Changes in Adenylate Nucleotides Concentration and Na+, K+-ATPase Activities in Erythrocytes of Horses in Function of Breed and Sex

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between the concentrations of ATP, ADP, AMP (HPLC methods), total nucleotide pool (TAN), adenylate energy charge (AEC) and Na+, K+-ATPase erythrocytic activities (by Choi's method) of horses as a function of breed and sex. The studies were conducted on 54 horses (stallions and mares) of different constitution types: breathing constitution (Wielkopolska and Hanoverian breed) and digestive constitution (Ardenian breed). Horse erythrocytes, independently of examined breed, present low ATP concentration in comparison to other mammal species while retaining relatively high AEC. Erythrocytes of breathing constitution type horses appear to have a more intensive glucose metabolism and a more efficient energetic metabolism when compared to digestive constitution type horses. The conclusions may be proven by significantly higher ATP concentration, higher TAN and significantly higher AEC in breathing constitution type horses compared to the digestive constitution type. Sex does not significantly influence adenine nucleotides concentration in the erythrocytes of the examined horses, however, stallions have slightly higher values in comparison to mares. A positive correlation was found between Na+, K+, -ATPase activity, ATP, ADP and AMP concentration and TAN in Wielkopolska and Ardenian breeds, which was not confirmed for the Hanoverian breed

Insulin resistance induced by maximal exercise correlates with a post-exercise increase in uridine concentration in the blood of healthy young men

Short title: Uridine and insulin resistance. SUMMARY Uridine is postulated to participate in the development of insulin resistance. Since exercise is an effective tool in the treatment of insulin resistance it appeared justified to assess the impact of maximal exercise on plasma uridine and insulin sensitivity indices (e.g. insulin and HOMA-IR) in healthy subjects. The study included forty-four healthy males (18.5 ±2.92 yrs, VO 2max 50.2 ±6.26 ml kg -1 min -1 ). Subjects performed a single maximal exercise on a bicycle ergometer. Blood samples were taken three times: immediately before exercise, immediately after exercise and at the 30 th minute of rest. Uridine concentrations were determined in the whole blood using highperformance liquid chromatography. Serum insulin levels were measured by a specific ELISA method. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by homeostasis model assessment method (HOMA- IR) A maximal exercise-induced increase in the concentration of uridine correlated with post-exercise increases in insulin levels and HOMA-IR. Our results indicate a relationship between the concentration of uridine in the blood and indicators of insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects. We are the first to demonstrate that a maximal exercise-induced increase in the concentration of uridine is correlated with postexercise increases in insulin levels and HOMA-IR in healthy subjects. It appears that uridine may be an indicator of insulin resistance

Opinie młodzieży na temat zakazu palenia w miejscach publicznych

Opinions of the adolescents on ban of smoking in public placesIntroduction: There have been attempts to introduce the ban of smoking in public places for several years.Aim of the project was to find out the teenagers’ opinion on introducing the total ban of smoking in public places.Materials and methods: The research was conducted in January 2009 among 88 students of secondary schools in Town of Płońsk. The diagnostic survey method was used.Results: 59,0% of the questioned teenagers claim that the Total ban of smoking should be introduced in public places but only 30,6% declared their support to introduce such ban.The places where the total ban should be introduced included clinics and hospitals (93,2%), children’s playgrounds (88,6%), sport facilities (62,5%), schools and universities (22,7%), bars, pubs, discos (5 questioned people!), private cars (2 people!).Only 22,8% of the questioned know the law rules concerning the ban on smoking in public areas. Over the half claimed that the obligations are not obeyed.Conclusions: Total ban of smoking should be promoted more widely in Poland. We should follow the example of other European countries in this respect. The stress should be put on introducing the ban in such places as bars or pubs and discos where the young generation spends their free time and can experience passive smoking. The issue of nicotine and its bad influence should be promoted widely in mass media.Another group which should be educated in that area are adults who should be encouraged to giving up smoking and introducing the free from smoke houses

Effect of the periparturient period on serum lipid and cholesterol lipoprotein concentrations in goats (Capra hircus)

Blood samples were taken from 12 goats during the periparturient period (4 and 1 weeks before and 2, 10 and 30 days after delivery), and from 10 nonpregnant goats. The following variables were determined: total lipids (TL), triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TCH) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol fractions. One week before delivery TL (2.32 ± 0.12 g/l, P ≤ 0.05), TG (0.32 ± 0.16 mmol/l, P ≤ 0.001) and TCH concentrations (1.65 ± 0.42 mmol/l, P ≤ 0.05) were significantly increased as compared to non-pregnant goats (2.08 ± 0.28 g/l, 0.15 ± 0.05 mmol/l, 1.38 ± 0.19 mmol/l, respectively). After delivery, the concentrations of TL, TG, TCH and HDL decreased significantly. The lowest TG concentration was observed 2 days after delivery (0.18 ± 0.02 mmol/l), while TL (1.73 ± 0.21 g/l), TCH (0.95 ± 0.21 mmol/l) and HDL (0.74 ± 0.16 mmol/l) reached the lowest level 10 days after delivery. Two days after delivery a significant increase of LDL concentration was observed (0.38 ± 0.04 mmol/l); however, ten days after delivery a threefold decrease was shown in the LDL concentration (0.12 ± 0.04 mmol/l). A month after delivery all the variables studied reached levels similar to those measured in non-pregnant goats

Dietary Habits in Children with Respiratory Allergies: A Single-Center Polish Pilot Study

Background: The rising trend in allergic diseases has developed in parallel with the increasing prevalence of obesity, suggesting a possible association. The links between eating habits and allergies have not been sufficiently clarified. Aim: To evaluate the nutritional status, eating habits, and risk factors of obesity and pulmonary function in children with allergic rhinitis. Materials and methods: We evaluated 106 children with allergic rhinitis (mean age 12.1 ± 3.4 years; M/F 60/46) from the Department of Allergology. Clinical data were collected regarding allergies, physical activity, nutritional status (Bodystat), dietary habits (Food Frequency Questionnaire validated for the Polish population), skin prick test with aeroallergens (Allergopharma), and spirometry (Jaeger). Results: All children suffered from allergic rhinitis; among them, 43 (40.6%) presented symptoms of asthma. There were differences between children with only allergic rhinitis (AR group) and children with both rhinitis and asthma (AA group) in pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 100 ± 11 vs. 92.1 ± 15.0; p < 0.05). A total of 84 children (79%) presented a normal body mass index (BMI) (10–97 percentile), 8 (7.5%) were underweight, and 14 (13.5%) were overweight or obese. There were no differences in body composition between the AR and AA groups. Incorrect eating habits were demonstrated by most of the children, e.g., consumption of three or fewer meals in a day (38%), sweets every day (44%), snacking between meals every day (80%), and eating meals less than 1 h before bedtime (47%). Compared to the AR group, the AA group was more likely to eat more meals a day (p = 0.04), snack more often (p = 0.04), and eat before sleeping (p = 0.005). Multiple regression analysis showed a significant association between high BMI and snacking between meals and low physical activity (adjusted R2 = 0.97; p < 0.05). Conclusions: The risk factors for obesity in children with allergies include snacking and low physical activity. Most children with respiratory allergies, especially those with asthma, reported incorrect eating habits such as snacking and eating before bedtime. A correlation between pulmonary function and body composition or dietary habits was not found