The role of supplementation in the regulation of structural and functional central nervous system disorders among patients with Down syndrome

Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability in humans, which results from the presence of an extra chromosome 21. Significant progress has been made over the past years in expanding knowledge on molecular, structural and functional abnormalities in patients with Down syndrome. The obtained findings encouraged many scientists to attempt to use bioactive substances in in vivo and in vitro settings to inhibit central nervous system disorders. The use of supplements in the form of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) contributes to improved mitochondrial function in neurons, reduced DYRK1A overexpression and limited overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Certain doses of resveratrol improve mitochondrial function, increase hippocampal progenitor cell proliferation and, similarly to curcumin and pomegranate juice, inhibit premature ageing and prevent Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, it was observed that the use of choline supplements during pregnancy in healthy and trisomic experimental animals contributed to the stimulation of hippocampal neurogenesis, improved concentration, mood and cognitive functions in the offspring

Importance of glycemic index values of gluten-free products in the treatment of celiac disease and diabetes type 1

Celiakia i cukrzyca typu 1 to schorzenia obecnie nieuleczalne. Zanik objawów obu chorób jest uzyskiwany tylko dzięki ścisłemu przestrzeganiu zasad terapii. Cukrzyca typu 1 często występuje jako schorzenie współistniejące z celiakią i wtedy zachodzi konieczność jednoczesnej terapii obu schorzeń. Dieta bezglutenowa, która w celiakii jest terapią z wyboru, musi być w tej sytuacji dopasowana również do wymagań leczenia cukrzycy typu 1. Powinna być jak najbardziej zbliżona do diety podstawowej i odpowiednio zbilansowana pod względem zawartości wszystkich składników odżywczych. Wyniki badań nad wpływem diety bezglutenowej na wskaźniki stanu odżywienia i kontrolę metaboliczną pacjentów z celiakią lub współistniejącą cukrzycą typu 1 w większości przypadków wskazują na korzyści wynikające ze spożywania produktów o niskim indeksie glikemicznym (IG). Dlatego w celiakii i cukrzycy typu 1 zaleca się spożywanie produktów naturalnie bezglutenowych, pełnoziarnistych, grubych kasz gryczanej, amarantusowej, quinoa oraz ryżu basmati lub parboiled, a także nasion roślin strączkowych. Przetworzone produkty bezglutenowe, produkowane z rafinowanej mąki ryżowej i kukurydzianej, są znacznie uboższe w białko, błonnik, witaminy i składniki mineralne, a wartości ich IG są wysokie.Celiac disease and insulin dependent diabetes are both incurable diseases at the moment. The maintaining of health and avoiding of complications is possible only by strict adherences to therapy rules in both cases. Type 1 diabetes occurs frequently as a disease coexisting with celiac disease, and then there is a need of simultaneous treatment of both diseases. Gluten-free diet, which is the only therapy in celiac disease, must be in such situation well suited to the requirements of insulin-dependent diabetes therapy. It should be as similar as possible to the basic diet and properly balanced for all nutrients. The results of the impact of gluten-free diet on indicators of nutritional status and metabolic control of patients with celiac disease only, or both disorders, in the majority show the benefits of eating low-GI products. Therefore, the consumption of naturally glutenfree whole grains products: buckwheat, amaranth, quinoa and basmati rice or parboiled rice, and legumes is recommended. Gluten-free products, produced on the basis of refined rice flour and corn, are much lower in protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and the value of their glycemic index is high

Dietary Intake of Antioxidant Vitamins in Diets of Amateur Adults Preparing For a Marathon

The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of antioxidant vitamins in the diet of amateurs preparing for a marathon. The study group consisted of 92 women (30.8 ±6.7 years old) and 66 men (33.2 ±6.6 years old). Assessment of the content of antioxidant vitamins in the diet of the subjects was made on the basis of the 3-day dietary records. The average content of vitamin A in the diets of women surveyed was 1,296.8 mg/day and 1,499.7 mg/day in the diets of men. The vitamin A content of less than 90% of the norm was observed in the diets of 2.2% women and 9.1% men. The average content of vitamin C in the diet amounted to 130.6 (women) and 111.4 (men) mg/day. Significantly more men than women (30% vs 13%) did not fulfill the norm for vitamin C. The average vitamin E content was higher in the diets of men than in women (15.2 vs 13.0 mg/day; p < 0.0001). The vitamin E content was insufficient compared to norms in the diets of 10% of women and 12% of men. The average content of vitamins A, C and E in the diet of the subjects significantly exceeded the recommendations. The largest proportion of diets, not meeting the stated norms for vitamin C were in the group of men

