Changes of plasma lipids in relation to the regular consumption of bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.)

In this work we studied the impact of regular consumption of bilberries on the lipid profile and triglycerides in the blood plasma. The research involved 18 women (average age 49.7) and 7 men (average age 52.8), who consumed 150 g of bilberries three times a week for 6 weeks. Based on these results, we can conclude that the average total cholesterol levels of women decreased from 5.65 mmol.l-1 at the beginning of research to 5.11 mmol.l-1. At end of the study, the average total cholesterol was 5.47 mmol.l-1. Similar results were found in the LDL cholesterol - the level of cholesterol of the second blood collection dropped from 4.06 mmol.l-1 to 3.70 mmol.l-1 and at the end of  the study it increased again to 4.00 mmol.l-1. We observed a slight increase in HDL choleserol (by 0.07 mmol.l-1) and reduction of triglycerides (by 0.16 mmol.l-1). The total cholesterol monitored men due to the regular consumption of bilberries decreased by 0.36 mmol.l-1, LDL cholesterol by 0.31 mmol.l-1, HDL cholesterol by 0.49 mmol.l-1 and triglycerides by 0,49 mmol.l-1. The improvement of triglycerides and lipid profile in blood plasma of monitored subjects can by evaluated positively. The observed data confirm the biological activity of bilberries and the effectiveness of their use in prevention and comprehensive treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Morphological and antioxidant characteristics of quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) and chinese quince fruit (Pseudocydonia sinensis Schneid.)

Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) is a fruit species, whose fruits have a high therapeutic value and therefore are used in many countries in traditional medicine. Chinese quince (Pseudocydonia sinensis Schneid.) is a lesser used species, although it is a relative of quince. The aim of the study was to evaluate some morphological characters of both kinds of fruit and antioxidant activity of morphological parts of the fruit. For these experiments, two genotypes were used from each species growing in the Arboretum Mlyňany (Slovakia). We determined the antioxidant activity of different parts by the DPPH method. In the genotypes from the evaluated species C. oblonga/P. sinensis we determined the average weight of the fruit in the fresh condition to be in the range 147.61 - 253.27 g / 197.85 - 466.38 g, the exocarp weight 28.50 - 43.89 g / 24.85 - 45.10 g, the mesocarp weight 116.36 - 204.99 g / 160.30 - 389.80 g, the seed weight 1.05 - 1.54 g / 9.22 - 17.42 g, the height of fruit 74.09 - 80.88 mm / 98.06 - 124.48 mm, average of fruit 60.11 - 81.51 mm / 62.33 - 88.64 mm. In aqueous extracts we determined antioxidant activity of the species C. oblonga / P. sinensis in dry exocarp in the range 43.52 - 67.73% / 52.76 - 82.20%, in fresh mesocarp 7.36 -14.78% / 15.30 - 23.50%, in dry mesocarp 30.92 - 41.30% / 41.68 - 50.15% and dry endocarp 55.19 - 76.44% / 91.20 - 92.72%. We determined antioxidant activity in methanolic extracts of the species C. oblonga / P. sinensis in dry exocarp in the range 93.29 - 93.32% / 91.87 - 93.25%, in fresh mesocarp 10.29 - 36.0% / 17.10 - 17.11%, in dry mesocarp 54.55 - 74.11% / 80.39 - 84.11% and in dry endocarp 95.14 - 95.39% / 94.97 - 95.62%. Results document that the fruits of both species can be practically used in the preparation of many dishes, while they can be used as raw material for pharmaceutical and cosmetic use

The occurence of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and the effect of selected dietary habits on the lipid profile and body mass index

