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Wechselberger C, Messner B, Bernhard D. The Role of Trace Elements in Cardiovascular Diseases. TOXICS 2023; 11:956. [PMID: 38133357 PMCID: PMC10747024 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11120956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Essential trace elements play an important role in human physiology and are associated with various functions regulating cellular metabolism. Non-essential trace elements, on the other hand, often have well-documented toxicities that are dangerous for the initiation and development of diseases due to their widespread occurrence in the environment and their accumulation in living organisms. Non-essential trace elements are therefore regarded as serious environmental hazards that are harmful to health even in low concentrations. Many representatives of these elements are present as pollutants in our environment, and many people may be exposed to significant amounts of these substances over the course of their lives. Among the most common non-essential trace elements are heavy metals, which are also associated with acute poisoning in humans. When these elements accumulate in the body over years of chronic exposure, they often cause severe health damage in a variety of tissues and organs. In this review article, the role of selected essential and non-essential trace elements and their role in the development of exemplary pathophysiological processes in the cardiovascular system will be examined in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Wechselberger
- Division of Pathophysiology, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Barbara Messner
- Cardiac Surgery Research Laboratory, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - David Bernhard
- Division of Pathophysiology, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4020 Linz, Austria
- Clinical Research Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4020 Linz, Austria
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Zhu L, An P, Zhao W, Xia Y, Qi J, Luo J, Luo Y. Low Zinc Alleviates the Progression of Thoracic Aortic Dissection by Inhibiting Inflammation. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15071640. [PMID: 37049478 PMCID: PMC10096567 DOI: 10.3390/nu15071640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular inflammation triggers the development of thoracic aortic dissection (TAD). Zinc deficiency could dampen tissue inflammation. However, the role of zinc as a nutritional intervention in the progression of TAD remains elusive. In this study, we employed a classical β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate (BAPN)-induced TAD model in mice treated with low zinc and observed that the TAD progression was greatly ameliorated under low zinc conditions. Our results showed that low zinc could significantly improve aortic dissection and rupture (BAPN + low zinc vs. BAPN, 36% vs. 100%) and reduce mortality (BAPN + low zinc vs. BAPN, 22% vs. 57%). Mechanically, low zinc attenuated the infiltration of macrophages and inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines, suppressed the phenotype switch of vascular smooth muscle cells from contractile to synthetic types, and eventually alleviated the development of TAD. In conclusion, this study suggested that low zinc may serve as a potential nutritional intervention approach for TAD prevention.
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The Oxidative Balance Orchestrates the Main Keystones of the Functional Activity of Cardiomyocytes. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:7714542. [PMID: 35047109 PMCID: PMC8763515 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7714542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This review is aimed at providing an overview of the key hallmarks of cardiomyocytes in physiological and pathological conditions. The main feature of cardiac tissue is the force generation through contraction. This process requires a conspicuous energy demand and therefore an active metabolism. The cardiac tissue is rich of mitochondria, the powerhouses in cells. These organelles, producing ATP, are also the main sources of ROS whose altered handling can cause their accumulation and therefore triggers detrimental effects on mitochondria themselves and other cell components thus leading to apoptosis and cardiac diseases. This review highlights the metabolic aspects of cardiomyocytes and wanders through the main systems of these cells: (a) the unique structural organization (such as different protein complexes represented by contractile, regulatory, and structural proteins); (b) the homeostasis of intracellular Ca2+ that represents a crucial ion for cardiac functions and E-C coupling; and (c) the balance of Zn2+, an ion with a crucial impact on the cardiovascular system. Although each system seems to be independent and finely controlled, the contractile proteins, intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, and intracellular Zn2+ signals are strongly linked to each other by the intracellular ROS management in a fascinating way to form a "functional tetrad" which ensures the proper functioning of the myocardium. Nevertheless, if ROS balance is not properly handled, one or more of these components could be altered resulting in deleterious effects leading to an unbalance of this "tetrad" and promoting cardiovascular diseases. In conclusion, this "functional tetrad" is proposed as a complex network that communicates continuously in the cardiomyocytes and can drive the switch from physiological to pathological conditions in the heart.
