Serum levels of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and their association with disease activity: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may modulate the inflammatory process in systemic autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to assess the serum concentrations of essential 18-carbon PUFAs and their long-chain derivatives in patients with SLE and healthy controls, and to analyse their associations with laboratory and clinical features of the disease. METHOD: n-6 and n-3 PUFA composition was assessed in the sera of 30 SLE patients and 20 healthy controls using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We investigated the associations between PUFAs and disease activity measured with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, complement C3 and C4 concentrations, anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) titre, anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibody concentration, and medications. RESULTS: Serum linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid concentrations were significantly higher in SLE patients compared with healthy controls. LA concentration correlated positively with the ANA titre and corticosteroid doses; eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid correlated inversely with anti-dsDNA antibody concentration. Patients treated with immunosuppressants had significantly lower concentrations of LA, arachidonic acid, and EPA. CONCLUSION: Both n-6 and n-3 PUFA precursors can participate in the inflammatory process in SLE patients. The mechanism of the PUFA metabolism disturbance needs further exploration.

Gut microbiota and its metabolic potential.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of obesity and other metabolic-related diseases has been gradually increasing. Multiple genetic as well as environmental factors play a significant role in the pathogenesis of these entities. Currently, the involvement of gut microbiota in metabolic processes has been acknowledged. This paper focuses on obesity, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease regarding their link with microbiome structure and its function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed literature available in PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases regarding a linkage of metabolic-associated diseases and gut microbiota RESULTS: Gut microbiota plays a significant role in host metabolism. Depending on its composition; however, it may contribute to the development of metabolic-associated diseases. In this context, not only composition of gut microbiota is important, but also its activity. Short-chain fatty acids or lipopolysaccharides are crucial metabolites involved in maintaining metabolic balance. CONCLUSIONS: Gut microbiota malfunctions might potentially induce obesity, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

High intensity interval and moderate continuous cycle training in a physical education programme improves health-related fitness in young females.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of eight weeks of regular physical education classes supplemented with high intensity interval cycle exercise (HIIE) or continuous cycle exercises of moderate intensity (CME). Forty-eight collegiate females exercising in two regular physical education classes per week were randomly assigned to two programmes (HIIE; n = 24 or CME; n = 24) of additional (one session of 63 minutes per week) physical activity for 8 weeks. Participants performed HIIE comprising 2 series of 6x10 s sprinting with maximal pedalling cadence and active recovery pedalling with intensity 65%-75% HRmax or performed CME corresponding to 65%-75% HRmax. Before and after the 8-week programmes, anthropometric data and aero- and anaerobic capacity were measured. Two-way ANOVA revealed a significant time main effect for VO2max (p < 0.001), similar improvements being found in both groups (+12% in HIIE and +11% in CME), despite body mass not changing significantly (p = 0.59; +0.4% in HIIE and -0.1% in CME). A significant main time effect was found for relative fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). A group x time interaction effect was found for relative FM and FFM (p = 0.018 and p = 0.018); a greater reduction in FM and greater increase in FFM were noted in the CME than the HIIE group. Improvements in anaerobic power were observed in both groups (p < 0.001), but it was greater in the HIIE group (interaction effect, p = 0.022). Weight loss is not mandatory for exercise-induced effects on improving aerobic and anaerobic capacity in collegiate females. Eight weeks of regular physical education classes supplemented with CME sessions are more effective in improving body composition than physical education classes supplemented with HIIE sessions. In contrast to earlier, smaller trials, similar improvements in aerobic capacity were observed following physical activity with additional HIIE or CME sessions.

Factors contributing to cognitive deficits in elderly residents of rural areas.

