Utjecaj kronične istodobne izloženosti olovu, kadmiju i manganu na oksidativni stres u jetri i srcu štakora

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of chronic combined exposure to low, environmental doses of Cd, Pb, and Mn on oxidative stress in the liver and heart of rats and on their liver function parameters. Male Wistar rats were divided randomly into eight groups. For nine months controls were receiving drinking water alone, whereas the exposed groups were receiving drinking water with Pb (0.2 mg L-1), Cd (1 mg L-1), and Mn (2 mg L-1) alone or in combinations. Malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly increased in both heart and liver of the animals after combined exposure to metals. Heart MDA correlated with blood Cd, Pb, and Mn and liver MDA with blood Cd. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and bilirubin concentration also increased significantly in the animal group exposed to all three metals and correlated positively with blood Cd, Pb, and Mn. Our study has confirmed the synergistic effect of the Cd, Mn, and Pb combination on the increase in heart MDA. A similar synergy was observed for Pb+Mn in the increase of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity as an indicator of liver function.Cilj je ovog istraživanja bio ocijeniti učinke kronične izloženosti kombinaciji Cd, Pb i Mn u niskim dozama kakve su u okolišu na oksidativni stres u jetrima i srcu štakora te na pokazatelje jetrene funkcije. U tu smo svrhu mužjake Wistar štakora nasumce podijelili u osam skupina, od kojih je kontrolna pila čistu vodu, a izložene skupine vodu pomiješanu s olovom (0,2 mg L-1), kadmijem (1 mg L-1) i manganom (2 mg L-1), zasebno ili u kombinacijama. Koncentracija malondialdehida (MDA) značajno se povećala u oba organa životinja izloženih kombinacijama metala. Srčani MDA korelirao je s razinama kadmija, olova i mangana u krvi, a jetreni MDA s razinom kadmija u krvi. Aktivnost aspartat aminotransferaza (AST) i koncentracije bilirubina također su bile značajno povišene u skupini izloženoj svim trima metalima te su korelirale s razinama kadmija, olova i mangana u krvi. Rezultati istraživanja potvrdili su da zajedno ova tri metala djeluju na povećanje MDA u srcu. Slična je sinergija zamijećena i između olova i mangana s obzirom na povećanje razine alanin aminotransferaze (ALT) u serumu, koji je pokazatelj jetrene funkcije

Novel inflammatory biomarkers may reflect subclinical inflammation in young healthy adults with obesity

Introduction: Obesity is often accompanied by low-grade inflammation. In recent years a few blood-based inflammatory markers — neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyteto-monocyte ratio (LMR), and monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) — have been identified. They have been proven to correlate well with established inflammatory markers such as hsCRP and have a prognostic value among others in patients with coronary artery disease, heart failure, and malignancies. The aim of the study was to find markers associated with obesity in young heathy adults. Material and methods: The study group included 321 young healthy adults aged 18-35 years (210 males and 111 females). Partial least squares regression analysis was used to find variables associated with body mass index (BMI). Analysed variables included complete blood count, lipid profile, sex hormone levels, acute-phase protein levels, and blood-based inflammatory markers. Results: Variables with the strongest association with BMI in the group of men were HDL% and apolipoprotein B, and in the group of women, HDL, HDL%, triglycerides, and MHR. Novel inflammatory markers were not associated with BMI, except MHR. We found significant (p < 0.001) correlations between novel biomarkers (NLR, dNLR) and hsCRP and fibrinogen levels in the group of subjects with obesity. Conclusions: Blood-based inflammatory markers significantly correlate with hsCRP and fibrinogen in young healthy adults with obesity, which may reflect the subclinical inflammation in this group of individuals

Life in wind turbines vicinity, effects on health – a review

The paper presents a short review of scientific papers , and other sources concerning health effects of exposure to noise, infrasounds, electromagnetic radiation and mechanical hazards induced in dwellers living in vicinity of wind farm

