Aylin Sepici Dinçel

Sublethal toxicity of esbiothrin relationship with total antioxidant status and in vivo genotoxicity assessment in fish (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758) using the micronucleus test and comet assay

Esbiothrin, synthetic pyrethroid with quick activity against insects, is widely used against household pests and in public health. Despite widespread use, data on ecotoxicity and genotoxic effects are extremely scarce. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the genotoxic potential of esbiothrin on a model fish species Cyprinus carpio L., 1758 (Pisces: Cyprinidae, koi) using the micronucleus test and comet assay in peripheral blood erythrocytes. Effects of two sublethal exposure concentrations on plasma total antioxidant status (TAS mmol/L), and Hct values were examined. On the basis of the 96 h LC50 data from U.S. EPA ecotox database (32 μg/L) two sublethal exposure concentrations (5 and 10 μg/L) were used together with ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) (5 mg/L) as positive control. Five fish were used for each dose/duration group (24, 48, and 72 h) under controlled laboratory conditions. The fish showed behavioral changes at the higher dose. Plasma TAS (mmol/L) levels decreased in 24 h; an increase was observed slightly for 48 and obviously for 72 h in both exposure doses. Similarly, hematocrit (Hct) values differed between exposure duration but no significant differences in mean values were found between groups of the same exposure time. The general trend was a rise after 48 h, which decreased afterwards. Our results revealed significant increases in the frequencies of micronuclei and levels of DNA strand breaks and thus demonstrated the genotoxic potential of this pesticide on fish, a nontarget organism of the aquatic ecosystem. To our knowledge this is the first study to report observable genotoxic effects of esbiothrin on fish.

The sublethal effects of (2,4-Dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid (2,4-D) on narrow-clawed crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823).

Abstract 2,4-D is a widely used phenoxy herbicide, potentially toxic to humans and biota. The objective of the present study was to reveal short term sublethal effects of 2,4-D on narrow-clawed freshwater crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823), based on histology, total haemocyte counts, selected haemolymph parameters, and oxidative stress parameters. In the laboratory conditions crayfish specimens were exposed to 9 mg L-1 of 2,4-D for one week. Experiments were conducted under semi-static conditions in 20 L-capacity aquaria where 10 freshwater crayfish were stocked per aquarium. Exposure (experimental) and control groups were used and the experiments were repeated two times. No mortality and behavioural changes were recorded during the experiments. Total haemocyte counts decreased significantly, while haemolymph glucose levels increased (P<0.05), when compared to the control group. Haemolymph levels of calcium, chloride, sodium, potassium, magnesium, total protein, and lactate did not change. Exposure resulted with increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) only in hepatopancreas. However, results of gill FOX assay showed a significant decrease in oxidative stress parameters (P<0.05). MDA levels of gill and abdominal muscle tissues and FOX levels of hepatopancreas and abdominal muscle tissues did not change when compared to the control group. Significant histopathological alterations were observed both in hepatopancreas (multifocal deformations in tubule lumen) and gill tissue (melanisation of gill lamella). Exposure of crayfish even to a sublethal concentration of 2,4-D alters histopathology and lipid peroxidation due to stress. Biomarkers studied here seem to be useful for the assessment of adverse/toxic effects of pesticides on non-target, indicator aquatic organisms.

The effects of N-acetylcysteine and epigallocatechin-3-gallate on liver tissue protein oxidation and antioxidant enzyme levels after the exposure to radiofrequency radiation.

Abstract Purpose: The widespread and sustained use of mobile and cordless phones causes unprecedented increase of radiofrequency radiation (RFR). The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effect of 900 MHz Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)-modulated RFR (average whole body Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 0.4 W/kg, 10 or 20 min daily for consecutive 7 days) to the liver tissue of guinea pigs and the protective effects of antioxidant treatments. Materials and methods: Adult male guinea pigs were randomly divided into nine groups as: Group I (sham/saline), Group II (sham/EGCG), Group III (sham/NAC), Group IV (10-min RF-exposure/saline), Group V (20-min RF-exposure/saline), Group VI (10-min RF-exposure/EGCG), Group VII (20-min RF-exposure/EGCG), Group VIII (10-min RF-exposure/NAC), and Group IX (20-min RF-exposure/NAC). Protein oxidation (PCO), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were evaluated after the exposure and the treatments with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Results and conclusions: Significant decreases in the activities of SOD were observed in the liver of guinea pigs after RFR exposure. Protein damage did not change due to RFR exposure. On the other hand, only NAC treatment induced increased PCO levels, whereas EGCG treatment alone elevated the level of AOPP. Due to antioxidants having pro-oxidant behavior, the well decided doses and treatment timetables of NAC and ECGC are needed.

