The cytogenetic parameters of Pinus sylvestris L. under conditions of the Far North of Russia (Karelia)

The cytogenetic analysis of the Pinus sylvestris L. seed progeny in the forests of the northern taiga in the Far North of Russia conditions was carried out. Two Pinus sylvestris populations growing in Ambarnskoy and Pyaozerskoy forest divisions of Loukhsky district of Karelia Republic were studied. The number of chromosomes, the frequency and types of mitosis disturbances at the metaphase, anaphase and telophase (as a percentage of the total number of dividing cells at the same stages), and the frequency of micronuclei occurrence, as well as the laboratory seed germination, were studied. As a result of the study, it was found that 50–56% of the studied sprouts were mixoploid. Analysis of mitosis showed that the root meristem of the studied samples contained cells with various pathologies; simultaneously, the frequency of mitosis pathologies in the Ambarnskoy population was significantly higher than in the Pyaozerskoy one. It amounted to 6.8 ± 0.4 and 4.9 ± 0.4%, respectively. Nine types of abnormalities were identified; chromosome overrun and bridges prevailed. Micronuclei were registered in 35–38% of the studied Pinus sylvestris sprouts. At the same time, the proportion of cells with micronuclei in the Ambarnskoy population was 2-fold higher than in the Pyaozerskoy one and averaged 0.12 ± 0.03% and 0.07 ± 0.02%, respectively.

Combined toxic effects of aflatoxin B2 and the protective role of resveratrol in Swiss albino mice

In this study, the toxic effects of aflatoxin B2 (AFB2) on Swiss albino mice and the protective effects of resveratrol were investigated. Physiological (body weight, liver and kidney weight), biochemical (aspartate aminotransferase-AST, alanine transaminase-ALT, blood urea nitrogen-BUN, creatinine, malondialdehyde-MDA and glutathione-GSH) and cytogenetic parameters (micronucleus-MN in buccal epithelium, erythrocyte and leukocyte cells and chromosomal aberrations-CAs) were used to determine the toxic effects. Additionally, scavenging effects of resveratrol against superoxide, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals were also investigated. In experimental period, mice were divided into six groups and the groups were treated with tap water, 10 mg/kg b.w resveratrol, 20 mg/kg b.w resveratrol, 20 µg/kg b.w. AFB2, 10 mg/kg b.w resveratrol + 20 µg/kg b.w AFB2, 20 mg/kg b.w resveratrol + 20 µg/kg b.w AFB2, respectively. As a result, the scavenging effects of resveratrol increased with increasing dose and the superoxide, H2O2 and DPPH radical scavenging activity of resveratrol were 74.9%, 79.1% and 49.2%, respectively. AFB2 administration caused a significant decrease in physiological parameters, and these decreases regressed in AFB2 + resveratrol treated groups. Serum ALT and AST activities, BUN and creatinine levels were higher in the AFB2 treated group compared to the control group and serious abnormalities were found in MDA and GSH levels in the kidney and liver. In the group treated with AFB2 + 20 mg/kg resveratrol, ALT, AST, BUN and creatinine levels decreased significantly and GSH levels increased compared to only-AFB2 treated group. AFB2 triggered MN formation in buccal epithelium, erythrocyte and leukocyte cells and CAs in bone marrow cells. The application of 20 mg/kg resveratrol together with AFB2 was decreased the MN and CAs frequency. Resveratrol exhibited a recovery effect in the range of 40.9–80.5% against AFB2 toxicity in all tested parameters. In this study, it was determined that AFB2 caused serious changes in selected physiological, biochemical and cytogenetic parameters while resveratrol displayed a protective role against these toxic effects.

The bystander effect formation in the meristem of Allium cepa L. plants with different genotype

Aim. Obtaining and analysis of cytogenetic parameters in meristem cells of Allium cepa L. seedling sprouting from unirradiated seeds, while germinating them with seeds, that were exposed to γ-radiation in different doses. Methods. Cytogenetic analysis included analysis of mitotic activity, anaphase method of chromosome mutations, nucleolar analysis. The F-test was used to compare the control and experimental samples. Results. The formation of the bystander effect is shown in the case of joint germination of irradiated and non-irradiated seeds. The severity of bystander effect increases with increasing irradiation dose. Conclusions. Irradiation of seeds with a dose of gamma radiation of 40 Gy causes the formation of radiation hormesis by the criterion of mitotic activity in the root meristem cells of seedlings, and the irradiation with a dose of 10 Gy does not affect the level of cell proliferation. The bystander effect formation occurs during the joint germination of intact and irradiated seeds as an increase in the level of mitotic activity, and an increase in the number of chromosomal mutations. Keywords: bystander effect, γ-radiation, meristem, mitotic activity, chromosomal abnormalities, micronuclei.

Cytogenetic analysis in exfoliated buccal epithelial cells of the workers who come into contact with pesticides

Introducton. Due to the increasing volumes of toxic substances entering the environment, including genotoxicants, it becomes necessary to conduct studies to assess their impact on people living in areas with high levels of pollutants, as well as people working in hazardous conditions. Epidemiological studies, in which damage to hereditary structures in human cells is assessed, in peripheral blood lymphocytes and buccal epithelial cells mainly, are carried out to determine the real genetic risk. Materials and methods. Samples of buccal epithelium were used. The study involved 69 people: 28 in the control group and 41 in the group of persons who were in contact with pesticides. The cytomorphological analysis took into account the following indicators: cytogenetic, cell proliferation, early and late destruction of nuclei. Results. The frequency of occurrence of the cells with micronuclei and protrusions in persons who were in contact with pesticides during their professional activities was increased 2.2 times, the frequency of cells with atypical nuclei - 2.5 times (differences in cytogenetic parameters between the groups were statistically insignificant). Statistically significant changes in the proliferation indicator were revealed - the frequency of cells with two nuclei (1.6 times), as well as the destruction indicators - karyorrhexis (4.5 times more often in nonsmokers and 8.2 times more often in smokers who work with pesticides) and karyolysis (the frequency of cells with initial karyolysis was increased by 3.4 times and 3.2 times with complete karyolysis). The index of accumulation of damage disorders was shown to be 4 times higher. Conclusion. The obtained data indicate an increased risk of damage to the genetic apparatus of cells in persons whose professional activities are associated with testing and using pesticides.

INFLUENCE OF COPPER COMPLEXES [CU(PTA)4 [BF4 ] AND CU(II)2 (3,5-DIPS)4 (H2 O)3 ON THE ORGANISM OF RATS IRRADIATED WITH RADIOISOTOPE TECHNETIUM

One of the priority tasks of modern radiobiology is the search for new, effective radioprotective compounds. In this area, metal-organic complexes with high antioxidant activity are of particular interest. In order to study the possible beneficial radioprotective effect of copper complex compounds [Cu(PTA)4 [BF4 ] and Cu(II)2 (3,5-DIPS)4 (H2 O)3 on an irradiated organism, we studied cytogenetic parameters in 4 groups of experimental animals: intact animals, animals exposed to the radioisotope technetium (Tc) — "pure irradiation", animals with "irradiation + compound [Cu(PTA)4 [BF4 ]", and animals with "irradiation + compound [Cu(II)2 ( 3,5-DIPS)4 (H2 O)3 ". The survival rate and cytogenetic parameters were studied: mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations (CA) and polyploid cells (PC) in the bone marrow cells of the femur. The survival rate in the first and third groups was 100%, in the second group — 40%, and in the fourth — 80%. The dynamics of survival was described by regression curves and equations, which make it possible, using extrapolation, to determine the change in the percentage of survival in the long term of the experiment and to predict the further outcome of the experiment. When analyzing the results in 4 groups of animals, we found a significant difference in cytogenetic parameters between these groups. Thus, for all 3 indicators, a significant difference is observed between intact and irradiated animals, i.e. these parameters can be considered as markers of Tc exposure. In terms of the mitotic index (proliferative activity), a significant difference was found in the irradiated compared with the groups: "irradiation + [Cu(PTA)4 [BF4 ]" and "irradiation + Cu(II)2 (3,5-DIPS)4 (H2 O)3 ", which indicates the radioprotective property of both compounds. By the number of polyploid cells, a significant difference was found between the groups: "pure irradiation" and "irradiation + Cu(II)2 (3,5-DIPS)4 (H2 O)3 ", which also proves the beneficial effect of this compound. Multiregression analysis of cytogenetic parameters along with standard statistical methods confirmed the highest efficiency of [Cu(PTA)4 [BF4] relative to Cu(II)2 (3,5-DIPS)4 (H2 O)3 .

OAK STANDS COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS IN VORONEZH, BASED ON DATA ON GROUND COVER, MORPHOMETRIC PARAMETERS OF LEAFS, ACORNS, SEEDLINGS CYTOGENETIC PARAMETERS

Представлены результаты комплексного мониторинга дубовых насаждений г. Воронежа, входящих в состав зеленого пояса. Был проведен анализ морфологических показателей листьев, желудей, напочвенного покрова, а так же цитогенетический анализ проростков желудей. Самое высокое биоразнообразие напочвенного покрова характерно для территорий: Маклок, Задонье, Биосферный заповедник. По морфометрическим параметрам наиболее крупные желуди характерны для популяций дубов, произрастающих в Шилово и Воронежском Биосферном заповеднике. Среди проанализированных факторов наиболее чувствительны к воздействию биотехносферы цитогенетические параметры патологий митоза в апикальных почечных и корневых меристемах, поражение листьев мучнистой росой, кривые распределения морфологических параметров листьев, желудей. Параметры биоразнообразия напочвенного покрова дубрав варьирует, но могут использоваться в качестве дополнительных параметров мониторинга

Micronuclei in blood lumphocytes of existing and former coal miners: evaluation of the effect of anthracosilicosis

Background. The purpose of this study was to investigate the genotoxic risk in anthracosilicosis patients and in those with occupational exposure to coal dust. Materials and methods. We studied micronuclei (MN) and other cytogenetic lesions in blood lymphocytes in three groups of men comparable in age: 74 coal miners suffering from anthracosilicosis (AS), 41 healthy miners, and 70 control donors. Results. A significant increase in the frequency of MN was revealed with a simultaneous decrease in proliferative activity in samples of healthy and sick miners compared with the control. The level of MN in the lymphocytes of patients with AS significantly exceeded the corresponding indicator in the sample of healthy miners (1.22 0.05% versus 1.03 0.07%; p 0.01). The age of the subjects and the status of smoking did not have a significant effect on the frequency of cytogenetic parameters. Conclusion. AS in miners makes an additional contribution to the formation of DNA damage in lymphocytes. This contribution is probably due to oxidative stress accompanying inflammatory processes in pulmonary fibrosis. The results of the study also indicate the absence of differences in the frequency of MN when comparing subgroups of current and former miners. This means that the genotoxic effects in the lymphocytes of miners are able to persist for a long time after the termination of exposure by adverse factors in coal mining.