Glucosinolates are chemically stable compounds that exhibit biological activity in the body following hydrolysis catalyzed by the enzyme myrosinase. While existing in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that the hydrolysis products of glucosinolates predominantly exert beneficial effects in both human and animal organisms, some studies have found that the excessive consumption of glucosinolates may lead to toxic and anti-nutritional effects. Given that glucosinolates are primarily ingested in the human diet through dietary supplements and commercially available cruciferous vegetables, we investigated the in vivo effects of the glucosinolate sinigrin on molecular markers in the myocardia of healthy Swiss mice. This study aims to elucidate whether sinigrin induces positive or negative physiological effects in mammals following consumption. The alterations in myocardial parameters were assessed by measuring metabolic, inflammatory, structural, and antioxidant markers. Our findings revealed that subchronic exposure to sinigrin in the myocardia of female mice resulted in a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in the levels of the myokine irisin, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9), catalase (CAT), and total glutathione (tGSH), alongside a marked decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in the levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), compared to the control group consisting of both female and male mice. These results suggest that the hydrolysis products of sinigrin may exert a potentially toxic effect on the myocardial tissue of female mice and possess the capability to modulate transcription factors in vivo in a sex-dependent manner. This observation calls for further investigation into the mechanisms regulating the actions of glucosinolate hydrolysis products, their interactions with sex hormones, and the determination of permissible intake levels associated with both beneficial and adverse outcomes.

Background/Objectives: Sarcopenia is a growing public health challenge in older adults, being associated with functional decline, frailty, and increased mortality. The SARC-F questionnaire is a widely recommended screening tool for sarcopenia; however, no validated Croatian version has been available so far. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Croatian version of the SARC-F questionnaire for older adults. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, 153 participants aged ≥ 65 years from Zagreb and Bjelovar were enrolled between March and September 2025. Psychometric evaluation included internal consistency (Cronbach’s α), test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC), item–total correlations, and split-half reliability. Convergent validity was assessed via correlations with handgrip strength (HGS), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and timed up-and-go (TUG) tests. Known groups and construct validity were also examined. Results: The Croatian SARC-F showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.70–0.82), with item–total correlations ranging from 0.34 (falls) to 0.80 (stairs) and excellent test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.86). Strong correlations were found with SPPB (ρ = −0.50; p < 0.001), TUG (ρ = 0.50; p < 0.001), and handgrip strength (ρ = −0.42; p < 0.001), supporting convergent validity. An exploratory factor analysis indicated a unidimensional structure explaining 43% of the variance. Conclusions: The Croatian version of SARC-F is a reliable, valid, and clinically feasible tool for identifying older adults who are at risk of sarcopenia. The results support its use in national screening and cross-cultural research across Europe.

One of the factors involved in the colorectal cancer development is intracellular oxidative stress and antioxidative imbalance. The study aimed to explore the link between oxidative stress measured by the activity of antioxidative markers and lipid...

Introduction. Sarcopenia is defined as a progressive decrease of skeletal muscle mass associated with ag- ing. It is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes, such as falls, fractures, physical disability, and death. Early detection of sarcopenia in older adults is of utmost importance as it has been shown to be crucial for providing appropriate interventions, primarily in terms of physical exercise and nutrition, to maintain a quality of life. Sarcopenia screening is crucial for public health given its significant prevalence and adverse outcomes.Aim. The aim of the research was case-finding for sarcopenia in individuals aged 65 and older and to determine whether there are differences in the prevalence of sarcopenia according to the SARC-F questionnaire in three groups of participants.Methods. A total of 138 individuals aged 65 and older of both sexes participated in the research. There were three groups of participants: residents in a retirement home, outpatients in an orthopaedic clinic, and community-dwelling individuals (general group). SARC-F questionnaire (Strength, Assistance with Walking, Rising from a Chair, Climbing Stairs, and Falls) was used as a highly recommended tool for screening.Results. The results showed that participants with an indication for sarcopenia were significantly older, with a mean age of 80.7 years (SD = 7.65) compared to 75.1 years (SD = 5.97) in the no indication group (t = 4.76; p < 0.001). In terms of residential setting, participants with an indication for sarcopenia were more likely to reside in nursing homes (36.5%) com- pared to those without an indication (12.0%). Conversely, participants without an indication were from the general population (62.7%) more frequently than those with an indication (41.3%). The proportion of participants from clinical settings was similar be- tween the groups (22.2% vs. 25.3%).Conclusion. Age is the only significant risk factor when assessing the sarcopenia risk in this research. Individuals at risk of sarcopenia were significantly older than those not at risk, with an average age difference of approximately five years. According to the results of this research, each additional year of age increases the odds of sarcopenia by approximately 12%. Retirement home residents are at the highest risk of sarcopenia. When it comes to the significant public health consequences caused by sarcopenia in the community, further similar research is necessary with an emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach to the disease.

Background: Population aging represents a major public health challenge, accompanied by an increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and age-related functional decline. Declines in lower-extremity physical function are particularly important, as they are strongly associated with mobility limitations, loss of independence, increased risk of falls, hospitalization, and mortality in older adults. Reliable and valid tools to assess physical performance are therefore essential in both clinical and research settings. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is a widely used instrument for assessing lower-extremity physical performance in older adults and is recommended within the diagnostic algorithm of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) for evaluating physical performance severity. However, the SPPB has not yet been psychometrically validated in the Croatian older population. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the SPPB in Croatian older adults. Methods: This study examined the metric properties of the SPPB in a sample of 153 older adults recruited from nursing homes and community settings. Results: The SPPB demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.74) and good test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.893) for the total score. Convergent and construct validity were supported by significant associations with established measures of functional mobility and muscle strength. Conclusions: The Croatian version of the SPPB is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing lower-extremity physical performance in older adults. Its use is supported in clinical practice and research settings in Croatia. Further studies should examine responsiveness and predictive validity in nationally representative samples.