Melatonin as a powerful antioxidant

Melatonin is a hormone that has many body functions and, for several decades, its antioxidant potential has been increasingly talked about. There is a relationship between failure in melatonin production in the pineal gland, an insufficient supply of this hormone to the body, and the occurrence of free radical etiology diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and others. Despite the development of molecular biology, numerous in vitro and in vivo studies, the exact mechanism of melatonin antioxidant activity is still unknown. Nowadays, the use of melatonin supplementation is more and more common, not only to prevent insomnia, but also to slow down the aging process and provide protection against diseases. The aim of this study is to get acquainted with current reports on melatonin, antioxidative mechanisms and their importance in diseases of free radical etiology

THE INFLUENCE OF DOXORUBICIN ON NUCLEAR AND CYTOPLASMIC POOL OF F-ACTIN IN THE A549 CELL LINE

 The cytoskeleton as an intracellular system plays an important role in the proper functioning of the cell. F-actin is one of the components, which built this structure. Microfilaments are involved in cell shape maintenance, polarity and cell motility. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of doxorubicin on the actin reorganization and type of induced cell death in A549 cell line. In order to examine F-actin, the material was evaluated by the confocal and classical fluorescence microscope. Furthermore, changes in morphology and ultrastructure were analyzed by a light and transmission electron microscopy. The obtained data showed that doxorubicin causes a dosedependent decrease in A549 cell viability. Moreover, the treatment with doxorubicin resulted in the reorganization of F-actin as well as the induction of apoptosis and mitotic catastrophe in the non-small lung cancer cells. In addition, the existence of actin in the nucleus was confirmed.Cytoszkielet stanowi międzykomórkowy system, odgrywający istotną rolę w prawidłowym funkcjonowaniu każdej komórki. Jednym z jego komponentów jest F-aktyna, zaangażowana w zmiany kształtu, polarność, a także ruch komórek. Celem przedstawionej pracy było określenie wpływu doksorubicyny na reorganizację cytoszkieletu aktynowego oraz rodzaj indukowanej śmierci w komórkach linii A549. Wyniki badań oceniano przy użyciu klasycznego oraz konfokalnego mikroskopu fluorescencyjnego, a także z wykorzystaniem mikroskopii świetlnej oraz transmisyjnej mikroskopii elektronowej. W toku badań wykazano dawkozależną wrażliwość komórek linii A549 na doksorubicynę. Wraz ze wzrostem cytostatyku, wzrastał odsetek komórek martwych. Ponadto stwierdzono, że doksorubicyna powoduje zmiany w reorganizacji F-aktyny w komórkach niedrobnokomórkowego raka płuca, a także może indukować apoptozę oraz katastrofę mitotyczną. Dodatkowo potwierdzono występowanie aktyny na terenie jądra komórkowego

WPŁYW DOKSORUBICYNY NA JĄDROWĄ I CYTOPLAZMATYCZNĄ PULĘ F-AKTYNY W LINII KOMÓRKOWEJ A549

 The cytoskeleton as an intracellular system plays an important role in the proper functioning of the cell. F-actin is one of the components, which built this structure. Microfilaments are involved in cell shape maintenance, polarity and cell motility. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of doxorubicin on the actin reorganization and type of induced cell death in A549 cell line. In order to examine F-actin, the material was evaluated by the confocal and classical fluorescence microscope. Furthermore, changes in morphology and ultrastructure were analyzed by a light and transmission electron microscopy. The obtained data showed that doxorubicin causes a dosedependent decrease in A549 cell viability. Moreover, the treatment with doxorubicin resulted in the reorganization of F-actin as well as the induction of apoptosis and mitotic catastrophe in the non-small lung cancer cells. In addition, the existence of actin in the nucleus was confirmed.Cytoszkielet stanowi międzykomórkowy system, odgrywający istotną rolę w prawidłowym funkcjonowaniu każdej komórki. Jednym z jego komponentów jest F-aktyna, zaangażowana w zmiany kształtu, polarność, a także ruch komórek. Celem przedstawionej pracy było określenie wpływu doksorubicyny na reorganizację cytoszkieletu aktynowego oraz rodzaj indukowanej śmierci w komórkach linii A549. Wyniki badań oceniano przy użyciu klasycznego oraz konfokalnego mikroskopu fluorescencyjnego, a także z wykorzystaniem mikroskopii świetlnej oraz transmisyjnej mikroskopii elektronowej. W toku badań wykazano dawkozależną wrażliwość komórek linii A549 na doksorubicynę. Wraz ze wzrostem cytostatyku, wzrastał odsetek komórek martwych. Ponadto stwierdzono, że doksorubicyna powoduje zmiany w reorganizacji F-aktyny w komórkach niedrobnokomórkowego raka płuca, a także może indukować apoptozę oraz katastrofę mitotyczną. Dodatkowo potwierdzono występowanie aktyny na terenie jądra komórkowego

