Cytogenotoxicity and inflammatory response in liver of rats exposed to different doses of cannabis nano emulsions.

Cannabis is the most used illicit substance for recreational purposes around the world. However, it has become increasingly common to witness the use of approved cannabis preparations for symptoms management in various diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cannabis nano emulsion in the liver of Wistar rats, with different proportions of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). For this, a total of 40 male Wistar rats were distributed into 5 groups, as follows (n = 8 per group): Control: G1, Experimental group (G2): treated with cannabis nano emulsion (THC and CBD) at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg, Experimental group (G3): treated with cannabis nano emulsion (THC and CBD) at a dose of 5 mg/kg, Experimental group (G4): treated with cannabis nano emulsion (CBD) at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg; Experimental group (G5): treated with cannabis nano emulsion (CBD) at a dose of 5 mg/kg. Exposure to the nano emulsion was carried out for 21 days, once a day, orally (gavage). Our results showed that cannabis nano emulsions at higher doses (5 mg/kg), regardless of the composition, induced histopathologic changes in the liver (G3 and G5) in comparison with the control group. In line with that, placental glutathione S-transferase (GST-P) positive foci increased in both G3 and G5 (p < 0.05), as well as the immune expression of Ki-67, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and p53 (p < 0.05). Also, the nano emulsion intake induced an increase in the number of micronucleated hepatocytes in G5 (p < 0.05) whereas G3 showed an increase in binucleated cells (p < 0.05). As for metanuclear alterations, karyolysis and pyknosis had an increased frequency in G3 (p < 0.05). Taken together, the results show that intake of cannabis nano emulsion may induce degenerative changes and genotoxicity in the liver in higher doses, demonstrating a clear dose-response relationship.

Is genotoxicity a suitable biomarker for monitoring anabolic-androgenic steroids exposure in vivo? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Steroids stand for a class of hormones (natural and synthetic) known to be helpful for a number of disorders. Despite the aforementioned beneficial effects of using these hormones, anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are also widely abused in a non-therapeutic manner for muscle-building and strength-increasing properties that may lead to genotoxicity in different tissues. The present study aims to understand whether genotoxicity may be a suitable biomarker for AAS exposure in vivo in both experimental animal and human studies. All studies published in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases that presented data on DNA damage caused by AAS were analyzed. A total of 15 articles were included in this study, and after thoroughly reviewing the studies, a total of 8 articles were classified as Strong, 6 were classified as Moderate, and only 1 was classified as Weak, totaling 14 studies being considered either Strong or Moderate. This classification makes it possible to consider the present findings as reliable. The meta-analysis data revealed a statistically significant difference in Wistar rat testis cells with AAS compared to control for tail length and % tail DNA (p < 0.001), so that the selected articles were considered homogeneous and the I2 of 0% indicated low heterogeneity. In summary, genotoxicity can be considered a suitable biomarker for monitoring AAS exposure as a result of DNA breakage and oxidative DNA damage.

Is micronucleus assay a useful marker in gingiva, tongue, and palate for evaluating cytogenetic damage induced by chemical, physical, and biological agents in vivo? A systematic review with meta-analysis.

The present systematic review (SR) aims to evaluate manuscripts in order to help further elucidate the following question: is the micronucleus assay (MA) also a useful marker in gingiva, tongue, and palate for evaluating cytogenetic damage in vivo? A search was performed through the electronic databases PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science, all studies published up to December 2023. The comparisons were defined as standardized mean difference (SMD), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were established. Full manuscripts from 34 studies were carefully selected and reviewed in this setting. Our results demonstrate that the MA may be a useful biomarker of gingival tissue damage in vivo, and this tissue could be a useful alternative to the buccal mucosa. The meta-analysis analyzing the different sites regardless of the deleterious factor studied, the buccal mucosa (SMD = 0.69, 95% CI, - 0.49 to 1.88, p = 0.25) and gingiva (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI, - 0.11 to 0.72, p = 0.15), showed similar results and different outcome for the tongue (SMD = 1.19, 95% CI, 0.47 to 1.91, p = 0.001). In summary, our conclusion suggests that the MA can be a useful marker for detecting DNA damage in gingiva in vivo and that this tissue could be effective site for smearing.

Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway in the ocular cells of rat fetuses exposed to maternal saturated fat ingestion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze possible alterations (morphological and inflammatory) in the ocular cells of fetuses from mothers with insulin resistance exposed to saturated fatty acids through the period of pregnancy. METHODS: Wistar female rats were induced to develop insulin resistance before pregnancy. Fetuses' skulls were collected on the 20th day of intrauterine life. The rats were separated on the first day of management into two groups according to the diet applied: control group (C): diet containing soybean oil as a source of fat; and saturated fatty acid group (S): diet containing butter as a source of fat. RESULTS: Histological and immunohistochemical analyses have been conducted. The immunohistochemical analyses of interleukin 6, suppressor of cytokine signaling, 3 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 did not demonstrate alterations in the expression of proteins in the fetuses of mothers fed with a saturated fatty diet. Moreover, no histopathological changes were noticed between groups. CONCLUSION: The saturated fatty diet does not induce tissue changes or activate the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway during eye development in the fetuses of mothers with insulin resistance.

Cytogenetic Biomonitoring in Buccal Mucosa Cells of COVID-19 Patients: Preliminary Findings.

BACKGROUND/AIM: COVID-19 may lead to progressive respiratory failure as a consequence of alveolar damage, resulting in death. The aim of this study was to evaluate cytogenetic damage in oral cells of COVID-19 patients by micronucleus assay. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 11 COVID-19 patients aged 40.7±9.3 years (5 men and 6 women) were included in this study. For the control group, a total of 15 participants not infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus were included. The mean age was 41.6±6.2 years (5 men and 10 women). RESULTS: The results showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in micronucleated buccal mucosa cells of COVID-19 patients. In addittion, a statistically significant increase in karyolysis and karrhyorexis (p<0.05) was observed in COVID-19 patients compared to control. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 virus can induce mutagenesis and cytotoxicity in oral cells.

Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway in the ocular cells of rat fetuses exposed to maternal saturated fat ingestion

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze possible alterations (morphological and inflammatory) in the ocular cells of fetuses from mothers with insulin resistance exposed to saturated fatty acids through the period of pregnancy. METHODS: Wistar female rats were induced to develop insulin resistance before pregnancy. Fetuses' skulls were collected on the 20th day of intrauterine life. The rats were separated on the first day of management into two groups according to the diet applied: control group (C): diet containing soybean oil as a source of fat; and saturated fatty acid group (S): diet containing butter as a source of fat. RESULTS: Histological and immunohistochemical analyses have been conducted. The immunohistochemical analyses of interleukin 6, suppressor of cytokine signaling, 3 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 did not demonstrate alterations in the expression of proteins in the fetuses of mothers fed with a saturated fatty diet. Moreover, no histopathological changes were noticed between groups. CONCLUSION: The saturated fatty diet does not induce tissue changes or activate the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway during eye development in the fetuses of mothers with insulin resistance.