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Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an inherited autoinflammatory disease. In this study, we aimed to assess chromosomal DNA damage and cell proliferation by using cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMN-cyt) assay in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of untreated FMF patients carrying M694V and R202Q mutations, which are the most common MEFV gene mutations in Turkish society. The study included 20 untreated FMF patients with M694V and R202Q mutations and 20 healthy individuals of similar age and sex as the control group. Micronucleus (MN), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs), and nuclear buds (NBUDs) were scored in the obtained bi-nucleated (BN) cells. Additionally, the nuclear division index (NDI) was calculated using the scores of mononuclear, binuclear, and multinuclear cells. We found that MN and NPBs frequencies in FMF patients were significantly higher than in controls, and number of metaphases was significantly lower (respectively, p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in NBUDs frequencies and NDI values between FMF patients and controls (p > 0.05). Our study is the first to evaluate FMF patients' lymphocytes using the CBMN-cyt assay, as no previous research has been found in this respect. Increased MN and NPB frequencies may be useful as biomarkers for chromosomal DNA damage, and may indicate a potential for elevated cancer risk in untreated FMF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcineurin inhibitors have been found to exhibit a preventive role against neuroinflammation, which represents a crucial underlying mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases (ND). Additionally, they possess suppressive effects on the activation of apoptotic pathways, which constitute another mechanism underlying such diseases. Given that pimecrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor, impedes the synthesis of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐4, and IL‐10, and influences apoptotic processes, it is noteworthy to test its potential neuroprotective properties. Thus, the objective of this investigation was to assess the potential protective effects of pimecrolimus against the degenerative consequences of both microglial secretomes and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), an oxidant agent. The survival rates of HMC3 microglia cells, neuron‐like differentiated SH‐SY5Y (d‐SH‐SY5Y) cells, and their co‐culture were determined using the 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) method. Furthermore, the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and IL‐6, and anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 were measured using ELISA kits, besides total antioxidant and oxidant capacities in conditioned media of cells. Additionally, the effect of pimecrolimus on neurite length in these cell groups was evaluated through morphological observations. This study revealed, for the first time, that pimecrolimus exerts preventive effects on neurodegenerative processes by virtue of its anti‐inflammatory and ‐antioxidant activities. It holds promise as a potential treatment option for ND. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]