Mycotoxin – induced apoptosis in swine kidney epithelial cells

Apoptosis, as the programmed cell death, plays a significant role in proper functioning of an organism, both in the postnatal period and during embryogenesis. Disturbances in this process can lead to the occurrence of several dysfunctions, e.g. cancer, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and others. Apoptosis can be triggered by factors such as oxidative stress, free radicals, UV radiation and cytotoxic drugs, but also mycotoxins, e.g. aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and trichothecenes. These toxins are produced primarily by fungi of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium and Stachybotrys genera. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of mycotoxins on the occurrence of apoptosis in the swine kidney (SK) epithelial cells. For this purpose, trichothecene T2 toxin was used at a concentration of 2.5 µM and 25 µM, aflatoxin B1 at a dose of 10 µM and 30 µM, and ochratoxin A concentrations of 50 µM and 80 µM. The results were assessed using flow cytometer Muse Cell Analyzer (Merck). Studies have shown high sensitivity of the cell line SK on mycotoxins. Apoptosis was caused by all kinds of toxins and depended on the dose of examined substance. T2 toxin at a concentration of 2.5 µM caused apoptosis in 6.9% of the cells, whereas at a concentration of 25 µM in 26.35% of the cells. Aflatoxin B1 used at concentrations of 10 µM and 30 µM caused apoptosis in 13.5% and 40.6% of the cells, respectively. The use of ochratoxin A in concentrations of 50 µM and 80 µM caused the occurrence of apoptosis respectively in 68.51% and 60.41% of the cells

Safety Assessment of Foods and Drinks Consumed by People on a Gluten-Free Diet

Naturally gluten-free foods and processed foods that do not contain information about the potential presence of gluten in them pose a hypothetical threat to people with food allergies and celiac disease. Patients who should follow a strict gluten-free diet do not always do so. Therefore, the aim of this research was to analyze certified “gluten-free” and naturally gluten-free products without labeled “may contain gluten” information in terms of their content of gluten proteins. The enzyme immunoassay AgraQuant Gluten G12 ELISA test kit was used for the analysis. Of all the products used in the research, only 5.8% were found to contain gluten above 20 ppm. Only one product labeled “gluten-free” was contaminated with gluten at 79.3 ppm (cider cake). In addition, our research also examined the gluten content of commercial beers containing barley malt not labeled as “gluten-free”. Research has shown that 60% of samples are not safe for those on a strict gluten-free diet. Our research clearly shows that many manufacturers, although they do not monitor their products for the presence of gluten in them, offer safe products, although they cannot be recommended in a gluten-free diet. Therefore, there is a strong need to increase the frequency of testing by food manufacturers for the presence of gluten in their products, so that the number of products approved for people on a gluten-free diet continues to increase

Human Milk Microbiome—A Review of Scientific Reports

One of the most important bioactive components of breast milk are free breast milk oligosaccharides, which are a source of energy for commensal intestinal microorganisms, stimulating the growth of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Bacteroides in a child’s digestive tract. There is some evidence that maternal, perinatal, and environmental-cultural factors influence the modulation of the breast milk microbiome. This review summarizes research that has examined the composition of the breast milk microbiome and the factors that may influence it. The manuscript highlights the potential importance of the breast milk microbiome for the future development and health of children. The origin of bacteria in breast milk is thought to include the mother’s digestive tract (entero-mammary tract), bacterial exposure to the breast during breastfeeding, and the retrograde flow of breast milk from the infant’s mouth to the woman’s milk ducts. Unfortunately, despite increasingly more precise methods for assessing microorganisms in human milk, the topic of the human milk microbiome is still quite limited and requires scientific research that takes into account various conditions

Current Research on the Safety of Pyrethroids Used as Insecticides

Pyrethroids are synthetic derivatives of natural pyrethrins extracted from Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium. They are 2250 times more toxic to insects than to vertebrates due to insects’ smaller size, lower body temperature and more sensitive sodium channels. In particular, three pyrethroid compounds, namely deltamethrin, permethrin, and alpha-cypermethrin, are commonly used as insecticides and are recommended for in-home insect control because they are considered to be relatively non-toxic to humans in all stages of life. However, recent data show that they are not completely harmless to human health as they may enter the body through skin contact, by inhalation and food or water, and absorption level depending on the type of food. Permethrin seems to have an adverse effect on fertility, the immune system, cardiovascular and hepatic metabolism as well as enzymatic activity. Deltamethrin induces inflammation, nephro- and hepatotoxicity and influences the activity of antioxidant enzymes in tissues. Alpha-cypermethrin may impair immunity and act to increase glucose and lipid levels in blood. The aim of the review is to provide comprehensive information on potential hazards associated to human exposure to deltamethrin, permethrin and alpha-cypermethrin. The results of presented studies prove that the insecticides must be used with great caution