A Pilot Prospective Study Evaluating the Effect of Curcuma-Based Herbal Food Supplement on the Outcome of In Vitro Fertilization in Patients Testing Positive for Four Immunological Biomarkers

Background and Objectives: Inflammation and oxidative stress have been described to reduce the chance for pregnancy instauration and maintenance. NOFLAMOX, a recently developed herbal preparation with recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, can represent an interesting treatment to increase the chance of pregnancy, both physiological or after in vitro fertilization (IVF). The aim of this study was to assess NOFLAMOX's effect; a population with unexplained infertility was screened for the recently described IMMUNOX panel based on four immunological biomarkers with a prospective study approach. Materials and Methods: Patients with unexplained infertility and positive for at least one of the biomarkers of the IMMUNOX panel were included in this study and treated with NOFLAMOX for three months prior to an IVF cycle. Results: Eighty-six patients (n = 86) were screened with the IMMUNOX panel and the forty-seven (54.5%) found positive were included in this study. In more detail, 11 were positive for TNFα (23.4%), 18 (38.3%) for glycodelin (GLY), 29 (61.7%) for Total Oxidative Status (TOS), and 32 (68.1%) for Complement Activity Toxic Factor (CATF). After three months of treatment, a significant reduction in the number of IMMUNOX-positive patients was observable, with 26 patients who turned IMMUNOX-negative displaying a quantitative statistically significant variation of 100% (11/11), 38.9% (7/18), 65.5% (18/29), and 75% (24/32), for TNFα, glycodelin, TOS, and CATF, respectively. Followed in the subsequent IVF cycle, this NOFLAMOX-treated population showed a pregnancy rate of 42.3% compared to the 4.7% of the IMMUNOX-positive group of patients. Conclusions: Taken together, the results of this study suggest that NOFLAMOX could represent an interesting option for those patients with unexplained infertility of inflammatory/oxidative origin. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and explore possible strategies to restore fertility in women with immune-mediated sterility.

Prevalence of Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in Italian Adults and Associated Risk Factors

We aimed to assess the prevalence of and factors associated with anti- severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) positivity in a large population of adult volunteers from five administrative departments of the Liguria and Lombardia regions. A total of 3609 individuals were included in this analysis. Participants were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies [Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and M (IgM) class antibodies] at three private laboratories (Istituto Diganostico Varelli, Medical Center, and Casa della Salute di Genova). Demographic data, occupational or private exposure to SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, and prior medical history consistent with SARS-CoV-2 infection were collected according to a preplanned analysis. The overall seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgG and/or IgM) was 11.0% [398/3609; confidence interval (CI) 10.0%–12.1%]. Seroprevalence was higher in female inmates than in male inmates (12.5% vs. 9.2%, respectively, p = 0.002), with the highest rate observed among adults aged >55 years (13.2%). A generalized estimating equations model showed that the main risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence were the following: an occupational exposure to the virus [Odd ratio (OR) = 2.36; 95% CI 1.59–3.50, p = 0.001], being a long-term care facility resident (OR = 4.53; 95% CI 3.19–6.45, p = 0.001), and reporting previous symptoms of influenza-like illness (OR = 4.86; 95% CI 3.75–6.30, p = 0.001) or loss of sense of smell or taste (OR = 41.00; 95% CI 18.94–88.71, p = 0.001). In conclusion, we found a high prevalence (11.0%) of SARS-CoV-2 infection that is significantly associated with residing in long-term care facilities or occupational exposure to the virus. These findings warrant further investigation into SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence among the Italian population.

Evaluation of Three Different Vaccination Protocols against EHV1/EHV4 Infection in Mares: Double Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial

EHV1 and EHV4 are the most important herpesviruses in horses. Repeated cases of abortion in mares regularly vaccinated, prompted us to investigate the immune response after vaccination with the same inactivated vaccine, but with three different protocols. Eighteen mares were chosen and randomly divided in three study groups (G₁-G₂-G₃) and a control group (Ctrl). For serologic and PCR investigations nasal swabs, sera and blood were collected. The protocol used in G₃ (4 doses) increased the titer recorded by ELISA and seroneutralization (SN). Poor agreement and no correlation were observed in titer values between ELISA and SN and between SN and PCR. A very weak positive correlation between ELISA and PCR was obtained. Seven out of 18 nasal swabs were positive by PCR; none showed viremia and no abortion occurred, regardless of vaccination status and despite active circulation of EHV-1 in the farm at the time of the study. The study was conducted in field conditions, in a susceptible population with a known history of infection and abortion, and among the three protocols, the one proposed in the G₁ was the least efficient while the one proposed for the G₃, seems to have induced a higher antibody titer in both SN and ELISA.

