SDH2基因在白念珠菌环境适应性中的作用

目的 探究SDH2基因在白念珠菌环境适应性中的作用。方法 以野生型白念珠菌SC5314、SDH2基因敲除菌sdh2Δ/Δ、基因回复菌sdh2Δ/SDH2为实验对象;应用点板实验考察野生型菌、SDH2缺失菌和回复菌对外界压力刺激剂和抗真菌药物的敏感性;采用罗丹明6G外排实验考察SDH2基因缺失对白念珠菌药物外排能力的影响。结果 SDH2基因缺失后白念珠菌对细胞壁应激刺激剂咖啡因、氧化应激刺激剂二酰胺和甲萘醌表现出轻微耐受,值得注意的是SDH2基因敲除菌sdh2Δ/Δ对唑类抗真菌药物的敏感性明显增高,SDH2缺失导致白念珠菌药物外排能力下降。结论 SDH2缺失会导致白念珠菌对环境适应性的改变,包括对外界环境压力应答的改变和对唑类抗真菌药物敏感性的增加,以SDH2为靶基因,开发真菌特异性SDH2抑制剂,有望发现与唑类药物协同的新型抗真菌药物。     

人参皂苷Rg1对H2O2诱导的HaCaT细胞氧化损伤保护作用研究

目的 观察人参皂苷Rg₁对H₂O₂诱导的HaCaT细胞氧化损伤保护作用,并探讨其机制。方法 体外培养HaCaT细胞, H₂O₂诱导细胞建立氧化应激损伤模型,分为空白组、H₂O₂损伤组、人参皂苷Rg₁保护组。细胞增殖与毒性检测试剂盒(CCK-8)检测细胞存活率,Hochest染色法检测细胞凋亡情况,活性氧检测试剂盒测定细胞活性氧(ROS)水平,Western blot检测细胞中caspase-3、caspase-6、caspase-8、GAPDH蛋白表达。结果 H₂O₂诱导HaCaT细胞半数抑制浓度为100 μg?mL^-1;与H₂O₂损伤组比较,5、10和15mg?L^-1人参皂苷Rg₁预处理后,HaCaT细胞存活率明显升高(P<0.05),细胞核皱缩损伤状态明显改善,细胞凋亡数量显著减少。同时,人参皂苷Rg₁预处理可显著降低HaCaT细胞ROS水平,下调凋亡相关标志蛋白-活化型caspase-3、caspase-6、caspase-8蛋白表达水平。结论 人参皂苷Rg₁对H₂O₂诱导的HaCaT细胞氧化应激损伤具有一定的保护作用,其机制可能与增强细胞清除自由基能力及抑制凋亡相关。     

银杏叶提取物对低氧复氧、H2O2和谷氨酸损伤时谷氨酸引起的大鼠星形胶质细胞［Ca2+］i变化的影响

目的研究银杏叶提取物对低氧复氧、H₂O₂和L-谷氨酸损伤时谷氨酸升高大鼠星形胶质细胞［Ca²⁺］_i的影响。方法钙荧光探针Fluo-3/AM标记胞浆内游离钙离子，激光扫描共聚焦显微镜测定［Ca²⁺］_i的变化。结果 在低氧复氧、H₂O₂以及高浓度的L-谷氨酸损伤后，外源性谷氨酸（27 μmol·L^-1）均不能引起培养乳大鼠星形胶质细胞正常的［Ca²⁺］_i升高，反而使［Ca²⁺］_i分别降低(3.3±1.6)%，(81±11)%和(81±7)%；损伤前预先给予GbE（10 mg·L^-1）不能明显改善星形胶质细胞的谷氨酸反应，但预先给予GbE（100 mg·L^-1）后，27 μmol·L^-1谷氨酸可使损伤的星形胶质细胞［Ca²⁺］_i分别升高(135±98)%，(117±93)%和(89±36)%。结论低氧复氧、H₂O₂以及高浓度的L-谷氨酸均能损伤星形胶质细胞的谷氨酸反应，影响神经细胞与胶质细胞的双向交流。GbE能明显逆转不同损伤后谷氨酸诱导星形胶质细胞［Ca²⁺］_i的异常变化，使星形胶质细胞在不同损伤时能维持正常功能，该作用可能与GbE的脑保护作用有关。     