In a group of 204 randomly selected patients hospitalized in the Cardiocentre Nitra, of which 63 were women (30.88%) and 141 men (69.12%), we evaluated the prevalence of modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and the impact of dietary habits on the lipid profile and body mass index (BMI). We have recorded a high prevalence of risk factors, especially overweight and obesity, where 87.3% of women and 92.91% of men had BMI ≥25. Normal weight was observed only in 12.70% of women and in 7.09% of men. In the study group up to 60.32% of women and 57.45% of men had blood pressure higher than ≥130/85 mmHg. More than half of the respondents were simultaneously overweighted or obese together with high blood pressure occurence. The total cholesterol level higher than 5.2 mmol/Ll was recorded in 41.24% of women and 34.75% of men. There was statistically significant difference between men and women (P <0.05) in the prevalence of low HDL cholesterol to the detriment of men while the value below 1.3 mmol/L was recorded in 31.75% of women and the value lower than 1.1 mmol/L in 52.48 % of men. Values of triglycerides (TG) ≥1.7 mmol/L were recorded in 28.57% of women and in 35.42% of men. Fasting blood glucose levels ≥5.6 mmol/L were recorded in up to 68.25% of women and 71.63% of men. There was not statistically significant difference (P >0.05) in the occurrence of increased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and glycemia according to gender. We found out that most of the respondents consumed food 3-4 times per day, i.e. 53.97% of women and 60.99% of men. Food intake for five to six times a day was reported only by 28.57% of women and 19.15% of men. The number of daily meals was significantly reflected in the BMI values in men who consumed food 1-2 times a day compared to the men who ate 3-4 meals daily (P <0.001). We detected lower BMI values in women with more frequent food consumption, however the difference was not statistically significant. While assessing the nutritional history, we have recorded frequent consumption of meat and meat products which are consumed by 49.21% of women and 60.28% of men (P <0.001) more than four times a week, while more than 30% of women and men consume them daily. On the contrary, women consume fish more often, while 53.97% of women and 48.23% of men consume it 1 to 2 times a week. Although fruit and vegetable are part of daily diet of almost all patients, it is insufficient in portions of one or two pieces a day compared with dietary recommendations. We noticed significantly higher BMI (P <0.05) in men who consume sweetened beverages, than men who consume mostly non-sweetened beverages

Dietary patterns and lifestyle of patients with myocardial infarction

Civilization diseases, including cardiovascular, are major health problems in current modern society. Numerous studies provided sufficient evidence that variety of risk factors are involved in cardiovascular diseases formation. Of the most important is the lifestyle that largely contributes to our health, up to 50 - 60%. Lifestyle includes all modifiable risk factors that together affect the development of these diseases. In our study we searched and evaluated the nutritional parameters and lifestyle of patients hospitalized in Cardiocentre Nitra. In order to obtain the necessary information we chose the questionnaire method. In our survey 194 patients were included, of which 155 were men (79.89%) and 39 (20.11%) women. These patients were hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction diagnosis. The vast majority of patients had overweight and obesity caused by improper eating habits. The high prevalence of overweight, BMI in the range 25 - 30 kg/m2, was also confirmed as statistically significant, p <0.05 (P=0.02). BMI over 25 kg/m2 was present in 85% of men and 80% of women. The consumption of selected food commodities with evidence of a positive or negative impact on the emergence of acute myocardial infarction was not statistically significant (p >0.05) when evaluating dietary habits. But we can confirm too frequent consumption of chicken at the expense of other types of meat and relatively frequent consumption of fish (once a week). We recorded the preference of semi-skimmed dairy products, but also high and inappropriate consumption of full-fat dairy products in men and women (37% and 17.8%, respectively). Daily intake of fruits and vegetables was in 85.9% of women and 64.7% of men. Everyday intake of bread and pastries was confirmed by 100% of respondents. Lifestyle was evaluated according to the presence of smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and physical activity. Up to 60.5% of men and 26.4% of women admitted smoking, while 34.6% of men and 7.5% women ended up with the habit after myocardial infarction. The excessive alcohol consumption was not detected in the study group. Approximately 67% of men and 56% of women carry out an easier walking and moderate physical activity while taking into account their health status

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) – the content of bioactive compounds

Genus Allium belongs to the family Alliaceae, which contains more than 600 species. Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is the most popular food ingredient widely used all over the world. During the last few decades, garlic has received tremendous attention for their wide range of therapeutic properties and great health benefits. Garlic has possessed antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral, antioxidant, anticholesteremic, anti-cancerous, and vasodilator characteristics. In this work the total polyphenols content, total sulfur content and antioxidant activity was compared and evaluated in four studied varieties of garlic (Mojm&iacute;r, Lukan, Z&aacute;horsk&yacute; and Makoi). The analyzed samples of garlic were collected at the stage of full maturity in the area Bardejov. The total polyphenols content was measured using the spectrophotometric method of Folin-Ciocalteu agents. The total polyphenols content in studied varieties of garlic were determined in the range 612.23 mg.kg-1 (Mojm&iacute;r) to 566.01 mg.kg-1 (Lukan). The total polyphenols content in garlic can be arranged as follows: Mojm&iacute;r &gt;Makoi &gt;Z&aacute;horsk&yacute; &gt;Lukan. The determination of the total sulfur content is based on dry combustion in the presence of oxygen and allows for the quantitative conversion of sulfur to SO2. Statistically significant highest level of total sulfur content was recorded in 0.638% (Mojm&iacute;r) and the lowest level was in 0.421% (Makoi). According to determined values of total sulfur content the studied varieties of garlic can be arranged in the following order: Mojm&iacute;r &gt;Lukan &gt;Z&aacute;horsk&yacute; &gt;Makoi. Antioxidant activity was determined by the spectrophotometric method using a compound DPPH (2.2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl). The highest value of antioxidant activity was measured in Mojm&iacute;r (15.24%). The lowest level was observed in Makoi (11.73%). The antioxidant activity in garlic declined in the following order: Mojm&iacute;r &gt;Lukan &gt;Z&aacute;horsk&yacute; &gt;Makoi. In all studied samples of garlic was confirmed by the strong dependence of the total polyphenols content, total sulfur content and antioxidant activity.</p

