The alimentary impact of the hemp seed

Hemp seed and hemp seed oil can supply us with many important substances. Their essential fatty acid compositions are favourable, but they may contain non-psychotropic cannabinoids. Emerging data show that these components can influence the health status of the population beneficially. Some data also showed trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol in seed oils, the main psychotropic cannabinoid that is contraindicated.Our aim was to examine cannabinoids and fatty acid composition as well as metal and non-metal element compositions in products, like hemp seed oil and chopped hemp seed capsule.The cannabinoids were separated by thin layer chromatography. Fatty acid composition was determined with gas chromatography, and elements (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Si, Sn, Sr, V, and Zn) were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometric method. Selenium was determined with polarographic analyser.Cannabinoids were not detectable by thin layer chromatography, so hemp seed oil, as well as the capsule, have no psychotropic adverse effect. Our data showed that hemp seed contains essential fatty acids close to the recommended ratio. The B and Se concentrations of the oils and the P concentration of the capsule are also relevant

Oxidative stress with altered element content and decreased ATP level of erythrocytes in hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal liver metastases

Our aim was to study the possible alterations of redox status (enzymatic and nonenzymatic parameters and metal elements) in erythrocytes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) and benign liver neoplasms. The function of redox homeostasis is closely connected to the energy level of erythrocytes, therefore, the ATP level was also determined. Antioxidant parameters, enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were estimated in the erythrocytes of 11 patients with benign tumour, 23 patients with primary malignant and 37 metastatic liver tumour patients and 30 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls. Element content with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer and ATP level by the chemiluminometric method were also determined from the samples. Free radical intensity was significantly increased, whereas erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly decreased in the HCC and CRLM groups versus benign groups and controls. Se, Mn and Zn levels were lowered in HCC and CRLM groups versus benign and control groups. The content of Cu, Mg, Se and Zn changed significantly between HCC and CRLM groups. Similarly, ATP concentration decreased in HCC and CRLM versus controls and benign groups. The lowest levels of ATP and antioxidant enzyme activities were found in the case of CRLM patients. These results reveal an alteration in the ATP level of erythrocytes with concomitant changes in the antioxidant defence system in hepatic cancer patients. Altered redox homeostasis (oxidative damage) may lead to decreased ATP level and consequently may play an important role in primary carcinogenesis and generation of metastases, as well

Extreme consumption of beta vulgaris var. rubra can cause metal ion accumulation in the liver

Redox homeostasis can be considered as the cumulative action of all free radical reactions and antioxidant defences in different tissues, which provide suitable conditions for life. Transition metal ions are ubiquitous in biological systems. Beta vulgaris var. rubra (table beet root) contains several bioactive agents (e.g. betain, betanin, vulgaxanthine, polyphenols, folic acid) and different metal elements (e.g. Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Zn), which act on the various physiological routes. Therefore we studied the effect of this metal rich vegetable on element content of the liver in healthy rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 7) (200 ± 20 g) were treated with lyophilised powder of table beet root (2 g/kg b. w.) added into the rat chow for 10 days. Five healthy animals served as control. We found significant accumulation of Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn and P in the liver, which was proved by ICP-AES measurements. We suppose that the extreme consumption of table beet root can cause several disturbances not only in cases of healthy patients but, e.g. in patients suffering with metal accumulating diseases, e.g. porphyria cutanea tarda, haemochromatosis or Wilson disease-although moderate consumption may be beneficial in iron-deficiency anaemia and inflammatory bowel diseases

Duodenum protecting effects of table beet (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. esculenta var. rubra) during hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion

Dietary intake of polyphenols and vitamins before surgery may have beneficial effect on survival of the patients. Table beet (Beta vulgaris L. var. rubra) contains bioactive agents, which have a wide range of different physiologic effects. These agents have beneficial antioxidant properties. The aim in the present study was to determine the gut protecting properties of bioactive substances of table beet in a model of ischaemic-reperfusion injury of the rat liver. Chemiluminescent intensity, H-donating ability, reducing power and free SH-group concentracion were determined by luminometry and spectrophotometry in duodenum and plasma. Lyophilized table beet increased significantly the free radical scavenging property of the plasma measured by chemiluminometry. Other antioxidant parameters of the plasma increased in rats fed table beet diet, and change in reducing power was significant. Beneficial effect of the treatment was found in changes of total scavenger capacity of the duodenum during ischaemia-reperfusion injury. H-donating ability and reducing power of the gut decreased in the table beet-fed group during ischaemia-reperfusion compared to normal group with ischaemia-reperfusion. Based on these data, it can be concluded that table beet can protect the entire body from the oxidative damage caused by ischaemia-reperfusion of the liver, but the effect of table beet treatment on gut mucosa needs further investigation

How can Beiqishen tea consumption influence redox homeostasis in experimental hyperlipidemy?

In general, biologically active polyphenolic compounds have indirect lipid lowering effects, antioxidant properties and they can also eliminate the accumulated toxic metal elements in the liver in cases of hyperlipidemy. Because of all these, we studied the effect of Beiqishen tea on altered lipid metabolisms, redox parameters and on liver metal contents. Although it was expected, there was not any liver protecting activity of the Beiqishen tea extract in the hyperlipidemic rat model, which was proved by biochemical and morphological studies. The reason for our expectation was the significant polyphenol content of Beiqishen tea. Although, the detoxifying activity of tea polyphenols could be observed in hyperlipidemy, at the same time toxic metal element content (As, Mo, Ni, Pb and Cr) of the tea infusion accumulated in the liver in both normo- and hyperlipidemic rats