Search

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.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and A disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs) are enzymes able to degrade a variety of protein components of the extracellular matrix. Due to the diverse role of MMPs and ADAMs, they are involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including chronic inflammatory lung diseases. In this review, the objective is to summarize the current knowledge about the role of the two enzymes from the respective families, namely MMP-8 and ADAM-33, in Bronchial asthma in order to explore the possibility for their expression, polymorphisms or serum/BAL (Bronchoalveolar Lavage) concentration to be used as biomarkers or targets for future target therapy. Considering the key functions of MMP-8 and ADAM-33 in many pathologic conditions, development of proper inhibitors of their action might be useful tools in the treatment approaches. However, a lot of knowledge has yet to be gained about these enzymes and their role in bronchial asthma, since some of the mechanisms are unknown or not discovered yet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: One of the members of the neurotrophin (NT) family is the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In addition to its role in the nerve system, it has been found to play a role in lung health and diseases. Materials and Methods: The serum concentrations of BDNF were assessed in 57 patients with COPD and in 19 control individuals and the possible associations of BDNF with the spirometric indexes and disease stages were explored. Results: We did not find a significant difference between the serum concentrations of BDNF of patients and controls (p = 0.521). A significant negative correlation of the serum BDNF levels with the age of the patients (Rho = −0.279, p = 0.036) was observed. In addition, a borderline negative correlation with the age of disease onset (Rho= −0.244, p = 0.063) was also found. When analyzing these correlations in different genders, we found stronger statistical significance in male patients (Rho = −0.398, p = 0.009; and Rho = −0.419, p = 0.006), while no such significance was found in females (p = 0.574 and p = 0.342). The analyses of the possible relations of serum BDNF concentration with the spirometric parameters in the whole group of patients did not reveal any significance (p = 0.231 for FEV1%pr. and p = 0.271 for FEV1/FVC%). However, when the patients were dichotomized on the basis of smoking habits, we obtained a strong positive correlation between BDNF and FEV1%pr. (Rho = 0.501, p = 0.048) in non-smokers, but strong negative correlations with FEV1%pr. (Rho = −0.468, p = 0.003) and with FEV1/FVC% (Rho = −0.331, p = 0.040) in ex/current smokers. Non-smokers with moderate disease (GOLD II) had higher BDNF serum concentrations than patients with GOLD stage III/IV (p = 0.031). In ex/current smokers, there was an opposite association (p = 0.045). Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that the expression and secretion of BDNF are changed in COPD, but its effects and functions may differ according to the smoking history of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hepatic echinococcosis in children is a serious surgical problem. The aim of this study is to investigate the participation of mast cells in liver inflammatory reactions triggered by echinococcal cysts. Liver biopsy samples were collected from the tissue surrounding the cysts from 16 sick children (11 boys and 5 girls) in the course of abdominal surgery and from 5 controls. Light and ultrastructural immunocytochemistry was performed using monoclonal antibody against tryptase. Light microscopical immunocytochemistry revealed abundance of tryptase-positive (MCT) mast cells in the capsules of the cysts (43.58 cells/mm2). There were also observed greatly increased numbers of mast cells in portal tracts surrounding the cyst, compared to those of control biopsies (26.49 vs. 1.78 cells/mm2, p=0.0009, Mann-Whitney U test). Based on the ultrastructural appearance of tryptase-positive mast cell granules, morphological sings of activation of most of the mast cells were distinguished. In conclusion, we suggest that the accumulated and activated tryptase-positive mast cells in liver tissues surrounding the echinococcal cysts play a crucial role in modulation of the inflammatory liver response and could induce chronic inflammation and fibrogenesis, resulting in serious liver injury such as nonspecific reactive hepatitis.

