Jadwiga Kryczyk-Kozioł’s research while affiliated with Jagiellonian University and other places

Background: Breast milk is the most important nutrition for newborns. Growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and nerve growth factor (NGF) are among its components that play pivotal roles in neonatal development, immune system priming, and gastrointestinal maturation. This study examined the effects of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), maternal hypothyroidism, and method of delivery on the concentrations of these factors in colostrum collected at three distinct postpartum time points. Methods: A group of 39 women was included, 20 of whom gave birth vaginally, whereas caesarean section was performed in 19 patients. A total of 18 volunteers were diagnosed with GDM, and 17 suffered from hypothyroidism. Colostrum samples were collected from the volunteers in the first 3 days after birth under hospital conditions. Growth factors like IGF-1, EGF, NGF, and TGF-β were measured in the samples using commercial immunoenzymatic assays. Results: No significant differences were observed in the values of these parameters between the groups of women (with GDM or hypothyroidism and healthy, as well as giving birth naturally and by caesarean section). In addition, the growth factors exhibited good stability within the first few postpartum days (CVs for all studied parameters: in the range of 0.7–5.0%). Conclusions: The pregnancy disorders that were properly controlled and treated by specialists appeared not to affect the levels of the analyzed growth factors—just like the type of delivery and the day of colostrum collection.

Background and Objectives: The available research suggests that dietary patterns with high inflammatory potential, as indicated by a high DII score, may exacerbate inflammation and potentially influence thyroid function. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the associations between the inflammatory potential of a diet and thyroid function in adults with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). Materials and Methods: A total of 149 adults diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis were enrolled in this observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) was calculated using a 141-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The serum levels of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were determined. Results: The DII® scores ranged from −3.49 (most anti-inflammatory) to +4.68 (most pro-inflammatory), whereas three DII® tertile ranges were defined as <−1.4, −1.39 to +1.20, and >+1.21, respectively. Participants in tertile 1 (more anti-inflammatory diet) had significantly higher levels of fT4 than those adhering to a more pro-inflammatory diet (p = 0.007). The levels of hsCRP and TSH appeared to increase with increasing the DII® score, but without statistical significance. A significant association was found between the DII® and TSH (β = 0.42, p < 0.001) and between DII® and free thyroxine (β = 0.19, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age, gender, energy intake, and physical activity, a significant positive correlation remained between the DII® and TSH (β = 0.33, p = 0.002) and between the DII® and body mass index (BMI) (β = 0.14, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Adherence to an anti-inflammatory diet appears to be beneficial in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, suggesting that dietary modification aimed at lowering DII® levels may be a valuable strategy to improve clinical outcomes in these patients.

Considering the spectrum of benefits of breast milk feeding, determining the essential components of an infant’s only food-mother’s milk-seems justified, especially in the case of those whose deficiency (e.g., iodine) may result in developmental disorders. The main aim of this study was the determination of the total iodine content of breast milk (including colostrum and mature milk). A secondary objective was to assess the influence of factors such as the type of delivery, hypothyroidism, gestational diabetes or the stage of lactation on this parameter. The study materials were colostrum and milk after 1 (n = 14), 2 and 3 months (n = 8) of lactation with a range of iodine concentrations (µg/L): 195–1648 and 170–842, 174–650 and 273–751, respectively. Iodine was determined using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Multivariate statistical analysis revealed, e.g., that delivery by caesarean section or dose of L-thyroxine taken by women to normalise thyroid hormones, had a significant effect on iodine concentrations in breast milk. Further research aimed at assessing the quality of breast milk should also include determining the factors influencing it.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the consumption frequency of the selected examples of goitrogenic foods in four different groups of people in Poland, who used traditional, vegetarian, vegan and pescovegetarian diets. The validated consumption frequency questionnaire of the examples of goitrogenic foods in four groups of people (n=365) on afore-mentioned diets, was performed in Poland in 2022. The statistical correspondence analysis model (CAM) was used to quantify and reveal potential relations between dietary habits and thyroid dysfunction, family history of thyroid disease, use of thyroid drugs (L-thyroxine, propylthiouracil, thiamazole), or iodine dietary supplements/drugs. Statistical analyses revealed an increased odds ratio more than 3, 8, and 6 times higher for tofu; plant-based meat; and soy beverages, respectively, by vegetarian’s vs traditional diet. Respondents with diagnosed hypothyroidism consumed soy, flax products, but avoided iodine-rich products. All respondents on traditional diet used iodine-rich products while 22% vegetarian and 23% vegan excluded them. CAM analysis did not show any relation between brassica vegetables and thyroid dysfunction. Despite the results obtained using food questionnaire were not combined with biochemicals data, some tendencies in food behavior among Polish vegans, vegetarians, and pescovegetarians appeared. Apart from some interesting correlations and tendencies, revealed in our study, further in-depth research, combined with biochemical analysis, will allow to better understand, and explain these observations. Still, the effort should be made in the future in equalizing the proportions of female and male participants of such studies, what should bring some additional data on the gender influence.