Can unexplained infertility be evaluated by a new immunological four-biomarkers panel? A pilot study

BACKGROUND

Inflammation and oxidative stress are known to be triggering factors for a decrease of the pregnancy rate like maternal immunosuppression. Under these circumstances our study was performed to verify four immunological biomarkers (IMMUNOX Panel) in terms of incidence in a sine-causa infertile population and the overall pregnancy rate when the Panel was showing some non-physiologic values.

METHODS

Sera of 86 women affected by unexplained infertility were screened for the IMMUNOX panel of biomarkers composed by: tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α,) glycodelin (GLY), total oxidative status (TOS), and complement activity toxic factor (CATF). When at least one of the biomarkers tested was showing values outside the physiologic range, the woman was considered IMMUNOX-Positive.

RESULTS

The first data was indented to verify the incidence of the women with an IMMUNOX-positive panel. Results show that 19.8%, 18.6%, 25.6%, and 47.7% were IMMUNOX-positive for GLY, TNF-α, TOS and CATF respectively. The overall incidence of IMMUNOX-positive patients, with at least one biomarker positive was 70,9%. Subsequently we have analysed the correlation between IMMUNOX Panel positivity and the pregnancy rate. The pregnancy rate in a subgroup (N.=55) of the entire population tested (N.=86) was 2.9% and 36.6% for the IMMUNOX-positive and IMMUNOX-negative patients respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Further validation studies are needed to prove that there is a correlation between unexplained infertility and immunological disorders screened by the IMMUNOX Panel, nevertheless our data shows that this diagnostic approach may be helpful to predict and to identify women at higher risk of IVF cycles failure.

Mesenchymal stromal cells uptake and release paclitaxel without reducing its anticancer activity

To improve the drug delivery efficiency on target cells, many strategies have been developed including Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) approaches. In a previous study, we found that bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) were able to incorporate and release the anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic drug, Paclitaxel (PTX). In this study, we evaluated the stability of PTX in standard cell culture conditions by analyzing the metabolites produced by MSCs after their incorporation of the drug. We are able to show that MSCs do not release either 3-OH-PTX or 6-OH-PTX metabolites (having a lower anticancer activity) but release an active PTX molecule together with the isomer 7-Epitaxol, is known to maintain the whole biological activity. This confirms that the simple procedure of MSCs priming with a drug (without any genetic cell manipulation), in our case PTX, does not modify the activity of the molecule and provides a new biological-device to carry and deliver PTX in tumor sites, by contributing to improve drug efficacy and target selectivity in cancer therapy.

Biological monitoring of Italian soldiers deployed in Iraq. Results of the SIGNUM project

BACKGROUND

Leukemia/lymphoma cases reported in 2001 among United Nation soldiers or peacekeepers deployed to the Balkans aroused alert on the exposure to depleted uranium. Recent epidemiological studies carried out in different European countries among peacekeepers who served in the Balkans failed to demonstrate a higher than expected risk of all cancers but, mostly due to their limitations in size and follow up time, leave open the debate on health risk of depleted uranium. The aim of SIGNUM (Study of the Genotoxic Impact in Military Units) was to identify potential genotoxic risk associated with the exposure to depleted uranium or other pollutants in the Italian Army military personnel deployed in Iraq.

METHODS

Blood and urine samples were collected before and after the deployment from 981 Italian soldiers operating in Iraq in 2004-2005. As, Cd, Mo, Ni, Pb, U, V, W, and Zr were determined in urine and serum. DNA-adducts, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanine and micronuclei frequency were evaluated in blood lymphocytes. Three different genetic polymorphisms, GSTM1, XRCC1, OGG1 were analyzed.

