La transexualidad: aspectos jurídico-sanitarios en el ordenamiento español / Transsexuality: law and health-related aspects in the Spanish legal system

El fenómeno de la transexualidad es un asunto en el que el peso social, en concreto de los colectivos transexuales, ha sido y sigue siendo crucial en muchos aspectos, desde la progresiva eliminación de la discriminación hasta la influencia para que el poder legislativo se pronuncie. En este artículo de investigación se tratará especialmente una de las reivindicaciones clásicas del colectivo, esto es, el tratamiento sanitario integral de la persona transexual dentro del Sistema Nacional de Salud. En este sentido, se observarán los avances en el desarrollo de un sistema sanitario adecuado para este colectivo, su tratamiento por parte de los distintos ordenamientos jurídicos en España, en general, y en alguna de sus comunidades autónomas con legislaciones más destacables (en especial Andalucía como comunidad autónoma pionera, el País Vasco y la Comunidad Foral de Navarra) y los retos pendientes, haciendo una especial investigación en torno a las sustanciales novedades que ha implantado en este ámbito la publicación de la quinta edición del Manual diagnóstico y estadístico de los trastornos mentales.

The social weight of transsexual groups has been and continues to be crucial in many aspects regarding transsexuality, from the progressive elimination of discrimination to influence in the legislative branch. This paper especially discusses a classic demand of these groups, comprehensive medical treatment of transsexual people within the National Health System. Thus, progress in the development of an adequate healthcare system for these groups, their treatment in the legal systems of Spain in general and of some of its autonomous communities with more noteworthy laws (especially in Andalusia, an autonomous community that has been pioneering in this regard, as well as the Basque Country and Navarre) and remaining challenges will be observed in this work. The article will also take particular note of the substantial developments that the publication of the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has established in this area.

Gamma-tocotrienol modulation of senescence-associated gene expression prevents cellular aging in human diploid fibroblasts

OBJECTIVE: Human diploid fibroblasts undergo a limited number of cellular divisions in culture and progressively reach a state of irreversible growth arrest, a process termed cellular aging. The beneficial effects of vitamin E in aging have been established, but studies to determine the mechanisms of these effects are ongoing. This study determined the molecular mechanism of γ-tocotrienol, a vitamin E homolog, in the prevention of cellular aging in human diploid fibroblasts using the expression of senescence-associated genes. METHODS: Primary cultures of young, pre-senescent, and senescent fibroblast cells were incubated with γ-tocotrienol for 24 h. The expression levels of ELN, COL1A1, MMP1, CCND1, RB1, and IL6 genes were determined using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell cycle profiles were determined using a FACSCalibur Flow Cytometer. RESULTS: The cell cycle was arrested in the G0/G1 phase, and the percentage of cells in S phase decreased with senescence. CCND1, RB1, MMP1, and IL6 were upregulated in senescent fibroblasts. A similar upregulation was not observed in young cells. Incubation with γ-tocotrienol decreased CCND1 and RB1 expression in senescent fibroblasts, decreased cell populations in the G0/G1 phase and increased cell populations in the G2/M phase. γ-Tocotrienol treatment also upregulated ELN and COL1A1 and downregulated MMP1 and IL6 expression in young and senescent fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: γ-Tocotrienol prevented cellular aging in human diploid fibroblasts, which was indicated by the modulation of the cell cycle profile and senescence-associated gene expression.

Some variables affecting microencapsulation of d-alpha tocopherol succinate

d-alpha tocopherol succinate, [Vit.E] is one of the most important vitamin, that is incorporated in food and nourishment due to its high biological activity against free radical formation inside cells. This study was illustrated in the followings: Microcapsules of d alpha tocopherol were prepared from different core: wall ratios 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 by solid dispersion method using ethyl cellulose [Ethoel] polymer. The powdered microcapsules with 1:1 core:wall ratio is formulated as tablets with good appearance and hardness. The drug release was found to be increased as a function of increasing, core: wall ratio, stirring speed and pH medium. The profile of cumulative different pH medium release of the drug gives rise an indication of prolonged release dosage form. [during 6hrs. of dissolution]

Potential of radiosensitizing agents in cancer chemo-radiotherapy.

