acute hyperglycemia (HG) on PI3K/Akt signaling in preconditioned and non-preconditioned isolated rat hearts perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution containing normal (11 mmol/l) or elevated (22 mmol/l) glucose subjected to ischemia-reperfusion. Ischemic preconditioning (IP) was induced by two 5-min cycles of coronary occlusion followed by 5-min reperfusion. Protein levels of Akt, phosphorylated (activated) Akt (P-Akt), as well as contents of BAX protein were assayed (Western blotting) in cytosolic fraction of myocardial tissue samples taken prior to and after 30-min global ischemia and 40-min reperfusion. In "normoglycemic" conditions (NG), IP significantly increased P-Akt at the end of long-term ischemia, while reperfusion led to its decrease together with the decline of BAX levels as compared to non-preconditioned hearts. On the contrary, under HG conditions, P-Akt tended to decline in IP-hearts after long-term ischemia, and it was significantly higher after reperfusion than in non-preconditioned controls. No significant influence of IP on BAX levels at the end of I/R was observed under HG conditions. It seems that high glucose may influence IP-induced activation of Akt and its downstream targets, as well as maintain persistent Akt activity that may be detrimental for the heart under above conditions.

Severity of lethal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat hearts subjected to ischemic preconditioning is increased under conditions of simulated hyperglycemia.

The aim of our study was to characterize resistance to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in Langendorff-perfused rat hearts and effectivity of ischemic preconditioning (PC) under condition of simulated acute hyperglycemia (SAHG) by perfusion of the hearts with Krebs-Henseleit (KH) solution with elevated glucose concentration (22 mmol/l). I/R injury was induced by 30-min coronary occlusion followed by 120-min reperfusion and PC by two cycles of 5-min occlusion/5-min reperfusion, prior to I/R. The severity of I/R injury was characterized by determination of the size of infarction (IS, expressed in % of area at risk size) and the amount of heart-type fatty acid binding protein (h-FABP, a marker of cell injury) released from the hearts to the effluent. Significantly smaller IS (8.8+/-1 %) and lower total amount of released h-FABP (1808+/-660 pmol) in PC group compared with IS 17.1+/-1.2 % (p<0.01) and amount of h-FABP (8803+/-2415 pmol, p<0.05) in the non-PC control hearts perfused with standard KH solution (glucose 11 mmol/l) confirmed protective effects of PC. In contrast, in SAHG groups, PC enhanced IS (21.4+/-2.2 vs. 14.3+/-1.3 %, p<0.05) and increased total amount of h-FABP (5541+/-229 vs. 3458+/-283 pmol, p<0.05) compared with respective non-PC controls. Results suggest that PC has negative effect on resistance of the hearts to I/R injury under conditions of elevated glucose in vitro.

The effect of bioactive complex of quercetin, selenium, catechins and curcumin on cardiovascular risk markers in healthy population after a two month consumption.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition is an important factor in prevention of degenerative age-related diseases. Health benefits of the functional food - cereal selenized onion biscuits with bioactive complex such as selenium in organic form, quercetin (onion), curcumin (curcuma) and catechins (green tea) were evaluated. METHODS: In a group of randomly selected 50 apparently healthy men, aged 30-50 years, the levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), homocysteine (HCy) and its nutritional determinants (methionine, vitamin B12, folic acid, cysteine, vitamin B6) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) were measured and the LDL cholesterol and atherogenic index was calculated before and after a 2-month consumption period and after a 2-month wash-out period. RESULTS: The significant reduction of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index, HCy and ADMA was found after onion biscuit consumption. Alternative pathway for HCy degradation using betaine as methyl donor is probably a sole argument for reduced HCy value at the significantly reduced concentrations of the methionine, folic acid, cysteine and vitamin B6. Value of hs-CRP was non-significantly reduced after biscuit consumption. CONCLUSION: The results of improved lipid profile, significantly reduced values of HCy and ADMA document a beneficial effect of cereal biscuit with selenized onion, curcuma and green tea in prevention of cardiovascular disease (Tab. 2, Ref. 19).

