Chromosomal Damage, Chromosome Instability, and Polymorphisms in GSTP1 and XRCC1 as Biomarkers of Effect and Susceptibility in Farmers Exposed to Pesticides.

In the department of Boyacá, Colombia, agriculture stands as one of the primary economic activities. However, the escalating utilization of pesticides within this sector has sparked concern regarding its potential correlation with elevated risks of genotoxicity, chromosomal alterations, and carcinogenesis. Furthermore, pesticides have been associated with a broad spectrum of genetic polymorphisms that impact pivotal genes involved in pesticide metabolism and DNA repair, among other processes. Nonetheless, our understanding of the genotoxic effects of pesticides on the chromosomes (as biomarkers of effect) in exposed farmers and the impact of genetic polymorphisms (as susceptibility biomarkers) on the increased risk of chromosomal damage is still limited. The aim of our study was to evaluate chromosomal alterations, chromosomal instability, and clonal heterogeneity, as well as the presence of polymorphic variants in the GSTP1 and XRCC1 genes, in peripheral blood samples of farmers occupationally exposed to pesticides in Aquitania, Colombia, and in an unexposed control group. Our results showed statistically significant differences in the frequency of numerical chromosomal alterations, chromosomal instability, and clonal heterogeneity levels between the exposed and unexposed groups. In addition, we also found a higher frequency of chromosomal instability and clonal heterogeneity in exposed individuals carrying the heterozygous GSTP1 AG and XRCC1 (exon 10) GA genotypes. The evaluation of chromosomal alterations and chromosomal instability resulting from pesticide exposure, combined with the identification of polymorphic variants in the GSTP1 and XRCC1 genes, and further research involving a larger group of individuals exposed to pesticides could enable the identification of effect and susceptibility biomarkers. Such markers could prove valuable for monitoring individuals occupationally exposed to pesticides.

[Cardiovascular risk markers in schoolchildren from five provinces of eastern Colombia]. / Marcadores de riesgo cardiovascular en escolares de cinco departamentos de la región oriental en Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease is a public health problem globally; it represents the second cause of mortality in Colombia. This highlights the importance of identifying risk markers from the time of childhood, in order to diminish mortality rates proactively. OBJECTIVES: The lipid profile, homocysteine and C reactive protein plasma concentrations were determined in order to identify relationships between these markers and age, sex and school type. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive study was undertaken in 600 schoolchildren, aged 5 to 14, where the lipid profile, and the plasmatic concentrations of homocysteine and C-reactive protein were evaluated. RESULTS: Higher average levels of total cholesterol, low density cholesterol and triglycerides were observed in females (p<0.05) as compared with males. The prevalences of high lipid were higher in females than in males--7.9% vs. 3.0% for total cholesterol; 11.6% vs. 4.7% for low density cholesterol and 6.9% vs. 5.7% for triglycerides. Children in private schools had higher levels of lipid than those in public ones (p<0.05). The prevalence of homocysteine levels above 6.3 micromol/L was higher (64.3%) in males than in females (56.1%). No statistically significant differences with respect to sex, age or type of school were observed when comparing the prevalence of high levels C-reactive proteins. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of high lipid profile levels in female schoolchildren suggested a policy of adopting intervention measures at an early age. Other factors require further investigation, such as the homocysteine levels observed in males and the C protein levels in order to detect their contribution to cardiovascular disease.

Correlación entre la adicción a la comida y niveles del ácido araquidónico en adultos con obesidad tras intervenciones nutricionales / Correlation between food addiction and arachidonic acid levels in obese adults following nutritional interventions

Introducción: Los endocannabinoides son una diana en el tratamiento de la obesidad y se producen a partir de ácidos grasos esenciales, los derivados del ácido linoleico actúan como agonistas de los receptores cannabinoides tipo 1 (CB1), asimismo, los derivados del ácido linolénico ejercen efectos de antagonistas de dichos receptores, por lo cual se plantea que modificar el consumo dietario de los ácidos grasos omega 3 y 6 podría modular la activación del sistema endocannabinoide, lo que podría ser favorable para personas con adicción a la comida, considerando cómo este sistema promueve la actividad de las vías dopaminérgicas que se alteran en la adicción a sustancias psicoactivas. Objetivo: Analizar la correlación entre el puntaje de adicción a la comida por la escala mYFAS 2.0 y los niveles plasmáticos de ácido araquidónico en adultos con obesidad tras modular la ingesta de alimentos fuente de ácidos grasos esenciales. Metodología: Se desarrolló un estudio piloto con diseño de ensayo clínico cruzado en dos tiempos, en donde los participantes recibieron los tratamientos estándar y experimental, en estos se brindaron planes siguiendo recomendaciones para el manejo nutricional de la obesidad, adicionalmente, el tratamiento experimental contó con pautas para disminuir el consumo del Omega 6 y aumentar el consumo de Omega 3 para obtener una relación menor a 5:1 entre estos ácidos grasos. Resultados: Se observó una disminución significativa en el puntaje de adicción a la comida y los niveles plasmáticos de ácido araquidónico en los participantes tras recibir el tratamiento experimental, presentando una correlación directamente proporcional entre estas, por otro lado, el tratamiento estándar estuvo asociado a una correlación inversamente proporcional entre estos. Conclusiones: El descenso en las concentraciones plasmáticas del ácido araquidónico fue asociado a un menor puntaje en la escala mYFAS 2.0 de adicción a la comida en los participantes de este estudio tras su exposición al tratamiento experimental.

