Increased lymphocyte deoxyribonucleic acid damage in patients with cardiac syndrome X

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether there is lymphocyte deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX), and its relation with total antioxidant status (TAS), inflammation and ischemia. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with CSX, 21 patients with non-CSX (NCSX) and 20 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Lymphocyte DNA damage (Arbitrary Unit) was assessed by alkaline single cell electrophoresis (comet) assay in peripheral lymphocyte, and plasma levels of TAS (mmol Trolox equiv./l) were determined using a novel automated measurement method. High sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and other biochemical parameters were measured from all subjects. Treadmill exercise test and coronary angiography were performed to CSX and NCSX groups. RESULTS: Lymphocyte DNA damage was increased in patients with CSX compared with NCSX and control group (p<0.001, for both). Also, TAS was decreased, and hsCRP was increased in CSX compared with NCSX and control group (p<0.001, for all). Lymphocyte DNA damage was correlated with magnitude of ST depression (p=0.034), hsCRP (p=0.001), TAS (p<0.001) and presence of diabetes (p=0.022) in bivariate analysis. In multiple linear regression analysis, lymphocyte DNA damage was correlated with only TAS (beta=-0.413, p=0.017) and hsCRP (beta=0.414, p=0.006). CONCLUSION: Lymphocyte DNA damage was increased in patients with CSX. The increase in lymphocyte DNA damage may be related with increased oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with CSX.     

N-acetyltransferase 2 polymorphism in patients with diabetes mellitus

The arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are a unique family of enzymes that catalyse the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to the terminal nitrogen of hydrazine and arylamine drugs and carcinogens. Human arylamine NATs are known to exist as two isoenzymes, NAT1 and NAT2. The objective of this study was to identify whether the genetic polymorphism of NAT2 plays a role in susceptibility to Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Ninety-seven patients with DM and 104 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. NAT2*5A, NAT2*6A, NAT2*7A/B and NAT2*14A polymorphisms were detected by using real time PCR with LightCycler (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany). According to our data, the NAT2*5A and NAT2*6A mutant genotypes and NAT2*14A heterozygous genotype were associated with an increased risk of development of DM (OR = 47.06; 95%CI: 10.55-209.77 for NAT 2*5A, OR = 18.48; 95%CI: 3.83-89.11 for NAT2*6A and OR = 18.22; 95%CI: 6.29-52.76 for NAT2*14A). However, the NAT2*7A/B gene polymorphism carried no increased risk for developing DM disease. After grouping according to phenotypes as either slow or fast acetylators, NAT2*6A slow acetylator was found to be a significant risk factor for DM (OR = 6.09; 95%CI: 1.99-18.6, p = 0.02). The results indicate that NAT2 slow acetylator genotypes may be an important genetic determinant for DM in the Turkish population.     

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester suppresses oxidative stress in Escherichia coli-induced pyelonephritis in rats

Although oxidative damage is known to be involved in inflammatory-mediated tissue destruction, modulation of oxygen free radical production represents a new approach to the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis from honeybee hives, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. For that reason, we aimed to investigate the efficiency of CAPE administration in preventing oxidative damage in pyelonephritis (PYN) caused by Escherichia coli. In this study, 35 Wistar rats were grouped as follows: control, PYN 24 h, PYN 48 h, PYN 72 h, CAPE 24 h, CAPE 48 h and CAPE 72 h. E. coli (1 × 10⁹ c.f.u.) were inoculated into the rats in both PYN and CAPE groups via urethral catheterization. Ten μM/kg-body weight CAPE was injected to the rats in all CAPE groups 24 h before E. coli infection, and injections were repeated at 24-h intervals. Rats were sacrificed 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after infection in both PYN and CAPE groups. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were significantly increased in kidneys of PYN groups. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and xanthine oxidase (XO) were also elevated by E. coli. However, CAPE administration reduced MDA and NO levels, as well as XO activity, although it increased SOD and GSH-Px activities. Histopathological examination showed that CAPE reduced the inflammation grade induced by E. coli. In conclusion, CAPE administrations decrease the oxidative damage occurring in PYN and therefore could be used for medical management of bacterial nephropathy.     

Genotoxic damage in Maras powder consumers from Kahramanmaras province of Turkey

In the present study, chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and micronucleus (MN) levels in the lymphocytes from 60 male individuals consisting of 40 habitues of Maras powder (a kind of smokeless tobacco) and 20 unexposed subjects were determined to investigate the possible inducing effect of Maras powder. The consumers of Maras powder had no exposure to any other known mutagens or toxicants. The mean exposure period to Maras powder was 12.25 ± 0.93 years (range 3–22). Data obtained from microscopic examination of the slides was analyzed using SPSS (10.0) software package. Mean frequency of CA and MN was found to be significantly higher in Maras powder consumers as compared to controls. Similarly, there was a significant elevation in the level of aberrant cells (Ab.Cells) with CAs and binucleated cells with MN (BNMN) in habitues. Spearman’s rho correlation analysis indicated a significant increase in the frequency of CA and MN with increase in both age and years of exposure in consumers. Our finding of a significant elevation of CA and MN frequencies in peripheral lymphocytes from smokeless tobacco consumers demonstrated a potential cytogenetic hazard associated with Maras powder exposure. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Timeline (Bioavailability) of Magnesium Compounds in Hours: Which Magnesium Compound Works Best?

