Anna Maria Witkowska

Medical University of Bialystok · Department of Food Biotechnology

The recently observed circadian oscillations of the intestinal microbiota underscore the profound nature of the human-microbiome relationship and its importance for health. Together with the discovery of circadian clocks in non-photosynthetic gut bacteria and circadian rhythms in anucleated cells, these findings have indicated the possibility that...

Cardiometabolic disorders are major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A growing body of research indicates that the gut microbiota, whether it interacts favorably or not, plays an important role in host metabolism. Elucidating metabolic pathways may be crucial in preventing and treating cardiometabolic diseases, and omics methods are key...

Objectives Devastating consequences of COVID-19 disease enhanced the role of promoting prevention-focused practices. Among targeted efforts, diet is regarded as one of the potential factors which can affect immune function and optimal nutrition is postulated as the method of augmentation of people’s viral resistance. As epidemiological evidence is...

Undernutrition and inflammatory processes are predictors of early mortality in the elderly and require a rapid and accurate diagnosis. Currently, there are laboratory markers for assessing nutritional status, but new markers are still being sought. Recent studies suggest that sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) has the potential to be a marker for undernutrition. Th...

Chronic diseases, most notably diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, thyroid diseases, and allergic diseases are major causes of death, disability, and a lower quality of life in various populations [...]

Background The development of digital technologies and the evolution of open innovation approaches have enabled the creation of diverse virtual organizations and enterprises coordinating their activities primarily online. The open innovation platform titled “International Natural Product Sciences Taskforce” (INPST) was established in 2018, to bring...

Background: The development of digital technologies and the evolution of open innovation approaches have enabled the creation of diverse virtual organizations and enterprises coordinating their activities primarily online. The open innovation platform titled "International Natural Product Sciences Taskforce" (INPST) was established in 2018, to brin...

This study aimed to assess the relationship between the dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), as well as healthy diet quality, in a representative sample (n = 5690) of the whole Polish adult population (WOBASZ II study). Daily food consumption was estimated by the single 24 h dietary recall...

Dietary cholesterol has been suggested to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Phytosterols, present in food or phytosterol-enriched products, can reduce cholesterol available for absorption. The present study aimed to investigate the association between habitual intake of total and individual plant sterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol,...

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Plant sterols are compounds with multiple biological functions, mainly cholesterol-reducing. Although phytosterols lower LDL-cholesterol, their relationship to cardiovascular risk is unclear. Purpose To assess dietary total phytosterol, β-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol...

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main cause of mortality in the Polish population. Improper diet and lifestyle are among the risk factors for CVD. Previous studies have suggested that dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) is a measure of diet quality. Purpose The aim of t...

Sleep is a cyclically occurring, transient, and functional state that is controlled primarily by neurobiological processes. Sleep disorders and insomnia are increasingly being diagnosed at all ages. These are risk factors for depression, mental disorders, coronary heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and/or high blood pressure. A number of factors ca...

Evidence points to a link between celiac disease and eating disorders. Although with the current limited knowledge, orthorexia cannot be formally recognized as an eating disorder, some features are similar. This study is the first to examine individuals with celiac disease in terms of the prevalence of risk of orthorexia. Participants were 123 fema...

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and occurrence of prediabetes, diabetes and insulin resistance in the Bialystok PLUS (Polish Longitudinal University Study) population. Daily food consumption was estimated by 3-days 24-h dietary recalls. DTAC was calculated using the date of...

Beta-glucans comprise a group of polysaccharides of natural origin found in bacteria, algae, and plants, e.g., cereal seeds, as well as microfungi and macrofungi (mushrooms), which are characterized by diverse structures and functions. They are known for their metabolic and im-munomodulatory properties, including anticancer, antibacterial, and anti...

Plant sterols are compounds with multiple biological functions, mainly cholesterol-reducing. There are no comprehensive databases on plant sterols, which makes it difficult to estimate their intake in the Polish population. This work attempted to use international food databases, additionally supplemented by scientific data from the literature, to...

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw, Poland Introduction. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a major cause of premature mortality and disability in developed countries. Among various risk factors, disorders of lipid metabolism are p...

Background Several factors predispose individuals with epilepsy to chronic diseases. Among them, nutrition and lifestyle factors have not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate patients with epilepsy in terms of diet, body composition and physical activity compared to healthy sex- and age-matched subjects to inv...

Plant sterols are compounds with multiple biological functions, mainly cholesterol reducing. There are no comprehensive databases on plant sterols, which makes it difficult to estimate their intake in the Polish population. In this study we used international food databases, supplemented by scientific data from the literature, to create a database...