Cu2+对神经肌肉接头传递的作用

Cu²⁺对间接刺激诱发大鼠隔肌的收缩及诱发小鸡颈二腹肌的收缩均产生浓度依赖性抑制作用。但Cu²⁺不影响膈神经的兴奋和传导,对直接刺激诱发膈肌收缩的抑制作用弱于间接刺激诱发膈肌收缩的抑制。Cu²⁺不影响小鸡颈二腹肌对Ach的敏感性。说明Cu²⁺主要作用于突触前膜阻滞神经肌接头的传递。Ca²⁺,L-半胱氨酸可拮抗Cu²⁺的阻滞提示Cu²⁺可能与突触前膜的SH基结合,影响Ca²⁺的跨膜内流,减少Ach的释放,阻滞神经肌接头的传递。     

四肽FMRFa对大鼠心室肌Na+/Ca2+交换的抑制

目的　研究四肽FMRFa对大鼠单个心室肌细胞Na⁺/Ca²⁺交换的作用。方法　用膜片钳全细胞记录法测定成年大鼠心室肌细胞Na⁺/Ca²⁺交换电流(I_Na⁺/Ca²⁺)和其他离子通道电流。结果　FMRFa对大鼠心室肌细胞I_Na⁺/Ca²⁺呈浓度依赖性抑制,100μmol·L^-1浓度时抑制内向和外向I_Na⁺/Ca²⁺密度分别达60.1%和56.5%,对内向电流及外向电流的IC₅₀分别为20μmol·L^-1和34μmol·L^-1。FMRFa5μmol·L^-1抑制I_Na⁺/Ca²⁺内向和外向电流密度分别为38.7%和34.9%,但FMRFa5μmol·L^-1及20μmol·L^-1对L型钙电流、钠电流、瞬时外向电流和内向整流钾电流均无显著抑制作用。结论　FMRFa对大鼠心室肌细胞是一个特异性Na⁺/Ca²⁺交换抑制剂。     

黄杞苷保护DNA氧化损伤的活性及其可能机制

目的 研究黄杞苷保护DNA氧化损伤的活性与可能机制。方法 采用DNA保护分析法、超氧自由基（·O₂^-）清除法、Ferrozine显色法,探讨其保护DNA氧化损伤的活性与可能机制,并通过紫外可见光谱（UV-vis spectra）考察其与Fe²⁺络合的变化。结果 在DNA保护分析法、·O₂^-自由基清除法、Ferrozine显色法中,黄杞苷在一定浓度范围内,表现出浓度依赖性。其IC₅₀值分别（60.3±9.9）,（44.5±7.6）,（159.7±19.9）μg·mL^-1。UV-vis光谱分析表明,黄杞苷与Fe²⁺混合后,在波长475 nm处出现新的峰,摩尔消光系数为102.5 L·mol^-1·cm^-1。结论 黄杞苷能较好地保护DNA,免受羟基自由基（·OH）诱导的氧化损伤。其保护作用由直接清除ROS和间接清除ROS 2个途径实现。黄杞苷直接清除ROS,可能与氢转移和电子转移有关;间接清除ROS可能通过络合Fe²⁺的方式,阻断·OH自由基生成。不过,受3-位鼠李糖基的空间位阻影响,其Fe²⁺络合能力较弱。     

四烯甲萘醌保护成骨细胞氧化损伤的作用研究

目的 考察四烯甲萘醌(MK₄)对成骨细胞氧化损伤的保护作用,阐明MK₄防治骨质疏松作用机制。方法 采用过氧化氢(H₂O₂)刺激小鼠成骨细胞系（MC3T3-E1）氧化应激模型,考察细胞活力、ALP活性和骨结节面积,DCFH-DA法检测活性氧(ROS)水平,JC-1检测线粒体膜电势,Annexin V-FITC/PI法检测细胞凋亡率,RT-PCR法考察氧化应激相关基因FoxO1、FoxO3、SOD、Bcl-2和bax等的mRNA表达。结果 10 μmol/L四烯甲萘醌能显著提高H₂O₂刺激的成骨细胞增殖、ALP活性、骨结节形成面积和增强细胞膜电势,显著降低H₂O₂刺激的成骨细胞内丙二醛和活性氧水平,同时显著降低成骨细胞凋亡率和细胞凋亡因子bax/Bcl-2的mRNA表达水平,显著提高抗氧化酶SOD和转录因子FoxO1、FoxO3的mRNA表达。结论 四烯甲萘醌可通过调控FoxO通路保护成骨细胞氧化损伤和通过下调bax/Bcl-2比例,降低成骨细胞凋亡。     

