The riboflavin nutritional status of 120 people, age 22-25, studying in Szczecin, Poland, together with contents of their daily food servings were studied. Body's provision with riboflavin was determined using the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRAC) and was compared with a sample in which the enzyme activity was stimulated with flavin adenine dinucleotide. The information concerning diets was collected with the method of a 7-day food record prior to blood collection. Biochemical deficiency in riboflavin was observed in 33.7% of women and 25% of men. The resulting average EGRAC value was 1.02 for women and 0.88 for men. Assessment of significant differences in riboflavin provision between the sexes revealed better provision in the male group. The comparison of EGRAC values with riboflavin content in 7-day diets of the respondents showed that the average intake of this vitamin in the female group, in which biochemical deficiency was observed, amounted to 1.05 mg, whereas in the male group it was, on average, 1.39 mg. In the group of people in which the potential risk of riboflavin deficiency in the body was not observed, the level of this vitamin consumption was, on average, 1.43 mg and 1.8 mg in the female and male groups, respectively. Women with biochemical riboflavin deficiency consumed significantly less of all the analyzed nutrients in comparison with the people without riboflavin deficiency.

Heating of minced meat from 40 to 130 degrees C for 10 min and at 120 degrees C from 15 to 60 min with potato starch (3%), soya oil (4%), salt (1.5%), and water (15%) resulted in a decrease in total amino-acid content by 6% on the average, compared to the content in meat without additives. Heating time-dependent changes involved a decrease in the lysine content, while temperature-dependent changes involved a decrease in the valine content. On the other hand, the presence of additives reduced the thermal protein hydrolysis towards the formation of low-molecular nitrogen compounds. Prolonged time of heating of minced hake meat at 120 degrees C produced a more intensive protein hydrolysis than a shorter heating up to 130 degrees C; at the same time with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees C an intensive increase in the ammonia content, decrease in -SH groups content, and a decrease in protein digestibility were observed.

Riboflavin is built on an isoalloxazin ring, which contains three sixcarbon rings: benzoic, pyrazine and pyrimidine. Riboflavin is synthesized by some bacteria, but among humans and animals, the only source of flavin coenzymes (FAD, FMN) is exogenous riboflavin. Riboflavin transport in enterocytes takes place via three translocators encoded by the SLC52 gene. Deficiency of dietary riboflavin has wide ranging implications for the efficacy of other vitamins, the mechanism of cellular respiration, lactic acid metabolism, hemoglobin, nucleotides and amino acid synthesis. In studies it was found that, pharmacologic daily doses (100 mg) have the potential to react with light, which can have adverse cellular effects. Extrene caution should be exercised when using riboflavin as phototherapy in premature newborns. At the cellular level, riboflavin deficiency leads to increased oxidative stress and causes disorders in the glutathione recycling process. Risk factors for developing riboflavin deficinecy include pregnancy, malnutrition (including anorexia and other eating disorders, vegitarianism, veganism and alcoholism. Furthermore, elderly people and atheletes are also at risk of developing this deficiency. Widespread use of riboflavin in medicine, cancer therapy, treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, corneal ectasia and viral infections has resulted in the recent increased interest in this flavina.

It is quite unbelievable but significant percentage of young healthy women is at risk of anaemia despite proper nutritional state. In this study we decided to determine the lack or excess of which nutrients in a diet can lead to any effects. The major cause of anaemia is not, as in many studies on nutritional status, the deficiency in iron in a diet. Iron intake in women with anaemia exceeded AI (Adequate Intake) level. 120 people took part in the study. Average HGB concentration in female group amounted to 12.45 g/dL and in male group to 14.35 g/dL. Anaemia was determined in 29% women and 4.2% men. In group of women with anaemia a statistically higher intake of SFA, cholesterol, and sucrose and lower intake of pyridoxine, folacin, niacin, and vitamin E, Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mg were determined. In a group of men with low haemoglobin concentration a statistically higher intake of sucrose but lower intake of fat, especially SFA and MUFA, vitamin C and zinc were observed. Therefore, together with anaemia in the group of women there are coexisting deficiencies in other nutrients, as compared to the group of men. Prevention in both groups should include various supplements.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of balanced diet on selected parameters of oxidative stress, immunological response and nutritional status in patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD) due to diabetic kidney disease. Forty HD patients took part in the study. The nutritional status and diets of all the patients were initially assessed and the patients were divided into two groups. The control group (C) got unchanged diet regarded by those patients as optimal. For patients in the P group, a standard diet for a patient undergoing haemodialysis treatment was introduced, considering the fundamental disease -diabetes. Albumin, total protein, leptin and interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) cytokine concentrations were determined in blood plasma, and CAT and SOD enzymes activity was determined in erythrocytes by