Background Adequate nutrition is a public health challenge due to the increase in the incidence of diet-related diseases. The aim of this study was to examine food and nutrient intakes in the light of the current dietary guidelines of Poland and Norway. This is a suitable model for studying the diet quality in countries with different degrees of go...

Mushroom beta-glucans show immunomodulatory, anticancer and antioxidant features. Numerous papers have been published in the last years on fungal polysaccharides, especially beta-glucans, demonstrating their various biological activities. However substantial data about beta-glucan contents in many mushroom species, especially wild mushrooms, are st...

Background: Several factors predispose people with epilepsy to cardiovascular diseases. Among them nutrition and lifestyle have not been sufficiently studied. Methods. The study involved 60 epileptic male and female volunteers and 70 healthy controls, corresponding to age and gender. Medical information was collected during the study and a detailed...

Obesity predisposes to such health conditions, as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, osteoarthritis. Poor diet is among the common causes of obesity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intake of macro- and micronutrients in obese Polish men and women in accordance with the recommended intakes. Two hundreds n...

Coffee is an important dietary source of biologically active components, not to mention caffeine, phenolic acids, and diterpenes. It has been suggested that selected coffee secondary metabolites may beneficially modulate several mechanisms of anti-cancer protection. This literature review was intended to present current knowledge related to coffee...

The aim of this study was to estimate dietary habits and dietary antioxidant intake in a Polish adult population in relation to socioeconomic status. The subjects (4774) were participants in the Polish National Multi-Centre Health Examination Survey (the WOBASZ II study) performed in 2013-2014. Socioeconomic status (SES) scores were calculated by m...

The aims of this study were to determine Cu, Mn, Se, and Zn content in wild mushrooms collected from unpolluted areas of the eastern Green Lungs of Poland (GLP) territory, to compare them to some popular species of cultivated mushrooms, evaluate mushroom contribution to the daily intake of the studied bioelements, and to determine their possible to...

In recent years, the concept of the health benefits of synergistic dietary patterns as opposed to individual foods or food constituents has been developed. The aim of this study was to determine whether nut consumption is associated with healthier nutrition and lifestyle. The research was based on complete data obtained during two Polish National M...

b>Purpose: To determine the level of physical activity in young and early adults with type 1 diabetes in comparison with their healthy counterparts and to determine whether the use of insulin pump facilitates physical activity. Materials and methods: This study included 40 type 1 diabetes (T1D) subjects of both sexes treated with a personal insuli...

Background: Oxidative stress plays a key role in the development of most non-communicable diseases, including arterial hypertension (AH). Diet is the major source of exogenous antioxidants, which support the body in the elimination of excessive free radicals. Objectives: To assess dietary total antioxidant potential (DTAP) and dietary polyphenol...

The study objectives were to examine total and individual lignan intakes and their dietary sources in postmenopausal Polish women and to investigate the relationship between lignan intake and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and central obesity. A total of 2599 postmenopausal women, participants of...

Specific classes and subclasses of polyphenols have been studied for their potential effects on noncommunicable diseases, but studies on association between dietary polyphenol intake (DPI) and dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and MetS (metabolic syndrome) are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine associations between DT...

The exposure of cells, tissues and extracellular matrix to harmful reactive species causes a cascade of reactions and induces activation of multiple internal defence mechanisms (enzymatic or non-enzymatic) that provide removal of reactive species and their derivatives. The non-enzymatic antioxidants are represented by molecules characterized by the...

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the dietary polyphenol intake (DPI) and the dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in postmenopausal women. Participants were 916 postmenopausal women diagnosed with CVD and 1683 postmenopausal women without history of CVD, who took par...

Background: Macrofungal β-glucans are mainly represented by compounds with β-1,3- and β-1,6 glycosidic bonds. They have been shown to have immunomodulatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Although there are many reports on the bioactivity and structure of fungal glucans, studies on the quantitative assessment of these compounds are sparse...

Purpose: The present study evaluates antioxidant activity, as well as polyphenol and flavonoid contents in common sprouts, available on the Polish market. The aim of this study was to extend our already published food databases. Materials and methods: Ten seed species from four plant families were analysed. Total polyphenol content of sprout extrac...

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate HE4, CA125 and ROMA in the preoperative differentiation benign ovarian diseases from epithelial ovarian cancer depending on the menopausal status. Methods In order to estimate markers’ concentrations in the serum of women with benign ovarian disease (n = 128) and with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (n...