89SrCl2治疗恶性肿瘤骨转移的影响因素分析

目的 探讨⁸⁹SrCl₂治疗恶性肿瘤骨转移的疗效影响因素。方法 选择南充市川北医学院附属医院2013年2月至2016年9月行⁸⁹SrCl₂治疗的恶性肿瘤骨转移患者99例,分析患者的年龄、性别、肿瘤病理类型、⁸⁹SrCl₂治疗次数、手术切除原发灶、放疗、化疗、肿瘤骨转移的病灶数量、联合止痛药状况以及碱性磷酸酶（ALP）是否会影响⁸⁹SrCl₂的治疗效果。结果 ⁸⁹SrCl₂治疗的总有效率为63.6%。单因素分析结果显示不同肿瘤病理类型、不同治疗次数、是否联合放射治疗、是否手术切除原发灶、不同肿瘤骨转移病灶数量及是否联合止痛药患者的治疗效果进行比较,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。logistics回归分析显示,患者的肿瘤病理类型、⁸⁹SrCl₂治疗次数、手术切除原发灶、肿瘤骨转移的病灶数量及联合止痛药是影响⁸⁹SrCl₂疗效的独立因素（P<0.05）。结论 肿瘤病理类型、⁸⁹SrCl₂治疗次数、手术切除原发灶、肿瘤骨转移病灶数量以及联合止痛药能影响⁸⁹SrCl₂治疗恶性肿瘤骨转移的疗效。     

注射用益气复脉（冻干）对H2O2所致H9C2细胞损伤的保护作用模型的建立及初步验证

目的 建立注射用益气复脉（冻干）（YQFM）对H9C2心肌细胞损伤的保护作用,并对30批样品进行测定。方法 筛选H₂O₂对H9C2心肌细胞损伤的造模时间（0.5、1.0、1.5 h）、造模剂量（0.1、0.2、0.3、0.4、0.5、0.6 mmol/L）,确定最佳造模方式;并进行线性、精密度和耐用性方法学考察;以YQFM随行样品作为对照,以细胞存活率作为衡量其保护作用的指标。结果 造模时间为0.5 h,H₂O₂造模剂量为0.2 mmol/L时,细胞存活率为60%左右,造模效果相对稳定;浓度为5 mg/mL的30批YQFM,使H₂O₂所致的损伤H9C2细胞的存活率为84.4%~96.8%,具有较好的细胞保护作用。结论 所建方法适用于YQFM对H9C2细胞损伤的保护作用研究,可作为初步评价YQFM生物学质量标准。     

新型含二硫键和硫酯键的乙酰半胱氨酸衍生物的合成与抗肝损伤活性评价

目的 设计、合成N-乙酰半胱氨酸衍生物,并评价目标化合物对H₂O₂诱导的LO2细胞氧化损伤的保护作用。方法 以L-半胱氨酸和N-乙酰半胱氨酸为起始原料,采用酰氯酯化法合成具有全新结构的乙酰半胱氨酸衍生物;以H₂O₂损伤LO2人肝细胞建立体外氧化损伤模型,利用CCK-8法检测不同浓度H₂O₂对LO2细胞存活率的影响,并检测细胞上清中MDA含量和SOD活性。结果 共合成了6个全新结构的N-乙酰半胱氨酸衍生物,其结构经¹H-NMR、¹³C-NMR、ESI-MS确证,目标化合物能够抑制H₂O₂诱导的LO2氧化损伤,并能够降低MDA含量和提高SOD活性（P<0.01或P<0.05）。结论 本研究快速、高效地合成了N-乙酰半胱氨酸系列衍生物,目标化合物对体外肝细胞损伤具有保护作用。     

吡喹酮对日本血吸虫雄虫的Ca2+,Mg2+,K+与Na+的含量及45Ca2+在虫体内分布的影响

日本血吸虫雄虫在4℃或37℃的HBS及无⁴⁵Ca²⁺的HBS中经吡喹酮1或30μg/ml作用0.5～2h后,未见虫的Ca²⁺,Mg²⁺含量有明显变化,但除4℃的HBS组外,余2组虫的K⁺含量明显减少,而虫的Na⁺含量的增加则不明显。在含30 mM Mg²⁺的HBS中,雄虫经吡喹酮作用1h后,虫的Mg²⁺含量明显增加。在37℃的HBS中,血吸虫雄虫经吡喹酮1μg/ml作用5～60min后,虫的皮层胞质中的⁴⁵²⁺含量的百分比较各相应对照组的明显减少,而虫体肌肉的则相反。在4℃的HBS或无⁴⁵Ca²⁺的HBS中,吡喹酮对⁴⁵²⁺在虫体内的分布无明显影响。     

