Zinc, Copper, and Iron in Selected Skin Diseases.

Trace elements are essential for maintaining the body's homeostasis, and their special role has been demonstrated in skin physiology. Among the most important trace elements are zinc, copper, and iron. A deficiency or excess of trace elements can be associated with an increased risk of skin diseases, so increasing their supplementation or limiting intake can be helpful in dermatological treatment. In addition, determinations of their levels in various types of biological material can be useful as additional tests in dermatological treatment. This paper describes the role of these elements in skin physiology and summarizes data on zinc, copper, and iron in the course of selected, following skin diseases: psoriasis, pemphigus vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, acne vulgaris and seborrheic dermatitis. In addition, this work identifies the potential of trace elements as auxiliary tests in dermatology. According to preliminary studies, abnormal levels of zinc, copper, and iron are observed in many skin diseases and their determinations in serum or hair can be used as auxiliary and prognostic tests in the course of various dermatoses. However, since data for some conditions are conflicting, clearly defining the potential of trace elements as auxiliary tests or elements requiring restriction/supplement requires further research.

Antioxidant Properties of Maqui Berry Extract (Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz) and Its Potential Photoprotective Role on Human Skin Fibroblasts.

Maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis) is characterized by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of maqui berry extracts on human skin fibroblasts (NHSFs) exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVB). The photoprotective properties of the extracts were investigated via the determination of the total polyphenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH), and the chemical composition was assessed. The chemical purity of the extracts was studied via the evaluation of the toxic elements level. The water extract (MWE 57.75 ± 0.44 mg GAE/g) had the highest mean polyphenol content. The water (MWE) and ethanol (MEE70) extracts had the highest inhibitory activities against DPPH radical formation (283.63 ± 7.29 and 284.60 ± 4.31 mg Tx/L, respectively). The analyzed extracts were found to be safe in terms of toxic elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead). The tested extracts of maqui berry did not cause a cytotoxic effect on NHSF cells after 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation. When the NHSF cells were exposed to UVB radiation in the presence of maqui extracts, their viability was increased or maintained. The maqui berry extracts had a slightly protective effect against skin damage caused by UVB radiation. These were preliminary studies that require further research to determine which maqui compounds correspond with the photoprotective activity.

Utility of Matrix Metalloproteinases in the Diagnosis, Monitoring and Prognosis of Ovarian Cancer Patients.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynecologic malignancies. It is characterized by a high mortality rate, which is mainly due to the asymptomatic course of the disease. In light of the high mortality rate and increasing morbidity, new diagnostic methods are being explored to enable earlier detection, better monitoring, and improved prognosis. Such diagnostic methods include the assessment of tumor markers in various biological samples. Among the markers currently being investigated, extracellular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are of particular interest. The objective of this article was to compile the existing knowledge of MMPs in ovarian cancer patients and to describe their potential diagnostic utility. Additionally, this article provides an overview of the symptoms, complications, and risk factors associated with ovarian cancer and the role of MMPs in physiology and pathology. Preliminary results indicate that tissue expression and blood and body fluid levels of MMPs may be different in ovarian cancer patients than in healthy women. The expression and concentration of individual MMPs have been shown to be correlated with cancer stage and disease severity. In addition, the preliminary value of some of these enzymes in predicting prognosis is discussed. However, as the amount of data is limited, more studies are needed to fully evaluate the potential function of individual MMPs in ovarian cancer patients. Based on the knowledge gathered for this article, it seems that MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-13, are tentatively the most useful. A thorough evaluation of their utility as modern biomarkers in ovarian cancer requires further investigation.

Plasma Concentrations of Matrilysins MMP-7 and MMP-26 as Diagnostic Biomarkers in Breast Cancer.

Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of proteolytic enzymes involved in the maintenance of a proper structure of extracellular matrix (ECM). Matrilysins (MMP-7 and MMP-26) are members of the MMPs group that show promise as potential breast cancer (BC) markers. The aim of the study was to evaluate plasma levels of MMP-7, MMP-26 and CA 15-3 individually and in combination and assess the diagnostic utility of studied matrilysins in patients with BC. The study group consisted of 120 patients with BC, and the control group consisted of 40 subjects with benign breast cancer and 40 healthy women. Concentrations of MMP-7 and MMP-26 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and CA 15-3 by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Plasma levels of MMP-7 were significantly higher in the BC group than in the control group. Concentrations of MMP-26 and CA 15-3 were highest in stages II and IV of the disease. The highest diagnostic sensitivity was observed in stages III and IV BC for the combination of all tested markers (92.5%). The highest diagnostic specificity was noted for all tested parameters combined in the BC group (95.0%). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for the combination of markers (MMP-7+MMP-26+CA 15-3) was the largest (0.9138) in stages III and IV. Individual marker analysis showed that MMP-7 had the highest AUC (0.8894) in advanced stages of the disease. Study results indicate that MMP-7 could be used as an additional marker that would improve the diagnostic utility of CA 15-3 in early stages of BC. Therefore, the combined assessment of MMP-7 and MMP-26 with CA 15-3 might be useful in determining disease progression. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether matrilysins show promise as potential markers for improving the diagnosis of BC.

Cadmium, lead and mercury in the blood of psoriatic and vitiligo patients and their possible associations with dietary habits.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis and vitiligo are common, autoimmune skin diseases, their etiology is still unclear. The relationship between environmental factors including diet and various skin diseases has been studied. The general mechanism of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) toxicity is through the production of reactive oxygen species which are known to play a role in etiopathogenesis of skin disorders. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of dietary habits on the concentration of Cd, Pb and Hg in the peripheral blood samples of patients with psoriasis and vitiligo. METHODS: In this case-control study, sixty patients with psoriasis, fifty patients with vitiligo and fifty eight healthy people were examined. Blood levels of Cd, Pb and Hg were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Food-frequency questionnaires were implemented to collect the dietary data. RESULTS: Significant differences (p < 0.05) of Cd levels were found between women and men with psoriasis and women and men in the control group. The concentration of Pb was significantly higher among vitiligo patients (50.04 ± 26.54 µg/L) than in healthy controls (36.04 ± 27.35 µg/L). Significantly lower ratio of Se/Pb, Zn/Pb and Cu/Pb was found among psoriatic men. Significantly (p < 0.05) lower values of Se/Hg ratio were observed among vitiligo patients compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: The elevated levels of toxic elements could increase oxidative stress which may partly contribute to inflammation in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and vitiligo, which requires further research. Analysis of the influence of frequent consumption of food products on toxic metals concentration showed that the dietary habits have impact on the content of examined toxic metals in the blood of patients. The obtained results may be useful for composing the diet and could be helpful in prevention of psoriasis and vitiligo.

Plasma Level of MMP-10 May Be a Prognostic Marker in Early Stages of Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Stromelysins are potential breast cancer biomarkers. The aim of the study was to evaluate if plasma levels of selected metalloproteinases (MMPs) (stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) and stromelysin-10 (MMP-10)) and cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) used separately and in combination demonstrated diagnostic usefulness in breast cancer (BC). METHODS: The study group consisted of 120 patients with BC, while the control group included 40 patients with benign breast cancer and 40 healthy individuals. Concentrations of MMP-3 and MMP-10 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; CA 15-3 was determined by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. RESULTS: In the group of patients with BC, the area under the curve (AUC) was significantly higher for all markers (except MMP-3) and all sets of markers. At the earliest disease stage, only MMP-10 had a significantly higher AUC (AUC = 0.8692, p < 0.001). Moreover, MMP-10 had the highest AUC (0.9166) among parameters tested separately. The highest AUC was observed for the combination of MMP-10 + CA 15-3 and MMP-3 + MMP-10 + CA 15-3 in line with disease progression (stage I 0.8884 and 0.8906, stage II 0.9244 and 0.9308, stages III + IV 0.9919 and 0.9944, respectively, p < 0.001 in all cases). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that MMP-10 could be a potential marker in early stages of BC. Moreover, plasma concentration of MMP-10 and MMP-3 in combination with CA 15-3 may improve diagnosis of this type of cancer.

Matrilysins and Stromelysins in Pathogenesis and Diagnostics of Cancers.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are endopeptidases which are widely studied in terms of their role in the physiological and pathological processes in the organism. In this article, we consider usefulness of matrilysins and stromelysins in pathogenesis and diagnostic of the most common malignancies in the world, e.g., lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. In all of the mentioned cancers, matrilysins and stromelysins have a pivotal role in their development and also may have diagnostic utility. Influence to the cancerous process is connected with specific dependencies between these enzymes and components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), non-matrix components like cell surface components. All the information provided below allows to take a closer look at matrilysins and stromelysins and their functions in the cancer development.

