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The goal of this study was to evaluate the most effective technique for extraction of phenolics present in flax shives and to assess their effect on human fibroblasts. Flax shives are by-products of fibre separation, but they were found to be a rich source of phenolic compounds and thus might have application potential. It was found that the optimal procedure for extraction of phenolics was hydrolysis enhanced by the ultrasound with NaOH for 24 h at 65°C and subsequent extraction with ethyl acetate. The influence of the flax shives extract on fibroblast growth and viability was assessed using the MTT and SRB tests. Moreover, the influence of flax shives extract on the extracellular matrix remodelling process was verified. The 20% increase of the viability was observed upon flax shives extract treatment and the decrease of mRNA collagen genes, an increase of matrix metalloproteinase gene expression, and reduction in levels of interleukin 6, interleukin 10, and suppressor of cytokinin signaling 1 mRNA were observed. Alterations in MCP-1 mRNA levels were dependent on flax shives extract concentration. Thus, we suggested the possible application of flax shives extract in the wound healing process.

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Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is considered to be one of the most important crops cultivated in Europe and the entire world. The tubers of the potato are characterized by rich starch and protein contents and high concentrations of antioxidants, such as vitamin C and flavonoids. Notably, the presence of the phenolic antioxidants is of high importance as they have health-related properties. They are known to reduce the incidence of atherosclerosis, prevent certain kinds of cancer, and aid with many other kinds of diseases. The aim of this study was to find the most efficient way to increase the content of phenolic antioxidants in potato tubers through transgenesis. The results showed that the most efficacious way to achieve this goal was the overexpression of the dihydroflavonol reductase gene (DFR). The produced transgenic potato plants served as a nutrition source for laboratory rats; the study has confirmed their nontoxicity and nutritional benefits on the tested animals.

Chinese hamster pulmonary fibroblasts (V79 cells) pre-treated with flax fabrics derived from non-modified or genetically engineered flax fibres and treated with HO revealed a markedly lower level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) than control, non-pre-treated cells. The fabrics were prepared from fibres derived from two kinds of transgenic plants: W92 plants, which overproduce flavonoids, and M type plants, which produce hydroxybutyrate polymer in their vascular bundles and thus in fibres. Incubating the V79 cells with the flax fabrics prior to HO treatment also reduced the amount of DNA damage, as established using the comet assay (also known as alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis) and pulsed-field electrophoresis of intact cellular DNA. Selected gene expression analysis revealed the activator impact of fabrics on the apoptotic (BCL2 family, caspases) gene expression. This promoting activity was also detected for histone acetyltransferase (HAT; MYST2) gene expression. The flax fabric derived from both GM flax plants exhibited a protective effect against oxidative stress and ROS-mediated genotoxic damage, but the W92 fabric was the strongest. It is thus suggested that these fabrics might be useful as a basis for new biomedical products (e.g. wound dressings) that actively protect cells against inflammation and degeneration.

Background. The development of a new type of wound dressing material that can support skin regeneration is an important challenge to improve treatment of chronic, non-healing wounds.Objectives. The objective of this study was to compare the impact of flax fabrics from transgenic plants overexpressing phenolic acids and flavonoids (W92) and polyhydroxybutyrate (M48), as well as fabric from non-transgenic plant (Nike) on cultures of human skin cells.Material and methods. Flax fabric pieces as well as water extracts from the fabrics were co-cultured with human skin cells: keratinocytes, fibroblasts, dermal microvascular endothelial cells, and with monocytoid cell line (THP1) for 48 h. Cell viability and proliferation were assessed with the sulforhodamine B colorimetric assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was estimated with the 2'7 dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) oxidation method. Endothelial cell migration was measured with the scratch assay. The results were compared with the multi-criteria analysis (MCA) procedure.Results. Tested flax fabrics released flavonoids and polyhydroxybutyrate to cell culture media, as it was determined by means of the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Fabrics from transgenic plants W92 and M48 promoted proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Water extracts from flax fabric diminished the proliferation of monocytoid cells, decreased oxidative burst in activated THP1 cells and accelerated the velocity of dermal microvascular cell migration. The MCA proved that the sum of beneficial effects estimated in human skin cell cultures was higher (by 47% and by 34% with W92 and M48, respectively) than that of non-transgenic flax fabric (Nike). Conclusions.The W92 and M48 fabrics should be further studied as candidates for elaboration of new types of bandages, able to improve skin wound healing.

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