Oxidative Stress at Birth Is Associated with the Concentration of Iron and Copper in Maternal Serum.

Oxidative stress (OS) in the foetal and neonatal periods leads to many disorders in newborns and in later life. The nutritional status of pregnant women is considered to be one of the key factors that triggers OS. We investigated the relationship between the concentration of selected mineral elements in the blood of pregnant women and the concentration of 3'nitrotyrosine (3'NT) as a marker of OS in the umbilical cord blood of newborns. The study group consisted of 57 pregnant women and their newborn children. The concentrations of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in maternal serum (MS) were measured by the flame atomic absorption/emission spectrometry (FAAS/FAES) method. The concentration of 3'NT in umbilical cord serum (UCS) of newborns was determined by the ELISA method. A positive correlation between MS Fe and UCS 3'NT in male newborns was shown (rho = 0.392, p = 0.053). Significantly higher UCS 3'NT was demonstrated in newborns, especially males, whose mothers were characterized by MS Fe higher than 400 µg/dL compared to those of mothers with MS Fe up to 300 µg/dL (p < 0.01). Moreover, a negative correlation between the MS Cu and UCS 3'NT in male newborns was observed (rho = -0.509, p = 0.008). Results of the study showed the need to develop strategies to optimize the nutritional status of pregnant women. Implementation of these strategies could contribute to reducing the risk of pre- and neonatal OS and its adverse health effects in the offspring.

Frequency of occurrence of metabolic syndrome risk factors in children and adolescents from the city of Wroclaw and surroundings

Background: A recently growing number of children and adolescents with overweight or obesity is indicative of the need for diagnosing their complications that may appear in the early childhood. For this reason, diagnostic criteria were developed for components of the metabolic syndrome (MS) also for these groups of the population. Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating the frequency of metabolic syndrome risk factors occurrence in children and adolescents from the city of Wroclaw and surroundings depending on gender, age and physical activity. Material and methods: Investigations on the frequency of occurrence of dietary and non-dietary risk factors of the metabolic syndrome were carried out in the years 2010-2017 among 771 children and adolescents aged 10-18 year, attending to primary schools, gymnasiums and secondary schools in Wroclaw. Results: The lack of any components of the metabolic syndrome was demonstrated in 14.78% of the children aged 10-12 years as well as in 17.38% of both adolescents aged 13-15 and 17-18 years. One risk factor was most frequently diagnosed in children aged 10-12 years (17.89%) and it was arterial hypertension (16.08% of the whole surveyed population). Three MS components were demonstrated in 15 persons (1.95% of the whole surveyed population), including in 7 girls and 8 boys. The persons with three MS risk factors from the age category 13-15 years constituted 0.26% whereas these from the age category 17-18 years constituted 1.69% of the whole surveyed group. Conclusions: It shall be concluded that the incidence of the fully symptomatic MS depended significantly on the age of the surveyed, but not on their gender. Among the three adopted components of MS, the most frequently demonstrated disorders included: arterial hypertension, abdominal obesity and increased concentration of triglycerides in blood serum.

The concentration of selected elements in the placenta according to selected sociodemographic factors and their effect on birth mass and birth length of newborns.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The placenta is a remarkable organ which provides critical transport functions between the maternal and fetal circulations during pregnancy. The demand for mineral components increases during the gestational period, therefore, an appropriate intake of minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese, determines the correct growth and development of a fetus. The aim of the study was to assess the concentration of selected elements in the placenta, and to assess the impact of their concentrations on the birth weight and birth length of newborns. The second aim of the study was to assess the influence of selected sociodemographic factors on the concentration of elements in the placenta. RESULTS: The study demonstrated that the age of mothers affected the concentration of Ca and Mn in the placenta, and their habit of tobacco smoking during the gestational period was associated with higher concentrations of Ca, P, K, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Cd in the placental tissue. The results also showed that concentrations of K, Fe, Zn, and Mn in the placental tissue affected birth length. Furthermore, the association was demonstrated between a higher Cd concentration in the placenta (≥ 0.0503 µg/g) and the birth anthropometric parameters of neonates. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking during pregnancy and environment pollution are the factors that affects the concentration of elements in the placenta and contributes to their high accumulation in the placenta. Smoking during pregnancy causes an increased concentration of cadmium in the placenta which has negative health effects for the newborn. Women living in a big city or village had a higher concentration of cadmium in their placentas compared to women living in smaller cities. The significant influence of some elements (K, Fe, Zn, Cu and Cd) on the newborn's birth parameters was also demonstrated. The results of our research indicate the importance of the mother's lifestyle in providing the placenta with elements, which affects the growth of the fetus.

