Monika Naumowicz

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) are a crucial source of new adipocytes and play a significant role in regulating adipose tissue physiology. Interestingly, mature adipocytes differentiated from the ADMSCs maintain some characteristic features of their respective depots as well as the metabolic status of the donor patients. The above is true with respect to the cells’ secretory profile and their glycerolipid and sphingolipid composition. In the current paper, we focused our attention on the phospholipid profile of the adipocytes derived from ADMSCs, with a particular emphasis placed on how obesity and metabolic syndrome affect their composition. Surprisingly, the cells displayed a significantly greater (even up to 10-fold) overall phospholipid concentration when compared with the primary human adipocytes described in the literature. The phenomenon may be explained by a geometrical property known as surface-to-volume ratio, which dictates that the total surface area of many small cells (our adipocytes) is greater than the total area of less numerous but more voluminous cells in vivo. Interestingly, also a donor’s metabolic status can influence the characteristics of these fat cells. The study found that subcutaneous adipocytes, when derived from patients with obesity and metabolic syndrome, had an increased concentration of phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), and sphingomyelin (SM). The above-mentioned changes often reflect the ones found in vivo and may well be the early metabolic disarrangements that occur in the progress of obesity.

Nanoplastics are increasingly recognized as emerging environmental contaminants, yet the physicochemical mechanisms governing their interactions with bacterial cells remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we investigated the interactions between Gram-negative Escherichia coli and polystyrene nanoparticles (PS and PS-NH₂; 100 and 200 nm) using electrophoretic light scattering (ELS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Zeta potential measurements revealed concentration-, pH-, and time-dependent shifts in the electrokinetic behavior of bacteria-nanoparticle mixtures, reflecting composite signals arising from nanoparticle attachment and surface-level interactions rather than direct measurements of bacterial surface charge. FTIR and AFM analyses confirmed nanoparticle surface adhesion and localized envelope perturbations; however, evidence for nanoparticle penetration remained indirect and subject to methodological limitations. Microbiological assays showed growth inhibition at nanoparticle concentrations ≥50 μg/mL, but no bactericidal activity was conclusively confirmed under the applied conditions. Overall, the results demonstrate that polystyrene nanoparticles induce measurable physicochemical and sublethal biological effects on E. coli without reaching cytotoxic thresholds, underscoring the importance of cautious interpretation when linking nanoparticle-induced surface perturbations to biological outcomes.

Fungicides are compounds with potentially toxic effects on the human body, but the molecular mechanisms of their action have not yet been explained. The effect of cyprodinil on cell viability, apoptosis level, cell membrane function, cell morphology and expression of antioxidant enzyme genes in the A-375 and DLD-1 cell lines was examined. The cell lines were selected because they can be an excellent in vitro model of neoplastic changes occurring in the skin and large intestine after exposure to a fungicide. The fungicide selected for the study is commonly used in Poland to protect crops against fungi. Our results showed that the tested compound increased cell viability and proliferation, probably activated by mechanisms related to oxidative stress. Cyprodinil caused an increase in glutathione level (in A-375 by about 37% and in DLD-1 by about 28%) and oxidative stress enzymes activity, but not in apoptosis level. Its membrane interactions and its penetration into cells was concentration dependent. It is worth emphasizing that the novelty of our work lies in the use of non-traditional toxicological methods based on molecular analyses using human cell lines. This allowed us to demonstrate not only the toxicity of a single substance but also its behavior within cellular structures. Our findings suggest that cyprodinil may have tumor-promoting properties in skin and colorectal cancer cells.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted tremendous attention in recent years due to their unique physicochemical properties, including pronounced surface plasmon resonance, tunable size, and amenability to functionalization. These attributes underpin the growing interest in AgNPs as SMART nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery and as active components in biosensing platforms. In this work, we discuss various synthesis strategies for AgNPs—ranging from conventional chemical methods to green approaches—and highlight their subsequent functionalization with anticancer drugs, notably doxorubicin (DOX). We also examine the potential of AgNPs in biosensor applications, emphasizing electrochemical and optical detection modalities capable of monitoring drug release, oxidative stress, and relevant biomarkers. Our experimental data support the conclusion that AgNPs can effectively improve therapeutic efficacy by exploiting tumor-specific conditions (e.g., lower pH) while also enhancing biosensor sensitivity via surface plasmon resonance and electrochemical signal amplification. We provide a thorough discussion of the results, including mechanistic aspects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, drug release kinetics, and sensor performance metrics. Overall, AgNP-based nanocarriers emerge as a powerful platform to address current challenges in precision oncology and medical diagnostics.

