[The biological function of L-carnitine and its content in the particular food examples]. / Funkcje biologiczne L-karnityny i jej zawartosc w wybranych produktach spozywczych.

The aim of this article is to provide information about L-carnitine, its physiological role in the human body and its content in some foods. This chemical compound is mainly synthesized in the liver, kidney and brain and is composed of two aminoacids, lyzine and metionine. L-carnitine regulates the level of acylo-CoA and CoA in the mitochondium and cytozolum, and it provides acetyl moieties for the biosythesis of acetocholine. L-carnitine plays a vital function in the metabolism of lipids and it carries long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for beta-oxidation. An increase of the amount of L-carnitine in the human body may lead to reduction and inhibition of production of fatty tissue. Despite the fact that human body can synthesise L-carnitine, about 80% of this chemical compound is delivered by food. It is crucial, especially for people who are on a slimming diet, to choose products rich in L-carnitine because this compound may potentially reduce the body weight. Animal by-products contain the highest amount of L-carnitine, and these are, e.g , kangaroo meat (637 mg), horse meat (423mg), beef (139 mg per 100 g of dry weight). The amount of L-carnitine in milk products may range from 1,4 to 42,8 mg per 100 g of dry matter. Vegetables and fruits are products which contain less than 5 mg of L-carnitine per 100 g of dry matter. Lipids are also very low in L-carnitine, e.g sunflower oil is free from this compound. It is worth mentioning that mushrooms are richer in L-carnitine than plants. The amount of L-carnitine (53 mg/100 g dry matter) in pleureotus ostreatus equals approximately 100 g of minced pork.

Effect of quinoa seeds (Chenopodium quinoa) in diet on some biochemical parameters and essential elements in blood of high fructose-fed rats.

The effect of Chenopodium quinoa seeds on lipid profile, glucose level, protein metabolism and selected essential elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) level was determined in high-fructose fed male Wistar rats. Fructose decreased significantly LDL [42%, p<0.01] and activity of alkaline phosphatase [20%, p<0.05], and increased triglycerides level [86%, p<0.01]. The analysis of blood of rats fed quinoa indicated, that these seeds effectively reduced serum total cholesterol [26%, p<0.05], LDL [57%, p<0.008] and triglycerides [11%, p<0.05] when compared to the control group. Quinoa seeds also significantly reduced the level of glucose [10%, p<0.01] and plasma total protein level [16%, p<0.001]. Fructose significantly decreased HDL [15%, p<0.05] level in control group but when the quinoa seeds were added into the diet the decrease of HDL level was inhibited. Quinoa seeds did not prevent any adverse effect of increasing triglyceride level caused by fructose. It was shown in this study that quinoa seeds can reduce most of the adverse effects exerted by fructose on lipid profile and glucose level.

Microorganisms and Biostimulants Impact on the Antioxidant Activity of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) Sprouts.

The study analyzes the influence of plant growth promoters and biological control agents on the chemical composition and antioxidant activity (AA) in the sprouts of buckwheat. The AA of cv. Kora sprouts was higher than cv. Panda, with 110.0 µM Fe2+/g (FRAP-Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), 52.94 µM TRX (Trolox)/g (DPPH-1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), 182.7 µM AAE (Ascorbic Acid Equivalent)/g (Photochemiluminescence-PCL-ACW-Water-Soluble Antioxidant Capacity) and 1.250 µM TRX/g (PCL-ACL-Lipid-Soluble Antioxidant Capacity). The highest AA was found in the sprouts grown from seeds soaked in Ecklonia maxima extract and Pythium oligandrum (121.31 µM Fe2+/g (FRAP), 56.33 µM TRX/g (DPPH), 195.6 µM AAE/g (PCL-ACW) and 1.568 µM TRX/g (PCL-ACL). These values show that the antioxidant potential of buckwheat sprouts is essentially due to the predominant hydrophilic fraction of antioxidants. The AA of the sprouts was strongly correlated with total polyphenol content.

Dietary supplements selected by young people exercising in fitness rooms in Kraków and environs.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of the use of dietary supplements among the young people exercising in fitness rooms in Krak6w and environs. In this study, 81% of the population used some form of dietary supplement; nutritional supplements were used by 21% of women and 60% of men, and were used most frequently by young people 21-25 years of age. The most popular supplement s were creatine, (20%) and HMB-beta-hydroxy-betamethylbutyrate (19%). Only 14% of the respondents asked for the opinion of qualified personnel, such as doctors, pharmacists or dieticians.

