Keratin 17 as a Marker of UVB-Induced Stress in Human Epidermis and Modulation by Vitis vinifera Extract.

Human epidermis responds to ultraviolet (UV)B-induced damage by tolerating it, restoring it, or undergoing programmed cell death when the damage is massive. Recently, compounds rich in polyphenols, such as Vitis vinifera L. leaf extract (VVLe), have attracted a lot of interest for skin protection. We investigated the effect of VVLe pre-treatment (1 h) in a 2D model of HaCaT cells and in 3D organotypic cultures of normal human skin exposed to a single UVB dose to study the immediate specific events 1 h and the response orchestrated in the epidermal layer 24 h after irradiation, respectively. In both models, transmission electron microscopy analysis was carried out. The expression of the inducible keratin K17, the activation of both pSTAT3 and Nuclear Factor (NF)-κB signalling pathways, and the epidermal distribution of Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) 4 were assessed by immunofluorescence in the 2D and 3D model. In 3D organotypic cultures, thanks to the preservation of a multi-layered structure, the epidermal distribution of the differentiation biomarkers K10 and K14 as well as of K16 was analysed by immunofluorescence, while the release of interleukin (IL)-8 was evaluated by ELISA. In skin bioptic fragments, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were investigated by LDH assay and Alkaline Comet assay, respectively, and then compared to cell proliferation. The epidermal distribution of the histone γ-H2AX, indicating the fragmented DNA, was analysed by immunofluorescence. In both experimental models, VVLe tuned UVB-induced K17 expression to a different extent in HaCaT cells and in the skin. In HaCaT cells, pSTAT3 activation was induced by UVB and reverted by VVLe pre-treatment. TLR4 expression was triggered by UVB in both models, but VVLe pre-treatment abolished this event only in HaCaT cells. NF-κB immunostaining increased both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm only in HaCaT cells after UVB irradiation. In all irradiated skin samples, VVLe pre-treatment was not able to revert the inhibition of epidermal proliferation, K16 expression, and IL-8 secretion. The effectiveness of VVLe in contrasting the irradiation-induced genotoxicity still remains unclear. In conclusion, our study clearly shows that K17 is a robust marker induced in keratinocytes upon UVB stimulation and that this event can be reverted by a pre-treatment with VVLe. On the whole, these observations represent a novelty in the scenario of the complex relationships between the effects exerted by UVB rays on human skin and significantly improve the knowledge regarding the modulation of the early epidermal response induced by a single exposure to UVB in the presence of VVLe.

Mutant p53 reactivator SLMP53-2 hinders ultraviolet B radiation-induced skin carcinogenesis.

The growing incidence of skin cancer (SC) has prompted the search for additional preventive strategies to counteract this global health concern. Mutant p53 (mutp53), particularly with ultraviolet radiation (UVR) signature, has emerged as a promising target for SC prevention based on its key role in skin carcinogenesis. Herein, the preventive activity of our previously disclosed mutp53 reactivator SLMP53-2 against UVR-induced SC was investigated. The pre-treatment of keratinocyte HaCaT cells with SLMP53-2, before UVB exposure, depleted mutp53 protein levels with restoration of wild-type-like p53 DNA-binding ability and subsequent transcriptional activity. SLMP53-2 increased cell survival by promoting G1-phase cell cycle arrest, while reducing UVB-induced apoptosis through inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity. SLMP53-2 also protected cells from reactive oxygen species and oxidative damage induced by UVB. Moreover, it enhanced DNA repair through upregulation of nucleotide excision repair pathway and depletion of UVB-induced DNA damage, as evidenced by a reduction of DNA in comet tails, γH2AX staining and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) levels. SLMP53-2 further suppressed UVB-induced inflammation by inhibiting the nuclear translocation and DNA-binding ability of NF-κB, and promoted the expression of key players involved in keratinocytes differentiation. Consistently, the topical application of SLMP53-2 in mice skin, prior to UVB irradiation, reduced cell death and DNA damage. It also decreased the expression of inflammatory-related proteins and promoted cell differentiation, in UVB-exposed mice skin. Notably, SLMP53-2 did not show signs of skin toxicity for cumulative topical use. Overall, these results support a promising protective activity of SLMP53-2 against UVB-induced SC.

