Advantages of the use of deciduous teeth, hair, and blood analysis for lead and cadmium bio-monitoring in children : a study of 6-year-old children from Krakow (Poland)

The population of about 300 6-year-old preschool children was studied for lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in deciduous teeth, scalp hair, and capillary blood. Zinc (Zn) content in hair was also measured due to its possible interferences with the elements studied. The Pb and Cd contents were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman background correction, and Zn, by flame method. Metal levels found were comparable to those in European countries. Positive correlations between Pb and Cd in the same and different tissues were widespread (r = 0.23–0.68). A positive correlation was found between Pb in teeth and blood (r = 0.65, p < 0.001). Pb blood threshold 100 μg L(−1) referred to 2.6 μg g(−1) Pb in teeth. Predictability of this Pb teeth limit was 14% vs. 5% for Pb blood. Strong negative correlation was found between hair Pb and Zn (r = −0.68, p < 0.001). Enhanced Cd and Zn levels in hair were associated with the household drinking water hardness. The associations with some other environmental and behavioral factors were also presented and discussed. The results proved the advantage of analysis of primary teeth for Pb exposure screening of preschool children

Evaluation of antioxidant activity of amaranth ("Amaranthus cruentus") grain and by-products (flour, popping, cereal)

Przedstawiono ocenę aktywności przeciwutleniającej nasion dwóch odmian szarłatu Amaranthus cruentus v. Aztek i v. Rawa oraz produktów spożywczych z niego otrzymanych (mąka, popping, płatki) w oparciu o metodę FRAP i zmodyfikowane metody ABTS i DPPH. Oznaczone wartości parametrów były skorelowane liniowo. Stwierdzono, że nasiona v. Rawa posiadały wyższą aktywność niż v. Aztek, wśród produktów spożywczych najwyższą zdolność antyoksydacyjną posiadały płatki zaś najniższą popping. Namaczanie nasion powodowało obniżenie ich aktywności antyoksydacyjnej.The objective of our study was evaluation antioxidant activity of Amaranthus cruentus grain and by-products (flour, cereals and popping). The evaluation was performed by FRAP, DPPH and ABTS methods. FRAP and ABTS assays gave comparable results, DPPH method gave lower values. Among by-products cereal had the highest activity as the least processed product. Additionally, antioxidant capacities of two cultivars of amaranth (varieties Aztek and Rawa) were compared and the influence of grain soaking on antioxidant properties was taken into account. It was found, that soaking decreased antioxidant activity of amaranth seed

Aronia melanocarpa Treatment and Antioxidant Status in Selected Tissues in Wistar Rats

Aronia juice is considered to be a source of compounds with high antioxidative potential. We conducted a study on the impact of compounds in the Aronia juice on oxidative stress in plasma and brain tissues. The influence of Aronia juice on oxidative stress parameters was tested with the use of a model with a high content of fructose and nonsaturated fats. Therefore, the activity of enzymatic (catalase, CAT, and paraoxonase, PON) and nonenzymatic (thiol groups, SH, and protein carbonyl groups, PCG) oxidative stress markers, which indicate changes in the carbohydrate and protein profiles, was marked in brain tissue homogenates. Adding Aronia caused statistically significant increase in the CAT activity in plasma in all tested diets, while the PON activity showed a statistically significant increase only in case of high fat diet. In animals fed with Aronia juice supplemented with carbohydrates or fat, statistically significant increase in the PON activity and the decrease in the CAT activity in brain tissue were observed. In case of the high fat diet, an increase in the number of SH groups and a decrease in the number of PCG groups in brain tissue were observed

Blood pressure, arterial stiffness and endogenous lithium clearance in relation to AGTR1 A1166C and AGTR2 G1675A gene polymorphisms

Introduction: Although recently a matter of epidemiologic controversy, sodium overload and its interaction with genetic factors predispose to hypertension and related target organ complications. Methods: In 131 (66 male) treated hypertensives, we measured peripheral and central arterial pressures and pulse wave augmentation indexes ($AIx_{\rho}$, $AIx_{C1}$, $AIx_{C2}$), pulse wave velocity (PWV), daily urinary sodium excretion and did genetic studies of AGTR1 A1166C and AGTR2 G1675A polymorphisms. Proximal ($FE_{L1}$) and distal ($FDR_{Na}$) sodium reabsorption measurements were performed using endogenous lithium clearance. Results: In men, we found interaction between $FDR_{Na}$ and AGTR2 G1675A polymorphism with respect to $Alx_{C1}$ ($\rho _{INT}$=0.01), $Alx_{C2}$ ($\rho _{INT}$=0.05) and $Alx_{\rho}$ ($\rho _{INT}$=0.006). Arterial stiffness increased with higher sodium reabsorption in the distal tubule, in the presence of AGTR2 G allele with the opposite tendency in A allele carriers. In the subgroup with $FDR_{Na}$ below median, as compared to those with $FDR_{Na}$ above median, the $Alx_{C1}$ (139.6±3.8 vs 159.1±5.7%; $\rho$=0.009), $Alx_{C2}$ (26.3±1.8 vs 33.3±1.7%; $\rho$=0.016) and $Alx_{\rho}$ (83.4±2.5 vs 96.5±2.6%; $\rho$<0.0001) were lower, in the G allele carrying men and GG homozygous women. Conclusions: The relation between sodium reabsorption in the distal tubule and the development of arterial stiffness depends on the AGTR2 G1675A polymorphism in blood pressure independent fashion

Effect of Quinoa Seeds (Chenopodium quinoa) in Diet on some Biochemical Parameters and Essential Elements in Blood of High Fructose-Fed Rats

The effect of Chenopodium quinoa seeds on lipid profile, glucose level, protein metabolism and selected essential elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) level was determined in high—fructose fed male Wistar rats. Fructose decreased significantly LDL [42%, p < 0.01] and activity of alkaline phosphatase [20%, p < 0.05], and increased triglycerides level [86%, p < 0.01]. The analysis of blood of rats fed quinoa indicated, that these seeds effectively reduced serum total cholesterol [26%, p < 0.05], LDL [57%, p < 0.008] and triglycerides [11%, p < 0.05] when compared to the control group. Quinoa seeds also significantly reduced the level of glucose [10%, p < 0.01] and plasma total protein level [16%, p < 0.001]. Fructose significantly decreased HDL [15%, p < 0.05] level in control group but when the quinoa seeds were added into the diet the decrease of HDL level was inhibited. Quinoa seeds did not prevent any adverse effect of increasing triglyceride level caused by fructose. It was shown in this study that quinoa seeds can reduce most of the adverse effects exerted by fructose on lipid profile and glucose level