Potential of herbs and other plant-based formulations have been increasingly recognized in prevention and treatment of human diseases including cancer. There exist enormous prospect for screening and evaluation of herbal/plant products for developing effective radiosensitization and radioprotection relevant to nuclear research program. Investigations in our laboratory have focused on the mechanism of activity of variety of anticancer and antioxidant agents, namely, Eugenol, (EU), Ellagic acid (EA), Triphala (TPL), Tocopherol Succinate (TOS) and Arachidonic acid on normal and cancer cells with view to design effective protocols in practical radioprotection and cancer radiotherapy. This paper is mainly focused on studies on cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines. Results have shown that these agents produced radiosensitizing action involving oxidative damage, membrane alteration and damage to nucleic acid in various human cell lines. Studies were performed employing fluorescence probes and electron spin resonance methods and gel electrophoresis protocols. It has been found that cytotoxic effect was induced by initiating membrane oxidative damage and by triggering intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by gamma radiation in combination with phytochemicals like TPL, EA and TOS in tumor cell line Ehrlich Ascites (EAC), Human cervical (HeLa) and breast (MCF-7) cells. Membrane damage and ROS generation was measured by DPH and DCF-FDA fluorescent probes respectively after exposure to low to moderate doses of gamma radiation. This talk will present the cytotoxic effects of phytochemicals in combination with ionizing radiation. It is emphasized that modulation of membrane peroxidative damage and intra cellular ROS may help achieve efficient killing of cancer cells which may provide a new approach to developing effective treatment of cancer.

[Effect of nicotine on sperm of normospermic men: modulations made by antioxidants]

Nicotine is one of the major components of cigarette smoke, which have harmful effects like tobacco in human body. Aim of this study is to determine the effect of nicotine on sperm cells. For this purpose we studied the effect of 0.5 and 1mM of nicotine on extent of lipoperoxidation [LPO], balance between oxidized [GSSG] and reduced glutathione [GSH], glutathione S-transferase [GST] activity, and extent of DNA fragmentation with antioxidant interactions in spermatozoa of normospermic men. Vitamin C, glutathione [GSH], and trolox [a water-soluble analog of Vitamin E] were used as antioxidants. Nicotine treatments [0.5 and 1mM] could elevate the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] by 51.50% and 78% [P < 0.01 and P < 0.001]. Antioxidants could diminish the TBARS level, amongst trolox was shown better result, but Vitamin C acted as a pro-oxidant when ferrous ions were added to the medium. It was found that the glutathione redox ratio [GSH/GSSG] decreased upon nicotine additions by 49.20% and 60.30% [P < 0.01]. The GST activity also was increased by about 34.01% and 57.19%, in a significant manner respectively. The comet assay results revealed that nicotine could induce severe double-stranded breaks in sperm DNA ladder. Elevated level of TBARS and decreased GSH/GSSG demonstrated a severe peroxidation on sperm membrane lipids through oxygen-derived free radicals. The upgraded activity of GST is an indicator of propagation of LPO in sperm. Collectively, these changes are able to cause inactivation in sperm leading to infertility

In vivo metabolism of alpha-tocopherol in lipoproteins and liver: studies on rabbits in response to acute cholesterol loading

Objective: To investigate the transport of alpha-tocopherol in lipoproteins of rabbits under normal diet and under acute loading of cholesterol. Design: Two New Zealand White rabbits were fed (14)C-alpha-tocopherol acetate in a single oral dose and the recovery of radiolabel in lipoproteins and plasma was monitored. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) from these animals was obtained and labeled with [(3H)] cholesteryl ester. Three other rabbits were injected with this double-labeled LDL in the native form; while three other animals received this LDL in the acetylated form. Results: Plasma clearance, live uptake and levels of radiolabel in high dinsity lipoprotein (HDL) of animals injected with (14)C[(3H)]acetyl LDL were significantly higher than those in animals injected with (14)C[(3H)] native LDL. Larger particles of HDL, rich in apolipoprotein E (apoE) carried significantly higher levels of both labels in rabbits injected with acetylated LDL. Conclusion: These results provide evidence for in vivo mechanisms of "reverse alpha-tocopherol transport", analogous to "reverse cholesterol transport".