V. Ivanov, S. Ivanova, A. Niedzwiecki, M. Rath

Journal of Cellular Medicine and Natural Health, June 2016

Abstract:

Objective: Seaweeds are an abundant and readily available source of both bulk nutrients and biologically active nutrients. We hypothesized that seaweed polysaccharide fucoidan could serve as a temporary substitute for ascorbic acid under conditions of vitamin C deficiency by beneficially affecting structural properties of the arterial wall.Methods: This was tested in an experimental model of cultured smooth muscle cells (AoSMC) and endothelial cells (AoEC) isolated from human aorta and cultured dermal fibroblasts (DFB) isolated from human skin. The effects of fucoidan in cultured cells were characterized by immunochemical assessment of deposition of selected extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and glycosaminoglycans. Results: Physiological concentrations of fucoidan effectively stimulated ECM deposition of proteins, presented by collagen types I and IV, and glycosaminoglycans, presented by heparan sulfate and hyaluronic acid, by AoSMC and DFB in manner and extent comparable to corresponding actions of ascorbic acid. Activity of a combination of two nutrients did not exceed activity of the compounds applied individually. Neither fucoidan nor ascorbic acid modulated ECM components deposition by AoEC under used experimental conditions. Structural characteristics of ECM components deposited by cultured cells under influence of fucoidan remain a subject of future research. Conclusion: The results support our initial hypothesis on a capacity of seaweed sulfated polysaccharide fucoidan to possess vitamin C-like activity on ECM components production and deposition by arterial wall resident cells.…

Read more: Seaweed – a substitute for ascorbic acid

V.Korzun, S.Gpzak, A.Parats, V. Ivanov, A. Niedzwiecki, M. Rath

Journal of Cellular Medicine and Natural Health, June 2016

Abstract:

Objective: Study of the effect of a vitamin-mineral complex, Vitacor Junior, on children’s health, physical development and learning performance. Methods: Children attending the grammar school in the Zhytomyr region received one tablet daily of a vitamin-mineral complex with school meals (n = 69, the vitamin group) while children in the control group (n = 34) received only their regular school meals. Evaluation of the children was carried out before and after seven months of supplement intake.Results: After seven months, children in the vitamin group had improved functional status of their muscular and cardiac-respiratory systems and showed a decrease in the incidence and likelihood of acute forms of illnesses. Average level of acute morbidity was decreased by 25.5 % (from 1.83 ± 0.13 to 1.37 ± 0.13 incidents per year, t = 2.44; p < 0.05) compared to the similar index before taking the supplements. The reduction of the probability of two to four acute illnesses in the year was decreased by 2.83 % (RR = 2.83; 95 % CI 1.46-5.49; EF = 64.7 %). Functional status of the cardio-respiratory systems assessed by Skibinski index was improved by 28.2 % (from 5.82 ± 0.42 to 7.46 ± 0.57, t = 2.29; p < 0.05), and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate decreased from t = -3.64; p < 0.001 to t =-2.43; p < 0.05, respectively. Functional status of the muscular system based on the indicator of the strength of hand muscles was improved by 16.2 % (t = 2.15; p <0.05) and based on evaluation of the power index (χ2 = 16.33; p < 0.01). It is established that the proportion of children with low adaptation body reserve opportunities in the control group tends to increase (y = 18.2, x – 0.1), however in the vitamin group it tends to decrease (y = -7.2, x + 49.2).Conclusions: Daily intake of a vitamin-mineral complex contributed to the improvement of the health status of children and it should be recommended for use in children’s nutrition.…

Read more: Health-related assessment of a vitamin and mineral supplement in school age children

M. Chatterjee, S. Ivanova, V. Ivanov, A. Niedzwiecki, M. Rath

Journal of Cellular Medicine and Natural Health, June 2016

Oxidative stress is a common source of cellular damage that is implicated in many diseases. Many people use nutritional supplements to maintain and improve their health. However, there is little information on how, or even if, popular dietary supplements improve cellular health by protecting the body from oxidative stress. Our study tests popular dietary supplements from the European and US markets in a uniform, standardized manner. This allows us to better understand how the differences in supplement compositions and/or ingredient doses may affect their efficacy at cellular level. The results show large differences in cellular efficacy of supplements even within the same category. Consistently, products containing ingredients chosen on the basis of their synergy confer greater protection from oxidative stress.…

Read more: Comparison of the antioxidant efficacy and cellular protection by several categories of nutritional supplements on the market

M. W. Roomi, T. Kalinovsky, A. Niedzwiecki, M. Rath

Journal of Cellular Medicine and Natural Health, June 2016

Alopecia, a common, distressing occurrence in humans also occurs in rodents. Our main objective in this study was to examine the effects of a mixture of nutrients containing ascorbic acid, lysine, proline and green tea extract on hair growth in nude mice, since they are genetically predisposed to pattern balding. Prior to testing the nutrients on nude mice, we studied the effect of NM by diet and topical application on hair growth in shaved dorsal region of Swiss mice. Following one week of isolation, dorsal hairs were shaved with an electric shaver (3 x 2 cm) and removed from shaved area with PBS.…

Read more: Hair growth stimulating effect of a nutrient mixture in athymic nude mice