Comparative Evaluation of the Parameters of Sperm Apoptosis of Young and Middle-Aged Men by Flow Cytometry.

A comparative analysis of the parameters characterizing sperm apoptosis of young (27-42 years) and middle-aged (44-51 years) men was performed by flow cytometry. Irrespective of age, activity of caspase-3 and p53-mediated controlling the transmission of apoptogenic signal transmission in gametes remained stable with the formation of germ cells with delayed (p<0.05) cell death according to the Annexin V-FITC+PI- criterion (predominantly in middle-aged men). Inhibition of the transmission of a proapoptogenic stimulus mediated by membrane cell death receptors (FAS) was also observed in this group. Comparison of indicators of sperm apoptosis showed age-related features of cell death, in particular, inhibition of membrane reception triggering FAS-dependent apoptosis, which is associated with insufficient phosphatidylserine production in middle-aged men, excessive life cycle duration, and aging of spermatozoa.

Analysis of the Role of Carriership of Polymorphic Genotypes of ESR1, eNOS, and APOE4 Genes in the Development of Arterial Hypertension in Men.

We studied the role of the carrier status for polymorphic loci of genes encoding estrogen receptors (ESR1), endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), and apolipoprotein E (APOE4) and products of their expression nitrogen oxide (NO) and apolipoprotein (ApoE) in the development of arterial hypertension in men. Conventionally healthy volunteers and 149 men with clinical manifestations of stage I-II arterial hypertension were examined. In men with arterial hypertension, the frequency of minor allele A of ESR1 gene was higher (27.5 vs. 9.5% in the reference group; χ2=4.43, p=0.04). The level of NO in the peripheral blood was also higher in the main group (χ2=3.93, p=0.047). The increase in NO concentration did not depend on the presence of polymorphic genotypes (GG and GT) of eNOS gene, but the decrease in ApoE level in blood serum was associated with TC genotype of APOE4 gene (p=0.04). Our results suggest that minor allele A of ESR1 gene is associated with the development of arterial hypertension in men. Reduced content of ApoE in blood serum of men with arterial hypertension was associated with APOE4 gene polymorphism. However, increased level of NO did not depend on polymorphic genotypes GG and GT of eNOS gene. These polymorphisms are of specific interest as additional markers of genetic predisposition to the development of arterial hypertension in middle-age men.

[Immune and genetic changes in workers exposed to industrial noise and dust].

Comparative analysis covered immune genetic parameters in nonferrous metallurgy workers. The authors demonstrated differences in immune genetic profile between male and female workers, under exposure to combination of occupational hazards: noise and dust. Analysis of gene polymorphism revealed predominant disorders in the female workers, concerning criterion of prevalence for minor allele of genes in 1 and 2 phases of detoxication, neuro-endocrine regulation, lipid and energy metabolism, genes of immune regulation and apoptosis.

[Characteristics of regulatory system in children exposed to the environmental chemical factors].

In children residing in areas with a high content of a number of aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air and organochlorine compounds in drinking water there were studied the blood levels of these compounds, as well as the assessment of the indices of the immune and neuroendocrine systems was performed. The higher blood content of phenol and formaldehyde has been established and there was identified an array of organochlorine and aromatic compounds not detected in the control group children. In the blood of the children of a study group there was found an imbalance of indices of cellular components of innate and adaptive immunity, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as increased concentrations of free thyroxine and serotonin in the blood serum, which indicates to a change in the functions of regulatory systems in children exposed to organochlorine and aromatic compounds.

[Justifying genetic and immune markers of efficiency and sensitivity under combined exposure to risk factors in mining industry workers].

The authors evaluated and justified immunologic and genetic markers under combined exposure to risk factors in mining industry workers. Analysis covered polymorphism features of 29 genes with variant alleles possibly participating in occupationally conditioned diseases formation and serving as sensitivity markers of these diseases risk. The genes association selected demonstrates reliably changed polymorphism vs. the reference group (SOD2 superoxidedismutase gene, ANKK1 dophamine receptor gene, SULT1A1 sulphtransaminase gene, MTHFR methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene, VEGF endothelial growth factor gene, TNF-alpha tumor necrosis factor gene). Under combined exposure to occupational hazards (sylvinite dust, noise) in mining industry, this association can serve as adequate marking complex of sensitivity to development of occupationally conditioned diseases. Increased-production of immune cytokine regulation markers: tumor necrosis factor and vascular endothelial growth factor. Genes SOD2, ANKK1, SULT1A1, VEGF, TNFalpha are recommended as sensitivity markers, and the coded cytokines (tumor necrosis factor and endothelial growth factor) are proposed as effect markers in evaluation of health risk for workers in mining industry.

[Immunogenetic features of apoptosis in workers engaged in methanol production].

Disordered cellular death process with inhibition is seen during stress states including occupational activities associated with increased concentrations of methanol in biologic media. Workers exposed to methanol demonstrate prevalence of homozygous type of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene and heterozygous variant of cytochrome 450 gene, reliably increased vs reference group. Genetic changes in the main group are associated with reliable decrease in occurrence of transcription protein p53 and TNF receptor, and with altered ratio of intracellular apoptosis factors (bax and bcl-2) towards slower programmed cellular death in chemical production.

[Features of apoptosis in conditions of the exposure to organochlorine compounds and vanadium].

The cell structures involved into the apoptotic mechanism is an ideal object for the study of toxic effects produced by low-molecular-weight compounds on the immune system. Organic chlorine compounds and heavy metals were tested for their effects in the in vitro system. The experiments show that organic chlorine compounds inhibit apoptotic cell death. An assessment of their results has demonstrated that vanadium promotes activation-induced lymphocyte death. Thus, there are multidirectional immune responses upon exposure to organic chlorine compounds and heavy metals.

[Expression of membrane and intracellular markers in workers exposed to phenols].

The authors evaluated influence of phenol, o-cresol, m-cresol and p-cresol on cellular immunity in apparatus operators engaged into chemical production. Detection covered significant membrane and intracellular markers characterizing peculiarities of cellular immune reactions in contamination with phenols (CD4+ deficit, hyperproduction of FoxP3 and CD25+).

[Peculiarities of immune disorders in workers of activated carbon production].

One of priority approaches in occupational medicine and health risk evaluation is study of immune system features in individuals exposed to occupational chemical hazards. The studies revealed reliable changes in immune parameters (positive annexin tag, disorders of cytokine profile)-- that proves retarded apoptosis precesses in workers engaged into activated carbon and coagulants production. Marked disorders of cellular regulation in machinery operators of activated carbon and coagulants production are seen with observed normal content of phenol in the air of workplace.