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Why and How We Age: The Case of Fanconi Anemia

The aging process in the general population is influenced by various factors, including lifestyle and diet. Certain macro- and micronutrients in our diet interact directly with the human genome, impacting systems such as the immune system. Fanconi anemia (FA), a rare genetic disease, also illustrates the influence of diet on the severity of clinical features. Researchers have explored the connection between these aspects to gain insights into cellular aging.

„We use Fanconi anemia as a prime example of premature aging to illustrate that aging results from an imbalance in our genome—specifically, an imbalance between cellular repair mechanisms and the accumulation of molecular damage,” emphasize Dr. Eunike Velleuer and Prof. Carsten Carlberg, authors of a publication in the journal Nutrients.

What is Fanconi Anemia?

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare genetic disorder occurring in approximately one in 300,000 people. It is primarily caused by mutations in 22 different genes responsible for repairing damaged DNA. Individuals with FA often have congenital defects and a high risk of cancers, particularly squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Due to defects in the DNA repair process, conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy are ineffective.

A Nutrigenomic Perspective

Aging, unlike FA, is not a disease but a natural process involving the accumulation of molecular and cellular damage, leading to deteriorated function in cells, tissues, and organs. Both the general population and FA patients experience varying rates of aging. While genetics play a role in longevity, lifestyle choices such as diet, smoking, physical inactivity, and environmental factors are significant determinants.

„Nutrition does more than provide essential macro- and micronutrients. Certain food molecules 'communicate’ with our genome and epigenome (chemical modifications to DNA that regulate its function), thereby modulating gene expression in the immune system,” explains Prof. Carsten Carlberg, who leads the Nutrigenomics Team at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

Fanconi Anemia and Aging

The lifestyle of FA patients, including diet and physical activity, can influence the onset and severity of clinical features. Thus, FA serves as a model for understanding the aging process in the general population. Researchers have demonstrated that non-genetic factors involve cellular disturbances that modulate signal transduction pathways, affecting the epigenome by regulating chromatin-modifying enzymes.

In essence, the balance of genetic and environmental risk factors impacts both cancer onset and aging rates, linked to the transduction of dietary molecule signals. Changes in the epigenome correlate with chronological age and age-related diseases such as cancer. Some individuals may exhibit a 'younger’ epigenome in their tissues compared to their chronological age, while others may have an 'older’ epigenome, correlating with earlier onset of age-related diseases—a pattern observed in premature aging diseases. Conversely, offspring of 'super-aged’ individuals often show a lower epigenetic age in their blood compared to age-matched controls, making epigenetic signatures valuable biomarkers of aging.

„The results of our research benefit not only people with FA but also the general population. By monitoring the aging process at a molecular level, we can develop personalized nutritional or preventive recommendations. Additionally, these epigenetic signatures, being protein-based, could potentially form the basis for drugs that delay or even reverse age-related diseases such as cancer,” the researchers conclude.

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Learn more about the Nutrigenomics Team of the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences: https://welcome2.pan.olsztyn.pl/.

Our Institute is leading a major EU project ‘CROSSPATHS’

Developing international cooperation between research units for better use of investments financed by Regional Operational Programmes and creating innovations in the fields of food, health and bioeconomy – this is the main objective of the ‘CROSSPATHS’ project, implemented under Horizon Europe by institutions from Poland, Portugal and Estonia.

The leader of the consortium is the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn. The other partners are: Catholic University of Portugal and the Estonian University of Life Sciences. They are representatives of the so-called Widening Countries, i.e. countries where the level of scientific excellence is lower than the European Union average.

Each of the units involved in the project has already benefited from ERDF funds, i.e. funds obtained from Regional Operational Programmes for investment in research infrastructure. All also have experience of obtaining grants from the EU’s Horizon Europe programme.

– The ‘CROSSPATHS’ project will bring together the consortium’s resources and create a group with the unique expertise to provide comprehensive solutions for food technology, health and bioeconomy in European systems. This will enable the group to become a large and significant player on the international stage, specialising in providing innovative food solutions with health-promoting effects and limited environmental impact – emphasises Prof. Mariusz Piskuła, director of the Institute and project coordinator.

