Evaluating biogenic amines and pH levels in farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) for freshness assessment during storage.

This study examined the production of eight key biogenic amines (methylamine, tryptamine, putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, tyramine, spermidine, and spermine) in 120 samples of farmed rainbow trout during various storage conditions, and determined any accompanying variations in pH. The main objective of this study was to identify which of the eight biogenic amines could be used as chemical markers to evaluate the quality of farmed rainbow trout. Histamine and tryptamine were not present in any of the samples, and the levels of cadaverine were inconsistent. The levels of putrescine significantly increased at 0 °C (by day 9), 2 °C (by day 8), and 4 °C (by day 4). Tyramine, spermidine, and spermine levels exhibited fluctuations but had a significant positive correlation with the levels of putrescine. The pH levels slightly increased from their initial values across all storage temperatures, with no significant variations observed. Based on the results, it can be concluded that putrescine may serve as an effective marker of the freshness of farmed rainbow trout during storage.

The evaluation of oxidative stress and inflammation markers in serum and saliva of the patients with temporomandibular disorders.

Background/aim: Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), as in the occurrence of many diseases, have been associated with oxidative stress (OS) resulting from the disruption of antioxidant mechanisms and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in tissues. This study was designed to compare salivary and serum OS and inflammation markers of individuals with TMD and healthy subjects. Materials and methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted. Twenty-seven TMD patients diagnosed with disc displacement (DD) according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) and 17 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Prior to any treatment, serum, and saliva samples were taken from the patients and centrifuged, and stored at -80 °C until analyzed. All samples were examined for Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) concentrations. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups regarding median values of 8-OHdG, IL-6, and MDA (p > 0.05). When the relationship between serum and salivary 8-OHdG, IL-6, and MDA levels in all subjects was evaluated, there was a strong positive correlation between the levels of 8-OHdG and IL-6 in the serum (r = 0.752, p <0.001). In the study group, when the relationship between pain levels and serum and saliva 8-OHdG, IL-6, and MDA levels was assessed, a positive and strong correlation was found between the levels of 8-OHdG and IL-6 in serum. Conclusion: Although the strong correlation between pain scores and serum 8-OHdG and MDA levels supports the hypothesis that inflammation and OS mechanisms may be interrelated, according to the results of the study, inflammatory and OS markers in patients with TMD were not different from healthy individuals.

An evaluation of the levels of organochlorine compounds (OCPs and PCBs) in cultured freshwater and wild sea fish eggs as an exposure biomarker for environmental contamination.

In this study, the eggs of 30 wild Black Sea whiting (Merlangius merlangus euxinus, Nordmann, 1840) and 30 farmed freshwater rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum, 1792) collected from Samsun Province in Turkey were analyzed to determine the level of contamination by nine organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), namely α-hexachlorocyclohexane (α-HCH), ß-HCH, γ-HCH (lindane), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), aldrin, 2,4'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), 4,4'-DDT, 2,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), 4,4'-DDE, and 15 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (PCB-28, -70, -74, -81, -99, -101, -118, -138, -153, -156, -170, -180, -183, -187, and -208), and their potential use as biomarkers to monitor levels of environmental contamination. OCPs and PCBs in the fat of fish eggs were extracted cryogenically and their concentrations were determined with a gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD). The whiting eggs showed high OCP and PCB levels compared to the rainbow trout eggs. The median ∑ DDT values for whiting and rainbow trout eggs were 1601.62 ng g-1 fat (range 824.87-5049.81) and 406.49 ng g-1 fat (range 199.88-588.82); median ∑Indicator PCBs were 1264.24 ng g-1 fat (range 520.05-6140.32) and 82.11 ng g-1 fat (range 2.85-215.97); and median ∑ HCHs were 155.66 ng g-1 fat (range 35.45-330.40) and 13.48 ng g-1 fat (range 4.44-66.44), respectively. In the whiting eggs, the ∑Indicator PCB level was above the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 200 ng g-1 fat stated in the European Commission Regulation (EC) and Turkish Food Codex (TFC). In addition, there was a significant difference between the contamination levels of the eggs of the two species. In conclusion, it appears that fish eggs can serve as a valuable biomarker for the level of contamination of persistent organochlorine contaminants in different aquatic environments.