Renal and cardiovascular effects of Bothrops marajoensis venom and phospholipase A2

Bothrops marajoensis is found in the savannah of Marajó Island in the State of Pará and regions of Amapá State, Brazil. The aim of the work was to study the renal and cardiovascular effects of the B. marajoensis venom and phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂). The venom was fractionated by Protein Pack 5PW. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of sPLA₂ showed amino acid identity with other lysine K49 sPLA₂s of snake venom. B. marajoensis venom (30 μg/mL) decreased the perfusion pressure, renal vascular resistance, urinary flow, glomerular filtration rate and sodium tubular transport. PLA₂ did not change the renal parameters. The perfusion pressure of the mesenteric bed did not change after infusion of venom. In isolated heart, the venom decreased the force of contraction and increased PP but did not change coronary flow. In the arterial pressure, the venom and PLA₂ decreased mean arterial pressure and cardiac frequency. The presence of atrial flutter and late hyperpolarisation reversed, indicating QRS complex arrhythmia and dysfunction in atrial conduction. In conclusion, B. marajoensis venom and PLA₂ induce hypotension and bradycardia while simultaneously blocking electrical conduction in the heart. Moreover, the decrease in glomerular filtration rate, urinary flow and electrolyte transport demonstrates physiological changes to the renal system.     

Purification and characterization of the biological effects of phospholipase A2 from sea anemone Bunodosoma caissarum

Sea anemones contain a variety of biologically active substances. Bunodosoma caissarum is a sea anemone from the Cnidaria phylum, found only in Brazilian coastal waters. The aim of the present work was to study the biological effects of PLA₂ isolated from the sea anemone B. caissarum on the isolated perfused kidney, the arteriolar mesenteric bed and on insulin secretion. Specimens of B. caissarum were collected from the São Vicente Channel on the southern coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Reverse phase HPLC analysis of the crude extract of B. caissarum detected three PLA₂ proteins (named BcPLA₂1, BcPLA₂2 and BcPLA₂3) found to be active in B. caissarum extracts. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry of BcPLA₂1 showed one main peak at 14.7 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of BcPLA₂1 showed high amino acid sequence identity with PLA₂ group III protein isolated from the Mexican lizard (PA23 HELSU, HELSU, PA22 HELSU) and with the honey bee Apis mellifera (PLA₂ and 1POC_A). In addition, BcPLA₂1 also showed significant overall homology to bee PLA₂. The enzymatic activity induced by native BcPLA₂1 (20 μg/well) was reduced by chemical treatment with p-bromophenacyl bromide (p-BPB) and with morin. BcPLA₂1 strongly induced insulin secretion in presence of high glucose concentration. In isolated kidney, the PLA₂ from B. caissarum increased the perfusion pressure, renal vascular resistance, urinary flow, glomerular filtration rate, and sodium, potassium and chloride levels of excretion. BcPLA₂1, however, did not increase the perfusion pressure on the mesenteric vascular bed. In conclusion, PLA₂, a group III phospholipase isolated from the sea anemone B. caissarum, exerted effects on renal function and induced insulin secretion in conditions of high glucose concentration.     

Synthesis and evaluation of sesquiterpene lactone inhibitors of phospholipase A2 from Bothrops jararacussu

Several sesquiterpene lactone were synthesized and their inhibitive activities on phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) from Bothrops jararacussu venom were evaluated. Compounds Lac01 and Lac02 were efficient against PLA₂ edema-inducing, enzymatic and myotoxic activities and it reduces around 85% of myotoxicity and around 70% of edema-inducing activity. Lac05-Lac08 presented lower efficiency in inhibiting the biological activities studied and reduce the myotoxic and edema-inducing activities around only 15%. The enzymatic activity was significantly reduced. The values of inhibition constants (K_I) for Lac01 and Lac02 were approximately 740 μM, and for compounds Lac05-Lac08 the inhibition constants were approximately 7.622-9.240 μM. The enzymatic kinetic studies show that the sesquiterpene lactones inhibit PLA₂ in a non-competitive manner. Some aspects of the structure-activity relationships (topologic, molecular and electronic parameters) were obtained using ab initio quantum calculations and analyzed by chemometric methods (HCA and PCA). The quantum chemistry calculations show that compounds with a higher capacity of inhibiting PLA₂ (Lac01-Lac04) present lower values of highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy and molecular volume (VOL) and bigger values of hydrophobicity (LogP). These results indicate some topologic aspects of the binding site of sesquiterpene lactone derivatives and PLA₂.     

