Determination of genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of wild-grown Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) using the hen's egg test for analysis of micronucleus induction.

The micronucleus (MN) technique is commonly used for genotoxicity testing. The hen's egg test (HET) for analysis of MN induction (HET-MN) is an inexpensive, rapid and simple genotoxicity assay that is compatible with animal protection and ethical considerations. Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst is known also as reishi mushroom and mushroom of immortality. It has long been used to treat disorders including fungal infections, influenza, common cold, hepatitis, diabetes, high cholesterol and cancer in many countries including China and Japan. G. lucidum strengthens the immune system and reduces the side effects of chemo- and radiotherapy. We investigated the possible genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of the aqueous extract of wild-grown G. lucidum from Turkey using the HET-MN test. Three different doses of aqueous extract of G. lucidum, 50 µg/egg vitamin C as an antigenotoxic agent and 50 µg/egg cyclophosphamide as a genotoxic compound were injected separately or together into fertilized chicken eggs at incubation day 8. Embryonic peripheral blood smears were prepared and stained with a modified May-Grünwald-Giemsa method on incubation day 11. The frequencies of MN and nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes were determined using light microscopy. Although the aqueous extract G. lucidum exhibited no genotoxic effect, it did exhibit an antigenotoxic effect. Our findings suggest that G. lucidum extract is a valuable natural antigenotoxic agent.

The effects of aflatoxin B1 on growth hormone regulated gene-1 and interaction between DNA and aflatoxin B1 in broiler chickens during hatching.

Many types of aflatoxin cause problems for both public and animal health. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic and commonly encountered fungal toxin that appears in poultry feed and in feeds stored under unsuitable conditions. AFB1 decreases feed quality, egg production and fertility of hatching eggs. Also, AFB1 alters the development of embryos by infecting eggs. We investigated using sequence analysis the changes caused by different concentrations of AFB1 on the promoter sequences of the growth hormone regulated gene-1 (GHRG-1) in chick embryo at 13, 17, 19 and 21 days incubation. DNA isolated from the liver of chick embryos treated with different concentrations of AFB1 was separated using agarose gel electrophoresis to detect apoptosis, and DNA interaction with AFB1 was investigated using plasmids to detect changes in electrophoretic mobility and their effects on DNA. Base changes of the promoter sequences of GHRG-1 in 5 ng/egg, 15 ng/egg and 40 ng/egg doses of AFB1 were increased on day 19 compared to base changes of the same AFB1 doses on day 13. We also found that AFB at different concentrations changed the mobility of DNA by binding to it, and that high doses of AFB1 destroyed DNA. The DNA interaction study using plasmid demonstrated that AFB1 at high doses was bound to plasmid DNA, slowed its mobility and inhibited restriction cuts.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in wheat from Konya region, Turkey.

The present study has been carried out to evaluate the organochlorine pesticide contamination in wheat from Konya region. This region is the largest area of cereal production in Turkey. The contamination level has been determined according to the European Community Directives. Different wheat samples (36) were obtained from local farmers and wheat factories in this region. All the wheat samples examined were found to be contaminated by organochlorine pesticide residues of cis-Chlordane and methoxychlor. Chlordane isomers, methoxychlor, DDT and its metabolites, aldrin, beta HCH, heptachlor and lindane have been found to be the highest organochlorine pesticide residues. In some of these samples, various organochlorine pesticide residues have been determined to be higher than European Community maximum residual limits. The residues of aldrin in one sample, trans-Chlordane in one sample, oxy-chlordane in eight samples and methoxychlor in one sample were found to be in excess of EC MRLs. Since most of the samples have been found to be contaminated with residues and some residues exceed EC MRLs, a control of organochlorine pesticide residues in wheat is necessary.

Determination of the seasonal changes on total fatty acid composition and ω3/ω6 ratios of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) muscle lipids in Beysehir Lake (Turkey).

The muscle lipid and fatty acid composition of carp, Cyprinus carpio in Beysehir Lake the largest freshwater lake in Turkey, was determined. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of carp, the most abundant fish species in Beysehir Lake, were found to be higher than those of saturated fatty acids (SFA) in spring, summer and autumn and also the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in spring and summer. Palmitic acid was the major SFA (14.6-16.6%) in all seasons. Oleic acid was identified as the major MUFA (15.1-20.3%). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was the major PUFA in summer and winter, whereas linoleic acid (LA) was the major PUFA in spring and autumn. The percentages of total ω3 fatty acid were higher than those of total ω6 fatty acid in the fatty acid composition of carp in winter. It was shown that the fatty acid composition in the muscle of carp was significantly influenced by feeding period and seasons.