Dietary Intake of Minerals in Diets of Adults Preparing for Marathon

The aim of the study was to evaluate the mineral content in the diets of amateurs preparing for a marathon. The examined group consisted of 92 women (W), whose average age was 30.8 ±6.7 years and 66 men (M), whose average age was 33.2 ±6.6 years. The evaluation of the mineral content of the diets of the surveyed people was done using three-day dietary records which included one day of the weekend. The average daily sodium content in the diets of women was 1,952.2 ±729.2 mg, and in the diets of men it was 3,093.1 ±1,063.3 mg whereas potassium content was 3,361.6 ±798.5 mg and 3,900.3 ±982.3 mg respectively. The potassium content of less than 90% of fulfilling the norm was observed in the diets of 84.8% of women and 66.7% of men. The average content of calcium in the diets of women and men amounted to 887.5 ±278.8 mg and 1,162.6 ± 434.3 mg/day respectively. The diets of 30.4% of women and 16.7% of men had insufficient calcium content as compared to the norms. The average daily phosphorus and magnesium content was significantly higher in men than in women (1,374.6 ±348.6 vs 1,823.5 ±473.0 mg and 373.4 ±107.1 vs 423.6 ±108.8 mg). Magnesium intake was insufficient in the diets of 14.1% of women and 28.8% of men. The average daily content of iron, zinc and copper in the group of women was: 12.1 mg, 10.1 mg and 1.4 mg, while in the diets of men respectively 14.8 mg, 13.5 mg and 1.5 mg. The highest percentage of diets not fulfilling the norm was found for calcium and potassium in women, and potassium and magnesium for men

Epicardial, paracardial, and perivascular fat quantity, gene expressions, and serum cytokines in patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes

INTRODUCTION Obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) are common disorders that increase cardiovascular risk and lead to coronary artery disease (CAD). OBJECTIVES The aim of our study was to assess the link between epicardial fat (EF) volume and paracardial fat (PF) volume, relative expressions of several genes in epicardial, paracardial, and perivascular fat and corresponding serum cytokines in patients with CAD in relation to DM. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 66 consecutive patients (33 with DM) with multivessel CAD were included. We obtained cardiac magnetic resonance, serum cytokines levels, and their relative mRNA expressions in EF, PF, and perivascular fat samples of the following: adrenomedullin (ADM), fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP), receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE), thrombospondin 1 (THSB1), and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). RESULTS There were no differences in the anthropometric parameters or fat depots, except for higher epicardial fat volume in patients with DM (mean [SD], 105.6 [38.5] ml vs 84 [29.2] ml; P = 0.02). Patients with DM exhibited a significantly increased RAGE expression in EF (median [Q1–Q3], 0.17 [0.06–1.48] AU vs 0.08 [0.02–0.24] AU, P = 0.03). Diabetes was also associated with increased expression of ADM in EF and PF and decreased expression of FGF21 compared with patients without DM. CONCLUSIONS Patients with multivessel CAD and DM revealed increased volume and more dysfunctional profile of gene expressions in EF and significantly decreased expression of cardioprotective FGF21

Zawartosc kadmu i olowiu w warzywach,zbozach,owocach i glebie pochodzacych z terenow o zroznicowanym zanieczyszczeniu przemyslowym oraz ze szklarni

