O melanoma cutâneo maligno é uma lesão neoplásica originada nos melanócitos epidérmicos, sendo altamente invasiva e agressiva, com elevada taxa de mortalidade, cuja incidência vem aumentando nos últimos anos. O tratamento do melanoma é cirúrgico e os pacientes com metástase podem receber quimioterapia com cisplatina que ao formarem adutos com o DNA alteram o processo de replicação da célula cancerosa. Sugere-se que os sistemas de reparo do DNA tenham um papel importante na etiologia do melanoma (reparo deficiente) e no tratamento do mesmo (eficiente eliminação dos adutos). A identificação prévia da resposta dos pacientes com melanoma ao tratamento com cisplatina pode ser um indicador biológico importante na clínica oncológica. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo, a partir de linfócitos de sangue periférico de pacientes com melanoma e de controles, avaliar o dano no DNA antes e após a adição, in vitro, de cisplatina (10?M, 100?M e 250?M), além de estimar a capacidade de reparo do DNA, após a retirada da droga (1h, 2,5h e 5h). Foram utilizados os testes do micronúcleo (MN - dano basal) e do Cometa (dano basal, ação da cisplatina e reparo do DNA). A análise citogenética foi possível em 20 pacientes com melanoma (10 homens e 10 mulheres, média de 50,6 ± 5,9 anos) e 19 controles (9 homens e 10 mulheres, média de 49,9 ± 5,5 anos) que também responderam a um questionário sobre hábitos e tipos de exposição a fatores de risco ao melanoma. A frequência do dano basal pelo teste do MN e do Cometa em linfócitos de pacientes (MN = 1,2 ± 1,2 e Cometa = 59,3 ± 62,5) foi praticamente o dobro da observada nos controles (MN = 0,6 ± 1,0 e Cometa = 35,3 ± 18,6) embora a diferença entre os grupos, em ambos os testes, não tenha sido considerada estatisticamente significante (p=0,23 e p=0,85, respectivamente). O tratamento in vitro com cisplatina, em comparação com o dano basal, aumentou a frequência de Cometas nas três concentrações estudadas (10?M, 100?M e 250?M) tanto para os pacientes (65,50 ± 50,06, 72,74 ± 50,89 e 77,26 ± 44,16) quanto para os controles (66,53 ± 49,85, 66,53 ± 26,33 e 81,74 ± 43,12) diferença esta considerada significante somente para o grupo controle, nas três concentrações avaliadas (p=0,0175, p=0,0002, e p=0,0002, respectivamente). Quanto aos diferentes tempos de reparo (1h, 2,5h e 5h), após a retirada de cisplatina nas diferentes concentrações estudadas, verificou-se aumento na frequência média de Cometas tanto para os pacientes com melanoma (93,88 ± 33,7, 101,75 ± 35,7 e 99,31 ± 32,30) quanto para os controles (92,45 ± 38,4, 100,82± 38,8 e 100,81± 31,7), diferença que foi estatisticamente significante quando comparada ao dano basal observado nos pacientes (p<0,001) e nos controles (p<0,001). Resultados semelhantes foram observados quando comparados em conjunto os escores dos tempos de reparo com o escore obtido após tratamento com cisplatina nos pacientes (71,09 ± 48,2; p<=0,005) e nos controles (71,59 ± 40,5; p<=0,005). Os resultados obtidos parecem indicar um padrão de resposta semelhante em relação à cisplatina e ao reparo do DNA nos dois grupos de indivíduos avaliados. O período de incubação das células, após a retirada da cisplatina, bem como o número de indivíduos avaliados podem ter influenciado nos resultados obtidos. Por outro lado, a resposta observada nos linfócitos in vitro, pode não ser representativa do efeito in vivo da célula tumoral. Entretanto, a identificação de marcadores de resposta a tratamentos com quimioterápicos, a partir de linfócitos de sangue periférico pode ser uma estratégia de pesquisa importante na prática