Selected biomarkers of age-related diseases in older subjects with different nutrition.

BACKGROUND: The nutritionists introduce on the base of epidemiological and clinical studies that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Aging belongs to the main risks of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Markers of age-related diseases (cardiovascular, metabolic syndrome, diabetes) were assessed in two nutritional groups of older apparently healthy non-obese non-smoking women aged 60-70 years, 45 vegetarians (lacto-ovo-vegetarians and semi-vegetarians) and 38 non-vegetarians (control group on a traditional mixed diet, general population). RESULTS: Vegetarian values of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerols, C-reactive protein, glucose, insulin and insulin resistance are significantly reduced. Non-vegetarian average values of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and C-reactive protein are risk. Vegetarians have a better antioxidative status (significantly increased vitamin C, lipid-standardized vitamine E and beta-carotene plasma concentrations). CONCLUSION: Favourable values of cardiovascular risk markers in older vegetarian women document a beneficial effect of vegetarian nutrition in prevention of this disease as well as the vegetarian diet can be an additional factor in therapy. Vegetarians suffer from mild hyperhomocysteinemia; it is due to the lower vitamin B12 concentration. Vitamin B12 supplements are inevitable for the hyperhomocysteinemia prevention (Tab. 2, Ref. 26).

Short term oxidative DNA damage by hyperbaric oxygenation in patients with chronic leg ulcers.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) is successfully used for the treatment of a variety of conditions and diseases. HBO therapy can be valuable for treating selected cases of hypoxic diabetic leg ulcers and chronic venous insufficiency. Exposure to high concentration of oxygen is known to induce damage to cells, possibly due to an increased oxygen radical production. Reactive oxygen species also cause DNA damage. METHOD: The Comet assay method has been used to determine DNA damage. Number of DNA strand breaks obtained by the single cell gel electrophoresis in nucleuses of lymphocytes was isolated from venous blood. Nucleuses of lymphocytes were incubated by bacterial repair endonucleases, which detect and remove damaged parts of DNA (SBs, FPG, AlcA, ENDO, and H2O2). MATERIAL: 27 patients were investigated in this study; diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in 15 of them, and chronic venous insufficiency in 12. They were exposed in average 27 times in a hyperbaric chamber to a pressure of 2.5-3ATA of 100 % oxygen. Lymphocytes were isolated from venous blood before treatment and at different time after treatment (24 hours, 7 days, 14 days, 6 weeks). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Results of DNA damage evaluation at different time periods suggest there are no significant changes if compared to initial DNA damage values. HBO treatment can be used as adjuvant treatment because no significant risk is manifested with this therapy (Tab. 1, Fig. 7, Ref. 52).

Insulin resistance in young, lean male subjects with essential hypertension.

Impaired insulin action, frequently found in essential hypertension (HT), is modified by other factors, such as higher age, accumulation of body fat, dyslipidaemia, impaired glucose metabolism and endothelial dysfunction. In addition, antihypertensive and insulin-sensitizing medication itself may significantly affect cardiovascular and metabolic milieu. The aim of this study was to assess insulin sensitivity, acute insulin response, lipidaemic status and the adipokines' concentrations with regard to abdominal fat distribution in young, lean male subjects with treatment-naïve essential HT and in matched healthy normotensive (NT) subjects. We studied 27 HT patients (age: 19.9±0.6 years; body mass index (BMI): 22.9±0.5 kg m(-2)) and 15 NT controls (age: 22.3±1.0 years; BMI: 23.7±0.6 kg m(-2)). The subjects underwent an oral and an intravenous glucose tolerance test (OGTT, IVGTT) on separate days in random order. Higher fasting insulin (P<0.001), non-esterified fatty acids (P<0.05) and plasminogen activator inhibitor factor 1 concentrations (P<0.05) were found in HT patients when compared with NT patients. Despite comparable anthropometric parameters and body fat distribution assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in both groups, newly diagnosed untreated young hypertensive male subjects showed decreased insulin sensitivity, augmented insulin response to both oral and intravenous glucose load (P<0.01; P<0.05 respectively) and 'higher still normal' 2-h plasma glucose levels during OGTT. Untreated, young, lean hypertensive male subjects, with distribution of abdominal adipose tissue and lipid profile comparable with their healthy NT matched counterparts, showed considerable signs of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia. We hypothesize that insulin resistance is the initial feature, which is influenced by several environmental factors, and HT is one of their common consequences.

