Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are among the persistent organic pollutants characterized by their persistence in the environment, high mobility, and adverse impact not only on the ecosystem but also on human health. The biggest challenges in human biomonitoring are the low concentrations of PFASs in biological matrices and the presence of matrix interferents in samples. The combination of liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) as a sample preparation technique appears to be the most suitable solution for achieving the desired selectivity and sensitivity in PFAS determination. The aim of this review is to describe possible sources of PFASs, their presence in various human matrices, analytical methods for determining PFASs in different biological matrices using various pretreatment techniques for complex samples, as well as adverse health risks associated with PFAS exposure. The most studied PFASs include PFOA and PFOS, which are most frequently detected in matrices such as plasma, serum, and breast milk. The average concentrations of PFOA range from 1.0 to 2.6 ng.mL⁻¹ in plasma, 1.9 to 2.4 ng.mL⁻¹ in serum, and 0.4 to 3.1 ng.mL⁻¹ in breast milk. For PFOS, the average concentrations were 2.0–4.0 ng.mL⁻¹, 3.7–4.6 ng.mL⁻¹, and 3.6–4.8 ng.mL⁻¹ for plasma, serum, and breast milk, respectively. The most significant health effects associated with exposure to long-chain PFASs (such as PFOA and PFOS) include lipid disorders, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, infertility, cancer, obesity, autism, neurodevelopmental issues, cardiovascular diseases, and kidney and liver disorders. It is of utmost importance to monitor PFAS exposure, predict their toxicity, and develop effective strategies to mitigate their potential effects on human health.

Background: Assessment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors can predict clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis in adulthood. In this pilot study with hypercholesterolemic children and adolescents, we investigated the effects of a combination of plant sterols, fish oil and B vitamins on the levels of four independent risk factors for CVD; LDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerols, C-reactive protein and homocysteine. Methods: Twenty five participants (mean age 16 y, BMI 23 kg/m²) received daily for a period of 16 weeks an emulsified preparation comprising plant sterols esters (1300 mg), fish oil (providing 1000 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) and vitamins B12 (50 μg), B6 (2.5 mg), folic acid (800 μg) and coenzyme Q10 (3 mg). Atherogenic and inflammatory risk factors, plasma lipophilic vitamins, provitamins and fatty acids were measured at baseline, week 8 and 16. Results: The serum total cholesterol, LDL- cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, subfractions LDL-2, IDL-1, IDL-2 and plasma homocysteine levels were significantly reduced at the end of the intervention period (p<0.05). The triacylglycerols levels decreased by 17.6%, but did not reach significance. No significant changes in high sensitivity C-reactive protein, HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-1 were observed during the study period. After standardisation for LDL cholesterol, there were no significant changes in the levels of plasma γ-tocopherol, β-carotene and retinol, except for reduction in α-tocopherol levels. The plasma levels of n-3 fatty acids increased significantly with the dietary supplementation (p<0.05). Conclusions: Daily intake of a combination of plant sterols, fish oil and B vitamins may modulate the lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic children and adolescents. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN89549017

Microplastics are small plastic pieces with sizes less than 5 mm. They are becoming a global concern due to the potential risk to human health. The potential risks of microplastics may be greater for infants because they do not have sufficiently developed metabolizing enzymes, have less ability to remove microplastics, and have highly sensitive target organs. Infants should be breastfed for the first six months of life. Breast milk is considered to be the most complete and suitable source of nutrition. However, if breastfeeding during this period is not possible, it is necessary to use formulas designed for infant initial feeding. Infants may be exposed to higher levels of MPs through infant foods or plastic products. The aim of this study is to describe the possible sources of exposure to microplastics such as the human placenta, plastic feeding bottles, and toys as well as the presence of released microplastics in infant feces, breast milk, and infant formulas. There is still not enough data available for this study area. Therefore, it is necessary to pay increased attention to minimizing the negative effects of microplastics on human health.

Oxidative stress and sterile inflammation play roles in the induction and maintenance of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study cohort included 170 females aged 40 to 45 years who were categorized according to the presentation of MetS components (e.g., central obesity, insulin resistance, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and elevated systolic blood pressure) as controls not presenting a single component (n = 43), those with pre-MetS displaying one to two components (n = 70), and females manifesting MetS, e.g., ≥3 components (n = 53). We analyzed the trends of seventeen oxidative and nine inflammatory status markers across three clinical categories. A multivariate regression of selected oxidative status and inflammatory markers on the components of MetS was performed. Markers of oxidative damage (malondialdehyde and advanced-glycation-end-products-associated fluorescence of plasma) were similar across the groups. Healthy controls displayed lower uricemia and higher bilirubinemia than females with MetS; and lower leukocyte counts, concentrations of C-reactive protein, interleukine-6, and higher levels of carotenoids/lipids and soluble receptors for advanced glycation end-products than those with pre-MetS and MetS. In multivariate regression models, levels of C-reactive protein, uric acid, and interleukine-6 were consistently associated with MetS components, although the impacts of single markers differed. Our data suggest that a proinflammatory imbalance precedes the manifestation of MetS, while an imbalance of oxidative status accompanies overt MetS. Further studies are needed to elucidate whether determining markers beyond traditional ones could help improve the prognosis of subjects at an early stage of MetS.

Microplastics are small plastic pieces with sizes less than 5 mm. They are becoming a global concern due to the potential risk to human health. The potential risks of microplastics may be greater for infants because they do not have sufficiently developed metabolizing enzymes, have a lower ability to remove them, high sensitivity of target organs. Infants should be breastfed for the first six months of life. Breast milk is considered to be the most complete and suitable source of nutrition. However, if breastfeeding during this period is not possible, it is necessary to use formulas designed for infant initial feeding. Infants may be exposed to higher levels of MPs through infant foods or plastics products. The aim of this study is to describe the possible sources of exposure to microplastics such as human placenta, plastic feeding bottles, toys as well as the presence of released microplastics in infants feces, breast milk and infant formulas. There is still not enough data available from the studied area. Therefore, it is necessary to pay increased attention to minimizing the negative effects of microplastics on human health.

A column-switching chromatographic system using the teicoplanin chiral stationary phase for stereoselective determination of the β-blocker (R,S)-propranolol in human plasma has been developed and validated. A conventional, off-line liquid–liquid extraction procedure was used for pretreatment of plasma samples and compared to an on-line sample preparation method employing a special type of packing material (LiChrospher RP-8 ADS). The HPLC-integrated sample pretreatment (on-line liquid–solid extraction) allows higher precision, accuracy, and sensitivity. Detailed validation parameters are discussed.