Relationship between cytological features of buccal epithelial cells and biochemical parameters in obese schoolchildren

Objective. To determine the relationship between metabolic parameters and cytological characteristics of the buccal mucosa in obese children. Patients and methods. An open cross-sectional case-control study included 78 schoolchildren aged 9 to 15 years, 44 of them were obese. We determined body mass index, lipid metabolism parameters (total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoproteins), and also cytological characteristics of buccal epithelial cells. Results. The number of buccal epithelial cells with condensed chromatin was by 10 times higher in obese children. A correlation was found between cholesterol concentrations and certain cytological parameters, but this correlation was statistically significant only in the pair “cholesterol – number of binucleated cells” (correlation coefficient 0.925, p = 0.05) in obese children and in the pair “total protein – binucleated cells” in practically healthy children. Conclusion. We confirmed the known data about specific characteristics of lipid metabolism in obese children that correlate with certain cytological parameters of the buccal mucosa, namely, an increased number of cells with chromatin condensation. This phenomenon is suggestive of activation of apoptosis in obese children. Keywords: buccal epithelial cells, obesity, schoolchildren, cholesterol

Micronucleus frequency in buccal mucosa cells of patients with neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases show an increase in prevalence and incidence, with the most prominent example being Alzheimer’s disease. DNA damage has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis, but the exact mechanisms remain elusive. We enrolled 425 participants with and without neurodegenerative diseases and analyzed DNA damage in the form of micronuclei in buccal mucosa samples. In addition, other parameters such as binucleated cells, karyolytic cells, and karyorrhectic cells were quantified. No relevant differences in DNA damage and cytotoxicity markers were observed in patients compared to healthy participants. Furthermore, other parameters such as lifestyle factors and diseases were also investigated. Overall, this study could not identify a direct link between changes in buccal cells and neurogenerative diseases, but highlights the influence of lifestyle factors and diseases on the human buccal cytome.

The impact of embryo binucleation depends upon its origin

Summary Preimplantation embryos frequently contain binucleated cells, but reports differ as to whether binucleation affects development and whether such embryos should be used clinically. In this Point Of View article, we propose a possible explanation for this disparity: binucleation can arise by distinct routes, one that produces healthy blastomeres and one that directly threatens embryo viability.

Cytogenetic status of children in the hygienic assessment of the air pollution by odorous substances

For the first time the impact of odorous emissions from the enterprise for the production of chewing gum on the cytogenetic status of children, residing in the distance of 0,9 and 6 km, was studied. Specific weak mint and fruity odour in the air in the placement of the enterprise may be related to the presence of menthol, menthone, pinene, limonene, ethyl acetate and other compounds containing in the emissions. There were no differences in cytogenetic status of children in both groups (by frequency of micronuclei, protrusions, binucleated cells, apoptosis).

Increase of binucleated cells in the oral mucosa: a study on the use of psychotropics by students of a Brazilian institution

SUMMARY This study aimed to assess the prevalence of medical and nonmedical use of psychiatric medication among undergraduate students of health sciences from a public university in Brasil. Another objective was to determine the frequency of nuclear morphological abnormalities in the buccal mucosa of students using psychiatric drugs. A cross-sectional study based on a Web survey was carried out with 375 health sciences undergraduate students from schools of Pharmacy, Physical Education, Nutrition, and Medicine. Additionally, spontaneous genetic damages in exfoliated cells of the buccal mucosa of 41 individuals by counting micronucleus (MN) and binucleated (BN) cells frequencies were evaluated. The results showed 76 (20.3%) of students reported the use of psychotropic drugs after enrolling in university. The majority of these students were from Pharmacy and Medicine programs, females, aged between 18-25 years old, nonsmokers, alcohol addicts, and with a family history of mental illness. In addition, Medical students, individuals with high-income, who live alone and are in the last period of the program are more likely to use psychotropic drugs. Moreover, exposure to psychiatric medication was able to increase the number of binucleated cells. These results provide evidence that the use of psychoactive drugs is increased in the academic context and may be related to the failure of the cell cycle.

EFECTOS DEL SORBATO DE POTASIO A DIFERENTES CONCENTRACIONES y TIEmPO DE ExPOSICIóN SOBRE EL CICLO CELULAR y EL mATERIAL GENÉTICO EN mERISTEmOS RADICULARES DE AllIuM CEPA l. (CEBOLLA)

