Changes in histological structure and NOS expression in aorta of rats supplemented with bee pollen or whey protein.Introduction. Various protein-based supplements are at least periodically consumed by 30-40% of sportspeople. The current study compares cardiovascular effects of diet supplementation with two different protein-rich products -bee pollen and whey proteins.Material and methods. 30 Wistar rats were divided into two parts, one subjected to daily moderate physical activity and one not. Each part consisted of three groups: one control group, one wheyprotein-supplemented and one bee-pollen-supplemented. After eight weeks rats were decapitated and proximal parts of thoracic aortas were collected, and embed in paraffin blocks. Histological slides were stained according to standard H&E, Masson's trichrome and Verhoeff-Van Gieson stainings. Special immunohistochemical stains against nNOS, eNOS and α-SMA were also prepared.Results. Histological evaluation has revealed noticeable changes in all supplemented groupsdisturbances in elastic laminae, slight increase in collagen deposition and significantly lowered nNOS and eNOS expression. The prevalence of micro atherosclerotic plaques has been the highest in not-running supplemented groups, while in running supplemented groups it has resembled the prevalence in control groups. Both running groups have had also thinner tunica media than control.Conclusions. Both supplements exerts visible effects on aortic structure, but the difference between them is far less evident. In some aspects, however; the bee pollen seems to be even slightly more harmful which may be probably related to various possible contaminants like mycotoxins or pesticides.

Introduction. Burnout among medical students have been thoroughly studied in a number of countries worldwide. Little is known about medical students burnout in the Central European countries. Material and methods. The study is based on the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, adapted for measurement of burnout among medical students. The questionnaire contained 6 numerical scale questions about respondents’ satisfaction with studies, university and educational achievements. Students of Polish medical universities were recruited via closed Facebook groups of their faculties. As a result, 778 questionnaires were gathered and analysed. A cluster analysis was performed with the special cluster analysis tool of the Statistica 12 - six questions with numerical scale were used as cluster analysis variables. Results. Almost 19% of the subjects reported a high or very high total burnout rate - it was almost 40% for both personal and work-related burnout, but less than 5% for patient-related burnout. The cluster analysis revealed three distinctive groups - dissatisfied, middling and satisfied with their studies and university. For both the total and partial scores, the highest burnout was observed among the dissatisfied, the lowest among the satisfied, while the middling group had the average score. Discussion. A significant level of burnout among Polish medical students, reported in the current study, is consistent with results of numerous investigations performed worldwide. As only 5% of the respondents scored high in patient-related burnout, a question emerges as to whether burnout is more related to clinical subjects or to high learning load. Conclusions. The current study reveals a significant level of burnout among Polish medical students. Both improved education quality and interesting and innovative teaching methods may possibly prevent high burnout among medical students.

Background and objectives: Energy drinks are popular non-alcoholic beverages. They are consumed in large amounts, mainly by active, young people. Although they are easily accessible and marketed as safe, numerous cases of adverse effects have been published, including cardiac arrest, arrythmias, acute hepatitis, and renal failure. The aim of the current study is the assessment of energy drink influence on the histological structure of adrenal cortex in rats. Material and Methods: 15 male young Wistar rats were equally divided into three groups: control (C), experimental (E) and reversibility control (RC). C group received water and standard rodent food ad libitum while both E and RC groups had additionally unlimited access to energy drinks. C and E groups were decapitated after 8 weeks and RC was given another 8 weeks without energy drinks. Adrenal glands were embedded in paraffin blocks and 5 μm slides were prepared and stained according to standard H&E and Masson’s trichrome protocols. Additionally, immunohistochemical stainings against Ki-67, p53, CTGF and caspase-3 were prepared. Results: Decreased vacuolization and numerous pyknotic nuclei were noted in E and RC groups. Overexpression of caspase-3 was noted both subcapsular in zona glomerulosa and along sinusoids in zona fasciculata. Increased collagen deposition in zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata of E and RC was observed. Insular and irregular overexpression of CTGF was noted. The overall picture of CTGF expression matched the Masson’s trichrome. No significant difference was observed in Ki-67 expression. Conclusions: The results of the current study suggest that the stimulation is so intense that it causes significant damage to adrenal cortical cells, resulting in their apoptosis. It seems, however, that the observed effects are at least partially reversible.

S u m m a r yBee pollen is a natural resource -pollen collected by bees and stored in the beehive with various bee enzymes added as it is a mixture of plants pollen and bee saliva. It is rich source of various nutrients, among them exogenous amino acids. Therefore, it can be a good and natural dietary supplement. New possibilities for bee pollen usage arise every day, yet it can also be a threat. Although bee pollen can act as an immunostimulant and anti-allergic agent, it is also and maybe even primarily allergic or cross-reactive with many allergens. A number of bee pollen allergy cases was described worldwide. A caution is therefore needed before ingestion or any other form of administration, especially in case of children or individuals with atopic predispositions. Anti-allergic attributes and immunostimmulation ability still need further research. key words: bee pollen, bee pollen allergy, bee pollen immunology Bee pollen -what is it exactly?Bee pollen is a natural resource -a pollen collected by bees and stored in the beehive with various bee enzymes added as it is a mixture of plants pollen and bee saliva. Its chemical compositions varies, depending on the plant source, but it has been proved to contain about 250 different chemical substancesamino acids, vitamins, micro-and macroelements, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, flavonoids [1,2]. About 20% of bee pollen is