Quality of Dietary Supplements Containing Plant-Derived Ingredients Reconsidered by Microbiological Approach

Dietary supplements cover a wide range of products, the most popular are those containing plant-based ingredients. Supplements are consumed by consumers of all ages as well as by both healthy and sick people. The lack of unified regulation in this sector increases the probability that supplements are poor chemical and microbiological quality and can be dangerous for patients. The aim of this paper is to highlight selected issues associated with the microbiological quality of dietary supplements containing plant materials. We focus on the most recent reports referring to bacterial and fungal contaminations as well as the presence of mycotoxins. Dietary supplements containing plant ingredients commonly show a variety of microbial contaminants, which might be crucial for consumer safety. They often contain microorganisms potentially pathogenic to humans. Metabolites produced by microorganisms may pose a threat to the health of consumers. Because of that, in this review, we emphasize the risk that may be associated with the lack of appropriate studies of the quality of the supplements

The Effect of Bee Venom Peptides Melittin, Tertiapin, and Apamin on the Human Erythrocytes Ghosts: A Preliminary Study

Red blood cells (RBCs) are the most abundant cells in the human blood that have been extensively studied under morphology, ultrastructure, biochemical and molecular functions. Therefore, RBCs are excellent cell models in the study of biologically active compounds like drugs and toxins on the structure and function of the cell membrane. The aim of the present study was to explore erythrocyte ghost’s proteome to identify changes occurring under the influence of three bee venom peptides-melittin, tertiapin, and apamin. We conducted preliminary experiments on the erythrocyte ghosts incubated with these peptides at their non-hemolytic concentrations. Such preparations were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. It was found that when higher concentrations of melittin and apamin were used, fewer proteins were identified. Moreover, the results clearly indicated that apamin demonstrates the greatest influence on the RBCs ghosts proteome. Interestingly, the data also suggest that tertiapin exerted a stabilizing effect on the erythrocyte membrane. The experiments carried out show the great potential of proteomic research in the projects focused on the toxin’s properties as membrane active agents. However, to determine the specificity of the effect of selected bee venom peptides on the erythrocyte ghosts, further proteomic research should be focused on the quantitative analysis

New Gene Markers Expressed in Porcine Oviductal Epithelial Cells Cultured Primary In Vitro Are Involved in Ontological Groups Representing Physiological Processes of Porcine Oocytes

Changes that occur within oviducts after fertilization are dependent on post-ovulation events, including oocyte-oviduct interactions. Although general processes are well-defined, the molecular basis are poorly understood. Recently, new marker genes involved in ‘cell development’, ‘cell growth’, ‘cell differentiation’ and ‘cell maturation’ processes have been identified in porcine oocytes. The aim of the study was to assess the expression profile of genes in primary in vitro cultured oviductal epithelial cells (OECs), clustered in Gene Ontology groups which enveloped markers also identified in porcine oocytes. OECs (from 45 gilts) were surgically removed and cultured in vitro for ≤ 30 days, and then subjected to molecular analyses. The transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of cells cultured during 7, 15 and 30 days were investigated. Additionally, morphological/histochemical analyzes were performed. The results of genes expression profiles were validated after using RT-qPCR. The results showed a significant upregulation of UNC45B, NOX4, VLDLR, ITGB3, FMOD, SGCE, COL1A2, LOX, LIPG, THY1 and downregulation of SERPINB2, CD274, TXNIP, CELA1, DDX60, CRABP2, SLC5A1, IDO1, ANPEP, FST. Detailed knowledge of the molecular pathways occurring in the OECs and the gametes that contact them may contribute both to developments of basic science of physiology, and new possibilities in advanced biotechnology of assisted reproduction