Relation between the Recipe of Yeast Dough Dishes and Their Glycaemic Indices and Loads.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the glycaemic indices (GI) and glycaemic loads (GL) of four food dishes made from yeast dough (steamed dumplings served with yoghurt, apple pancakes sprinkled with sugar powder, rolls with cheese and waffles with sugar powder), based on their traditional and modified recipes. Modification of the yeast dough recipe consisted of replacing wheat flour (type 500) with whole-wheat flour (type 2000). Energy value and the composition of basic nutrients were assessed for every tested dish. The study was conducted on 50 people with an average age of 21.7 ± 1.1 years, and an average body mass index of 21.2 ± 2.0 kg/m2. The GI of the analysed food products depended on the total carbohydrate content, dietary fibre content, water content, and energy value. Modification of yeast food products by replacing wheat flour (type 500) with whole-wheat flour (type 2000) contributed to the reduction of their GI and GL values, respectively.

Influence of arsenic on selected biochemical blood parameters in rats fed diet with different fat and protein content.

BACKGROUND: Arsenic is widely distributed in the environment. The main routes of absorption of inorganic arsenic compounds are the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. Arsenates both (III) and (V) are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract in 55-95%, while the organic arsenic compounds in 75-85%. Arsenic poisoning leads to damage the activities and morphological changes in the stomach and intestines, causing the occurrence of nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Arsenic compounds may also be the cause of the development of certain cancers (lung, skin and liver). The first changes caused by arsenic poisoning usually remain unnoticed. Arsenic affects haematological and both lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. It also causes changes in the organs involved in metabolism, so biochemical parameters or enzymes activity are therefore a good indicator of poisoning changes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of protein and fat content in diet on selected biochemical blood parameters in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats (11 groups n = 88) were fed with 5 types of diet: control, low-protein, high-protein, low-fat and high-fat. Animals received water without arsenic (control group) or water with 10 or 20 µg As/mL. RESULTS: In animals fed a low protein diets, regardless of the dose of arsenic, it was a decreasing of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose in serum observed, compared to the control group. In the groups fed with low-protein diet revealed a significantly less damage in the liver as compared to the control group. In animals fed high-protein diets and with varying addition of arsenic a significant higher concentration of various biochemical parameters were found, in comparison to the respective control groups. In animals fed the high protein diet and poisoned with 20 µg As/mL of the arsenic significantly higher liver damage were found, compared to control group. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms of arsenic hepatotoxicity measured with enzyme activity were highest in the groups of animals fed with low-protein diet. The parameters of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism depended mostly on diet than the dose of arsenic.

Arsenic contents in rats' fur as an indicator of exposure to arsenic. Preliminary studies.

BACKGROUND: Since arsenic compounds have an affinity to thiol groups their greatest amounts can then be found in the tissues containing sulphur-rich proteins, like beta-keratin in skin, hair and nails. Accumulation of arsenic also depends on the macronutrient content in daily food ration. The deficiency and excess of both the protein and fat may contribute to a higher content of arsenic in the organism, including hair in human or fur in animals. OBJECTIVE: Hair and fur is a good indicator of population exposure to many toxic substances, including arsenic. The degree of arsenic accumulation may depend on the diet and nutritional status. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of protein and fat in diet on the accumulation of arsenic in rats' fur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 70 male Buffalo rats (body weight 200 - 220 g, age - 6 weeks) were divided into 10 groups. Rats were housed in plastic cages (4 per cage) in a 12h light/dark cycle for 6 weeks. The diets of different protein and fat contents ware administered to the animals. Five of ten groups of rats received throughout the whole period 10 ppm sodium arsenite dissolved in distilled drinking water (about 250 µg As/animal/day). The arsenic were determined with the method of atomic adsorption spectrometry in conjunction with a graphite-furnace atomize using a Varian AA240FS apparatus. RESULTS: The highest arsenic concentrations were found in fur of rats which were given low protein diet and water with arsenic. The lowest arsenic contents were found in fur of rats, which were given control diet and high protein diet with arsenic in water. CONCLUSIONS: Balanced control diet or high protein diet protected organism from arsenic accumulation, only small increase of arsenic content in rats' fur, compared to the control group, was observed. KEY WORDS: arsenic, rats' fur, protein and fat in diet, exposure to arsenic.