The aim of the project’s activities is to develop a joint internationalisation strategy and to launch programmes to build the institutions’ human resources capacities. Staff exchanges, study visits, summer schools, specialised training and courses, and participation in international brokerage meetings are just some of the planned activities. This will strengthen the links of these research units with leading European networks and, consequently, enable them to become desirable partners in Horizon Europe consortia.

The project consortium partners will be supported by a mentoring centre from the Netherlands (Wageningen Research), which will allow them to develop their research management competencies, especially in terms of applying for R&D projects and effectively commercialising the services offered by using EU-funded research investments.

IAR&FR PAS in Olsztyn coordinates the entire project. Within the framework of individual tasks, the Institute is responsible for developing a joint internationalisation strategy, organising international meetings and conferences, and a brokerage meeting in Brussels.

– Involvement in this major international project is an opportunity to showcase the capabilities and potential of our – the country’s leading – research unit outside Poland, and increases the chances of implementing the results of our research in European markets – the coordinator adds.

Funded by the EU funds project will run by the end of April 2026. The total budget is almost €1.2 million.

Recruitment to the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School of Agricultural Sciences 2024 – 2nd term

Scientists from the Immunology and Food Microbiology Team of IAR&FR PAN have defined a number of highly immunoreactive peptides and proteins present in spices containing peppers. Their presence in the body of people who are primarily allergic to peppers may cause allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, and cause cross-reactivity with other allergens.

The current increase in the consumption of highly processed foods, especially those containing a lot of spices, brings with it an increased risk of immediate type I hypersensitivity due to the possible presence of hidden allergens in foods that the consumer does not expect. Paprika is a fruit commonly consumed fresh or as a spice. It is used in pizzas, stews, meat dishes, vegetable salads or juices.

– Paprika allergy is rarely diagnosed, so paprika proteins are not a major food allergen, but accidental ingestion by an allergic person can cause a severe reaction, including anaphylactic shock. However, the allergenicity of paprika proteins has not been studied in detail. So far, three paprika allergens (Cap a 1, Cap a 2 and Cap a 7) have been identified and included in official allergen databases (WHO/IUIS), and these are the ones that are highlighted when diagnosing potentially allergic individuals – says Prof Wróblewska.

– Moreover, despite regulations, there are still products on the world markets whose labelling does not always require the indication of the presence of paprika. In our research, we wanted to assess the risks of consuming paprika as a spice, as it is an important part of Polish and global cuisine. We wanted to identify the peptides and proteins from paprika that could cause severe allergic reactions in patients whose allergy test results were inconclusive despite clear clinical symptoms – adds Prof Wróblewska.

Studies have shown that spices contain a number of highly immunoreactive and potentially allergenic peptides and proteins, including those of foreign origin (e.g. post-production contaminants such as latex), the presence of which may stimulate inflammatory mechanisms and cross-reactivity with other food allergens. Furthermore, the authors showed a possible cross-reactivity of paprika proteins with proteins from: tomato, tobacco, grape, mustard, kiwi, sesame, avocado, wheat, maize, banana, chestnut, hazel, moulds, meadow plants and even with proteins of animal origin (cattle, crab and fish), which should be taken into account in allergy diagnosis, especially in cases of idiopathic anaphylaxis, in the absence of pepper-specific IgE antibodies.

You can read more about this on the Nature Publishing Group website. A publication on this topic has appeared in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports. Link to the publication.

Antioxidants from chokeberries and red cabbage against neurological disorders

Chokeberries and red cabbage owe their colour to anthocyanins, i.e. natural pigments which, in addition to their colouring properties, also have pro-health effects, including being powerful antioxidants. Researchers at our Institute have shown that these compounds cross the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. This means that they can act beneficially in the environment of nerve cells, inhibiting processes leading, for example, to neurodegenerative diseases.