HSP60, oxidative stress parameters and cardiometabolic risk markers in hypertensive and normotensive Slovak females.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to analyse the relationships between hypertension, HSP60, oxidative stress, lipid profile and cardiometabolic risk in 126 females with arterial hypertension (AHW) and 39 normotensive females (AH-). RESULTS: Females with AH+ were significantly older and more frequently suffered from ischemic heart disease, angina pectoris, prior MI, abdominal obesity, obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, normotensive females smoked significantly more often. Plasma levels of HSP60 were similar in both AH+ and AH- groups. However, hypertensive females exhibited almost two times lower values of oxidative glutation and lower levels of carbonyl protein, but significantly higher levels of homocysteine. In normotensive females, the total glutathione was the only parameter predicting females with the plasma level of HSP60 = 60 ng/ml. The independent predictors in hypertensive females were angina pectoris, triglycerides and the mean arterial pressure (MAP). MAP had also a borderline significance in normotensive females suggesting an association between HSP60 and blood pressure. MAP formed a J shaped curve with HSP60. CONCLUSION: Results suggest the association of blood pressure and heart shock protein 60 Kda in form of the J curve (Tab. 11, Fig. 3, Ref. 29).

MCP-1 -2518 A/G gene polymorphism is associated with blood pressure in ischemic heart disease asymptomatic subjects.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), one of the key inflammatory chemokines, plays an important role in the initiation of atherosclerosis, and represents a risk for coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. A recent animal study showed that MCP-1 gene might be a candidate gene for salt-sensitive hypertension in Dahl salt sensitive rats. This effect has not been yet studied in asymptomatic humans. We tested the MCP-1 -2518 A/G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in 66 hypertensive ischemic heart disease asymptomatic subjects. Inflammatory markers, classic risk factors and absolute cardiovascular risk (SCORE system) were also investigated in these subjects. Our results showed that both, systolic and diastolic values of blood pressure were associated with MCP-1 -2518 A/G SNP at the level of both, genotype and allele frequencies. Subjects with mutant G allele had higher levels of both values of blood pressure, systolic (p = 0.035) and diastolic (p = 0.040) than subjects with allele A. Statistically significantly higher levels of both values of blood pressure, systolic (p = 0.037) and diastolic (p = 0.021) were found also in IHD asymptomatic subjects with AG and GG genotypes. Subjects with AG and GG genotypes had also an increased absolute cardiovascular risk (1.62% vs 3.17%; p = 0.004) and an increasing trend for elevated plasma level of high-sensitive CRP (2.858 vs 2.062 mg/l; p = 0.076). We did not find any significant correlation between the serum level of MCP-1 and blood pressure. To our best knowledge, this is the first study concerning the association between MCP-1 polymorphism and arterial blood pressure in IHD asymptomatic subjects. These results indicate that the expression of MCP-1 may be increased before the onset of hypertension but further observations from larger cohorts are needed to confirm this finding (Tab. 6, Ref. 41).

Evaluation of alternative calculation methods for determining LDL cholesterol.