Conservation of mechanisms regulating emotional-like responses on spontaneous nicotine withdrawal in zebrafish and mammals.

BACKGROUND: Nicotine withdrawal syndrome is a major clinical problem. Animal models with sufficient predictive validity to support translation of pre-clinical findings to clinical research are lacking. AIMS: We evaluated the behavioural and neurochemical alterations in zebrafish induced by short- and long-term nicotine withdrawal. METHODS: Zebrafish were exposed to 1 mg/L nicotine for 2 weeks. Dependence was determined using behavioural analysis following mecamylamine-induced withdrawal, and brain nicotinic receptor binding studies. Separate groups of nicotine-exposed and control fish were assessed for anxiety-like behaviours, anhedonia and memory deficits following 2-60 days spontaneous withdrawal. Gene expression analysis using whole brain samples from nicotine-treated and control fish was performed at 7 and 60 days after the last drug exposure. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in pretectum was also analysed. RESULTS: Mecamylamine-precipitated withdrawal nicotine-exposed fish showed increased anxiety-like behaviour as evidenced by increased freezing and decreased exploration. 3H-Epibatidine labeled heteromeric nicotinic acethylcholine receptors (nAChR) significantly increased after 2 weeks of nicotine exposure while 125I-αBungarotoxin labeled homomeric nAChR remained unchanged. Spontaneous nicotine withdrawal elicited anxiety-like behaviour (increased bottom dwelling), reduced motivation in terms of no preference for the enriched side in a place preference test starting from Day 7 after withdrawal and a progressive decrease of memory attention (lowering discrimination index). Behavioural differences were associated with brain gene expression changes: nicotine withdrawn animals showed decreased expression of chrna 4 and chrna7 after 60 days, and of htr2a from 7 to 60 days.The expression of c-Fos was significantly increased at 7 days. Finally, Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity increased in dorsal parvocellular pretectal nucleus, but not in periventricular nucleus of posterior tuberculum nor in optic tectum, at 60 days after withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that nicotine withdrawal induced anxiety-like behaviour, cognitive alterations, gene expression changes and increase in pretectal TH expression, similar to those observed in humans and rodent models.

Rhus coriaria L. Fruit Extract Prevents UV-A-Induced Genotoxicity and Oxidative Injury in Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells.

Rhus coriaria L. (sumac) is a small plant widely diffused in the Mediterranean region. Its fruit are often consumed as a spice but are also present in traditional medicine of several countries. Recently, interest in this plant has increased and many scientific works reported its beneficial effects including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Plant extracts can be successfully used against ultraviolet rays, which are able to reach and damage the human skin; however, sumac extracts were never applied to this usage. Thus, in this study, we used a macerated ethanol extract of Rhus coriaria L. dried fruit (mERC) to demonstrate its preventive role against the damage induced by ultraviolet-A rays (UV-A) on microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1). In vitro effects of the extract pre-treatment and UV-A exposure were evaluated in detail. The antioxidant capacity was assessed by reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and cellular antioxidant activity measurement. Genoprotective effects of mERC were investigated as well. Our findings indicate that the extract acts as a cell cycle inhibitor or apoptosis inducer, according to the level of damage. The present work provides new insights into the usage of Rhus coriaria extracts against skin injuries.

Effects of Vitis vinifera L. leaves extract on UV radiation damage in human keratinocytes (HaCaT).

