Fluoride in the Central Nervous System and Its Potential Influence on the Development and Invasiveness of Brain Tumours—A Research Hypothesis

The purpose of this review is to attempt to outline the potential role of fluoride in the pathogenesis of brain tumours, including glioblastoma (GBM). In this paper, we show for the first time that fluoride can potentially affect the generally accepted signalling pathways implicated in the formation and clinical course of GBM. Fluorine compounds easily cross the blood–brain barrier. Enhanced oxidative stress, disruption of multiple cellular pathways, and microglial activation are just a few examples of recent reports on the role of fluoride in the central nervous system (CNS). We sought to present the key mechanisms underlying the development and invasiveness of GBM, as well as evidence on the current state of knowledge about the pleiotropic, direct, or indirect involvement of fluoride in the regulation of these mechanisms in various tissues, including neural and tumour tissue. The effects of fluoride on the human body are still a matter of controversy. However, given the growing incidence of brain tumours, especially in children, and numerous reports on the effects of fluoride on the CNS, it is worth taking a closer look at these mechanisms in the context of brain tumours, including gliomas

Antitumour Effects of Selected Pyridinium Salts on Sensitive Leukaemia HL60 Cells and Their Multidrug Resistant Topoisomerase II-Defective HL60/MX2 Counterparts

Multidrug resistance (MDR), having a multifactorial nature, is one of the major clinical problems causing the failure of anticancer therapy. The aim of this study was to examine the antitumour effects of selected pyridinium salts, 1-methyl-3-nitropyridine chloride (MNP) and 3,3,6,6,10-pentamethyl-3,4,6,7-tetrahydro-[1,8(2H,5H)-dion]acridine chloride (MDION), on sensitive leukaemia HL60 cells and resistant topoisomerase II-defective HL60/MX2 cells. Cell growth was determined by the MTT test. Intracellular ROS level was measured with the aid of 2′,7′-DCF-DA. The cell cycle distribution was investigated by performing PI staining. DSB formation was examined using the γ-H2AX histone phosphorylation assay. The activity of caspase-3 and caspase-8 was measured with the use of the FLICA test. The assays for examining the lysosome membrane permeabilization were carried out with the aid of LysoTracker Green DND-26. Both studied compounds exerted very similar cytotoxic activities towards sensitive HL60 cells and their MDR counterparts. They modulated the cellular ROS level in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner and significantly increased the percentage of sensitive HL60 and resistant HL60/MX2 cells with sub-diploid DNA (sub-G1 fraction). However, the induction of DSB formation was not a significant mechanism of action of these pyridinium salts in studied cells. Both examined compounds triggered caspase-3/caspase-8-dependent apoptosis of sensitive HL60 cells and their MDR counterparts. Additionally, the findings of the study indicate that lysosomes may also participate in the programmed death of HL60 as well as HL60/MX2 cells induced by MDION. The data obtained in this work showed that both examined pyridinium salts, MNP and MDION, are able to retain high antileukaemic effects against multidrug resistant topoisomerase II-defective HL60/MX2 cells

Magnetotactic Bacteria and Magnetosomes as Smart Drug Delivery Systems: A New Weapon on the Battlefield with Cancer?

An important direction of research in increasing the effectiveness of cancer therapies is the design of effective drug distribution systems in the body. The development of the new strategies is primarily aimed at improving the stability of the drug after administration and increasing the precision of drug delivery to the destination. Due to the characteristic features of cancer cells, distributing chemotherapeutics exactly to the microenvironment of the tumor while sparing the healthy tissues is an important issue here. One of the promising solutions that would meet the above requirements is the use of Magnetotactic bacteria (MTBs) and their organelles, called magnetosomes (BMs). MTBs are commonly found in water reservoirs, and BMs that contain ferromagnetic crystals condition the magnetotaxis of these microorganisms. The presented work is a review of the current state of knowledge on the potential use of MTBs and BMs as nanocarriers in the therapy of cancer. The growing amount of literature data indicates that MTBs and BMs may be used as natural nanocarriers for chemotherapeutics, such as classic anti-cancer drugs, antibodies, vaccine DNA, and siRNA. Their use as transporters increases the stability of chemotherapeutics and allows the transfer of individual ligands or their combinations precisely to cancerous tumors, which, in turn, enables the drugs to reach molecular targets more effectively