OBJECTIVE: Due to the growing aging of societies an increasingly large group of people suffers from age-related impairment of cognitive functions and thus reducing the quality of life of the elderly. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of cognitive functions in a group of aging residents of rural areas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The inhabitants of a rural area were recruited and assessed: cognitive function as well as intellectual and physical activity, number of years of education, presence of diseases, using stimulants, diet, sources of living, marital status and family situation Subjects were divided into two groups: persons above 65 and older, constituting the studied group and persons between 40 and 64 years of age, constituting the control group. Both groups did not significantly differ in terms of sex or years of education. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in the results of the tests concerning such functions as the sight recognition memory and spatial recognition memory, spatial operating memory both on the strategy level and on the level of committed errors. An analysis of the results obtained in the group of elderly people did not indicate any major differences between men and women as regards the analyzed cognitive functions, no statistically significant differences were found in cognitive testing depending on the number of years of education. The studied persons included in the physically active group scored better in the visual memory and learning tests. CONCLUSIONS: The conducted studies elucidated the dependence of the level of cognitive functions on age, a positive impact of physical activity on some cognitive functions, however we could not find differences between the efficiency of those functions and education, sex, presence of somatic diseases and activity of persons aged > 65.

Association of cognitive performance with the physical activity and body mass index in middle-aged and older rural inhabitants.

OBJECTIVE: Last few decades have witnessed rapid ageing of the population. The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and dementia is significantly higher in people aged 60 and over than in younger. The aim of the study was the assessment of the putative associations between physical activity and cognitive functioning in elderly inhabitants of a rural area. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The participants underwent physical assessment, physical activity, cognitive functions, depression were assessed. RESULTS: Highly active participants had better results in tests assessing psychomotor speed and in measuring attention and its flexibility comparing to groups of medium and low physical activity. Active people made fewer errors in the test measuring visual memory and new learning, and had significantly better results in the spatial-recognition memory test. Persons with symptoms of depression performed worse in visuospatial memory and working memory tests. Associations between physical activity and cognitive test results as well as association between body mass index and blood pressure and cognitive performance were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest an association between higher physical activity and better cognitive functioning in the field of working memory and visual and spatial-recognition, attention and attention flexibility. Symptoms of depression, hypertension and increased BMI may adversely affect cognitive performance in elderly.

The influence of thyroid function and bone turnover on lipoprotein profile in young physically active men with different insulin sensitivity.

Physical activity induces changes in the endocrine system. Previous data indicated that changes in insulin secretion and the tissue response to this hormone are very important for energy metabolism. It is believed that they are accompanied by changes in lipid metabolism, but factors contributing to this process are still disputed. The aim of this study was to assess interactions among insulin sensitivity, thyroid function, a bone turnover marker and serum lipid profile in young physically active men. Eighty-seven physical education students, aged 18-23 years, participated in the study. We measured serum levels of glucose, lipids, insulin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), osteocalcin and anthropometric parameters. Insulin sensitivity was determined using homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The median value of HOMA-IR (1.344) was used to divide the study population into Group A (above the median) and Group B (below the median). Men from both groups did not differ in anthropometric parameters or in daily physical activity. Triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were higher in Group A (P < 0.05). TSH and osteocalcin levels were similar in males with different HOMA-IR. Multiple regression analysis for TSH and osteocalcin showed that in Group A these hormones had no effect on plasma lipoproteins. However, in Group B they significantly determined the variation of plasma TC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (in about 28% and 29%, respectively). We concluded that TSH and osteocalcin are involved in determination of a more healthy lipid profile at a certain level of insulin sensitivity.

Gender differences in carotid artery intima-media thickness and flow-mediated dilatation in young, physically active adults.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to examine gender differences (GD) in vascular structure and function and their relations to cardiovascular risk factors (CVD) in young, physically active adults. METHODS: Sixty-three apparently healthy, physically active adults (34 women, 29 men), aged 20.2±0.9 years, were involved in the study. RESULTS: Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) values of both internal carotid (CI) and common carotid arteries (CC) were significantly (P<0.01 and P<0.01) higher in men than in women (0.47±0.05 vs. 0.51±0.07 mm and 0.45±0.07 vs. 0.49±0.07 mm, respectively). In women, CC-IMT was positively correlated with body fat mass, height and body mass; and CI-IMT was inversely correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In men, CI-IMT was positively correlated with body height, diastolic blood pressure and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Relative values of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) increased in women by 16.6%, in men by 13.7% after a 5-minute period of forearm ischemia, but absolute FMD was similar in men and women, 0.53±0.25 vs. 0.53±0.14 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: Values of CC IMT and CI IMT after adjustment to classical CVD risk factors remained strongly diversified with respect to gender, which confirmed the significance of gender as a conditional factor for atherosclerosis assessment. Some GD in vascular structure and function could be eliminated by adjusting for baseline artery diameter and/or subject's somatic features, i.e., body height. This study supports a need for additional studies focusing on understanding GD in vascular characteristics, which could lead to established better quality reference values and comprehend natural history of CVD in view of pathophysiological mechanisms underlying GD.