Introduction: Endocannabinoids are a target in obesity treatment and they are produced from the essential fatty acids, the metabolites of linoleic acid act as agonists of the cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1), likewise, the metabolites of the linolenic acid act as inverse agonists of such receptors, hence, it is proposed that modifying the dietary intake of the essential fatty acids (Omega 6 and 3) may modulate the activation of the endocannabinoid system, this could be favorable for people with food addiction, considering how this system promotes the activity of the dopaminergic pathways that are altered in the psychoactive substances addiction. Objective: To analyze the correlation between the food addiction score and plasmatic levels of arachidonic acid in adults with obesity following a modulation of the dietary intake of essential fatty acids n-6 and n-3 food sources. Methods: A pilot study was carried out with a two-period crossover clinical trial design, in which the participants received standard and experimental treatments, in these programs, plans were provided following guidelines for the nutritional management of obesity, in addition, the experimental treatment included recommendations to reduce the intake of linoleic acid and to increase the intake of linolenic acid to obtain a ratio lower to 5:1 between these fatty acids. Results: A significant decrease in the food addiction score and plasmatic levels of arachidonic acid was observed in the participants exposed to the experimental treatment, showing a directly proportional correlation, moreover, the standard treatment was associated to inverse correlations between these variables. Conclusion: The decrease in plasmatic arachidonic acid levels was associated with lower scores on the mYFAS 2.0 of food addiction in the participants of this study following their exposure to the experimental treatment.

[Lipid and apoprotein A-I and B-100 levels in school children school from five central-eastern provinces of Colombia]. / Evaluación de las concentraciones de lípidos y apoproteínas A-I y B-100 en un grupo de escolares de cinco departamentos del centro-oriente de Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Lipid and apolipoprotein are known to vary in children.These variations can be associated to physiologic changes or the environment; this last one probably induces future alterations in the lipids. OBJECTIVE: The levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and apoproteins A-I and B-100 were compared in school children from five provinces of middle-eastern Colombia. Associations were made with age, gender, body mass index, fitness activity, and food preference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 741 blood samples were collected and biochemical determinations were undertaken with standard enzymatic, colorimetric, and inmunoturbidimetric methods. All values are presented as mean +/- SE, comparisons among groups were made using Student s t test, ANOVA and Scheffe. RESULTS: Lipid variation was observed in the school children, however in contrast, the concentrations of Apoproteins ApoB-100 and ApoA-I tended to be constant. The lipid fluctuations showed some relationship with changes in age and gender, however, changes were also observed that indicate a possible relationship with sexual maturation, diet and fitness activity. An important finding was that the HDL cholesterol value was lower that reported from other countries, while the triglycerides was higher and this may indicate a future increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. CONCLUSION: Fluctuations occur in the lipid levels and vary with age and gender. Associations with other factors may be present; however, more research is necessary to determinate the contribution of each factor. A promotion campaign among school-age children for a healthier life style may contribute to a decrease in future risk for cardiovascular diseases associated with low HDL-cholesterol levels and higher triglycerides.

[Leptin levels in school age children associated with anthropometric measurements and lipid profiles]. / Concentración sérica de leptina en población escolar de cinco departamentos del centro-oriente colombiano y su relación con parámetros antropométricos y perfil lipídico.

INTRODUCTION: Leptins are proteins that regulate body weight. Their concentrations are modified depending on several factors including metabolic status, diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: The leptin concentrations were measured in Colombian children and related to age, sex, body mass index, triceps skinfold and lipid profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: School age children from 5 provinces of central-eastern Colombia were examined. Measurements included body mass index, body fat reserves, leptin concentrations and lipid profile. RESULTS: The overall leptin concentrations were 8.3+/-8.9 ng/ml. The concentrations varied by differences in the age and sex, but were equal in children with higher body weight and greater fat deposition. A positive relationship was observed between high leptin levels and high total cholesterol in males, and in females, an association of high leptin levels with high levels of triglycerides. CONCLUSION: The leptin concentrations followed a trend similar to those of other population groups with differences according to the age, sex and deposits of fat mass. However, the values seem to be influenced by hormonal differences and food habits. In addition, overweight or obese school children probably have hyperleptinemia, correlated to metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular diseases. The sex specific association between total cholesterol, triglycerides and leptin suggests a complex relationship that depends on biological and hormonal differences, as well as environmental and life style differences. Each of these associations requires additional focused study for verification.