BACKGROUND: Due to limitations of the Friedewald formula, alternative methods for calculating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were suggested. We evaluated utility of these methods. METHODS: Ninety three subjects free of coronary heart disease were considered. LDL-C was measured by the homogeneous method, and calculated by the Friedewald formula LDL-C = TC-HDL-(TG/2.2) (LDL1) and alternative formulas LDL-C = 0.41 TC - 0.32 TG + 1.70 apoB - 0.27 (LDL2) and LDL-C = 0.94 TC - 0.94 HDL - 0.435 TG (LDL3). RESULTS: All three formulas underestimated the measured LDL-C, both in the whole group and in subgroups according to TG levels (TG < 1.7 and in a range of 1.7-4.5 mmol/l, p < 0.001 for all). We found significantly higher bias for all three formulas in subjects with 1.7 < or = TG < 4.5 mmol/l levels. The Friedewald formula showed the lowest assay bias in all the groups investigated. The mean absolute bias for LDL1 was 7.6%, 18.3% for LDL2 and 13.6% for LDL3, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed correlation of calculated LDL-C values with the direct method in the range of r = 0.82 - 0.90 (p < 0.0001 for all, except of LDL2 in 1.7 < or = TG < 4.5 mmol/l group where p = 0.0011). CONCLUSIONS: The Friedewald formula seems to be a better estimator of LDL-C in our study than the other two alternative formulas; however, it underestimated the LDL-C levels.

Vitamin C protective plasma value.

The relationship of plasma concentration and intake of vitamin C was measured in a randomly selected group of 368 apparently healthy adult subjects of two nutritional regimens: traditional mixed diet (general population, n=187) and vegetarians (n=181). The condition of protective plasma concentration over 50 micromol/l (50.3-89.4 micromol/l), the value of which reduces the risk of free radical disease, was found in 87 subjects from the general population group, in whom the average vitamin C intake was 124.2 mg per day in range of 92-181. The recommended dietary allowance for this group in amount of 77 mg of vitamin C daily was calculated from current Slovak recommendations being in amount of 80 mg per day for men and 75 mg for women. Previous epidemiological studies as well as the presented results show that approximately a half of Slovak general population have vitamin C deficient (below 23 micromol/l) or suboptimal (23-50 micromol/l) plasma concentrations with insufficient antioxidative protection. Significantly higher plasma vitamin C concentrations in comparison to non-vegetarians were observed in the vegetarian group. Protective concentrations were noted in 88% of vegetarians vs 46% of non-vegetarians. The significantly reduced values of products of oxidative damage of DNA (DNA breaks with oxidised purines and oxidised pyrimidines), lipids (conjugated dienes of fatty acids, malondialdehyde) and proteins (carbonyls) were found in subjects with plasma vitamin C concentrations being over 50 micromol/l vs. below 50 micromol/l. The data emphasize the role of vitamin C in free radical disease prevention under the condition of protective, antioxidative concentrations. The results of general population group document the need to revise the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C as well as to change the nutritional habits including regular consumption of fruit and vegetables several times daily (Tab. 3, Ref. 28).

The redox state of glutathione in erythrocytes of individuals with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The redox state of glutathione has been used as indicator for the redox environment of the cell. OBJECTIVES: To investigate relationships between the redox environments, the SOD activity, total antioxidant status and the oxidation stress markers production (MDA and lipofuscin). METHODS: Individuals with Down syndrome and age-matched healthy controls were enrolled into a study. Some parameters of oxidative stress in serum were determined: reduced glutathione, oxidized glutathione, redox potential of this couple (Eh), activity of superoxide dismutase in the red blood cells as well as malondialdehyde and lipofuscin. RESULTS: In the group of persons with DS statistically significant decrease in the GSH concentration was found, however, no differences in the GSSG concentration versus controls was observed. The redox potential values for couple GSH/GSSG are a statistically significantly increased in DS individuals compared to controls. CONCLUSION: In this study we highlighted the different ways of view at the role of GSH in metabolism of persons with DS. It is useful to look at the GSH and GSSG concentrations separately as well as at redox potential value, which influence total redox state of organism (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 30) Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

Nutritional determinants of plasma homocysteine.

