scholarly journals Evaluation of the Cytogenetic Status of Human Lymphocytes After Exposure to a High Concentration of Bee Venom In Vitro

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verica Garaj-Vrhovac ◽  
Goran Gajski

Evaluation of the Cytogenetic Status of Human Lymphocytes After Exposure to a High Concentration of Bee Venom In VitroSeveral studies have reported radioprotective, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and anticancer effects of bee venom both in the cell and the whole organism. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a single high dose of 100 μg mL-1 of whole bee venom in human lymphocytes in vitro over a variety of time spans (from 10 min to 24 h). After the treatment, we used the comet assay and micronucleus test to see the effect of bee venom on the cell. The comet assay confirmed that the venom damaged the DNA molecule. Tail length, tail intensity, tail moment showed a significant increase (P<0.05). The percentage of long-tailed nuclei (LTN) with the tail length exceeding the 95th percentile also increased in a time-dependent manner. The micronucleus parameters (number of micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges, and nuclear buds) also showed a significant time-dependent increase (P<0.05). This research indicates that high concentrations of bee venom can lead to cellular instability. Further research is needed to understand the mechanism of action of bee venom and its components in human cells and to see if this natural product may find application in medicine.

2018 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Puthan Variyam Vidya ◽  
Kumari Chidambaran Chitra

Abstract The purpose of the present study is to extend knowledge on the adverse effects of nanoparticles by evaluating genotoxicity as environmental risk assessment in Oreochromis mossambicus. Fish were exposed to sublethal concentrations of the selected nanoparticles, namely silicon dioxide (SiO2NPs-12mg/L), aluminium oxide (Al2O3NPs-4mg/L), titanium dioxide (TiO2NPs-16.4mg/L) and iron oxide (Fe3O4NPs-15mg/L) for short-term (24, 72 and 96 h) and long-term durations (15, 30 and 60 days). Genetic damages such as cytoplasmic, nuclear and DNA damage were measured in the erythrocytes of fish by using standard genotoxicity tests such as micronucleus test and comet assay. The frequencies of micronuclei along with nuclear and cytoplasmic abnormalities were scored and compared with the control group. The intensity of micronuclei along with other nuclear and cytoplasmic anomalies are found to be increased significantly (p<0.05) in time-dependent manner in all exposure groups when compared to the control group, thereby indicating chromosomal damage as a result of contact with nanoparticles. The tail length and percent of tail DNA within the comet significantly (p<0.05) increased in time-dependant manner after exposure to all nanoparticles, demonstrating an increase in DNA damage. Taken together, by using micronucleus test and comet assay, it is evident that the selected nanoparticles at sublethal concentrations induced genetic damage in Oreochromis mossambicus.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (18) ◽  
pp. 4293
Author(s):  
Zhen-Wang Li ◽  
Chun-Yan Zhong ◽  
Xiao-Ran Wang ◽  
Shi-Nian Li ◽  
Chun-Yuan Pan ◽  
...  

Novel imidazole derivatives were designed, prepared, and evaluated in vitro for antitumor activity. The majority of the tested derivatives showed improved antiproliferative activity compared to the positive control drugs 5-FU and MTX. Among them, compound 4f exhibited outstanding antiproliferative activity against three cancer cell lines and was considerably more potent than both 5-FU and MTX. In particular, the selectivity index indicated that the tolerance of normal L-02 cells to 4f was 23–46-fold higher than that of tumor cells. This selectivity was significantly higher than that exhibited by the positive control drugs. Furthermore, compound 4f induced cell apoptosis by increasing the protein expression levels of Bax and decreasing those of Bcl-2 in a time-dependent manner. Therefore, 4f could be a potential candidate for the development of a novel antitumor agent.


