Effect of taurine associated gold nanoparticles on oxidative stress in muscle of mice exposed to overuse model.

Muscle overuse and its consequent muscle damage has no cure. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of tau-AuNPs on muscle recovery of muscle overuse model. The animals (Male Swiss mice) were randomly divided into four groups: Control (Ctr; n=6); tau-AuNPs (n=6); overuse (n=6); and overuse plus tau-AuNPs (n=6). Exercise sessions were performed for 21 consecutive days, and one exercise model was applied daily in the following sequence: low intensity, moderate intensity, and high intensity. The mice were then sacrificed. The quadriceps muscles were surgically removed for subsequent biochemical analysis (oxidative stress parameters, DNA damage markers and muscle differentiation protein). The overuse group significantly increased the oxidative stress parameters and DNA damage markers, whereas tau-AuNPs significantly decreased the oxidative stress parameters in the overuse animal model. However, there were no significant differences observed between overuse group and overuse plus tau-AuNPs administrated group in relation to DNA damage markers including DNA damage frequency and index levels when compared to control and tau-AuNPs groups. Muscle differentiation protein Myf-5 was increased in the overuse plus tau-AuNPs administration group when compared to control group. In conclusion, tau-AuNPs had significant effect on reducing oxidative stress parameters and increasing myogenic regulatory protein Myf-5 in the overuse group. However, it did not have significant effect on reducing DNA damage.

Melatonin ameliorates oxidative stress and DNA damage of rats subjected to a chemically induced chronic model of Maple Syrup Urine Disease.

Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) is an inborn error of metabolism caused by a deficiency of branched α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex (BCKDC) activity. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) accumulation is, at least in part, responsible for neurological disturbances characteristic of this metabolic disorder. Experimental studies demonstrated that high levels of BCAA induce brain oxidative stress. Considering that many antioxidants are obtained from the diet, the dietary restriction in MSUD patients probably produce deficiency of vitamins and micronutrients involved in antioxidant defenses. Supplementation with synthetic melatonin has been used to prevention and treatment of pathological conditions, including brain diseases. In this study, we aimed at investigating the potential neuroprotective effect of melatonin treatment in a MSUD experimental model. Infant rats (7 day old) received twice daily subcutaneous injections of a BCAA pool (0.21472 g/kg, 190 mmol/L leucine, 59 mmol/L isoleucine and 69 mmol/L valine in saline solution (15.8 µL/g per weight/injection) or saline alone, and supplemented with melatonin (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) for 21 days. Oxidative stress parameters, i.e. antioxidant enzyme activity, reactive species production and damage to lipids and proteins, were assessed in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum at twenty-eight days of age. In addition, the damage to blood cell DNA was evaluated. The chronic administration of BCAA pool in infant rats induced significant oxidative stress (p < 0.05) - such as oxidation of lipids and proteins, imbalance in antioxidant enzymes activities - damages in DNA (p < 0.05) and in brain structures (cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum). Notably, melatonin supplementation was able to ameliorate the oxidative (p < 0.05) and antioxidant (p < 0.05) parameters in the brain and blood of the rat model of MSUD. Our results show that melatonin could be a promising therapeutic agent for MSUD.

Hibiscus acetosella extract protects against alkylating agent-induced DNA damage in mice.

Hibiscus acetosella was shown to exert beneficial effects in humans and animal models however, the effects of this plant on DNA are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the antigenotoxic and antimutagenic effects of H. acetosella extracts on alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) in vivo in mice. Initially, we performed analysis of phenolic compounds in extracts of H. acetosella by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Next, mice were divided into 8 groups and treated with distilled water or plant extract (0.1 ml/10 g) by gavage for 15 days, followed by intraperitoneal (ip) administration of saline solution or MMS (40 mg/Kg b.w) on day 16. Caffeic acid, following by gallic acid, gallocatechin, coumaric acid, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid were found to be present in extracts of H. acetosella leaves. In peripheral blood analysis of groups receiving pretreatment with H. acetosella at doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg plus MMS decreased DNA damage as evidenced by comet assay and Micronucleus assays relative to MMS alone. These results suggested that H. acetosella extracts exerted protective effects dose dependent against genotoxicity and mutagenicity induced by alkylating agents.