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Choi S, Liu X, Pan Z. Zinc deficiency and cellular oxidative stress: prognostic implications in cardiovascular diseases. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2018; 39:1120-1132. [PMID: 29926844 PMCID: PMC6289396 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2018.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc is an essential nutrient for human health and has anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory functions. The association between zinc deficiency and the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has been supported by numerous studies. Supplementing zinc can reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and protect against myocardial infarction and ischemia/reperfusion injury. In this review we summarize the evidence in the literature, to consolidate the current knowledge on the dysregulation of zinc homeostasis in CVDs, and to explore the significant roles of the zinc homeostasis-regulatory proteins in cardiac physiology and pathophysiology. Moreover, this review also deliberates on the potential diagnostic and prognostic implications of zinc/zinc homeostasis-associated molecules (ZIP, ZnT, and MTs) in CVDs.
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Ilyas A, Shah MH. Multivariate statistical evaluation of trace metal levels in the blood of atherosclerosis patients in comparison with healthy subjects. Heliyon 2016; 2:e00054. [PMID: 27441237 PMCID: PMC4945853 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2015.e00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous epidemiological studies have suggested that metal exposure may promote the atherosclerosis disorder in humans. OBJECTIVE This study is carried out to assess the distribution, correlation and multivariate apportionment of cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in the blood of atherosclerosis patients in comparison with healthy donors. METHOD The quantification of metals is done by atomic absorption spectrometry, after wet-acid digestion of the blood samples. RESULTS Significantly higher concentrations of cadmium, chromium, copper, iron and manganese are found in the blood of atherosclerosis patients. The correlation study shows diverse relationships among the metals in blood of the patients and controls. Multivariate cluster analysis based on the metal levels in patients and controls reveals clearly separate grouping for the patients and healthy donors. Moreover, principal component analysis shows divergent grouping of the metals for the patients and healthy donors, which may be associated with the altered metabolism of the metals in atherosclerosis patients. CONCLUSION Overall, the distribution, correlation and multivariate apportionment of selected metals in atherosclerosis patients and healthy donors are significantly divergent. Hence, present findings suggest that the trace and redox metals accumulated in the body may pose a high risk for atherosclerosis development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asim Ilyas
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Munir H Shah
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
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Ziaja D, Chudek J, Sznapka M, Kita A, Biolik G, Sieroń-Stołtny K, Pawlicki K, Domalik J, Ziaja K. Trace elements in the wall of abdominal aortic aneurysms with and without coexisting iliac artery aneurysms. Biol Trace Elem Res 2015; 165:119-22. [PMID: 25637566 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-015-0240-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Iliac artery aneurysms (IAA) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) frequently coexist. It remains unknown whether the content of trace elements in AAA walls depends on the coexistence of IAAs. The aim of this study was to compare the content of selected trace elements in AAA walls depending on the coexistence of IAAs. The content of trace elements was assessed in samples of AAA walls harvested intraoperatively in 19 consecutive patients. In the studied group, coexisting IAAs were diagnosed in 11 out of the 19 patients with AAA. The coexistence of IAAs was associated with a slightly lower content of nickel (0.28 (0.15-0.40) vs. 0.32 (0-0.85) mg/g; p = 0.09) and a significantly higher content of cadmium (0.71 (0.26-1.17) vs. 0.25 (0.20-0.31) mg/g; p = 0.04) in AAA walls. The levels of the remaining studied elements, copper, zinc, manganese, magnesium and calcium, were comparable. The elevated levels of cadmium in the walls of AAA coexisting with IAAs may suggest an impact of the accumulation of this trace element on the greater damage of the iliac artery wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian Ziaja
