This study aimed to evaluate, in vitro, the antioxidative potential of fruit wines produced from berry fruits (i.e., black chokeberry, blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry), cherry, and apple by different technological processes. For this purpose, the activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content as a marker of membrane damage were determined in wine-treated synaptosomes with hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. All studied wines induced increased antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased MDA levels compared to hydrogen peroxide-treated synaptosomes (i.e., control). The highest SOD activity was observed in synaptosomes treated with blackberry wine (6.81 U/mg), whereas blueberry wine induced the highest catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities (0.058 U/mg and 0.017 U/mg, respectively). Black chokeberry proved to be the best in lipid peroxidation protection with the lowest MDA value (1.42 nmol/mg). Finally, principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis additionally highlighted a higher antioxidant capacity of wines produced from dark-skinned fruits (i.e., blackberry, black chokeberry, and blueberry). The results suggest protective effects of the fruit wines against oxidative damage, and, accordingly, their promising application as functional food.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant capacity of fruit wines and their protective effects against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in rat synaptosomes in vitro. The wines were produced from strawberries and drupe fruits (i.e., plum, sweet cherry, peach, and apricot) through microvinification with a pure S. cerevisiae yeast culture. Fruit wines were produced with and without added sugar before the start of fermentation, whereas subvariants with and without pits were only applied to drupe fruit wines. First, synaptosomes were treated with the wines, while oxidative stress was induced with H₂O₂. Subsequently, the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of membrane injury, were determined. In addition, the Briggs–Rauscher reaction (BR) was used to evaluate the inhibition capacity against free radicals. All investigated fruit wines increased the activity of the studied antioxidant enzymes and decreased MDA content compared to the corresponding controls (synaptosomes treated with H₂O₂). After synaptosomal treatment with plum wine, the highest activities were observed for SOD (5.57 U/mg protein) and GPx (0.015 U/mg protein). Strawberry wine induced the highest CAT activity (0.047 U/mg protein) and showed the best ability to reduce lipid peroxidation, yielding the lowest MDA level (2.68 nmol/mg). Strawberry, plum, and sweet cherry wines were identified as samples with higher antioxidant activity in both principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Finally, plum wine exhibited the highest inhibitory activity in the BR reaction (397 s). The results suggest that fruit wines could be considered potential functional food due to their protective effects against oxidative stress.

Several studies report the important role of an altered gut microbiota in the development of obesity, highlighting the potential use of probiotics in the treatment of obesity. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a novel probiotic approach on the expression of specific miRNAs and mRNAs associated with obesity in combination with the hypocholesterolemic octacosanol. Twenty overweight/obese women participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study and were randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group (daily one capsule containing Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (DSM9843), Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii, and 40 mg octacosanol; N = 12) and the placebo group (N = 8). Changes in lipid parameters and expression of miRNAs and mRNAs were assessed before (T0) and after the 12-week intervention (T1). After the intervention, the expression of miR-155-5p (9.38 ± 0.85 vs. 8.38 ± 1.06, p = 0.05) and miR-24-3p (3.42 ± 0.38 vs. 2.71 ± 0.97, p = 0.031) showed significant decreases in the intervention group when compared to the control group. At T1, the expression of miR-155-5p (8.69 ± 1.31 vs. 9.3 ± 0.85, p = 0.04), miR-125b-5p (5.41 ± 1.18 vs. 5.99 ± 1.36, p = 0.049), and TNF-α (10.24 ± 1.66 vs. 11.36 ± 1.12, p = 0.009) were significantly decreased in the intervention group. No changes in lipids and anthropometric parameters were observed. The novel probiotic approach had a positive effect on regulating the expression of certain miRNAs and mRNAs important for regulating inflammation and adipogenesis, which are essential for obesity onset and control.

