Radioactivity of Honeys from Poland After the Fukushima Accident

Concentration of radioactive isotopes in honey constitutes an important bioindicator of environmental radiation. One hundred six honey samples were collected from hives and from bottled honey provided by beekeepers from north-eastern Poland in 2010, before the Fukushima accident, and during the two-year period directly following this catastrophe (2011–2012). Cesium-137 (Cs-137) and potassium-40 (K-40) were determined in lime, multifloral, buckwheat, honeydew and other kinds of honey samples. The obtained mean concentrations of Cs-137 and K-40 (Bq kg(−1)) in honey samples were: 1.19 and 32.92 in 2010, 0.90 and 31.13 in 2011, 1.31 and 36.06 in 2012, respectively. Significant differences were not observed. Therefore, the studied honey samples collected after the Fukushima accident are found to be safe for humans with levels of Cs-137 and K-40 not posing any threats. However, the total concentration of Cs-137 and K-40 in samples stopped decreasing in 2010–2011 and showed a slight increase in 2012. This relation may suggest the impact of pollution from Fukushima and requires further research in the coming years

Propolis changes the anticancer activity of temozolomide in U87MG human glioblastoma cell line

BACKGROUND: Propolis is a honey bee product which contains many active compounds, such as CAPE or chrysin, and has many beneficial activities. Recently, its anti-tumor properties have been discussed. We have tested whether the ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) interferes with temozolomide (TMZ) to inhibit U87MG cell line growth. METHODS: The U87MG glioblastoma cell line was exposed to TMZ (10-100 μM), EEP (10-100 μg/ml) or a mixture of TMZ and EEP during 24, 48 or 72 hours. The cell division was examined by the H(3)-thymidine incorporation, while the western blot method was used for detection of p65 subunit of NF-κB and ELISA test to measure the concentration of its p50 subunit in the nucleus. RESULTS: We have found that both, TMZ and EEP administrated alone, had a dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effect on the U87MG cell line growth, which was manifested by gradual reduction of cell viability and alterations in proliferation rate. The anti-tumor effect of TMZ (20 μM) was enhanced by EEP, which was especially well observed after a short time of exposition, where simultaneous usage of TMZ and EEP resulted in a higher degree of growth inhibition than each biological factor used separately. In addition, cells treated with TMZ presented no changes in NF-κB activity in prolonged time of treatment and EEP only slightly reduced the nuclear translocation of this transcription factor. In turn, the combined incubation with TMZ and EEP led to an approximately double reduction of NF-κB nuclear localization. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that EEP presents cytotoxic properties and may cooperate with TMZ synergistically enhancing its growth inhibiting activity against glioblastoma U87MG cell line. This phenomenon may be at least partially mediated by a reduced activity of NF-κB

Serum zinc concentrations correlate with mental and physical status of nursing home residents.

INTRODUCTION:Zinc (Zn) is one of the most important trace elements in the body. Zn deficiency seems to play a role in the development of age-related diseases and impairment of quality of life. Zn status has been especially studied in free-living or hospitalised people, but data from older residents of nursing homes are scarce. This study aimed to determine the Zn status among the older individuals in correlation to their mental and physical performance. METHODS:A total of 100 participants aged between 60-102 years were recruited between October 2010 and May 2012 at the nursing home in Bialystok (Poland). Zn status was evaluated by determining the concentration in serum by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Anthropometric variables and fitness score (FS) were measured. Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Self-Rated Health (SRH), independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) were recorded. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:The mean serum Zn concentration was 0.83 ± 0.20 mg/L, 28% of residents had Zn deficiency. Cognitive functions were impaired (AMTS ≤ 8) in 45% of the studied persons and 48% showed depressive symptoms (GDS ≥ 1). The ability to independently perform activities of daily living (ADL = 6) was found in 61% of participants, but most of them (90%) had weak body type (FS < 70), correlating with GDS, SRH and body mass index (BMI). Serum Zn concentration correlated with mental efficiency and was statistically significantly higher in older people with normal cognitive function and without depression than in patients with memory impairment and showing depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS:Nursing home residents seem at risk of marginal Zn status, which correlates with their mental status as measured by the AMTS and GDS. Their low FS is associated with mental health deterioration and obesity

Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients between measured parameters (and p values for significant correlation).

<p>BMI—Body Mass Index, AMTS—Abbreviated Mental Test Score, GDS—Geriatric Depression Scale, SRH—Self-Rated Health, ADL—independence in Activities of Daily Living, FS—fitness score.</p><p>Correlation coefficients values between 0 and 0.3 (0 and—0.3) indicate weak; between 0.3 and 0.7—moderate; between 0.7 and 1.0 strong positive (negative) relationship.</p><p>Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients between measured parameters (and p values for significant correlation).</p

Zinc levels in groups with normal cognitive function and with memory impairment.

<p>Asterisk denotes statistically significant difference in serum zinc concentration in the two groups obtained from the Student’s t-test (* p = 0.001). M—mean, SE—standard error</p

Association between serum zinc concentration and intensity of depression.

<p>The results are obtained in ANOVA analysis of variance: F(4,95) = 2.1482, p = 0.081. Vertical bars represent the 0.95 confidence intervals.</p

The variability in serum zinc concentration depending on the tested parameters.

<p>The results are obtained by the backward multiple regression analysis (F(2,97) = 8.723 p<0.001, estimation SE: 0.18925), SE—standard error</p><p>The variability in serum zinc concentration depending on the tested parameters.</p

Characteristics of the study population.

<p>n—number of subjects, SD—standard deviation, IQR—interquartile range, M—male, F—female, BMI—Body Mass Index, AMTS—Abbreviated Mental Test Score, GDS—Geriatric Depression Scale, SRH—Self-Rated Health, ADL—independence in Activities of Daily Living, FS—fitness score.</p><p>Characteristics of the study population.</p

Influence of age and gender on zinc status.

<p>The results are obtained in ANOVA test. F(2, 94) = 0.5479, p = 0.580. Vertical bars represent the 0.95 confidence intervals. F-female, M-male.</p