Consumption of energy drinks in a group of young athletes

Energy drinks (EDs) are very popular among adolescents and young adults. Excessive consumption of EDs may cause various health risks due to the presence of caffeine and sugar. The aim of this study was to evaluate the consumption of energy drinks in a group of young athletes. Obtained results showed that 56% of participants in Bydgoszcz and 89% in Toruń drink EDs. Quite frequent consumption declared 37% and 29% of young athletes in Bydgoszcz and Toruń, respectively. Participants make the decision of EDs consumption with no particular reason or when they are thirsty. Unfortunately, some students mixed energy drinks with alcohol (AMED)

Serotonin in the Pathogenesis of Lymphocytic Colitis

Lymphocytic colitis (LC) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and colonic intraepithelial lymphocytosis. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is reported to increase in certain colon diseases; however, little is known regarding its metabolism in LC. In the present work, the level of 5-HT in serum and the number of enteroendocrine cells (EECs) as well as the expression of the 5-HT rate-limiting enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) in colonic biopsies and urine 5-hydroxyindoeoacetic acid (5-HIAA) were determined in 36 LC patients that were treated with budesonide and 32 healthy controls. The 5-HT serum and 5-HIAA urine levels were measured using ELISA, the EEC number was determined immunohistochemically, and the colonic TPH1 mRNA expression was determined using RT-PCR. The levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA and the number of EECs were higher in LC patients than in the controls, and positive correlations were observed between the 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels, 5-HT and EEC number, TPH1 mRNA and EEC number, as well as the severity of disease symptoms and 5-HIAA. Budesonide decreased the levels of 5-HT, 5-HIAA, and TPH1 expression and the number of EECs to values that did not differ from those for controls. In conclusion, the serotonin metabolism may be important for LC pathogenesis, and the urinary level of 5-HIAA may be considered as a non-invasive marker of this disease activity.This research was funded by the Medical University of Lodz, grant number 503/6-006-0

Intrafamiliar transmission patterns of Helicobacter pylori strains by using molecular typing

Introduction: The spread of Helicobacter pylori infection is still a subject of research. Family transmission is the most important transmission way in developed countries. Aim: To assess of transmission within family on the base of genetic typing of H. pylori strains isolated from family members. Material and methods: Altogether 55 members from 22 families with diagnosed gastritis connected with H. pylori infection were included into the study. Bacteria genetic material was isolated from the stomach biopsy specimens with the use of NucleoSpin®Tissue kit (Macherey-Nagel). Genes: glmM, cagA, cagE, iceA underwent polymerase chain reaction during analysis of H. pylori strains and multiplex PCR reaction for vacA (s1/s2 + m1/m2) was performed. Results: Gastritis caused by H. pylori infection was diagnosed in 55 members of 22 families, including 13 mothers, 11 fathers and 30 offspring. Parents’ age varied from 31 to 54 years (mean age 39.1 years), but offspring’s age varied from 4 to 26 years (mean age 11.9 years). Unanimity of H. pylori genetic types were found only in 18 from 44 pairs of persons who are the members of the same family (40.9%). Most often infection with the same genetic type of H. pylori was proved in pairs mother-child (70.6%). Only one of seven married couples was infected with the same genetic type of bacteria (14.3%). Infection with the same H. pylori type was observed similarly rarely between father and his child (27.3%), but also among siblings (22.2%). Only in three among 11 families with three persons infected with H. pylori all family members included in the study (mother and two children two times,mother-father-son once) were infected with the same genetic type of bacteria. The presence of cagA gene was found in 45 persons of 55 family members (81.8%) infected with H. pylori, cagE gene was noted in 13 of them (23.6%), iceA gene – in 7 of them (12.7%), vacAs gene – in 17 of them (30.9%), but vasAm gene – in 7 of them (12.7%). Conclusions: 1) Genetic typing of H. pylori strains isolated from family members confirms essential role of mother in infection transmission to children. 2) Infection of other family members, but particularly married couples seem to be less important in infection transmission

