Estrogen Receptor 1 Gene rs22346939 and rs9340799 Variants are Associated with Major Depressive Disorder and its Clinical Features.

OBJECTIVE: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a major health problem worldwide. Estrogen interacts with the central nervous system and has been shown to affect anxiety and depressive behavior. Estrogen mediates its effects by connecting its receptors, estrogen receptors 1 and 2. The purpose of this case-control study was to clarify the association between MDD risk and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene variants. METHODS: This study included 245 individuals (125 MDD patients and 120 healthy controls). Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) technics were used for genotypingESR1XbaII (rs9340799) and PvuII (rs22346939) variants. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of genotype frequencies of the ESR1PvuII (-397 T > C) variant (p = 0.049) but not for the XbaII (-351 A > G) variant (p > 0.05). However, a correlation was observed between MDD and ESR1XbaII variant after male participants were excluded (p = 0.028). Also, the high pain score of MDD patients was associated with the ESR1PvuII variant, especially in female patients (p = 0.021). According to the results of combined genotype analysis, AA-TC combined genotype was correlated with a decreased risk in patients with MDD compared to controls (p = 0.016), while the combined genotype of GGCC was associated with increased risk in the patients with MDD compared to controls (p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: The two ESR1 variants were associated with MDD risk and its features in both individual and combined forms.

The occurrence of deep pectoral myopathy in broilers and associated changes in breast meat quality.

1. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of slaughter weight on the incidence and intensity of deep pectoral myopathy (DPM) of M. pectoralis minor (p. minor muscle) in commercial conditions in Turkey and to evaluate the impact of DPM on meat quality traits of pectoralis major (p. major) muscle in broilers. 2. In Experiment 1, a total of 116 250 carcasses from 59 Ross-308 broiler flocks, classified according to slaughter weight as 2.0-2.2, 2.2-2.4, 2.4-2.6 and >2.6 kg, were evaluated for occurrence of DPM. In Experiment 2, p. major samples from unaffected broilers and each DPM stage were evaluated for meat quality, oxidant and antioxidant properties, nutritional value and fatty acid profile. DPM was characterised as 1: muscles with coagulative necrosis, 2: muscles with fibrous tissue texture and pink to plumb and 3: muscles with green necrotic area. 3. The average incidence of DPM was found to be 0.73% in Experiment 1 and independent of slaughter weight. 4. In Experiment 2, p. major muscle of broilers with DPM 1 and 2 had higher pH values with higher redness and drip loss. All DPM stages resulted in an increase in lipid content and malondialdehyde activity and lowered ash content of p. major muscle compared with unaffected birds. DPM 2 increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in M. p. major. The p. major of broilers with DPM had lower content of C18:2 conjugated linoleic and C20:3n-6 fatty acids than those of unaffected broilers. Lower Δ6 desaturase and thiosterase activities and 18:2n-6 to 18:3n-3 ratio were observed for all DPM stages compared to unaffected. 5. It was concluded that these changes obtained in p. major muscle of broilers with DPM might indicate biochemical characteristics of muscle degenerations.

Antioxidant therapy impresses in oxidative stress-induced kidney cells.

INTRODUCTION:   Renal cell cancer (RCC) is not a single entity, but consists of different types of tumors derived from various parts of the nephron (epithelium or renal tubules). It is known that cancer initiation and progression is related to the balance between oxidants and antioxidants directly. Interestingly, advanced stages of cancer such as metastasis, angiogenesis are associated with cell oxidative capacity. Familiar antioxidative substances such as carotenes and vitamin C inhibit oxidation of other molecules during carcinogenesis. They can define the distinction between cancer and normal cells, destroying cancer cells while stabilizing healthy cells. METHODS:   apoptotic activities of kidney cells were measured with caspase Elisa kits. DNA laddering test was used to show DNA damage in H2O2 condition. RESULTS:   For tumor mechanism, they act as pro-oxidants, producing hydrogen peroxide that attacks the cancer, whereas, in normal conditions they act as protective antioxidants. CONCLUSIONS:   The unlike reaction of specific antioxidants should be known at different cell stages. The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidative roles of alpha lipoic acid on kidney cancers during oxidative stress induction (Tab. 1, Fig. 7, Ref. 27).

GSM-like radiofrequency exposure induces apoptosis via caspase-dependent pathway in infant rabbits.