RESULTS

Significant T0-T1 reduction in the total concentration of uranium, increases for Cd, Mo, Ni, Zr, and decreases for As, Pb, W, and V in urine and plasma were observed. Increases in oxidative alterations and in micronuclei frequency, included in the range of values of non-occupationally exposed populations, were observed at the end of the period of employment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results did not detect any toxicologically relevant variation of DNA-damage biomarkers related to the deployment in the operational theater.

A pharmacogenetic-driven approach for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation by FSH treatment

AIM

The aim of this study was to develop a pharmacogenetic- (PGx) driven approach for a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) treatment protocol used for in vitro fertilization procedures. The enrolled patients were genotyped for a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) N680S, within the FSHR.

METHODS

Seventy-eight women, who had previously received at least two COH cycles without positive fertilization with FSH and AMH values <10 mUI/mL and >0.3 ng/mL respectively were enrolled. They were genotyped for N680S and then categorized in high (HR), intermediate (IR), and poor responders (PR). Each subgroup received a tailored FSH treatment of 100, 225, and 400 UI/mL, respectively. The response was evaluated considering differences with previous COH cycle in terms of number of follicles (FR), oocytes (OR), and embryos produced (EMB).

RESULTS

With regards to the endpoint considered comparing the non-PGx with the PGx approach, for what regards the FR a statistically significant increase of their numbers was observed with the PGx-tailored approach (HR P<0.0001; IR P=0.00892; PR P=0.0032). Similar statistical significant results were also achieved for OR but only for HR (P<0.0001) and IR (P=0.00169). Last but not least for the EMB (HR P<0.001; IR P=0.00670 and PR P<0.0001) all the different genotype considered achieved a statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

This study, although with a limited number of enrolled patients, showed that a FSH treatment with a PGx-driven approach might have the potential to improve COH clinical outcome.

Morphological transformation induced by multiwall carbon nanotubes on Balb/3T3 cell model as an in vitro end point of carcinogenic potential

In this work we investigated the toxicological effects of nude and chemically functionalised (-NH(2), -OH and -COOH groups) multiwall carbon nanotubes (mwCNTs) using immortalised mouse fibroblasts cell line (Balb/3T3) as in vitro model, alternative to the use of animals, to assess basal cytotoxicity, carcinogenic potential, genotoxicity and cell interaction of nanomaterials (NM). Combining in vitro tests such as cell transformation assay and micronucleus with physicochemical and topological analysis, we obtained results showing no cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Carcinogenic potential and mwCNTs interaction with cells were instead evident. We stressed the importance that different toxicological end points have to be considered when studying NM, therefore, assays able to detect long-term effects, such as carcinogenicity, must be taken into account together with a panel of tests able to detect more immediate effects like basal cytotoxicity or genotoxicity.

Problems and challenges in the development and validation of human cell-based assays to determine nanoparticle-induced immunomodulatory effects

Background

With the increasing use of nanomaterials, the need for methods and assays to examine their immunosafety is becoming urgent, in particular for nanomaterials that are deliberately administered to human subjects (as in the case of nanomedicines). To obtain reliable results, standardised in vitro immunotoxicological tests should be used to determine the effects of engineered nanoparticles on human immune responses. However, before assays can be standardised, it is important that suitable methods are established and validated.

Results

In a collaborative work between European laboratories, existing immunological and toxicological in vitro assays were tested and compared for their suitability to test effects of nanoparticles on immune responses. The prototypical nanoparticles used were metal (oxide) particles, either custom-generated by wet synthesis or commercially available as powders. Several problems and challenges were encountered during assay validation, ranging from particle agglomeration in biological media and optical interference with assay systems, to chemical immunotoxicity of solvents and contamination with endotoxin.

Conclusion

The problems that were encountered in the immunological assay systems used in this study, such as chemical or endotoxin contamination and optical interference caused by the dense material, significantly affected the data obtained. These problems have to be solved to enable the development of reliable assays for the assessment of nano-immunosafety.