The impact of selenium on the course of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) was mainly assessed by monitoring the titer of antithyroid autoantibodies in most of the studies conducted hitherto. On the other hand, the imbalance in activity of T cells such as Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg may be relevant in the pathogenesis of this disease. Hence, the assessment of changes in the secretion of cytokines by these cells during selenium supplementation in patients with HT seems to be an important issue and was the main goal of this study. A further aim was to search for correlations among these cytokines, as well as markers of thyroid function, selenium/iodine status in the body, and other biochemical parameters. The group of 29 women with newly diagnosed Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was supplemented with selenium in a dose of 100 µg/day for 6 months. Immunological parameters: interferon γ, tumor necrosis factor α, chemokine CXCL10, interleukin 4, interleukin 1β, interleukin 17, transforming growth factor β, and C-reactive protein, as well as selenium status parameters were determined in serum twice, i.e., before and after supplementation. Selenium supplementation was associated with a change in the production of two cytokines: interferon γ and interleukin 1β, for which a decrease and an increase in concentration were observed, respectively. The partial least squares (PLS) model revealed the presence of many relevant correlations among analyzed parameters. The stage of HT development, degree of thyroid dysfunction, and selenium supplementation of diet are interdependent factors which shape the profile of some cytokines secreted by cells participating in the autoimmunity process.

Brassica sprouts, as the rich source of dietary glucosinolates, may have a negative effect on thyroid function. In this study, kohlrabi sprouts diet, combined with two models of rat hypothyroidism, was tested. TSH, thyroid hormones and histopathology analysis were completed with the evaluation of immunological, biochemical, haematological parameters, cytosolic glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase in the thyroid, and plasma glutathione peroxidase. A thermographic analysis was also adapted to confirm thyroid dysfunction. The levels of TSH, fT3 and fT4, antioxidant enzyme (GPX) as well as histopathology parameters remained unchanged following kohlrabi sprouts ingestion, only TR activity significantly increased in response to the sprouts. In hypothyroid animals, sprouts diet did not prevent thyroid damage. In comparison with the rats with iodine deficiency, kohlrabi sprouts diet decreased TNF-α level. Neither addition of the sprouts to the diet, nor sulfadimethoxine and iodine deficiency, caused negative changes in red blood cell parameters, glucose and uric acid concentrations, or kidney function. However, such a dietary intervention resulted in reduced WBC levels, and adversely interfered with liver function in rats, most likely due to a higher dietary intake of glucosinolates. Moreover, the possible impact of the breed of the rats on the evaluated parameters was indicated.

One of the aspects of biological activity of vanadium is its influence on carbohydrate metabolism. For more than 30 years, various vanadium complexes have been tested as antidiabetic agents. This study researched organic vanadium complexes with bipyridinium ligands and their influences on metabolic rate, as well as on the antioxidant activity of adipose tissue. The effects of sodium (2,2′-bipyridine) oxidobisperoxovanadate (V) octahydrate (known as the V complex), bis(2,2′-bipyridine) oxidovanadium (IV) sulfate dehydrate (known as the B complex), and bis(4.4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine) oxidovanadium (IV) sulfate dihydrate (labelled as the BM complex) were assessed. Solutions of the tested complexes were introduced intraperitoneally with a probe to animals fed with either a control diet or a high-fat diet. The BM complex had a significant influence on the increase in ferric reducing antioxidant power, as well as on the concentration of glutathione in the adipose tissue of rats fed with a high-fat diet. The V complex increased the concentration of glutathione in the adipose tissue of rats fed with control fodder, as well as significantly reduced the relative change in rat weight for the high-fat diet. Furthermore, the presence of each tested vanadium complex had an impact of statistically significant increase in basal metabolic rate, regardless of applied diet. Further research on these organic vanadium complexes is necessary to understand the mechanisms responsible for their ability to affect adipose tissue.

