Frequencies of CD39, IVS1-1, IVS1-6 and IVS1-110 mutations in beta-thalassemia carriers and their influence on hematimetric indices / Frequências de mutações CD39, IVS1-1, IVS1-6 e IVS1-110 em portadores de betatalassemia e suas influências nos valores hematimétricos

ABSTRACT Introduction: Beta-thalassemia is caused by a deficient synthesis of the ß-chain of hemoglobin, which leads to a chronic, microcytic and hypochromic anemia. More than 200 mutations have already been associated with this type of thalassemia, and their frequencies may vary according to the population. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the frequencies of CD39, IVS1-1, IVS1-6 and IVS1-110 mutations in people with beta-thalassemia from the city of Franca, São Paulo, and to evaluate the influence of the genotypes on hematological alterations. Methods: Venous blood samples were collected from 25 volunteers previously diagnosed with beta-thalassemia. Complete blood counts (CBC) were performed, and the identification of the mutations was carried out using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The CD39 mutation was found in 11 (44%) individuals, followed by IVS1-6 (9; 36%) and IVS1-110 (4; 16%). One patient (4%) did not present any of these mutations. IVS1-6 mutation was inversely correlated to red cell distribution width (RDW) (rs = -0.44; p = 0.034), and CD39 was correlated to lower mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (rs = -0.44; p = 0.034). Multivariable linear regression models showed that the CD39 mutation carriers have lower levels for hemoglobin (ß = -0.61; p = 0.044) and hematocrit (ß = -2.1; p = 0.018). Conclusion: The results showed a high frequency of the CD39 mutation in the city of Franca, and the correlations observed between the presence of CD39 mutation and the hematological alterations suggest a genotype influence on the phenotype of beta-thalassemia, which would contribute to the clinical variations of this hemoglobinopathy.

RESUMO Introdução: A betatalassemia é causada pela síntese deficiente da cadeia ß da hemoglobina, o que leva à ocorrência das anemias crônica, microcítica e hipocrômica. Mais de 200 mutações já foram associadas a esse tipo de talassemia, mesmo que diferentes populações apresentem frequências variadas para cada uma delas. Objetivos: Os objetivos deste estudo foram determinar as frequências das mutações CD39, IVS1-1, IVS1-6 e IVS1-110 em indivíduos betatalassêmicos da cidade de Franca, São Paulo, e avaliar a influência dos genótipos sobre alterações hematológicas. Métodos: Amostras de sangue venoso foram coletadas de 25 voluntários previamente diagnosticados com betatalassemia. Foram realizados hemogramas completos, e a identificação das mutações foi feita utilizando a técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). Resultados: A mutação CD39 foi encontrada em 44% dos indivíduos, seguida por IVS1-6 (36%) e IVS1-110 (16%). Um paciente (4%) não apresentou nenhuma das mutações. A mutação IVS1-6 correlacionou-se inversamente ao red cell distribution width (RDW) (rs = -0,44; p = 0,034), enquanto a presença da mutação CD39 mostrou-se correlacionada a menores valores de volume corpuscular médio (VCM) (rs = -0,44; p = 0,034). Modelos de regressão linear multivariados mostraram que os portadores da mutação CD39 possuem menores valores de hemoglobina (ß = -0,61; p = 0,044) e hematócrito (ß = -2,1; p = 0,018). Conclusão: Os resultados mostraram alta frequência da mutação CD39 na cidade de Franca, e as correlações observadas entre a presença da mutação CD39 e as alterações hematológicas sugerem influência do genótipo sobre o fenótipo da betatalassemia, o que poderia contribuir para as variações clínicas dessa hemoglobinopatia.

Chemical composition, antischistosomal and cytotoxic effects of the essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia grown in Southeastern Brazil

This paper reports on the chemical composition, the in vitro antischistosomal effects, and the cytotoxicity of the essential oil from the leaves of Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Lamiaceae, grown in the Southeastern Brazil. Borneol (22.4%), epi-α-muurolol (13.4%), α-bisabolol (13.1%), precocene I (13.0%), and eucalyptol (7.9%) were the major essential oil constituents. Incubation with essential oil at 200 μg/ml killed all the adult S. mansoni worms after 24 h (LC50 117.7 and 103.9 μg/ml at 24 and 120 h of incubation, respectively). At a concentration of 50 μg/ ml, the essential oil significantly decreased the motor activity and reduced the percentage of egg development after 120 h. In addition, the essential oil separated all the coupled S. mansoni worm pairs into individual male and female at 25 and 50 μg/ml within 120 and 24 h, respectively. This oil was cytotoxic to GM07492-A cells at only concentrations higher than 200 µg/ml (IC50 243.7 µg/ml). These data indicate that LA-EO exhibits moderate in vitro activity against adult S. mansoni and exerts remarkable effects on eggs development.