Bone loss in patients with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis vulgaris

Dear Editor, Biochemical markers of bone turnover have proven be of value to predict the rate of bone turnover, bone loss and the risk of osteoporotic fracture and so to help in the prevention and treatment of metabolic bone diseases [1, 2]. Amino terminal crosslinked telopeptides of collagen I (NTX) have shown higher diagnostic eYcacy than the traditional serum like urinary pyridinoline or deoxypyridinoline [3]. Reduced bone mass and higher bone resorption markers has been demonstrated in studies on both rheumatologic and some skin diseases [4]. Psoriatic arthritis (PSA) is an inXammatory arthritis that aVects 6–42% of patients with psoriasis. A lot of clinical, laboratory and functional parameters have been utilized for evaluating the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. But there are few studies for the validation of these indices or some new versions to use in patients with PSA [5, 6]. In this study, we aimed to investigate the biochemical parameters of bone resorption, which are known to be more sensitive in patients with PSA and psoriasis vulgaris (PSV). The study participants (10 PSA, 19 PSV and 14 controls) were randomly selected from the patients attending the Dermatology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation clinics of Medical School Hospital of Gazi, Ankara, Turkey (Table 1). Informed consent was obtained from patients and controls. Ten patients were diagnosed with PSA according to the clinical and laboratory Wndings [7]. The including criteria were inXammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis, no evidence of rheumatoid factor and at least a 6-months gap after the diagnosis. Five of the patients were receiving methotrexate (doses ranged from 7.5 to 15 mg for a week) and nine of them were on regular nonsteroid anti-inXammatory drug (NSAID) treatment. None of the patients presented spondylitis or sacroiliitis, all of them had arthritis in various peripheral joints. The exclusion criteria were; using treatments, which aVects bone metabolism (like corticosteroids, thyroxin, hormone replacement therapy antiresorptive agents, calcium and vitamin D except methotrexate) present or in the previous six months’ period and/or having diseases, which may aVect bone metabolism. The activity of PSA was assessed by the following indices; swollen joint count, tender joint count, duration of morning stiVness (as minutes) and laboratory activity parameters. Nineteen patients were diagnosed as PSV due to typically chronic erythematous plaques covered by silvery white scales on various sides of body and absence of other skin and rheumatologic diseases. All of the patients were using topical treatment for skin lesions. One of them was receiving NSAID for myofascial pain. None of the patients were using disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. Serum NTX (sNTX) and urine NTX (uNTX) levels (nmol BCE/mmol Cr) were measured using an enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All urinary concentrations were expressed as a ratio to urinary creatinine. In M. Zinnuroflu (&) · V. Sepici Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gazi University Medical Faculty, 06500 Beoevler, Ankara, Turkey e-mail: muratz@gazi.edu.tr; muratzinnuroglu@yahoo.com

Evaluation of Tryptophan/Kynurenine Pathway Relevance With Immune System Biomarkers of Low Energy Trauma Hip Fractures in Osteoporotic Patients

Objectives This study aims to evaluate tryptophan degradation and clarify whether altered levels of kynurenine and tryptophan (Kyn/Trp) ratio could be correlated to osteoporotic hip fractures via immune system. Patients and methods The study included 60 patients with osteoporotic hip fracture (20 males, 40 females, mean age 76.6±6.9 years; range 59 to 95 years). Patients were divided into two as patients with collum femoris fractures (group 1; n=23) and intertrochanteric fractures (group 2; n=37). Fifteen healthy subjects without any fracture were selected as control group (group 3; 3 males, 12 females; mean age 69.7±8.4; range 60 to 86 years). All fractures were simple falls due to low energy trauma. Bone mineral density measurements were performed with Lunar dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Kyn/Trp levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1 beta levels were measured with solid-phase sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results All bone mineral density values were in agreement for osteoporosis and there was no significant difference between the two groups. Higher Kyn/Trp ratios were observed in groups 1 and 2 compared to group 3. This difference was more significant in group 1 (p=0.0001) than that in group 2 (p=0.048). Also, group 1 had significantly higher Kyn/Trp ratio than group 2 (p=0.011). There were significantly higher IL-6 and lower IL-1 beta levels both in groups 1 and 2 compared to group 3 (p=0.0001). There was no significant difference between group 1 and group 2 in terms of IL-6 and IL-1 beta levels. There was positive correlation with Kyn/Trp ratio (r=0.581, p=0.004) in group 2. Also, significant correlation was detected between IL-6 and IL-1 beta levels in the same group (r=0.665, p=0.036). Conclusion Both increased degradation of tryptophan and ratio of Kyn/Trp indicate the relationship of immune activation with bone healing.

Determination of antioxidant enzyme levels of narrow clawed crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschsholtz 1823) exposed to carbaryl

Aim: The aim of the present study was the determination of antioxidant enzyme levels on different organs of narrow clawed crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschsholtz 1823) after exposure to group of carbamate pesticides, contaminating aquatic ecosystems as toxic pollutant after agricultural activities. Materials and methods: The intermould stage crayfish were obtained from fishermen at fishing season. The mean lenght and weight were 10.74±0.84 cm, 32.78±7.12 g, respectively. All experimental procedures were done according to Toxicity Dilution Factor and semi-static method was used. The sublethal concentation of carbaryl was selected by 1/10 of 96 h LC50 values as 25 μg/L. The aquarium water were renewed every 48 h to provide the stability of test concentrations. In addition, two different control groups were conducted as negative control and acetone control. Gill, hepatopancreas and muscle tissues from crayfish exposed to 2 and 7 days to carbaryl were examined for superoxide dismutase, glutathion peroxidase and catalase enzyme activities. Results: Following to carbaryl treatment for 48 h and 7 days, gill superoxide dismutase and glutathion peroxidase enzyme activities were significantly increased (p<0.05) and catalase enzyme activities were not altered. After the 48 h treatment, the superoxide dismutase levels of hepatopancreas were decreased according to control groups, glutathion peroxidase and catalase values were increased significantly (p<0.05). At the 7th day glutathion peroxidase enzyme activities were increased, superoxide dismutase and catalase values were turned back to control levels. Conclusion: It is necessary to control the pesticide levels around the environment and avoid reaching them to water supplies because of being able to have rapid tissue spesific metabolic effects.