clínica, inclusive para o melanoma. / Cutaneous melanoma is a malignant tumor originated from epidermal melanocytes, highly invasive and aggressive, with high mortality, and incidence that has been increasing over the years. The treatment for melanoma is surgery and patients with metastasis may receive chemotherapy with cisplatin, that results in DNA adducts that alters the replication process in cancer cells. It is suggested that the DNA repair systems have an important role in the etiology of melanoma (risk due to deficient repair) and treatment efficiency (removal of DNA adducts can decrease the treatment results). The prior identification of the response of melanoma patients to treatment with cisplatin may be an important biological marker in clinical oncology. The aim of this study was to assess, in peripheral blood lymphocytes from melanoma patients and controls, the DNA damage before and after the addition of cisplatin (10?M, 100?M and 250?M), in vitro, and estimate the capacity of DNA repair after drug removal (1h, 2.5h and 5h). The micronucleus test (MN - basal DNA damage) and the Comet assay (basal DNA damage, action of cisplatin and DNA repair) were used for the evaluation. Cytogenetic analysis was performed in 20 melanoma patients (10 men and 10 women, average age 50.6 ± 5.9 years old) and 19 controls (9 men and 10 women, average age 49.9 ± 5.5 years old) who also answered a questionnaire on habits and types of exposure to risk factors for melanoma. The frequency of basal DNA damage by the MN test and the Comet assay in lymphocytes from patients (MN = 1.2 ± 1.2 and Comet = 59.3 ± 62.5) was nearly twice the observed in controls (MN = 0, 6 ± 1.0 and Comet = 35.3 ± 18.6), although the difference between the groups in both tests was not considered statistically significant (p = 0.23 and p = 0.85, respectively). The in vitro treatment with cisplatin, compared with the basal DNA damage, increased the frequency of Comets in the three studied concentrations (10?M, 100?M and 250?M) for patients (65.50 ± 50.06, 72.74 ± 50.89 and 77.26 ± 44.16) and for the controls (66.53 ± 49.85, 66.53 ± 26.33 and 81.74 ± 43.12) and the difference was statistically significant only for the control group, for all cisplatin concentrations (p = 0.0175, p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0002, respectively). Considering the different repair times (1h, 2.5h and 5h), after removal of cisplatin at different concentrations, there was an increase in the mean frequency of Comets for both melanoma patients (93.88 ± 33.7, 101.75 ± 35.7 and 99.31 ± 32.30) and for the controls (92.45 ± 38.4, 100.82 ± 38.8 and 100.81 ± 31.7), and the difference was statistically significant when the repair Comet score was compared to the basal DNA damage observed in patients (p <0.001) and controls (p <0.001). Similar results were observed when the Comet scores of repair times were compared to the Comet scores obtained after treatment with cisplatin in patients (71.09 ± 48.2, p <= 0.005) and controls (71.59 ± 40.5, p <= 0.005). The results seem to indicate a similar pattern of response to cisplatin and DNA repair in both groups of subjects evaluated. The period of incubation of the cells after cisplatin removal and the number of individuals studied may have influenced the results. The lymphocytes\' response, in vitro, to cisplatin may not be representative of the in vivo effect of tumor cell. However, the identification of markers of response to treatment with chemotherapy from peripheral blood lymphocytes may be an important research strategy in clinical practice, including melanoma.

