Alteration of IGFBP-1 in Soccer Players Due to Intensive Training

Physical activity is accompanied by the changes in Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I)/IGF-Binding Protein 1 (IGFBP-1) axis. Inconsistent results concerning IGF-I and IGFBP-1 levels were reported. In this study we have raised some questions on the events that occur at the molecular level of the exercise-related IGFBP-1 changes. We have examined the fragmentation pattern of IGFBP-1, IGFBP-1 protease activity, interaction between IGFBP-1 and alpha2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M), and possible existence of minor structural changes of IGFBP-1 in professional soccer players. Athletes had significantly greater amounts of fragmented IGFBP-1, whereas no difference was found in the amount of intact IGFBP-1 compared with controls. An increased activity of matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) was detected in athletes, causing IGFBP-1 degradation down to the fragment of 9 kDa as the major one. The amount of alpha 2M, which protects IGFBP-1 from proteolysis, or the amount of IGFBP-1/alpha 2M complexes was unaltered. Finally, we have examined whether IGFBP-1 isolated from soccer players exhibited altered reactivity with several chemical surfaces used in surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS). Different reactivity was detected with anion and cation exchangers, suggesting existence of at least one sequence within IGFBP-1, whose ionization pattern was not equal in athletes and controls. Differences in spectra obtained with ion exchanges may reflect differences in IGFBP-1 phosphorylation. Physiological implications of the events described in this study on the IGF-I availability are, at this time, unknown. It can be hypothesized that IGFBP-1 proteolysis leads to altered distribution of IGF-I among IGFBPs, which may affect the final IGF-associated response

In vitro activity of heather [Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull] extracts on selected urinary tract pathogens

Calluna vulgaris L. Hull (Ericaceae) has been used for treatment of urinary tract infections in traditional medicine. In this study we analyzed in vitro antibacterial activity of the plant extracts on different strains of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Proteus vulgaris, as well as the concentrations of total phenols and flavonoids in the extracts. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined. The concentrations of total phenols were examined by using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and ranged between 67.55 to 142.46 mg GAE/g. The concentrations of flavonoids in extracts were determined using spectrophotometric method with aluminum chloride and the values ranged from 42.11 to 63.68 mg RUE/g. The aqueous extract of C. vulgaris showed a significant antibacterial activity. The values of MIC were in the range from 2.5 mg/ml to 20 mg/ml for this extract. Proteus vulgaris strains were found to be the most sensitive. The results obtained suggest that all tested extracts of C. vulgaris inhibit the growth of human pathogens, especially the aqueous extract

Trend of Galectin-3 Levels in Patients with Non-ST-Elevation and ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background and Objectives: Given the fact that galectin-3 has a predictive significance on the development of myocardial dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction, the aim of our study was to examine potential factors that could be important for the dynamics of the concentration of this biomarker in the early postinfarction period. Materials and Methods: This study included 89 patients with a diagnosis of stable angina pectoris (SAP) or the first non-ST elevation (NSTEMI) or ST-elevation (STEMI) myocardial infarction, who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The study group included 23 patients with the first NSTEMI and 42 patients with STEMI, while the control group consisted of 24 patients with SAP hospitalized for elective PCI without a previous MI. All patients had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Galectin-3 levels were determined on days 1, 5, and 30 after PCI. The significance of various independent variables as predictors of galectin-3 concentration was analyzed after a series of univariate linear regression modeling in a multivariate linear regression model. Results: The average patients’ age was 63.99 ± 9.13 years. Statistically significantly higher values of C-reactive protein were established in STEMI compared to SAP (p p p p Conclusions: In the post-MI period, very early values of galectin-3 correlate mostly with atherosclerosis factors, while on day 30 this biomarker correlates with diastolic dysfunction and “announces” left ventricular remodeling