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The present

Environmental pollution results in serious health hazards to animals and blood analysis serves as a good alternative for health status assessment. The target of this study was to analyze the concentration of selected metals in equine blood, to analyze the blood parameters and to find possible correlations. Blood samples were collected from the vena jugularis of healthy adult horses. The highest concentration of all elements was found in whole blood (Cu 3.84 ± 0.90 mg L(-1); Cd = 0.81 ± 0.90 mg L(-1); Zn 26.67 ± 14.12 mg L(-1); Pb 9.33 ± 5.76 mg L(-1)). Higher concentrations of copper, cadmium, zinc and lead were detected in blood clots compared to blood sera (44.04%). A similar tendency was found for cadmium (50%), zinc (13.08%) and lead (46.02%), which showed generally higher concentrations in blood clots (cells). Correlation analysis proved some relations between analyzed elements. In blood clots there is a strong positive correlation between Cd - Pb (r = 0.93) and Zn - Pb (r = 0.71) was detected. For biochemical and hematological parameters mainly medium correlations were detected. Obtained results prove different correlations of analyzed elements in blood components as well as the effect on parameters of blood biochemical and hematological profiles.

Amygdalin has been one of the most popular “alternative cancer cures” in many European and South American countries. Its anticancer, anti-inflammatory activity and other medicinal benefits have been known for many years. The objective of this in vitro study was to examine the potential impact of amygdalin on the cell viability and production of steroid hormone testosterone by porcine ovarian granulosa cells. Granulosa cells were isolated from porcine ovaries and subsequently cultured without (control) or with amygdalin at various doses (1; 10; 100; 1000 and 10 000 μg/mL) for 24 h. The cell viability was determined by alamarBlueTM reagent and release of testosterone was assayed by ELISA. Obtained results showed a significant (P

Natural substances, such as amygdalin, used in alternative medicine gained high popularity. Common people as well as patients with different diseases have almost unlimited access to various natural supplements. To protect human health, it is very important to study effect of these substances. Amygdalin is a cyanogenic glucoside derived from seeds of rosaceous plants, for example seeds of bitter almonds (Prunus dulcis), or apricot, cherry, apple, peach, plum, etc. It is a natural product that owns antitumor activity, it has also been used for the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, leprosy and diabetes and produces a kind of antitussive and antiasthmatic effects. The present in vivo study was designed to reveal whether amygdalin in apricot seeds has got an effect on human urine composition, pH value and urine associated health status after six weeks of oral administration. The study group finally consisted of 34 healthy adult volunteers (21 females and 13 males). All participants were asked to consume 60 mg.kg -1 body weight of bitter apricot seeds daily (approximately 3.0 mg.kg -1 of amygdalin) during 6 weeks. During the experiment, three urine collections were carried out (first collection at the beginning of the experiment; second collectionafter 21 days; third collectionafter 42 days). Quantification of urine calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chlorides (Cl -), urea and pH value after apricot seeds supplementation was performed. Statistical analysis of variance showed, that consumption of bitter apricot seeds during 42 days had a significant (p <0.01) effect on amount of calcium excreted in urine, though this decrease shifted its level from elevated mean value in control collection into normal physiological range. Significant changes were observed in urea (p <0.05) and phosphorus (p <0.01) levels in urine after apricot seed ingestion, but gender was also considered to be a source of their variation.

Substantial reports suggest that biologically active compounds isolated from natural sources may offer protection to semen against the incidence of free radical producers, improvement of semen quality, prevention of cryodamage and DNA fragmentation, as well as a general promotion of spermatozoa metabolism. This study was therefore designed to assess the impact of resveratrol (RES), a natural polyphenol and phytoalexin with potential antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties on bovine spermatozoa subjected to oxidative stress induced by ferrous ascorbate during a short-term cell culture (6h). Fresh bovine semen samples were centrifuged, the seminal plasma was removed, the sperm pellet was washed out and the resulting cells were diluted in 2.90% sodium citrate, divided into equal fractions and subjected to treatment based on a specific concentration of RES (50, 25, 10, 5, 0 μmol/L) in the presence of an oxidative stress inducer, i.e. ferrous ascorbate (FeAA) containing 150 μmol/L FeSO4 and 750 μmol/L ascorbic acid. After 6h, the spermatozoa motility (using the Computer-aided sperm analysis/CASA system) and superoxide production (via the NBT test) were assessed in each sample. Furthermore, the sperm cells were collected, lysed and examined for the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase, as well as glutathione and malondialdehyde concentrations. The addition of RES into the culture medium was able to significantly (P

The present study describes possible changes in plasma levels of anterior pituitary hormones induced by bitter apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) seeds in young female rabbits in vivo. Prunus armeniaca L. is an important medicinal edible plant species commonly known as "apricot". The apricot is a member of the Rosaceae and subfamily Prunoideae. It is one of the most delicious and commercially traded fruits in the world. Apricot kernel is the inner part of the seed of the apricot fruit. The kernel is used to produce oil and other chemicals used for medicinal purposes. The seeds are potentially useful in human nutrition and for treatment several diseases especially cancer. In the present study apricot seeds were mixed with feed at different doses 0, 60, 300, 420 mg*kg -1 of body weight. ELISA was used to determine the levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL). 58-days application of apricot seeds did not affect the concentration (P≥0.05) of PRL, LH in blood plasma. Significant (P≤0.01) inhibition of FSH levels induced by the seeds was found at the dose of 420 mg*kg -1 but not at 60 and 300 mg*kg -1 of body weight. These results are suggesting that the natural substances present in apricot seeds may be involved in mechanisms of ovarian folliculogenesis. AbstraktTáto štúdia popisuje možnú zmenu koncentrácie hormónov adenohypofýzy u mladých samíc králikov, vyvolanú biologickou aktivitou horkých marhuľových semien (Prunus armeniaca L.). Prunus armeniaca L. je jedlý liečivý druh všeobecne známy ako "marhuľa". Marhuľa obyčajná patrí do čeľade Rosaceae a podčeľade Prunoideae. Reprezentuje jedno z najchutnejších a komerčne ľahko dostupných ovocných druhov na svetovom trhu. Marhuľové semeno je vnútorná časť jadra marhúľ. Semeno sa využíva na výrobu oleja a iných chemických zlúčenín, ktoré našli uplatnenie v medicíne. Semená sú potenciálne vhodné pre ľudskú výživu a na liečbu mnohých ochorení najmä nádorov. V predloženej štúdii boli marhuľové semená pridané do krmiva v rôznych dávkach 0, 60, 300, 420 mg*kg -1 telesnej hmotnosti. Následne bola na stanovenie folikulostimulačného (FSH), luteinizačného hormónu (LH) a prolaktínu (PRL) použitá ELISA metóda. 58-dňová aplikácia marhuľových semien nemala vplyv (P≥0.05) na koncentráciu PRL, LH v krvnej plazme. Významná (P≤0.01) inhibícia uvoľňovania FSH bola indukovaná pri dávke 420 mg*kg -1 živej hmotnosti marhuľových semien. Tieto výsledky naznačujú, že prírodné látky prítomné v semenách marhúľ, by mohli byť zapojené do mechanizmov ovariálnej folikulogenézy.

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