EFECTOS DEL SORBATO DE POTASIO A DIFERENTES CONCENTRACIONES y TIEmPO DE ExPOSICIóN SOBRE EL CICLO CELULAR y EL mATERIAL GENÉTICO EN mERISTEmOS RADICULARES DE AllIuM CEPA l. (CEBOLLA) EFFECT OF POTASSIUm SORBATE AT DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS AND ExPOSURE TImE ON THE CELL CyCLE AND THE GENETIC mATERIAL IN ROOT mERISTEmS OF AllIuM CEPA l “ONION” Joselyne Quispe, José Saldaña, Tony Verde y Shirley Valderrama Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Trujillo,Perú DOI: https://doi.org/10.33017/RevECIPeru2010.0011/ RESUMEN Con el propósito de determinar el efecto del Sorbato de Potasio sobre el ciclo celular en meristemos radiculares de Allium cepa L. “cebolla” se establecieron tres grupos experimentales que se expusieron a las soluciones de Sorbato de Potasio en concentraciones de 0.5, 1 y 2 g/L; por 6, 7 y 8 horas cada una y un grupo control. Luego se realizó la respectiva coloración en Orceína acética al 2% de acuerdo a la técnica de Tjio y Levan, observándose con el microscopio compuesto un total de 1500 células meristemáticas en cada uno de los tratamientos. Los resultados aplicando tratamiento después de 8 horas de exposición a la concentración de 2 g/L mostraron una disminución del índice mitótico de 11.26 %, mientras que se incrementó el índice profásico en 95.57 %. Se produjeron también alteraciones como rupturas cromosómicas, puentes anafásicos y células binucleadas. Las pruebas y análisis de varianza, mostraron diferencias significativas entre los diferentes tratamientos, confirmado mediante la prueba de comparación múltiple de promedios de Duncan. Se evidencia un probable efecto genotóxico en el material genético por el Sorbato de Potasio y una alteración en el ciclo celular de los meristemos de A. cepa L.; así mismo, se comprueba la función de biosensor de A. cepa L. en el estudio de sustancias que puedan afectar el ciclo celular. Palabras clave: Allium cepa, Sorbato de Potasio, Índice Mitótico, Alteración del material genético, Puentes anafásicos, Rupturas cromosómicas, Células binucleadas. ABSTRACT In order to determine the effect of Potassium Sorbate on the cell cycle in root meristems of Allium cepa L. “onion” set three experimental groups were exposed to solutions of Potassium Sorbate at concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 2g /l, for 6, 7 and 8 hours each and a control group. Later the respective color in 2% Acetic orcein according to the technique of Tjio and Levan, observed with the compound microscope a total of 1500 meristematic cells in each of the treatments. The appropriate treatment results after 8 hours of exposure to the concentration of 2 g / L showed a decrease in mitotic index of 11.26%, while it increased the rate at 95.57% prophasic index. There were also alterations as chromosome breaks, anaphasic bridges and binucleated cells. The tests and analysis of variance showed significant differences between the different treatments, as confirmed by multiple comparison test of Duncan averages. It shows a probable genotoxic effect in the genetic material by Potassium Sorbate and an alteration in the cell cycle of meristems of A. cepa L., likewise, is found biosensor function of A. cepa L. in the study of substances that may affect the cell cycle. Keywords: Allium cepa, Potassium Sorbate, Mitotic index, Abnormal genetic material, Chromosomal breaks, Anafasic bridges, Binucleated cells.

Nuclear transfer alters placental gene expression and associated histone modifications of the placental-specific imprinted gene pleckstrin homology-like domain, family A, member 2 (PHLDA2) in cattle

Abnormal placental development is frequent in nuclear transfer (NT) pregnancies and is likely to be associated with altered epigenetic reprogramming. In the present study, fetal and placental measurements were taken on Day 60 of gestation in cows with pregnancies produced by AI, IVF and NT. Placentas were collected and subjected to histological evaluation, the expression of genes important in trophoblast differentiation and expression of the placental imprinted gene pleckstrin homology-like domain, family A, member 2 (PHLDA2), as well as chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) for histone marks within the promoter of PHLDA2. Fewer binucleated cells were observed in NT cotyledons, followed by IVF and AI cotyledons (P < 0.05). Expression of heart and neural crest derivatives expressed 1 (HAND1), placental lactogen (PL), pregnancy-associated glycoprotein 9 (PAG-9) and PHLDA2 was elevated in NT cotyledons compared with AI cotyledons. Expression of PHLDA2 was higher in IVF than AI samples (P < 0.05). ChIP revealed an increase in the permissive mark dimethylation of lysine 4 on histone H3 (H3K4me2), surprisingly associated with the silent allele of PHLDA2, and a decrease in the inhibitory mark H3K9me2 in NT samples. Thus, genes critical for placental development were altered in NT placentas, including an imprinted gene. Allele-specific changes in the permissive histone mark in the PHLDA2 promoter indicate misregulation of imprinting in clones. Abnormal trophoblast differentiation could have resulted in lower numbers of binucleated cells following NT. These results suggest that the altered expression of imprinted genes associated with NT are also caused by changes in histone modifications.