– Brain is an organ particularly susceptible to oxidative damage, which in turn can lead to neurological disorders such as strokes and neurodegenerative diseases (dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases). Consumption of antioxidant compounds such as anthocyanins can be a preventive measure. We have shown for the first time that they cross the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier – points out Prof. Wiesław Wiczkowski, head of Metabolomics Laboratory.

IMBALANCE

The starting point for his team’s research was the desire to expand our knowledge of the absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion of anthocyanins present in food, including the possibility that these natural pigments and their metabolites – once ingested – reach the brain.

The second reason was the increasing number of scientific reports on the negative impact of modern society’s lifestyle – full of stress, lack of physical activity and poor diet. This contributes to increased levels of oxidative stress, which is characterised by an imbalance between oxidants (harmful free radicals when present in excess) and antioxidants (neutralising the former).

This state can lead to many diseases and a faster ageing of the body. The brain is also affected, as it is particularly sensitive to oxidative damage due to its high oxygen utilisation rate and high levels of unsaturated fatty acids.

As a preventive measure, scientists recommend the consumption of biologically active compounds with strong antioxidant properties. These include anthocyanins – natural pigments found in chokeberries and red cabbage.

However, in order for these compounds to have a chance to bring a beneficial effect to nerve cells, they must 'enter’ the nerve cell environment, e.g. the cerebrospinal fluid. For this to happen, they have to pass one of the barriers (blood-brain or blood-cerebrospinal fluid) that are designed to protect the central nervous system from toxic substances, among other things.

BREAK THROUGH

Researchers from the Institute have examined this and showed that anthocyanins from chokeberries and red cabbage can cross this barrier.

– We have shown that anthocyanins cross the cerebrospinal fluid and may therefore, theoretically, take part in all processes happening in the environment of nerve cells, especially those limiting oxidative processes – reports Prof. Wiczkowski.

Out of more than 600 anthocyanins present in the plant kingdom, the researchers investigated several forms of cyanidin – the most common form of anthocyanins. The cyanidin derivatives selected for the study had different structures (resulting from their combination with various sugars and phenolic acids; the more such combinations, the greater the structure of the compound).

– In addition to checking whether anthocyanins cross the barrier, we also wanted to see if and what role the molecular size and type of attached substituents (i.e. sugars and phenolic acids) play in this process. It turned out that the barrier crossing of anthocyanins is indeed determined by the molecular weight of these pigments and the type of substituents – explains the scientist.

The concentration of anthocyanins in the cerebrospinal fluid was detected at nanomol (10-9 mole) levels. – Therefore, further studies are needed to verify whether antioxidant mechanisms will occur at such low concentrations – he adds.

Wiesław Wiczkowski argues that, regardless of this last point, it is still a good idea to consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in anthocyanins (i.e. those of blue, purple, red and orange colours).
– A regular intake of anthocyanins also benefits the composition of our microflora, the functioning of our eyesight and numerous organs. Importantly, no negative effects of these pigments have been demonstrated so far – concludes the scientist.

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The research work was carried out within the framework of the already completed project entitled 'Studies on the permeation of anthocyanins and their metabolites across brain barriers in the context of prevention strategies for neurodegenerative diseases’, funded by the National Science Centre, whose initiator and manager was Prof. Wiesław Wiczkowski. For more details, see the scientific publications available below:

The Blood−Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier Is Selective for Red Cabbage Anthocyanins and Their Metabolites

The blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier features different permeability to cyanidin-3-galactoside and cyanidin-3-diglucoside-5-glucoside and their metabolites circulating in blood

Chokeberry anthocyanins and their metabolites ability to cross the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier

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The research formed the core of Dr. Natalia Płatosz’s PhD thesis (under the supervision of Prof. Wiesław Wiczkowski), for which she was awarded the prestigious 'START’ scholarship for young scientists by the Foundation for Polish Science in 2023. Read more.

Blood circulating small non-coding RNAs as biomarkers of the reproductive status and gamete quality in pikeperch, the effect of a ketogenic diet on the metabolism and reproductive processes, and the effect of phosphorus-containing food additives on gut and metabolic health. – these are the three research topics to be investigated by our scientists under the recently awarded OPUS 26, SONATA 19 and OPUS 25 grants by the National Science Centre.

