The effects of daylight exposure on melatonin levels, Kiss1 expression, and melanoma formation in mice

Aim To determine how daylight exposure in mice affects melatonin protein expression in blood and Kiss1 gene expression in the hypothalamus. The second aim was to assess the relationship between skin cancer formation, daylight exposure, melatonin blood level, and kisspeptin gene expression level. Methods New-born mice (n = 96) were assigned into the blind group or daylight group. The blind group was raised in the dark and the daylight group was raised under 12 hours light/12 hours dark cycle for 17 weeks. At the end of the 11th week, melanoma cell line was inoculated to mice, and tumor growth was observed for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, melatonin level was measured from blood serum and Kiss1 expression from the hypothalamus. Results The blind group had significantly higher melatonin and lower Kiss1 expression levels than the daylight group. Tumor volume was inversely proportional to melatonin levels and directly proportional to Kiss1 expression levels. Tumor growth speed was lower in the blind than in the daylight group. Conclusion Melatonin and Kiss1 were shown to be nvolved in tumor suppression. They were affected by daylight and were mutually affected by each other

Effects of chronic Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol treatment on Rho/Rho-kinase signalization pathway in mouse brain

WOS: 000414346300019PubMed ID: 29158718Delta(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC) shows its effects by activating cannabinoid receptors which are on some tissues and neurons. Cannabinoid systems have role on cell proliferation and development of neurons. Furthermore, it is interesting that cannabinoid system and rho/rho-kinase signalization pathway, which have important role on cell development and proliferation, may have role on neuron proliferation and development together. Thus, a study is planned to investigate rhoA and rho-kinase enzyme expressions and their activities in the brain of chronic Delta(9)-THC treated mice. One group of mice are treated with Delta(9)-THC once to see effects of acute treatment. Another group of mice are treated with Delta(9)-THC three times per day for one month. After this period, rhoA and rho-kinase enzyme expressions and their activities in mice brains are analyzed by ELISA method. Chronic administration of Delta(9)-THC decreased the expression of rhoA while acute treatment has no meaningful effect on it. Administration of Delta(9)-THC did not affect expression of rho-kinase on both chronic and acute treatment. Administration of Delta(9)-THC increased rho-kinase activity on both chronic and acute treatment, however, chronic treatment decreased its activity with respect to acute treatment. This study showed that chronic Delta(9)-THC treatment down-regulated rhoA expression and did not change the expression level of rho-kinase which is downstream effector of rhoA. However, it elevated the rho-kinase activity. Delta(9)-THC induced down-regulation of rhoA may cause elevation of cypin expression and may have benefit on cypin related diseases. Furthermore, use of rho-kinase inhibitors and Delta(9)-THC together can be useful on rho-kinase related diseases. (C) 2017 The Authors. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.Cukurova UniversityCukurova University [TSA-2014-2430]Authors thank to Cukurova University for funding this study (TSA-2014-2430). The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest

Detection of CAG trinucleotide repeat numbers with fragment analysis in patients diagnosed with Huntington's disease and in their families

WOS: 000480626400029Purpose: Huntington's Disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant disorder affecting nervous system. CAG trinucleotide repeat (TNR) increase in Huntingtin gene causes the disease. In normal individuals, 10-35 TNRs are found whereas in HD this number exceeds 36-37. This study aimed to investigate TNR numbers in individuals with HD diagnosed family and to provide genetic counselling for individuals with abnormal alleles. Materials and Methods: Subjects consist of family members of a male who died at age of 60 due to HD. Randomly selected 57 healthy individuals are also analysed for control. TNR numbers were determined by fragment analysis. Results: TNR numbers of family members were determined as 17, 21, 23, 25, 33, 36 and 39. TNR numbers of randomly selected healthy people were found below 26. Individuals with 33 and 36 TNRs were considered as risk groups. Individuals with 39 TNRs were considered as HD patients. Conclusion: Since some subjects had 39 TNRs, it was emphasized that these people should be under physician control. Prenatal diagnosis is recommended to those who plan to have children. In addition, subjects with 33 and 36 CAG trinucleotide repeats are advised to inform new generations about HD and that they may be affected in future