Evaluation of the genetic damage to workers in a Greek shipyard

Shipyards are industrial areas where workers are likely exposed to environmental pollutants such as welding fumes, fine organic solvent and dye dust, that render the occupational environment a high risk one. Assessing the risk that workers are exposed to is a high critical factor in improving their working conditions. The present study aims to investigate the potential genetic damage to workers exposed to a harsh environment in a Greek shipyard. It is focused on assessing the percentage of induced micronuclei, as well as on changes in the various cell types of shipyard workers’ oral mucosa epithelium by implementing the buccal micronucleus cytome assay. Exposed workers appeared with statistically significant induced micronuclei as compared to office employees. Statistically, significant cell lesions were detected and are related to workers’ exposure to environmental conditions. The workers’ smoking habit contributed as well to the observed buccal epithelial cell alterations. The observed data signify the high-risk workers are exposed; resulting in the shipyard’s management the need to implement measures improving the working environment conditions and to reevaluate the workers’ personal protective equipment requirements. ©️ 2022 National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

Effects of genistein on Leber\u2019s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) mitochondrial metabolism.

Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), a maternally inherited form of central vision loss, is caused by pathogenic point mutations in mitochondrial-encoded subunits of complex I, the first site of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The most frequent LHON-associated mutations are the homoplasmic m. 11778 G>A in MTND4 gene, the m. 14484 T>C in MTND6 and the m.3460 G>A in ND1 gene [1-2]. One of the open problems in LHON is the variable penetrance: mtDNA mutations are necessary but not sufficient to induce the clinical phenotype. In fact, approximately 50% of males and only 10% of females harboring a primary mtDNA mutation develop the disease. Proposed modifiers include, secondary mtDNA mutations, mtDNA haplogroup, nuclear encoded genes, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and the exposure to toxic compounds [3-4]. By using the cell model of trans-mitochondrial cybrids we recently showed that estrogens ameliorate mitochondrial function, increase cell viability and prevent oxidative stress damage in LHON [5]. Thus, different exposure to estrogens between males and females may account for the still unexplained male prevalence. Aim of the present study was to compare the anti-oxidative effects of estrogens and phytoestrogens (i.e genistein, one of the soy isoflavones) on LHON metabolism by using the cybrid cells model. Cybrids were incubated in glucose-free, galactose supplemented medium, forcing the cells to rely mainly on the mitochondrial respiratory chain to produce ATP. Results show that, contrary to control cybrids, in each cell line harboring one of the three most frequent LHON pathogenic mutations, ROS increase, mitochondrial network is altered and there is an high percentage of cell death. Genistein (0.1 \ub5M), similar to estrogens, prevents the alterations induced by galactose on cell growth, ROS production and mitochondrial network. Furthermore genistein activates ERK1 and ERK2 MAP kinases thus up-regulating Mn-SOD antioxidant enzyme. The effects of genistein are antagonised by ERs specific inhibitor (ICI 182780), demonstrating the involvement of estrogen-receptors as mechanism of protection of LHON cybrids from oxidative stress. Our results open new therapeutic approaches for LHON. 1. Carelli V et al. (2004) - Prog Retin Eye Res, 23: 53\u201389. 2. Man PY et al. (2009) - J Med Genet, 46: 145\u201358. 3. Phasukkijwatana N et al. (2010) - Hum Genet 2010, 128: 39\u201349. 4. Kirkman MA et al. (2009) - Brain, 132: 2317\u201326. 5. Giordano C, Montopoli M et al. (2011) \u2013 Brain, 134:220-34

TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION WITH PERINDOPRIL PLUS INDAPAMIDE LEADS TO REVERSE CORONARY MICROVASCULAR REMODELLING AND IMPROVED BLOOD FLOW

3D.05 TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION WITH PERINDOPRIL PLUS INDAPAMIDE LEADS TO REVERSE CORONARY MICROVASCULAR REMODELLING AND IMPROVED BLOOD FLOW P. Camici1, D. Neglia3, E. Fommei3, A. Varela-Carver1, M. Mancini2, S. Ghione3, M. Lombardi3, H. Parker1, G. Damati2, L. Donato3. 1Imperial College, London, United Kingdom, 2Universita’ La Sapienza, Roma, Italy, 3CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy Rationale: The heart of patients with arterial hypertension (HT) is characterized by structural and functional abnormalities of the microcirculation which cause coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) and may contribute to myocardial ischemia. Aim of the present study was to ascertain whether treatment with a fixed combination of perindoprilþindapamide (PþI) in patients withHTimprovesCMDas assessed by measuring myocardial blood flow (MBF) noninvasively with positron emission tomography (PET). The human study was complemented by further experiments in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) to ascertain whether treatment with the same drug regimen can reverse anatomical remodelling of the coronary arterioles while improving coronary flow (CF). Methods and Results: In 20 HT patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, blood pressure (BP), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and resting and hyperemic MBF were measured at baseline and after 6 months of therapy with PþI. In SHR, BP was measured at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment with placebo or PþI. After sacrifice, baseline and hyperemic CF (Langendorff) and histomorphometry of intramural coronary arterioles were measured. In patients, PþI decreased BP (16110/965 to 13612/816 mmHg; p<0.0001) and LVMI (9316 to 8517 g/m2; p<0.01) whilst baseline (0.690.13 to 0.880.36 ml/min/g; p<0.05) and hyperemic MBF (1.420.32 to 1.940.99 ml/min/g; p<0.05) were increased. In SHR treated with PþI (n¼11), BP was 9318/5518 compared to 21518/ 16117 mmHg in the placebo (n¼6) group (p<0.001) whilst the ratio of hyperemic/baseline CF was 3.971.15 and 1.910.19 respectively (p<0.001). The medial area of intramural arterioles was 1613410 in the PþI group and 104992152mm2 in the placebo (p<0.001). Conclusions: In patients, treatment with PþI reduced BP and LVMI and improved MBF, suggesting reversal of both myocardial and microvascular remodelling. The SHR data provide translational evidence that the improvement of CF observed after treatment with PþI is due to reverse remodelling of intramural arterioles

Mitochondrial myopathy, parkinsonism, and multiple mtDNA deletions in a Sephardic Jewish family.

The authors describe a family of Sephardic Jews with progressive external ophthalmoparesis, skeletal muscle weakness, and parkinsonism. Autosomal recessive inheritance was suggested by many consanguineous marriages, although a dominant disorder could not be excluded. No linkage to known progressive external ophthalmoparesis locus was found. The presence of cytochrome c oxidase-negative ragged-red fibers, biochemically reduced respiratory chain complexes, and multiple mitochondrial DNA deletions in muscle biopsies from four patients suggested a new mitochondrial disorder of intergenomic communication

Induction of mitochondrial biogenesis is a maladaptive mechanism in mitochondrial cardiomyopathies.

Defects of the mitochondrial genome cause a heterogeneous group of clinical disorders, including mitochondrial cardiomyopathies (MIC). The molecular events linking mtDNA defects to cardiac remodeling are unknown. Energy derangements and increase of mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) could both play a role in the development of cardiac dysfunction in MIC. In addition, mitochondrial proliferation could interfere with sarcomere alignment and contractio