- Physiotherapy Unit, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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Jena S, Sahu L, Ray DK, Mishra SK, Chand PK. PIXE-based quantification of health-proactive trace elements in genetically transformed roots of a multi-medicinal plant, Sida acuta Burm.f. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-014-3788-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Kozarova R, Postadzhiyan A, Apostolova M. Association of +1245 A/G MT1A and -209 A/G MT2A Polymorphysms with Coronary Artery Disease and Diabetes Mellitus in Bulgarian Cohort. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2014. [DOI: 10.5504/50yrtimb.2011.0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Alcantara EH, Shin MY, Feldmann J, Nixon GF, Beattie JH, Kwun IS. Long-term zinc deprivation accelerates rat vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation involving the down-regulation of JNK1/2 expression in MAPK signaling. Atherosclerosis 2013; 228:46-52. [PMID: 23466072 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2013.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Revised: 12/30/2012] [Accepted: 01/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The accelerated proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a contributor for atherosclerosis by thickening the vascular wall. Since zinc modulation of VSMC proliferation has not been clarified, this study investigated whether zinc affects VSMC proliferation. METHODS AND RESULTS Both a rat aorta origin vascular smooth muscle cell line (A7r5 VSMCs) and primary VSMCs which were collected from rat aorta (pVSMCs) were cultured with zinc (0-50 μM Zn) for short- (≤12 d) and long-term (28 d) periods under normal non-calcifying (0 or 1 mM P) or calcifying (>2 mM P) P conditions. Mouse vascular endothelial cells (MS I cells) were also cultured (under 0-50 μM Zn and 10 mM P for 20 d) to compare with VSMC cultures. While during short-term culture of VSMCs, zinc deprivation decreased cell proliferation in a zinc-concentration manner both under non-calcifying and calcifying conditions in A7r5 and pVSMCs (P < 0.05), during long-term cultures (28 d), A7r5 VSMC proliferation was inversely related to medium zinc concentration under normal physiological P conditions (regression coefficient r(2) = -0.563, P = 0.012). The anti-cell proliferative effect of zinc supplementation (>50 μM) was VSMC-specific. Long-term (35 d), low zinc treatment down-regulated JNK expression and activation, while not affecting ERK1/2 MAPK signaling in A7r5 VSMCs. CONCLUSION The results showed that chronic zinc deprivation accelerated VSMC proliferation, perhaps due to down-regulation of MAPK-JNK signaling, and that the anti-cell proliferative role of zinc is VSMC-specific. The findings suggested that zinc may have anti-VSMC proliferative properties in atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethel H Alcantara
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Andong National University, 388 Songchundong, Andong, Kyungbook 760-749, South Korea.
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Myocardial infarction marker levels are influenced by prothrombin and tumor necrosis factor-α gene polymorphisms in young patients. Cytokine 2013; 61:218-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2012.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Revised: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 09/26/2012] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Comparison of intracellular zinc signals in nonadherent lymphocytes from young-adult and elderly donors: role of zinc transporters (Zip family) and proinflammatory cytokines. J Nutr Biochem 2012; 23:1256-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2011.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2011] [Revised: 07/08/2011] [Accepted: 07/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Apolipoprotein E genotype affects tissue metallothionein levels: studies in targeted gene replacement mice. GENES AND NUTRITION 2012; 7:247-55. [PMID: 22328270 DOI: 10.1007/s12263-012-0282-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2011] [Accepted: 01/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype is an important risk factor for ageing and age-related diseases. The APOE4 genotype (in contrast to APOE3) has been shown to be associated with oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Metallothioneins (MT) exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and MT overexpression has been shown to increase lifespan in mice. Interactions between APOE and MT, however, are largely unknown. Hence, we determined the effect of the APOE4 versus APOE3 genotype on MT levels in targeted gene replacement mice. APOE4 versus APOE3 mice exhibited significantly lower hepatic MT1 and MT2 mRNA as well as lower MT protein levels. The decrease in hepatic MT protein levels in APOE4 as compared to APOE3 mice was accompanied by lower nuclear Nrf1, a protein partly controlling MT gene expression. Cell culture experiments using hepatocytes identified allyl-isothiocyanate (AITC) as a potent MT inductor in vitro. Therefore, we supplemented APOE3 and APOE4 mice with AITC. However, AITC (15 mg/kg b.w.) could only partly correct for decreased MT1 and MT2 gene expression in APOE4 mice in vivo. Furthermore, cholesterol significantly decreased both Nrf1 and MT mRNA levels in Huh7 cells indicating that differences in MT gene expression between the two genotypes could be related to differences in hepatic cholesterol concentrations. Overall, present data suggest that the APOE genotype is an important determinant of tissue MT levels in mice and that MT gene expression may be impaired by the APOE4 genotype.