[Assessment of the quality of edible fats consumed by selected groups of students in Cracow]. / Ocena jakosci spozywanych tluszczów przez wybrane grupy karkowskich studentów.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to assess the quality of edible fats consumed by selected students from Kraków, Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The first group were students of year 4 of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, who during their course of study acquire knowledge of the most recent research concerning health risks and advantages of several types of fats. The second group were students of year 4 of the Philological Faculty of the Jagiellonian University (Institute of English Philology), whose course of study does not included these issues. The sample of group numbered 203 students (148 students of pharmacy, 55 students of English) and included both genders (156 women and 47 men). All students answered questions of original questionnaire containing questions on the quality and quantity of edible fats consumed, as well as criteria determining the selection of particular products. Respondents were also asked about their knowledge concerning the harmful effects of trans isomers of fatty acids on the human body. The study showed that among the students in Kraków butter prevails as bread spread, oils are dominant in frying, and olive oil prevails in salad making. The selection of the fat was correlated with gender, since men tended to select butter more frequently than women, both as bread spread and for frying. The knowledge concerning trans isomers of the unsaturated fatty acids was found to depend on the students' course of study. 68% of students of pharmacy were aware of the harmful effect of these isomers on the human body, while none of the students of English came across this problem.

Vanadium methyl-bipyridine organoligand and its influence on energy balance and organs mass.

In the treatment of lifestyle diseases, including metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, it is important to lower body mass and fat tissue, and consequently, to increase insulin-sensitivity. Unfortunately, it often happens that low-energy diet which would lower overweight is not observed and, thus, it does not bring the expected effects. This paper discusses the influence of three diets-control, high-fructose, and high-fatty diet-on absorption of energy from food in order to transform it into body mass. The kJ/g ratio which describes this process has been calculated. In the tested diets, the addition of fructose (79.13 ± 2.47 kJ/g) or fat (82.48 ± 2.28 kJ/g) results in higher transformation of energy into body mass than in the case of control diet (89.60 ± 1.86 kJ/g). The addition of Na[VO(O2)2(4,4'-Me2-2,2'-bpy)]•8H2O (where 4,4'-Me2-2,2'-bpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine) results in statistical increase of that ratio: fructose diet (86.88 ± 0.44 kJ/g), fat diet (104.68 ± 3.01 kJ/g), and control diet (115.98 ± 0.56 kJ/g), respectively. Fat diet statistically influences the decrease of kidney mass in comparison to the other diets. The application of the tested vanadium compound results also in the statistical decrease of the fatty liver caused by fructose and fat diet.

Valproic acid modulates superoxide dismutase, uric acid-independent FRAP and zinc in blood of adult epileptic patients.

We aimed to evaluate changes in antioxidant status in blood during valproate (VPA) monotherapy of adult patients with epilepsy. Antioxidant enzymes [plasma superoxide dismutase (pSOD), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (eSOD)] and non-enzymatic indices [concentration of trace elements in serum: selenium, copper, zinc (sZn) and uric acid (UA), as well as the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and UA-independent FRAP (UAiFRAP)] were evaluated in 21 adult patients with epilepsy and 21 healthy controls. Significant differences between the study group and controls were found for pSOD (p = 0.002) and UAiFRAP (p = 0.003). pSOD was higher, whilst UAiFRAP was lower in patients compared to controls. The activity of eSOD was higher in patients treated with VPA for a longer period (7-14 years) in comparison to controls (p = 0.001) and patients with a short period of VPA treatment (p < 0.001). Patients with uncontrolled epilepsy exhibited higher sZn than seizure-free patients (p = 0.041). Standard diet and moderate use of alcohol and/or nicotine did not exert significant effects on redox balance. We conclude that the antioxidant status of epileptic patients is modified by valproate monotherapy. The frequency of seizures and duration of VPA therapy are associated with changes of oxidative/antioxidative balance. The most sensitive and relevant parameters for antioxidative defence mechanism are pSOD, UAiFRAP and sZn.