2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa H. Miceli ◽  
Stella M. Bernardo ◽  
T. S. Neil Ku ◽  
Carla Walraven ◽  
Samuel A. Lee

ABSTRACTInfections and thromboses are the most common complications associated with central venous catheters. Suggested strategies for prevention and management of these complications include the use of heparin-coated catheters, heparin locks, and antimicrobial lock therapy. However, the effects of heparin onCandida albicansbiofilms and planktonic cells have not been previously studied. Therefore, we sought to determine thein vitroeffect of a heparin sodium preparation (HP) on biofilms and planktonic cells ofC. albicans. Because HP contains two preservatives, methyl paraben (MP) and propyl paraben (PP), these compounds and heparin sodium without preservatives (Pure-H) were also tested individually. The metabolic activity of the mature biofilm after treatment was assessed using XTT [2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide] reduction and microscopy. Pure-H, MP, and PP caused up to 75, 85, and 60% reductions of metabolic activity of the mature preformedC. albicansbiofilms, respectively. Maximal efficacy against the mature biofilm was observed with HP (up to 90%) compared to the individual compounds (P< 0.0001). Pure-H, MP, and PP each inhibitedC. albicansbiofilm formation up to 90%. A complete inhibition of biofilm formation was observed with HP at 5,000 U/ml and higher. When tested against planktonic cells, each compound inhibited growth in a dose-dependent manner. These data indicated that HP, MP, PP, and Pure-H havein vitroantifungal activity againstC. albicansmature biofilms, formation of biofilms, and planktonic cells. Investigation of high-dose heparin-based strategies (e.g., heparin locks) in combination with traditional antifungal agents for the treatment and/or prevention ofC. albicansbiofilms is warranted.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Shu Wang ◽  
Xiang Li ◽  
Yue Yang ◽  
Jingping Xie ◽  
Mingyue Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: We aimed to evaluate the association between coffee and/or tea consumption and breast cancer (BC) risk among premenopausal and postmenopausal women and to conduct a network meta-analysis. Design: Systematic review and network meta-analysis. Setting: We conducted a systematic review of electronic publications in the last 30 years to identify case–control studies or prospective cohort studies that evaluated the effects of coffee and tea intake. Results: Forty-five studies that included more than 3 323 288 participants were eligible for analysis. Network meta-analysis was performed to determine the effects of coffee and/or tea consumption on reducing BC risk in a dose-dependent manner and differences in coffee/tea type, menopause status, hormone receptor and the BMI in subgroup and meta-regression analyses. According to the first pairwise meta-analysis, low-dose coffee intake and high-dose tea intake may exhibit efficacy in preventing ER(estrogen receptor)− BC, particularly in postmenopausal women. Then, we performed another pairwise and network meta-analysis and determined that the recommended daily doses were 2–3 cups/d of coffee or ≥5 cups/d of tea, which contained a high concentration of caffeine, particularly in postmenopausal women. Conclusions: Coffee and tea consumption is not associated with a reduction in the overall BC risk in postmenopausal women and is associated with a potentially lower risk of ER− BC. And the highest recommended dose is 2–3 cups of coffee/d or ≥5 cups of tea/d. They are potentially useful dietary protectants for preventing BC.


2021 ◽  
pp. 096032712110227
Author(s):  
S Kara-Ertekin ◽  
S Yazar ◽  
M Erkan

Pyrethroid pesticides are frequently used for household insect control of insects and in agriculture and livestock. Flumethrin is a pyrethroid that is used against ectoparasites in many animals. The goal of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic, apoptotic, genotoxic, and estrogenic effects of flumethrin on the mammalian breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Compared with control groups, a dose-dependent decrease was observed in cell viability at concentrations of 100 µM and higher. The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects detected by LDH assay and AO/EtBr staining increased significantly at a concentration of 1000 µM. The expression of BCL2, which is an anti-apoptotic gene, significantly decreased, whereas BAX, TP53, and P21 expression significantly increased. The results of a comet assay indicated that flumethrin significantly changed tail length, tail % DNA, tail moment, and Olive tail moment in concentrations above 1 and 10 µM. In addition, a 0.1 µM concentration of flumethrin affected ERα receptor mediated cell proliferation and increased transcription of estrogen-responsive pS2 (TFF1) and progesterone receptor (PGR) genes. As a result, flumethrin-induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity at a high concentration, while induced genotoxicity even at lower concentrations. Flumethrin is an endocrine disrupting insecticide with estrogenic effects at very low concentrations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 619-628
Author(s):  
Chen Yuan ◽  
Ya Mo ◽  
Jie Yang ◽  
Mei Zhang ◽  
Xuejun Xie

AbstractAdvanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) are harmful factors that can damage the inner blood–retinal barrier (iBRB). Rat retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMECs) were isolated and cultured, and identified by anti-CD31 and von Willebrand factor polyclonal antibodies. Similarly, rat retinal Müller glial cells (RMGCs) were identified by H&E staining and with antibodies of glial fibrillary acidic protein and glutamine synthetase. The transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) value was measured with a Millicell electrical resistance system to observe the leakage of the barrier. Transwell cell plates for co-culturing RMECs with RMGCs were used to construct an iBRB model, which was then tested with the addition of AGEs at final concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/L for 24, 48, and 72 h. AGEs in the in vitro iBRB model constructed by RMEC and RMGC co-culture led to the imbalance of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelial derivative factor (PEDF), and the permeability of the RMEC layer increased because the TEER decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. AGEs increased VEGF but lowered PEDF in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The intervention with AGEs led to the change of the transendothelial resistance of the RMEC layer likely caused by the increased ratio of VEGF/PEDF.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 386
Author(s):  
Tung-Hu Tsai ◽  
Yu-Jen Chen ◽  
Li-Ying Wang ◽  
Chen-Hsi Hsieh

This study was performed to evaluate the interaction between conventional or high-dose radiotherapy (RT) and the pharmacokinetics (PK) of regorafenib in concurrent or sequential regimens for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Concurrent and sequential in vitro and in vivo studies of irradiation and regorafenib were designed. The interactions of RT and regorafenib in vitro were examined in the human hepatoma Huh-7, HA22T and Hep G2 cell lines. The RT–PK phenomenon and biodistribution of regorafenib under RT were confirmed in a free-moving rat model. Regorafenib inhibited the viability of Huh-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Apoptosis in Huh-7 cells was enhanced by RT followed by regorafenib treatment. In the concurrent regimen, RT decreased the area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC)regorafenib by 74% (p = 0.001) in the RT2 Gy × 3 fraction (f’x) group and by 69% (p = 0.001) in the RT9 Gy × 3 f’x group. The AUCregorafenib was increased by 182.8% (p = 0.011) in the sequential RT2Gy × 1 f’x group and by 213.2% (p = 0.016) in the sequential RT9Gy × 1 f’x group. Both concurrent regimens, RT2Gy × 3 f’x and RT9Gy × 3 f’x, clearly decreased the biodistribution of regorafenib in the heart, liver, lung, spleen and kidneys, compared to the control (regorafenib × 3 d) group. The concurrent regimens, both RT2Gy × 3 f’x and RT9Gy × 3 f’x, significantly decreased the biodistribution of regorafenib, compared with the control group. The PK of regorafenib can be modulated both by off-target irradiation and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).


2006 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 477-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
James C. Griffiths ◽  
Ray A. Matulka ◽  
Ronan Power

Selenium, recognized as an essential nutrient for human health, is a component of proteins and enzymes required for various biological functions and is currently being used as a feed supplement for livestock in geographical areas that are naturally low in selenium. Selenium is structurally similar to sulfur, replacing the sulfur atom in stoichiometric amounts and thus functions through an association with proteins, termed selenoproteins. In geographic areas low in selenium, there is the potential for animals (including humans) to become selenium deficient and this potential deficiency can be remedied by consumption of exogenous selenium, including selenium-enriched yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae) that contains high levels of organic selenium (e.g., selenized yeast). A unique, standardized, registered high selenium food-grade baker’s yeast ( S. cerevisiae; Sel-Plex®), was tested in the following battery of Genotoxicity assays; (1) a bacterial reverse mutation test (Ames test); (2) an in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test; and (3) a mouse micronucleus test. Under the conditions of this assay, Sel-Plex® showed no evidence of mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium, in the bacterial reverse mutation test. Sel-Plex® did not induce significant chromosomal aberrations in cultured human lymphocytes in the in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test. Sel-Plex® did not statistically increase the frequency or proportion of micronucleated immature erythrocytes in the mouse micronucleus test. Thus, from the studies presented here, the authors conclude that Sel-Plex® is nongenotoxic.


2017 ◽  
Vol 324 ◽  
pp. 781-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Araujo Matzenbacher ◽  
Ana Letícia Hilario Garcia ◽  
Marcela Silva dos Santos ◽  
Caroline Cardoso Nicolau ◽  
Suziane Premoli ◽  
...  

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