Selected elements of extracellular matrix of the skin in diabetes and insulin resistance.

PURPOSE: Reconstruction of the skin extracellular matrix is a physiological phenomenon occurring on a continuous basis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the content of basic enzymes preventing oxidative stress: superoxide dismutase 2 and 3 as well as catalase, the content of hyaluronic acid, and the activity of N-acetyl-ß-d-hexosaminidase and ß-d-glucuronidase in the skin of rats used as animal models of diabetes and insulin resistance, before and after the treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on a group of sexually mature male Wistar rats divided into 7 groups of 10 animals. Insulin resistance was induced by feeding the rats with a high-fat diet, and diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin. Chosen groups of rats were treated with insulin or metformin. After 8 weeks, we excised a fragment of shaved dorsal skin from anesthetized rats in each group. RESULTS: In the course of diabetes and insulin resistance, an intensified defensive activity of cells against the oxidative stress was observed in the undamaged skin, expressed by an increase in the relative content of superoxide dismutase 2 and 3, catalase and the activity of N-acetyl-ß-d-hexosaminidase and ß-d-glucuronidase. Diabetes and insulin resistance cause similar skin damage, as there are no differences in the relative contents or specific activities of the examined parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin and metformin improve the quality of the skin in rats with diabetes and insulin resistance, by restoring the content of hyaluronic acid to the healthy skin level.

ROC analysis of selected matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in psoriatic patients.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a common, chronic inflammatory disease characterised by typical scaly skin lesions. The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in the pathogenesis and development of this condition have been repeatedly emphasised in available literature. AIM: ROC analysis of selected MMPs (MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-12, TIMP-2) and TIMPs (TIMP-2, TIMP-3) in psoriasis patients. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) indicates the clinical usefulness of a biomarker and its diagnostic power. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Plasma samples of 49 patients suffering from plaque psoriasis and 40 healthy volunteers were evaluated. Concentrations of MMPs and TIMPs were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was used to define disease advancement. RESULTS: In the total psoriasis patients group, the largest area under the ROC curve was obtained for TIMP-3. After the division of the total group based on disease severity, the highest AUC of all tested parameters was observed for patients with mild disease severity and subgroup Ia for TIMP-3, for subgroup Ib for MMP-12, and for individuals with moderate disease severity for MMP-2. The combined analysis of all tested parameters showed an increase in AUC values in the total group examined as well as in all groups of disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate the usefulness and high diagnostic power of TIMP-3 in early detection of psoriasis. Additionally, the combination of all tested parameters appeared to be a valuable biomarker panel for the analysed disease.

Selenium, zinc, copper, Cu/Zn ratio and total antioxidant status in the serum of vitiligo patients treated by narrow-band ultraviolet-B phototherapy.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a chronic, depigmenting skin disorder, whose pathogenesis is still unknown. Narrow band ultraviolet-B (NB-UVB) is now one of the most widely used treatment of vitiligo. It was suggested that trace elements may play a role in pathogenesis of vitiligo. AIM: The aim of this study was to estimate the concentration of selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and Cu/Zn ratio as well as total antioxidant status (TAS) in the serum of patients with vitiligo. METHODS: We assessed 50 patients with vitiligo and 58 healthy controls. Serum levels of Se, Zn and Cu were determined by the atomic absorption spectrometry method, and the Cu/Zn ratio was also calculated. TAS in serum was measured spectrophotometrically. RESULT: Serum concentration of Se in patients with vitiligo before and after phototherapy was significantly lower as compared to the control group. Zn level in the serum of patients decreased significantly after phototherapy. We observed higher Cu/Zn ratio (p < .05) in examined patients than in the control group and after NB-UVB. We have found decrease in TAS in the serum of vitiligo patients after NB-UVB. CONCLUSIONS: The current study showed some disturbances in the serum levels of trace elements and total antioxidant status in vitiligo patients.