Breast cancer has become a big oncological concern both in Poland and most countries around the world. Epidemiological studies show that women who are directly in danger of suffering from breast cancer are mainly postmenopausal women. Due to the seriousness of the problem more attention is devoted to preventative measures that should be undertaken....

The purpose of this study was to establish sources and patterns of antioxidant, polyphenol and flavonoid intakes in men and women with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The subjects with CVD and healthy controls (HC) were participants of the Polish National Multicenter Health Survey (WOBASZ). Food intakes were measured with the 1-day 24-hour recall met...

The primary aim of the study was to estimate the consumption of polyphenols in a population of 6661 subjects aged between 20 and 74 years representing a cross-section of the Polish society, and the second objective was to compare the intakes of flavonoids calculated on the basis of the two commonly used databases. Daily food consumption data were c...

The objective of this study was to determine sources and patterns of antioxidant and flavonoid intakes in the elderly (61–74 yrs) in comparison with young (20–40 yrs) and middle age (41–60 yrs) groups in a cross-sectional study. More than 6000 subjects of both genders, aged 20–74 years, participants of the National Multicenter Health Survey (WOBASZ...

The objective of this study was to determine sources and patterns of antioxidant and flavonoid intakes in the elderly (61–74 yrs) in comparison with young (20–40 yrs) and middle age (41–60 yrs) groups in a cross-sectional study. More than 6000 subjects of both genders, aged 20–74 years, participants of the National Multicenter Health Survey (WOBASZ...

The objective of this study was to determine sources and patterns of antioxidant and flavonoid intakes in the elderly (61–74 yrs) in comparison with young (20–40 yrs) and middle age (41–60 yrs) groups in a cross-sectional study. More than 6000 subjects of both genders, aged 20–74 years, participants of the National Multicenter Health Survey (WOBASZ...

Introduction: Although much is known about cytokines and adhesion molecules during an active course of multiple sclerosis (MS), there is limited information about their serum levels during remission. Objective: This study aimed to (1) compare peripheral levels of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), soluble interleukin-2 receptor a (sIL-2Ra), soluble i...

Although much is known about cytokines and adhesion molecules during an active course of multiple sclerosis (MS), there is limited information about their serum levels during remission. This study aimed to (1) compare peripheral levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), soluble interleukin-2 receptor α (sIL-2Rα), soluble intercellular adhesion mol...

Recent findings on the molecular basis of ovarian cancer development and progression create new opportunities to develop anticancer medications that would affect specific metabolic pathways and decrease side systemic toxicity of conventional treatment. Among new possibilities for cancer chemoprevention, much attention is paid to curcumin-A broad-sp...

INTRODUCTION Oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to investigate associations between dietary intake of antioxidants and antioxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes. PATIENTS AND METHODS In 80 patients with type 2 diabetes and 37 controls, total antioxidant...

Purpose: Since endothelial dysfunction can develop early in the adulthood, the purpose of the study was to determine how serum lipids, body measures and dietary habits affect serum markers of vascular activation in young women. Materials and methods: Twenty five healthy women, aged 19-22 years, were enrolled in the study. Serum lipids profile (tota...

Polyphenols present in plant foods as natural antioxidants may inhibit the pathogenesis of many diseases, which involve oxidative reactions. This study aimed to measure the total antioxidant potential with the ferric reducing antioxidant power method and the total polyphenol contents of 15 kinds of beverages, 4 types of chocolates, and 6 sorts of n...

Breast cancer is the most common malignant cancer among women, both in Poland and worldwide. Due to the constantly increasing number of breast cancer cases, it is vital to develop effective activities in primary and secondary prevention. One of the promising methods of best value, connecting both types of cancer prevention, appears to be chemopreve...

Some of the main nutritional reasons for recommending a Mediterranean diet is to prevent metabolic diseases arising through free radical formation. A key constituent compound is beta-carotene which, amongst the carotenoids, displays the greatest provitamin A activity as well as possessing significant antioxidant properties. Principally, to determin...

In view of the increasing number of breast cancer cases, it is important to develop methods of prevention of formation of this type of cancer as well as inhibition of its growth. Numerous scientific researches show decreased levels of carotenoids in the blood serum of women suffering from breast cancer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to revie...

The study aimed to determine associations between diet's composition and serum antioxidant potential in 29 women aged 19-22 years. The participants completed self-report questionnaires concerning health condition, body measures, dietary habits and supplements taken, and 3-day detailed diet records. Fasting blood samples were collected to assess tot...