[Genetic polymorphism of the E apolipoprotein in school age children: comparison with levels of plasma lipids and apolipoproteins]. / Polimorfismo genético de la apolipoproteína E en un grupo de escolares del centro-oriente colombiano: comparación con las concentraciones plasmáticas de lípidos y apolipoproteínas.

INTRODUCTION: Research in laboratories around the world has documented the contribution of the E apolipoprotein alleles to structural variations of lipids and apolipoproteins. OBJECTIVE: The gene frequencies of the E apolipoprotein alleles were compared with the lipid and apolipoprotein levels in school age children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six hundred and ninety one 5 to 15 years old school age children from the Colombian departments of Cundinamarca, Boyacá, Meta, Santander and Norte de Santander, were evaluated. The genotypes of the E apolipoprotein were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Plasma levels for the following 5 lipids and lipoproteins were assayed: total cholesterol, HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol, LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) cholesterol, A-I apolipoprotein and B-100 apolipoprotein. RESULTS: Alleles e2, e3 and e4 were found in frequencies of 0.04, 0.86 and 0.08, respectively. The E4 group (E4/3-E4/4), in contrast with the E2 group (E3/2-E2/2), presented highest plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and B-100 apolipoprotein (p=0.014, 0.001 and 0.000, respectively). When the E3/3 group was compared with E2, the same result was obtained (p=0.015, 0.002 and 0.002, respectively). The influence of the E apolipoprotein polymorphism appeared greater in female children than male. CONCLUSIONS: The e4 allele was associated with higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and B-100 apolipoprotein and indicates the necessity of additional research into the interactions between polymorphism E apolipoprotein and other genes, life styles, risk factors and potential contribution to cardiovascular diseases.

[Effects of vegetal oil supplementation on the lipid profile of Wistar rats ]. / Efecto del suplemento de aceites vegetales sobre el perfil lipídico en ratas wistar.

BACKGROUND: Dietary tocopherols, tocotrienols and saturated, mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids have been reported to have an effect on blood lipid profiles. In Colombia, vegetable oils (palm, soy, corn, sunflower, and canola) are a common dietary constituent and consumed in high quantities. OBJECTIVE: In the current study, the effects of vegetable oil consumption was examined by measuring blood concentrations of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) in male Wistar rats. METHODS: The concentrations of tocopherols, tocotrienols, and fatty acids in each oil was quantified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Each rat diet was supplemented with 0.2 ml/day with one oil type. Over a 4-week period, groups of animals were sacrificed weekly and blood samples were obtained to quantify TC, TG and HDL-C for each oil class. Statistical analyses included mean, standard deviation, ANOVA and Bonferroni comparisons tests. RESULTS: Triglyceride content was not affected except in the control and the soy group in the third treatment week, although a tendency for decreased TG was noted in the palm oil group and for increased TG in the sunflower oil and canola oil groups. No significant differences in total cholesterol were observed. In HDL-C, significant differences were present for every treatment week (p = 0.005); this represented a decreasing trend in palm oil group and an increasing trend in the sunflower and corn oil groups. CONCLUSION: The oils effected changes in the blood lipid profile. A small amount of saturated fatty acids (tocopherol and tocotrienol) were favourable for the HDL-C increase. The presenct of tocorienols tended to decrease the TG and probably helped attenuate the unfavorable effects of the saturated fatty acids.

[Stability and effect of ingestion on the levels of folate in plasma]. / Estabilidad y efecto de la ingestión sobre los niveles de folatos en plasma.

The physiological demand of folates increases during adolescence, pregnancy and lactation due to the rapid growth and anabolic activity during these stages of life. The periconceptional deficiency of folates is a risk for the presence of neural tube defects. We studied the stability of folates concentration in plasma and the effect of ingestion of a breakfast rich in folates on the postprandial levels of this micronutrient, up to two hours after food intake. For the stability assay the samples were stored protected from light at -70 degrees C and analysed at time intervals of 1, 8, 30, 90 and 120 days. The mean folates concentration in plasma was higher in postprandial stage (8.9 ng/dl) that in fasting (7.9 ng/dl), which represents a statistically significant (p < 0.01) increase of 11%. This study confirms that fasting is important in folates determination for diagnosis and research purposes to establish deficiency prevalence of this micronutrient in a population. Concerning the stability of folates concentration, we did not find a significant difference between the several time analysis (p > 0.1); this suggests that folates concentrations in plasma remain stable under the experimental conditions described.