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Kurki MI, Paananen J, Storvik M, Ylä-Herttuala S, Jääskeläinen JE, von Und Zu Fraunberg M, Wong G, Pehkonen P. TAFFEL: Independent Enrichment Analysis of gene sets. BMC Bioinformatics 2011; 12:171. [PMID: 21592412 PMCID: PMC3120704 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-12-171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2011] [Accepted: 05/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A major challenge in genomic research is identifying significant biological processes and generating new hypotheses from large gene sets. Gene sets often consist of multiple separate biological pathways, controlled by distinct regulatory mechanisms. Many of these pathways and the associated regulatory mechanisms might be obscured by a large number of other significant processes and thus not identified as significant by standard gene set enrichment analysis tools. RESULTS We present a novel method called Independent Enrichment Analysis (IEA) and software TAFFEL that eases the task by clustering genes to subgroups using Gene Ontology categories and transcription regulators. IEA indicates transcriptional regulators putatively controlling biological functions in studied condition. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that the developed method and TAFFEL tool give new insight to the analysis of differentially expressed genes and can generate novel hypotheses. Our comparison to other popular methods showed that the IEA method implemented in TAFFEL can find important biological phenomena, which are not reported by other methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitja I Kurki
- Department of Biosciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland
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Beghelli D, Giacconi R, Mocchegiani E, Cipriano C, Malavolta M, Renieri C. A genetic variant near the equine interleukin 6 gene associated with copper:zinc ratio. Vet J 2011; 190:e143-e145. [PMID: 21330167 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2010] [Revised: 12/15/2010] [Accepted: 12/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to validate an A/T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) corresponding to a LINE2 sequence located ∼1.1kb downstream of the IL-6 gene (SNP BIEC2-911738) and to determine if this variant is correlated with interleukin 6 (IL-6) modulation or with different plasma concentrations of Zn, Cu, Se and Fe. The frequency of the newly described variant T ranged from 0 to 23.1% among different breeds of horses. SBIEC2-911738 was not associated with changes in IL-6 plasma levels. Increased Cu:Zn ratios were observed in horses carrying the AT genotype independently of breed when stabled for 24h after physical exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Beghelli
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, Camerino 62032, Italy.
| | - Robertina Giacconi
- Centre of Nutrition and Ageing, IRCCS - INRCA, Via Birarelli 8, Ancona 60121, Italy
| | - Eugenio Mocchegiani
- Centre of Nutrition and Ageing, IRCCS - INRCA, Via Birarelli 8, Ancona 60121, Italy
| | - Catia Cipriano
- Centre of Nutrition and Ageing, IRCCS - INRCA, Via Birarelli 8, Ancona 60121, Italy
| | - Marco Malavolta
- Centre of Nutrition and Ageing, IRCCS - INRCA, Via Birarelli 8, Ancona 60121, Italy
| | - Carlo Renieri
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, Camerino 62032, Italy
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McElroy JA, Bryda EC, McKay SD, Schnabel RD, Taylor JF. Genetic variation at a metallothionein 2A promoter single-nucleotide polymorphism in white and black females in Midwestern United States. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2010; 73:1283-7. [PMID: 20711930 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2010.485067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Genetic variation leading to differences in expression and regulation of metallothionein proteins may contribute to observed differences among individuals in terms of cadmium (Cd) uptake and metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of the A and G alleles at rs28366003, which lies in the 5' promoter region of MT2A, in White and Black females in the Midwestern United States. One-milliliter saliva samples were collected from 298 White or Black adult female volunteers, and DNA was isolated from each sample using Oragene*DNA kits. Allele-specific PCR with gel visualization of amplification products was used to genotype SNP rs28366003. Of the 291 participants (Black = 142; White = 149), the average yield of DNA extracted from the saliva samples was 23.4 microg. The samples, quantitated on a spectrophotometer, achieved an average 260/280 optical density reading of 1.61. The frequency of the G allele was 1.1% for Blacks and 6.4% for Whites. Data demonstrated that the G allele is not common in both the Midwestern U.S. Black and White female population and is less frequent than that reported for an Asian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane A McElroy
- Family and Community Medicine Department, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65212, USA.
