Mineral Composition and Antioxidant Potential in the Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.) Petal Infusions.

The flowers of the common poppy are used for medicinal purposes, both internally and externally. They are reported to have antispasmodic and antitussive properties, to alleviate inflammatory conditions and soothe anxiety-related digestive problems. The aim of the study was to determine the antioxidant potential and the content of vitamin C, polyphenols, and minerals in infusions made from the petals of the common poppy at different temperatures. The infusions were made at various temperatures (25 °C, 70 °C, 80 °C, and 90 °C). The antioxidant potential and the content of polyphenols and vitamin C were determined by spectrophotometric methods. The mineral content was determined using the ICP-OES method. The total polyphenol content ranged from 135.2 to 137.24 ppm and that of vitamin C-from 15.47 to 15.78 mg/100 mL. The temperature of the water used to make the infusions did not appear to have a significant effect on these parameters. The temperature did, however, significantly affect the antioxidant potential of the infusions-the highest antioxidant activity (71.21% DPPH inhibition) was observed in the infusion prepared using water at 80 °C. The infusions included in the study contained a number of minerals. No significant effect of temperature was found for the content of K, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Ni in the infusions. On the other hand, the content of Ca in the infusions was significantly correlated with the increasing temperature of the water. It was concluded that poppy petal infusions may serve as a valuable dietary supplement, providing antioxidants and minerals required by the human body to function properly.

Concentration of Selected Elements in the Infrapatellar Fat Pad of Patients with a History of Total Knee Arthroplasty.

In the period of long development, the human body adapted to specific concentrations of trace elements. Any changes in the trace element content manifesting in a deficiency or excess of metals in the human body may impair the functioning of the skeletal and articular system and of the organs, and may also predispose the body to the development of diseases, i.e., osteoporosis. Our study aimed to analyze the concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), fluorides (F-), and lead (Pb) in the infrapatellar fat pad (Hoffa's fat pad) of subjects who had undergone a total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. We also endeavored to establish how concentration levels of those elements are affected by selected biological and environmental factors. The studied group comprised 48 residents of Western Pomerania Province: 34 women (n = 34) aged 56-87 and 12 men (n = 12) aged 59-85. Concentration levels of Ca, Mg, and Pb were established using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). A Thermo Orion ion-selective electrode was applied for measuring F- concentration. Subjects aged 75-87 showed higher Mg concentration values than those aged 56-74. Big city residents and smokers were found to have higher infrapatellar fat pad Mg concentration than their non-smoking counterparts and small town dwellers. Of all the elements whose concentrations we analyzed in our studies, only magnesium was found to correlate with smoking, place of residence, and age. Our findings regarding the quantities of selected elements in the infrapatellar fat pad may be used for the interpretation and analysis of biological, morphological, and mechanical changes in the human body.

Phosphorus Concentration in Knee Joint Structures of Patients Following Replacement Surgery.

The aim of the study was to assess phosphorus (P) concentration in structures of the knee joint-including the tibial spongy bone, articular cartilage, meniscus, anterior cruciate ligament, and infrapatellar fat pad (Hoffa's fat pad)-of patients following knee joint replacement. The study also aimed to assess the influence of selected biological and environmental factors on P concentration in studied parts of the knee joint. Phosphorus concentration was determined using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Statistically significant differences in P concentration were found between different elements of the knee joint. The highest P concentration was measured in the spongy bone (72,746.68 mg kg-1 dw) and the lowest in the Hoffa's fat pad (1203.19 mg kg-1 dw). P levels were unaffected by gender, age, BMI, place of residence, smoking, or alcohol consumption. Data on P concentration in the osteoarticular elements of the knee may be useful in the interpretation and evaluation of biochemical, morphological, and mechanical changes occurring in the body.