The aims of this study were to determine Cd and Pb contents in wild mushrooms from the eastern region of the "Green Lungs" of Poland (GLP), compare them to Cd and Pb contents in some popular species of cultivated mushrooms, and evaluate mushroom contribution to the daily intake of Cd and Pb. Trace elements were determined in 21 species of edible mu...

Purpose: Polyphenols play an important role in the prevention of degenerative diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases and cancers. The purpose was to estimate dietary polyphenol intake in Polish adults, using own database of food polyphenols, and to establish main dietary sources of polyphenols. Material and methods: Polish men and women...

Phenolic compounds are natural antioxidants present in plant foods, which are important to human health. This study aimed to measure the total antioxidant potential with the FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) method and the total polyphenol content of 44 common consumed foods; represented by vegetables, pulses, fruits, cereals and breads. The...

The purpose of the study was to explore sixteen of the most popular edible species of wild-growing mushrooms as potential sources of antioxidants. Among the mushrooms tested, the highest total polyphenol contents, exceeding 100 mg/100 g fresh mass, were found in five mushrooms: Boletus chrysenteron, B. edulis, Leccinum scabrum, L. aurantiacum, and...

Subarachnoidal hemorrhage (SAH) occurring after aneurysmal rupture produces an inflammatory response in the cerebral circulation. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is a major cytokine in this process. Adhesion molecules provide information on inflammatory reactions taking place in the walls of blood vessels. Clinical evidence suggests a role of sol...

Produkty spożywcze pochodzenia roślinnego dostarczają unikalnych składników, niezbędnych podczas wielu reakcji metabolicznych zachodzących w ustroju ludz-kim. Wiele spośród nich wykazuje właściwości przeciwutleniające, polegające na zdolności neutralizowania reaktywnych form tlenu (RTF) (1). RFT generowane są w ustroju w toku różnorodnych przemian...

The purpose of our study was to estimate the utility of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and selenium (Se) measurements as subsidiary parameters for the diagnosis and differentiation of large aortic abdominal aneurysms (AAAs). The TNF and sICAM-1 levels in AAAs were significantly higher than in the c...

A soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) is a circulating form of a membrane receptor localized on lymphoid and some cancer cells. The biological function of sIL-2R has not been completely understood. Substantially, it seems to reflect T-lymphocyte activation in diseases of different pathology. Moreover, the soluble receptor has been considered, at lea...

The circulating form of a membrane-bound intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), has been the source of recent debate as a candidate marker of vascular inflammation in atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction, although its increased levels were also observed in other diseases affecting the cardiovascular system, such as myocarditis, inflammato...

A serum selenium concentration of 70 microg/l is considered to be sufficient for glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity, a selenium-dependent enzyme reflecting the body selenium status. The purpose of the study was to assess which foods or food groups best affect serum selenium in subjects with selenium concentrations below or above 70 microg/l. A...

Clinical manifestations of vasculitis, as a complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), can be postulated as a consequence of immune response abnormalities and endothelial cell dysfunction. In this study we searched for the relationship between the extent of vascular involvement and either serum sICAM-1 or selenium concentrations. We also explored t...

Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) represents a circulating form of ICAM-1 that is constitutively expressed or is inducible on the cell surface of different cell lines. It serves as a counter-receptor for the lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA-1). Interaction between ICAM-1, present on endothelial cells, and LFA-1 facilita...

Hair samples from 46 women living in Bialystok were analyzed for Cr after wet microwave mineralization. The Cr content in the hair was analyzed by electrothermal atomic absorption. Certified reference material (human hair) was used to test the accuracy of the method; accuracy was 1.9%.

The main aim of the study was to determine the total dietary fiber in standard diets for hospitalized patients in winter and summer. In the randomized trial performed in the winter of 1995/1996 and summer 1997, we assessed the dietary fiber content in 12 standard diets with AOAC method. The dietary fiber in the tested hospital diets was derived mai...

Optimal amounts of dietary fibre in the diet are regarded as a protective factor against several health disorders such as some alimentary tract diseases, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. It is considered that the dietary fibre may help reduce body weight. The preparations of dietary fibre slow gastric emptying and decrease the appetite....

Optimal amounts of dietary fibre in the diet are regarded as a protective factor against several health disorders such as some alimentary tract diseases, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. It is considered that the dietary fibre may help reduce body weight. The preparations of dietary fibre slow gastric emptying and decrease the appetite....