Search

Prenatal exposure to environmental factors may play an important role in the aetiopathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We aim to investigate the potential effects of low-dose x-rays from dental diagnostic x-rays on neurodevelopment and molecular mechanisms associated with ASD in developing zebrafish embryos. Zebrafish embryos were divided into four groups and exposed using a dental x-ray unit: control, 0.08, 0.15 and 0.30 seconds, which are exemplary exposure settings for periapical imaging. These exposure times were measured as 7.17, 23.17 and 63.83 mSv using optical stimulated luminescence dosimeters. At the end of 72 hours post-fertilization, locomotor activity, oxidant-antioxidant status, and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity were analyzed. Expression of genes related to apoptosis (bax, bcl2a, p53), neurogenesis (α1-tubulin, syn2a, neurog1, elavl3) and ASD (eif4eb, adsl2a, shank3) was determined by RT-PCR. Even at reduced doses, developmental toxicity was observed in three groups as evidenced by pericardial edema, yolk sac edema and scoliosis. Deleterious effects of dental x-rays on neurogenesis through impaired locomotor activity, oxidative stress, apoptosis and alterations in genes associated with neurogenesis and ASD progression were more pronounced in the 0.30s exposure group. Based on these results we suggest that the associations between ASD and low-dose ionizing radiation need a closer look. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate salivary tissue factor (TF) activity and oxidant-antioxidant status, which is an important defense system, in saliva samples collected from patients with oral lichen planus (OLP), and to determine the relationship between the antioxidant system and TF activity in OLP. Materials and Methods: Saliva samples were collected from patients with OLP (n=20) and healthy subjects (n=13). TF activity, lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH) levels, glutathione S-transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured. Results: NO levels and GST activities were increased, whereas GSH levels and SOD activities were decreased, when compared with healthy subjects in the saliva samples collected from patients with OLP. In addition, TF activity was increased in the OLP group compared with the control group. Conclusion: The results revealed that the salivary oxidant-antioxidant balance was disrupted in parallel with the increase in TF activity in patients with OLP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure during the embryonic period can cause defects in the development of the fetus. The study’s aim is to evaluate the effects of RF-EMF on the lipid accumulation, oxidant-antioxidant system parameters, locomotor activities, and gene expressions of insulin and leptin as genes related to insulin resistance in fetal hyperglycemia-induced zebrafish embryos. Materials and Methods: The study exposed zebrafish embryos to RF-EMF (60 min) and glucose (5%) every day until 96 hours post fertilization (hpf). The study measured lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase, nitric oxide (NO), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione (GSH) levels to observe the oxidative stress status. The study monitored the development of the zebrafish embryos under a microscope, performed a locomotor activity analysis, measured acetylcholinesterase activity, and conducted oil red O staining to determine lipid accumulation. The study used reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCRs) to determine the expressions of ins and lepa by using RT-PCR. Results: Both the glucose and RF-EMF applications decreased locomotor activity and increased the LPO and NO levels as oxidative damage indicators. Applying RF-EMF alone increased GST and GSH levels, while applying RF-EMF and glucose showed a decrease in the antioxidant defense systems. ins expression increased in the glucose and RF-EMF groups, while lepa expression increased in the glucose group and decreased in the RF-EMF group. Conclusion: The harmful effects of hyperglycemia and RF-EMF exposure during the fetal period on embryo development need to be supported by studies to confirm the changes the current study has identified at the gene and protein levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: An excessive buildup of adipose tissue is a defining feature of overnutrition, and a significant fraction of the world's population suffers from obesity. Overnutrition is associated with the deterioration of mitochondrial functions in the brain in the case of obesity. In this study, we evaluated the effects of stevioside (ST) which is a calorie-free, naturally occurring herbal sweetener made from Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) on the oxidant-antioxidant balance in the brain in cases of overnutrition. Accordingly, the effects of ST consumption on the oxidant-antioxidant balance in the brain was evaluated and determined in a case study of overfeeding adult zebrafish for 15 days. Materials and Methods: Zebrafish were placed in four groups; the control group (C); overfed group (OF); low-dose (1mg/L) ST treated OF group (OF+LDS); and the high-dose ST (5mg/L) treated OF group (OF+HDS). The levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) were evaluated together with nitric oxide (NO) to determine the oxidant status. The antioxidant status from the activities of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were determined in brain tissues. Results: The ST treatment decreased the increased LPO and NO levels in overfed zebrafish and increased SOD and GST activities in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: ST exerted an antioxidant effect on the possible damage mechanisms that could occur in the brain in case of overnutrition by decreasing oxidative stress and improving the antioxidant enzyme activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biocompatibility of toothpaste in an oral cavity should be approved by clinical trials. Nowadays, herbal toothpaste is increasing in popularity due to its natural ingredients. Being genetically similar to humans, zebrafish are used in potential toxicity testing. The zebrafish embryotoxicity test is a fast and straightforward method to study chemical toxicity during embryogenesis. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate if there was any biocompatibility of the toothpaste on zebrafish embryos. Methods: Adult AB strain zebrafish were used according to Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee protocols. Normally dividing, spherical embryos were exposed to herbal toothpaste with ginger (Gumgumix, Turkey) (50 mg/L) and conventional toothpaste (Signal, Expert Protection, Bulgaria) (50 mg/L) in well plates containing 20 embryos, having four replicates. Developmental effects, mortality, and hatching rates were evaluated for 72h. Results: Zebrafish embryos exposed to conventional toothpaste had a higher mortality rate than those exposed to herbal toothpaste; they hatched later and delayed in development. There was no difference between herbal toothpaste and the control group regarding mortality and hatching rates (p > 0.005). Conclusion: The herbal toothpaste showed higher biocompatibility on zebrafish embryos compared to the conventional toothpaste under the condition of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The use of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as bisphenol A (BPA) in plastics manufacturing, agriculture, livestock, and paint manufacturing increas daily. The water treated in wastewater treatment plants is used in many areas such as irrigation of parks and gardens, and reinforcement of underground water resources. However, whether the treatment process eliminates EDCs in wastewater is not exactly known, and determining this as well as the amounts of these chemicals in treated water are important in terms of protecting the environment and human health. The aim of the study was to determine BPA and phthalate concentrations in the influent and effluent flow samples obtained from wastewater treatment plants. Materials and Methods: BPA and phthalate concentrations were measured in influent and effluent flow samples using the enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. BPA and phthalate measurements were performed as competitive measurements of BPA and total phthalates in samples using specific monoclonal antibodies. Results: BPA and phthalate levels were measured respectively as 7.69 μg/L and 78.27 μg/L in the influent water samples and 3.17 μg/L and 25.56 μg/L in the effluent water samples. The concentration of BPA and phthalates in the effluent samples decreased significantly compared to the influent water samples. Conclusion: This study is believed to shed light on the importance of monitoring BPA and phthalate concentrations in wastewater treatment plants and inspections for detecting other EDCs in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases due to the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain in the substantia nigra. 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxic agent causing disruptions in mitochondria of dopaminergic neurons leading to impaired oxidant-antioxidant balance. Both zebrafish and zebrafish embryos are sensitive to MPTP. In zebrafish embryos, MPTP decreases the dopaminergic cells in the diencephalon by damaging dopaminergic neurons. Morphine is an opioid pain killer and a strong analgesic that is used to treat chronic pain. Until today morphine has been shown to regulate the survival or death of neurons and both protective and destructive effects of morphine have been reported in the central nervous system. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of morphine in MPTP-exposed zebrafish embryos. Developmental parameters were monitored and documented daily during embryonic development. Locomotor activity of zebrafish embryos at 96 h postfertilization (hpf) was determined. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and oxidant-antioxidant parameters were analyzed by biochemical methods. RT-PCR was used to evaluate bdnf, dj1, lrrk and pink1 expressions. Morphine treatment improved mortality and hatching rates, locomotor activity, AChE, and antioxidant enzyme activities as well as the expressions of bdnf, dj1, lrrk and pink1 in a dose-dependent manner that were altered by MPTP. Increased lipid peroxidation supports the role of morphine to induce autophagy to prevent PD-related pathologies. Our study provided important data on the possible molecular mechanism of the therapeutic effects of morphine in PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polycarbonate (PC) bottles have been used widely in the last years for the consumption of water and the increased use of these chemicals has raised many concerns regarding their adverse effects on health. Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are the main endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that can migrate from these plastics into potable water. Materials and Methods: The concentrations of phthalate and BPA were measured in water samples that were stored in PET and PC bottles at different storage conditions. The method of ELISA was used for the determination of phthalate and BPA levels. A standard curve is obtained from the standards prepared at known concentrations of phthalate, BPA, according to their absorbance at 450 nm. The BPA levels of the samples were obtained through the calculation of the absorbance values acquired using the standard curve. Results: Different storage and heating processes applied on the samples significantly increased the levels of BPA and phthalate. One year of storage led to a statistically significant increase in phthalate levels when compared to the control group. Both BPA and phthalate levels detected in the water samples were higher than the control group depending on the storage conditions including exposure to high temperatures, sunlight and outdoor conditions. Conclusion: Our results indicate the necessity to establish the environmental conditions that must be ensured during the production, transportation and storage processes of the bottles, on a legal basis with legal regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]