Biological Trace Element Research - Magnesium is an element of great importance functioning because of its association with many cellular physiological functions. The magnesium content of foods is...     

Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Activity of Linden (Tilia platyphyllos L.) Infusion Against Ethanol-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats

The present study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect and antioxidant role of infusion prepared from linden flowers (LF) against ethanol-induced oxidative stress. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant role of the plant’s infusion against ethanol-induced oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring liver damage serum biomarkers, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein, total albumin, and total cholesterol level; ADS such as GSH, GR, SOD, GST, CAT and GPx, and MDA contents in various tissues of rats. Rats were divided into four experimental groups: I (control), II (20 % ethanol), III (2 % LF), and IV (20 % ethanol + 2 % LF). According to the results, the level of serum marker enzymes, AST and LDH, was significantly increased in group alcohol and group LF as compared to control group, whereas decreased in group IV as compared to ethanol group. With regard to MDA content and ADS constituents, MDA contents of alcohol group in all tissues, except for erythrocytes and heart, and in brain, kidney, and spleen of LF group significantly increased compared to control group, whereas LF beverage extract supplementation did not restore the increased MDA towards close the control level. In addition, while ethanol caused fluctuation in antioxidant defense system constituents level as a result of oxidative stress condition in the rats, it could have not been determined the healing effects of the LF against these fluctuations. The results indicated that LF beverage extract could not be as important as diet-derived antioxidants in preventing oxidative damage in the tissues by reducing the lipid oxidation or inhibiting the production of ethanol-induced free radicals in rats.     

Phenolic compounds and vitamins in wild and cultivated apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) fruits grown in irrigated and dry farming conditions

Background

Turkey is the main apricot producer in the world and apricots have been produced under both dry and irrigated conditions in the country. In this study, phenolic compounds and vitamins in fruits of one wild (Zerdali) and three main apricot cultivars (‘Cataloglu’, ‘Hacihaliloglu’ and ‘Kabaasi’) grown in both dry and irrigated conditions in Malatya provinces in Turkey were investigated.

Results

The findings indicated that higher content of phenolic compounds and vitamins was found in apricot fruits grown in irrigated conditions. Among the cultivars, ‘Cataloglu’ had the highest rutin contents both in irrigated and dry farming conditions as 2855 μg in irrigated and 6952 μg per 100 g dried weight base in dry conditions and the highest chlorogenic acid content in irrigated and dry farming conditions were measured in fruits of ‘Hacıhaliloglu’ cultivar as 7542 μg and 15251 μg per 100 g dried weight base. Vitamin C contents in homogenates of fruit flesh and skin was found to be higher than β-caroten, retinol, vitamin E and lycopen contents in apricot fruits both in irrigated and dry farming conditions.

Conclusion

The results suggested that apricot fruits grown in both dry and irrigated conditions had high health benefits phytochemicals and phytochemical content varied among cultivars and irrigation conditions as well. However, more detailed biological and pharmacological studies are needed for the demonstration and clarification of health benefits of apricot fruits.     

Expression of BAFF receptors in muscle tissue of myositis patients with anti-Jo-1 or anti-Ro52/anti-Ro60 autoantibodies

Introduction

Anti-Jo-1 and anti-Ro52 autoantibodies are common in patients with myositis, but the mechanisms behind their production are not known. Survival of autoantibody-producing cells is dependent on B-cell-activating factor of the tumour necrosis factor family (BAFF). BAFF levels are elevated in serum of anti-Jo-1-positive myositis patients and are influenced by type-I interferon (IFN). IFN-producing cells and BAFF mRNA expression are present in myositis muscle. We investigated expression of the receptors for BAFF in muscle tissue in relation to anti-Jo-1 and anti-Ro52/anti-Ro60 autoantibodies and type-I IFN markers.

Methods

Muscle biopsies from 23 patients with myositis selected based on autoantibody profile and 7 healthy controls were investigated for expression of BAFF receptor (BAFF-R), B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI). Nineteen samples were assessed for plasma (CD138) and B-cell (CD19) markers. The numbers of positive cells per area were compared with the expression of plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) marker blood dendritic cell antigen-2 (BDCA-2) and IFNα/β-inducible myxovirus resistance-1 protein (MX-1).

Results

BAFF-R, BCMA and TACI were expressed in five, seven and seven patients, respectively, and more frequently in anti-Jo-1-positive and/or anti-Ro52/anti-Ro60-positive patients compared to controls and to patients without these autoantibodies (P = BAFF-R: 0.007, BCMA: 0.03 and TACI: 0.07). A local association of receptors with B and plasma cells was confirmed by confocal microscopy. The numbers of CD138-positive and BCMA-positive cells were correlated (r = 0.79; P = 0.001). Expression of BDCA-2 correlated with numbers of CD138-positive cells and marginally with BCMA-positive cells (r = 0.54 and 0.42, respectively; P = 0.04 and 0.06, respectively). There was a borderline correlation between the numbers of positively stained TACI cells and MX-1 areas (r = 0.38, P = 0.08).

Conclusions

The expression pattern of receptors for BAFF on B and plasma cells in muscle suggests a local role for BAFF in autoantibody production in muscle tissues of patients with myositis who have anti-Jo-1 or anti-Ro52/anti-Ro60 autoantibodies. BAFF production could be influenced by type-I IFN produced by pDCs. Thus, B-cell-related molecular pathways may participate in the pathogenesis of myositis in this subset of patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-014-0454-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.