Isolation and characterization of ellagic acid derivatives isolated from Casearia sylvestris SW aqueous extract with anti-PLA2 activity

The Casearia sylvestris SW (Flacourtiaceae) is utilized in folk medicine (Brazil and all Latin American) to treat several pathologic processes as inflammation, cancer, microbial infection and snake bites. Studies showed that C. sylvestris aqueous extract can inhibit many toxic effects caused by snake venoms (or caused by phospholipase A₂ isolated) from different species, mainly of Bothrops genus. Inhibition of enzymatic and myotoxic activities, decrease of edema formation and increase of the survival rate of rats injected with lethal doses of bothropic venoms are some toxic effects inhibited by C. sylvestris. In this study, four ellagic acid derivatives from aqueous extracts of C. sylvestris were isolated, characterized, and tested against effects from both total venom and PLA₂ (Asp 49 BthTX-II) from the venom of Bothrops jararacussu. The isolated compounds were as follows: ellagic acid (A), 3′-O-methyl ellagic acid (B), 3,3′-di-O-methyl ellagic acid (C), 3-O-methyl-3′,4′-methylenedioxy ellagic acid (D). The inhibition constant values (Ki) for enzymatic activity, as well the IC₅₀ values found in the edematogenic and myotoxic activities, indicate that the ellagic acid is the best inhibitor of these activities, while compounds C and D are the substances with lowest capacity on inhibiting these same effects. Our results show that the presence of hydroxyls at position 3 or 3′ (compounds A and B) increases the capacity of these derivatives on inhibiting these toxic effects. However, the presence of methoxyl groups at position 3 or 3′ reduced, but did not completely inhibit the capacity of compounds C and D on inhibiting all the toxic effects studied.     

A phospholipase A2 isolated from Lachesis muta snake venom increases the survival of retinal ganglion cells in vitro

We have previously showed that a phospholipase A₂ isolated from Lachesis muta snake venom and named LM-PLA₂-I displayed particular biological activities, as hemolysis, inhibition on platelet aggregation, edema induction and myotoxicity. In the present work, we evaluated the effect of LM-PLA₂-I on the survival of axotomized rat retinal ganglion cells kept in vitro, as well as its mechanism of action. Our results clearly showed that treatment with LM-PLA₂-I increased the survival of ganglion cells (100% when compared to control cultures) and the treatment of LM-PLA₂-I with p-bromophenacyl bromide abolished this effect. This result indicates that the effect of LM-PLA₂-I on ganglion cell survival is entirely dependent on its enzymatic activity and the generation of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) may be a prerequisite to the observed survival. In fact, commercial LPC mimicked the effect of LM-PLA₂-I upon ganglion cell survival. To investigate the mechanism of action of LM-PLA₂-I, cultures were treated with chelerythrine chloride, BAPTA-AM, rottlerin and also with an inhibitor of c-junc kinase (JNKi). Our results showed that rottlerin and JNK inhibitor abolished the LM-PLA₂-I on ganglion cell survival. Taken together, our results showed that LM-PLA₂-I and its enzymatic product, LPC promoted survival of retinal ganglion cells through the protein kinase C pathway and strongly suggest a possible role of the PLA₂ enzyme and LPC in controlling the survival of axotomized neuronal cells.     

The toxicity of H2O2 on the ionic homeostasis of airway epithelial cells in vitro

Oxygen species may be formed in the air spaces of the respiratory tract in response to environmental pollution such as particulate matter. The mechanisms and target molecules of these oxidants are still mainly unknown but may involve modifications of the ionic homeostasis in epithelial cells. Cytosolic concentrations of Ca²⁺ (Fura2) and Na⁺ (SBFI) and short-circuit current (Isc) were followed in primary cultures of human nasal epithelial cells and in the cell line 16HBE14o⁻ after exposure to H₂O₂ or ·OH (H₂O₂+Fe²⁺). Cells were grown on glass coverslips for ionic imaging or on permeable snapwell inserts for Isc studies. Exposure of the apical as well as the basal side of the cultures to H₂O₂ or ·OH induced a concentration-dependent transient increase in Isc which is due to a transient secretion of Cl⁻. Ca_i also increased transiently with approximately the same kinetics. The response was dependent on the release of calcium from intracellular stores. Na_i on the contrary increased steadily over more than an hour. When the apical membrane was permeabilized with gramicidin, ·OH inhibited the Na⁺ current (a measure of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity in the baso-lateral membrane). The arrest of the pump was significant after 30 min exposure to oxidant. On the other hand no increase in the apical or baso-lateral sodium conductances could be detected. The progressive arrest of the Na⁺/K⁺-pump may contribute to the sustained elevation of Na_i. This strong modification in the cellular ionic homeostasis may participate in the stress response of the respiratory epithelium through alterations in signal transduction pathways.     