Concentration of selenium, zinc, copper, Cu/Zn ratio, total antioxidant status and c-reactive protein in the serum of patients with psoriasis treated by narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a common, an inflammatory skin disease. Trace elements may play an active role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the concentration of selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and Cu/Zn ratio as well as total antioxidant status (TAS) and c-reactive protein (CRP) in the serum of patients with psoriasis. METHODS: In this case-control study sixty patients with psoriasis and fifty-eight healthy people were examined. Serum levels of Se, Zn and Cu were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Cu/Zn ratio was calculated. TAS was measured spectrophotometrically. CRP was analyzed by immunoturbidimetric method. Clinical activity of psoriasis was evaluated using Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). RESULTS: Serum concentration of Se in patients with psoriasis (71.89±16.90µg/L) was lower as compared to the control group (79.42±18.97µg/L) and after NB-UVB. Cu level of patients was higher (1.151±0.320mg/L) as compared to controls (1.038±0.336mg/L), but Zn level did not differ. We observed higher Cu/Zn ratio (p<0.05) in examined patients than in the control group and after NB-UVB. We found decrease TAS before and after NB-UVB. CRP levels was found to be normal range. A significant correlation coefficient between CRP and Cu/Zn was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed some disturbances in the serum levels of trace elements and TAS in psoriatic patients.

Influence of narrowband ultraviolet-B phototherapy on plasma concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-12 in psoriatic patients.

INTRODUCTION: Matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) may play an important role in the pathogenesis and spread of psoriatic disease. AIM: To investigate plasma levels of the selected enzyme in plaque psoriasis patients before and after the course of narrowband UVB (NBUVB) therapy with respect to disease advancement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cohort included 49 patients suffering from plaque psoriasis, divided into groups according to severity of the disease. The control group consisted of 40 healthy volunteers. Plasma levels of MMP-12 were determined using immunoenzyme assay (ELISA), while the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was used to define disease advancement. RESULTS: The results have shown a significantly decreased plasma level of MMP-12 in the total psoriasis patient group compared to healthy individuals, declining with the increase in disease advancement. The NBUVB therapy caused a decrease in the concentration of the analyzed enzyme, but this change was not statistically significant in the total group of psoriatic patients, while a significant change was detected in patients with a mild advancement of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased synthesis of MMP-12 may lead to the stimulation of the epidermal angiogenesis process, which results in the appearance and spread of psoriatic scales. Based on the obtained results, macrophage metalloelastase seems to be a negatively reacting plasma biomarker of the studied disease.

Narrowband ultraviolet B light treatment changes plasma concentrations of MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-3 in psoriatic patients.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) are thought to be associated with the pathogenesis and spread of psoriatic disease. This study was designed to investigate the plasma levels of MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-3 in plaque psoriasis patients prior to and following a course of ultraviolet B narrowband treatment with respect to disease advancement. METHODS: Plasma samples of 49 patients suffering from plaque psoriasis and 40 healthy volunteers were evaluated. Concentrations of MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-3 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while Psoriasis Area and Severity Index was used to define disease advancement. RESULTS: Plasma levels of MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-3 were significantly elevated in psoriasis patients compared to healthy individuals. A course of ultraviolet B narrowband treatment resulted in a significant decline in the studied metalloproteinases. Furthermore, the concentration of selected tissue inhibitors was negatively correlated with baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score. CONCLUSION: Our research highlights the meaningful role of MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-3 in psoriasis pathogenesis and clearance of disease symptoms. Furthermore, plasma levels of the analyzed metalloproteinases seem to be a valuable psoriasis biomarker.

Oxidative Modification of Biomolecules in the Nonstimulated and Stimulated Saliva of Patients with Morbid Obesity Treated with Bariatric Surgery.

Morbid obesity leads to progressive failure of many human organs and systems; however, the role of oxidative damage to salivary composition is still unknown in the obese patients. In this study, we assessed the effect of bariatric surgery on oxidative damage in nonstimulated (NS) and stimulated (S) whole saliva. The study included 47 subjects with morbid obesity as well as 47 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers. Oxidative modifications to lipids (4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and 8-isoprostanes (8-isoP)), proteins (advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and protein carbonyl groups (PC)), and DNA (8-hydroxy-D-guanosine (8-OHdG)) were analyzed in morbidly obese patients before and after bariatric surgery as well as in the healthy controls. The concentrations of 8-isoP, AOPP, PC, and 8-OHdG were significantly higher in both NS and S of patients with morbid obesity than in the control patients and compared to the results obtained 6 months after bariatric surgery. The levels of oxidative damage markers were also higher in S versus NS of morbidly obese patients. In summary, morbid obesity is associated with oxidative damage to salivary proteins, lipids, and DNA, while bariatric treatment generally lowers the levels of salivary oxidative damage.