Background: elemental deficiency may result in the malfunctioning of human organisms. Sprouts, with their attractive looks and well-established popularity, may be considered as alternative sources of elements in the diet. Moreover, the uptake of micro- and macronutrients from sprouts is better when compared to other vegetable sources. The aim of the study was to determine and compare the level of the selected essential minerals and trace elements in 25 sprouts from different botanical families, to preselect the richest species of high importance for human diets. Methods: the Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Mg, Ca determinations were performed using atomic absorption spectrometry with flame atomization and iodine by the colorimetric method. Results: beetroot sprouts had the highest levels of Zn, Fe, and Mg, while onion sprouts were the richest in Mn and Ca, among all of the tested sprouts. Sprouts of the Brassicaceae family were generally richer in Ca, Mg, and Zn than sprouts from the Fabaceae family. Results allow preselection of the most perspective sprouts as possible dietary sources of essential minerals and trace elements. For rucola, leeks, onions, and beetroot sprouts, the data on minerals and trace element compositions were performed for the first time.

Wiele obserwacji wskazuje na zależność między zmniejszonymi zasobami selenowymi organizmu a różnymi schorzeniami tarczycy, w tym także autoimmunologicznym zapaleniem tarczycy (AZT). W większości prac poświęconych temu zagadnieniu zmiana stężenia przeciwciał anty-TPO była główną miarą oceny skuteczności suplementacji selenem (Se) diety pacjentów z AZT. Stężenie przeciwciał anty-TPO ma wpływ na intensywność nacieków limfocytarnych w gruczole tarczowym i stopień jego uszkodzenia, dlatego zmniejszenie ich stężenia w wyniku zwiększonego spożycia Se może się przyczynić do skuteczniejszego leczenia AZT. W części prac omówionych w artykule ewaluacja immunoregulacyjnego działania Se w przebiegu AZT została rozpatrzona w odniesieniu do szerszego zakresu parametrów biochemicznych i immunologicznych (głównie dotyczy to zmian w wytwarzaniu cytokin i chemokin). Wielu autorów potwierdziło wpływ Se na zmniejszanie stężenia przeciwciał anty-TPO, jednak wyniki wszystkich prac nie są jednoznaczne. Przyczyną rozbieżności może być odmienny stopień wysycenia tarczycy Se i jodem w różnych grupach pacjentów, różny stopień zaawansowania choroby, różne dawki Se podawanego pacjentom, stosowanie lub niestosowanie jednoczesnej terapii L-tyroksyną oraz polimorfizmy pojedynczych nukleotydów (SNP) występujące w genach kodujących poszczególne selenobiałka. Na podstawie dostępnej literatury można wnioskować, iż zagadnienie dotyczące roli Se w AZT jest nadal słabo poznane. Istnieje potrzeba kontynuowania badań oceniających wpływ suplementacji diety Se na przebieg tej choroby, które powinny obejmować poza anty-TPO inne parametry kliniczne. Dopiero wyniki tak szeroko ujętych badań mogą być pomocne w formułowaniu nowych wytycznych dotyczących wspomagania leczenia przez odpowiednią modyfikację diety z uwzględnieniem suplementacji Se.

Objective Autoimmune thyroid diseases, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis, are the most common ones among autoimmune diseases. The reported effects of selenium supplementation on the course of Hashimoto's thyroiditis are not consistent. It is therefore important to continue this line of research. Design The participants received selenium in the form of sodium selenite(IV) at a dose of 100 µg/day for 6 months. Patients Newly diagnosed and previously untreated Hashimoto's thyroiditis with euthyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism. A total of 36 patients (aged 20 to 52 years) qualified for this study, of whom 29 women were successfully enrolled and completed the intervention. Measurements Both before and after supplementation the following parameters in serum were tested: anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies, thyroid function indicators, selenium as well as antioxidant status parameters and other biochemical parameters (lipid profile, glucose). Iodine supply and subjective assessment of physical and psychological health were also monitored. Results Selenium supplementation decreased significantly level of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies what might have had a stabilizing effect on thyroid function, as values of thyroid parameters were within normal range before and at the end of the study. Mean level of selenium among patients was not different to healthy people in Poland. Median of ioduria was within normal range. Conclusions The study shows a potential way of protective effect of selenium in limiting development of overt hypothyroidism. The increase in the concentrations of Se and SELENOP in the serum of patients verifies successful supplementation and good compliance, but did not affect the antioxidant status parameters measured.