Despite the increasing understanding of the pathogenesis of glioblastoma (GBM), treatment options for this tumor remain limited. Recently, the therapeutic potential of natural compounds has attracted great interest. Thus, dietary flavonoids quercetin (QCT) and kaempferol (KMF) were investigated as potential cytostatic agents in GBM. Moreover, the physicochemical properties of QCT and KMF, determining their bioavailability and therapeutic efficiency, were evaluated. We proved that both polyphenols significantly reduced the viability of GBM cells. We also demonstrated that both QCT and KMF evoked the cytotoxic effect in T98G cells via induction of apoptotic cell death as shown by increased activity of caspase 3/7 and caspase 9 together with an overexpression of the cleaved form of PARP. Apoptosis was additionally accompanied by the activation of stress responses in QCT- and KMF-treated cells. Both polyphenols caused oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, as demonstrated by the increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), deregulated expressions of superoxide dismutases (SOD2 and Sod1 on protein and transcriptomic levels, respectively), as well as an overexpression of ERO1α, GRP78, p-JNK, and an up-regulation of Chop, Atf4 and Atf6α genes. The antitumor effect of QCT and KMF was also confirmed in vivo, showing reduced growth of tumor xenografts in the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) experiment. Moreover, electrophoretic light scattering (ELS) was used to measure the zeta potential of cell membranes upon exposition to QCT and KMF. Additionally, on the basis of existing physicochemical data, the drug-likeness score of QCT and KMF was evaluated. Analyses showed that both compounds accomplish Lipinski’s Rule of 5, and they both fit into the criteria of good central nervous system (CNS) drugs. Altogether, our data support the idea that QCT and KMF might be plausible candidates for evaluation as therapeutic agents in preclinical models of glioblastoma.

Metal-free, low-cost, organic photocatalytic graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) has become a promising and impressive material in numerous scientific fields due to its unique physical and chemical properties. As a semiconductor with a suitable band gap of ~2.7 eV, g-C₃N₄ is an active photocatalytic material even after irradiation with visible light. However, information regarding the toxicity of g-C₃N₄ is not extensively documented and there is not a comprehensive understanding of its potential adverse effects on human health or the environment. In this context, the term “toxicity” can be perceived in both a positive and a negative light, depending on whether it serves as a benefit or poses a potential risk. This review shows the applications of g-C₃N₄ in sensorics, electrochemistry, photocatalysis, and biomedical approaches while pointing out the potential risks of its toxicity, especially in human and environmental health. Finally, the future perspective of g-C₃N₄ research is addressed, highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding of the toxicity of this material to provide safe and effective applications in various fields.

Mesotrione, as a widely used herbicide, is present in the environment in detectable amounts, causing serious damage. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of mesotrione on Caco-2 cells and the possibility of its toxicity mitigation by cichoric acid. Therefore, we analyzed the cytotoxicity of both these compounds and the selected oxidative stress parameters, apoptosis and interaction of both the tested compounds with the cell membrane and their accumulation within the cells. In cytotoxicity studies, the stimulating activity of mesotrione was observed, and simultaneously, the inhibitory effect of cichoric acid was noticed. This effect was related to the results of oxidative stress analysis and apoptosis measurements. The activity level of key enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase) in Caco-2 cells exposed to cichoric acid was higher as compared to that of the control. The treatment with mesotrione did not induce apoptosis in the Caco-2 cells. The penetration of the studied compounds into the Caco-2 cells was measured by using an HPLC methodology, and the results indicate mesotrione’s high penetration capacity. The distribution of charge on the surface of the cell membranes changed under the influence of both compounds. Considering the mutual interactions of beneficial and potentially toxic food ingredients, it should be noted that, despite the observed favorable trend, cichoric acid is not able to overcome the toxic and cancer-stimulating effects of this pesticide.

The study presents a promising approach to enzymatic kinetics using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) to assess fundamental parameters of modified enteropeptidases. Traditional methods for determining these parameters, while effective, often lack versatility and convenience, especially under varying environmental conditions. The use of EIS provides a novel approach that overcomes these limitations. The enteropeptidase underwent genetic modification through the introduction of single amino acid modifications to assess their effect on enzyme kinetics. However, according to the one-sample t-test results, the difference between the engineered enzymes and hEKL was not statistically significant by conventional criteria. The kinetic parameters were analyzed using fluorescence spectroscopy and EIS, which was found to be an effective tool for the real-time measurement of enzyme kinetics. The results obtained through EIS were not significantly different from those obtained through traditional fluorescence spectroscopy methods (p value >> 0.05). The study validates the use of EIS for measuring enzyme kinetics and provides insight into the effects of specific amino acid changes on enteropeptidase function. These findings have potential applications in biotechnology and biochemical research, suggesting a new method for rapidly assessing enzymatic activity.