Therapy of psoriasis with narrowband ultraviolet-B light influences plasma concentrations of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in patients.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which show a significant ability to cleave the components of extracellular matrix, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), which slow down the activity of those enzymes, may be implicated in the pathogenesis and spread of psoriatic disease. This study aims to analyze plasma levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in plaque psoriasis patients before and after the course of narrowband ultraviolet-B (NBUVB) therapy with respect to disease advancement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 49 patients suffering from plaque psoriasis and 40 healthy volunteers were enrolled into the study. Plasma levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was used to define the disease advancement. RESULTS: The results showed increased plasma levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2, but this change was significant only in case of MMP-2 in total psoriatic group compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, there was an increase in the concentrations of chosen factors with an increase in the severity of the disease. The NBUVB therapy causes a decline in the concentration of the analyzed enzyme and its inhibitor, although this change was statistically significant in the total psoriatic group only in case of MMP-2. There was also a positive correlation between MMP-2, TIMP-2, and PASI score value. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights a possible important role of MMP-2 in the activity of psoriasis and clearance of disease symptoms. Moreover, plasma MMP-2 seems to be a valuable psoriasis biomarker.

Impact of morbid obesity and bariatric surgery on antioxidant/oxidant balance of the unstimulated and stimulated human saliva.

OBJECTIVE: There is no study evaluating the influence of morbid obesity and bariatric surgery on antioxidant/oxidant homeostasis of the unstimulated and stimulated human saliva. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Salivary flow rate, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative status index (OSI), the total amount of uric acid (UA), polyphenols (pPh), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), specific activity of peroxidase (Px), as well as malondialdehyde (MDA), and advanced glycation end products (AGE) concentrations were determined in the unstimulated (UWS) and stimulated (SWS) whole saliva of patients with morbid obesity before and after bariatric surgery. RESULTS: In both UWS and SWS, the total amount of TOS, OSI, SOD2, and MDA was statistically higher in patients with morbid obesity as compared to the healthy controls, as well as significantly lower in the patients treated surgically as compared to the obese patients. The median values of the total amount of TAS, CAT, UA, pPh, and specific activity of Px were significantly reduced in UWS and SWS in patients with morbid obesity as compared to the control group and also statistically elevated in patients after bariatric surgery as compared to the patients with morbid obesity. CONCLUSIONS: In morbid obesity, reduced unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow can be observed. Bariatric surgery restored only unstimulated salivary flow to normal values. Disturbances in oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis may be observed in UWS and SWS of obese patients before and after treatment.

Salivary lysosomal exoglycosidases profiles in patients with insulin-dependent and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: In this study we have investigated the effects of type I (insulin-dependent) and II (non-insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus on the specific activity and the output of salivary exoglycosidases: N-acetyl-ß-hexosoaminidase (HEX), and its isoenzymes A and B (HEX A, HEX B), and ß-glucuronidase (GLU) in well controlled diabetic patients compared to healthy age-matched controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the saliva HEX, HEX A, HEX B and GLU were determined according to Marciniak et al. Protein was determined by the Lowry et al. method. RESULTS: Our results show that in the case of type I diabetes, the significantly increased activity of salivary total HEX is mainly due to the significantly increased HEX A specific activity. Significantly increased HEX specific activity in DM II is an outcome of significantly increased HEX A as well as HEX B specific activities in comparison to the appropriate healthy control. Our results showed a significant increase in the specific activity of GLU in saliva of type II diabetes patients. The output of lysosomal exoglycosidases showed a similar significant increase compared to the healthy control, in both groups of diabetes mellitus patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus more strongly modify salivary glands glycoconjugates catabolism, which can be attributed to functional and morphological changes. A significant increase in the outputs of exoglycosidases in saliva of both type diabetes patients once more indicates that special attention should be paid to the oral health of these patients.

