Changes in the content of biologically active polyamines during storage and cooking of pig liver.

Dietary polyamines putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) participate in numerous human physiological processes, including tumour growth. Eight experiments with pig liver were carried out. In two, livers were stored at -18°C for 168 days, in four, livers were stored aerobically (AE), vacuum-packaged (VP) and packaged in a modified atmosphere (MO; 70% N(2) and 30% CO(2), v/v) at +2°C for 9, 21 and 21 days, respectively, and in two, the effects of four cooking treatments were tested. Polyamines were determined as dansyl derivatives using an HPLC method. Distribution of both SPD and SPM in the four main liver lobes was homogenous. The initial SPD and SPM contents in 14 livers 24h after slaughter were 23.3±6.7 and 94.5±19.6mgkg(-1), respectively. The putrescine content was below the limit of detection. The content of SPD and SPM decreased during frozen-storage to about 70% of the initial values. On day-9 of storage, mean SPD and SPM contents decreased to about 85% of the initial values in livers stored in MO and to about 75-80% in AE and VP at 2°C. The decrease continued more extensively in VP than in MO. PUT was detected from day-15 of VP and MO storage. There was a significant decrease in SPD and SPM, to about 70-60% of the initial content during cooking.

Content of biologically active polyamines in livers of cattle, pigs and chickens after animal slaughter.

Dietary polyamines putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) participate in an array of important human physiological roles, including tumour growth. Physicians and dieticians thus need reliable information on polyamine contents in foods. However, data for livers are lacking. We determined therefore the content of these polyamines 24h after slaughter in livers of young bulls, cows, pigs and chicken in 58, 19, 36 and 38 samples, respectively. Polyamines were determined as N-benzamides by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. Mean PUT contents about 25mgkg(-1) were found in cattle livers, while very low or negligible contents were determined in livers of the other animals. Extremely high mean SPD contents of 122 and 161mgkg(-1) were found in livers of bulls and cows, respectively and mean levels of 32 and 57mgkg(-1) in livers of pigs and chicken. An opposite relation was observed for SPM. Its mean contents were 43, 35, 115 and 120mgkg(-1) for bulls, cows, pigs and chicken livers, respectively. Thus, livers of the tested animal species belong among foods with the highest polyamine contents. However, the contents ranged very widely, that makes application of the results for the control of human nutrition rather difficult. Polyamine contents in bovine blood were found to be below the detection limits of 2.1, 1.0 and 1.4mgkg(-1) for PUT, SPD and SPM, respectively. Thus, the blood content did not contribute to the substantial polyamine contents in bovine liver found in this study.

[Malignancies in patients on dialysis]. / Dialyzacní lécení a maligní onemocnení.

Incidence of malignancies in patients on dialysis is higher than in the comparable population. The topic is discussed from different points of view: A. Malignancy as a cause of renal failure (renal and urinary tract tumors, von Hippel-Lindau disease, Wilms tumor, multiple myeloma, tumors that compress urinary tract). B. Treatment of malignancies may result in renal failure and dialysis (nephrectomy, tumor-lysis syndrome, postradiation fibrosis, direct toxic effect of chemotherapy). C. Dialyzed patients are in higher risk of malignancies, especially those of the kidney and urinary tract but also of pharynx and larynx, thyroid gland etc. The following factors may play some roles: the basic disease, (e.g. analgesic and Balcan nephropathies, China Herba nephropathy etc.), changed metabolic milieu with retention of carcinogens, deficiency of selenium and other substances, acquired renal cysts, compromised immunity, decreased "wash-effect" in oligo-anuria and possible influence of dialysis itself (contact with phtalates, ethylenoxide, nitrosamines etc.). D. Special problems in diagnostics of malignancies. Controversial validity of s.c. "tumor markers" is mentioned. Among the causes of death in dialyzed patients cardiovascular and infectious diseases predominate. The active search for renal and urinary tract tumors should be performed. All other diagnostic procedures depend on the individual patient's risk profile. E. Methods of renal substitution are used in the treatment of malignancies (e.g. dialysis in the tumor-lysis syndrome, plasma filtration to remove paraproteins, intraperitoneal administration of chemotherapy similar to peritoneal dialysis approach). F. Malignant tumors and dialysis--some ethical problems. Withdrawal of dialysis in severely suffering patients should be approved by an informed patient and followed by maximal palliative therapy including palliative ultrafiltration if threat of lung edema occurs.

Application of micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography for quantitative analysis of quercetin in plant materials.

A simple method for the routine determination of quercetin in biological samples was developed. The method consists of hydrolysis of bonded quercetin, its isolation and preconcentration on solid-phase extraction (SPE) column and a final analytical step using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. The working range, linear range, the limit of quantification, and the measurement uncertainty were tested in validation. The method is suitable for quercetin determination in fruit and vegetable samples.

