The aim of the study was frequency analysis of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase in the group of patients with prostate cancer and in a control group of healthy individuals. Genomic DNA was isolated; molecular analysis of glutathione S-transferase M1 and T2 polymorphisms was performed using multiplex PCR and RFLP methods. The products of the PCR reaction were then visualized in agarose gel, and a statistical analysis of the results was performed. No statistically significant differences were found in the frequency of glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms between 66 patients with prostate cancer and the control group (64 healthy volunteers). The GSTM1 gene deletion was found in ca. 47% of patients with prostate cancer and in ca. 55% of the controls. The GSTT1 deletion was found in approximately 17% of patients and 14% of the controls. The distribution of GSTP1 Ile/Ile, Ile/Val, and Val/Val polymorphisms was ca. 51.5%, 39%, and 9% in the group of patients and 61%, 34%, and 5% in the control group, respectively. The results indicate that there is no relationship between glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms and prostate cancer in the study group, which is a novelty when compared with the previous work on the role of these genetic variants in the etiology of cancer.

An effective microbial synthesis of surfactin depends on the composition of the culture medium, the culture conditions and the genetic potential of the producer strain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of various medium components for the surfactin producing strain and to determine the impact of the culture conditions on the biosynthesis of surfactin isoforms by the newly isolated native strain Bacillus subtilis natto BS19. The efficiency of surfactin biosynthesis was determined by measuring the surface tension of the medium before and after submerged culture (SmF) and by qualitative and quantitative analysis of the obtained compound by high performance liquid chromatography. The highest efficiency of surfactin biosynthesis was achieved using starch as the carbon source and yeast extract as the nitrogen source at pH 7.0 and 37 °C. Potato peelings were selected as an effective waste substrate. It was shown that the increase in the percentage of peel extract in the culture medium enhanced the biosynthesis of surfactin (mg/L) (2–30.9%; 4–46.0% and 6–58.2%), while reducing surface tension of the medium by about 50%. The obtained results constitute a promising basis for further research on biosynthesis of surfactin using potato peelings as a cheap alternative to synthetic medium components.

Metals can have direct and indirect effects on the generation of reactive oxygen species in wild birds. The aim of this work has been to examine the effect of exposure to trace metals (copper Cu, iron Fe, cobalt Co, manganese Mn) on oxidative stress biomarkers such as lipoperoxidation TBARS and level of superoxide dismutase SOD, catalase CAT, and reduced glutathione GSH in the livers and kidneys of great tit Parus major nestlings (n = 165, 63 broods) living in polluted environments associated with soda plants and agricultural activities (Kujawy region) and from a reference site (Tuchola Forest), both in the north of Poland. As we predicted, the level of TBARS in both organs of chicks from polluted areas was higher than in those from reference site. This could be connected with Fe concentrations, particularly in areas adjacent to soda plants (livers R s = 0.49, p < 0.002; kidneys R s = 0.69, p < 0.001). We also showed differences in the level of antioxidants depending on the environment. CAT activity was higher in nestlings from Kujawy than in those from Tuchola. Meanwhile SOD activity (both organs) and GSH levels (kidneys) were lower in the polluted area compared to the reference site. Concentrations of Cu, Fe, Co, and Mn may play a role in regulating the antioxidant system components' activity.

SELECTED TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE HUMAN BODY S u m m a r yIn scientific publications on human nutrition the definition of "trace elements" concerns these elements, which occurs in the body tissue in very small amounts, regardless of they are essential or not In other words, it will be these chemical elements, which exist in the body or they are required for proper functioning of an organism and are characterized by low concentration. In this manuscript we focused on a number of elements, which may induce disturbances in functioning of many life processes when they are in excess. We chose iron, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, arsenic, mercury, cadmium and lead for showing the possible role of trace elements in causing diseases, including cancers.

The aim of the study was to analyze the activity of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione S-transferase, catalase, superoxide dismutase) and the concentration of malondialdehyde in order to determine the role of detoxification mechanisms in prostate cancer. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were measured using ready-made kits; lipid peroxidation intensity was determined by the thiobarbituric acid method. Superoxide dismutase was the only enzyme among antioxidant and detoxification enzymes for which a statistically significant difference in activity was found between the studied groups (1.4 U·ml−1 in patients vs. 1.6 U·ml−1 in control). No statistically significant differences were found for GST, CAT or the concentration of MDA between the group of men with prostate cancer and the control group. The lower SOD activity in men with prostate cancer may be due to a deficiency in their antioxidant defense system.