Effect of resistant starch RS4 added to the high-fat diets on selected biochemical parameters in Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Resistant starch (RS) is part of potato starch that is not digested in the gastrointestinal tract. RS4 is a chemically modified starch (for example by oxidation and esterification) and physically (by heating). OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed at determining the effect of resistant starch on lipid metabolism and activity of hepatic enzymes in Wistar strain rats fed high-fat diets containing 15% of lard or 15% of soybean oil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four types of diets were administered to the animals (4 groups of males, n = 32): control diet (K1) containing 15% of soybean oil; control diet (K2) containing 15% of lard as well as two groups receiving the same diets with 10% addition of resistant starch RS4 (K1S and K2S). RESULTS: The mean concentration of total cholesterol was lower in the group of animals fed a diet with vegetable oil (39.9 mg/dl) as compared to that reported in the group of rats fed the lard-supplemented diet (55.2 mg/dl). Compared to the control groups in both groups of animals receiving the diet supplemented with resistant starch RS4 the total cholesterol concentration in serum decreased by ca. 25% (differences were statistically significant). In groups of rats receiving oil- or lard-containing diets with the addition of the resistant starch preparation the concentration of triglycerides in serum decreased by ca. 47% and 10%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A beneficial effect of the resistant starch RS4 added to Wistar rats diets on the lipid metabolism has been shown. The concentrations of total cholesterol and triglycerides in the serum were lower and concentration of HDL-cholesterol was higher in the rats fed with the diets containing the addition of the RS4 preparation as compared to the control groups. Based on the activity of hepatic enzymes the degree of liver damage was lower in groups of rats fed with diets containing resistant starch RS4 as compared to the control groups.

[Nutrition evaluation of 13 years old adolescents from a little town]. / Sposób zywienia 13-letniej mlodziezy z malego miasta.

Food intake and Body Mass Index (BMI) as basic indicator of nourishment of adolescents from a little town in Wielkopolska were evaluated. Triple 24 hour recall was conducted in group of 30 girls and 30 boys 13 years old. Quality and quantity of food rations consumed was evaluated. Energy and 20 nutrient in ratios were assessed. Mean food rations were compared with dietary standards for such adolescents in Poland. It was found that investigated group of adolescents has improper eating habits resulting unsatisfactory low energy, macronutrients, vitamins and minerals intake. Results of anthropometric measurements have shown right body mass in 40% of adolescents, malnutrition in 37%, and tendency to overweight and obesity in 20% of boys and girls.

[The occurrence of arsenc in the environment and food]. / Wystepowanie arsenu w srodowisku i w zywnosci.

The main source of air and soil contamination with arsenic compounds is mining industry of coal and oil as well as mining and metallurgy of non-ferrous metals. The cases of long-drawn arsenism were observed among inhabitants of regions where such industry is well developed. The long term, regular exposure to arsenic compounds both food and inhalation manifests in skin lesion and troubles in functioning of blood, neural and breathing systems. The purpose of this study is the latest literature review concerning contamination of air, soil and potable water with arsenic. The content of arsenic in the comestible produce varies and depends on kind ant origin of the produce. The biggest amount of arsenic in the daily ration came from potable water. The determined amount of arsenic ranged within 1 -5300 microg/L comes from countries where earth water is used as drinking water, which means that allowable contents specified by FAO/WHO experts is exceeded more than one hundred times. The common inhabitant of developing countries consumes 400-650 g of rice weekly. The average contamination of rice with arsenic is 0.57-0.69 mg/kg, which means the intake of this element on the level 30%-45% PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake). The relatively small arsenic contents is characteristic for vegetables and fruits (<0.1 mg/kg), higher amount is observed in leaf vegetables (up to 0.6 mg/kg) and potatoes (0.86 mg/kg). The similarly low arsenic contents (<0.1 mg/kg) is characteristic for the meat produce. Among animal produce the largest quantity of arsenic is determined in fish and seafood (1.5-11.2 mg/kg). The introduction of EU regulations in Poland resulted in resignation of the arsenic contents limitation in food, however the continues monitoring of the contamination level with arsenic compounds is necessary, particularly in the industrial areas of the country.

Evaluation of plant products from the Legnicko-Glogowski region for their contamination with arsenic.

Contents of arsenic were determined in plant products originating from the region of two copperworks, Glogów and Legnica. Analyses were carried out by means of atomic absorption spectrometry, using an MHS-10 unit for hydride generation (acetylene/argon), after wet mineralisation of samples. The maximum permissible level of arsenic was not exceeded in any of the examined samples of cereals, potatoes, carrots, beetroots, cabbages, tomatoes, apples and pears, originating from the regions under scrutiny.