Vitis vinifera L. water extract from red grapevine leaves contains high levels of polyphenols in quantities similar to those found in red grape and grape seeds. Phenolic compounds are the largest group of natural antioxidants with also an anti-inflammatory activity, widely demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, their antioxidant effect relies not only on the direct radical scavenging activity but also on their ability in modulating cellular signalling transduction pathways. UV radiation exerts multiple effects on skin cells inducing apoptosis, senescence and carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and the DNA protective potentials of Vitis vinifera L. water extract against UV-A and UV-B radiation in HaCaT cells, a human keratinocytes cell line. Comet and É£H2AX assays were used to assess DNA damage in UV irradiated cells pre-treated or not with the extract (100 µg/mL). For UV-B, DNA damage resulted significantly increased at 40 mJ/cm2 dose determining cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. For UV-A, DNA damage was significant at 10 J/cm2 while cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were evident only at 25 J/cm2. The extract (1h of pre-treatment) highlights the antioxidant and scavenger activity on the UV-A, while the maintenance of the apoptosis with both UV-A and UV-B must be interpreted as an anti-mutagenic effect.

Vitis vinifera L. Leaf Extract Inhibits In Vitro Mediators of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Involved in Inflammatory-Based Skin Diseases.

Psoriasis is a chronic cutaneous condition characterized by the release of pro-inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress. The reduction of these factors is currently the most effective strategy to inhibit the symptoms of pathology. Antioxidants from natural sources are increasingly used to improve skin conditions. Dried red leaves from grapevine (Vitis vinifera L., cv Teinturiers) showed anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activities, but their possible effects on keratinocytes have not been previously investigated. In this study we tested the ability of a water extract from grapevine leaves (VVWE) to inhibit inflammatory conditions in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), challenged with proinflammatory (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) or prooxidant (ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) or H2O2) mediators. VVWE inhibited interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion induced by proinflammatory stimuli, acting on the IL-8 promoter activity, but the effect was lower when prooxidant mediators were used. The effect was partly explained by the reduction of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-driven transcription and nuclear translocation. Furthermore, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion, a regulator of angiogenesis, was inhibited by VVWE, but not matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a protease involved in matrix remodeling. VVWE, assayed on Franz diffusion cell system, showed a marked reduction of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)-identified compounds. Pure molecules individually failed to reduce TNF-α-induced IL-8 release, suggesting synergistic effects or the presence of other bioactive compounds still unknown.

Effect of plant extracts on the genotoxicity of 1'-hydroxy alkenylbenzenes.

Food-borne alkenylbenzenes are potential risks for human health because they are known to induce liver tumors in rodent bioassays at high dose levels. This carcinogenicity is ascribed to the conversion of their 1'-hydroxymetabolites to the ultimate DNA reactive and carcinogenic 1'-sulfoxymetabolites. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro genotoxicity of some botanical extracts used as Plant Food Supplements (PFS) and to compare it with the individual substances, estragole, safrole and their 1'-hydroxy-derivative activity. The genotoxicity of the PFSs was evaluated in HepG2 cell line by comet and micronucleus assays. Unlike the 1'-hydroxy derivatives, PFS extracts and parent alkenylbenzenes did not show genotoxicity at any of the tested concentrations. The sulfotransferase inhibitor pentachlorophenol (PCP) reduced the 1'-hydroxy compound-induced response in the comet and micronucleus assays, thus confirming that the formation of sulfoxy-metabolites is essential for inducing genotoxic effects. When the cells were treated with hydroxylated alkenylbenzenes in the presence of PFSs, a reduction in genotoxic activity of synthetic compounds was observed.

DNA damage in human skin fibroblasts from patients with dermatitis herpetiformis.