Modulatory effects of taurine on metabolic and oxidative stress parameters in a mice model of muscle overuse.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the regulatory effects of taurine on the biochemical parameters of muscle injury by overuse. METHODS: Male Swiss mice were divided into four groups: control (Ctrl), overuse (Ov), taurine (Tau), and overuse plus taurine (OvTau). High-intensity exercise sessions were administered for 21 d with concomitant subcutaneous injections of taurine (150 mg/kg). The mice were then sacrificed. The quadriceps muscles were surgically removed for subsequent histologic analysis and evaluation of mitochondrial function, oxidative stress parameters, tissue repair, and DNA damage markers. RESULTS: The Ov group showed significant differences compared with the Ctrl group (all P <0.05). The fiber area decreased by 49.34%, whereas the centralized nuclei contents (Ctrl = 1.33%; Ov = 28.67%), membrane potential (Ctrlsuc = 179.05 arbitrary fluorescence units (AFUs), Ctrlsuc+ADP = 198.11 AFUs; Ovsuc = 482.95 AFUs, Ovsuc+ADP = 461.6 AFUs), complex I activity (Ctrl = 20.45 nmol ⋅ min ⋅ mg protein, Ov = 45.25 nmol ⋅ min ⋅ mg protein), hydrogen peroxide (Ctrlsuc = 1.08 relative fluorescence unit (RFU) ⋅ sec ⋅ mg protein, Ctrlsuc+ADP = 0.23 RFU ⋅ sec ⋅ mg protein; Ovsuc = 5.02 RFU ⋅ sec ⋅ mg protein, Ovsuc+ADP = 0.26 RFU ⋅ sec ⋅ mg protein) and malondialdehyde (Ctrl = 0.03 nmol ⋅ mg ⋅ protein, Ov = 0.06 nmol ⋅ mg ⋅ protein) levels, and DNA damage (Ctrlfreq = 7.17%, Ovfreq = 31.17%; Ctrlindex = 4.17, Ovindex = 72.5) were increased. Taurine administration reduced the number of centralized nuclei (OvTau = 5%), hydrogen peroxide levels (OvTausuc = 2.81 RFU ⋅ sec ⋅ mg protein, OvTaussuc+ADP = 1.54 RFU ⋅ sec ⋅ mg protein), membrane potential (OvTausuc = 220.18 AFUs, OvTaussuc+ADP = 235.28 AFUs), lipid peroxidation (OvTau = 0.02 nmol/mg protein), and DNA damage (OvTaufreq = 21.33%, OvTauindex = 47.83) and increased the fiber area by 54% (all P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Taken together, these data suggest that taurine supplementation modulates various cellular remodeling parameters after overuse-induced muscle damage, and that these positive effects may be related to its antioxidant capacity.

Production, characterization and toxicology assay of creatine pegylated nanoliposome with polysorbate 80 for brain delivery.

Creatine acts intracellularly as energy buffer and storage, demonstrating protective effects in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. However, its permeability throught blood-brain barrier (BBB) is reduced. The aim of the present study was developing a carrier to facilitate the delivery of creatine to the central nervous system. Creatine nanoliposomes were produced, characterized and assayed in models of toxicity in vitro and in vivo. Particles showed negative zeta potential (-12,5 mV), polydispersity index 0.237 and medium-size of 105 nm, which was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. Toxicity assay in vitro was evaluated with blank liposomes (no drug) or creatine nanoliposomes at concentrations of 0.02 and 0.2 mg/mL, that did not influence the viability of Vero cells. The result. of the comet assay that the nanoliposomes are not genotoxic, togeher with cell viability demonstrated that the nanoliposomes are not toxic. Besides, in vivo assays not demonstrate toxicity in hematological and biochemical markers of young rats. Nevertheless, increase content of creatine in the cerebral cortex tissue after subchronic treatment was observed. Altogether, results indicate increase permeability of creatine to the BBB that could be used as assay for in vivo studies to confirm improved effect than free creatine.

Elemental composition of vegetables cultivated over coal-mining waste.