Fluoride in the Central Nervous System and Its Potential Influence on the Development and Invasiveness of Brain Tumours—A Research Hypothesis

The purpose of this review is to attempt to outline the potential role of fluoride in the pathogenesis of brain tumours, including glioblastoma (GBM). In this paper, we show for the first time that fluoride can potentially affect the generally accepted signalling pathways implicated in the formation and clinical course of GBM. Fluorine compounds easily cross the blood–brain barrier. Enhanced oxidative stress, disruption of multiple cellular pathways, and microglial activation are just a few examples of recent reports on the role of fluoride in the central nervous system (CNS). We sought to present the key mechanisms underlying the development and invasiveness of GBM, as well as evidence on the current state of knowledge about the pleiotropic, direct, or indirect involvement of fluoride in the regulation of these mechanisms in various tissues, including neural and tumour tissue. The effects of fluoride on the human body are still a matter of controversy. However, given the growing incidence of brain tumours, especially in children, and numerous reports on the effects of fluoride on the CNS, it is worth taking a closer look at these mechanisms in the context of brain tumours, including gliomas

The Effects of Immunosuppressive Treatment during Pregnancy on the Levels of Potassium, Iron, Chromium, Zinc, Aluminum, Sodium and Molybdenum in Hard Tissues of Female Rats and Their Offspring

The ideal immunosuppressive regimen should provide for excellent immunosuppression with no side effects. Yet, current immunosuppressive therapy regimens commonly used in clinical applications fail to meet this criterion. One of the complications caused by immunosuppressive drugs is mineralization disorders in hard tissues. In this study, we evaluated the effects of three immunosuppressive therapies used after transplantation on the levels of potassium, iron, chromium, zinc, aluminum, sodium and molybdenum in the bones and teeth of female rats and their offspring. The study was conducted on 32 female Wistar rats, subjected to immunosuppressive regimens (cyclosporine A, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone; tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone; and cyclosporine A, everolimus and prednisone). The hard tissues of rats were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES, ICAP 7400 Duo, Thermo Scientific) equipped with a concentric nebulizer and a cyclonic spray chamber. All the immunosuppressive regimens included in the study affected the concentrations of the studied minerals in hard tissues of female rats and their offspring. The therapy based on cyclosporine A, everolimus and prednisone led to a decline in the levels of iron in bone, zinc in teeth, and molybdenum in the bone and teeth of mothers, while in the offspring, it caused a decline of bone potassium, with a decrease in iron and increase of molybdenum in teeth. Moreover, the regimen caused an increase in aluminum and chromium in the teeth and aluminum in the bones of the offspring, and consequently, it seems to be the therapy with the most negative impact on the mineral metabolism in hard tissues

The Importance of CXCL1 in the Physiological State and in Noncancer Diseases of the Oral Cavity and Abdominal Organs

CXCL1 is a CXC chemokine, CXCR2 ligand and chemotactic factor for neutrophils. In this paper, we present a review of the role of the chemokine CXCL1 in physiology and in selected major non-cancer diseases of the oral cavity and abdominal organs (gingiva, salivary glands, stomach, liver, pancreas, intestines, and kidneys). We focus on the importance of CXCL1 on implantation and placentation as well as on human pluripotent stem cells. We also show the significance of CXCL1 in selected diseases of the abdominal organs, including the gastrointestinal tract and oral cavity (periodontal diseases, periodontitis, Sjögren syndrome, Helicobacter pylori infection, diabetes, liver cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), HBV and HCV infection, liver ischemia and reperfusion injury, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), obesity and overweight, kidney transplantation and ischemic-reperfusion injury, endometriosis and adenomyosis)

The Extent of Burn Injury Significantly Affects Serum Micro- and Macroelement Concentrations in Patients on the First Day of Hospitalisation