Konsensus dotyczący zastosowania leków hamujących wydzielanie kwasu solnego w żołądku w najczęstszych chorobach górnego odcinka przewodu pokarmowego w praktyce lekarza podstawowej opieki zdrowotnej

Niniejszy artykuł ma charakter konsensusu i dotyczy zastosowania leków antysekrecyjnych w leczeniu najczęstszych chorób górnego odcinka przewodu pokarmowego w praktyce lekarza podstawowej opieki zdrowotnej. Dwadzieścia sześć stwierdzeń, które stanowią podsumowanie obecnego stanu wiedzy na ten temat, zostało poddanych głosowaniu przez członków Zarządu Głównego Polskiego Towarzystwa Gastroenterologii (ZG PTG-E). Celem głosowania była ocena stopnia akceptacji poszczególnych stwierdzeń i gotowości do ich zalecania w polskich warunkach. Dwadzieścia jeden z 26 stwierdzeń zostało zaakceptowanych w całości lub jedynie z pewnym zastrzeżeniem (stopień poparcia A lub B) przez co najmniej 85% głosujących, a kolejne 3 uzyskały poparcie wynoszące co najmniej 74%. Wysoki stopień poparcia większości stwierdzeń zawartych w konsensusie przez członków ZG PTG-E upoważnia do stwierdzenia, że przedstawione w nim zasady wykorzystania leków antysekrecyjnych mogą być rekomendowane w praktyce lekarzy podstawowej opieki zdrowotnej w Polsce. Gastroenterologia Kliniczna 2009, tom 1, nr 1, 1-

Antioxidant Properties and Fatty Acid Profile of Cretan Extra Virgin Bioolive Oils: A Pilot Study

Olive oil is considered a valuable ingredient of human diet. It is a good source of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as other bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols. The composition of olive oil depends mainly on the variety of plant, cultivation practices, and manufacturing conditions. Traditional processing methods may ensure better quality and health benefits. Therefore, the aim of the study was the evaluation of antioxidant properties and fatty acid profile of Cretan extra virgin bioolive oils. These ones were compared with commercial Spanish, Italian, and Greek extra virgin olive oils. Obtained results showed that sample Cretan 1 had about 15% higher antioxidant capacity and about 60% higher total polyphenol content than commercial counterparts. This one had also a favorable profile of fatty acids, especially 20% more linoleic acid. We concluded that traditional production methods, using millstones, cold pressing, and without centrifugation and filtration ensure better olive oil quality and related health benefits

Evaluation of Melatonin Secretion and Metabolism Exponents in Patients with Ulcerative and Lymphocytic Colitis

Inflammatory bowel diseases, particularly ulcerative colitis (UC) and lymphocytic colitis (LC), affect many people. The role of melatonin in the pathogenesis of UC is precisely determined, whereas in LC it remains unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of the melatonin-synthesizing enzymes tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH1), arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), and N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT) in the colonic mucosa and urinary excretion of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin in patients with ulcerative and lymphocytic colitis. The study included 30 healthy subjects (group C), 30 patients with severe ulcerative colitis (group UC), and 30 patients with lymphocytic colitis (group LC). The diagnosis was based on endoscopic, histological, and laboratory examinations. Biopsy specimens were collected from right, transverse, and left parts of the colon. The levels of mRNA expression, TPH1, AANAT, and ASMT were estimated in the colonic mucosa with RT-PCR. The urine concentration of aMT6s was determined by the photometric method. The expression of TPH1, AANAT, and ASMT in colonic mucosa in UC and LC patients was significantly higher than in healthy subjects. Significant differences were found in the urinary aMT6s excretion: group C—13.4 ± 4.8 µg/24 h, group UC—7.8 ± 2.6 µg/24 h (p < 0.01), group LC—19.2 ± 6.1 µg/24 h (p < 0.01). Moreover, a negative correlation was found between fecal calprotectin and MT6s—in patients with UC − r = −0.888 and with LC − r = −0.658. These results indicate that patients with UC and those with LC may display high levels of melatonin-synthesizing enzymes in their colonic mucosa, which could possibly be related to increased melatonin synthesis as an adaptive antioxidant activity