We assessed elemental composition of the liver in mice subjected to one-time or chronic consumption of the juice of vegetables cultivated in a vegetable garden built over deposits of coal waste. Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce), Beta vulgaris L. (beet), Brassica oleracea L. var. italica (broccoli) and Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala (kale) were collected from the coal-mining area and from a certified organic farm (control). Elemental composition was analyzed by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method. Concentrations of Mg, S, and Ca of mice subjected to one-time consumption of broccoli and concentrations of these same elements plus Si of mice receiving kale were higher in the coal-mining area. Concentrations of P, K, and Cu were increase after chronic consumption of lettuce from the coal-mining area, whereas the levels of Si, P, K, Fe, and Zn were higher in the group consuming kale from the coal-mining area. Our data suggests that people consuming vegetables grown over coal wastes may ingest significant amounts of chemical elements that pose a risk to health, since these plants contain both essential and toxic metals in a wide range of concentrations, which can do more harm than good.

Pre-clinical investigation of Diabetes Mellitus as a risk factor for schizophrenia.

This study investigated the behavioral and biochemical parameters of DM1 as a risk factor in an animal model of schizophrenia (SZ). All groups: 1 Control (saline+saline); 2 Alloxan (alloxan+saline); 3 Ketamine (saline+ketamine); 4 (Alloxan+Ketamine) were fasted for a period of 18h before the subsequent induction of DM via a single intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of alloxan (150mg/kg). From the 4th to the 10th days, the animals were injected i.p with ketamine (25mg/kg) or saline, once a day, to induce a model of SZ and 30min after the last administration were subjected to behavioral testing. After, the animals were decapitated and the brain structures were removed. Ketamine induced hyperactivity and in the social interaction, ketamine, alloxan and the association of alloxan+ketamine increased the latency and decreased the number of contacts between animals. The animals from the ketamine, alloxan and alloxan+ketamine groups showed a prepulse startle reflex (PPI) deficit at the three intensities (65, 70 and 75dB). Ketamine was shown to be capable of increasing the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the brain structures. Combination of alloxan+ketamine seems to have an exacerbated effect within the cholinergic system. For lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls, alloxan+ketamine appear to have intensified lipid and protein damage in the three structures. Ketamine and the combination of ketamine+alloxan induced DNA damage in both frequency and damage index. This research found a relationship between DM1 and SZ.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation decreases DNA damage in brain of rats subjected to a chemically induced chronic model of Tyrosinemia type II.

Tyrosinemia type II is an inborn error of metabolism caused by a mutation in a gene encoding the enzyme tyrosine aminotransferase leading to an accumulation of tyrosine in the body, and is associated with neurologic and development difficulties in numerous patients. Because the accumulation of tyrosine promotes oxidative stress and DNA damage, the main aim of this study was to investigate the possible antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of omega-3 treatment in a chemically-induced model of Tyrosinemia type II in hippocampus, striatum and cerebral cortex of rats. Our results showed chronic administration of L-tyrosine increased the frequency and the index of DNA damage, as well as the 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in the hippocampus, striatum and cerebral cortex. Moreover, omega-3 fatty acid treatment totally prevented increased DNA damage in the striatum and hippocampus, and partially prevented in the cerebral cortex, whereas the increase in 8-OHdG levels was totally prevented by omega-3 fatty acid treatment in hippocampus, striatum and cerebral cortex. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the main accumulating metabolite in Tyrosinemia type II induce DNA damage in hippocampus, striatum and cerebral cortex, possibly mediated by free radical production, and the supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids was able to prevent this damage, suggesting that could be involved in the prevention of oxidative damage to DNA in this disease. Thus, omega-3 fatty acids supplementation to Tyrosinemia type II patients may represent a new therapeutic approach and a possible adjuvant to the curren t treatment of this disease.

DNA damage after chronic oxytocin administration in rats: a safety yellow light?

Adjuvant therapy is a common therapeutic strategy used for schizophrenia management. Oxytocin has shown promising results as antipsychotic adjuvant in patients with schizophrenia. Although short-term clinical studies have indicated tolerability and no major side-effect manifestation, long-term studies remain needed. In this study, we investigated whether oxytocin chronic administration in rats may lead to brain DNA damage by comet assay. Our results suggest that 21 and 56-day treatment with once daily intraperitoneal oxytocin (0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) may cause substantial DNA damage in hippocampus. We have not found differences on body weight gain. Our findings also point that further clinical and preclinical studies evaluating oxytocin safety after chronic exposure are necessary.