Persistent Organic Chlorinated Compound Residues in the Breast Milk of Female Seasonal Agricultural Workers.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective descriptive study aimed to investigate organochlorine compounds in women who breastfeed and work as a seasonal agricultural worker (SAW). METHODS: It was carried out on 100 woman working as SAW. Data were collected with a questionnaire by face-to-face interview and analyzed the residues of 27 items of organochlorine pesticides, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) metabolites and polychlorinated biphenyls, from persistent organic pollutants in mothers' 50 mL breast milk. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and correlation analysis were used to evaluate data. RESULTS: Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)28 component was determined in almost all women's milk and more than half of collected milk contained beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), PCB52, pp'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), PCB70, pp'- dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) ve Gamma HCH, respectively. CONCLUSION: It was recommended that necessary legal regulations and public information policy about that subject should exist.

d-Phenothrin-induced oxidative DNA damage in rat liver and kidney determined by HPLC-ECD/DAD.

The objective of this study was to assess the risk of genotoxicity of d-phenothrin by measuring the oxidative stress it causes in rat liver and kidney. The level of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG)/10(6) 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG) was measured by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array (DAD) and an electrochemical detector (ECD). Sixty male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups and one control group of 10 rats/group. d-phenothrin was administered intraperitoneally (IP) to the five experimental groups at 25 mg/kg (Group I), 50 mg/kg (Group II), 66.7 mg/kg (Group III), 100 mg/kg (Group IV), and 200 mg/kg (Group V) for 14 consecutive days, and the control group received only the vehicle, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). DNA from samples frozen in liquid nitrogen was isolated with a DNA isolation kit. Following digestion with nuclease P1 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), hydrolyzed DNA was subjected to HPLC. The dG and 8-oxodG levels were analyzed with a DAD and ECD, respectively. In the experimental groups, the mean 8-oxodG/10(6) dG levels were 48.15 ± 7.43, 68.92 ± 20.66, 82.07 ± 14.15, 85.08 ± 28.50, and 89.14 ± 21.73 in livers and 39.06 ± 7.63, 59.69 ± 14.22, 61.13 ± 17.46, 65.13 ± 23.40, and 72.66 ± 19.04 in kidneys of Groups I, II, III, IV, and V, respectively. The mean 8-oxodG/10(6) dG levels in the control groups were 44.96 ± 12.66 for the liver and 39.07 ± 4.80 for the kidney. A statistically significant (p < 0.05), dose-dependent increase in oxidative DNA damage was observed in both organs of animals exposed to d-phenothrin when compared to controls. Furthermore, the liver showed a significantly higher level of oxidative DNA damage than the kidney (p < 0.01). In conclusion, d-phenothrin administered to rats intraperitoneally for 14 consecutive days generated free radical species in a dose-dependent manner and caused oxidative DNA damage in the liver and kidney.

Subacute oral toxicity of combinations of selected synthetic pyrethroids, piperonyl butoxide, and tetramethrin in rats.

In this study, 70 Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven equal groups (six experimental and one control), which consisted of animals belonging to both sexes. Different combinations of insecticides were administered daily to the experimental groups (group 1: cypermethrin + piperonyl butoxide (PBO); group 2: alphacypermethrin + PBO; group 3: deltamethrin + PBO; group 4: cypermethrin + PBO + tetramethrin; group 5: alphacypermethrin + PBO + tetramethrin; and group 6: deltamethrin + PBO + tetramethrin) for 28 days. During the study period, mortality and serious clinical findings were not observed in any animal. However, feed consumptions decreased in groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.05). Red blood cells, white blood cells, and hemoglobin levels, especially in cypermethrin and alphacypermethrin groups (groups 1, 2, and 4), were found to be higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, biochemical changes related to liver, kidney functions, and protein metabolism occurred in males of almost all the groups. Relative liver and kidney weights of the male animals increased in the cypermethrin and alphacypermethrin groups (p < 0.05). The most common finding observed during the histopathological examination of all the experimental groups was centrilobular degeneration in the liver. It was concluded that although clinical symptoms were not observed, synthetic pyrethroid, synergist, and knockdown agent combinations might cause serious abnormalities when administered in certain doses in mammalians.

Toxic and essential elements in butter from the Black Sea region, Turkey.

In this study, 88 randomly selected samples of butter produced in the Black Sea region of Turkey were purchased from different retail markets during different periods and investigated for toxic and essential elements content. Quantitative analyses of elements in the samples were performed using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Mean concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn in the butter samples were 18.93, 100.32, 384.66, 4199.1, 887.47, 168.64, 56.13, 16.34 and 384.66 µg kg(-1), respectively. Cd and Co were detected in 19 (mean content 0.29 µg kg(-1)) and 81 (mean content 3.81 µg kg(-1)) samples of 88 butter samples, respectively. However, the dietary intake of these elements by the population of the Black Sea region is currently well below the dietary reference intake (DRI) and provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) levels of essential and toxic elements.