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) and celiac disease (CD) are considered to be autoimmune diseases that share a specific trigger (gluten) and a common genetic background (HLA-DQ2/DQ8). However, the pathogenesis of DH is not yet fully understood and no data are available regarding a possible role of fibroblasts in this disease. The aim of this study was to assess baseline DNA damage in fibroblasts in DH-diagnosed patients vs. fibroblasts of controls without DH or CD. Primary fibroblast cultures were derived from dermal biopsies from DH patients and controls (without DH or CD). In vitro genotoxic damage was investigated using the comet assay and ɣH2AX test after different treatments (with 33mer peptide and digested gliadin [DG]) in order to investigate a correlation between oxidative stress (evaluated by reactive oxygen species formation) and glutathione content. Our results demonstrate a difference in baseline DNA damage between cutaneous fibroblasts of controls and DH patients, moreover, DNA damage significantly increased after exposure to gluten (DG and 33mer peptide) in fibroblasts from DH patients. DNA damage in fibroblasts from patients under dapsone treatment was similar to that of the control group. Our data indicate that oxidative stress and DNA damage may be characteristics of fibroblasts from DH patients who are not treated with dapsone, particularly after exposure to gliadin peptides.

Gliadin effect on the oxidative balance and DNA damage: An in-vitro, ex-vivo study.

BACKGROUND: Gliadins are involved in gluten-related disorders and are responsible for the alteration of the cellular redox balance. It is not clear if the gliadin-related oxidative stress can induce DNA damage in enterocytes. AIM: To investigate any possible genotoxicity caused by gliadin and to assess its relationship with oxidative stress in vitro and ex vivo. METHODS: Caco-2 cells were exposed for 6-12-24 h to increasing concentrations (250 µg/mL-1000 µg/mL) of digested gliadin. We investigated: cytotoxicity, oxidative balance (reactive oxygen species, ROS), DNA damage (comet assay and γ-H2AX detection), transglutaminase type 2 (TG2) activity and annexin V expression. H2AX and 8-OHG immunohistochemistry has been evaluated on duodenal biopsies of celiac subjects and controls. RESULTS: Gliadin induced a significant increase (+50%) of ROS after 12 h of exposition starting with a 500 µg/mL dose of gliadin. Comet assay and γ-H2AX demonstrated DNA damage, evident at the gliadin concentration of 500 µg/mL after 24 h. TG2 activity increased in chromatin and cytoskeleton cellular compartments at different gliadin doses (250/500/1000 µg/mL). The γ-H2AX and 8-OHG immunohistochemistry was altered in the duodenal biopsies of celiac patients. CONCLUSIONS: Gliadin induces cellular oxidative stress, DNA damage and pro-apoptotic stimulation in Caco-2 cells and in the duodenal mucosa of celiac patients.

Ultrafine particles (UFPs) from domestic wood stoves: genotoxicity in human lung carcinoma A549 cells.

In this paper, results on the potential toxicity of ultrafine particles (UFPs d<100nm) emitted by the combustion of logwood and pellet (hardwood and softwood) are reported. The data were collected during the TOBICUP (TOxicity of BIomass COmbustion generated Ultrafine Particles) project, carried out by a team composed of interdisciplinary research groups. The genotoxic evaluation was performed on A549 cells (human lung carcinomacells) using UFPs whose chemical composition was assessed by a suite of analytical techniques. Comet assay and γ-H2AX evaluation show a significant DNA damage after 24h treatment. The interpretation of the results is based on the correlation among toxicological results, chemical-physical properties of UFPs, and the type and efficiency conditions in residential pellet or logwood stoves.

The chemical composition of ultrafine particles and associated biological effects at an alpine town impacted by wood burning.