Elemental composition of vegetables cultivated over coal-mining waste

ABSTRACT We assessed elemental composition of the liver in mice subjected to one-time or chronic consumption of the juice of vegetables cultivated in a vegetable garden built over deposits of coal waste. Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce), Beta vulgaris L. (beet), Brassica oleracea L. var. italica (broccoli) and Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala (kale) were collected from the coal-mining area and from a certified organic farm (control). Elemental composition was analyzed by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method. Concentrations of Mg, S, and Ca of mice subjected to one-time consumption of broccoli and concentrations of these same elements plus Si of mice receiving kale were higher in the coal-mining area. Concentrations of P, K, and Cu were increase after chronic consumption of lettuce from the coal-mining area, whereas the levels of Si, P, K, Fe, and Zn were higher in the group consuming kale from the coal-mining area. Our data suggests that people consuming vegetables grown over coal wastes may ingest significant amounts of chemical elements that pose a risk to health, since these plants contain both essential and toxic metals in a wide range of concentrations, which can do more harm than good.

Anxious phenotypes plus environmental stressors are related to brain DNA damage and changes in NMDA receptor subunits and glutamate uptake.

This study aimed at investigating the effects of chronic mild stress on DNA damage, NMDA receptor subunits and glutamate transport levels in the brains of rats with an anxious phenotype, which were selected to represent both the high-freezing (CHF) and low-freezing (CLF) lines. The anxious phenotype induced DNA damage in the hippocampus, amygdala and nucleus accumbens (NAc). CHF rats subjected to chronic stress presented a more pronounced DNA damage in the hippocampus and NAc. NMDAR1 were increased in the prefrontal cortex (PC), hippocampus and amygdala of CHF, and decreased in the hippocampus, amygdala and NAc of CHF stressed. NMDAR2A were decreased in the amygdala of the CHF and stressed; and increased in CHF stressed. NMDRA2A in the NAc was increased after stress, and decreased in the CLF. NMDAR2B were increased in the hippocampus of CLF and CHF. In the amygdala, there was a decrease in the NMDAR2B for stress in the CLF and CHF. NMDAR2B in the NAc were decreased for stress and increased in the CHF; in the PC NMDAR2B increased in the CHF. EAAT1 increased in the PC of CLF+stress. In the hippocampus, EAAT1 decreased in all groups. In the amygdala, EAAT1 decreased in the CLF+stress and CHF. EAAT2 were decreased in the PC for stress, and increased in CHF+control. In the hippocampus, the EAAT2 were increased for the CLF and decreased in the CLF+stress. In the amygdala, there was a decrease in the EATT2 in the CLF+stress and CHF. These findings suggest that an anxious phenotype plus stress may induce a more pronounced DNA damage, and promote more alterations in the glutamatergic system. These findings may help to explain, at least in part, the common point of the mechanisms involved with the pathophysiology of depression and anxiety.

Methylmalonic acid administration induces DNA damage in rat brain and kidney.

Accumulation of methylmalonic acid (MMA) in tissues and biological fluids is the biochemical hallmark of methylmalonic aciduria. Affected patients present renal failure and severe neurological findings. Considering that the underlying pathomechanisms of tissue damage are not yet understood, in the present work we assessed the in vivo e in vitro effects of MMA on DNA damage in brain and kidney, as well as on p53 and caspase 3 levels, in the presence or absence of gentamicin (acute renal failure model). For in vitro studies, tissue prisms were incubated in the presence of different concentrations of MMA and/or gentamicin for one hour. For in vivo studies, animals received a single injection of gentamicin (70 mg/kg) and/or three injections of MMA (1.67 µmol/g; 11 h interval between injections). The animals were killed 1 h after the last MMA injection. Controls received saline in the same volumes. DNA damage was analyzed by the comet assay. We found that MMA and gentamicin alone or combined in vitro increased DNA damage in cerebral cortex and kidney of rats. Furthermore, MMA administration increased DNA damage in both brain and kidney. Gentamicin per se induced DNA damage only in kidney, and the association of MMA plus gentamicin also caused DNA damage in cerebral cortex and kidney. On the other hand, p53 and caspase 3 levels were not altered by the administration of MMA and/or gentamicin. Our findings provide evidence that DNA damage may contribute to the neurological and renal damage found in patients affected by methylmalonic aciduria.

