Statistically verified methods for determining predictors of development of arterial hypertension depending on endothelial nitric oxide synthase T786C gene promoter polymorphism using lipid profile indicators.

Objective. Polymorphism investigation of T786C gene promoter of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS/NOS3) in the arterial hypertension is a promising field for determining the relationship between heredity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, which still remains controversial. The purpose of the study was to investigate the lipid profile, which depends on the NOS3 T786C gene promotor region polymorphism in patients with arterial hypertension. Methods. The study involved 86 patients with arterial hypertension. The control group consisted of 30 basically healthy individuals. The lipid profile in the blood serum of the studied patients was measured by commercially available kits using Biochem FC-200 analyzer (HTI, USA). The allelic polymorphism of NOS3 T786C gene promoter was studied using a polymerase chain reaction technique with electrophoretic detection of the results. Results. An increase at the level of all atherogenic fractions in the blood was found in the group of patients carrying the CC genotype compared with carriers of the TT genotype of the NOS3 gene. The total cholesterol serum level in the group of carriers of the CC genotype of NOS3 T786C gene promoter increased by 33.3% compared with carriers of the TT genotype and it was almost twice as high as the control values. In the group of carriers in the CC genotype of the NOS3 gene, the serum level of triglycerides was statistically significantly higher (2.9 times) than in the group of carriers of the TT genotype. The low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) serum levels significantly increased in patients with arterial hypertension with the CC genotype by 1.6 and 4.6 times, respectively, compared with the TT genotype carriers. The high-density lipoprotein (HDL) serum level, as an antiatherogenic factor, was statistically significantly lower (by 45.8%) in the group of the CC genotype carriers of the NOS3 gene than in the group with carriers of the TT genotype (0.58±0.06 vs. 1.07±0.03 mmol/l.) Conclusions. The increase in all atherogenic and decrease in antiatherogenic lipid parameters of the lipidogram of patients with arterial hypertension and the deepening of dyslipidemia in carriers of the CC genotype compared with carriers of the TT genotype of the NOS3 T786C gene promoter is crucial in the development of dyslipidemia.

Biochemical Responses of the Bivalve Mollusk Unio tumidus Inhabiting a Small Power Plant Reservoir on the Dniester River Basin, Ukraine.

Hydropower plants (HPPs) can affect the hydrological regime. However, biochemical responses of aquatic animals for the evaluation of this disturbing are not applied yet. The specimens of Unio tumidus were sampled in a reservoir (R) of a small HPP as well as downstream from the dam (DS). Biochemical indexes in the digestive gland and alkali labile phosphates (ALP) in the gonads were examined. The R-mollusks showed low cholinesterase, catalase and caspase-3 activities, and metallothionein concentration, but elevated levels of zinc and copper, oxidized glutathione and protein carbonyls. Concentrations of lactate, pyruvate and ALP, activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase, and lipid peroxidation level were similar in both groups. Integrated biomarker response (IBR/n) index (n = 13) was 2.17 and 0.29 in the R- and DS-groups correspondingly. We suggest that using integrative biological response based on the biochemical markers of bivalve mollusks can be a valid early warning step in assessing 'environmental flow' impact.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Melatonin in Toxic Liver Injury in Rats.

Background and objectives: toxic liver injury results in nitrooxidative stress. Melatonin is a potent free radical scavenger, an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor and an activator of antioxidant enzymes. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of exogenous melatonin on animals with acute toxic hepatitis. Material and methods: 36 healthy Sprague-Dawley male rats were split into three equal groups and given carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), 2 g/kg (CCl4 group) or the same dose of CCl4 and melatonin, 10 mg/kg (CCl4/melatonin group) or saline (control group). The effect of melatonin on prooxidant and antioxidant system indexes, NO and NOS levels in serum and liver, data of mitochondrial chain functions and cytolysis in liver were evaluated in all three groups. Results: melatonin significantly decreased activities of AST, ALT, ceruloplasmine and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in serum. Catalase activity was lowered in serum but not in the liver. Hepatic TBARS, lipid hydroperoxides and glutathione concentrations were decreased, while superoxide dismutase, mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase and succinate dehydrogenase activities increased. Melatonin inhibited synthesis of stable NO metabolites in serum: NO2-by 37.9%; NO3-by 29.2%. There was no significant difference in content NO2-in the liver, but concentration of NO3-increased by 32.6%. Melatonin significantly reduced iNOS concentrations both in serum (59.7%) and liver (57.8%) but did not affect endothelial isoform enzyme activities neither in serum, nor in liver. The histopathological liver lesions observed in the CCl4/melatonin group were less severe than those seen in the CCl4 group. Conclusions: we demonstrated an ameliorating effect of melatonin on prooxidants and antioxidants, NO-NOS systems balance, mitochondrial function and histopathological lesions in the liver in rats with CCl4-induced hepatitis.