Plants are sources of compounds with important effects on health, but plant-based food industry generates substantial waste amounts, especially in oil production. This study aimed to characterize flours derived from oilseed by-products, pumpkin, sunflower, and apricot seed residues, and compare them with conventional grain flours (white and whole wheat). Nutritional composition was analyzed with emphasis on amino acid profiles performed by ion chromatography. Mineral profiles were determined by ICP-MS. Total phenolics and antioxidant activity were assessed using in vitro colorimetric microassays. Oil press cake flours showed significantly higher levels of protein and fiber compared to wheat flours (p < 0.05), while the latter contained more carbohydrates. Among the examined flours, pumpkin and apricot seed flours stood out with the highest potassium, while sunflower seed flour led in calcium content. Despite higher polyphenol content in wheat flours, apricot seed flour exhibited the greatest antioxidant activity, likely due to its diverse profile of hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactive compounds. These findings highlight oil press cakes as nutritionally valuable ingredients for protein-enriched and other innovative food products, aligning with circular economy principles and promoting resource efficiency in the agri-food sector.

Background/Aims: This study examined the effects of a specially designed energy-restricted diet with alternate carbohydrate intake on body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight and obese adults. The aim was to assess whether the intervention could lead to significant weight loss, improve body composition, and reduce cardiometabolic risks. Methods: Sixty-five participants (34 women, 31 men) with an average BMI of 31.8 ± 9.1 kg/m² (women) and 34.1 ± 6.4 kg/m² (men) participated in a 14-week intervention. The diet included different days of carbohydrate intake and a 20% reduction in total daily energy consumption. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters, including predictive indices of cardiometabolic risk, were determined at baseline and after the intervention. Results: The intervention resulted in a significant reduction in body weight (mean weight loss of 17%, p < 0.001), with 64.6% of participants achieving a weight loss of at least 10%. Muscle mass as a percentage of total body weight increased. Cardiometabolic improvements were observed in fasting blood glucose (from 5.4 to 4.9 mmol/L, p < 0.001) and LDL cholesterol (from 3.38 to 2.81 mmol/L, p < 0.001). Gender-specific differences were found, particularly in HDL-C, which decreased significantly in women (p = 0.013), while there was a non-significant increase in men. Cardiometabolic indices, including the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) and the Cardiometabolic Index (CMI), also improved significantly. Conclusions: The alternate carbohydrate diet improved body composition, cardiometabolic health, and treatment adherence through metabolic flexibility. However, the short duration of this study and the lack of a control group suggest that further research is needed to assess long-term sustainability.

Following its discovery, radium was initially promoted as a therapeutic agent for a wide range of conditions, including skin disorders, allergies, visual problems, joint pain, and as a general health-enhancing remedy. However, subsequent research demonstrated its significant radiological toxicity and harmful effects on human health. Despite these risks, more than a century after its discovery, certain radium isotopes continue to have limited medical applications, particularly in the treatment of specific cancers. Following ingestion, radium is absorbed into the body and behaves similarly to calcium, resulting in its deposition in bone tissue. A proportion of absorbed radium is eliminated through feces and urine, while the remaining fraction may persist in the skeleton and contribute to long-term internal radiation exposure. The severity and onset of adverse health effects are closely related to the absorbed dose and duration of exposure. Chronic exposure to elevated radium levels has been associated with hematological abnormalities, cataracts, dental and jaw damage, bone cancer, and increased mortality. Advances in radiobiology, radiation protection, and personalized medicine continue to improve the safety and effectiveness of radiation-based treatments. Modern radiotherapy, including selected applications involving targeted radionuclide therapy, requires a detailed understanding of radiation dose distribution, biological responses, and patient-specific factors. The optimization of re-irradiation strategies remains an important clinical challenge that requires careful assessment of previous radiation exposure, tissue tolerance, and potential risks. Because radium exposure can occur through ingestion, inhalation, or dermal contact, continued monitoring, appropriate regulatory frameworks, and access to specialized analytical methods remain essential components of public health protection. International cooperation and strengthened surveillance programs are needed to ensure the safe management of radium-containing materials and minimize potential health risks.