Biochemical and heart adaptations to physical training and supplementation with amino acids

This study evaluated the role of amino acids supplementation on the heart's adaptation under extensive training conditions. Sixty active athletes (bicyclists and swimmers) were separated into 2 groups: 30 were given amino acid mixture (1 g per 10 kg of body weight) for a period of 1 month, and the other 30 were given placebo for the same duration (control group). In the same time period, 20 subjects of similar age not engaged in physical training or sports activities were used as the additional control group. Blood concentrations of alanine transaminase (ALT), asparagine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamil transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), amylase, triglycerides, albumin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were determined for all subjects before and after the intervention period. Concentrations of LDH and ALP were increased, but concentrations of ALT, albumin, and triglycerides were decreased in the blood of trained athletes compared with healthy subjects not engaged in sports activities. In the athletes, some increases in IL-6 levels were noted; however, they were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than in patients with myocardiodystrophy. The values of IL-10 in athletes were higher than concentrations of IL-10 in patients with myocardiodystrophy but still lower than the normal values. The inhibition of IL-10 in blood may play an important role in the induction of apoptosis in cells of the heart muscle. After amino acid supplementation, the athletes' values for albumin, triglycerides, IL-10, LDH, and ALP were significantly increased compared with the post-placebo control groups. Enzyme activities of other enzymes remained unchanged in all groups. Histological data from a secondary study of actual heart tissue showed that the amino acids supplementation may have inhibiting effects on myocardial apoptosis. The criteria of efficiency of the amino acids supplementation were defined by the albumin, IL-6, and IL-10 concentrations.     

The matrilineal ancestry of Ashkenazi Jewry: portrait of a recent founder event

Both the extent and location of the maternal ancestral deme from which the Ashkenazi Jewry arose remain obscure. Here, using complete sequences of the maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), we show that close to one-half of Ashkenazi Jews, estimated at 8,000,000 people, can be traced back to only 4 women carrying distinct mtDNAs that are virtually absent in other populations, with the important exception of low frequencies among non-Ashkenazi Jews. We conclude that four founding mtDNAs, likely of Near Eastern ancestry, underwent major expansion(s) in Europe within the past millennium.     

Proteome analysis of rat liver mitochondria reveals a possible compensatory response to endotoxic shock

Organ failure induced by endotoxic shock has recently been associated with affected mitochondrial function. In this study, effects of in vivo lipopolysaccharide-challenge on protein patterns of rat liver mitochondria in treated animals versus controls were studied by two-dimensional electrophoresis (differential image gel electrophoresis). Significant upregulation was found for ATP-synthase alpha chain and superoxide dismutase [Mn]. Our data suggest that endotoxic shock mediated changes in the mitochondrial proteome contribute to a compensatory reaction (adaptation to endotoxic shock) rather than to a mechanism of cell damage.     

CORAL: Building up QSAR models for the chromosome aberration test

A high level of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes may be an early marker of cancer risk, but data on risk of specific cancers and types of chromosomal aberrations are limited. Consequently, the development of predictive models for chromosomal aberrations test is important task. Majority of models for chromosomal aberrations test are so-called knowledge-based rules system. The CORAL software (http://www.insilico.eu/coral, abbreviation of “CORrelation And Logic”) is an alternative for knowledge-based rules system. In contrast to knowledge-based rules system, the CORAL software gives possibility to estimate the influence upon the predictive potential of a model of different molecular alerts as well as different splits into the training set and validation set. This possibility is not available for the approaches based on the knowledge-based rules system. Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationships (QSAR) for chromosome aberration test are established for five random splits into the training, calibration, and validation sets. The QSAR approach is based on representation of the molecular structure by simplified molecular input-line entry system (SMILES) without data on physicochemical and/or biochemical parameters. In spite of this limitation, the statistical quality of these models is quite good.     

Hair Mineral and Trace Element Content in Children with Down’s Syndrome

Biological Trace Element Research - Chronic exposure to lead causes disruption to energy production mechanisms and tissue damage, in particular through its binding to thiol groups and competition...     

Chimeric Agonist of Galanin Receptor GALR2 Reduces Heart Damage in Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes

Biochemistry (Moscow) - Neuropeptide galanin and its N-terminal fragments reduce the generation of reactive oxygen species and normalize metabolic and antioxidant states of myocardium in...     

Controlling the near‐infrared transparency of costal cartilage by impregnation with clearing agents and magnetite nanoparticles

Penetration depth of near‐infrared laser radiation to costal cartilage is controlled by the tissue absorption and scattering, and it is the critical parameter to provide the relaxation of mechanical stress throughout the whole thickness of cartilage implant. To enhance the penetration for the laser radiation on 1.56 μm, the optical clearing solutions of glycerol and fructose of various concentrations are tested. The effective and reversible tissue clearance was achieved. However, the increasing absorption of radiation should be concerned: 5°C‐8°C increase of tissue temperature was detected. Laser parameters used for stress relaxation in cartilage should be optimized when applying optical clearing agents. To concentrate the absorption in the superficial tissue layers, magnetite nanoparticle (NP) dispersions with the mean size 95 ± 5 nm and concentration 3.9 ± 1.1 × 10¹¹ particles/mL are applied. The significant increase in the tissue heating rate was observed along with the decrease in its transparency. Using NPs the respective laser power can be decreased, allowing us to obtain the working temperature locally with reduced thermal effect on the surrounding tissue.