Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are promising drug delivery carriers and hyperthermia agents for the treatment of cancer. However, to ensure their safety in vivo, SPIONs must be modified in order to prevent unwanted iron release. Thus, SPIONs were coated with silica layers of different morphologies: non-porous (@SiO2), mesoporous (@mSiO2) or with a combination of non-porous and mesoporous layers (@SiO2@mSiO2) deposited via a sol–gel method. The presence of SiO2 drastically changed the surface properties of the nanoparticles. The zeta potential changed from 19.6 ± 0.8 mV for SPIONs to −26.1 ± 0.1 mV for SPION@mSiO2. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area increased from 7.54 ± 0.02 m2/g for SPIONs to 101.3 ± 2.8 m2/g for SPION@mSiO2. All types of coatings significantly decreased iron release (at least 10 fold as compared to unmodified SPIONs). SPIONs and SPION@mSiO2 were tested in vitro in contact with human lung epithelial cells (A549 and BEAS-2B). Both nanoparticle types were cytocompatible, although some delay in proliferation was observed for BEAS-2B cells as compared to A549 cells, which was correlated with increased cell velocity and nanoparticles uptake.

The obtained results indicate that zinc deprivation induced "pro-depressive" behavior (after the initial period of "antidepressive" behavior). This pro-depressive behavior correlates with enhanced serum corticosterone concentration.

No abstract

This article presents a study on fruiting bodies of Boletus badius, Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius, Lactarius deliciosus, Leccinum scabrum, Suillus bovinus, Suillus luteus, Pleurotus ostreatus, Tricholoma equestre, Armillaria mellea, Agaricus bisporus, and Auricularia polytricha. The amounts of their health-promoting bioelements and physiologically significant indole and phenolic compounds were determined. The significance of edible mushrooms in the human diet and in disease prevention were also established. The high-performance liquid chromatography was used to assess the contents of indole compounds and phenolic acids. The atomic absorption spectroscopy was applied to determine bioelements. In all samples, the content of 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan was studied. The highest extraction amount of serotonin was found for P. ostreatus species. Phenolic compounds were determined in the conditions described in the present study for the first time. Additionally, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, syringic, and gallic acids were determined.

No abstract

Abstract:Background: There is some evidence coming from preclinical and clinical studies suggesting a relationship between dietary zinc intake and depressive symptoms. The aim of the study was to determine whether zinc deficiency alters the response to antidepressants with a different mechanism of action. We examine also whether these changes are related to activity of the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal HPA axis. Methods: Male CD-1 mice were assigned to groups according to diet and antidepressant administration. To evaluate animal behavior, the immobility time in the forced swim test (FST) and locomotor activity were measured. To determine serum zinc levels the flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) was used. The serum corticosterone was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results: Antidepressants administered to zinc-deprived mice induced an altered response in the FST when compared to animals fed with an adequate diet. There were no changes in locomotor activity. Animals subjected to a zinc-deficient diet showed a significant reduction in serum zinc levels, which was normalized by antidepressant treatment. An increase in serum corticosterone concentrations in mice fed with a zinc-deficient diet and treated with antidepressants was observed, so it can be concluded that reduced levels of zinc contribute hyperactivation of the HPA axis. Conclusion:The results of this study suggest that a diet with a reduced zinc level alters antidepressant action, which is associated with a reduction in the serum zinc level and rise in the corticosterone level. The results of this study may indicate the involvement of zinc deficiency in the pathogenesis of depression.

It has been demonstrated that zinc exerts its beneficial influence on skin fibroblasts. Propolis, a complex mixture of plant-derived and bees’ products, was reported to stimulate cicatrization processes in skin and prevent infections. The aim of this study was to find out how zinc and propolis influence human skin fibroblasts in cell culture and to compare the effect of individual compounds to the effect of a mixture of zinc and propolis. In this study, zinc, as zinc aspartate, at a concentration of 16 μM, increased human fibroblasts proliferation in cell culture, whereas propolis at a concentration of 0.01 % (w/v) revealed antiproliferative and cytotoxic action followed by mild cell necrosis. In culture, zinc was effectively transported into fibroblasts, and propolis inhibited the amount of zinc incorporated into the cells. An addition of propolis to the medium caused a decrease in the Zn(II) amount incorporated into fibroblasts. The obtained results also indicate an appreciable antioxidant property of propolis and revealed its potential as a supplement when applied at doses lower than 0.01 % (w/v). In conclusion, the present study showed that zinc had a protective effect on human cultured fibroblasts’ viability, although propolis revealed its antiproliferative action and caused mild necrosis.

No abstract