Alterations of serum biochemical parameters and tyrosine phosphorylation in kidney and liver of chronic stress-induced rats

Abstract Chronic stress (CS) can contribute to dysfunction in several organs including liver and kidney. This study was performed to investigate the changes in serum biochemistry, histological structure, as well as in localization of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins (TyrPho) and Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp-70) in liver and kidney tissues of CS rats induced by two stressors (restrained and force swimming) for 60 consecutive days. Samples of blood, liver, and kidney were collected from adult male Sprague–Dawley rats in each group. Our results showed that serum biochemical parameters including corticosterone, blood sugar, urea nitrogen, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C, ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase in CS group were significantly different from that in normal group in both liver and kidney tissues. Although histological structure was not changed. TyrPho expression was significantly increased in liver lysate but significantly decreased in kidney. Hsp-70 expression in liver increased whereas in kidney decreased. In conclusion, CS can induce changes in liver and kidney functions.

Proteomic association with age-dependent sex differences in Wisconsin Card Sorting Test performance in healthy Thai subjects

Sex differences in cognitive function exist, but they are not stable and undergo dynamic change during the lifespan. However, our understanding of how sex-related neural information transmission evolves with age is still in its infancy. This study utilized the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the label-free proteomics method with bioinformatic analysis to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying age-related sex differences in cognitive performance in 199 healthy Thai subjects (aged 20-70 years), as well as explore the sex-dependent protein complexes for predicting cognitive aging. The results showed that males outperformed females in two of the five WCST sub-scores: %Corrects and %Errors. Sex differences in these scores were related to aging, becoming noticeable in those over 60. At the molecular level, differently expressed individual proteins and protein complexes between both sexes are associated with the potential N-methyl-D-aspartate type glutamate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated excitotoxicity, with the NMDAR complex being enriched exclusively in elderly female samples. These findings provided a preliminary indication that healthy Thai females might be more susceptible to such neurotoxicity, as evidenced by their cognitive performance. NMDAR protein complex enrichment in serum could be proposed as a potential indication for predicting cognitive aging in healthy Thai females.

Cholinergic-estrogen interaction is associated with the effect of education on attenuating cognitive sex differences in a Thai healthy population

The development of human brain is shaped by both genetic and environmental factors. Sex differences in cognitive function have been found in humans as a result of sexual dimorphism in neural information transmission. Numerous studies have reported the positive effects of education on cognitive functions. However, little work has investigated the effect of education on attenuating cognitive sex differences and the neural mechanisms behind it based on healthy population. In this study, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) was employed to examine sex differences in cognitive function in 135 Thai healthy subjects, and label-free quantitative proteomic method and bioinformatic analysis were used to study sex-specific neurotransmission-related protein expression profiles. The results showed sex differences in two WCST sub-scores: percentage of Total corrects and Total errors in the primary education group (Bayes factor>100) with males performed better, while such differences eliminated in secondary and tertiary education levels. Moreover, 11 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between men and women (FDR<0.1) were presented in both education groups, with majority of them upregulated in females. Half of those DEPs interacted directly with nAChR3, whereas the other DEPs were indirectly connected to the cholinergic pathways through interaction with estrogen. These findings provided a preliminary indication that a cholinergic-estrogen interaction relates to, and might underpin, the effect of education on attenuating cognitive sex differences in a Thai healthy population.

Topographical study of scapular foramina and scapular nutrient foramina in dried skeletons

PURPOSE

The aim of our study is to study the prevalence and anatomy of scapular foramina (SF) and scapular nutrient foramina (SNF) in dried skeletons from the Northeastern Thai population.

METHODS

A total of 150 dried scapulae were investigated. Both SF and SNF were identified using a metal wire with a diameter of 0.36 mm. The number, locations, lengths, and diameters of SF were recorded. Subsequently, SNF were identified using the same metal wire. Their number and locations were recorded. Two observers performed the evaluations and measurements.

RESULTS

SF were present in 78.0% of scapulae. They could have up to five openings. Eighteen types were found. On average they were longer in males (21.7 ± 5.0 mm) than females (19.45 ± 4.6 mm). The mean diameters of both the superior and inferior openings were significantly greater in females (p < 0.01). SNF, in contrast, were present in 100% of scapulae. They were located in the supraspinous fossa (36.7%), subscapular fossa (31.3%), infraspinous fossa (22.8%), and peri-glenoid area (10.0%).

CONCLUSION

Unlike previous studies, the present study suggests that SF are normal anatomical findings, present in 78.0% of the scapulae investigated. Surgeons should be aware of both SNF and SF when operating or interpreting radiological findings.

Association study of the functional Catechol-O-Methyltranferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism on executive cognitive function in a Thai sample

Catechol-O-Methyltranferase (COMT) plays a crucial role in the removal of cortical dopamine and is strongly implicated in human executive function. Numerous studies have reported associations of the COMT Val158Met (rs4680) polymorphism with executive function in healthy subjects. However, little work has investigated this in the Thai population and the relationship of age and education with this association remains unclear. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the association of this polymorphism of the COMT gene with executive cognitive brain function in healthy subjects and the relationship with age and education. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) was performed to assess executive function in 254 healthy Thai subjects (aged 20-72 years). The results showed a significant association of rs4680 with executive function, in which Val/Met heterozygotes demonstrated better cognitive set shifting performance. Moreover, Met allele carriers showed a significantly stronger effect in the categories completed score than did Val homozygotes. Furthermore, age and education also showed a significant association with COMT genotype and WCST. These results revealed that executive cognitive function is associated with COMT genotype and influenced by age and/or education level in a Thai sample.