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Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by dysbiosis. Modulation of the gut microbiota by oligosaccharides and aerobic training are proposed mechanisms that ameliorate the disease through affecting host-microbiota interactions.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized with decreased microbial diversity. Gut microbiota is essential for the normal physiological functioning of many organs, especially the brain. Prebiotics are selectively fermentable oligosaccharides [xylooligosaccharides (XOS), galactooligosaccharides, etc.] that promote the growth and activity of gut microbes and influence the gut–brain axis. Aerobic exercise is a non-pharmacological approach for the control of diabetes and could improve cognitive functions. The potential beneficial effect of XOS and/or aerobic training on cognition, the lipid profile and oxidative stress markers of experimental rats were evaluated in this study. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three streptozotocin-induced diabetic groups and a control group. Some of the rats, either on a XOS treatment or a standard diet, underwent aerobic training. The results showed that the aerobic training independently lowered the total cholesterol levels compared to the sedentary diabetic rats (p = 0.032), while XOS lowers the malondialdehyde levels in the trained diabetic rats (p = 0.034). What is more the exercise, independently or in combination with XOS beneficially affected all parameters of the behavioral tests. We conclude that aerobic exercises alone or in a combination with the prebiotic XOS could ameliorate the dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and cognitive abilities in experimental type 1 diabetic animals.

Centaurea thracica (Janka) Hayek is a plant common in southern Bulgaria. The inflorescences were collected during June and September 2021, while their seeds were obtained in September 2021. The chemical and lipid composition of the inflorescences during the vegetation process of the plant were established. A significant decrease in total proteins (from 8.7 to 7.4%), glyceride oils (2.0–1.7%), and ash (4.5–4.2%) content was observed, while the amount of carbohydrates (72.3–77.2%) and fibers (28.7–35.8%) increased. During the vegetation of the plant, the content of oleic and linoleic acids increased up to 2–3 times, while the level of palmitic acid decreased. The lipids from the seeds were rich in oleic (53.0%) and palmitic (36.2%) acids. The tocopherol content in the oils of the inflorescences during vegetation increased from 58 to 110 mg/kg, and the content in the oil from the seeds was 260 mg/kg. The phospholipid content decreased during vegetation, and differences were observed in the composition between the inflorescences and the seeds. The high content of oleic acid, linoleic acid, tocopherols, and phospholipids determine the nutritional and biological value of the oils isolated from Centaurea thracica, and contribute to their potential use in various directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking is one of the factors that can affect serum glucose in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). Control of T1DM is associated with achieving glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] levels of approximately 7%, which leads to reduced long-term cardiovascular risk. Thyroid hormones can also affect blood sugar levels. Therefore, appropriate control of diabetes can reduce the risk of developing thyroid disorders and vice versa. The aim of the study is to determine whether smoking affects glycemic control and thyroid function in established type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Materials and methods: A heterogeneous group of 73 patients aged 39±13 years were examined: men 49 (65.3%), women 24 (32%) with T1DM upon admission to the endocrinology department "St. Georgi" (Plovdiv); smokers 25; non-smokers 48. The following were investigated: blood glucose profile (BGP): serum glucose (mmol/L) at 6, 12, 17, 21, 24 hours; HBA1c (%); FT4 pmol/L; TSH mIU/L; TC: total cholesterol mmol/L; HDL-C mmol/L; LDL-C mmol/L; TAG mmol/L; BMI kg/m2 on admission to the ward. Results: In smokers compared to non-smokers, we found statistically significant, p<0.05: increased fasting serum glucose at 6 hours (15.59±6 mmol/L vs 9.67±3.3 mmol/L); decreased BMI (23.21±4.62 kg/m2 vs 26.16±4.79 kg/m2); HDL-C (1.05±0.35 mmol/L vs 1.57±0.43 mmol/L); as well as increased TSH (1.84±0.99 mIU/L vs 0.85±0.94 mIU/L). HBA1c at admission to the clinic showed no significant difference in smokers compared to non-smokers (9.15±1.66% vs. 10.07±1.98%, p=0.574). Conclusion: Smoking worsens glycemic control and thyroid function in patients with T1DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marrubium species have been used since ancient times as food additives and curative treatments. Their phytochemical composition and various pharmacological activities were the focus of a number of scientific investigations but no comprehensive metabolome profiling to identify the numerous primary and secondary metabolites has been performed so far. This study aimed to generate a comprehensive picture of the total metabolite content of two Marrubium species—M. peregrinum and M. friwaldskyanum—to provide detailed information about the main primary and secondary metabolites. In addition, the elemental composition was also evaluated. For this purpose, non-targeted metabolomic analyses were conducted using GC-MS, UPLC-MS/MS and ICP-MS approaches. Nearly 500 compounds and 12 elements were detected and described. The results showed a strong presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids and their glucosides, which are generally of great interest due to their various pharmacological activities. Furthermore, tissue-specific analyses for M. friwaldskyanum stem, leaves and flowers were carried out in order to outline the sources of potentially important bioactive molecules. The results generated from this study depict the Marrubium metabolome and reveal its dual scientific importance—from one side, providing information about the metabolites that is fundamental and vital for the survival of these species, and from the other side, defining the large diversity of secondary substances that are a potential source of phytotherapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To find correlations between high thiocyanate and nitrate levels and low selenium levels and the indicators of the iodine and iron status of postpartum women.