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Annoni G, Annoni F, Arosio B, Viazzoli C, Segato E, Lucchi T, Vergani C. Asymptomatic carotid plaque and pro-inflammatory genetic profile in the elderly. Aging Clin Exp Res 2009; 21:431-6. [PMID: 20154512 DOI: 10.1007/bf03327450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Several indices of subclinical atherosclerosis (ATS), including ultrasound (US) scan of carotid vessels, have received attention in clinical studies of the general population. Since inflammation takes part in the development of ATS, we studied the relationship between US imaging of carotid vessels and genetic predisposition to inflammation, in both elderly subjects without acknowledged CV risk factors and elderly subjects with acknowledged CV risk factors undergoing primary prevention. METHODS Seventy-two elderly subjects (aged between 65-84) were divided into three groups on the basis of cardiovascular (CV) risk (G0: 0-9%, G1: 10-20% and G2: >20%) according to the NCEP Adult Panel III Report. They underwent US evaluation of carotid arteries and were analyzed for single nucleotide polymorphisms in the genes of a number of cytokines: TNF-alpha, TGF-beta1, IL-10, IL-6 and IFN-gamma. RESULTS Asymptomatic carotid plaque (ACP) was detected in 19 subjects, not only in those belonging to the major risk group (36.8%) but also in those at lower risk (63.2%). In these subjects, we found a different genotype distribution in the polymorphisms of IFN-gamma (+874), IL-6 (-174) and IL- 10 (-1082). The TT +874 IFN-gamma and GG -174 IL-6 high producer-genotypes and the AA IL-10 low producergenotype were indeed more frequent in the ACP group (IFN-gamma: p=0.000 and IL-6: p=0.004). We found no correlation between genotype and carotid intima-media thickening. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that, in the elderly, inflammation-associated polymorphisms are related to atherogenesis and that the finding of ACP on US scan can be valuable in identifying subjects at risk for CV events, even if they lack traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as an increase in IMT.
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Bellavia D, Sisino G, Papadopoulos GL, Forte GI, Barbieri R. Mung bean nuclease mapping of RNAs 3' end. IMMUNITY & AGEING 2009; 6:6. [PMID: 19460154 PMCID: PMC2695431 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4933-6-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2009] [Accepted: 05/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A method is described that allows an accurate mapping of 3' ends of RNAs. In this method a labeled DNA probe, containing the presumed 3' end of the RNA under analysis is allowed to anneals to the RNA itself. Mung-bean nuclease is then used to digest single strands of both RNA and DNA. Electrophoretic fractionation of "protected" undigested, labeled DNA is than performed using a sequence reaction of a known DNA as length marker. This procedure was applied to the analysis of both a polyA RNA (Interleukin 10 mRNA) and non polyA RNAs (sea urchin 18S and 26S rRNAs). This method might be potentially relevant for the evaluation of the role of posttrascriptional control of IL-10 in the pathogenesis of the immune and inflammatory mediated diseases associated to ageing. This might allow to develop new strategies to approach to the diagnosis and therapy of age related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Bellavia
- Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo - Università di Palermo - V.le delle Scienze, Edificio 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
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