3-nitrotyrosine levels in dichlorvos-induced neurotoxicity.

The aim of this study was to evaluate dichlorvos toxicity in terms of nitro-oxidative stress by determining 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) levels in the fore, mid, and hindbrain regions in acutely exposed rats. Male Sprague- Dawley rats were randomly allocated to three groups of eight. Group 1 was administered a single intraperitoneal dichlorvos dose of 1.8 mg kg ⁻¹(0.1xLD50) and group 2 a dose of 9 mg kg⁻¹ (0.5xLD50). The control group received 0.5 mL saline solution via the same route. 3-NT and tyrosine (TYR) levels were measured using high performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA) and expressed as a ratio of 3-NT to TYR. The 3-NT/1000 TYR ratios increased significantly in the fore-, mid- and hindbrains of the exposed groups compared to control (p<0.01). In the forebrain, the increase was also significant between the treated groups. Our study has confirmed that acute exposure to dichlorvos leads to nitro-oxidative stress in the brain and that 3-NT may play a role in the mechanism of dichlorvos neurotoxicity.

Biological significance of the overexpression of HSP70 and alpha B-crystallin in rat substantia nigra exposed to different doses of permethrin.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of the Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) and Alpha B-crystallin (αBC) in the substantia nigra of rats exposed to permethrin at different doses on the apoptotic cell status. The orogastric gavage method was used to administer the different doses of permethrin (75 mg kg-1 in Group I, 150 mg kg-1 in group II, 300 mg kg-1 in group III) to the rats. Using the Western blot test, all the permethrin-treated groups showed a dose-dependent increase in the expression of HSP70 and αBC when compared to the control group. TUNEL positive apoptotic cells were not detected in the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra after treatment with permethrin; however, upon immunofluorescent staining, intense positive reactions for HSP70 and αBC were observed in all of the treated groups. No immunopositive cells were detected in the tissue sections of the control group. These results suggest that the different administered doses of permethrin did not cause apoptotic cell death in the substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons; however, they did induce an increase in HSP70 and αBC expression. Thus, it appears that HSP70 and αBC could play a neuroprotective role in permethrin-induced neurotoxicity.

Is it really necessary to delay intranasal steroid treatment after FESS? An animal study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of early intranasal steroid administration on wound healing after sinus surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded animal study. SETTING: Animal laboratory. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-two male New Zealand rabbits underwent bilateral 3-mm punch resection of the concha nasalis ventralis. The animals were divided into 3 groups: saline, late steroid, and early steroid. The saline group received saline drops, the late steroid group received saline drops for 7 days followed by intranasal mometasone furoate 50 µg/nostril/d, and the early steroid group received intranasal mometasone furoate (same dose) starting on postoperative day 1. The animals were sacrificed on postoperative days 10 and 21. Left nasal specimens were examined histopathologically with hematoxylin-eosin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) stains. Right nasal specimens were examined with high-performance liquid chromatography, and hydroxyproline levels were measured as mg/g in wet tissue. RESULTS: Late steroid and early steroid groups were similar with regard to MMP-9 staining on days 10 and 21. On day 10, the early steroid group revealed significantly intense MMP-9 staining when compared with the saline group, and the late steroid and early steroid groups revealed significant fibrosis when compared with the saline group. Hydroxyproline levels were similar in all groups on day 10. The early steroid group revealed significantly higher hydroxyproline levels when compared with the late steroid group on day 21. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that early intranasal steroid administration after sinus surgery in an animal model has no detrimental effects with regard to wound-healing parameters.

Levels of organochlorine pesticide residues in butter samples collected from the Black Sea Region of Turkey.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of 9 organochlorine compounds (aldrin, hexachlorobenzene, 2,4-DDE, 4,4-DDE, 2,4-DDT, 4,4-DDT, and α-, ß-, and γ-HCH) in butter samples collected in the Eastern, Middle and Western Black Sea Regions of Turkey between October 2009 and June 2010. The liquid-liquid extraction method was used to extract the organochlorine compounds from the samples and the measurements were performed by using a gas chromatograph-electron capture detector system. DDT metabolites, aldrin, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and α-, and γ-HCH were not detected in the samples but ß-HCH was detected in 3 of a total of 88 samples. In the first period, only one sample from the West Black Sea Region was ß-HCH positive (0.014 mg kg(-1)). The other ß-HCH positive samples collected in Middle and West Black Sea Regions in the second period had a concentration of 0.066 and 0.019 mg kg(-1), respectively. All concentrations of the detected compounds exceeded the legal limits of 0.003 mg kg(-1) for ß-HCH, as prescribed by the Turkish Food Codex, and therefore pose a potential health risk for consumers. The contamination detected is most likely due to the past usage of ß-HCH in agriculture and its long term persistence in the environment. These results strongly suggest that further research should be focused on the detection of pesticide residues in agricultural areas across the nation.