Influence of hemodialysis on selenium blood levels.

Selenium (Se) is considered an essential and very important trace element for humans. Blood Se levels in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients are frequently reported to be lower than in controls. The aim of this study was to evaluate these lower Se blood levels with respect to the basic renal disease, duration of dialysis treatment, type of the membrane and dialysis solution used. We tried also to use the polynomial curve as a graphical method for rapid evaluation of a large number of Se blood levels. Se blood levels were measured before and after HD in 95 patients on chronic hemodialysis and in a control group of 20 healthy volunteers. Se blood levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Statistically significant increases of Se blood levels were found after HD (p < 0.001). During HD, the relatively high Se blood levels decreased and low levels increased but remained below the range of physiological values. These levels were lower than those of the control group (p < 0.001). Of the different dialysis membranes used, the greatest changes in Se blood levels were measured after HD with cuprophan membranes (p < 0.001). No significant difference in Se blood level in respect to the underlying kidney disease (chronic glomerulonephritis, tubulointerstitial nephritis, polycystic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy) was revealed. No association of predialytic Se blood levels and the length of dialysis treatment was found. Concluding our results suggests low selenium content in dialysis solution and show that, in respect to the importance of Se for humans, its substitution is desirable.

[Problems with trace elements in hemodialysis. Evaluation of serum levels]. / K problematice stopových prvku pri hemodialýze. Vyhodnocování sérových hladin.

BACKGROUND: During dialysis substances are eliminate in particular according to the concentration gradient between plasma and the dialysation solution. Evaluation of a suitable setting of the basic concentration of a substance in the dialysation solution from results of different patients is problematic because of possible individual distortion. The objective of the present work was to suggest and test a practical way of evaluation of group data. METHODS AND RESULTS: The authors examined a group of 87 dialyzed patients. Using the AAS method they assessed the serum concentrations of Mg, Zn and Cu always before and after dialysis. During dialysis of significant decline of serum Mg occurred (below 0.8 mmol/l). This drop would signalize the need to reduce the concentration gradient, i.e. increase the Mg concentration in the dialysation solution above the current 0.5 mmol/l. However assessment of Mg in red blood cells revealed that dialyzed patients have a significantly increased depot of Mg in the organism (2.67 mmol/l ery as compared with normal 2 mmol/l ery) and thus reduction of Mg in serum during dialysis is desirable. CONCLUSIONS: The authors suggested and on the basis of Mg tested a graphical way making rapid screening of extensive group data possible when evaluating the adequacy of the composition of the dialysation solution with regard to the concentration gradient of eliminated and retained substances resp. Evaluation of the concentration gradient from group data may be the baseline for optimalization of further individually set parameters of dialysis in individual patients.

[Copper and the human body]. / Med a lidský organismus.

Copper is one of the essential trace elements. It is part of a number of enzymes. Deficiency of the element is manifested by impaired haematopoesis, bone metabolism, disorders of the digestive, cardiovascular and nervous system. Deficiency occurs in particular in patients suffering from malnutrition, malabsorption, great copper losses during administration of penicillamine. Sporadically copper intoxications are described (suicidal intentions or accidental ingestion of beverages with a high copper content). Acute exposure to copper containing dust is manifested by metal fume fever. Copper salts can produce local inflammations. Wilson's disease is associated with inborn impaired copper metabolism. In dialyzed patients possible contaminations of the dialyzate with copper must be foreseen as well as the possible release of copper from some dialyzation membranes. With the increasing amount of copper in the environment it is essential to monitor the contamination of the environment.

[Aluminum and the human body]. / Hliník a lidský organismus.

Aluminium is one of the trace elements in the human organism the presence of which is described as contamination. The authors describe the toxic action in subjects working in an environment contaminated with powdered aluminium or its compounds. Non-professional exposure is observed in subjects with renal failure as aluminium is retained, in particular in case of concurrent antacid therapy on the basis of aluminium salts. Dialyzation encephalopathy may develop, aluminium osteopathy and microcytic anaemia. The most effective prevention is dialysis using a dialyzation solution with a low aluminium content and elimination of aluminium binding phosphates. The results of hitherto accomplished studies call for further research into the action of this element on the human organism.

Biogenic amines in silage. 1. The occurrence of biogenic amines in silage.

In laboratory silages made from orchardgrass, red clover and oats, significant levels of toxic biogenic amines were found. The most widespread were putrescine and cadaverine, concentrations of spermidine, spermine and histamine were ten times lower on average. Of the amines considered, putrescine content seems to be the most sensitive indicator of the extent of putrefaction in silages. A relationship between the putrescine contents and the degree of proteolysis was found. The biogenic amine content is closely connected with both the variety of crop ensiled and even more so with the method and the efficiency of preservation. Neither the application of formic acid nor wilting suppressed the formation of any of the amines in silages selectively. Formic acid suppressed the total concentration of amines to 23% as compared with controls. The highest levels of amines were found in orchardgrass and oat silages; smaller amounts were detected in clover silages. In the case of very poorly preserved silage 100-150 g of toxic amines can be consumed by a cow in a day. This could have a deleterious effect on the physiological condition and the performance of livestock.