Carbon nanotubes induce oxidative DNA damage in RAW 264.7 cells

The induction of DNA and chromosome damage following in vitro exposure to carbon nanotubes (CNT) was assessed on the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 by means of the micronucleus (MN) and the comet assays. Exposures to two CNT preparations (single-walled CNT (SWCNT > 90%) and multiwalled CNT (MWCNT > 90%) were performed in increasing mass concentrations (0.01-100 microg/ml). The frequency of micronuclei was significantly increased in cells treated with SWCNT (at doses above 0.1 microg/ml), whereas MWCNT had the same effect at higher concentrations (1 microg/ml) (P < 0.05). The results of the comet assay revealed that the effects of treatment with SWCNT were detectable at all concentrations tested (1-100 microg/ml); oxidized purines increased significantly, whereas pyrimidines showed a significant increase (P < 0.001) only at the highest concentration (100 microg/ml). In cells treated with MWCNT, an increase in DNA migration due to the oxidative damage to purines was observed at a concentration of 1 and 10 microg/ml, whereas pyrimidines showed a significant increase only at the highest mass concentration tested. However, both SWCNT and MWCNT induced a statistically significant cytotoxic effect at the highest concentrations tested (P < 0.001). These findings suggest that both the MN and comet assays can reliably detect small amount of damaged DNA at both chromosome and nuclear levels in RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, the modified version of the comet assay allows the specific detection of the induction of oxidative damage to DNA, which may be the underlying mechanism involved in the CNT-associated genotoxicity.

The amniotic fluid-derived cells: the biomedical challenge for the third millennium

Human amniotic fluid cells (H-AFC) have been used as a diagnostic tool for the prenatal diagnosis of fetal genetic anomalies for more than 50 years.In the early 1990s small nucleated cells, which were identified as he-matopoietic progenitors, were detected in the amniotic fluid. After this evidence several other scientific novelties as been brought out to the attention of the scientific community. In these brief history of the Human amniotic fluid cells (H-AFC) the last but not least evidence, provided in the last 5 years, suggests that they can also harbor a therapeutic potential for human diseases.

Modulation of palmitic acid-induced cell death by ergothioneine: evidence of an anti-inflammatory action

Inflammation and reactive oxygen species have been implicated in pathogenesis of vascular diabetic complications. However, treatment with classic free-radical scavengers and antioxidants has not been yet proved to reduce the risk of developing such complications. In search of more effective treatment we have tested the protective role of Ergothioneine (EGT), in vitro, on C2C12 cells model on FFA-induced lipotoxicity. Cells were incubated for 24 h in the presence of palmitic acid (PA) (250, 500, 750, 1000 microM), added as pro-oxidant compound, with or without 24-h pre-treatment with EGT. Cells were assessed for cell viability and MAPKs expression by Western Blot. Pre-treatment with EGT resulted in greater cell viability at each PA concentration (EGT 500 microM: 5, 16, 17, 23% and EGT 1000 microM: 9, 18, 21 and 25%). In response to PA exposure, p38 and JNK activity increased significantly while EGT prevented such activation. Moreover the analysis of the IL-6 production reveal that EGT is also able to exert anti-inflammatory action inhibiting the PA IL-6 modulation (P < 0.001). In conclusion, these results indicate that 1. EGT has a protective role on PA-induced cell death, possibly via 2. reduced activity of MAPKs cascade having also 3. an anti-inflammatory action exerted on the IL-6 modulation.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of telmisartan in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells

PURPOSE

To study whether telmisartan, an angiotensin II (AII) receptor blocker (ARB), modulates endothelial inflammation and oxidative cell damage induced by AII-independent stimuli in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC)s.

METHODS

Endothelial inflammation, as reflected by increased VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression (ELISA), was induced by TNF-alpha, an inflammatory cytokine, and cell damage (COMET and MTT assay) by hydrogen peroxide, a reactive oxygen species. Losartan, another ARB, its active metabolites (EXP-3174, EXP-3179), dexamethasone, a synthetic steroid, and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an anti-oxidant, were the controls. The contribution of PPAR-gamma agonism was assessed through synthetic PPAR-gamma agonists and antagonists and the antagonism for AII-type 1 receptor-mediated stimuli by evaluating the interference against cell death induced by AII (MTT assay), a pro-apoptotic peptide that induces oxidative stress. The in vitro scavenging properties for oxyradicals were quantified by the TOSC assay.

RESULTS

Telmisartan and PDTC reduced TNF-alpha-stimulated VCAM-1 in a concentration-dependent manner while losartan, EXP-3174, EXP-3179 and dexamethasone were ineffective. All compounds did not modify ICAM-1 expression. PPAR-gamma agonists or antagonists did not interfere with the effect of telmisartan. Both ARBs antagonized AII-induced cell death but only telmisartan reduced hydrogen peroxide-induced cell damage. Telmisartan scavenged selectively hydroxyl radicals without affecting peroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite.

