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Background: Over the past few years, the rapid use of high frequency electromagnetic fields like mobile phones has raised global concerns about the negative health effects of its use. Adaptive response is the ability of a cell or tissue to better resist stress damage by prior exposure to a lesser amount of stress. This study aimed to assess whether radiofrequency radiation can induce adaptive response by changing the antioxidant balance. Materials and Methods: In order to assess RF-induced adaptive response in tissues, we evaluated the level of GSH and the activity of GR in liver. 50 rats were divided into 5 groups. Three groups were pre-exposed to 915 MHz RF radiation, 4 hours per day for one week at different powers, as low, medium and high. 24 hours after the last exposure to radiation, they were exposed to 4 Gy sublethal dose of gamma radiation and then sacrificed after 5 hours. Their livers were removed, washed and were kept at -80o C until used. Results: Our finding showed that pre-exposure to 915 MHz radiofrequency radiation with specific power could induce adaptive response in liver by inducing changes in the activity and level of antioxidant enzymes. Conclusion: It can be concluded that pre-exposure to microwave radiation could increase the level of GSH and the activity of GR enzyme, although these increases were seen just in low power group, and the GR activity was indicated in medium power group. This increase protects tissue from oxidative damage induced by sublethal dose of gamma radiation.

Background: Despite numerous studies over a decade, it still remains controversial about the biological effects of RF EMF emitted by mobile phone telephony. Objective: Here we investigated the effect of 900 MHz GSM on the induction of oxidative stress and the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human mononuclear cells, monocytes and lymphocytes as defence system cells. Method: 6 ml Peripheral Blood samples were obtained from 13 healthy volunteers (21-30 year-old). Each sample was devided into 2 groups: one was exposed RF radiation emitted from a mobile phone simulator for 2 hour and the other used as control group which was not exposed to any fields. After that, mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood by density gradient centrifugation in Ficoll-Paque. The intracellular ROS content in monocytes and lymphocytes was measured by the CM-H2DCFDA fluorescence probe using flowcytometry technique. Results: Our results showed significant increase in ROS production after exposure in population rich in monocytes. This effect was not significant in population rich in lymphocytes in comparison with non exposed cells. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study clearly showed the oxidative stress induction capability of RF electromagnetic field in the portion of PBMCs mostly in monocytes, like the case of exposure to micro organisms, although the advantages or disadvantages of this effect should be evaluated.

Eastern Pacific Paralvinella grasslei, polychaetous annelids, were tested to check the influence of reproductive biology on population structure and dispersion processes. The research supported neither dispersion through hydrothermal crabs nor through water column currents because the believed short larval life would prevent long-distance dispersion. The larvae is most likely developed in a cocoon or maternal mucous sheath to protect against the harsh, unstable and heterogeneous environmental conditions at deep-sea hydrothermal vent sites. The evidence supports a breeding pattern of several times a year at regular intervals.

