Search

Multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have assessed the effects of supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) known as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs), commonly called fish oils, on the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. In a living organism, omega-3 FA (EPA and DHA) and omega-6 FA (arachidonic acid [AA]) are also involved in the formation of key regulators of platelet aggregation, vasodilation and inflammation. It is important to know that EPA and DHA act in different ways on membrane structure and lipid metabolism. For this reason, combining DHA with EPA may modify the clinical effects of only EPA treatment. The effects of omega-3 FAs on cardiovascular system remain uncertain. Two recent negative trials of EPA + DHA, STRENGTH and OMEMI, have put the utility of omega-3 FAs in preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular events under debate. This paper presents the actual knowledge on the role of polyunsaturated acids in cardiovascular diseases.

Fatty acids are important structural and functional elements of human body. We can distinguish several types: among others polyunsaturated fatty acids, which include omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3PUFA) and omega-6 fatty acids(ω-6PUFA). The first group has pleiotropic health-promoting effects, while the second group, ω-6PUFA, negatively affects the homeostasis of the human body and contributes to the development of numerous diseases. Both the amount and the relative ratio of these acids in the diet is an important factor affecting health and quality of life.

Increasing knowledge of the gut microbiota and its interference in human homeostasis in recent years has contributed to a better understanding of number of different interactions occurring in the gastrointestinal tract. Disruption of the microbiota is detrimental to health and contributes to the development of numerous diseases and may also be an accelerator of pathophysiological processes such as atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide, so the development of new methods to support the treatment and prevention of these diseases becoms one of the priorities of modern medicine. Probiotics may constitute an important element of support in the treatment and prevention of CVD (cardiovascular diseases). A number of papers support such a statement, however, larger clinical trials are needed. Through a number of mechanisms including mitigating inflammation, sealing the intestinal epithelium, and affecting metabolism, probiotics may have a beneficial effect on general health and slow down the pathogenesis of many diseases, including those affecting the cardiovascular system. This article contains a review of current discoveries on the role of probiotics in the prevention and support of CVD treatment.

The human microbiota has a tremendous effect on our health. In the last decades, our knowledge about interactions between bacteria and humans have grown greatly. Not only is it necessary for humans to synthesize vitamins, to have tight intestinal barriers or protect from pathogens, it also has an impact on our immune system and thus plays an important role in autoimmune diseases and prevention of excessive inflammatory response. The idea of probiotics is to restore the balance in humans digestive microbiota. There is a growing number of scientific papers that proves a positive impact of using probiotics in various diseases. However, there are still questions that need to be answered before probiotics play a bigger role in the treatment. This paper presents the information about the use of probiotics in most common diseases of gastrointestinal tract.

Ballota nigra, also known as black horehound is a common medical herb used in folk medicine around the world. First reported mentions of its medical properties and use goes as far as the 13th century. The use of black horehound depends on regions and countries. It is used mostly to treat e.g. mild sleep disorders, nervousness, upset stomach, wound healing. It can be used as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiprotozoal, antifungal drug. Moreover, it has been reported as a potential cancer drug. This extensive usage is particularly interesting for us. The aim of this review is to present available data on B. nigrapharmacological effects and known traditional uses gathered from a wide range of scientific articles published in 1997–2020.

Genes encoding insulin receptor substrates IRS-1 and IRS-2 perform key functions in the insulin pathway. Numerous authors have suggested that single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) changes in the DNA sequence may be associated with the development of obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The Gly972Arg polymorphism of the IRS-1gene and the Gly1057Asp polymorphism of the IRS-2gene are believed to be associated with the occurrence of insulin resistance and obesity according to many sources. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of these polymorphisms on the clinical parameters and to assess their correlations in obese Polish pregnant women. A total of 154 pregnant Caucasian women from the Wielkopolska region were analyzed: 78 diagnosed with overweight or obesity (study group) and 76 with normal body mass (controls). The analysis of the polymorphisms was performed using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The IRS-2Gly1057Asp polymorphism revealed no significant correlations with excessive weight gain during pregnancy. The analysis of the IRS-1Gly972Arg polymorphism showed an association with obesity between the study and control groups (GG-80.77%, GR-17.95%, RR-1.28% vsGG-94.74%, GR-5.26%; p = 0.023). We also observed slightly increased BMI values ​​and higher values ​​of the waist and hip circumference before pregnancy in the case of the IRS-1Gly972Arg polymorphism. The analysis of the clinical and anthropometric parameters demonstrated no significant relationships between the genotypes of the polymorphic variants of the IRS-1and IRS-2genes but suggested an association between the IRS-1Gly972Arg polymorphism and the risk for obesity.