The possible role of oxidative stress marker glutathione in the assessment of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis.

Oxidative stress markers have a distinct role in the process of demyelination in multiple sclerosis. This study investigated the potential correlation of markers of oxidative stress (glutathione [GSH], catalase) with the number of demyelinating lesions and the degree of disability, cognitive deficit, and depression in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Sixty subjects meeting the criteria for RRMS (19 men and 41 women), and 66 healthy controls (24 men, 42 women) were included. In this study, GSH significantly negatively correlated with the degree of cognitive impairment. This is the first study of subjects with RRMS that performed the mentioned research of serum GSH levels on the degree of cognitive damage examined by the Montreal Scale of Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. The development of cognitive changes, verified by the MoCA test, was statistically significantly influenced by the positive number of magnetic resonance lesions, degree of depression, expanded disability status scale (EDSS), age, and GSH values. Based on these results, it can be concluded that it is necessary to monitor cognitive status early in RRMS patients, especially in those with a larger number of demyelinating lesions and a higher EDSS level and in older subjects. Also, the serum level of GSH is a potential biomarker of disease progression, which could be used more widely in RRMS.

The Effect of a High-Protein Diet Supplemented with Blackthorn Flower Extract on Polyphenol Bioavailability and Antioxidant Status in the Organs of C57BL/6 Mice.

The health benefits of polyphenols are based on their bioavailability, which is why a significant portion of research focuses on factors that affect their bioavailability. Previous studies suggest that the intake of polyphenols along with macronutrients in food represents one of the key factors influencing the bioavailability of polyphenols and, consequently, their biological activity in the organism. Since polyphenols in the human diet are mainly consumed in food together with macronutrients, this study investigated the in vivo absorption, metabolism, and distribution of polyphenolic compounds from the water extract of blackthorn flower (Prunus spinosa L.) in combination with a protein-enriched diet in the organs (small intestine, liver, kidney) of C57BL/6 mice. The bioaccumulation of polyphenol molecules, biologically available maximum concentrations of individual groups of polyphenol molecules, and their effect on the oxidative/antioxidative status of organs were also examined. The results of this study indicate increased bioabsorption and bioavailability of flavan-3-ols (EC, EGCG) and reduced absorption kinetics of certain polyphenols from the groups of flavonols, flavones, and phenolic acids in the organs of C57BL/6 mice after intragastric administration of the water extract of blackthorn flower (Prunus spinosa L.) in combination with a diet enriched with whey proteins. Furthermore, subchronic intake of polyphenols from the water extract of blackthorn flower (Prunus spinosa L.) in combination with a diet enriched with whey proteins induces the synthesis of total glutathione (tGSH) in the liver and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver and small intestine. The results of this study suggest potential applications in the development of functional foods aimed at achieving the optimal health status of the organism and the possibility of reducing the risk of oxidative stress-related disease.

Association of chronic inflammation with cardiovascular risk in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: COPD is progressive lung disease with known higher cardiovascular (CV) risk, mainly attributed to smoking of cigarettes as the main etiological factor of disease. The aim of this study was to compare CV risk in patients with COPD to control groups of smokers and non-COPD and to investigate the relation of lung function variables, COPD severity, and smoking with Systemic Coronary Risk Estimation (SCORE) risk calculation, arterial stiffness (AS) values, and biological systemic inflammatory markers. Methods: A total of 208 subjects were included in this study: 61 subjects diagnosed with COPD, 83 smokers without COPD, and 64 nonsmokers without COPD. Medical history and clinical data were recorded, including assessment of pulmonary function and AS, calculation of ankle-brachial index, blood analysis, and CV risk assessment by SCORE risk calculation. Results: Subjects with COPD had significantly higher values of SCORE calculation of risk, central aortic pressure, AS, and markers of systemic inflammation compared to control groups of smokers and nonsmokers without COPD (p < 0.001). Furthermore, statistically significant increase in hs-CRP concentration was found between the COPD group and the control group of non-COPD smokers (p < 0.001), and a statistically significantly higher SCORE calculation was found in the COPD group compared to control groups of smokers and nonsmokers without COPD (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of the research support further identification and research of biological markers and simple specific tests such as arteriography that will enable progress in personalized treatment of patients with COPD and better primary and secondary prevention of comorbidities with the aim of improved treatment outcome.

Effects of Volatile Anaesthetics and Iron Dextran on Chronic Inflammation and Antioxidant Defense System in Rats.