OPUS 26 is a competition intended for researchers at all stages of their research career. This time, the NCN Life Sciences panel received 631 applications, of which 91 received funding, giving a success rate of 14.4%.

Funding was received for a project entitled: „Blood circulating small non-coding RNAs (c-sncRNAs) as non-lethal biomarkers of reproductive status and gamete quality in pikeperch (Akronym: sAnDeRNA)„.

The project leader is Dr. Joanna J. Nynca from the Gamete and Embryo Biology Team. – The main objective of the project is to investigate in detail the changes in the profile of circulating sncRNAs in pikeperch blood during two successive reproductive cycles (cycle I – virgin fish and cycle II – reproductively experienced fish) and their potential use to monitor reproductive status and link to gamete quality, both in females and males – explains Dr. Joanna J. Nynca.

Budget: PLN 3 023 579.

The SONATA 19 competition is addressed to researchers with a PhD and aims to support those embarking on a scientific career to conduct innovative research. In this edition, 392 applications were submitted to the Life Sciences panel, of which 61 received funding (a success rate of 15.5%).

Funding was awarded to a project entitled: „The effect of a ketogenic diet on DNA methylation in rat oocytes and metabolic profile of its offspring„, led by Dr. Piotr Kaczyński from the Hormonal Action Mechanisms Team.

– The way we eat affects our metabolism, but also regulates our reproductive processes. This raises the question – can a ketogenic diet, through changes in the metabolism, affect reproductive processes and the dynamics of epigenetic processes in oocytes; and does this have consequences for the offspring? To answer this question, we have planned scientific experiments with animals that will undergo a ketogenic diet. The effects of this diet on the metabolism and reproductive processes of female rats will be investigated. We will determine whether the ketogenic diet affects the quality of egg cells and whether the epigenetic changes it can induce in these cells may be passed on to the offspring and affect their health – points out Dr. Piotr Kaczyński.

Budget: PLN 1 844 780.

„How Phosphorus-Containing Food Additives Affect the Gut and Metabolic Health of the Body: Having the Guts to Tackle Phosphates” is the title of the third project awarded by NCN under the OPUS 25 competition. The project is led by Dr. Adam Jurgoński from the Biological Function of Food Team.

– The realization of this project will help in determining what is the role of the most frequently used phosphorus-containing food additives in health and disease and in verifying their safe dietary levels and hazards resulting from their regular consumption. The planned research will also help explain the complicated mechanisms by which phosphorus-containing food additives affect the gut and metabolic health of the body – says Dr. Adam Jurgoński.

Budget: PLN 1 983 717.

New protein a new important player in fish immunology

On a macro scale, animal bodies are already well known to humans. However, when we descend to a lower level – to the micro scale – it becomes clear how many puzzles there still are. Dr Anna Majewska from the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn has contributed to the completion of this knowledge. She characterised a protein discovered a few years ago called SNAD1, which turned out to be a new important player in fish immunology.

– A new protein called SNAD1 from the AID/APOBEC group of proteins may revolutionise our knowledge of fish immunity, shedding new light on all previously known mechanisms that fish use to fight pathogens and adapt to their environment. It is also a potential tool for the rapid detection of diseases in fish and for monitoring their welfare – emphasises Dr Anna Majewska from the Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology of the IARFR PAS in Olsztyn.

The SNAD1 protein was discovered in 2018 (initially under a different name) by Dr Mariola Dietrich, also from the IARFR PAS. This discovery resulted in further research, led by Dr Anna Majewska, in collaboration with scientists from the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Poznań, and the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany.

This protein belongs to an interesting group of proteins that mutate the genetic code. – During evolution, a whole range of different mechanisms have evolved that could repair errors (mutations) in our DNA or RNA. And this group of proteins does the opposite: it causes these mutations! But it alters the genetic information in the nucleic acids in such a way as to give rise to specific antibodies that are capable of attacking or inactivating viruses or bacteria – explains the researcher.