Polish Academy of Sciences

Effects of ebselen on glutathione level in neurons exposed to arachidonic acid and 4-hydroxynonenal during simulated ischemia in vitr

Gene-environment interactions and metal toxicity

Humans are exposed to various metals through many different routes and each person’s genetic background contributes to their susceptibility to metal toxicity. In addition, recent evidence points to a role for the genetics of the human microbiome in metal uptake and toxicity. DNA sequence variation in genes that regulate metal toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics influences metal accumulation and retention in the body, as well as the associated toxic effects. The emerging picture shows that genetic susceptibility is unlikely to be conferred by a single gene specific for each metal, but is rather a polygenic trait combining small- and large-effect genes. The presence of genetic variants in the human leukocyte antigen system and the risk of beryllium-related pulmonary disease were one of the first examples of a gene-environment interaction. Genes important for susceptibility have been identified for arsenic (AS3MT), lead (ALAD), and manganese (SLC30A10). Moreover, emerging evidence points to effects of metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead on the epigenetic landscape, and epigenetic factors have been identified as targets for metal toxicity. Indeed, epigenetic effects may explain the noted association between metal exposure early in life and the later manifestation of toxic effects, as well as metal carcinogenicity. This chapter summarizes the current state of knowledge concerning such gene-environment interactions for metal toxicity

Disturbance of posture in children with very low lead exposure, and modification by VDR FokI genotype.

Introduction and objective. Lead has a negative effect on the central nervous system (CNS), inter alia indicated by disturbance of posture. However, knowledge of the CNS effects at low exposure is insufficient. Individuals differ in vulnerability, possibly because of genetic predisposition. Polymorphisms in the δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes may modify lead metabolism and neurotoxicity. The objective of the study was to determine whether very low lead exposure affects posture in children, and whether ALAD and VDR genotypes modify the effect. Materials and methods. In 1996-2001, 108 (age 5-13, mean 6.9), and in 2008-2010 231 (age 5-11, mean 7.9) children from Poland were tested by posturography and blood-lead concentration (B-Pb; medians 50 and 36 µg/L, respectively). The children were genotyped for ALAD (RsaI, MspI) and VDR (FokI, BsmI, TaqI). Results. There were correlations between posture and B-Pb (sway area with closed eyes: rS=0.24, P<0.001; velocity: rS=0.21, P<0.001). Significant effects (adjusted for the potential confounders height and mother´s education) were present already at (ln-transformed) B-Pb <50 µg/L [β (regression coefficient) for sway area 0.025, p=0.001), and even stronger than at higher levels (β=0.006, p=0.06, respectively)]. The ff carriers in VDR FokI polymorphism were more susceptible to the effect of lead on the balance system, while other VDR or ALAD genotypes did not significantly modify the effect. Conclusions. Effects on CNS, as reflected by disturbances of posture, were present at very low lead exposure (B-Pb <50 µg/L), and the effect was significantly greater at such low B-Pbs than at higher. VDR FokI significantly modified the effect

Poisons caused by poisonous plants and venomous animals in the years 2010–2016 in the Silesia Voivodship

Active substances of some poisonous plants and venomous animals are a health risk for humans. This work analyzes statistical data for cases of poisoning with poisonous plants and animal venoms in the Silesian province in the years 2010–2016. The number of cases due to poisonous plants (approx. 50 patients per year) and animal venom (approx. 20 patients per year) remained constant and low, accounting for 1.19% and 0.48%, respectively, of all patients treated for poisoning

Infrasound and low frequency noise assessment at workplaces and environment – review of criteria

Infrasound and low frequency noise assessment at workplaces and environment - review of criteria Number of anthropogenic sources of infrasounds and low frequency noise is increasing, therefore it is followed by both increasing exposure level and number of persons exposed to this noise. Criteria of low frequency noise assessment is one of the problem needed to be solved. The paper presents existing polish and international criteria of assessment low frequency noise at workplaces and human setting