Iron, as an essential microelement, is involved in cell proliferation, metabolism, and differentiation. It also modulates the fate and function of macrophages in hematopoiesis and macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses. On the other hand, anesthetics can affect the inflammatory process by modulating the response to stress or the functions of immune cells. The aim of this paper is to understand how excessive iron intake alters physiological, functional characteristics of peripheral tissues and whether different anesthetics can alter cell metabolism regarding oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation through regulation of macrophage polarization. Y59 rats were injected intraperitoneally with iron dextran solution at a dose of 50 mg/kg or were exposed to inhaled anesthetics sevoflurane and isoflurane and their combination for 28 days every other day. The results show that the use of anesthetics reduces the rat's organ weight and increases OS in peripheral tissues, leading to M1 macrophage polarization. Excessive iron intake leads to increased OS, inflammation, and an increased ratio of IL-12/IL-10 cytokines to the M1 macrophage phenotype. Iron, in combination with sevoflurane, has a protective effect in tissues showing the M2 phenotype of macrophages. The combination of iron dextran and isoflurane in rats leads to an increase in the erythropoiesis process made possible through the induction of hypoxia.

Blackthorn Flower Extract Impact on Glycaemic Homeostasis in Normoglycaemic and Alloxan-Induced Hyperglycaemic C57BL/6 Mice.

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: The use of plants and their extracts in treatments of chronic diseases is widely known in traditional medicine. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of 10-day consumption of blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) flower extract on blood glucose, glycaemic load, serum α-amlyase activity and insulin concentration in normoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic (alloxan-induced) mice model. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Normoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic (treated with alloxan, 150 mg per kg body mass) C57BL/6 mice were administered daily, during 10 days, blackthorn flower extract by gavage. The sugar mass concentration within the extract was determined by HPLC analysis. In mice, blood and serum blood glucose concentrations, and oral glucose tolerance test were determined by blood glucometer. Serum insulin concentration was determined by ELISA assay and α-amylase activity by colourimetric assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The blackthorn flower extract increased glucose concentrations in normoglycaemic mice by 30% after the 1st and 5th day and by 17% after the 10th day of consumption. It is a consequence of released sugars because sugar analysis revealed 59.8 mg/L monosaccharides, mainly fructose (55.7 mg/L) and glucose (24.3 mg/L) in the extract. On the contrary, the extract consumption reduced serum blood glucose in hyperglycaemic mice by 29% after 10 days of treatment. Oral glucose tolerance test also confirmed that in the hyperglycaemic group treated with blackthorn flower extract glucose homeostasis was improved and showed decrease in blood glucose. Serum insulin concentration increased by 49% and serum α-amylase activity by 46% after 10 days of treatment with blackthorn flower extract in hyperglycaemic group. Thus, it can be concluded that blackthorn flower extract improved glucose tolerance, enhanced insulin secretion and lowered serum α-amylase activity. NOVELTY AND SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION: The obtained results show for the first time the potential of blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) flower extract in hyperglycaemia management.

Hyperbilirubinemia as an Indicator of Perforated Acute Appendicitis in Pediatric Population: A Prospective Study.

Background: This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the association of hyperbilirubinemia with perforated appendicitis in the pediatric population. Patients and Methods: A total of 284 children in whom the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was established were included in this study. The patients were allocated in study groups in regard to operative findings. The first study group included patients who had perforated appendicitis (n = 64; 22.5%) whereas the patients in the second group had simple appendicitis (n = 220; 77.5%). Blood samples for serum bilirubin levels and acute inflammatory markers were taken before the patients underwent surgery. The primary outcome of the study was to investigate whether the level of serum bilirubin should be used to distinguish between simple and perforated appendicitis. Results: The median level of serum bilirubin in children with perforated appendicitis was 27 mcmol/L whereas the patients with simple appendicitis had lower median levels of serum bilirubin (10 µmol/L; p < 0.001). An area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for total serum bilirubin was 0.876 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.820-0.929) in the patients who had a perforated appendicitis. An ROC analysis showed the best sensitivity (92%) and specificity (77.3%) for a cutoff value of 15.5 mcmol/L for total serum bilirubin (p < 0.001). Hyperbilirubinemia at admission was found in 35 patients (54.7%) with complicated appendicitis and in 14 patients (6.4%) with non-perforated appendicitis (p < 0.001). The modeling of collected data by multivariable logistic regression identified serum bilirubin concentration (odss ratio [OR] = 1.12; 95% CI, 1.07-1.18; p < 0.001), serum sodium concentration (OR = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.51-0.81; p < 0.001), body temperature (OR = 2.48; 95% CI, 1.05-0.84; p < 0.001), and duration of symptoms (OR = 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02-1.09; p < 0.001) as risk factors for perforated appendicitis. Conclusion: Elevateds level of total serum bilirubin may be useful as an indicator of perforated appendicitis in children. Levels of bilirubin in serum is an inexpensive, simple, and available laboratory marker and should therefore be recommended in the initial evaluation for acute appendicitis in pediatric patients.