CONCLUSIONS

Telmisartan modulates pleiotropically TNF-alpha induced VCAM-1 expression and oxidative damage in vascular endothelium, possibly by acting as a hydroxyl radical scavenger. Those anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may contribute to the therapeutic effect, although the applicability of these data to the clinical situations has to be verified.

Genotoxicity induced by arsenic compounds in peripheral human lymphocytes analysed by cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay

This work focuses on the analysis of genotoxic effects on human peripheral lymphocytes exposed in vitro to different arsenic (As) compounds by means of the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. The study was carried out by challenging peripheral human lymphocytes with six As compounds in trivalent or pentavalent forms such as arsenite (As(III)) and arsenate (As(V)) and organoarsenic species such as monomethylarsonous acid (MMAs(III)), monomethylarsonic acid (MMAs(V)), dimethylarsinic acid (DMAs(V)) and trymethylarsine oxide (TMAO(V)). For As(III) and As(V) at concentrations of 4 and 32 microM, respectively, an increase of micronuclei (MN) frequency was found. MMAs(III) and MMAs(V) induced a statistically significant increase of MN frequency at the dose of 2 and 500 microM, respectively. For DMAs(V), no significant increase of MN was observed, although a decrease of the nuclear division index (NDI) was evident, indicating a cytotoxic effect. The genotoxic mechanism of action of MMAs(III) was further evaluated by means of fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. Due to a higher percentage of centromere-positive MN, MMAs(III) showed a clear aneuploidogenic property. Finally, for TMAO(V) no genotoxicity was observed up to 1 mM. These results show how speciation is important in determining the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of As compounds in human peripheral lymphocytes and support the emerging hypothesis that the induction of aneuploidy could be a mechanism by which As exerts its carcinogenic properties.

Polymorphisms in folate and homocysteine metabolizing genes and chromosome damage in mothers of Down syndrome children

We recently observed an association between combinations of polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR 677C > T or 1298A > C) and reduced folate carrier (RFC-1 80G > A) genes and the risk of a Down syndrome (DS) pregnancy in young Italian women. Others have observed an association between a methionine synthase (MTR 2756A > G) gene polymorphism and the risk of a DS offspring in Italy. Moreover, in a separate study, we observed an increased frequency of both binucleated micronucleated cells (BNMN) and chromosome malsegregation events in peripheral lymphocytes of mothers of DS individuals aged less than 35 years at conception (MDS) in respect to controls. The aim of the present study was to evaluate chromosome damage, measured by means of the micronucleus assay, in peripheral lymphocytes of a group of women (n = 34) who had a DS child in young age (<35 years) and in a control group (n = 35), and to correlate them with MTHFR 677C > T and 1298A > C, RFC-1 80G > A and MTR 2756A > G polymorphisms. We observed an increased frequency of BNMN in the MDS group compared to the control group (17.13 +/- 8.31 per thousand vs. 10.28 +/- 4.53 per thousand; P < 0.001), and, in the general population, a correlation between years of age and BNMN frequency (P = 0.05). A significant correlation between the frequency of BNMN and the MTHFR 677C > T polymorphism (P = 0.038) was also found. Present results indicate that MDS are more prone to chromosome damage than control mothers; moreover the contribution of folate and homocysteine metabolizing gene polymorphisms seems to have an effect on the baseline frequency of BNMN lymphocytes.

An in vitro study on the free radical scavenging capacity of ergothioneine: comparison with reduced glutathione, uric acid and trolox

BACKGROUND

Treatment of oxidative stress-related pathologies is a possible therapeutical strategy for the future. Natural product with antioxidant properties could trigger this goal. The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the antioxidant activity of the natural product ergothioneine (EGT), a compound of plant origin, which is assimilated and conserved by mammals in erythrocytes, kidney, seminal fluid and liver.

METHODS

We measured the antioxidant activity of EGT as its ability to antagonize the oxidation of alpha-keto-gamma-methiolbutyric acid (KMBA) by hydroxyl radical, peroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite. The results are expressed as total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC) units. Glutathione (GSH), uric acid and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid (trolox), the water-soluble analog of vitamin E, were used as the reference antioxidants.

