Polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinase-7 and -9 are associated with oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Matrix degradation is an important event in the progression, invasion and metastasis of malignant head and neck lesions. Imbalances, mutations and polymorphisms of MMPs and their inhibitors are observed in several cancer subtypes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the MMP-7 gene promoter (181 A/G) and MMP-9 (-1562 C/T) polymorphisms in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). MMP-7 (rs11568818) and MMP-9 (rs3918242) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis in 71 cases of OTSCC. Normal tissue specimens were obtained from 60 healthy volunteers to serve as the control. The MMP-7 G allele and MMP-9 T allele were more frequent in the OTSCC group than the control group, but only when these two SNPs were taken together was a significant association found with the nodal metastasis of OTSCC (p < 0.001). Based on our results, SNPs in the promoter region of MMP-7 and MMP-9 appear to be associated with greater risk of developing OTSCC, and with a higher propensity to form metastatic tumors. In this respect, molecular studies investigating polymorphisms may be useful in predicting tumor behavior.

Influence of natural radon and metal contamination on surface water quality from a Brazilian Semiarid Region / Influência da contaminação natural pelo radônio e metais na qualidade das águas superficiais da Região Semiárida Brasileira

The Brazilian semiarid region presents some adverse environmental conditions for the settled population such as a restricted water availability and the presence of radon and metal natural sources that can contaminate the water reservoirs and consequently become a concern for human health. The present study evaluated the water quality of the Riacho das Cachoeiras Dam located in the urban area of Lajes Pintadas (state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil) as source for human consumption. An analysis of Physicochemical parameters, heavy metal content and Radon in water samples was performed along with the assessment of the water mutagenic potential through Micronucleus Test (MN) on Tradescantia pallida and Oreochromis niloticus. The content of metals in water for Al, Cd, and Ni were above water quality guidelines for human consumption. Moreover, high levels of Pb along with dissolved Radon were found. An acute and chronic mutagenic water capability was observed. These findings demonstrated that the water quality is unsuitable for human consumption due to the presence of high levels of contaminants mainly from geogenic origin and its deleterious effect on living systems.

A região semiárida brasileira apresenta condições ambientais adversas para população local, como a escassez na disponibilidade de água e a presença de fontes naturais de radônio e de metais que podem contaminar os reservatórios de água e, consequentemente, tornar-se um problema de saúde humana. O estudo avaliou a qualidade da água do Açude do Riacho das Cachoeiras localizado na área urbana de Lajes Pintadas (Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil) como fonte para o consumo humano. Foram realizadas análises físico-químicas, de conteúdo de metais e de radônio em amostras de água em conjunto com a avaliação do potencial mutagênico da água por meio do teste de micronúcleos (MN) em Tradescantia pallida e Oreochromis niloticus. Os metais Al, Cd, e Ni estavam acima das diretrizes de qualidade da água para o consumo humano. Além disso, foram encontrados altos níveis de Pb dissolvido, juntamente com o radônio. Observou -se um potencial de indução de efeito mutagênico nas amostras de água testadas, tanto na exposição aguda quanto na crônica. Estes resultados demonstram que a qualidade da água do Açude está imprópria para o consumo humano devido à presença de elevados níveis de contaminantes de origem geogênica, com capacidade de exercer efeito deletério sobre os organismos.

Nutraceutical preconditioning with arginine and oil mixes. Effects on inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress and lipid profile in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy

PURPOSE: To investigate whether there is any effect resulting from preconditioning with nutraceutical supplementation containing arginine and oil mixes with high ω9:ω6 ratio and low ω6:ω3 ratio containing EPA and DHA, ALA fatty acids on inflammatory mediators, antioxidant and lipid profile modulation in surgical trauma. METHODS: Twenty-six men scheduled for radical prostatectomy were randomized into three groups and treated as follows: Group 1 (skim milk, 0% fat), Group 2 (supplement with ω6:ω3 ratio of 8:1 and arginine) and Group 3 (supplement with high ω9:ω6 ratio of 3.2:1 and low ω6:ω3 ratio of 1.4:1 and arginine). Patients received skin milk or supplements twice a day (200 ml) during five days prior to surgery. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected at three different timepoints: five days before surgery (PRE), before anesthesia induction (IND) and on the 2nd postoperative day (POS). Parameters analyzed included inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α), antioxidants (catalase), lipid profile and heat shock protein (HSP-27). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups on inflammatory mediators and antioxidant parameters. However, lipid profile values (Cholesterol, LDL, Triglycerides, VLDL), were significantly different. CONCLUSION: Preconditioning with arginine and oil mixes containing high ω9:ω6 ratio and low ω6:ω3 ratio, has no effects on inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Reduction of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL profiles may be related to the trauma effect. .

Cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of surface water from the Pitimbu river, northeastern/RN Brazil

In this study, the onion (Allium cepa) root test was used to evaluate the genotoxicity of the Pitimbu River (Natal city, Brazil) surface water. The water was collected at five sampling sites along the river and one sample was obtained after the treatment (flocculation, chlorination and pH correction) of the river water for human consumption. All raw river water samples increased the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities and/or micronuclei and two of the water samples produced alterations in the mitotic index of the root cells. Two of the water samples also altered root growth and two produced morphological modifications in the A. cepa roots. Water collected from a site near an industrial area was the most consistently toxic and genotoxic of the samples. Although the water chlorinated for human consumption was not genotoxic, the data indicate that surface water from the Pitimbu River contains toxic and genotoxic compounds that potentially may impact this aquatic ecosystem.