Oznaczono zawartość kadmu i ołowiu w warzywach, zbożach, owocach i glebie z upraw polowych uznanych jako wolne od zanieczyszczeń przemysłowych, w warzywach z upraw narażonych na zanieczyszczenia oraz w warzywach i glebie z upraw szklarniowych.The content of cadmium and lead was measured in vegetables, fruit, cereals and soil from areas exposed and non-exposed to industrial pollution and in vegetables and soil from greenhouses. The elements were measured after dry mineralization by atomic absorption spectrophotometry following extraction of complexes from APDS into the organic phase (MIBK). Lead and cadmium were determined in 482 samples of vegetables, 101 fruit samples, 132 cereal samples and 297 soil samples. In the vegetables from the areas not exposed to industrial pollution lead content was below the detectability range (< d.r.) to 576.1 µg/kg, and cadmium was from < d.r. to 73.5 µg/kg. In the vegetables from areas exposed to industrial pollution lead was from 9.3 to 1044.0 µg/kg and cadmium from < d.r. to 552.3 µg/kg and cadmium from 2.3 to 132.5 µg/kg. In the soil from greenhouses lead was found in amounts from 17.5 to 212.0 mg/kg of air dry mass (adm), and cadmium from 125 to 750 µg/kg of adm. In soil from vegetable gardens lead was from 3.3 to 15.3 mg/kg of adm., and cadmium from <d.r. to 385.0 µ/kg adm. In soil from orchards lead was from 2.8 to 141.3 mg/kg adm, and cadmium from < d.r to 810.0 µg/kg adm. In the soil from fields of cereals lead was from 3.0 to 67.5 mg/kg amd, and cadmium from <d.r. to 295.0 µg/kg adm. In fruit lead was present in amounts from 12.8 to 144.0 µg/kg and cadmium from < d.r. to 42.0 µg/kg. In cereals lead was found in amounts from < d.r. to 760.0 µg/kg and cadmium from < d.r. to 200 µg/kg

Dietary habits of Wroclaw Medical University students (Poland)

Background. The World Health Organization considers an unhealthy diet to be related to the risk of cardiovascular diseases development. Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary habits among Wroclaw Medical University students with a view towards the nutritional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Material and Methods. The study was conducted between the years 2004-2012. The study group consisted of 892 women and 276 men. The respondents were asked to complete a questionnaire based on the principles outlined in “The Polish food-based dietary guidelines”. Results. There were numerous eating habits not in compliance with the recommendations. Men failed to take ≥ 3 meals/ day (10.1% vs 6.3%) at a significantly higher frequency than women. Food products exhibiting a high glycaemic index (GI) were preferred over low GI, especially among men. About 62% of women and 75% of men failed to consume ≥ 5 portions of fruits and vegetables per day. Women chose low-fat dairy products and meat significantly more frequently than men. 73% of women and 67% of men declared that they consumed vegetable oils on an irregular basis. About 8% of women and 11% of men used salt without restrictions, while 58% and 64% respectively, used sugar to sweeten beverages. Conclusions. Improper nutritional habits were observed in a high part of the studied students, especially among men. It is therefore strongly suggested that the rules of proper nutrition be promoted among this group.Wprowadzenie. Według Światowej Organizacji Zdrowia niezdrowa dieta jest związana z ryzykiem rozwoju chorób sercowo-naczyniowych. Cel. Celem badań była ocena zwyczajów żywieniowych studentów z Uniwersytetu Medycznego we Wrocławiu, pod kątem żywieniowych czynników ryzyka chorób sercowo-naczyniowych. Materiał i metody. Badania przeprowadzono w latach 2004-2012. Grupa badana liczyła 892 kobiet i 276 mężczyzn. Uczestnicy badania odpowiadali na pytania zawarte w ankiecie opracowanej na podstawie “Złotej Karty Prawidłowego Żywienia”. Wyniki. Stwierdzono, że liczne zwyczaje żywieniowe badanych studentów nie były zgodne z zaleceniami. Istotnie więcej mężczyzn niż kobiet nie spożywało zalecanych min. 3 posiłków w ciągu dnia (10,1% vs 6,3%). Produkty spożywcze charakteryzujące się wysokim indeksem glikemicznym (IG) były wybierane częściej niż produkty o niskim IG, zwłaszcza przez mężczyzn. Około 62% kobiet i 75% mężczyzn nie spożywało zalecanych min. 5 porcji warzyw i owoców w ciągu dnia. Kobiety wybierały niskotłuszczowe produkty mleczne oraz mięsne istotnie częściej niż mężczyźni. 73% kobiet i 67% mężczyzn deklarowało nieregularne spożycie olejów roślinnych. Około 8% kobiet i 11% mężczyzn dosalało potrawy bez żadnych ograniczeń, a odpowiednio 58% i 64% badanych osób używało cukier do dosładzania napojów. Wnioski. Nieprawidłowe nawyki żywieniowe zaobserwowano u znacznej części badanych studentów, zwłaszcza wśród mężczyzn. Promowanie zasad prawidłowego odżywiania w tej grupie osób jest zatem wysoce uzasadnione