This work is part of the TOBICUP (TOxicity of BIomass Combustion generated Ultrafine Particles) project which aimed at providing the composition of ultrafine particles (UFPs, i.e. particles with aerodynamic diameter, dae, lower than 100nm) emitted by wood combustion and elucidating the related toxicity. Results here reported are from two ambient monitoring campaigns carried out at an alpine town in Northern Italy, where wood burning is largely diffused for domestic heating in winter. Wintertime and summertime UFP samples were analyzed to assess their chemical composition (i.e. elements, ions, total carbon, anhydrosugars, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and biological activity. The induction of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) by UFPs was investigated in two human cells lines (A549 and THP-1) and in human peripheral blood leukocytes. In addition, UFP-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity were investigated in A549 cells. Ambient UFP-related effects were compared to those induced by traffic-emitted particles (DEP) taken from the NIES reference material "vehicle exhaust particulates". Ambient air UFPs induced a dose-related IL-8 release in both A549 and THP-1 cells; the effect was more relevant on summer samples and in general THP-1 cells were more sensitive than A549 cells. On a weight basis our data did not support a higher biological activity of ambient UFPs compared to DEP. The production of IL-8 in the whole blood assay indicated that UFPs reached systemic circulation and activated blood leukocytes. Comet assay and γ-H2AX evaluation showed a significant DNA damage especially in winter UFPs samples compared to control samples. Our study showed that ambient UFPs can evoke a pulmonary inflammatory response by inducing a dose-related IL-8 production and DNA damage, with different responses to UFP samples collected in the summer and winter periods.

Tryptophan hydroxylase type 2 variants modulate severity and outcome of addictive behaviors in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Impulse control disorders and compulsive medication intake may occur in a minority of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). We hypothesize that genetic polymorphisms associated with addiction in the general population may increase the risk for addictive behaviors also in PD. METHODS: Sixteen polymorphisms in candidate genes belonging to five neurotransmitter systems (dopaminergic, catecholaminergic, serotonergic, glutamatergic, opioidergic) and the BDNF were screened in 154 PD patients with addictive behaviors and 288 PD control subjects. Multivariate analysis investigated clinical and genetic predictors of outcome (remission vs. persistence/relapse) after 1 year and at the last follow-up (5.1 ± 2.5 years). RESULTS: Addictive behaviors were associated with tryptophan hydroxylase type 2 (TPH2) and dopamine transporter gene variants. A subsequent analysis within the group of cases showed a robust association between TPH2 genotype and the severity of addictive behaviors, which survived Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. At multivariate analysis, TPH2 genotype resulted the strongest predictor of no remission at the last follow-up (OR[95%CI], 7.4[3.27-16.78] and 13.2[3.89-44.98] in heterozygous and homozygous carriers, respectively, p < 0.001). The extent of medication dose reduction was not a predictor. TPH2 haplotype analysis confirmed the association with more severe symptoms and lower remission rates in the short- and the long-term (p < 0.005 for all analyses). CONCLUSION: The serotonergic system is likely to be involved in the pathophysiology of addictive behaviors in PD, modulating the severity of symptoms and the rate of remission at follow-up. If confirmed in larger independent cohorts, TPH2 genotype may become a useful biomarker for the identification of at-risk individuals.

Effects of UV Rays and Thymol/Thymus vulgaris L. Extract in an ex vivo Human Skin Model: Morphological and Genotoxicological Assessment.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the major environmental factor affecting functions of the skin. Compounds rich in polyphenols, such as Thymus vulgaris leaf extract and thymol, have been proposed for the prevention of UV-induced skin damage. We compared the acute effects induced by UVA and UVB rays on epidermal morphology and proliferation, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity. Normal human skin explants were obtained from young healthy women (n = 7) after informed consent and cultured at the air-liquid interface overnight. After 24 h, the samples were divided in 2 groups: the former exposed to UVA (16 or 24 J/cm2) and the latter irradiated with UVB (0.24 or 0.72 J/cm2). One hour after the end of irradiation, supernatants were collected for evaluation of the lactate dehydrogenase activity. Twenty-four hours after UVB exposure, biopsies were processed for light and transmission electron microscopy analysis, proliferation, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity. UVB and UVA rays induced early inhibition of cell proliferation and DNA damage compared to controls. In particular, UVB rays were always more cytotoxic and genotoxic than UVA ones. For this reason, we evaluated the effect of either T. vulgaris L. extract (1.82 µg/ml) or thymol (1 µg/ml) on all samples treated for 1 h before UVB irradiation. While Thymus had a protective action for all of the endpoints evaluated, the action of the extract was less pronounced on epidermal proliferation and morphological features. The results presented in this study could be the basis for investigating the mechanism of thymol and T. vulgaris L. extract against the damage induced by UV radiation.

