Effects of a Diet Containing Sources of Prebiotics and Probiotics and Modification of the Gut Microbiota on the Reduction of Body Fat.

In 2022, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions in the WHO European Region, affecting almost 60% of adults. Based on the assessment of BMI (Body Mass Index), a group of 56 women aged 25-45 years (31 women group A average BMI 34.9 ± 4.

New Succinimides with Potent Anticancer Activity: Synthesis, Activation of Stress Signaling Pathways and Characterization of Apoptosis in Leukemia and Cervical Cancer Cells.

Based on previously identified dicarboximides with significant anticancer and immunomodulatory activities, a series of 26 new derivatives were designed and synthesized by the Diels-Alder reaction between appropriate diene and maleimide or hydroxymaleimide moieties. The resulting imides were functionalized with alkanolamine or alkylamine side chains and subsequently converted to their hydrochlorides. The structures of the obtained compounds were confirmed by 1H and 13C NMR and by ESI MS spectral analysis.

Novel Benzo[B]Furans with Anti-Microtubule Activity Upregulate Expression of Apoptotic Genes and Arrest Leukemia Cells in G2/M Phase.

Background: Novel derivatives of benzo[b]furan were found to be highly toxic towards human chronic myelogenous (K562), acute myelogenous (HL-60) and acute lymphoblastic (MOLT-4) leukemia cells.

Objective: The objective was the characterization of the biological activity of novel benzofurans (influence on apoptosis, mitogen-activated protein kinases and on the cell cycle). Cellular protein(s) targeted by test benzofurans and mechanism of action were identified.

Effect of caloric restriction on liver function in young and old ApoE/LDLr-/- mice.

Background: Caloric restriction (CR) leads to decrease metabolic intensity, which results in a reduction of oxygen consumption and the amount of free radicals. This can affect the function of the liver. Studies show that caloric restriction does not alter or significantly increase the enzyme activity associated with gluconeogenesis, but the effect was different according to the age of the model animals.

Effects of nanoporous anodic titanium oxide on human adipose derived stem cells.

The aim of current bone biomaterials research is to design implants that induce controlled, guided, successful, and rapid healing. Titanium implants are widely used in dental, orthopedic, and reconstructive surgery. A series of studies has indicated that cells can respond not only to the chemical properties of the biomaterial, but also, in particular, to the changes in surface topography.

Association of single nucleotide polymorphism rs7579169 with hypertension disorders during pregnancy and perinatal outcome.

Background: Hypertension during pregnancy is a heterogeneous group of disorders with elevated blood pressure with or without proteinuria. The multiple researches are held on the subject of a genetic conditioning of preeclampsia and pregnancy induced hypertension.

Objectives: The study was designed to evaluate the impact of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs7579169 on hypertension disorders in pregnancy, especially on PE and PIH as well as on the perinatal outcome.

Plasma centrifugation does not influence thrombin-antithrombin and plasmin-antiplasmin levels but determines platelet microparticles count.

Introduction: Centrifugation is an essential step for plasma preparation to remove residual elements in plasma, especially platelets and platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs). Our working hypothesis was that centrifugation as a preanalytical step may influence some coagulation parameters.

Materials And Methods: Healthy young men were recruited (N=17).

A novel TAZ gene mutation and mosaicism in a Polish family with Barth syndrome.

Barth syndrome (BTHS) is an X-linked recessive disease primarily affecting males. Clinically, the disease is characterized by hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy, skeletal myopathy, chronic/cyclic neutropenia, 3-methylglutaconic aciduria, growth retardation and respiratory chain dysfunction. It is caused by mutations in the TAZ gene coding for the tafazzin protein which is responsible for cardiolipin remodeling.

Gold-oxoborate nanocomposites and their biomedical applications.

A novel inorganic nanocomposite material, called BOA, which has the form of small building blocks composed of gold nanoparticles embedded in a polyoxoborate matrix, is presented. It is demonstrated that cotton wool decorated with the BOA nanocomposite displays strong antibacterial activity toward both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria strains. Importantly, the modified cotton does not release any toxic substances, and the bacteria are killed upon contact with the fibers coated with the BOA.

[DNA methylation in obesity].

The number of overweight and obese people is increasing at an alarming rate, especially in the developed and developing countries. Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, and in consequence for premature death. The development of obesity results from the interplay of both genetic and environmental factors, which include sedentary life style and abnormal eating habits.

Apoptosis-related gene expression in glioblastoma (LN-18) and medulloblastoma (Daoy) cell lines.

The expression of apoptosis genes in a commercial pre-designed low-density array from Applied Biosystems was evaluated in two human brain cancer cell models, LN-18 and Daoy (HTB-186™) in comparison to the reference human primary endothelial cells under basic conditions. Analysis of the gene expression in the cancer cell lines compared to the normal control revealed features reflecting anti-apoptotic and inflammatory characteristics of the former. There was an overall downregulation of apoptosis-stimulating genes in both cancer cell lines, along with an upregulation of certain apoptosis inhibitors.

Number of microparticles generated during acute myocardial infarction and stable angina correlates with platelet activation.

Background And Aims: Elevated levels of circulating microparticles (MPs) have been reported in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and coronary artery disease. Platelet activation and inflammation have been recognized during AMI and stable angina (SA). We hypothesize that the origin and count of MPs in AMI and SA patients are related to markers of inflammation and platelet activation.

[Humanin and its derivatives as peptides with potential antiapoptotic and confirmed neuroprotective activities].

Humanin (HN) is a newly discovered 24-amino acid peptide, which may suppress neuronal cell death. HN cDNA includes the open reading frame (HN-ORF) of 75 bases, located 950 bases downstream of the 5' end of the HN cDNA. It was demonstrated that HN cDNA is 99% identical with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence.

Role of microRNAs in endothelial cell pathophysiology.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of small, noncoding RNAs that repress gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Over 700 miRNAs have been identified in the human genome, of which 20% to 30% regulate human protein-coding genes. Functional in vitro studies have shown that miRNAs are critical for endothelial cell gene expression and function.

Humanins, the neuroprotective and cytoprotective peptides with antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Humanin (HN) is a newly discovered 24-amino acid peptide, which may suppress neuronal cell death. HN cDNA includes an open reading frame (HN-ORF) of 75 bases located 950 bases downstream of the 5' end of the HN cDNA. It has been demonstrated that HN cDNA is 99% identical to the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence.

[Variants of adiponectin gene as risk factors for the metabolic syndrome].

Adiponectin, a protein secreted by adipose tissue but present at low levels in obesity, is now widely recognized as a key determinant of insulin sensitivity and of protection against obesity-associated metabolic syndrome. The adiponectin gene is very polymorphic and several of its variants contribute to adiponectin level, function and are associated with metabolic syndrome phenotypes. The results differ ethnically.

Nutrigenomic approaches for benefit-risk analysis of foods and food components: defining markers of health.

To be able to perform a comprehensive and rigorous benefit-risk analysis of individual food components, and of foods, a number of fundamental questions need to be addressed first. These include whether it is feasible to detect all relevant biological effects of foods and individual food components, how such effects can confidently be categorised into benefits and risks in relation to health and, for that matter, how health can be quantified. This article examines the last of these issues, focusing upon concepts for the development of new biomarkers of health.

Evaluation of genetic predisposition to insulin resistance by nutrient-induced insulin output ratio (NIOR).

Background: New tools to identify genotype-phenotype interactions need to be described and implemented. The aim of this study was to identify correlation between the risk originating from gene variation and diet-dependent development of insulin resistance.

Methods: Insulin output in terms of area under the curve after an oral glucose tolerance test (AUC Ins OGTT) and lipid tolerance tests (AUC Ins OLTT) were measured in 167 overweight/obese patients.

Genetic Aspects of Obesity.

The paper reviews recent problems in understanding of the genetic basis and gene/gene, as well as gene/environment interaction in the development of obesity and its complications.

Nutrient-gene interactions in benefit-risk analysis.

Individuals respond differently to nutrients and foods. This is reflected in different levels of benefits and risks at the same intake of a nutrient and, consequently, different 'windows of benefit' in terms of nutrient intake. This has led recently to the concept of 'personalised nutrition'.

[Nutrigenomics--about genetics and nutrition].

Nutrigenomics is a promising multidisciplinary field that focus on studying the interactions between nutritional factors, genetic factors and health outcomes. Its goal is to achieve more efficient individual dietary intervention strategies aimed at preventing disease, improving quality of life and achieving healthy aging. Somehow, nutrigenomics has been used for decades in certain rare monogenic diseases such as phenylketonuria.

The microarray expression analysis identifies BAX as a mediator of beta-carotene effects on apoptosis.

Beta-carotene is a ubiquitous compound rich in foods. However, there are conflicting reports regarding its role in carcinogenesis. We performed a microarray expression analysis in normal [human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)] and neoplastic (melanoma A375 and myelomonocytic leukemia U937) actively proliferating cells and found evidence that beta-carotene stimulated vital cellular functions in the former and suppressed them in the latter.

[Adiponectin--adipocytokine with a broad clinical spectrum].

Adiponectin (also called AdipoQ, gelatin-binding protein 28, Acrp30) is a novel adipocytokine with important metabolic effects. It is physiologically released from adipose tissue and circulates in serum as a hexamer and larger multimeric structure of high molecular weight. Serum level of the protein correlates with systemic insulin sensitivity.

Analysis of candidate genes in Polish families with obesity.

This study analyzes the relationship between risk factors related to overweight/obesity, insulin resistance, lipid tolerance, hypertension, endothelial function and genetic polymorphisms associated with: i) appetite regulation (leptin, melanocortin-3-receptor (MCR-3), dopamine receptor 2 (D2R)); ii) adipocyte differentiation and insulin sensitivity (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 (PPAR-gamma2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)); iii) thermogenesis and free fatty acid (FFA) transport/catabolism (uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), beta2- and beta3-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR, beta3AR), fatty acid transport protein-1 (FATP-1) and iv) lipoproteins (apoliprotein E (apoE), apo CIII). The 122 members of 40 obese Caucasian families from southern Poland participated in the study. The genotypes were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) or by direct sequencing.

Dexamethasone inhibits TNF-alpha synthesis more effectively in Alzheimer's disease patients than in healthy individuals.

Inflammatory mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is postulated that cytokine synthesis is altered in AD patients compared with nondemented subjects. Glucocorticoids play an important role in cytokine synthesis.