The present study presents data on the anatomical characteristics of the leaf and stem in Marrubium friwaldskyanum and Marrubium peregrinum. The leaves in both species are amphistomatic with diacytic and anomocytic stomata. The leaf lamina shows differentiation of palisade and spongy tissue, and collateral vascular bundles. Non-glandular and glandular trichomes have been found on the epidermis of the leaves and stem. The non-glandular trichomes are unicellular linear and multicellular branched. Glandular trichomes are peltate, with a single-celled or two-celled structure. There is a difference between the two species in terms of the width of the epidermal cells of the stem, the thickness of the cortex, the thickness of the xylem and the phloem in the stem. The established differences in the anatomical features can be useful in future taxonomic studies within the genus Marrubium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amylases are a part of the group of glycosyl hydrolases enzymes, that catalyze the breakdown of complex carbohydrates. The three main classes are α-, β- and ɣ-amylases. The main function of all amylases is to degrade starch, glycogen and other sugars. All α-amylases are metalloenzymes requiring Ca2+ activity. In animals and humans, α-amylases occur in the pancreas, saliva, liver, serum, urine, etc. Salivary and pancreatic amylases are the main ones. They have 97% protein chain homology with each other. The secreted salivary α-amylase initiates the carbohydrates digestion in the mouth. The concept of prebiotics was introduced in 1995 by Gibson and Roberfroid, as a non-digestible food ingredient that beneficially affects the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon, and thus improves the host’s health. Later it became clear, that prebiotics have beneficial effects beyond the gastrointestinal tract. The purpose of the present experiment is to investigate the effect of oligosaccharides on the enzymatic activity of salivary α-amylase, since enzyme inhibitors are used as second line drugs in the therapy of type 2 diabetes. For this purpose, the α-amylase activity was determined by the Bernfeled method (1955) with some modifications. The reaction time was 10 minutes. Ten measurements for each group have been made. Groups were separareted as it follows: control, 1% lactulose, 2% lactulose, 1% fructooligosaccharide (FOS), 2% FOS, 1% inulin and 2% inulin. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism version 7.00 for Windows (GraphPad Software, La Jolla California USA), descriptive statistical tests including mean, standard deviation were performed. The groups were compared using Student’s t test. Differences with p <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Statistically significant decrease in the α-amylase activity was found when the control group (at 0 minute) was compared with FOS 1%, FOS 2%, 1% inulin and 2% inulin groups (p<0.05). Statistically decreased activity was registered in the presence of all oligosaccharides (p<0.05) on the 10th minute. At the results reported on the 10th minute, statistically decreased activity was found only between FOS 1% and FOS 2% (p=0.001). Between other groups were found no statistically significant differences (p˃0.05). Lowering of the postprandial glucose level was observed in an inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase. Increased levels of salivary α-amylase are found in patients with diabetes. Our results indicate that the salivary α-amylase activity decreases significantly in the presence of oligosaccharides after 10 minutes, which could be a prerequisite for a potential inhibitory effect and lowering of glucose concentration. From the present experiment we can’t conclude the mechanism of inhibition, but it is known that lowering the pH levels in the oral cavity leads to a decrease in the activity of salivary α-amylase. Prebiotics can optimize the oral microflora and, hence, lower the local pH in the oral cavity, reducing the activity of α-amylase. This could give us a possible explanation for the effect of oligosaccharides on salivary α-amylase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type I diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system attacks the β-cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, which produce insulin. Some of the main complications of this disease are the micro- and the macrovascular damages with main consequence: cardiovascular diseases, which appear to be the leading cause of mortality in this widespread, socially significant disease. The development of type I diabetes is affected by non-genetic factors such as the development of the optimal microbiome in early life, which programs the immune system. Patients have different intestinal microflora in comparison to healthy individuals as well as alterations in the intestinal permeability, inflammation and insulin resistance. Prebiotics represent a selective fermentative ingredient of food, which allows specific changes in both the composition and in the activity of the intestinal microflora of the person and thus improves his health and well-being. Human milk oligosaccharides, present in breast milk, are modulators of the microbiota and are known for directly regulating the immune response. They are vital for the protection of children at risk of developing type I diabetes by assisting the development of the immune and intestinal microbiota in early life. Soybean oligosaccharides are potential prebiotics, which improve the immune function. After 22 days of administration of 4 g/kg weight soybean oligosaccharides, they significantly affect the proliferation of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria compared to the control group. Probiotic microorganisms show favorable interrelations with their host by influencing the intestinal cell proliferation and differentiation and the immune system, and they counteract pathogenic microorganisms. The supposed direct effects of oligosaccharides on pathogenic flora infections include mimicry of receptors and influence on their virulence. The regulation of virulent genes through the presence of oligosaccharides and polysaccharides in the nutrient medium has been described for a number of pathogenic bacteria. The indirect effects of prebiotics on the immune system can result from the stimulation of the