O guajiru (Chrysobalanus icaco L.) é um fruto rico em antocianinas, as quais exercem vários efeitos benéficos à saúde. Embora as folhas do guajiru sejam utilizadas na medicina popular como hipoglicemiante e antioxidante, os efeitos do fruto na saúde permanecem inexplorados. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do fruto do guajiruzeiro sobre danos ao DNA e estresse oxidativo in vivo e inflamação in vitro e in vivo. Ratos machos Wistar (4-5 semanas, 110 g) foram divididos em oito grupos e tratados por 14 dias com água ou fruto do guajiruzeiro liofilizado (100, 200 ou 400 mg/kg p.c.) por gavagem. No 14º dia, os animais receberam solução fisiológica ou DXR (15 mg/kg p.c. i.p.) e foram eutanasiados após 24 horas. A genotoxicidade e antigenotoxicidade foram avaliadas pelo ensaio do cometa em sangue periférico, fígado, rins e coração. A mutagenicidade e antimutagenicidade foram investigadas pelo teste do micronúcleo em medula óssea e sangue periférico. O burst oxidativo foi avaliado em neutrófilos do sangue periférico. Parâmetros de estresse oxidativo envolveram: concentração de substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico, razão glutationa reduzida e oxidada e atividade da catalase em fígado, rins e coração. As expressões de genes de dano/reparo de DNA Gadd45a (growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible alpha), Parp1 (Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1) e Xrcc2 (X-Ray Repair complementing defective repair in Chinese hamster cells 2) e dos marcadores pró-inflamatórios Il-1? (interleukin 1 beta), Il-6 (interleukin 6), Nf-kb (nuclear factor kappa B) e Tnf-? (tumor necrosis factor alpha) foram realizadas por PCR quantitativo em tempo real. Células de cólon humano CCD-18Co (fibroblastos) e HT-29 (adenocarcinoma) foram tratadas com antocianinas do guajiru (1,0 a 20,0 mg/L equivalentes de ácido gálico - GAE) e as expressões de IL-1?, IL-6, NF-kB e TNF-? analizadas a nível de RNA mensageiro e proteína. TNF-? foi utilizado para induzir inflamação em células CCD- 18Co. Os polifenois do fruto do guajiruzeiro foram quantificados/caracterizados por métodos cromatográficos e espectrométricos. As concentrações de 19 elementos químicos foram determinadas por plasma indutivamente acoplado a espectrometria de massas. Delfinidina, cianidina, petunidina e peonidina foram as antocianinas majoritárias encontradas no fruto. Concentrações significantes de polifenois, magnésio e selênio foram encontradas nesse fruto. O fruto do guajiruzeiro exibiu atividade antioxidante in vivo em neutrófilos, antigenotoxicidade em sangue periférico e antimutagenicidade em sangue periférico e medula óssea. O guajiru diminuiu os danos ao DNA no fígado, rins e coração. O fruto também diminuiu as expressões de Gadd45a, Il-1?, e Tnf-? nos tecidos. A proliferação celular foi suprimida em células HT-29, acompanhado por aumento na produção de ROS e diminuição nas expressões de TNF-?, IL-1?, IL-6 e NF-kB. Não foi observado efeito citotóxico das antocianinas em células CCD-18Co. As expressões das proteínas IL- 1?, IL-6 e TNF-? foram reduzidas em células CCD-18Co tratadas com TNF-? e com as antocianinas. Os resultados deste trabalho demonstram que os fitoquímicos e elementos químicos no fruto do guajiruzeiro possuem efeitos antigenotóxico, antimutagênico, antioxidante e anti-inflamatório e encorajam a realização de outros ensaios in vivo e estudos clínicos com esse fruto subutilizado. / Guajiru (Chrysobalanus icaco L.) is a fruit rich in anthocyanins, which exert several beneficial effects on health. Although guajiru leaves are used in folk medicine as hypoglycemic and antioxidant, the fruit effects on health remain unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of guajiru fruit against in vivo DNA damage and oxidative stress and in vivo/in vitro inflammation. Male Wistar rats (4-5 weeks old, 110 g) were divided into eight groups and treated for 14 days with water or lyophilized guajiru fruit (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg b.w.) by gavage. On the 14th day, animals received physiologic solution or DXR (15 mg/kg b.w. i.p.) and were euthanized after 24 hours. Genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity were evaluated by comet assay in peripheral blood, liver, kidney, and heart. Mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of