RESULTS

EGT was the most active scavenger of free radicals as compared to classic antioxidants as GSH, uric acid and trolox. In particular, the highest antioxidant capacity exhibited by EGT vs. peroxyl radicals (5.53 +/- 1.27 units) resulted 25% higher than the value obtained with the reference antioxidant trolox (4.4 +/- 0.6 units, P < 0.01). The scavenging capacity of EGT towards hydroxyl radicals (0.34 +/- 0.09 units) was 60% higher, as compared to uric acid (0.21 +/- 0.04 units, P < 0.001), which represent the reference antioxidant vs. hydroxyl radicals. Finally, EGT showed the highest antioxidant activity also towards peroxynitrite (5.2 +/- 1.0 units), with a scavenging capacity 10% higher than that of uric acid (4.7 +/- 0.9 units, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that EGT has potent intrinsic anti-hydroxyl, anti-peroxyl and anti-peroxynitrite radicals antioxidant activity, as compared to classic molecules with antioxidant capacity as GSH, trolox and uric acid. This appears of interest, given the increasing use of non-vitamins cocktails for therapeutical approaches to many oxidative-induced pathologies.

Folate gene polymorphisms and the risk of Down syndrome pregnancies in young Italian women

Maternal impairments in folate metabolism and elevated homocysteinemia are known risk factors for having a child with Down syndrome (DS) at a young age. The 80G>A polymorphism of the reduced folate carrier gene (RFC-1) has been recently demonstrated to affect plasma folate and homocysteine levels, alone or in combination with the 677C>T polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. We performed the present study on 80 Italian mothers of DS individuals, aged less than 35 at conception, and 111 Italian control mothers, to study the role of the RFC-1 80G>A, MTHFR 677C>T, and MTHFR 1298A>C genotypes to the risk of a DS offspring at a young maternal age. When polymorphisms were considered alone, both allele and genotype frequencies did not significantly differ between DS mothers and control mothers. However, the combined MTHFR677TT/RFC-1 80GG genotype was borderline associated with an increased risk (OR 6 (CI 95%: 1.0-35.9), P = 0.05), and to be MTHF1298AA/RFC-1 80(GA or AA) was inversely associated with the risk (OR 0.36 (CI 95%: 0.14-0.96), P = 0.04). Present results seem to indicate that none of the RFC-1 80G>A, MTHFR 677C>T, and MTHFR 1298A>C polymorphisms is an independent risk factor for a DS offspring at a young maternal age; however, a role for the combined MTHFR/RFC-1 genotypes in the risk of DS pregnancies among young Italian women cannot be excluded.

Relationship between genotoxicity biomarkers in somatic and germ cells: findings from a biomonitoring study

A biomonitoring study to evaluate chromosome and DNA damage respectively in somatic and germ cells of a group of male workers exposed to styrene by using biomarkers of genotoxicity was carried out. Styrene-exposed workers from three different areas of Tuscany and healthy subjects, of comparable mean age, sex and lifestyle characteristics, as a control group not exposed to chemicals, have been enrolled. In addition to previous reports [L. Migliore, A. Naccarati, A. Zanello, R. Scarpato, L. Bramanti and M. Mariani (2002) Hum. Reprod., 17, 2912-2918; L. Migliore, A. Naccarati, F. Coppedè et al. (2006) Pharmacogenet. Genomics, 16, 87-99] we present now data on a cross-sectional investigation involving a homogeneous group of subjects for which data on both somatic and germ cells have been obtained from individuals (42 exposed and 25 controls). Somatic cell genotoxicity was assessed by analysing the frequency of micronucleated binucleated cells (MNBN) in blood lymphocytes. The micronucleus assay was coupled with centromeric fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. Primary DNA damage in germ cells was evaluated by alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (Comet assay) and the percentage of the tail DNA (%TD) was used as parameter of Comet evaluation. Moreover, to investigate the frequencies of aneuploidy and diploidy in sperm, we performed multicolour FISH, using DNA probes specific for the centromeric regions of sex chromosomes and chromosome 2, in decondensed sperm nuclei of samples with normal semen parameters in a subgroup of individuals. Mandelic and phenylglyoxylic acids (MAPGA) in end of shift samples were determined as biomarkers of internal dose. MAPGA excretion was consistent with an exposure to styrene above the threshold limit value-time weighted average concentration of 20 p.p.m. Styrene workers showed significantly higher frequency of MNBN as compared to controls (13.8 +/- 5.2 versus 6.2 +/- 5.1; P < 0.001), due to higher proportions of both micronuclei (MN) arising from chromosomal breakage (C-MN) and harbouring whole chromosomes (C+MN). DNA damage in sperm cells was also higher among styrene-exposed, the %TD being 11.02 +/- 2.99 versus 7.42 +/- 2.30 in controls (P < 0.001). The incidence of aneuploidy and diploidy for the tested chromosomes in sperm did not show a statistically significant difference between workers and controls. However, a positive correlation was found between genotoxic damage detected in somatic and in germ cells, even after removing the effect of age (r = 0.475; P < 0.001). Although cytogenetic biomarkers detected both in somatic and germ cells were interrelated, no relationships were apparent with exposure parameters. Styrene exposure may increase the likelihood of both chromosome and DNA damage in somatic and germ cells, thus supporting the hypothesis of an interference on reproductive capacity among exposed workers. This is the first time that a field study shows a correlation between two biomarkers of genotoxicity evaluated at the same time in somatic and germ cells.