The aim of the study was to establish the relationship between the content of Cd and Cu in the air, drinking water, musculature of fish (Cyprinus carpio L.) and the blood serum of patients with and without COPD. The amount of PM10 has highest values in 2017 (average annual value 25.2 µg/m3). The results regarding the amounts of cadmium in the air of the Stara Zagora region clearly show the absence of pollution. Determination of the amounts of the studied heavy metals in drinking water and the blood serum of the patients was carried out by the method of atomic absorption. The values of Cu, registered during the year-long study into the water of Stara Zagora and Radnevo are much lower than those adopted in Bulgarian legislation norms of 2 mg/l. The highest value of Cd is characterized by the drinking water in Stara Zagora Town from January 2020 (0.0047 mg/l), the value of which almost reaches the norm of 0.005 mg/l, defined in the normative documents. The cadmium concentrations measured during the same period in the drinking water of the Radnevo City are significantly below the accepted norms. Concentrations of copper in musculature of common carp of from our study from 2015 were significantly lower than the norms in force at that time (Regulation 31 of 2004, laying down maximum levels for certain contaminants in foods). Ovcharitsa Dam (0.60 mg/kg) is characterized by the highest values, far below the norms regulated in the then current Regulation 31 (10 mg/kg). Minimum concentration was measured in the muscles of carp inhabiting the Pastren Dam (0.27 mg/kg). Against the background of extremely low values of the element cadmium in the muscles of the studied specimens of the species Cyprinus carpio L. the highest is the concentration measured in the samples from Opan Dam (0.0110 mg/kg), and the lowest in the samples from Pastren Dam (0.006 mg/kg). These concentrations are much lower than the MAC specified in the then active Regulation 31, as well as in the current Regulation 15 and Regulation 1881 (EU). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to establish the relationship between the content of Pb and Zn in the air, water, musculature of fish (Cyprinus carpio L.) and the blood serum of patients with and without COPD. The determination of the amounts of the studied heavy metals in drinking water and the blood serum of the patients was carried out by the method of atomic absorption. The concentrations of Pb in the air do not exceed the requirements of Regulation 12 of 15.07.2010. The levels of lead found in the drinking water of the of Stara Zagora Town in the period June 2019 - July 2020 often approach the limit value determined by Regulation 9 of 16.03.2001 (0.01 mg/l). The established concentrations of zinc in the drinking water of the cities of Radnevo and Stara Zagora during the reported period are lower than the MAC of 4 mg/l defined in the normative documents. The analysis of the data on our study of 2015 for the content of Zn in the musculature of common carp does not show an excess of the MAC set by the then current Regulation 31. The highest levels of zinc, which do not even approach the established norms were reached in muscle samples from fish delivered from Ovcharitsa Dam (8.09 mg/kg). With the lowest measured concentrations characterized Pastren Dam (2.69 mg/kg). Musculature samples from all studied water bodies do not exceed the MAC for lead, indicated in the then valid Regulation 31 and now the current Regulation 5 of the Bulgarian legislation and EC Regulation 1881 of 2006 with amendment from 2010 for determining the maximum permissible concentrations of some contaminants in foods. Although the values obtained are much lower than the regulated MAC, the highest concentrations are characterized carps from Lake Pastren Dam (0.04 mg/kg), and the lowest those from the Ovcharitsa Dam (0.01 mg/kg). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulphurous mineral waters (SMW) have a wide range of applications. Sulphur content of mineral waters is considered as possible determinant for their anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory effects. To explore the healing properties of Varna basin mineral water by analysing possible antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. An intervention with Varna SMW intake was performed with healthy volunteers. Total thiols, total glutathione and its fractions, reactive oxygen metabolites, malondialdehyde, intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) were measured. Expression of γ-gluthamyl-cysteinyl ligase (GCL) and sICAM-1 genes was also analysed. A significantly increased total glutathione and total thiols were observed at the end of the intervention. GCL and sICAM-1 gene expressions were increased after the intervention. SMW consumption improved redox status of the body. We suggested that these beneficial effects may be attributed to the established high levels of sulphur-containing compounds in Varna mineral water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]