guajiru fruit were investigated by micronucleus test in peripheral blood and bone marrow. The oxidative burst was measured in peripheral blood neutrophils. Oxidative stress parameters involved the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio, and catalase activity in liver, kidney and heart. The expressions of DNA damage/repair genes Gadd45a (growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible alpha), Parp1 (Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1), and Xrcc2 (X-Ray Repair complementing defective repair in Chinese hamster cells 2) and pro-inflammatory markers Il-1 ? (interleukin 1 beta), Il-6 (interleukin 6), Nf-kb (nuclear factor kappa B), and Tnf-? (tumor necrosis factor alpha) were evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR. Human colon cell lines CCD- 18Co (fibroblasts), and HT-29 (adenocarcinoma) were treated with guajiru anthocyanins (1.0 - 20.0 mg/L gallic acid equivalents - GAE) and the expressions of IL-1 ?, IL-6, NF-kB and TNF-? were analyzed at mRNA and protein levels. TNF-? was used to induce inflammation in CCD-18Co cells. Guajiru fruit phytochemicals were quantified and characterized by chromatographic and spectrometric methods. The concentrations of 19 chemical elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin and peonidin were the major anthocyanins in this fruit. Significant amounts of phytochemicals, magnesium, and selenium were found in this fruit. Guajiru fruit displayed in vivo antioxidant activity in neutrophils, antigenotoxicity in peripheral blood and antimutagenicity in bone marrow and peripheral blood. Guajiru fruit decreased DNA damage in liver, kidney, and heart. This fruit decreased the expression of Gadd45a, Il-1 ?, and Tnf-?, in tissues. Cell proliferation was suppressed in HT-29 cells, and this was accompanied by increased intracellular ROS production as well as decreased TNF-?, IL-1 ?, IL-6, and NF-kB expressions. There was no cytotoxic effect of guajiru fruit anthocyanins in CCD-18Co cells. IL-1 ?, IL-6, and TNF-? protein expressions were reduced in TNF-?-treated CCD-18Co cells by guajiru fruit anthocyanins. The findings from this investigation demonstrated that phytochemicals and chemical elements in guajiru fruit possess antigenotoxic, antimutagenic, antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects and encourage other in vivo and clinical studies with this underutilized fruit.

Spermatogenesis is a complex process of male germ cell development from diploid spermatogonia to haploid fertile spermatozoa. Apoptosis plays a vital role in limiting cell numbers and eliminating defective germ cells. This requires novel gene products, and precise and well-coordinated programmes of gene expression. It is therefore possible that a disruption of transcription factor function would significantly impact germ cell development. The present work was undertaken to use Staput separation followed by culture of purified germ cells of rodent testis since mammalian spermatogenesis cannot yet be recreated in vitro. Specificity of separation was assessed using immunocytochemistry to identify spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids. The genotoxins H2O2, doxorubicin, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, 6-mercaptopurine, 5-bromodeoxyuridine, methyl methanesulphonate and ethyl methanesulphonate were investigated. Cells were cultured and treated with different concentrations for each agent. DNA damage and apoptosis were measured by Comet and TUNEL assay respectively. Up-regulation of expression of the transcription factors Tbpl1, FHL5 and Gtf2a1l that are important post-meiotically, were examined using RT- PCR and qPCR. Protein production was evaluated using Western blotting. Tbpl1, FHL5 and Gtf2a1l were cloned in-frame into the inducible expression vector pET/100-TOPO. The recombinant clones were induced and successful expression of the proteins in E. coli was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The recombinant clones obtained were used to demonstrate genotoxin induced impairment of gene expression. Thus, Staput-isolated rodent testicular germ cells seem to be a suitable model to study genotoxicity in vitro yielding result comparable to those reported in vivo. Furthermore, the work shows that genotoxins can impair gene expression.