Burns exceeding 30% of total body surface area (TBSA) result in considerable hypovolemia coupled with the formation and release of inflammatory mediators, leading to subsequent systemic effects known as burn shock. Because of plasma exudation and the associated losses of large quantities of minerals, severe burns can lead to nutritional deficiencies and consequently disrupt homeostasis and metabolism of the entire body. The study group comprised 62 patients, who were divided into 3 groups according to the severity of burns. Serum samples were tested for concentrations of Ca, Mg, Mn, P, K, Zn, Cu, Fe, Se, Na, Cr, Ni, and Al. The mineral concentrations in serum of patients with burn injuries differ significantly from reference values, but this is not affected by the extent of the body burn. There are statistically significant decreases in serum concentrations of elements important for antioxidant protection (Zn, Cu, Se), and significant increases in the concentrations of toxic elements (Al and Ni), which may aggravate the effects associated with the state of burn shock. The Spearman rank correlation analysis did not reveal any statistically significant relationships between the serum concentrations of Mn, Ni, Al, K, Na, P, Mg, Zn, Se, Cr and the affected body surface area and severity of the burn—the values were at the lower end of the reference range. The obtained results indicate that proper nutrition, including elements replenishment, is extremely important in the recovery process of burn patients and time to nutrition is an important factor affecting patient survival after severe burn

CCL18 Expression Is Higher in a Glioblastoma Multiforme Tumor than in the Peritumoral Area and Causes the Migration of Tumor Cells Sensitized by Hypoxia

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a brain tumor with a very poor prognosis. For this reason, researchers worldwide study the impact of the tumor microenvironment in GBM, such as the effect of chemokines. In the present study, we focus on the role of the chemokine CCL18 and its receptors in the GBM tumor. We measured the expression of CCL18, CCR8 and PITPNM3 in the GMB tumor from patients (16 men and 12 women) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. To investigate the effect of CCL18 on the proliferation and migration of GBM cells, experiments were performed using U-87 MG cells. The results showed that CCL18 expression was higher in the GBM tumor than in the peritumoral area. The women had a decreased expression of PITPNM3 receptor in the GBM tumor, while in the men a lower expression of CCR8 was observed. The hypoxia-mimetic agent, cobalt chloride (CoCl2), increased the expression of CCL18 and PITPNM3 and thereby sensitized U-87 MG cells to CCL18, which did not affect the proliferation of U-87 MG cells but increased the migration of the test cells. The results indicate that GBM cells migrate from hypoxic areas, which may be important in understanding the mechanisms of tumorigenesis

Modified Baby Milk—Bioelements Composition and Toxic Elements Contamination

Breast milk has the most suitable composition for the proper development in the first year of a child’s life. However, it is often replaced with artificial milk. The aim of the study was to analyze the composition of essential elements: Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn as well as toxic elements: Ni, Pb, Sr, Li, and In in 18 formulas available in Poland. The daily supply was also estimated. The study was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry method. The results showed the presence of all essential elements tested, but the content of P and Mn significantly differed from the concentrations declared. Such discrepancies can have significant impact on the daily dose of the bioelements taken. However, the content of elements was within the reference standards established by the EU Directive with exception of P, the amount of which exceeded the norms 5.23–18.80-times. Daily supply of P in tested milk as well as Fe and Mn provided with first and hypoallergenic formula exceeded the adequate intake. Analysis revealed the contamination with harmful elements—Pb, Sr, Li, and In were detected in almost all products. The study confirms the data concerning some discrepancies in composition and the contamination of food and may provide information on the feeding quality of children and estimation of health risk associated with exposure to toxic elements

Depressive Disorders and Sleeping Disturbances—Surveys Study of 923 Participants on the Pol’and’Rock Festival, Kostrzyn, Poland 2019

Depressive disorders are common among young people and can decrease social competences and thus the quality of life. There is a relationship between the occurrence of depressive disorders and insomnia. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of insomnia and depressive behavior and assess the relationship between these among participants of the Pol’and’Rock Festival, Kostrzyn, Poland 2019. The study used the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and the Beck Inventory II Scale (BDI-II). The study group consisted of 923 people, with the majority of women (n = 500; 54.2%). A total of 297 persons (32.2%) reported varying severity of depressive symptoms. Insomnia was observed in 261 (28.28%) respondents. Sleeping disturbances were observed more frequently in females. Persons with insomnia had a significantly higher BDI-II score. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.65) between the number of points obtained on the Beck and AIS scales was observed. Insomnia and depressive behavior are prevalent in the Polish population. Due to long-term social and economic consequences, special attention should be paid to the prevention, early detection and treatment of both disorders