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We describe the results of adding a new biological agent HEMO2life® to a standard preservation solution for hypothermic static lung preservation aiming to improve early functional parameters after lung transplantation. HEMO2life® is a natural oxygen carrier extracted from Arenicola marina with high oxygen affinity developed as an additive to standard organ preservation solutions. Standard preservation solution (Perfadex®) was compared with Perfadex® associated with HEMO2life® and with sham animals after 24 h of hypothermic preservation followed by lung transplantation. During five hours of lung reperfusion, functional parameters and biomarkers expression in serum and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. After five hours of reperfusion, HEMO2life® group led to significant improvement in functional parameters: reduction of graft vascular resistance (p < .05) and increase in graft oxygenation ratio (p < .05). Several ischemia-reperfusion related biomarkers showed positive trends in the HEMO2life® group: expression of HMG B1 in serum tended to be lower in comparison (2.1 ± 0.8 vs. 4.6 ± 1.5) with Perfadex® group, TNF-α and IL-8 in BALF were significantly higher in the two experimental groups compared to control (p < .05). During cold ischemia, expression of HIF1α and histology remained unchanged and similar to control. Supplementation of the Perfadex® solution by an innovative oxygen carrier HEMO2life® during hypothermic static preservation improves early graft function after prolonged cold ischemia in lung transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress and a disrupted antioxidant system are involved in a variety of pregnancy complications. In the present study, the role of vitamin E (Vit E) and folate as radical scavengers on the GSH homeostasis in stress oxidative induced in rat endometrial cells was investigated. Primary endometrial stromal cell cultures treated with 50 and 200 µM of H2O2 and evaluated the cytoprotective effects of Vit E (5 µM) and folate (0.01 µM) in H2O2-treated cells for 24 h. Following the exposure of endometrial cells to H2O2 alone and in the presence of Vit E and/or folate, cell survival, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase activities and the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured. Cell adhesions comprise of cell attachment and spreading on collagen were determined. Flow cytometric analysis using annexin V was used to measure apoptosis. H2O2 treatment showed a marked decrease in cell viability, GPx and GR activities and the level of GSH. Although Vit E or folate had some protective effect, combination therapy with Vit E and folate attenuated all the changes due to H2O2 toxicity. An increasing number of alive cells was showed in the cells exposed to H2O2 (50 µM) accompanied by co-treatment with Vit E and folic acid. The present findings indicate that co-administration of Vit E and folate before and during pregnancy may maintain a viable pregnancy and contribute to its clinical efficacy for the treatment of some idiopathic infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estrogen deficiency after menopause accelerates redox imbalance, leading to oxidative stress (OS) and other postmenopausal complications such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. In the present study, the effects of quercetin (Q), vitamin E (vitE) and estradiol (E2) on the oxidative status in ovariectomized (OVX) rats were investigated. OVX animals were treated with Q (15 mg/kg/day), vitE (60 mg/kg/day), E2 (10 μg/kg/day) and Q (7.5 mg/kg/day)+vitE (30 mg/ kg/day) for 10 weeks. OS markers were analyzed in the serum and tibia of rats. Data indicated that after ovariectomy, rats exhibited a reduction in serum and tibia antioxidants and elevation of oxidant markers. The activities of antioxidant enzymes (AOEs), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase were decreased and the glutathione (GSH) content was reduced, whereas the malondialdehyde (MDA) level was increased. Treatment with Q, vitE and E2 markedly reversed these changes and improved OS. In conclusion, prevention by antioxidant agents, including Q and vitE, could be a potential approach in the management of menopause-related complications.