Various recent studies have suggested that regular intake of some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have a preventative effect against several types of tumours including breast cancer. The term nanotechnology refers to technology in which one-billionth of a meter is used as a scale for chemical particle size. This work aims to study the effect of both ibuprofen and aspirin on DNA damage using peripheral blood lymphocytes from breast cancer patients and comparing the results with those from healthy females as a control using the Comet and micronucleus assays. Western blot analysis (WBA) was used to investigate the effect of these drugs on XRCC3 and p53 proteins, whereas QPCR was to evaluate this effect on p53, cox1 and cox2 genes. Two hundred fifty ng/ml of ibuprofen (NP and bulk) and 500 ng/ml of aspirin (NP and bulk) were used to treat the lymphocytes. Both aspirin and ibuprofen caused a reduction in DNA damage and micronucleus formation. Aspirin, both forms, showed a reduction in DNA damage in the Comet and micronucleus assays. Ibuprofen both forms, by contrast, showed a statistically significant reduction in micronucleus frequency in the micronucleus assay, while its preventative effect with the Comet assay was weak or insignificant. NPs of both agents were more effective than bulk sizes. Using the Comet repair assay, aspirin and ibuprofen nano form catalysed DNA repair to a greater extent than their bulk forms. Also, both sizes showed better repair with NSAIDs compared to samples repaired without NSAIDs. In WBA aspirin increased the expression of XRCC3 protein in healthy cells. However, both NSAIDs decreased that expression in cells from BC patients. Furthermore, aspirin increased p53 expression in BC patients lymphocytes. With the QPCR method, results of both aspirin forms increased the expression of the p53 gene in BC patient cells statistically significantly. Both drugs reduced cox1 expression in healthy volunteers and cancer patients lymphocytes. Moreover, cox2 reduction was only in lymphocytes from BC patients. The results of this work are consistent with the view that NSAIDs, particularly aspirin and ibuprofen, could have a promising role in cancer treatment including breast cancer.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo o estabelecimento de um método citogenotoxico, o ensaio cometa, adaptado às células meristemáticas provenientes de raízes de propágulos de mangue da espécie Rhizophora mangle para utilização em estudos sobre genotoxicidade em ambientes marinhos. Foram testados dois tipos de germinação de raízes, quatro diferentes soluções de extração de núcleos, duas soluções de lise e o não uso da lise, dois períodos de exposição à lise, dois períodos de relaxamento, dois períodos de eletroforese e a interação de duas condições de lise com dois diferentes tempos de relaxamento. A validação de método foi realizada através da exposição de núcleos a quatro diferentes concentrações de peróxido de hidrogênio. Os resultados mostraram que é possível a obtenção de cometas com núcleos extraídos de propágulos de Rhizophora mangle e que a validação de método apresenta uma relação concentração dependente entre o índice de dano de núcleos e a concentração do agente genotoxico testado. Os melhores parâmetros utilizados para obtenção de cometas através do método por nós adaptado são: PBS ou solução salina 12&#8240; como solução de extração, exposição à lise alcalina iônica por 60 minutos, 5 minutos de relaxamento e eletroforese em tampão pH>13, 0,8V/cm, 230mA por 20 minutos a 4&#186;C. / This study aimed to establish a citogenotoxic method, the comet assay, adapted to the meristematic cells from propagule roots of red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle, for use in studies of genotoxicity in marine environments. Experiments were carried out to test two ways of root germination, four different nuclei extraction solutions, two lysis solutions and without lysis, two periods of exposure to lysis, two periods of unwinding, two periods of electrophoresis and the interaction of two lysis conditions with two different times of unwinding. Experiments on validation of the method were performed by exposing the nuclei to four different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The results showed that it is possible to obtain comets with nuclei extracted from the root of propagules of Rhizophora mangle and the validation data showed a dose-dependent relationship between the damage index and the concentration of the genotoxic agent tested. The best parameters to obtain comets using the method adapted by us are: PBS or saline 12&#8240; as extraction solution, exposure to alkaline lysis for 60 minutes, 5 minutes of unwinding and electrophoresis in buffer pH> 13, 0,8V/cm, 230mA for 20 min at 4&#186;C.

No description available.