DNA damage induced by phenylalanine and its analogue p-chlorophenylalanine in blood and brain of rats subjected to a model of hyperphenylalaninemia.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a disease caused by a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), resulting in an accumulation of phenylalanine (Phe) in the brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, and other tissues of PKU patients. Considering that high levels of Phe are associated with neurological dysfunction and that the mechanisms underlying the neurotoxicity in PKU remain poorly understood, the main objective of this study was to investigate the in vivo and in vitro effects of Phe on DNA damage, as determined by the alkaline comet assay. The results showed that, compared to control group, the levels of DNA migration were significantly greater after acute administration of Phe, p-chlorophenylalanine (p-Cl-Phe, an inhibitor of PAH), or a combination thereof in cerebral cortex and blood, indicating DNA damage. These treatments also provoked increase of carbonyl content. Additionally, when Phe or p-Cl-Phe was present in the incubation medium, we observed an increase in the frequency and index of DNA damage in the cerebral cortex and blood, without affecting lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Our in vitro and in vivo findings indicate that DNA damage occurs in the cerebral cortex and blood of rats receiving Phe, suggesting that this mechanism could be, at least in part, responsible for the neurological dysfunction in PKU patients.

[After the 2001 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines: is it possible to reduce the number of patients with syncope to be hospitalized?]. / Dopo le Linee Guida 2001 della Società Europea di Cardiologia: è possibile ridurre il numero di pazienti con sincope da ospedalizzare?

AIM: The aim of this paper was to evaluate how many patients with syncope should be hospitalized according to the 2001 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines on the management of syncope. METHODS: Starting from August 2002 we prompted a Syncope Unit (SU), as a multi-disciplinary functional structure including the Emergency Department. One of the main objectives of the SU was the implementation of the 2001 ESC Guidelines on Syncope and of the relevant criteria for hospitalization. All the clinical data concerning the patients presenting with syncope were prospectively collected and stored in a dedicated database. RESULTS: Between September 1, 2002 and April 30, 2003, 402 patients were observed for a syncope. Out of these, 19 had a cardiogenic syncope, 3 focal neurologic disorders, 25 a severe trauma, 4 severe orthostatic hypotension and 5 carotid syncope. Therefore, 56 patients out of 402 were found to have indication to therapeutical hospitalization. Among the remaining 346 patients, 83 patients were found to have a structural heart disease and/or an abnormal ECG, 1 had syncope during exercise, 3 presented a familial history of sudden death. Thirty-three were found to have severe comorbidities and further 14 had occasional indication to hospitalization. Thus, 190 out of the 402 patients with syncope (47.3%) presented at least 1 criterion for hospitalization according to the ESC Guidelines. CONCLUSION: The implementation of the ESC Guidelines on Syncope is technically feasible. Nevertheless, even when the Guidelines are strictly observed, a high percentage of patients with syncope has still to be hospitalized. Our data suggest that new criteria should be established for a safe Emergency Department discharge of the patients with syncope, particularly of those with structural heart disease or abnormal ECG.

Incidence and determinants of poststroke dementia as defined by an informant interview method in a hospital-based stroke registry.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Inconsistent information about incidence and determinants of poststroke dementia might be related to patient attrition, partly because of nonapplicability of formal neuropsychological testing to a large proportion of patients registered in a definite setting. METHODS: Using a proxy-informant interview based on ICD-10 criteria, we determined dementia at stroke onset and 1 year after stroke in the 339 patients who survived, were available for follow-up, and were not demented at stroke onset of 635 patients entered over a 1-year period in a stroke registry taken at 2 community hospitals in Florence, Italy. RESULTS: Of the 339 patients, 57 (16.8%) proved to have poststroke dementia. These patients were older, more frequently female, and more often (multivariate odds ratio, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.21 to 4.58) had atrial fibrillation than those without dementia. Aphasia and the clinical features expressing the severity of the stroke event in the acute phase predicted poststroke dementia. CONCLUSIONS: In a hospital-based nonselected series of stroke survivors, despite the use of a method with low sensitivity for defining dementia, our study confirms that dementia is a frequent sequela of stroke and is mainly predicted by stroke severity. Certain determinants could be controlled in the prestroke phase, thus reducing its risk.