The antimicrobial activity of honey, bee pollen loads and beeswax from Slovakia

The aim of this study was to test the antimicrobial activity of propolis, bee pollen loads and beeswax samples collected in the year 2009 from two locations in Slovakia to pathogenic bacteria, microscopic fungi and yeasts. The antimicrobial effect of the bee product samples were tested using the agar well diffusion method. For extraction, 99.9% and 70% methanol (aqueous, v/v) and 96% and 70% ethanol (aqueous, v/v) were used. Five different strains of bacteria, i.e. Listeria monocytogenes CC M 4699, Pseudomonas aeruginosa CC M 1960; Staphylococcus aureus CC M 3953; Salmonella enterica CC M 4420, Escherichia coli CC M 3988, three different strains of microscopic fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and seven different strains of yeasts Candida krusei, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, Geotrichum candidum, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, were tested. After 48 hours S. aureus was the bacterium most sensitive to the 70% ethanol extract of pollen, A. fumigatus was the most sensitive microscopic fungus (70% ethanol) and C. glabrata the most sensitive yeast (70% methanol). Microorganisms most sensitive to propolis extracts were L. monocytogenes, A. fumigatus (70% ethanol) and G. candidum (70% methanol). Most sensitive to beeswax extracts were E. coli, A. niger and C. tropicalis

The effect of the regular consumption of lard from fats of crossbreed Mangalitsa and breed of meat type pig on the lipid profile of consumers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of consumption of lard processed from crossbreed of the original mangalitsa genotype and the breed of meat type pigs on selected biochemical parameters: total cholesterol (T-C), LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triacylglycerols (TAG). Twenty-nine probands participated in the study, of which 14 women and 15 men (aged 21 - 59) who consumed regularly lard four times a week during 5 weeks. By evaluating the lipid profile of probands, we observed elevated hypercholesterolemia at the beginning of the study in 43% women and 27% men. Statistically significant differences were recorded in this group of probands, where we recorded a decrease in TC of 0.55 mmol.L-1 in the whole sample of probands with p &lt;0.05 probability in the 2nd sample of study after 5 weeks of consumption of lard. Borderline high (up to 3.35 mmol.L-1) was found in 21% of women and 33% of men, and above LDL cholesterol was found in 79% of women and 60% of men. This high level of LDL cholesterol is considered a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. We can conclude from the results that regular consumption of lard has significantly reduced the total cholesterol levels, especially in women, this effect has been associated with lowering LDL cholesterol (p &lt;0.01) and lowering HDL cholesterol.&nbsp; Normal 0 21 false false false SK X-NONE X-NONE <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent

EFFECT OF MODERATE RED WINE CONSUMPTION ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESSION OF METABOLIC SYNDROME AS A COMPLEX RISK FACTOR FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND DIABETES MELLITUS II.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;" lang="SK">Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a set of clinical symptoms that are related to the development of cardiovascular disease. These abdominal obesity, which is the strongest associate with the metabolic syndrome and clinically manifested increasing waist circumference and ratio of waist to hip, atherogenic dyslipidaemia, which is reflected in the routine diagnosis of increased levels of triglycerides and reduced levels of HDL-cholesterol, high blood pressure, insulin resistance and/or various forms of glucose intolerance, proinflammatory and prothrombotic state. Epidemiological, experimental and clinical investigations have shown that diets supplemented with moderate quantities of alcoholic beverages lead to biochemical changes, that are widely regarded to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Red wine contains a&nbsp;naturally rich sources of antioxidants which may protect the body from oxidative stress. </span><span lang="SK">We investigated the relationship between red wine intake and lipide profile, glucose, blood pressure and WHR index changes. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Participants consumed 200 ml of red wine Frankovka modra </span>(V&Iacute;NO-MASARYK, s.r.o., Skalica)<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> each day during supper for six weeks and were encouraged to maintain their usual diet and exercise habits. </span>Daily intake of Frankovka modra during six weeks was associated with lower plasma levels of total cholesterol (5.66&plusmn;1.12 vs 5.36&plusmn;1.04), triglycerides (1.68&plusmn;0.23 vs 1.47&plusmn;0.66), LDL-cholesterol (3.46&plusmn;0.81 vs 3.26&plusmn;0.76) and glucose (5.35&plusmn;0.82 vs 5.26&plusmn;0.78). On the contrary we recorded higher level of &bdquo;good&ldquo; HDL cholesterol (1.42&plusmn;0.63 vs 1.80&plusmn;0.58). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was also decreased and diastolic blood pressure after six weeks of consumption of red wine decreased statistically significantly. Research results have shown that moderate consumption of red wine have a positive impact on changes waist and ultimately to the </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: CS;">Waist to Hip Ratio. Our study </span><span lang="SK">demonstrates a&nbsp;positive association between moderate wine consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="SK"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><strong>doi:10.5219/91</strong></span></span></span></p

