Bioethical problems arising in the study of single-nucleotide gene polymorphisms of occupational diseases.

In Ukraine, about 3 million people work in hazardous and dangerous conditions. The study of hereditary specificity in development of occupational diseases is being actively conducted through molecular genetic analysis of single-nucleotide gene polymorphisms. While studying single-nucleotide gene polymorphisms of occupational diseases, many complicated bioethical questions arise regarding the confidentiality of personal data, the choice between the profession chosen and the risk to one's own health. Complicated bioethical issues that arise when studying single-nucleotide gene polymorphisms of occupational diseases need to be actively discussed, not only by physicians, occupational pathologists, employers, scientists, but also by politicians and lawyers, taking into account ethical and social norms and implications.

Allelic polymorphisms of dna repair genes and their influence on the formation of resistance to the development of bronchopulmonary pathology under the action of industrial aerosols.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: The frequency of alleles and genotypes of DNA repair genes in people working due to the influence of industrial aerosols (miners and workers of asbestos-cement plants (n = 215)) was studied. The aim of the work was to identify allelic polymorphisms affecting the formation of resistance or leading to an increased risk of developing bronchopulmonary pathology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: In 90 patients with bronchopulmonary pathology and 125 persons working under the same conditions but without respiratory system diseases, the polymerase chain reaction in real time was determined by the polymorphisms of DNA repair genes: XPD (rs13181, rs799793), ERCC1 (rs11615), XRCC1 ( rs25487) and XRCC3 (rs861539), ATM (rs664677), XRCC7 (rs7003908) and MLH1 (rs1799977). RESULTS: Results: In the course of this study the alleles and genotypes contributing to resistance to the development of respiratory system pathologies were determined: XRCC1•G/A (rs25487) (OR=0.57; 95% CI: 0.32-1.02; P≤0.040; Χ²=4.14); MLH1•A (rs1799977) (OR=0.62; 95% CI: 0.40-0.96; P≤0.020; Χ²=5.06); MLH1•A/A (rs1799977) (OR=0.43; 95% CI: 0.24-0.79; P≤0.003; Χ²=8.73). Also, we established the alleles and genotypes associated with the risk of developing bronchopulmonary pathology: XPD•C/C (rs13181) (OR=2.20, 95% CI: 1.02-4.77; P≤0.020; Χ²=4.85); XRCC1•A/A (rs25487) (OR=3.37; 95 % CI: 1.22-9.63; P≤0.008; Χ²=6.94); ATM•T/T (rs664677) (OR=2.48; 95% CI: 1.16-5.31; Р≤0.010; Χ²=6.61); MLH1•G (rs1799977) (OR=1.61; 95% CI: 1.04-2.49; P≤0.020; Χ²=5.06); MLH1•A/G (rs1799977) (OR=2.32; 95% CI: 1.29-4.21; P≤0.002; Χ²=9.01). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The results indicate the influence of allelic polymorphisms of DNA repair genes on the formation of resistance to the development of bronchopulmonary pathology under the action of industrial aerosols and open up prospects for the development of modern preventive measures.

Altered biogenesis of microRNA-1 is associated with cardiac dysfunction in aging of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Currently we face the issues of aging-associated pathologies, particularly those leading to heart failure. With that in mind, in current research we focus on aging and hypertension combination as a widely spread threating problem. In a row with functional and morphological characterization of these aging- and hypertension-associated cardiac changes, we evaluate biogenesis of microRNA-1 being one of major microRNAs in the heart. The aim of this study was to check the hypothesis if dysregulation of microRNA-1 biogenesis is associated with heart failure in aged and especially aged hypertensive rats. The experiments were carried out on male SHR and Wistar rats of age 6 months (young) and 18 months (old). The evaluation of hemodynamic parameters was performed in heart left ventricles of narcotized rats using the ultra-small 2F catheter. The development of fibrosis was determined using light and electron microscopy. Levels of mature and immature forms of microRNA-1 and mRNA encoding the proteins involved in its biogenesis were determined using reverse transcription and quantitative PCR. Aging of both Wistar and SHRs is accompanied with altered hemodynamic parameters compared with correspondent younger mates. SHRs, especially old ones, demonstrated significant heart fibrosis. In aged animals, the level of primary microRNA-1 in Wistar rats were 7 times higher (p < 0.05) and in SHR 17 times higher (p < 0.05) in comparison with young rats of the same strain. We also observed 22 times higher level of immature microRNA-1 in the heart of Wistar and 5.9 times higher level for aged hypertensive rats (p < 0.05) compared to young rats. At the same time, the level of mature microRNA-1 occurred 2.5 and 3.2 times lower in respective groups (p < 0.05). In the current study, we observe the significant dysregulation of microRNA-1 processing in the heart associated with aging and arterial hypertension.