Higher content of C18:1 trans fatty acids in early human milk fat of Roma breast-feeding women.

AIM: The purpose of our study was to determine the content of trans fatty acids in early human breast milk as an indicator of dietary exposure in a sample of Roma breast-feeding women and in a sample of women from the general Czech population. METHODS: We collected samples of early human milk from 43 Prague women from the general population and 21 Roma women. After lipid extraction, the fatty acids were converted into methyl esters (FAMEs). Finally, gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) analysis on a CP-Sil 88 column was used to determine C18:1 trans monoenic fatty acid levels and total trans isomers fatty acid levels in human milk. RESULTS: A significantly higher content of C18:1 trans fatty acid isomers was detected in human milk fat from Roma mothers than in women of the general population (2.73 vs. 2.09%, p < 0.05). Both groups monitored did not differ in the representation of total fatty acid trans isomers. Differences in the frequency of consumption of certain TFA sources (butter, fried crisps) were established. CONCLUSIONS: The study proved a higher fatty acid trans isomers content in Roma breast-feeding mothers in the Czech Republic, and this is probably related to their bad eating habits.

Cerebrolysin inhibits lipid peroxidation induced by insulin hypoglycemia in the brain and heart of mice.

As a consequence of enhanced production of oxygen free radicals, lipid peroxidation leads to the degradation of membrane lipids and disturbances of membrane permeability. Lipid peroxidation increases under stress conditions such as hypoxia, ischemia or acidosis as well as in metabolic diseases, e.g. diabetes mellitus. We have shown that subcomatous doses of insulin (6.0 IU/kg) significantly increase thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs), especially malondialdehyde (MDA) - the endproduct of lipid peroxidation, in the brain and heart of mice. In our model of insulin-induced hypoglycemia, mice were treated with the neuroprotective, peptide-containing drug Cerebrolysin (100 mg/kg b.w.). Animals were sacrificed by decapitation two or three hours after the injection of tested substance and samples were taken to determine several serum parameters (glucose, total protein, triglycerides and lactic acid) and TBARs in the brain and heart. Although Cerebrolysin was not able to affect serum parameters after subcomatous insulin injection, the drug significantly influenced lipid peroxidation. A single injection of Cerebrolysin already decreased TBARs levels in the brain and heart tissue. Presuming that an increase of TBARs reflects disturbances of the cell membrane, we have documented a promising effect of Cerebrolysin on cell integrity.

Oxidative stress in the brain tissue of laboratory mice with acute post insulin hypoglycemia.

Malondialdehyde (MDA), Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSPHx) are currently considered to be basic markers of oxidative stress. MDA is one of the end-products of the peroxidation of membrane lipids, whereas enzymes Cu,Zn-SOD and GSHPx belong to the natural antioxidants. The role of oxygen free radicals in the pathogenesis of many diseases is well documented. The aim of this study was to ascertain the influence of insulin-induced acute hypoglycemia on oxidative stress in the brain tissue. Hypoglycemia was induced in ICR mice by intraperitoneal administration of insulin at a dose 24 IU/kg. There was a correlation between the severity of hypoglycemia and the levels of MDA, Cu,Zn-SOD and GSHPx. The results showed that in severe hypoglycemia (serum glucose concentration below 1.0 mmol/l) the lipoperoxidation in brain tissue expressed as the level of MDA was higher in comparison with normoglycemic controls (glycemia around 3.7 mmol/l) as well as in comparison with the levels of MDA during moderate hypoglycemia (glycemia ranging between 1-2 mmol/l). This indicates the enhancement of lipoperoxidation in the brain tissue during severe hypoglycemia. However, both enzymes - Cu,Zn-SOD or GSHPx - did not show a similar tendency.