A comparative study of internal laser-assisted and conventional liposuction: a look at the influence of drugs and major surgery on laboratory postoperative values.

BACKGROUND: Liposuction is a type of aesthetic surgery that has been performed on humans for decades. There is not much literature addressing the subject matter of pre- and post-surgery blood parameters, although this information is rather interesting. Documentation on patients who received laser-assisted liposuction treatment is particularly scarce. Until now, there has been no literature showing values of platelets, lymphocytes, and neutrophils after liposuction. PURPOSE: The aim of the work is to analyze and interpret values of platelets, lymphocytes and neutrophils in patient blood before and after liposuction, a surgery in which an extraordinarily large amount of potent drugs are used. Moreover, the aim is to compare values changes in patients of conventional and laser-assisted liposuction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated standard blood samples in patients prior to and after liposuction. This paper covers the number of platelets, lymphocytes, and neutrophils. A total of 54 patients were examined. Moreover, we compared the change in postoperative values in laser-assisted liposuction patients with the change of values in conventional liposuction patients. A paired two-sided Student's t-test was used for statistical evaluation. P < 0.005 was acknowledged to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Values of platelets were raised both in conventional and in laser-assisted liposuction patients, but this difference was statistically non-significant and levels of platelets were still normal and within the range of blood levels in healthy patients. Values of neutrophils rose by up to 79.49% ± 7.74% standard deviation (SD) and values of lymphocytes dropped by up to 12.68% ± 5.61% SD. The before/after variances of conventional tumescent local anesthesia liposuction and variations in laser-assisted liposuction were similar for all measured parameters; they also showed no statistically significant differences between before and after surgery. The mean value of total operation time without laser-assistance was 3 hours 42 minutes (± 57 minutes SD, range 2 hours 50 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes). Surgeries with laser-assistance were on average 16 minutes shorter with a mean duration of 3 hours 26 minutes (± 45 minutes SD, range 2 hours 40 minutes to 4 hours 10 minutes). The difference was not statistically significant (P < 0.06). The mean value of aspirate volume for liposuctions performed without laser support was 2,618 mL (± 633.7 SD, range 700 mL to 3,500 mL). Mean aspirate volume for liposuctions with laser assistance was increased by up to 61 mL (2,677 mL ± 499.5 SD, range 1,800 mL to 3,500 mL). The difference was not statistically significant (P < 0.71). CONCLUSION: We conclude that conventional liposuction and laser-assisted liposuction have a similar influence on platelets, lymphocytes, and neutrophils in patients. Moreover, laser-assisted liposuction seems to be less time consuming than conventional liposuction.

Salivary exoglycosidases in gestational diabetes .

INTRODUCTION: As exoglycosidases have been described as potential markers of salivary gland pathology, we decided to check the possibility of the use of these enzymes in the detection of salivary gland involvement in gestational diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this purpose diabetic pregnant women were compared to pregnant and non-pregnant healthy women. The activities of total HEX as well as GLU in the saliva were determined in duplicate according to Marciniak et al. The activities of GAL, FUC, and MAN in the saliva were determined in duplicate according to Zwierz et al. RESULTS: It was found that the specific activities of exoglycosidases in the saliva of diabetic pregnant women significantly increased in comparison to healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Increased specific activity of exoglycosidases suggests that gestational diabetes provokes structural/functional alterations in salivary glands and changes in the salivary glycoconjugates metabolism.

The importance and perspective of plant-based squalene in cosmetology.

Squalene is a highly unsaturated hydrocarbon from triterpenoid family, discovered as a major component of the liver oil of certain varieties of deep sea sharks. In the interest of protecting biodiversity, raw materials of animal origin must be replaced by alternative sources that respect our environment. Squalene is widely present as a component of the unsaponifiable fraction of vegetable oils (i.e., olive oil, amaranth oil). Amaranth oil seems to be the key source of squalene. Amaranth grains contains 7-7.7% lipids, and these lipids are extremely valuable because of the presence of ingredients like squalene, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E as tocopherols, tocotrienols, and phytosterols, which are not seen together in other common oils. In human skin physiology, squalene is not only used as an antioxidant, moisturizer, and material for topically applied vehicle, but is also used in treating skin disorders like seborrheic dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, or atopic dermatitis. Further studies on alternative sources are needed to explore the utility of squalene for treating skin.