Efficacy of Caffeic Acid on Diabetes and Its Complications in the Mouse.

Diabetic dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia contribute to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, leading to deleterious complications, such as nephropathy, atherosclerosis and cardiac dysfunction, and target major organs in the body. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of caffeic acid (CA) on mouse weight and survival, serum level of fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum lipid parameters and atherogenic indices, oxidative damage in blood, liver and kidney tissue, pathophysiological changes and their function markers in healthy and alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic mice. Diabetes was induced in mice with a single intravenous injection of alloxan (75 mg kg-1). Two days later, CA (50 mg kg-1) was given intraperitoneally for seven days in diabetic mice. Diabetes affected glucose level, lipid profile, hematological and biochemical parameters, induced DNA damage and apoptotic/necrotic death in whole blood cells, liver and kidney, leading to weight loss and a decreased lifespan. CA treatment of diabetic mice revealed a protective effect on the liver and kidney, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties and high protection against atherogenic outcomes. The obtained results suggest that CA is a safe and potent agent against diabetes that acts as an effective antioxidant in reducing serum glucose, lipid profile and atherogenic indices, leading to increased lifespan in mice.

Elite 100-km road ultramarathon runners: characteristics and musculoskeletal injuries.

BACKGROUND: Currently known data about ultramarathon medical issues has been collected from all combinations of ultramarathon race types (road, trail, etc.) and the population in those studies consists of mixed elite and recreational athletes. There are few studies concerning injuries related to musculoskeletal system injuries in ultramarathon runners. METHODS: The study was conducted on total of 77 elite ultramarathoners based on a questionnaire-based survey. We studied the elite male and female athletes who participated in the 30th IAU 100-km World Championships held in Croatia, in 2018. RESULTS: Ultramarathon runners have higher percentage of lower-leg injuries and rehabilitation of those injuries tend to last longer as ultramarathon runners show specific training habits with less days off and hold a permanent, full-time job and often with a higher academic degree. Furthermore, also the mean age is higher. CONCLUSIONS: Ultramarathoners have a higher percentage of lower-leg injuries than runners who do not run distances beyond a marathon. In addition, rehabilitation tends to last longer. This may well be correlated also to their specific training loads with fewer days off and training whilst holding a permanent full-time job. Often, they also hold a higher academic degree with years spent in the education system which might influence their mindsets on the medical issues they encounter. Also, being older may also have a bearing on injury occurrence and rehabilitation time.

Effect of Propolis on Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia and Atherogenic Indices in Mice.

Obesity, a major health problem worldwide, is associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors, such as dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, and hypertension. We investigated the antioxidative capacity of the ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) and its effect on the lipid profile, the hepatorenal function, and the atherogenic indices in mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). EEP (50 mg/kg) was given orally to mice for 30 days. After the treatments, levels of the serum total triglyceride and cholesterol, the high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) and low density lipoprotein (LDL-c) cholesterols, the serum enzymes, and the metabolites were measured, and atherogenic indices [atherogenic index of plasma (AIP); cardiac risk ratio (CRR); cardioprotective index (CPI); atherogenic coefficient (AC)] were calculated and compared with the antioxidant, the reducing power, the radical-scavenging, and the chelating activity of EEP. The HFD diet with EEP significantly reduced the negative lipid profile and lowered AIP, CRR, and AC and increased CPI in animals on a HFD. In addition, EEP reduced the weight of mice and lipid accumulation in the liver, and it had significant in vitro antioxidative activities. The EEP possesses anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant activity and exhibits protective action on the cardiovascular system and hepatorenal functions. Our results contribute towards the validation of the traditional use of propolis as a food supplement in aiding hyperlipidemic disorders.