Biochemical and biological characterization of a PLA2 from crotoxin complex of Crotalus durissus cumanensis

A new PLA₂ (Cdcum6) from crotoxin complex of Colombian Crotalus durissus cumanensis rattlesnake was purified using molecular exclusion chromatography and RP-HPLC. The molecular mass of Cdcum6 was determined by SDS-PAGE ∼14 KDa and confirmed by MALDI-TOF (14321.98 Da). The enzyme showed K_m 6.0 mM, V_max 3.44 nmol/min, optimum pH was 8.0 and temperature was between 30 and 45 °C, and it had a strict requirement of Ca²⁺ for its activity. The N-terminal sequence of PLA₂ was SLVQF EKMIK EVAGK NGVPWY. Comparison of amino acid sequence data with other PLA₂ from South American Crotalus durissus rattlesnakes showed that Cdcum6 shares the highest sequence identity with Cdr13 an isoform PLA₂ from Crotalus durissus ruruima, nevertheless, Cdcum6 showed high content of basic and hydrophobic amino acids. In mice, Cdcum6 presented higher LD₅₀ than crotoxin complex from C. d. cumanensis. Additionally, Cdcum6 induced a conspicuous local myotoxic effect and moderate footpad edema; in vitro, it was antigoagulant in doses as low as 0.5 μg/ml, and it was not cytotoxic on myoblast but Cdcum6 was able to lyse myotubes.     

Influence of GSTs, CYP2E1 and mEH polymorphisms on 1, 3-butadiene-induced micronucleus frequency in Chinese workers

1,3-butadiene (BD) has been classified as a human carcinogen, however, the relationship between chromosomal damage and its metabolic polymorphisms is not clear. The present study used the CBMN assay to detect chromosomal damage in the peripheral lymphocytes of 166 exposed workers and 41 non-exposed healthy individuals. PCR and PCR-RFLP were applied to detect GSTT1, GSTM1, CYP2E1 c1c2 and mEH Tyr113His, His139Arg polymorphisms. The results demonstrated that the micronucleus (MN) frequency of the exposed workers was significantly higher than controls (P < 0.01). Among the exposed workers, the individuals with high BD exposures are more susceptible to chromosomal damage than those with low exposures (FR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.14-1.53; P < 0.05). Gender-difference was also found in our study: males got lower micronucleus frequency than females. Workers who carried the genotypes of GSTM1 (+), CYP2E1 (c1c2/c2c2) and mEH intermediate (I) group had significantly higher MN frequency than those carrying the genotypes of GSTM1 (−) (FR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.05-1.59; P < 0.05), CYP2E1 (c1c1) (FR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.24-1.93; P < 0.01) or mEH high (H) group (FR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.08-2.34; P < 0.05), respectively. Our data indicated that the current BD exposure level could cause significantly higher MN frequency in workers than controls. Polymorphisms of GSTM1, CYP2E1 and mEH are susceptible to altered chromosome damage.     

A phospholipase A2 from Bothrops asper snake venom activates neutrophils in culture: Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and PGE2 biosynthesis

In this study, the production of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and up-regulation in cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway induced by a phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂), myotoxin-III (MT-III), purified from Bothrops asper snake venom, in isolated neutrophils were investigated. The arachidonic acid (AA) production and the participation of intracellular PLA₂s (cytosolic PLA₂ and Ca²⁺-independent PLA₂) in these events were also evaluated. MT-III induced COX-2, but not COX-1 gene and protein expression in neutrophils and increased PGE₂ levels. Pretreatment of neutrophils with COX-2 and COX-1 inhibitors reduced PGE₂ production induced by MT-III. Arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone (AACOCF₃), an intracellular PLA₂ inhibitor, but not bromoenol lactone (BEL), an iPLA₂ inhibitor, suppressed the MT-III-induced AA and PGE₂ release. In conclusion, MT-III directly stimulates neutrophils inducing COX-2 mRNA and protein expression followed by production of PGE₂. COX-2 isoform is preeminent over COX-1 for production of PGE₂ stimulated by MT-III. PGE₂ and AA release by MT-III probably is related to cPLA₂ activation.