This occurs in the biochemical process of deamination of cytidine to uridine catalysed by SNAD1. Deaminases are enzymes, and cytidine and uridine are biological active substances involved in cellular metabolism. Everything takes place within the nucleic acids, which store the organism’s genetic information and mediate protein production.

This protein is found in a variety of fish species. Thirteen of its variants have been demonstrated in carp, indicating its multifunctional role.

– In our study, we found that the SNAD1 protein is sensitive to a change in temperature to cooler temperatures – in which case its expression increases by up to a thousand-fold. This also happens in response to exposure to a virus or bacteria. This indicates that the protein plays an important role in immune processes. Thus, if a fish becomes infected with a bacterium or virus, the protein is involved in the host defence process by encoding genes in the RNA in such way that they produce an antibody to the specific pathogen – says the researcher.

In a paper recently published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, the researcher showed that the SNAD1 protein is involved in immune processes. However, it is necessary to understand it in more detail, among other biochemical aspects. Further research steps in this direction are already planned.

Once the SNAD1 protein has been further characterised, it could in future be used as a marker of fish welfare.
– If we know that the expression level of this protein increases in specific situations, we will be able to react immediately and stop the disease at an early stage. This could contribute to more efficient fish breeding and be a potential tool for treating various types of diseases through genetic engineering,” points out Anna Majewska.

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The research was conducted as part of a project from the NCN OPUS 22 competition entitled „In search of the role of carp cold acclimation protein 31 (Cap31) – a new player in fish immunity against microbes?”, led by Prof. Andrzej Ciereszko – head of the Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology of IARFR PAS in Olsztyn.

Dr Lucyna Budźko and Prof. Marek Figlerowicz from the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences and Dr Mikołaj Adamek from the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (Germany) participated in the described research on the SNAD1 protein.

Vitamin D regulates the work of hundreds of genes and dozens of physiological functions in the human body, including those responsible for the efficiency of the immune system. The latest research has shown that each of us reacts differently to vitamin D (has a different level of responsiveness), which translates into, among others: to a faster or slower pace of the aging process of our body.

An expert in this field – Prof. Carsten Carlberg, world-famous biochemist and head of the Nutrigenomics Laboratory at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn, talks about the current scientific knowledge about vitamin D.

The best-known effect of vitamin D is maintaining the appropriate level of calcium in the body to maintain proper bone structure. But that’s not its only function, right?

Prof. Carsten Carlberg: Yes. Vitamin D regulates not only calcium homeostasis, but also our immunity. It is important for „training” our immune system so that it works effectively against microbial infections, but does not overreact against possible autoimmune reactions. Its long-term deficiency may lead not only to bone diseases (rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults), but also causes malfunction of the immune system, leading, among others to increased susceptibility to infectious diseases or autoimmune diseases.

How does vitamin D regulate our immunity?

Vitamin D regulates the work of hundreds of genes and dozens of physiological functions in the human body, including those responsible for the activity of the immune system. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) plays a significant role here, which is responsible for transmitting the appropriate signal and then modulating the expression of hundreds of target genes. Analysis of this process at the molecular level in vivo, i.e. in humans, is the main challenge for future studies of vitamin D target genes.

What have the results of your research so far shown?

The research is still ongoing, but based on the results so far, we have proposed dividing the population into three groups, according to the level of the body’s response to vitamin D: high responders, medium responders and low responders. A high level of responsiveness means that the body is able to make a maximum use of the effects of vitamin D (it has a high molecular response to vitamin D) and that in this group of people the need for supplementation is lower than in people from the low responsive group. This division was and still is the starting point for my subsequent research.

What kind of research?

Among other, I looked at the relationship between this responsiveness division and the processes occurring at the molecular level in cells sensitive to changes in vitamin D – in the context of the aging process.

Aging is a natural and inevitable process of accumulation of molecular and cellular damage. This leads to defective functions of cells, tissues and organs that weaken the entire human body, also in terms of immunocompetence, which is the ability of the human body to respond appropriately to exposure to an antigen. As overall immunocompetence declines during aging, the relative number of immune cells also declines.