Increased circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with haemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke: the role of endothelin-1.

Ischaemic stroke induces endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) mobilisation from bone marrow into peripheral blood. Circulating EPCs play an important role in post-injury regeneration of vasculature, whereas endothelial cells (ECs) have been shown to reflect endothelial damage and may be responsible for increased Endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression. We investigated herein the association between numbers of circulating ECs and EPCs, the levels of soluble factors regulating their migration and function, and the clinical outcome in patients with haemorrhagic (HS) or ischaemic stroke (IS). Sixteen patients with HS and eighteen with IS were assessed during the first 24h, day 3, and day 7 after stroke and compared them with twenty-three control subjects. We found elevated EPC and EC concentrations using flow cytometry and increase in VEGF, SDF-1, HGF, and ET-1 plasma levels by ELISA in the HS patients, while ET-1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood cells was elevated in the IS patients. Significant correlations were observed between EPCs or ECs and Big ET-1 protein or mRNA levels in HS but not in the IS patients. We suggest that ET-1 may play a role in pathophysiology of stroke and subsequent EPC mobilisation; however, further studies aimed at the precise elucidation of this issue are required.

Boron content in daily meals for preschool children and school youth.

Boron content in daily meals for preschool children and school youth was studied in this research. The boron content was measured in the meals taken from Wroclaw preschool and boarding school in December, March, June, and September. The whole meal was homogenized. Four grams of sample were mineralized and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Statistical assessment of the results was made with the Statistica v.5.1 program. The recovery was determined by the use of the standard additions method to evaluate the accuracy of the procedure. The mean boron content in 1 kg dry weight of a preschool meal was 2.31 mg B/kg dry wt, and in boarding-school meals, it was 2.15 mg B/kg dry wt. Based on these results, the estimated daily boron intake was calculated. The daily boron intake from food by preschool children was found to be 1.01 mg B/d for children and 1.2 mg B/d for youth. The actual intake of boron from food was determined after having related the quantity of the element to 1 kg of body weight. In the case of children, the mean intake of boron was 0.05 mg B/kg body wt/d, whereas in teenagers, it was 0.016 mg B/kg body wt/d. The results of this research show no significant differences between daily boron intake for preschool children and boarding-school youth.

Effect of malathion on nucleic acid synthesis in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human lymphocytes.

The effect of malathion, an organophosphorus insecticide, on DNA and RNA synthesis was investigated by measuring the rate of incorporation of 3H thymidine and 3H uridine, respectively, into human lymphocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Increasing concentrations of malathion, from 10 to 70 micrograms/ml, were added to human lymphocyte cultures at different times in relation to PHA introduction. The lowest applied dose of malathion (10 micrograms/ml) in most cases led to increased incorporation of both 3H thymidine and 3H uridine. Higher concentrations of malathion (30, 50, 70 micrograms/ml) caused a time- and dose-dependent decrease of radioisotope incorporation.

Effect of malathion on the genetic material of human lymphocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA).

This paper gives the results of studies on the effects of malathion on human lymphocytes stimulated by PHA, including cell survival, chromosomal aberration and nucleic acid content. Increasing malathion doses (10-70 micrograms/ml) were introduced into cultures of human lymphotyes at different times relative to the time of PHA addition. At a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml, malathion induced an increase in the RNA and DNA fractions in lymphocyte cultures. Higher malathion concentrations (50 and 70 micrograms/ml), especially the dose of 70 micrograms/ml, induced both a significant decrease in the content of RNA and DNA and reduced survival of cultured cells. The insecticide damaged the chromosome structure, but no correlation was revealed between the dose and the level of chromosome aberrations.