Modulation of hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage, MAPKs activation and cell death in PC12 by ergothioneine

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Ergothioneine (EGT) is a natural occurring compound, synthesized by soil bacteria in fungal substrates, exhibiting antioxidant functions in many cell models. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of EGT in the prevention of H2O2-dependent cell death and oxidative damage on a model of neural cell derived from rat pheocromocytoma, the PC12.

METHODS

The ability of EGT was tested by the 3 (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) 2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and Comet assay. H2O2 insult was challenged with increasing concentration of antioxidant using two different incubation periods: 1 and 23 h of EGT pre-treatment followed by 23 and 1 h of H2O2, respectively, for both the MTT and the Comet assay data.

CONCLUSION

The pre-treatment for 23 h with EGT, 250 microM and 1mM, followed by 1h of H2O2 incubation at the concentration of 250 and 500 microM, resulted in increased cell viability (P < 0.001) compared to the H2O2 cell batch. This correlated with a decrease in DNA damage as visualized by the Comet assay. Moreover, protein analysis reveals that in the presence of 250 microM of H2O2, EGT acted as a p38-MAPK and Akt specific inhibitor. EGT may play a protective role in rescuing cells from stress-induced apoptosis, likely by activating an intracellular antioxidant pathway involving p38 MAPK genes cascade.

Molecular effects of fermented papaya preparation on oxidative damage, MAP Kinase activation and modulation of the benzo[a]pyrene mediated genotoxicity

The involvement of oxidative and nitrosative stress mechanisms in several biological and pathological processes including aging, cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases has continued to fuel suggestions that processes can potentially be modulated by treatment with free-radical scavengers and antioxidant. The fermented papaya preparation (FPP) derived from Carica papaya Linn was investigated for its ability to modulate oxidative DNA damage due to H2O2 in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells and protection of brain oxidative damage in hypertensive rats. Cells pre-treated with FPP (50 microg/ml) prior to incubation with H2O2 had significantly increased viability and sustenance of morphology and shape. The human hepatoma (HepG2) cells exposed to H2O2 (50 microM) showed an olive tail moment of 10.56 +/- 1.44 compared to 1.37 +/- 0.29 of the solvent control. A significant reduction (P < or = 0.05) of DNA damage was observed at concentrations > or = 10 microg/ml FPP, with 50 microg/ml FPP reducing the genotoxic effect of H2O2 by about 1.5-fold compared to only H2O2 exposed cells.