However, our research has shown that there is a difference between people, i.e. some people have a higher percentage of immune cells than average, and some have a lower percentage. Therefore, it can be assumed that in the first group, the rate of aging is slower and the incidence of disease is lower, while in the second group, accelerated aging and a higher rate of disease should be observed. Going further, on this basis it can also be assumed that linking the level of the body’s individual response to vitamin D with its immunocompetence plays a significant role in the aging process.

Moreover, I am conducting research as part of a project financed by the National Science Center entitled “Investigating the mechanisms of epigenetic memory at the example of the responsiveness of human immune cells to vitamin D”.

The research entails intervention studies with selected residents of the city of Olsztyn. We hope this study will help us answer the question of whether the things we do or experience throughout our lives can be stored in the epigenome of our cells. In other words, does the epigenome (i.e. the set of chemical modifications of DNA that regulate the functions of the genome) function as a memory of our lifestyle, using the example of vitamin D.

You have been working at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn for over two years now. You are the founder of the Nutrigenomics Laboratory that you manage. What is nutrigenomics?

Nutrition is an essential element of life because it consists of molecules that meet our body’s needs for macro- and microelements. Moreover, some of these molecules directly communicate with the human genome (genetic material) and epigenome. And it is this complex relationship that is the essence of nutrigenomics.

Does this mean that diet affects the human body more than we think?

Definitely. Daily communication between diet and the (epi)genome modulates gene expression in metabolic organs such as adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, liver and pancreas, as well as in the brain and immune system. The cellular and molecular biology behind these gene regulatory processes maintains the homeostasis of the human body that prevents the development of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

I conducted research that showed that the (epi)genome cannot keep up with adapting to the modern diet. Over the last 50 years, human life, including its diet, has changed so radically that the general population has not yet had time to adapt and cannot cope with problems related to lifestyle diseases, such as overweight and obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.

For example, most of the time humans ate products with a low salt content, therefore our body has developed an efficient system for absorbing this salt from our diet, which was necessary in ancient times, but today creates many problems. Today’s diet is high in salt, and excess salt causes high blood pressure, which kills 10 million people worldwide each year.

Can this be prevented?

Of course. Our fate is in our hands – epigenetics largely depends on what (good or bad) we do to our body. The occurrence of these diseases mentioned earlier is influenced by many environmental factors, including our diet, so if we take care of our health, we can minimize the risk.

Finally, let’s talk about the latest recommendations regarding vitamin D supplementation. What are the experts’ guidelines?

The main source of vitamin D for the body is skin synthesis in contact with UV radiation. That’s why it’s worth exposing our skin to the sun – of course, remembering about proper protection against sunburn. Changing the style and mode of our lives, including: Spending a lot of time indoors translates into numerous vitamin D deficiencies, especially in the autumn and winter. A diet can help us, but even a balanced and varied one is not enough. Therefore, everyone should supplement vitamin D in the fall and winter, and people who do not spend enough time outdoors, even in summer, should supplement vitamin D throughout the year.

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More information about the Nutrigenomics Laboratory of the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research PAS in Olsztyn and the latest research of the ERA Chair WELCOME2 team can be found at: https://welcome2.pan.olsztyn.pl/

Correct communication between the embryo and the mother determines the success of the pregnancy. Scientists from the Molecular Biology Laboratory of IARFR PAS have shown that extracellular vesicles play an essential role in this process.

– Our research shows that the exchange of a unique population of extracellular vesicles and their molecular cargo between the embryo and the mother is the key to the successful implantation of the embryo and the further course of pregnancy. We have shown that the early stages of embryo implantation are regulated by the exchange of extracellular vesicles between the embryo and the endometrium (the mucous membrane lining the uterine cavity) – emphasizes Prof. Monika Kaczmarek, who heads the Molecular Biology Laboratory at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn.

What are these extracellular vesicles (EVs)? These are membrane-covered nanostructures secreted by all types of cells in living organisms. – Recently, they have gained recognition as an important element of intercellular communication. Moreover, over the last decade, their role has become particularly important in the area of mammalian reproductive biology, attracting the attention of many scientific teams and researchers around the world – describes the researcher.