The changes in biochemical parameters due to wine consumption depending on gender

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of red wine consumption on&nbsp;the lipid profile and glucose in the group of male (13 men aged 34 - 64 years) and the group of female (11 women aged 28 - 57 years). Research consisted of moderate red wine consumption for 6 weeks. The dose of alcohol ranged from 200 to 300 mL per day of red wine Lemberger (Winery Masaryk, Slovakia). The blood samples were obtained after overnight fasting and were collected at baseline and after three days, three weeks and six weeks of wine consumption. Differences between male and female subjects were reflected in the results of different biochemical parameters in the dynamics of wine consumption. We found out that while in females the total cholesterol level did not change significantly and had a predominantly downward trend, for male subjects we observed at the beginning the slight increase of the levels, which, however, after 6 weeks of consumption significantly decreased from an initial value of 5.75 &plusmn;1.32 mmol.L-1 to 5.35 &plusmn;1.25 mmol.L-1 (p &lt;0.05). The blood concentration of triglycerides in the dynamics of the experiment did not change significantly in either one gender, although small differences were observed, because while the female subjects had triglyceride development over consumption upward trend in male subjects it was vice versa. LDL-cholesterol changed significantly only in the group of female. Level of this lipid parameter decreased significantly during the six weeks of consumption of Lemberger from an initial value 3.37&nbsp;&plusmn;0.68 mmol.L-1 to the lowest 2.99 &plusmn;0.61 mmol.L-1, which was recorded in the third week of consumption (p &lt;0.0001), but statistically significant differences versus baseline we monitored after three days and six weeks of consumption (p&nbsp;&lt;0.01). In the group of male, we did not observe such significant changes, but it should be noted, that the men had changes in LDL-cholesterol downward direction and all the values were in the range of benchmarks. In the group of female, HDL-cholesterol increased to 2.05 &plusmn;0.6 mmol.L-1 after six weeks of consumption from baseline of 1.7 &plusmn;0.69 mmol.L-1, and the difference was statistically significant (p &lt;0.05), in the group of male, its level changed first significantly after three days of consumption of steep increase (1.46 &plusmn;0.61 mmol.L-1, p &lt;0.05), and for the next six weeks, it was the significantly increase (1.59 &plusmn;0.5 mmol.L-1, p &lt;0.01). The glucose concentration did not change significantly in the dynamics of wine consumption among men and women, and all the values were between the limits of the standard.&nbsp;</p

Analysis of Biochemical and Genetic Variability of <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i> Based on the β-Glucans and CDDP Markers

Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is still one of the most cultivated edible and medicinal mushrooms. Despite its frequent cultivation around the world, there is currently just a little information available on the variability of strains in terms of the content of β-glucans in them. This work presents an extensive study of 60 strains in terms of the content of α-glucans and β-glucans in their caps and stipes. The authenticity of the production strains based on an analysis of the variability of their genome by CDDP (Conserved DNA-derived polymorphism) markers was confirmed, whereas identical CDDP profiles were identified between samples 45, 89, 95, and 96. Genetic variability of the analyzed production strains showed a high polymorphism and effective discriminative power of the used marking technique. Medium positive correlations were found among the CDDP profiles and β-glucan content in the group of strains that generated the same CDDP profiles, and low negative correlation was found among these profiles in the group of low β-glucan content strains. For the determination of glucans content, Mushroom and Yeast analytical enzymatic kit (Megazyme, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland) were used. The results clearly showed that the stipe contains on average 33% more β-glucans than the cap. The minimum detected β-glucan content in the stipe was in strain no. 72, specifically 22%, and the maximum in strain no. 43, specifically 56%, which after the conversion represents a difference of 155%. From the point of view of β-glucan content, the stated strain no. 43 appears to be very suitable for the commercial production of β-glucans under certain conditions