Application of Manuka honey in treatment patients with GERD

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease has systematically increase in Western countries over recent years. Health benefits of Manuka honey allows to use it for medical purposes, for example reduction of inflammation of gastrointestinal mucosa. Thus, the aim of research was the application of Manuka honey in treatment patients with Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). The study was conducted on a group of 30 patients, which consumed Manuka honey or placebo for a period of 4 weeks. The gastroscopy and histology has been made twice, that is before and after experiment. Furthermore, the symptoms reports and nutritional interviews have been collected. The endoscopical examination showed that in Manuka group the improvement was 73.3%. In the sub-groups of esophagitis-A and esophagitis-B the improvement rate was 81.8%, and 50%, respectively. However, in the placebo group, the general improvement rate was much lower. The results have been confirmed in the histopathological examination. Moreover, it is worth noticing, that in sub-group declaring non-medication, the improvement was only for patients consuming Manuka honey. Changes of symptoms in subjective assessment of patients were evaluated after 2 and 4 weeks. The improvement rate in Manuka group was 86.7% and 100%, while in Placebo group it was only 26.7% and 40%, respectively. Manuka honey seems to be effective in GERD, which have been confirmed by subjective feelings of patients and by endoscopic and histopathologic examination. Our research is a pilot study before administration of Manuka honey to larger population. The results are promising and may facilitate the quality of life of patients with GERD

Serotonin Pathway of Tryptophan Metabolism in Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth—A Pilot Study with Patients Diagnosed with Lactulose Hydrogen Breath Test and Treated with Rifaximin

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition associated with diverse clinical conditions and there is no gold standard in its diagnosis and treatment. Tryptophan (Trp) metabolism may be involved in etiology of gastrointestinal diseases and is regulated by intestinal microbiota. In our study we investigated aspects of the serotonin (5-HT) pathway of Trp metabolism in three groups of individuals based on the hydrogen concentration in the lactulose hydrogen breath test (LHBT): controls (<20 ppm) and SIBO patients (≥20 ppm), with diarrhea (SIBO-D) or constipation (SIBO-C). The SIBO-D patients showed an increased serum concentration of 5-HT and small intestinal mucosa mRNA expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH-1), a rate-limiting enzyme in 5-HT biosynthesis. Urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), the main metabolite of 5-HT, was higher in both group of SIBO patients than controls. A positive correlation between 5-HIAA and LHBT was observed. A two-week treatment with rifaximin decreased hydrogen in LHBT and 5-HIAA concentration in SIBO patients. In conclusion, the serotonin pathway of Trp metabolism may play a role in the pathogenesis of hydrogen-positive SIBO and it may influence the diversification of SIBO into variants with diarrhea or constipation. As urinary 5-HIAA concentration correlates with LHBT, TPH-1 expression in colonic mucosa and TH-5 in serum of SIBO patients, it can be considered as a non-invasive marker of this condition

Expression of Melatonin Synthesizing Enzymes in Helicobacter pylori Infected Gastric Mucosa

Helicobacter pylori colonization of gastric mucosa causes pain of unknown etiology in about 15–20% of infected subjects. The aim of the present work was to determine the level of expression of enzymes involved in the synthesis of melatonin in gastric mucosa of asymptomatic and symptomatic H. pylori infected patients. To diagnose H. pylori infection, histological analysis and the urea breath test (UBT C13) were performed. The levels of mRNA expression of arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT) and acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT) were estimated in gastric mucosa with RT-PCR. The level of AA-NAT expression and AMST was decreased in H. pylori infected patients and was increased after H. pylori eradication. We conclude that decreased expression of melatonin synthesizing enzymes, AA-NAT and ASMT, in patients with symptomatic H. pylori infection returns to normal level after H. pylori eradication