Thymol and Thymus Vulgaris L. activity against UVA- and UVB-induced damage in NCTC 2544 cell line.

Many authors focused on the research of natural compounds in order to protect skin from indirect (UVA) and direct (UVB) ultraviolet radiation side effects. The aim of this study to evaluate the protective effect of a dry extract from T. vulgaris L. and of its major synthetic compound thymol (about 60%), against oxidative and genotoxic UVA- and UVB damage. Experiments were reproduced in a low differentiated keratinocytes cell line (NCTC 2544) Cells were pretreated for 1h, in serum-free medium, with thymol (1µg/mL) or T. vulgaris L. (1.82µg/mL) then exposed to different UVA (8-24J/cm(2)) or UVB doses (0.016-0.72J/cm(2)). Immediately after the UV exposure the intracellular redox status was evaluated by ROS quantification and by LPO. Genotoxic aspects were evaluated 24h after the end of irradiations using the alkaline comet assay, the micronucleus formation assay and the immunostaining of phosphorylated H2AX histone protein (detected 1h after the end of UV exposure). Thymol and T. vulgaris L. extract inhibited ROS generation in UVA and UVB-irradiated cells. On the contrary, MDA formation was reduced only in UVA treated cells. Both agents decreased the DNA damage evaluated by the alkaline comet assay, but not in the micronucleus and H2AX tests probably because of the severity of damage (double strands) detected.

Protective effect of Vaccinium myrtillus extract against UVA- and UVB-induced damage in a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT cells).

Recently, the field of skin protection have shown a considerable interest in the use of botanicals. Vaccinium myrtillus contains several polyphenols and anthocyanins with multiple pharmacological properties. The purpose of our study was to examine whether a water-soluble V. myrtillus extract (dry matter 12.4%; total polyphenols 339.3mg/100 g fw; total anthocyanins 297.4 mg/100 g fw) was able to reduce UVA- and UVB-induced damage using a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). HaCaT cells were pretreated for 1h with extract in a serum-free medium and then irradiated with UVA (8-40 J/cm(2)) and UVB (0.008-0.72 J/cm(2)) rays. All experiments were performed 24h after the end of irradiation, except for oxidative stress tests. The extract was able to reduce the UVB-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity (studied by comet and micronucleous assays) at lower doses. V. myrtillus extract reduced lipid peroxidation UVB-induced, but had no effect against the ROS UVB-produced. With UVA-induced damage V. myrtillus reduced genotoxicity as well as the unbalance of redox intracellular status. Moreover our extract reduced the UVA-induced apoptosis, but had no effect against the UVB one. V. myrtillus extract showed its free radical scavenging properties reducing oxidative stress and apoptotic markers, especially in UVA-irradiated cells.