Scientists from her team have shown that during early pregnancy, the uterine lumen is rich in extracellular vesicles that carry microRNA molecules capable of regulating the expression of genes involved in the development of the embryo and the body (gene expression is a process during which specific genetic information is decoded and transferred to „production proteins”).

– Once delivered to primary trophoblast cells, the vesicles regulate genes responsible for development as well as signaling and interactions between cells, consequently influencing the proliferation (ability of cells to multiply), migration and invasive abilities of trophoblast cells. Therefore, their role in the success of pregnancy in its early stages is crucial – explains Prof. Monika Kaczmarek.

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An article on this topic by a team of scientists led by prof. Monika Kaczmarek, which was published in the prestigious experimental biology journal „The FASEB Journal”, was among the most frequently read articles in the first 12 months after publication.

We wrote more about this research here.

Link to publication.

Partially defatted poppy seeds better than native ones

Partially defatted poppy seeds, a by-product of poppyseed oil cold pressing, are a source of health-promoting dietary components, indicates a scientist from the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn. Consuming them in the form of a dietary supplement (approximately 5.5 tablespoons per day) can beneficially alter lipid metabolism and support the treatment of obesity and its complications.

– In our research, we wanted to check to what extent this by-product of poppyseed oil pressing can still be useful for consumption and act as a valuable dietary component in the context of diet-related diseases. Such a form of poppy seeds is less calorific and may even be richer in some health-promoting compounds than native seeds – says dr. Adam Jurgoński, professor of IAR&FR PAS in Olsztyn.

A paper addressing this topic has been published in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports.

LIKE TWO PEAS IN A POD

Poppy seeds are a popular ingredient in Polish cuisine, especially added to bread, cakes and festive dishes. They are rich in nutrients – almost half of them consist of fatty acids present in the oil fraction (including polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are important components of our diet). They also contain dietary fibre, protein and various antioxidant compounds.

Poppyseed oil is usually cold-pressed. This process involves mechanically separating the oil from the seeds at a low temperature, allowing for additional protection of the nutritionally valuable components. Poppyseed oil is high in linoleic acid (omega-6 acid), which is essential for the proper functioning of our body, although its intake is usually excessive in relation to other essential fatty acids present in our diet (i.e. omega-3 acids).

A by-product of the cold-pressed oil is partially defatted poppy seeds, also known as oilcakes. – It turns out that reducing this dominant oil fraction increases the proportion of dietary fibre, protein and some biologically active compounds. Thus, these seeds remain a product that is still valuable from a nutritional point of view – points out Adam Jurgoński.

POPPY VERSUS BODY LIPIDS

Researchers investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with partially defatted poppy seeds on the development of obesity.

The study was conducted on a laboratory animal model characterised by increased body weight. Overweight and obesity cause disturbances in the metabolism of lipids and glucose, and this in turn can lead to diet-related diseases such as certain cardiovascular diseases, steatohepatitis or type 2 diabetes.

– We have shown that relatively small dietary supplementation with defatted poppy seeds (for humans, this is about 5.5 tablespoons of these seeds per day) improves lipid metabolism in the body by reducing triglycerides in the blood and liver, and preventing increased visceral fat accumulation. We have also tentatively identified the molecular mechanism underlying these beneficial changes – reports Adam Jurgoński.

Elevated triglyceride levels and excess visceral fat are associated with an increased risk of the previously mentioned diet-related diseases.

According to the researcher, the new knowledge may be useful to nutritionists as well as food and supplement manufacturers, as it points to new possibilities for the use of the by-product in question, e.g. in the form of a pro-health 'filling’ to poppy seed cake (the seeds are already ground and do not require additional milling, like the regular ones).

– Therefore, poppy seeds in their partially defatted form can be an interesting ingredient in our diet, which turns out to be beneficial for the functioning of the body affected by metabolic disorders related to obesity – concludes Adam Jurgoński.