The total Hcy, methionine, vitamin B12, folic acid and vitamin B6 blood concentrations were measured in apparently healthy adult subjects aged 20-30 years with three types of nutrition - 52 normal weight subjects of general population on traditional mixed diet (non-vegetarians), 52 normal weight vegetarians and 24 overweight and obese non-vegetarians. In the groups with lower methionine intake (vegetarians, normal weight non-vegetarians; methionine intake 0.45-2.12 g/day), Hcy values are dependent on vitamin B12 and folic acid. Vegetarian Hcy concentration is significantly increased and hyperhomocysteinemia was found in 35% of vegetarians vs 10% of non-vegetarians. Elevated Hcy values in vegetarians are the consequence of vitamin B12 deficiency - 31% of vegetarians with deficient serum values vs 2% of non-vegetarians (vitamin is not contained in plant food). Non-vegetarians are more deficient in folic acid (8% vs 0% in vegetarians) due to of lower consumption of food rich in folic acid (vegetables, whole grain products, pulses, seeds). The results suggest that in healthy population, a correct nutritional regime with an optimal intake of nutritional Hcy determinants is crucial for the maintenance of Hcy concentration in normal range and for the prevention of hyperhomocysteinemia (Tab. 2, Fig. 2, Ref. 27). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

Products of DNA, protein and lipid oxidative damage in relation to vitamin C plasma concentration.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic age-related free radical-induced diseases. Improved antioxidant status minimizes oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, lipids and other biomolecules. Diet-derived antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids and related plant pigments are important in antioxidative defense and maintaining health. The results of long-term epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that protective vitamin C plasma concentration for minimum risk of free radical disease is higher than 50 micromol/l. Products of oxidative damage to DNA (DNA strand breaks with oxidized purines and pyrimidines), proteins (carbonyls) and lipids (conjugated dienes of fatty acids, malondialdehyde) were estimated in a group of apparently healthy adult non-smoking population in dependence on different vitamin C plasma concentrations. Under conditions of protective plasma vitamin C concentrations (>50 micromol/l) significantly lower values of DNA, protein and lipid oxidative damage were found in comparison with the vitamin C-deficient group (<50 micromol/l). The inhibitory effect of higher fruit and vegetable consumption (leading to higher vitamin C intake and higher vitamin C plasma concentrations) on oxidation of DNA, proteins and lipids is also expressed by an inverse significant correlation between plasma vitamin C and products of oxidative damage. The results suggest an important role of higher and frequent consumption of protective food (fruit, vegetables, vegetable oils, nuts, seeds and cereal grains) in prevention of free radical disease.

C-reactive protein and nutrition.

High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a proven method to better predict the cardiovascular risk and target therapeutic interventions. Serum concentrations of hsCRP were measured in an adult apparently healthy population aged 19-75 years of different nutrition: a vegetarian group (lacto- and lacto-ovo-vegetarians who consumed plant food, dairy products and eggs) and a group of non-vegetarians (general population) on traditional mixed diet. The average hsCRP concentration was significantly reduced in the vegetarian group (0.72 +/- 0.07 vs 1.62 +/- 0.12 mg/l) with no risk values >3 mg/l vs 14 % in non-vegetarians. In non-vegetarians, a positive linear correlation of hsCRP values and age (r=0.35, p<0.001) was recorded vs horizontal trend line in vegetarians. Low and age independent concentration of hsCRP in vegetarians is the consequence of a long-term consumption of fruits and vegetables. These food commodities are important sources of dietary salicylates as well as other anti-inflammatory compounds (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 15).

Cardiovascular risk factors in young Gypsy population.

