Obesity is one of the major global health problems. Melatonin deficiency has been demonstrated to correlate with obesity. The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of melatonin on oxidative stress and adipokine levels in obese patients on a calorie‐restricted diet. Thirty obese patients were supplemented with a daily dose of 10 mg of melatonin (n = 15) or placebo (n = 15) for 30 days with a calorie‐restricted diet. Serum levels of melatonin, 4‐hydroxynonenal (HNE), adiponectin, omentin‐1, leptin, and resistin, as well as erythrocytic malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and Zn/Cu‐superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, were measured at baseline and after supplementation. Significant body weight reduction was observed only in the melatonin group. After melatonin supplementation, the adiponectin and omentin‐1 levels and GPx activities statistically increased, whereas the MDA concentrations were reduced. In the placebo group, a significant rise in the HNE and a drop in the melatonin concentrations were found. The results show evidence of increased oxidative stress accompanying calorie restriction. Melatonin supplementation facilitated body weight reduction, improved the antioxidant defense, and regulated adipokine secretion. The findings strongly suggest that melatonin should be considered in obesity management. This trial is registered with CTRI/2017/07/009093.

The present review summarizes scientific reports from between 2010 and 2019 on the use of capillary electrophoresis to quantify active constituents (i.e., phenolic compounds, coumarins, protoberberines, curcuminoids, iridoid glycosides, alkaloids, triterpene acids) in medicinal plants and herbal formulations. The present literature review is founded on PRISMA guidelines and selection criteria were formulated on the basis of PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Study type). The scrutiny reveals capillary electrophoresis with ultraviolet detection as the most frequently used capillary electromigration technique for the selective separation and quantification of bioactive compounds. For the purpose of improvement of resolution and sensitivity, other detection methods are used (including mass spectrometry), modifiers to the background electrolyte are introduced and different extraction as well as pre-concentration techniques are employed. In conclusion, capillary electrophoresis is a powerful tool and for given applications it is comparable to high performance liquid chromatography. Short time of execution, high efficiency, versatility in separation modes and low consumption of solvents and sample make capillary electrophoresis an attractive and eco-friendly alternative to more expensive methods for the quality control of drugs or raw plant material without any relevant decrease in sensitivity.

The article is a summary of scientific reports from the last 16 years (2005–2021) on the use of capillary electrophoresis to analyze polyphenolic compounds, coumarins, amino acids, and alkaloids in teas or different parts of plants used to prepare aqueous infusions, commonly known as “tea” or decoctions. This literature review is based on PRISMA guidelines and articles selected in base of criteria carried out using PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Study type). The analysis showed that over 60% of articles included in this manuscript comes from China. The literature review shows that for the selective electrophoretic separation of polyphenolic and flavonoid compounds, the most frequently used capillary electromigration technique is capillary electrophoresis with ultraviolet detection. Nevertheless, the use of capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry allows for the sensitive determination of analytes with a lower limit of detection and gives hope for routine use in the analysis of functional foods. Moreover, using the modifications in electrochemical techniques allows methods sensitivity reduction along with the reduction of analysis time.

Background/Objectives: Malnutrition in senile patients leads to functional disability while reducing quality of life. Medical professionals should routinely assess their nutritional status during hospitalization. However, diagnosing malnutrition may be difficult, especially since obesity may mask malnourishment. Thus, it is essential to search for biomarkers that improve the identification of malnourished inpatients. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, selected venous blood parameters were analyzed in 137 older inpatients at the age of 80.5 ± 7.78 admitted to the Geriatrics Clinic of the Antoni Jurasz University Hospital No. 1 in Bydgoszcz, Poland between 2017 and 2018, for a comprehensive geriatric assessment. The participants were grouped according to their nutritional risks based on the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and the Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index (GNRI). The Kruskal–Wallis test was utilized to evaluate the equality of variances for a variable calculated for two or more groups. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: For total protein, albumin, homocysteine, hemoglobin, hematocrit, total magnesium, total calcium, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interferon γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10), statistically significant differences were found between groups of patients classified by the MNA. However, additional significant differences were also observed for creatinine, folic acid, and triglycerides, according to the GNRI compartmentalization. The results indicate that decreased levels of albumin (<3 g/dL) and hemoglobin (7.5 pg/mL), and IP-10 (>250 pg/mL), should alert medical professionals to potential malnutrition in hospitalized patients. Conclusions: Routine analysis of venous blood parameters can help rapidly identify malnutrition and the immediate implementation of a specialized diet.

Malnutrition is classified as one of the Giant Geriatric Syndromes. It carries serious consequences, such as sarcopenia or depression, which lead to functional disability. The main objective of this study was to identify parameters of oxidative stress and adipokines, which may be potential biomarkers of malnutrition in hospitalized older patients. During the study, selected parameters were determined in 137 senile patients, taking into account their nutritional status determined according to the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), as well as an additional tool, namely the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI). Leptin and resistin were determined as the parameters with statistically significant differences between the patients classified according to the MNA. This phenomenon was confirmed using the GNRI classification. However, additional parameters for which differences were observed include the oxidized low-density lipoprotein level and activity of glutathione peroxidase. In conclusion, the determination of the mentioned markers in hospitalized senile patients as an adjunct to the routine assessment of nutritional status might be suggested to identify the early risk of malnutrition so that a personalized nutritional therapy can be implemented as early as possible.