growth of probiotic bacteria and the stimulation of the production of short chain fatty acids. The increase of the number of probiotic bacteria stimulates the immune system and leads to protection against pathogenic invasion. Oxidative stress, which is an important component of a number of diseases, is characterized by an imbalance in the level of oxidants and antioxidants in favor of the oxidants. It can lead to irreversible impairment of lipids, nucleic acids and proteins. It has been proved that the administration of synbiotics has a positive effect on the parameters of the oxidative stress. The elevated level of serum cholesterol is recognized as a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. It has been proved that there are significant changes in the lipid profile of patients, treated with galactooligosaccharides. Prebiotics are a cheap and a low risk supplement, which can be used to favorably influence type I diabetes mellitus. They can also improve the glycemic control through changes in the intestinal microflora, the permeability of the intestines and inflammation. The purpose of this review is for the influence of new prebiotics (galactooligosaccharides and xylooligosaccharides) on the lipid and antioxidant profile of patients with type I diabetes mellitus to be studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work presents a comparative anatomical study of the leaf epidermis of the Bulgarian endemic Micromeria frivaldszkyana (Degen) Velen. and Clinopodium vulgare L., belonging to the family Lamiaceae. In both species they occur diacytic and anomocytic stomatal type, while the indumentum is presented by multicellular, linear covering trichomes and multicellular, stacked glandular trichomes. The results obtained from the statistical data processing contribute to the distinction between the two species with respect to the peculiarities of the leaf epidermis. Taxonomically significant anatomical features for their determination are: number, width and length of stomata on the abaxial epidermis; width of on the adaxial epidermis; number, width and length of basic epidermal cells along both epidermis and thickness of upper and lower cuticle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study highlights the relationship between some eating habits and iron status during pregnancy.Subjects: The study included 219 healthy pregnant women aged 27.6 ± 5.7 years from southern Bulgaria.Methods: Subjects' iron status was assessed on the basis of the following iron indicators: hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF), serum transferrin receptor (sTfR), and body iron index (mg/kg).Results: Severe anemia among the women from southern Bulgaria was not observed. Advanced pregnancy and some eating habits are factors that deteriorate iron status. Women who had consumed fish at least 3 times a week had lower levels of sTfR (р = 0.008), higher levels of SF (р = 0.05), and lower levels of body iron (р = 0.018). Frequent legume consumption was related to increased levels of sTfR (р = 0.036). Pregnant women with a high frequency of coffee consumption had lower values of body iron (р < 0.0001). Women who had consumed cow's milk at least 3 times a week had lower levels of SF (р = 0.026) and body iron (р = 0.042).Conclusions: Regular consumption of fish and legumes, rarely drinking coffee, and milk consumption during the intervals between food intake are conditions for optimization of iron status during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Stress is a phenomenon accompanying everyday life. Various reactions of the body are activated during stress, including activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal endocrine axis and the autonomous nervous system. Their activity could be assessed by the measurement of biological stress marker molecules - salivary α-amylase and cortisol - on one side and heart rate, and blood pressure monitoring, on the other. The aim of the present study is to determine whether the daily professional routines cause stress development among general practitioners (GPs) who work in rural, distant areas in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria., Methods: One hundred and twenty-eight GPs were asked to answer a questionnaire to assess their health conditions, habits, priority objectives and interests, as well as their moral and ethical relationships with the patients. On this basis 40 participants were selected and outlined for the present survey (n=40, mean age 55.92±8.8). Four salivary samples were collected from each participant during 1 week: two on Monday (one in the morning and one after work) and two on Friday, by the same mechanism. The salivary samples collection was followed by measurement of blood pressure and pulse. This non-invasive survey was based on an ELISA method for quantitative determination of the marker molecules in saliva. The blood pressure and pulse were measured by blood pressure monitor., Results: The levels of the salivary α-amylase were significantly higher at the end of the working day, especially on Friday (142.28±23.34 U/mL, p=0.018), but not between the beginning and the end of the week. The normal cortisol awakening response, characterized by a peak in the levels of cortisol after wake-up, followed by a slow decrease during the day, was detected only at the beginning of the week. The data show a significant impairment of this regularity at the end of the week. Moreover, the levels of cortisol, measured for the morning samples, show a decrease at the end of the week (25.73±10.51 ng/mL) in comparison to the beginning of the week (30.1±10.84, p=0.033). The analyses on the effect of smoking (p=0.002) and alcohol consumption (p=0.036) on stress development show a significant increase in the levels of the salivary α-amylase, but not on the levels of salivary cortisol. The changes in the blood pressure indicate stress development at the end of the week (p=0.04), while the pulse showed changes within a day rather than during the week. The values of the pulse were higher at the end of the day., Conclusion: The professional lives of the GPs who work in distant and rural places are associated with stress development. Different habits from the daily routine, such as alcohol consumption, smoking and physical activity, could be considered as modulators of stress development.