Lipoxygenase activity and sanguinarine production in cell suspension cultures of California poppy (Eschscholtzia californica CHAM.).

In this study we investigated the influence of biotic elicitor (phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea) and abiotic elicitors (methyljasmonate [MJ] and salicylic acid [SA]) on lipoxygenase (LOX) activity and sanguinarine production in cell suspension cultures of California poppy (Eschscholtzia californica CHAM.). We have observed different time effects of elicitors (10, 24, 48 and 72 h) on LOX activity and production of sanguinarine in in vitro cultures. All elicitors used in the experiments evidently increased the LOX activity and sanguinarine production in contrast to control samples. The highest LOX activities were determined in samples elicitated by MJ after 48 h and 72 h and the lowest LOX activities (in contrast to control samples) were detected after biotic elicitation by Botrytis cinerea. These activities showed about 50% lower level against the activities after MJ elicitation. The maximal amount of sanguinarine was observed after 48 h in MJ treated cultures (429.91 mg/g DCW) in comparision with control samples. Although all elicitors affect the sanguinarine production, effect of SA and biotic elicitor on sanguinarine accumulation in in vitrocultures was not so significant than after MJ elicitation.

Reference values of skin autofluorescence as an estimation of tissue accumulation of advanced glycation end products in a general Slovak population.

AIMS: For decades, Slovakia has maintained a prominent place in mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases among European Union (EU-27) countries. Determination of skin autofluorescence serves as an estimate of tissue accumulation of advanced glycation end products--substances accumulating in tissues and body fluids that play a pathophysiological role in age-related diseases and their complications, such as diabetes. METHODS: In 1385 apparently healthy Slovakian subjects aged from a few days old to 77 years, skin autofluorescence was determined using an advanced glycation end product reader and compared with reference data from Dutch Caucasians. The impact of the weekly frequency of recreational physical exercise on skin autofluorescence was investigated in the adults, and the impact of feeding regimen in the infants. RESULTS: With the exception of 10- to 19-year-olds, Slovaks had lower skin autofluorescence values in comparison with the Dutch Caucasians. In healthy non-smokers, physical exercise for > 30 min/day performed ≥ 3 times/week was associated with lower skin autofluorescence levels. In infants, breastfeeding (advanced glycation end product-poor diet) was associated with lower skin autofluorescence levels in comparison with consumption of infant formulas (advanced glycation end product-rich diet). CONCLUSIONS: Reference ranges of skin autofluorescence in Slovak Caucasians, detailed for paediatric age groups, are provided. Our data show that, in healthy adults, regular physical exercise associates with lower skin autofluorescence. Infants fed or weaned from infant formulas (advanced glycation end product-rich diet) have higher skin autofluorescence than their breast milk-consuming counterparts. It is unclear why Slovaks have lower skin autofluorescence compared with a Dutch population with lower cardiovascular mortality rates. Reference data on skin autofluorescence from diverse populations are needed for the precise clinical interpretation of skin autofluorescence measurements.

[An association between microalbuminuria and obesity in healthy adolescents - preliminary results from the "Respect for Health" study]. / Vztah mikroalbuminúrie a obezity u zdravých mladistvých - predbezné výsledky stúdie "Respekt pre zdravie"

BACKGROUND: Microalbuminuria is a marker of present/future cardiovascular and/or renal disease. The roots of these diseases extend back into childhood. Data on renal excretion of albumin (albumin/creatinine ratio - ACR) and the prevalence of microalbuminuria in apparently healthy adolescents are scares. METHODS AND RESULTS: We determined ACR and the prevalence of microalbuminuria in 15-to-19-years-old adolescents (n = 846, 482 boys), in association with markers of obesity. ACR (0.43; 0.29-0.67 mg albumin/mmol creatinine vs 0.35; 0.25-0.51 mg albumin/mmol creatinine, p < 0.001), and the prevalence of microalbuminuria (3.6 % vs 1.2 %, χ2: p = 0.024) were higher in girls than in boys. In underweight subjects, particularly boys, ACR was significantly higher if compared with the overweight//obese subjects. ACR correlated inversely with the markers of peripheral and central obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of microalbuminuria in general population of adolescents was relatively low. Paradoxically, in the boys ACR showed an inverse relationship to markers of nutritional status. Our data suggest the need of specific interpretation of data on ACR in the adolescents, and the need of further analysis of this (in the adults risk) marker in population of adolescents with regard to other important determinants of ACR, such as actual blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, etc.