Background: Despite numerous studies over a decade, it still remains controversial about the biological effects of RF EMF emitted by mobile phone telephony. Objective: Here we investigated the effect of 900 MHz GSM on the induction of oxidative stress and the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human mononuclear cells, monocytes and lymphocytes as defence system cells. Method: 6 ml Peripheral Blood samples were obtained from 13 healthy volunteers (21-30 year-old). Each sample was devided into 2 groups: one was exposed RF radiation emitted from a mobile phone simulator for 2 hour and the other used as control group which was not exposed to any fields. After that, mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood by density gradient centrifugation in Ficoll-Paque. The intracellular ROS content in monocytes and lymphocytes was measured by the CM- H2DCFDA fluorescence probe using flowcytometry technique. Results: Our results showed significant increase in ROS production after exposure in population rich in monocytes. This effect was not significant in population rich in lymphocytes in comparison with non exposed cells. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study clearly showed the oxidative stress induction capability of RF electromagnetic field in the portion of PBMCs mostly in monocytes, like the case of exposure to micro organisms, although the advantages or disadvantages of this effect should be evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Alvinella pompejana is a representative of Annelids, a key phylum for evo-devo studies that is still poorly studied at the sequence level. A. pompejana inhabits deep-sea hydrothermal vents and is currently known as one of the most thermotolerant Eukaryotes in marine environments, withstanding the largest known chemical and thermal ranges (from 5 to 105°C). This tube-dwelling worm forms dense colonies on the surface of hydrothermal chimneys and can withstand long periods of hypo/anoxia and long phases of exposure to hydrogen sulphides. A. pompejana specifically inhabits chimney walls of hydrothermal vents on the East Pacific Rise. To survive, Alvinella has developed numerous adaptations at the physiological and molecular levels, such as an increase in the thermostability of proteins and protein complexes. It represents an outstanding model organism for studying adaptation to harsh physicochemical conditions and for isolating stable macromolecules resistant to high temperatures. Results We have constructed four full length enriched cDNA libraries to investigate the biology and evolution of this intriguing animal. Analysis of more than 75,000 high quality reads led to the identification of 15,858 transcripts and 9,221 putative protein sequences. Our annotation reveals a good coverage of most animal pathways and networks with a prevalence of transcripts involved in oxidative stress resistance, detoxification, anti-bacterial defence, and heat shock protection. Alvinella proteins seem to show a slow evolutionary rate and a higher similarity with proteins from Vertebrates compared to proteins from Arthropods or Nematodes. Their composition shows enrichment in positively charged amino acids that might contribute to their thermostability. The gene content of Alvinella reveals that an important pool of genes previously considered to be specific to Deuterostomes were in fact already present in the last common ancestor of the Bilaterian animals, but have been secondarily lost in model invertebrates. This pool is enriched in glycoproteins that play a key role in intercellular communication, hormonal regulation and immunity. Conclusions Our study starts to unravel the gene content and sequence evolution of a deep-sea annelid, revealing key features in eukaryote adaptation to extreme environmental conditions and highlighting the proximity of Annelids and Vertebrates.

Introduction: Studies show that infertility is on the rise and some diseases such as diabetes mellitus play a key role in this. Chronic hyperglycemia and metabolic disorders caused by diabetes mellitus increases the production of free radicals in the body and will ultimately lead to oxidative stress in tissues. The amount of tissue oxidative damage in diabetic patients has a direct effect on fertility trends. This study is designed to investigate the antioxidant effect on oxidative stress rate in uterus of diabetic rat. Materials and Methods: Diabetic female rats with streptozotocin were divided into control, diabetic groups & diabetic Treated groups. Treated groups received folic acid and vitamin E Via gavage for 4 weeks. Antioxidant markers: Level of enzyme activities GR, GPX and CAT and Protein levels of MDA, GSH were measured in uterine tissue. Results: The results of this study showed that the activity of enzyme GPX, at the diabetic groups were decreased compared with control group and its activity at treated groups was increased compared with diabetic groups. In addition, levels of MDA protein at the diabetic group had increased than controls group, whereas its level in the diabetic group was reduced compared to treated groups. The results were analyzed statistically and the difference between them was significant. Conclusion: Vitamin E by restoring the activity of antioxidant markers is responsible an important protective role against oxidative damage caused by diabetes. In this way, the use of antioxidants can have a positive effect on diabetes-related infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in the uterus lead to oxidative stress which can decrease expression of adhesion molecules and may cause impaired blastocyst implantation. Nitroglycerin (NTG), source of ROS and RNS, is a nitrate drug, effective in lowering blood pressure and chest pain in patients with angina pectoris and congestive heart failure. In this study we aimed to investigate the long and short term effects of nitroglycerin treatment on the pups number. Materials and Methods: The rats (150-200g) in long-term test group were administered with NTG (15mg/kg) and normal saline (1 ml/kg) in controls for 4 weeks. Afterwards, they mated and their treatment continued until the end of pregnancy and finally their pups were counted. In short-term groups, treatments of the rats were started after mating similar to what have been done for the long term treatment groups. Results: In long-term NTG treated group the pups number decreased compared to the controls (p<0.05). In short-term NTG treated group the number of pups had no difference with control group. Conclusion: Our investigations indicated that the long-term NTG treatment may down regulate adhesion molecules which have important role in the implantation and this may lead to decrease in the pups number. But the short-term NTG treatment may not have adverse effects on the adhesion molecules expression, implantation and the number of pups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]