Seasonal variation of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticide levels of sea and cultured farm fish in the Samsun region of Turkey.

The concentrations of selected Organochlorine (OC) pesticides (α-HCH, ß-HCH, γ-HCH, HCB, aldrin, 2,4'-DDE, 4,4'-DDE, 2,4'-DDT, 4,4'-DDT) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) (28, 70, 74, 81, 99, 101, 105, 118, 128, 138, 153, 156, 170, 180, 183, 187) were measured in two species of cultured freshwater fish (rainbow trout, Oncornhychus mykiss and catfish, Silurus glanis) and two kinds of sea fish (mullet, Mugil cephalus and salmon, Salmo salar) between March 2008 and June 2009 in order to evaluate the status, seasonal changes and potential sources of pollution in the Samsun region of Turkey. Concentrations of total PCBs ranged from 17.6 to 335 ng/g in rainbow trout, 1,063 to 3,234 ng/g in mullet, 21 to 1,887 ng/g in salmon and 108 to 1,172 ng/g lipid in catfish and total OC pesticide concentrations ranged from 303 to 473, 319 to 6,158, 101 to 249 and 34 to 6,069 ng/g lipid in rainbow trout, mullet, salmon and catfish, respectively. It is concluded that the levels of persistent organic pollutants should be monitored regularly and rigorously by the appropriate government agency, with mandatory public reporting.

Organochlorine pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyls levels in fish and mussel in Van region, Turkey.

Forty-seven fish (24 endemic Alburnus tarichi, Güldenstädt, 1814; 8 Capoeta capoeta, Guldenstaedt, 1772; 15 mirror carp Cyprinus carpio, L., 1758) and 13 mussel (Unio stevenianus, Krynicki, 1837) samples, with 10 specimens per sample, were collected from Van Lake, Turkey, and rivers flowing into it. Gamma-HCH was detected in 21 Alburnus tarichi samples (56.57 ng/g ± 22.18 ng/g) and in two Capoeta capoeta samples (27.6 ng/g and 36.45 ng/g). Beta-HCH was detected in 8 Alburnus tarichi samples (24.95 ng/g ± 4.42 ng/g) and in two mussel samples (101.25 ng/g and 129.44 ng/g). HCB was found in one Alburnus tarichi sample (14.4 ng/g) and one mussel sample (181.25 ng/g). The compound 4,4'-DDE was detected in 21 Alburnus tarichi samples (87.13 ng/g ± 32.23 ng/g), in 9 mirror carp samples (304.82 ng/g ± 100.76 ng/g) and one mussel sample (149.31 ng/g). PCB 28 was detected in one Alburnus tarichi (19.46 ng/g) sample and PCB 101 was found in one Capoeta capoeta (60.16 ng/g) sample. PCB 118 was detected in one mirror carp sample (277.5 ng/g) and in two Capoeta capoeta samples (43.77 and 54.38 ng/g). PCB 128 was detected in only one Capoeta capoeta sample (141.48 ng/g). It is concluded that (i) efforts should be made to reduce contamination of aquatic environments by these compounds and that (ii) their levels in fishery products from Van Lake and connected streams should be monitored and publicly reported on a regular basis.

Repeated-dose 14-day dermal toxicity of different combinations of some synthetic pyrethroid insecticides, piperonyl butoxide, and tetramethrin in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the repeated-dose 14-day dermal toxicity of different combinations of some synthetic pyrethroid insecticides, piperonyl butoxide, and tetramethrin in rats. A total of 70 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 (6 experimental and 1 control) groups. Different combinations of insecticides were dermally applied to the rats in the experimental groups for 14 days. Clinical observations were performed daily; hematologic and biochemical parameters were also determined. Gross necropsy and histopathologic examinations were performed systematically, and organ weights were recorded. Although the administered doses of the insecticides were relatively lower than their acute dermal toxicity values, a high mortality rate (27 of 60 experimental animals, 45%) was observed. Furthermore, the insecticide combinations caused decreased body weights and feed consumptions, increased organ weights, and hematologic, biochemical, and common histopathologic changes. As a result, the findings showed that although pyrethroids are considered to be of low acute toxicity, they become more toxic when combined with piperonyl butoxide or tetramethrin in certain doses.