Ectoine is a substance produced by extremophiles and is naturally used by them as protection against adverse environmental conditions in which they live. Scientific contributions discuss its excellent effect through cosmotropic properties, prevention of secondary messenger release in cells, and transcription factors. The influence on the lipid layer of the cell membrane and its preventive effect as a UV filter were also demonstrated. What is more, its anti-oxidative effect was established. Ectoine works as an immunostimulant and also has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. These attributes are dominating factors in the use of ectoine’s properties in skin fractionation treatment with a C${\mathrm{O}}_2$ laser. In the following work, the influence of ectoine on skin parameters was described, focusing on redness, moisturization, and TEWL after the use of a C${\mathrm{O}}_2$ laser (Załęska 2019). The rheological properties of preparations with ectoine addition were also tested. The yield point was determined, the viscosity changes of cosmetic preparations were measured with increasing shear rates, and oscillation tests were performed. With increasing percentages of ectoine and frequency of application, the occurrence of redness after C${\mathrm{O}}_2$ therapy decreased. The highest moisture level values from 54.4 × 0.02 mg/c${\mathrm{m}}^2$ to 72.5 × 0.02 mg/c${\mathrm{m}}^2$ were obtained for preparation A applied twice a day; for the same preparation, a reduction in TEWL from 6.2 to 5.3 g/(${\mathrm{m}}^2$·h) was obtained. The results of the tests of cosmetic emulsions allowed us to conclude that the preparations in the analyzed shear rate range at all tested temperatures are non-Newtonian liquids that are shear-thinning and have a flow limit. The obtained results of the conducted research prove the positive effect of dermocosmetics with ectoine content in the process of skin healing.

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the lifestyle of Polish women (characterized by the quality of diets and levels of reported physical activity) and their characteristics such as age, place of residence, physical activity at work or school, reported health status, and BMI. The sample consisted of 882 women from Southern Poland. Diet quality and the level of physical activity were evaluated by the Nutrition Beliefs Questionnaire established by the Polish Academy of Sciences. The lifestyle category (healthy, moderate, or unhealthy) was based on “Prohealthy Diet Index-10” and participant’s self-assessed physical activity during their leisure-time. The lifestyle category was significantly associated with age, BMI, physical activity at work/school, and health. Moderate lifestyle (high or moderate levels of physical activity combined with low prohealthy diet) was the most commonly found classification in examined women. Age (>35 years old) and overweight are the main factors determining unhealthy lifestyle behavior. Healthy lifestyle is more often chosen by the women from big cities. More intensive efforts should be undertaken to increase the knowledge and awareness of the health benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The main goal should be concentrated on increasing the level of physical activity, especially in leisure time, and promoting the tenets of a well-balanced diet.

Patients with cardiovascular system diseases having their origin in arteriosclerosis require special dietetic treatment. Among many nutritional components, fats in the diet (both their quantity and quality) play a very important role in primary and secondary prevention of these diseases. The aim of the study was the estimation of total fats participation (saturated fatty acids, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol) in the Daily Nutritional Ration (DNR) of elderly people with cardiovascular system diseases. The study included 128 persons (66 women and 62 men, mean age 73.2 ± 6.9) hospitalized in the 1st Clinic of Cardiology and Hypertension, UJCM in Kraków. Daily intakes of energy were estimated using the 24-h nutritional recall and Food Frequency Questionnaire. A higher consumption of fats and fatty acids was observed in men's diet than in women's diet. The percentage of energy from saturated fatty acids (10.6% M and W) was higher than dietary recommendations. The consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids was in accordance with nutritional recommendations. The participation in the diet of polyunsaturated fatty acids was insufficient versus the newest nutritional recommendations and was determined as 4.6% of energy in DNR in men and 4.1% of energy of DNR in women. The excessive amount of saturated fatty acids together with the insufficient amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet are the result of the excessive consumption of products which are a source of animal fat and insufficient consumption of plant fat, fish and seafood.

Background: Repeated vascular laser exposure induces not only selective photothermal effects within blood vessels but also secondary responses in the surrounding skin. This study investigated whether topical 7% ectoine modifies the trajectory of cutaneous response during a series of 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser treatments. Methods: Thirty participants underwent four 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser treatments in a prospective, randomized, vehicle-controlled split-face study. Following each treatment, one side of the face received a formulation containing 7% ectoine (ECT), whereas the contralateral side received an identical vehicle without ectoine (vehicle control). Skin erythema, stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), melanin index, and skin surface pH were assessed longitudinally. Redness was independently quantified using the CIELAB a* coordinate, while high-frequency ultrasonography was used to determine the proportion of low-echogenic pixels (LEPs). An untreated internal reference area (UIRA) was additionally assessed to characterize spontaneous temporal and environmental variability in skin parameters. The study was retrospectively registered in the ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN69645337). Results: Compared with the vehicle, ECT produced a significantly greater overall reduction in skin erythema (ΔΔ = −35.44 AU; 95% CI: −44.88 to −26.01; p < 0.001), accompanied by a greater reduction in CIELAB a* (ΔΔ = −1.18; 95% CI: −1.58 to −0.78; p < 0.001). ECT was also associated with a greater overall improvement in stratum corneum hydration assessed by corneometry (ΔΔ = +5.96 AU; p < 0.001), a greater reduction in TEWL (ΔΔ = −0.73 g/m²/h; p = 0.0012), and a greater decrease in LEPs (ΔΔ = −0.55 percentage points; p < 0.001). No significant between-treatment advantage was observed for the melanin index or skin surface pH. Conclusions: Topical application of 7% ectoine during serial vascular 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser therapy was associated with a distinct trajectory of cutaneous response compared with the vehicle alone. The effect was characterized by a greater reduction in the erythematous component, improvement in barrier-related parameters, and changes in dermal echogenic properties. These short-term instrumental findings support further investigation of ectoine as an adjunctive topical strategy during repeated photothermal procedures; their clinical significance requires confirmation using standardized clinical and patient-reported outcomes.

The use of biomicro-needles, splinters derived from marine and freshwater sponges, is the subject of research worldwide. Their regenerative potential is due to their ability to form microchannels in the skin and persist for 72-120 hours. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of preparation based on biomicro-needles from the Spongilla spicules species on the skin parameters of women with visible signs of ageing. A significant improvement in skin hydration was demonstrated, as evidenced by a decrease in transepidermal water loss, an increase in hydration of the stratum corneum, or a statistically significant decrease in the echogenicity of the dermis. In addition, the thickness of the dermis increased significantly. A decrease in pH, an improvement in barrier function, and a visible reduction in hyperpigmentation,erythema, and wrinkles were demonstrated.

Tissue fibroplasia, the combination of a biorevitalising mechanism with a biostimulant in a single mesotherapy preparation, is a relatively new group of injectable products. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of preparation with hyaluronic acid and sodium succinate on skin improvement in women with dry skin and clear signs of ageing. It showed a statistically significant decrease in skin echogenicity compared to the original state, an increase in skin thickness and a shallowing of individual wrinkles. Mesotherapy using the mechanism of tissue fibroplasia improves parameters of ageing skin, such as hydration level, thickness of the dermis, visibility of wrinkles, erythema, and skin discolouration.