Lipid and non-lipid cardiovascular risk parameters (cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, homocysteine, C-reactive protein, insulin resistance) and data about blood pressure, smoking, body mass index were assessed in two ethnic groups aged 19-35 years--the Gypsy group (n=122) and the Slovak group (n=137) of two regions with a high density of Gypsy population. In the Gypsy group, the values of triglycerides, atherogenic index, insulin, insulin resistance were significantly increased and the level of HDL-cholesterol was significantly decreased. The risk value of atherogenic index was found in 27 % of Gypsy vs 13 % of majority subjects, and 28 % vs 24 % of subjects had hypertriglyceridemia. Risk value of insulin resistance (HOMA) was presented in 11 % of the Gypsy vs 5 % of the majority group. More obese subjects (20 % vs 8 %), more smokers (55 % vs 25 %) and more subjects with low education (85 % vs 27 %) were recorded in the minority group. The greater occurrence of dyslipidemia, obesity and insulin resistance in young Gypsy subjects is influenced with lifestyle (nutrition /prevalence of animal fat consumption, low consumption of food with low glycemic index and soluble fibre/, smoking, low physical activity) as well as low educational status. (Tab. 2, Ref. 22.).

Lipid peroxidation in men after dietary supplementation with a mixture of antioxidant nutrients.

Antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes protect living organisms against the attack of reactive oxygen species. An adequate daily intake of the individual antioxidants is therefore important to prevent the cells against oxidative damage. We investigated the effect of a modest dietary supplementation with a mixture of antioxidant nutrients (100 mg vitamin E, 100 mg vitamin C,6 mg beta-carotene and 50 microg of selenium per day) for 3 months on the plasma antioxidant capacity and indices of oxidative stress. Two groups of middle-age men were selected: group 1 with survivors of myocardial infarction (MI), and group 2 with clinically normal controls. The values of total antioxidant capacity of plasma (FRAP) significantly increased after supplementation with antioxidants in the both groups. Markers of in vivo lipid peroxidation, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated diene (CD) levels significantly decreased in the both supplemented groups. MDA and CD values were significantly higher at baseline in the group of survivors of myocardial infarction when compared with the group of healthy men. The results demonstrate that short-term and modest supplementation with a mixture of antioxidant nutrients improves antioxidative capacity and reduces products of lipid peroxidation in plasma. Since a more pronounced effect was observed within the group of survivors of myocardial infarction, a recommendation of antioxidant supplements seems appropriate for patients with a history of cardiovascular disease. (Fig. 1, Ref. 19.)

Effect of C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism on plasma homocysteine levels in ethnic groups.

The objective of this study was to examine plasma homocysteine levels and C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism in two ethnic groups from Slovakia. The samples consisted of general Slovak-Romany population (68 men and 81 women) from Southwestern Slovakia and the Slovak-Caucasians (174 men and 177 women) who participated in the CINDI project. The homocysteine levels were examined by HPLC, the analysis of MTHFR genotypes was done by PCR. The Slovak-Romany men (12.0+/-5.6 (S.D.) micromol/l) and women (9.2+/-2.6 microol/l) have significantly lower plasma homocysteine levels (p<0.024 and p<0.00001) when compared to Caucasians (13.3+/-5.1 micromol/l in men and 11.3+/-4.3 micromol/l in women). The genetic equilibrium is assumed for the gene frequencies of the MTHFR polymorphism in both samples. The distribution of MTHFR genotypes did not differ between the two populations (TT 13 vs. 10.6 %; CT 46.6 vs. 41.7 %; CC 40.4 vs. 47.7 %, chí(2)2 = 2.315, df=2, ns). The effect of MTHFR genotypes on homocysteine levels was not confirmed in the Slovak-Romanies and TT homozygosity significantly increased plasma homocysteine levels only in Slovak-Caucasians (11.5+/-4.4 micromol/l, ns; vs. 14.8+/-4.8 micromol/l, p 0.002, respectively). To our knowledge, this is the first epidemiological study in the Romany population examining distribution of the MTHFR genotypes and their effect on homocysteine levels. Further studies are needed to establish the variety of cardiovascular risk factors among Romanies in order to evaluate the significance of particular factors.