ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to study the role of neurofilament (NF) mRNA and calpain in NF reduction of acrylamide (ACR) neuropathy. Male Wistar adult rats were injected i.p. every other day with ACR (20 mg/kg·bW or 40 mg/kg·bW) for 8 weeks. NF mRNA expression was detected using RT-PCR and the calpain concentration was determined using western blot analysis. The NF mRNA expression significantly decreased while the level of m-calpain and μ-calpain significantly increased in two ACR-treated rats groups regardless of the ACR dose. The light NF (NF-L) protein expression was significantly correlated with NF-L mRNA expression. Combined with previous data, the concentrations of three NF subunits were negatively correlated with the calpain levels. These findings suggest that NF-L mRNA and calpain mediated the reduction in NF of ACR neuropathy.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Acrylamide , Toxicity , Calpain , Metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation , Intermediate Filaments , Genetics , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases , Genetics , Metabolism , RNA, Messenger , Genetics , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among greenhouse vegetable farmers and to explore the risk factors of MSDs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A household questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate 203 greenhouse vegetable farmers and 127 non-greenhouse vegetable farmers in February, 2011.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The one-year prevalence rates of MSDs were 70.0% and 33.9% among greenhouse vegetable farmers and non-greenhouse vegetable farmers, respectively. The three main positions of MSDs in greenhouse farmers were low back, knee (s) and shoulder (s). Age, working years, body weight and usage of rolling machine were statistically associated with MSDs of greenhouse farmers, ORadj values were 1.17, 1.82, 1.08 and 0.07, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The prevalence of MSDs is high in greenhouse workers. Low back pain, knee (s), and shoulder (s) disorders are the main disorders. Age, working years, body weight and usage of rolling machine are main risk factors for the development of MSDs in greenhouse farmers.</p>