RP-HPLC analysis of manool-rich Salvia officinalis extract and its antimicrobial activity against bacteria associated with dental caries

In this paper we screened the dichloromethane extract from the aerial parts of Salvia officinalis L., Lamiaceae, against a representative panel of microorganisms that cause caries, conducted a bioassay-guided fractionation to establish themselves the most active metabolite (manool) and determined the Salvia officinalis fraction with the manool highest concentration to be used to activate an ingredient in oral care products such as toothpastes and mouthwashes. Both manool and S. officinalis extract showed very promising minimal inhibitory concentration values (between 6.24 and 31.36 µg.ml-1) and time kill curves against the primary causative agents of dental caries (Streptococcus mutans) revealed that, at twice its minimal bactericidal concentration (12.48 µg.ml-1), manool required 6 h to completely kill the bacteria. Salvia officinalis extract at twice its minimal bactericidal concentration (31.36 µg.ml-1 ) needed 12 h. The results achieved with Salvia officinalis extract motivated us to develop and validate an analytical RP-HPLC method to detect and determine manool in this extract. The validation parameters were satisfactorily met and evaluated allows us to consider the developed method suitable for use in different labs. In conclusion, our results evidenced that the manool-rich S. officinalis extract can be considered an analytically validated alternative to develop novel and effective antimicrobial agents against the main bacteria responsible for dental caries.

DNA repair genes XRCC1 and XRCC3 polymorphisms and their relationship with the level of micronuclei in breast cancer patients

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent type worldwide, besides being one of the most common causes of death among women. It has been suggested that sporadic BC is most likely caused by low-penetrance genes, including those involved in DNA repair mechanisms. Furthermore, the accumulation of DNA damage may contribute to breast carcinogenesis. In the present study, the relationship between two DNA repair genes, viz., XRCC1 (Arg399Gln) and XRCC3 (Thr241Met) polymorphisms, and the levels of chromosome damage detected in 65 untreated BC women and 85 healthy controls, was investigated. Chromosome damage was evaluated through micronucleus assaying, and genotypes determined by PCR-RFLP methodology. The results showed no alteration in the risk of BC and DNA damage brought about by either XRCC1 (Arg399Gln) or XRCC3 (Thr241Met) action in either of the two groups. Nevertheless, on evaluating BC risk in women presenting levels of chromosome damage above the mean, the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism was found to be more frequent in the BC group than in the control, thereby leading to the conclusion that there is a slight association between XRCC3 (241 C/T) genotypes and BC risk in the subgroups with higher levels of chromosome damage.

Avaliação de mutagenicidade e antimutagenicidade de diferentes frações de Pterogyne nitens (Leguminosae), utilizando ensaio de micronúcleo em Tradescantia pallida / Evaluation of mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of different fractions of Pterogyne nitens (Leguminosae), using Tradescantia pallida micronuclei assay

Pterogyne nitens (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae) é uma árvore nativa da América do Sul, onde é empregada na medicina popular para o tratamento da ascaridíase. Recentemente, descrevemos o efeito mutagênico do extrato etanólico das folhas de P. nitens. Dessa forma, o presente estudo teve por objetivo aprofundar a avaliação do potencial mutagênico das frações isoladas das folhas de Pterogyne nitens, acetato de etila (AcOEt), n-butanólica (BuOH) e hidroalcóolica (HA). Quando o efeito mutagênico foi observado somente nas maiores concentrações testadas, o potencial antimutagênico também foi avaliado. Os ensaios mutagênicos e antimutagênicos foram realizados utilizando ensaio de micronúcleo em Trandescantia pallida. Na avaliação de mutagenicidade, observou-se o efeito nas frações AcOEt (0,460 mg/mL), BuOH (0,142, 0,285, 0,570 e 1,14 mg/mL) e HA (0,050, 0,100, 0,200 e 0,400 mg/mL). Considerando que o efeito mutagênico da fração AcOEt foi observado somente na concentração mais elevada (0,460 mg/mL), o potencial antimutagênico da mesma foi avaliado. As concentrações de 0,115 e 0,230 mg/mL da fração AcOEt demonstraram atividade antimutagênica. A partir dos resultados do presente estudo, conclui-se que determinadas frações de P. nitens apresentam mutagenicidade (BuOH e HA), enquanto a fração AcOEt apresentou efeito antimutagênico nas maiores concentrações. Esses resultados tornam o estudo da P. nitens bastante promissor, considerando que esta planta possui distribuição geográfica ampla e tem sido pouco estudada.

Pterogyne nitens (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae) is a tree native to South American, where it is used in folk treatment of ascaridiasis. Recently, we have been describing the mutagenic effect of the ethanol extract of leaves of P. nitens. Thus, the present study aimed at evaluating the mutagenic potential of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n- butanol (BuOH) and hydroalcoholic (HA) fractions. When the mutagenic effect was observed only in the highest tested concentrations, the antimutagenic activity was also evaluated. Both mutagenic and antimutagenic assays were performed using T. pallida micronuclei assay. Mutagenicity was observed between different concentrations of the P nitens fractions, EtOAc (0.460 mg/mL), BuOH (0.142, 0.285, 0.570 and 1.14 mg/mL) and HA (0.050, 0.100, 0.200 and 0.400 mg/mL). Whereas the mutagenic effect of the EtOAc fraction was observed in the highest concentration (0.460 mg/mL), its antimutagenic potential was evaluated. The 0.115 and 0.230 mg/mL concentrations of the EtOAc fraction demonstrated antimutagenic activity. Based on the results of the present study we can conclude that some P. nitens fractions (BuOH and HA) demonstrated mutagenic effects whereas the EtOAc fraction shown low mutagenicity and amtimutagenicity in the two higher concentrations. Those results stimulate the studies with P. nitens, which possess spread geographic distribution and it is still low studied.