Estado nutricional, parasitismo intestinal y sus factores de riesgo en una población vulnerable del municipio de Iza (Boyacá), Colombia año 2013 / Nutritional status, intestinal parasitism and their risk factors in a vulnerable population in the municipality of Iza (Boyaca), Colombia 2013

The aim of this study was to establish the nutritional status and intestinal parasitism and their risk factors in pregnant women, elderly people and children under 5 years old. Each one of the participants wasgiven a survey, their nutritional status values were taken(weight and size), as were measurements ofindicators such as haemoglobin, seric iron, ferritin, tranferrin, reactive protein C, and a test for intestinal parasites, followed by a medical ma-nagement plan. The risk factors for intestinal parasitism found, were bad hygiene habits and the lack of access to basic public services. In the elderly, it was found that 22% were overweight and 16.5% suffered from obesity. In the group of boys and girls, 15.2% were overweight or obese and 15.2% presented some risk of acute malnutrition. Moreover, the elderly presented 26.4% prevalence of mild or moderate anaemia, and the children 14.9%, in both cases co-related to the concentrations of iron and ferritin. There was 65.3% prevalence of intestinal parasites. Some of the parasites found were: Entamoeba coli, Blastocystis hominis and Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar. It is important to reinforce the programmes of food security to lower the malnutrition rates. In spite of having found a high percentage of intestinal parasites, no statistically significant relationship with malnutrition and its factors was found.

El objetivo del estudio fue establecer el estado nutricional, el parasitismo intestinal y sus factores de riesgo en mujeres gestantes, adultos mayores y niños menores de 5 años. A cada uno de los participantes se le aplicó una encuesta, valoración del estado nutricional (peso y talla), medición de indicadores como hemoglobina, hierro sérico, ferritina, transferrina, proteína C reactiva, y búsqueda de parásitos intestinales, seguido de un plan de manejo médico. Se encontraron como factores de riesgo para parasitismo intestinal, malos hábitos de higiene y falta de cubrimiento de los servicios públicos básicos. En los adultos mayores se encontró que 22% tenían sobrepeso, 16,5% obesidad, los niños y niñas 15,2% tuvieron sobrepeso u obesidad y 15,2% presentaron algún riesgo de desnutrición aguda, por otra parte presentaban prevalencias de anemia leve y moderada, 26,4% de adultos mayores y 14,9% de los niños. La prevalencia de parásitos intestinales fue 65.3%; encontrándose parásitos como Entamoeba coli, Blastocystis hominis y Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar. Es importante fortalecer los programas de seguridad alimentaria para disminuir los índices de malnutrición. A pesar de haber encontrado un alto porcentaje de parásitos intestinales no se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa con la desnutrición y los factores predisponentes.

Marcadores de riesgo cardiovascular en escolares de cinco departamentos de la región oriental en Colombia / Cardiovascular risk markers in schoolchildren from five provinces of eastern Colombia

Introducción. La enfermedad cardiovascular es un problema de salud pública en el mundo y representa la segunda causa de mortalidad en Colombia; de ahí, la importancia de identificar marcadores de riesgo desde la infancia, para disminuir las tasas de mortalidad. Objetivos. Determinar el perfil lipídico, la homocisteína y la proteína C reactiva e identificar la relación entre estos marcadores con edad, sexo y tipo de colegio, en escolares entre 5 y 14 años. Materiales y métodos. Estudio descriptivo de 600 escolares, en el que se evaluaron lípidos, homocísteina y proteína C reactiva en plasma. Resultados. Los promedios de colesterol total, colesterol de baja densidad y triglicéridos fueron más elevados en las niñas que en los niños (p<0,05); la prevalencia de lípidos elevados fue mayor en las niñas que en los niños: 7,9 por ciento Vs. 3,0 por ciento; 11,6 por ciento Vs. 4,7 por ciento y 6,9por ciento Vs. 5,7 por ciento para colesterol total, colesterol de baja densidad y triglicéridos, respectivamente. Con relación a los colegios, los privados mostraron niveles de lípidos más altos que los públicos (p<0,05). La prevalencia de niveles de homocisteína mayores de 6,3 µmol /L fue más alta en los varones (64,3 por ciento) que en las niñas (56,1 por ciento); las concentraciones de proteína C reactiva no presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas por sexo, edad o tipo de colegio. Conclusiones. La prevalencia de niveles altos de perfil lipídico observados en las niñas, sugieren la posibilidad de implementar medidas de intervención en la población infantil. Es necesario investigar la intervención de otros factores, en los niveles de homocisteína de los varones y en la proteína C reactiva, para determinar su contribución en las enfermedades cardiovasculares.