BACKGROUND: There have been several Radio Frequency (RF) field researches on various populations and groups of different ages in recent years. However, the most important group for research has been declared as the pregnant women and their babies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyse the effect on apoptotic factors of RF fields on newborn rabbit liver tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytochrome c and AIF (Apoptosis Inducing Factor) levels were measured by western blot and caspase 1, 3 and 9 activities were measured by colorimetric method. RESULTS: Cytochrome c and AIF levels were not altered, but all caspase activities were increased in female infant rabbits that exposed to 1800 MHz GSM-like RF signals when they reached 1 month of age and caspase 1 and caspase 3 levels were decreased in male infant rabbits that exposed to 1800 MHz GSM-like RF signals between 15th and 22nd days of the gestational period. Results showed that 1800 MHz GSM-like RF exposure might lead to apoptosis in infant rabbit's liver tissues. CONCLUSION: According to the results, we suggest that postnatal RF exposure causes caspase dependent apoptosis in female infant rabbits liver tissues (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 27).

Effect of prenatal temperature conditioning of laying hen embryos: Hatching, live performance and response to heat and cold stress during laying period.

This study was designed to determine the effect of prenatal temperature conditioning on hatching and live performance of laying chickens, and response to heat and cold stress during laying period. A total of 3600 eggs obtained from ATAK-S brown parent stock were incubated at control (37.5°C, CONT-Inc), cyclic low (36.5°C/6h/d from 10 to 18d of incubation, LOW-Inc) or high (38.5°C/6h/d from 10-18d of incubation, HIGH-Inc) incubation temperatures. Hatched chicks per incubation temperature were reared under standard rearing conditions up to 26wk. From 27 to 30wk, hens from each incubation temperature were divided into 3 environmentally controlled rooms and reared at control (20±2°C, CONT-Room), low (12±2°C, COLDS) or high (32±2°C, HEATS) temperatures. Hatching performance, body weight, egg production, and plasma triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels and oxidant and antioxidant activities were evaluated. The highest hatchability was for LOW-Inc chicks while HIGH-Inc chick had similar hatchability to CONT-Inc. There was no effect of incubation temperatures on plasma MDA, GSH-Px, activities and T4 concentrations on day of hatch. LOW- Inc chicks had higher SOD activities and T3 concentrations compared to the other groups. Although chick weight was similar among incubation temperature groups, CONT-Inc chicks were heavier than those cyclic incubation temperature groups until 12wk of age. Incubation temperature had no effect on sexual maturity age and weight and egg production of laying hens. From 27 to 30wk, regardless of incubation temperature, HEATS hens lost weight from day 0 to 10, had the highest cloacal temperatures and lowest feed consumption and egg production while COLDS hens had the lowest cloacal temperatures. At day 5, T4 level was higher in LOW-Inc hens at COLDS but it was higher in HIGH-Inc hens at HEATS compared to CONT-Inc. These data may suggest a modification in thyroid activity of hens that were conditioned during the incubation period. Moreover under COLDS condition, SOD production of LOW-Inc hens was higher than those of CONT- and HIGH-Inc hens indicating an induction in antioxidant enzyme activity. Nonetheless, prenatal temperature conditioning of laying hen embryos had no advantage on laying performance of hens under temperature stress conditions.

The cell death pathway induced by metal halide complexes of pyridine and derivative ligands in hepatocellular carcinoma cells - necrosis or apoptosis?

BACKGROUND: Drugs designed to restore programmed cell death might be effective against many cancer. It was aimed to study the possible apoptotic-necrotic effects of the pyridinehalide complexes such as dichlorodipyridinepalla-dium(ll) (PdCl2L1(2)), dichlorodipyridinenickel(ll) (NiCl2L1(2)), dichlorodipyridinecopper(ll) (CuCl2L1(2)), dibromodipyridinecopper(ll) (CuBr2L1(2)) and dichlorobis-(2,4-dimethylpyridine)copper(ll) (CuCl2L2(2)) in the hepatocarcinoma cells (Hep G2). METHODS: All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, 1H-NMR, FT-IR and Far-IR spectroscopy. Apoptotic effects were evaluated by cell viability assay, DNA laddering assay, LDH assay, DAPI nuclear staining and caspase 1-3-9 activity analysis. RESULTS: According to cell proliferation/viability datas, CuCl2L2(2) was estimated the most toxic, NiCl2L1(2) the least toxic complex. Treatment of CuCl2L2(2) in IC50 doses resulted in a remarkable increase lactate dehydrogenase, it was followed by CuBr2L1(2) complex. Picnotic nuclei, anisonucleosis and nuclear condensations in 200 microM concentration of CuCl2L2(2) and CuCl2L1(2) treated cells were observed with DAPI staining also DNA brakes were also determined with electrophoresis. Caspase 1,3 and 9 increased activation were not detected. CONCLUSIONS: The present study results indicate that, PdCl2L1(2), NiCl2L1(2), CuCl2L1(2), CuBr2L1(2), CuC12L2(2) complexes have antiproliferative action on hepatocellular carcinoma cells. However it would be wrong to interpret this effect as an apoptosis or necrosis exactly.