Nodularia spumigena is an estuarine cyanobacteria that produces the toxin nodularin. This toxic cyanobacteria is known to have caused death to domestic and wild animals and is recognised as dangerous to human health. N. spumigena causes harmful algal blooms in many parts of the world including Australia. The toxic solutes of N. spumigena are potentially dangerous when contact is made to contaminated water bodies or is ingested by primary consumers. In Australia blooms of N. spumigena are common in the Gippsland Lakes in South-eastern Victoria and cause socio - economic hardships to the local communities. This PhD investigates the toxic effects of N. spumigena and its solutes to a range of aquatic life. A method known as SPME - HPLC showed promise in environmental monitoring of N. spumigena toxins by measuring nodularin from water samples. Other research presented study into the lethal and sublethal effects of on an extract from N. spumigena to aquatic fauna. Resu lts showed the N. spumigena extract was not lethal to many aquatic fauna although zooplankton from the Gippsland Lakes showed mortality at environmental relevant levels. Biochemical studies focusing on animal detoxification and antioxidation enzymes and DNA integrity showed sublethal effects to the N. spumigena extract. Results presented in this thesis show that an extract of N. spumigena elicited detoxification and antioxidation responses in animals tested. Furthermore, the use of the COMET assay showed increased damage to DNA of animals tested. Results also showed that different organs in animals tested responded differently to the aqueous extract, suggesting mode of uptake maybe important in toxicosis. Further, feeding studies with N. spumigena help elucidate mode of uptake using enzyme response biomarkers. The overall results of this research provided an assessment of the toxic affects of N. spumigena on aquatic fauna with special reference to the Gippsland Lakes, Victoria, Australia.

Petrol attendants are exposed to petrol volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which may have genotoxic and carcinogenic effects. The single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) is a method highly sensitive to DNA damage induced by environmental and occupational exposure to carcinogenic and mutagenic agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of exposure of petrol attendants to petrol VOCs and also to determine their effect on DNA damage and repair in lymphocytes of African petrol attendants. The exposed group consisted of 20 subjects, randomly selected from three petrol stations. A control group of 20 unexposed subjects was also chosen and matched for age and smoking habits with the exposed group. Sorbent tubes were used to assess personal exposure of petrol attendants. The comet assay was used to investigate the basal DNA damage and repair capacity in isolated lymphocytes of petrol attendants and control subjects. Blood samples were taken from the petrol attendants at the end of their 8 hour working shift and also from the control subjects. The petrol attendants were found to be exposed to levels of petrol VOCs lower than the occupational exposure limit (OEL) for constituent chemicals. A significant relationship was found between the volume of petrol sold during the shift and the average concentrations of benzene, toluene and the total VOCs measured. However, relative humidity had a negative correlation with the average concentrations of benzene, toluene, xylene and the total VOCs. Significantly higher basal DNA damage was observed with the exposed group compared to the control group. The period of exposure influenced the level of DNA damage and the calculated repair capacity. Smoking and age had a significant influence on the level of DNA damage. DNA repair capacity was delayed in smokers of both exposed and non-exposed group. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Occupational Hygiene))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

When food is heated, a vast number of compounds are formed. Some of these are known to be toxic. Among these are furan, HMF, PhIP, IQ, and MeIQx, the subjects of this thesis. All these compounds are known or suspected carcinogens but the detailed mechanisms behind their carcinogenicity have not yet been fully examined. The aim of this thesis was to study genotoxic properties of these compounds using both in vitro and in vivo methods. Clastogenic effects of all five compounds were assessed with the flow cytometer-based micronucleus assay in vivo and for furan also with the micronucleus assay in vitro. DNA-damaging effects of HMF were studied using the comet assay. No induction of micronuclei was obtained after exposure to IQ, MeIQx or furan. Hence, it can be argued that non-genotoxic mechanisms are partly responsible for the carcinogenic properties of these compounds. PhIP, on the other hand, generated a clear response in the in vivo test. Comparing these result with previous results on acrylamide indicates that PhIP is much more potent. However, acrylamide probably poses a higher risk for humans as the intake is considerably higher. For HMF no effects were seen using the in vivo setup. To further investigate the influence of bioactivation of HMF by sulfotransferases (SULTs) the comet assay was performed in cell lines expressing different levels of SULT. However, no correlation between SULT-expression and DNA-damage was observed. Thus, the DNA-damaging effects found in our experimental setup is probably due to other factors than SULT mediated effects. Furthermore, in this thesis the effects of folic acid on chromosomal stability in healthy people were studied. A negative correlation was found between micronucleus frequency and folate status. The results gained within this thesis will hopefully contribute to the risk assessment of compounds present in our diet.