Analysis of BMSCs-intervened viscoelasticity of sciatic nerve in rats with chronic alcoholic intoxication

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the impact of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) intervention on the viscoelasticity of sciatic nerve in rats with chronic alcohol intoxication (CAI). Methods: The CAI rat models were prepared, divided into model groups, and treated with either BMSCs or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Then the rats underwent electrophysiological test and the serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and metallothionein (MT) were measured. Histological observation, stress relaxation test, and creep test were performed for the sciatic nerve of the CAI model in each group. Results: The MDA level of group BMSC was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of groups MOD (the CIA model) and bFGF. The SOD and MT levels were higher in group BMSC than in groups MOD and bFGF (p<0.05). The motor nerve conduction velocity and amplitude were higher in group BMSC than in groups MOD and bFGF (p<0.05). The amounts of 7200s stress reduction and 7200 s strain increase of the sciatic nerve in group BMSC were greater than those in groups bFGF and MOD (p<0.05). Conclusion: Bone mesenchymal stem cells can improve the metabolism of free radicals, restore the tissue morphology and viscoelasticity of the chronic alcohol intoxication animal model, and positively affect the repairing of the injured sciatic nerve.

Metallothionein and lipid peroxidation as markers to assess health status of chronically oiled Magellanic penguins in Argentina / Metalotioneínas y peroxidación lipídica como marcadores para determinar el estado de salud del Pingüino Magallánico crónicamente empetrolado en Argentina

Chronic oiling affects seabirds, with short (individual survival) and long-term (dynamics of population) effects. Magellanic penguin is the most affected species in Argentina. The aim was to evaluate the use of blood biochemical-molecular biomarkers (MT and TBARs) to assess health status of Magellanic penguin exposed to chronic environmental oiling, in addition with routine hematological analyses (differential WBC count and PCV). Oiled specimens presented significant higher RBC metallothionein and TBARs concentrations than those from shelter; while routine hematological parameters were within normal levels for penguins and did not show any difference between both groups. These results demonstrated the higher sensibility of both biomarkers, evidencing effects on health status by chronic oiling; furthermore, they are the first report in blood metallothionein and oxidative stress in S. magellanicus. These studies will be useful for a better assessment of the health condition in rehabilitation centers (short term); and, as early warning signals in natural colonies (long term).

El empetrolamiento crónico afecta a las aves marinas, con efectos a corto (supervivencia del individuo) y largo plazo (dinámica de la población). El pingüino de Magallanes es la especie más afectada en Argentina. El objetivo fue evaluar el uso de biomarcadores bioquímicos-moleculares (MT y TBARS) en sangre para evaluar el estado de salud del pingüino de Magallanes expuesto a empetrolamiento crónico ambiental, además de los análisis hematológicos de rutina (recuento diferencial de leucocitos y hematocrito). Los ejemplares empetrolados presentaron concentraciones significativamente mayores de metalotioneínas en fracción celular y peroxidación lipídica que aquellos de albergue; por el contrario, los parámetros hematológicos de rutina estuvieron dentro de los niveles normales para los pingüinos y no mostraron ninguna diferencia entre los grupos. Estos resultados demuestran la mayor sensibilidad de los dos biomarcadores, evidenciando efectos del empetrolamiento crónico sobre el estado de salud; además, este es el primer reporte de concentraciones de metalotioneínas en sangre y el estrés oxidativo en S. magellanicus. Estos estudios son de utilidad para una mejor evaluación del estado de salud en los centros de rehabilitación (corto plazo); y, como señales de alerta temprana en las colonias naturales (largo plazo).

Metallothionein-1 and nitric oxide expression are inversely correlated in a murine model of Chagas disease

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, represents an endemic among Latin America countries. The participation of free radicals, especially nitric oxide (NO), has been demonstrated in the pathophysiology of seropositive individuals with T. cruzi. In Chagas disease, increased NO contributes to the development of cardiomyopathy and megacolon. Metallothioneins (MTs) are efficient free radicals scavengers of NO in vitro and in vivo. Here, we developed a murine model of the chronic phase of Chagas disease using endemic T. cruzi RyCH1 in BALB/c mice, which were divided into four groups: infected non-treated (Inf), infected N-monomethyl-L-arginine treated (Inf L-NAME), non-infected L-NAME treated and non-infected vehicle-treated. We determined blood parasitaemia and NO levels, the extent of parasite nests in tissues and liver MT-I expression levels. It was observed that NO levels were increasing in Inf mice in a time-dependent manner. Inf L-NAME mice had fewer T. cruzi nests in cardiac and skeletal muscle with decreased blood NO levels at day 135 post infection. This affect was negatively correlated with an increase of MT-I expression (r = -0.8462, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, we determined that in Chagas disease, an unknown inhibitory mechanism reduces MT-I expression, allowing augmented NO levels.

Serum and tissue levels of zinc, copper and metallothionein as prognostic factors in patients with HCV-related liver diseases

The relationship between chronic hepatitis and trace metals has not been understood clearly. Serum metal levels such as those of zinc and copper have been reported to be highly sensitive in the diagnosis of chronic liver diseases. Metallothioneins [MT] are family of low molecular weight cysteine rich proteins which are widely distributed in various species. They are thought to be involved in heavy metal detoxification, intracellular trace elements storage and scavenging free radicals. The aim of this work was to study the serum and liver tissue levels of zinc, copper and metallothionein in patients with chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and HCC, and to clarify their role in the progression of liver disease. This study was carried out on 40 patients with chronic liver disease, divided into three groups: Group I: Included 15 patients with chronic hepatitis C, Group II: Included 10 patients with liver cirrhosis [histologically diagnosed cirrhosis from patients subjected to biopsy for grading of chronic hepatitis or diagnosis of suspicious nodule], and Group III: Included 15 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. All patients were subjected to liver function tests, viral hepatitis markers, alpha-fetoprotein, abdominal ultrasonography, and estimation of zinc, copper and metallothionein in serum and liver tissue. The results of the present study revealed that serum and liver tissue levels of zinc were significantly lower in patients with HCC than patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. On the other hand, serum and tissue levels of copper and metallothionein were significantly higher in patients with HCC than patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Also, the present study showed a positive correlation between serum and liver tissue levels of zinc, copper and metallothionein. So, monitoring the serum level of Zn, Cu and MT can limit the need for liver biopsy for detection of their tissue level. We can conclude that serum levels of zinc, copper and metallothionein may be useful as prognostic markers for chronic liver diseases especially with the development of HCC. Future studies are encouraged to evaluate potential therapeutic role of these findings to delay the progression of chronic liver disease in HCV patients