Biogenic amines in silage. 2. The dynamics of the formation of biogenic amines in silage.

When analysing a series of laboratory silages made from orchardgrass, red clover and oats, the fluctuating dynamics of biogenic amines were observed. For levels of putrescine and cadaverine, a rapid exponential increase culminating approximately 30-50 days after ensiling is typical. A small decrease, reaching the minimum at approximately the 100th day, is sometimes followed by a second increase in amine concentrations achieving its maximum approximately 200-230 days after ensiling. Irregular curves of the dynamics probably originate in the simultaneous decarboxylation and deamination reactions along with other relevant amine degradation processes. The dynamics of other biogenic amines-spermidine, spermine and histamine are more difficult to predict. The changes in histamine levels resembled those in the diamines. Some 200 days after ensiling, considerable increases in this toxic amine were observed. The dynamics of some quality criteria, especially the degree of proteolysis, were in many cases similar to those of the amines.

Biogenic amines in silage. 3. The occurrence of six biogenic amines in farm-scale grass and maize silages.

Concentrations of putrescine (PUT), cadaverine (CAD), spermidine (SPD), spermine (SPM), histamine (HIS) and tyramine (TYR) in 53 grass silages and 54 maize silages were determined using an HPLC method. Concentrations of all amines excluding SPD in grass silages decreased significantly with increasing dry matter (DM) contents and decreasing acetic acid concentrations. The mean concentrations were 1310, 642, 414, 139, 120 and 33.6 mg/kg for TYR, CAD, PUT, SPM, HIS and SPD respectively in grass silages of 20-30% DM. The maximal values found were twice to five times higher than the mean values. The effect of increasing DM on the amines concentrations was not evident in maize silages. The mean concentrations, regardless of the DM content, were surprisingly high: 435, 388, 341, 71.7, 25.1 and 5.4 mg/kg for TYR, PUT, CAD, HIS, SPD and SPM. The maximal values in maize silages were three times to ten times higher than the mean values. Considering that maize silage forms the great proportion of the diets of cattle during long-term winter feeding, further toxicological and physiological research should be carried out.

Occupation and education in relation to risk factors of ischaemic heart disease in the male industrial population.

In a sample of 3,757 men aged 40-50 years, all employees of a large industrial plant, the authors studied the prevalence of several risk factors (RF) of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in relationship to profession and education of probands. Blue collar workers were more frequently heavy smokers and regular alcohol consumers than white collars. Compared with other workmen professions a tendency towards a higher risk profile was present in employees doing strenuous manual work. These were heavier smokers, had higher blood pressure and serum cholesterol. Within white-collar professions a higher risk profile was observed in managers with high responsibility than in personnel of the research and development departments. The former were heavier smokers, had higher serum cholesterol and greater overweight. The education level was in indirect association with smoking, hypertension and obesity but correlated directly with regular alcohol consumption. Socio-economic factors evidently influence the prevalence of risk factors of IHD also in the Czech industrial population.

Incidence and risk of coronary heart disease in an industrial population. A five-year prospective study.

In a large machinery factory a cohort of 3754 men aged between 40 and 50 years have been studied for 5 years. Total and coronary mortality rates have been determined and also the incidence of certain non-fatal states which required hospitalization due to various types of coronary heart disease (CHD), hypertension, brain apoplexy, diabetes mellitus and malignancies. Among the subjects exposed to CHD risk factors (RF), i.e. among smokers, hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic subjects, and among those who had a positive coronary family history and a positive cardiovascular (chest pain) questionnaire, both total and coronary mortality rates were several fold higher and they increased almost exponentially with increasing numbers of RF. Among the RF it was the cardiovascular (chest pain) questionnaire which had the highest prognostic value. Workmen manifested a higher total and coronary mortality than did the employees in the technico-economical professions (TEP). The highest mortality rate was found among the workmen employed in heavy manual occupation. In contrast the lowest total coronary mortality rate was observed in the TEP having little responsibility in their vocation and also among qualified workmen and specialized technical and scientifical workers.

Treatment of 100 burned hands by early excision and skin grafting.

The analysis of 101 cases has shown that early excision and grafting is the choice for hand burns. The indications are deep second degree and third degree burns. The excision is performed before the 4th post burn day, by tangential excision or direct knife dissection according to the site and depth. Immediate covering of all excised areas, usually by split-thickness skin autografts, is essential. The combination of early excision and grafting, active physiotherapy, Jobst compressive gloves and hydrotherapy guarantees the best cosmetic and functional results.