Susceptibility to chromosome malsegregation in lymphocytes of women who had a Down syndrome child in young age

Recent findings seem to converge towards a unified hypothesis trying to relate Down's syndrome (DS), trisomy 21 and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The majority of DS individuals develop neuropathological characteristics of AD by the age of 40. Previous cytogenetic studies performed by us showed an increased frequency of aneuploidy in peripheral lymphocytes and fibroblasts of AD patients and a preferential occurrence of chromosome 21 in malsegregation events. An increased frequency of AD among young mothers of individuals with DS (MDS) is reported. This study investigates the cytogenetic characteristics and the predisposition to chromosome malsegregation of peripheral blood lymphocytes in a group of women (n = 35) who had a Down syndrome child in young age (<35 years) and in a control group (n = 30). We applied the micronucleus assay and the dual-color FISH in order to assess the susceptibility to malsegregation events. The results indicate a higher frequency of binucleated micronucleated cells in MDS in respect to the control group (16.1+/-9.1 per thousand versus 8.7+/-5.4 per thousand). Moreover, our data reveal that peripheral lymphocytes of MDS are more prone to chromosome non-disjunction with both chromosomes, 13 and 21, equally involved.

Oxidative DNA damage in peripheral leukocytes of mild cognitive impairment and AD patients

It is well established that oxidative stress plays a key role in the degenerative neuronal death and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), although it is not clear if it is the primary triggering event in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical condition between normal aging and AD, characterized by a memory deficit without loss of general cognitive and functional abilities. We performed this study by a comet assay analysis to evaluate the level of primary and oxidative DNA damage in two groups of MCI and AD patients, compared to healthy controls. Data showed a significantly higher level of primary DNA damage in leukocytes of AD and also of MCI patients compared to control individuals (average: 2.09+/-0.79 and 2.47+/-1.01, respectively for AD and MCI, versus 1.04+/-0.31 in controls). Moreover, the amount of oxidised DNA bases (both purines and pyrimidines) was significatively higher in the two groups of patients (AD and MCI) compared to controls. Our results give a further indication that oxidative stress, at least at the DNA level, is an earlier event in the pathogenesis of AD.

Searching for the role and the most suitable biomarkers of oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease and in other neurodegenerative diseases

The contribution of oxidative stress to neurodegeneration is not peculiar of a specific neurodegenerative disease, oxidative stress has been found implicated in a number of neurodegenerative disorders among which Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Even increasing are studies dealing with the search for peripheral biomarkers of oxidative stress in biological fluids or even in peripheral tissues themselves such as fibroblasts or blood cells. The application of the modified version of the comet assay for the detection of oxidised purines and pyrimidines in peripheral blood leukocytes results particularly useful if the study requires repeated blood drawn from the same individual, for instance if a clinical trial is performed with a preventive therapy. Likely damage occurs to every category of biological macromolecules and we consider, in the context of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly critical the proteic level. The identification of subjects at risk to develop AD or with pre-pathogenic conditions, the possibility to use "a battery of assays" for the detection of oxidative damage at peripheral level, together with recent advances in brain imaging, will allow to better address studies aimed not only to therapeutic purposes but also mainly to primary prevention.

Differential expression and regulation of protease-activated receptors in human peripheral monocytes and monocyte-derived antigen-presenting cells

Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are stimulated by proteolytic cleavage of their extracellular domain, unmasking a new N-terminus acting as tethered ligand. Whereas the role of PARs in platelets is well known, their presence and function in human monocytes and other antigen-presenting cells has not been characterized. Here it is demonstrated that human peripheral monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages and dendritic cells differentially express PARs. Human monocytes express mainly PAR1 and less PAR3. Differentiation of monocytes into macrophages by either macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) elicits enhanced expression of PAR1, PAR2, and PAR3. In contrast, dendritic cells differentiated from monocytes by GM-CSF and interleukin-4 (IL-4) strongly down-regulated PAR1, PAR2, and PAR3, both at the mRNA and the protein level. Down-regulation of the PAR expression was apparently due to IL-4, because treatment of macrophages with IL-4 caused down-regulation of PAR1, PAR2, and PAR3. PAR4 mRNA expression remained undetectable in any of the cell types investigated. Stimulation of PAR1, PAR2, and PAR3 with thrombin, trypsin, or established receptor-activating peptides (PAR-APs) triggered cytosolic Ca2+ responses, indicating functionally active PARs. Further, stimulation of monocytes or macrophages with thrombin or PAR1-AP, but not with PAR2-or PAR4-AP, triggers expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) both at the mRNA and the protein level. These data demonstrate that differentiation of human monocytes is associated with differential expression of functionally active PARs that mediate distinct regulatory functions in inflammation and atherogenesis.