Comparison of wood smoke PM2.5 obtained from the combustion of FIR and beech pellets on inflammation and DNA damage in A549 and THP-1 human cell lines.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect on the induction of interleukin-8 of particulate matter (PM) from fir and beech pellets burnt in domestic appliances on two human cells lines, namely the lung epithelial cell line A549 and the promyelocytic cell line THP-1. The effects of PM2.5 obtained from combustion of beech and fir pellets were compared to reference diesel exhaust particulates (DEP). In parallel, wood smoke PM-induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress were also investigated in A549 cells. Cells were treated for different times (3-72 h) with increasing concentrations of PM2.5 obtained from sequential combustions of fir and beech pellets or reference DEP. Cell viability was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase leakage, and the release of interleukin-8 or CXCL8 (IL-8) was measured to evaluate the pro-inflammatory effect. Oxidative stress was evaluated by the 5(6)-carboxy-2',7'dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay and DNA damage by the alkaline comet assay and micronucleus frequency by flow cytometry. Both A549 and THP-1 cells responded in a dose- and time-related manner to wood smoke PM2.5 with IL-8 release, particles obtained from late combustions being the most active. THP-1 cells were more sensitive than A549 cells. On a mass base, similar effects were observed for both fir and beech PM2.5. However, the combustion of beech pellets generated approximately three times more PM2.5 than fir pellets. Regarding the mechanism of PM2.5 uptake, in both THP-1 and A549 cells, cytochalasin D prevented PM2.5-induced IL-8 mRNA expression and cytokine release, indicating a key role for actin polymerization in particles uptake and that the production of IL-8 correlated with particle phagocytosis. As signal transduction pathway involvement, in both THP-1 and A549 cells, PM2.5-induced IL-8 release could be completely blocked by the selective inhibitor SB203580, indicating a role of p38 MAPK activation. PM2.5 from both fir and beech pellets also induced modest DNA lesions dose related, measured as strand breaks, whereas no increase in the number of micronucleus was observed. Similar effects were observed with DEP, arguing against less dangerous effects of wood smoke particles than other categories of combustion-derived particles in the same size range. Overall, results suggest that combustion conditions can significantly affect the characteristics of particles and the consequent toxicity, and that different woods can generate different amounts of PM2.5.

Genotoxic effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB 153, 138, 101, 118) in a fish cell line (RTG-2).

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent pollutants in aquatic environments, often causing the decline or disappearance of wild populations. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic effects of some PCBs (PCB153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl) and 138 (2,2',3,4,4',5'-hexachloro-biphenyl), both non-dioxin-like compounds, and the pentachlorobiphenyls PCB118 (2,3',4,4',5-) and 101 (2,2',4',5,5'-), the former an ortho-substituted, low-affinity dioxin-like compound and the latter a non-coplanar congener classified as non-dioxin-like) in fish cells (RTG-2). These congeners are mostly present in surface waters and in edible aquatic organisms and the loss of DNA integrity in vitro serves as a sensitive biomarker of cytogenetic alterations and is considered as an initial step for the identification of genotoxic effects. The alkaline comet assay and the micronucleus test show clear genotoxic damage after short and longer exposure (2 and 24h) to maximum soluble, non-cytotoxic doses, evident sooner with PCBs 101 and 118. Oxidative stress situations involving ROS release, reduction in total GSH, lipid peroxidation and alteration to superoxide dismutase, seen after exposure with all the congeners, though with different kinetics, seem the most likely explanation for the genotoxic damage. This appears to be confirmed by the modified comet assay (pH 10) for detection of oxidized bases using endonuclease III. The increased generation of intracellular ROS might explain the apoptosis seen after treatment with the single PCBs and evaluated on the basis of the rise in 3-7 caspase activity. Therefore both the non-coplanar, non-dioxin-like PCBs (153, 138, 101) and the low-affinity dioxin-like compound PCB118 cause evident genotoxic damage, probably as a consequence of oxidative stress.

Protective effect of erdosteine metabolite I against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative DNA-damage in lung epithelial cells.

It has been shown that the mucolytic agent erdosteine (N-carboxymethylthio-acetyl-homocysteine thiolactone, CAS 84611-23-4) has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, and an active metabolite I (MET I) containing pharmacologically active sulphydryl group has been found to have a free radical scavenging activity. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of erdosteine metabolite I to protect A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage. When A549 cells were pre-treated with the active metabolite I (2.5-5-10 microg/ml) for 10-30 min and then exposed to H2O2 (1-4 mM) for two additional hours at 37 degrees C, 5% at CO2, the intracellular peroxide production, reflected by dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence, decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, using a comet assay as an indicator for oxidative DNA damage, it was found that the metabolite I prevented damage to cells exposed to shortterm H2O2 treatment. The data suggest that this compound is effective in preventing H2O2-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in A549 cells. The underlying mechanisms involve the scavenging of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS).