The controversies of parabens – an overview nowadays

Effects of paraben toxicity, i.e., endocrine-disruption properties, are in the focus of researchers for decades, but still – they are a hot subject of debate. Parabens are aliphatic esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, which are widely used as antimicrobial agents for the preservation of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and foods. Mostly used parabens are methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butylparaben. Although the toxicity of parabens is reported in animals and in in vitro studies, it cannot be taken for granted when discussing hazards for human health due to an unrealistic exposure-safety profile. Many studies have demonstrated that parabens are non-teratogenic, non-mutagenic, non-carcinogenic and the real evidence for their toxicity in humans has not been established. For now, methyl-, ethyl- and propylparaben are considered safe for use in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals within the recommended range of doses. Regarding alternatives for parabens, a variety of approaches have been proposed, but every substitute would need to be tested rigorously for toxicity and safety

GSTP1, GSTM1 and GSTT1 genetic polymorphisms and total serum GST concentration in stable male COPD

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that glutathione-S-transferase (GST) genotypes were associated with COPD. GSTP1, GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were determined by DNA methods and GST activity spectrophotometrically in older male Caucasian Croats (non-smokers, ex-smokers, and smokers) with stable COPD (n = 30) and sex/age matched controls (n = 60). The distribution of GSTP1 genotypes and alleles in controls vs. COPD showed a statistical difference (p < 0.05). The odds ratio of CC/CT+TT (wild type GSTP1 exon 6 vs. joint heterozygous and mutant homozygous GSTP1 exon 6) was 10.000 and statistically different (p = 0.002). In this study, the GSTP1 mutant genotype of exon 5 (GG), as well as GSTP1 mutant and heterozygous genotypes of exon 6 (TT and CT), were suggested to be genetic contributors to COPD susceptibility. Null GSTM1, null GSTT1 and joint GSTM1/GSTT1 null genotypes were not disease associated. Serum GST was not associated with GST genotypes and COPD or smoking history in our study subjects. Conclusions drawn from the study should be further supported and clarified by studies with larger sample sizes

Kvalitativna i kvantitativna analiza flavonoida planike - Arbutus unedo L. (Ericaceae)

The leaves and fruits of strawberry tree – Arbutus unedo L., collected from two separate geographic locations in Croatia were investigated to determine their flavonoid composition and content. Quercitrin, isoquercitrin, hyperoside and rutin were identified in all leaf samples by means of thin-layer chromatography; the fruits contained only isoquercitrin. Chlorogenic acid was present in some leaf samples. The content of flavonoids depended on the plant organ investigated, date of collection and the locality. Spectrophotometric determination of the flavonoids indicated that the leaves are richer in flavonoids (0.52-2.00%) than in fruits (0.10-0.29%).Sastav i količina flavonoida određeni su u listovima i plodovima planike – Arbutus unedo L., sabranima na dva nalazišta u Hrvatskoj. Tankoslojnom kromatografijom utvrđena je prisutnost kvercitrina, izokvercitrina, hiperozida i rutina u svim uzorcima listova, dok su plodovi sadržavali samo izokvercitrin. Klorogenska kiselina je dokazana samo u nekim listovima. Količina flavonoida bila je uvjetovana biljnim organom, datumom, te zemljopisnim položajem mjesta sabiranja. Spektrofotometrijska je analiza pokazala da listovi sadrže veću količinu flavonoida (0.52-2.00%) u usporedbi s plodovima (0,10-0,29%)

FOOD SAFETY IS AN IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE: CHLORAMPHENICOL RESIDUES DETERMINATION BY LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY TANDEM MASS SPECTROMETRY (LC-MS/MS) IN HONEY

Background: Honey is used for nutritional, medicinal and industrial purposes and antibiotic residues may harm its quality and constitute a danger to human health. The broad spectrum antibiotic chloramphenicol (CAP) was used for curative purposes in veterinary medicine, but is now forbidden in European Union (EU) because of its many serious side effects (e.g. aplastic anaemia, grey syndrome, severe bone marrow depression and hypersensitivity). The aim of this study was to facilitate analyses of the quality and safety of Croatian honey distributed to whole European Union market; an assessment that has not previously been made. Subjects and methods: CAP in honey was qualifying and quantifying by validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with negative electrospray ionisation method (LC-MS/MS). The target antibiotic was separated on chromatographic column Zorbax SB C18 (150 mm × 2.1 mm, 3.5 μm) with a gradient elution using acetonitrile - 0.1% formic acid mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min, with column temperature 35 oC for CAP and 5D-CAP as internal standard. Homogenised honey samples were diluted with acetate buffer solution and extracted on Oasis Hydrophilic-Lipophilic-Balanced (HLB) sorbents. The method was used to analyse 280 domestic honey samples collected throughout Croatia between 2005.–2013. Results: Recoveries of the method for real (acacia, chestnut, linden and flower) honey samples were 102% with RSD 8.4%. The value CCα and CCß were 0.09 and 0.12 μg/kg, respectively. Results showed only three subsequent positive detections (1.1%) of CAP in honey. Conlusions: Analysed honey samples from Croatia showed good quality and safety what is the one of the main objective in consumer health policy in EU

Malonaldehyde and Erythrocyte Antioxidant Status in Children with Controlled Asthma

In the pathogenesis of asthma, oxidative stress appears to play an important role and existence of an oxidant/antioxidant imbalance is evident. In this study the key markers of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the pathogenesis of asthma in childhood in comparison to healthy subjects were investigated. Plasma marker of the lipid peroxidation: malondialdehyde (MDA), the erythrocytes antioxidative enzymes: glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and cysteine-containing tripeptide glutathione (GSH) were evaluated by spectrophotometric methods using blood samples collected from 37 healthy children and 44 asthmatic patients. The GSH-Px activity was significantly lower in asthmatic children (3.99±1.0 IU/g Hb) than in healthy controls (4.61±1.3 IU/g Hb; p0.05). Lower GSH-Px activity in children with controlled asthma showed deficient erythrocyte antioxidant defence and evidence of association between oxidative stress and asthma in childhood. Preserved activity of GR and SOD, together with concentration of GSH and MDA, still seems to be crucial in controlling antioxidant/oxidant balance of the disease

Association of Methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFR) and Apolipoprotein E (Apo E) Genotypes with Homocysteine, Vitamin and Lipid Levels in Carotid Stenosis

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFR) genotypes and levels of homocysteine (Hcy), folate, vitamin B12 and lipids as well as the association between apolipoprotein E (apo E) genotypes and levels of lipids in a Croatian healthy control group and a group of patients with >70% carotid stenosis (CS). The study included 98 Croats, 38 patients with >70% carotid stenosis and 60 age- and sex-matched controls. The MTHFR and apo E genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), Hcy by enzyme immunoassay, vitamins by immunochemiluminiscence, and lipids by spectrophotometric method. There was no difference between control subjects and CS patients in the distribution of C677T MTHFR genotypes (p=0.786) and alleles (p=0.904), however, differences in the frequencies of apo E genotypes (p=0.012) and alleles (p=0.029) were statistically significant. The odds ratio for apo E 3/4 genotype was 3.93 (95% CI 1.23–12.61). Hyperhomocysteinemia (15 mol/L) was found in 11% of CS patients and 5% of control subjects. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, vitamin B12 and folate were statistically different in »all MTHFR genotypes« (p0.001, p0.01, p=0.044 and p=0.036, respectively), and in TC/TT (p0.001, p=0.003, p=0.030 and p=0.032, respectively) groups. The levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the apo E 3/3, and total cholesterol in the apo E 3/4 group yielded statistical difference. An association was found of apo E 3/4 genotype but not of MTHFR genotypes with the risk of CS. MTHFR and apo E affect blood lipid levels, which was statistically confirmed. An association was also recorded between hyperhomocysteinemia and patients with CS. Vitamin status in CS showed a statistically verified association with TC/TT MTHFR genotype. In the group of patients with TC/TT MTHFR genotype, lower vitamin B12 and higher folate values were recorded. The results of multiple logistic analysis showed that there was no statistical significance of Hcy levels (OR 2.403, p=0.334) or conventional vascular risk factors such as smoking habit (OR 0.505, p=0.149), age (OR 1.048, p=0.087) or sex (OR 2.037, p=0.112) in predicting CS

Safety of Probiotics: Functional Fruit Beverages and Nutraceuticals

Over the last decade, fruit juice consumption has increased. Their rise in popularity can be attributed to the belief that they are a quick way to consuming a dietary portion of fruit. Probiotics added to fruit juices produce various bioactive compounds, thus probiotic fruit juices can be considered as a new type of functional foods. Such combinations could improve nutritional properties and provide health benefits of fruit juices, due to delivering positive health attributes from both sources (fruit juices and probiotics). However, this review discusses the other side of the same coin, i.e., the one that challenges general beliefs that probiotics are undoubtedly safe. This topic deserves more acknowledgments from the medical and nutritional literature, as it is highly important for health care professionals and nutritionists who must be aware of potential probiotic issues. Still, clinical trials have not adequately questioned the safety of probiotics, as they are generally considered safe. Therefore, this reviews aims to give an evidence-based perspective of probiotic safety, focusing on probiotic fruit beverages and nutraceuticals, by providing documented clinical case reports and studies. Finally, the paper deals with some additional insights from the pharmacological and toxicological point of views, such as pharmacological repercussions of probiotics on health

Phenolic and Antioxidant Analysis of Olive Leaves Extracts (Olea europaea L.) Obtained by High Voltage Electrical Discharges (HVED)

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate high voltage electrical discharges (HVED) as a green technology, in order to establish the effectiveness of phenolic extraction from olive leaves against conventional extraction (CE). HVED parameters included different green solvents (water, ethanol), treatment times (3 and 9 min), gases (nitrogen, argon), and voltages (15, 20, 25 kV). Methods: Phenolic compounds were characterized by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS), while antioxidant potency (total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity) were monitored spectrophotometrically. Data for Near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) spectroscopy, colorimetry, zeta potential, particle size, and conductivity were also reported. Results: The highest yield of phenolic compounds was obtained for the sample treated with argon/9 min/20 kV/50% (3.2 times higher as compared to CE). Obtained results suggested the usage of HVED technology in simultaneous extraction and nanoformulation, and production of stable emulsion systems. Antioxidant capacity (AOC) of obtained extracts showed no significant difference upon the HVED treatment. Conclusions: Ethanol with HVED destroys the linkage between phenolic compounds and components of the plant material to which they are bound. All extracts were compliant with legal requirements regarding content of contaminants, pesticide residues and toxic metals. In conclusion, HVED presents an excellent potential for phenolic compounds extraction for further use in functional food manufacturing

Živa iz dentalnog amalgama - toksični, zdravstveni i ekološki aspekti

Dental amalgam has a long traditional use in dentistry. Thanks to its durability, resistance, and, also its price, it is still one of the most widespread materials used for dental cavities. In this review, the advantages and flaws of amalgam aplication are discribed in an objective and concise way. Its main disadvantage is mercury toxicity which was controversial from the very beginning of its synthesis. Mercuryis among the most toxic heavy metals with diverse effects on neurological, cardiovascular and immune system. Although mercury is realesed from dental amalgam during restauration, it has not shown to be of any medical significance. One of the most important problem is disposal of amalgam waste and its toxic effects on the environment. New conventional materials are improving their quality while getting more available and are becoming more suitable as an amalgam replacement

Što znamo o sigurnosti korištenja elektroničke cigarete?

The electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is an electronic device that produces smoke like aerosol inhaled by the user. The aerosol (vapour) contains nicotine but has fewer toxic substances than tobacco. E-cigarettes became popular among smokers who want to reduce smoking related health risks. The objective of this paper is to collect and to analyse results of clinical studies on safety and effectiveness of e-cigarettes. So far controlled experiments on humans came up with limited evidence that e-cigarettes can help people cut down or quit smoking. E-cigarettes have not been proven to work better than the conventional smoking cessation methods. Also, there is insufficient evidence that e-cigarettes are safe because the range of devices in the market that have been tested clinically is very narrow. Hence, many questions are open regarding health risks and benefits of e-cigarettes compared to alternative smoking cessation methods. E-cigarette is a comparatively new option for smokers (and non-smokers) so long-term health effects remain largely unknown. World Health Organisation recommended to avoid using e-cigarettes until they are fully studied and their safety is approved. This paper gives current views on the safety and potential toxicity of e-cigarettes. The paper also discusses the importance of the pharmacist as a health care professional who may support smoking prevention by providing relevant medical advice on pharmaceutical methods and aids available to smokers who are attempting to quit