Jetreni izoenzimi aspartat transaminaze kao biopokazatelji kronične izloženosti heksavalentnom kromu

Exposure to hexavalent chromium compounds is associated with the risk of lung cancer, dermatitis, gastrointestinal ulcers, and other tissue damages. The aim of this study was to compare liver isoenzyme and total serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as cytotoxic biomarkers of acute and chronic cytotoxicity of CrVI. We investigated the extent of cell damage caused by chromium(VI) in acute (2.5 mg kg-1) daily doses administered over five days and chronic (0.25 mg kg-1 and 0.5 mg kg-1) daily doses administered over 15 to 60 days by measuring total AST in serum and low molecular weight AST (LMW-AST) and high molecular weight AST (HMW-AST) activities in thirty liver fractions. We also evaluated the kinetic properties and electrophoretic mobility of the LMW- and HMW-AST isoenzymes in liver subcellular fractions. Liver LMW-AST and total serum AST activities significantly decreased after 15 days of exposure (P<0.05). With continued treatment, AST activity increased by 15.67 % (P<0.05). Interestingly, changes in serum AST activity were similar to changes in the liver LMW-AST isoenzyme. Our results confirmed that total serum AST activity may serve as a reliable tissue biomarker for long-term exposures to CrVI, but they also suggest that the LMW-AST isoenzyme could be even more sensitive.Izloženost spojevima s heksavalentnim kromom (CrVI) povezana je s povećanim rizikom od raka pluća, dermatitisa, vrijeda u probavnom traktu i ostalih oštećenja tkiva. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je na životinjskom modelu usporediti aktivnosti aspartat aminotransferaze (AST) u serumu i njezinih jetrenih izoenzima kao biopokazatelja akutne i kronične citotoksičnosti CrVI u štakora. S tom smo svrhom pet dana intraperitonealno izlagali Wistar štakore akutnoj dozi CrVI od 2,5 mg kg-1 na dan te petnaest, četrdeset pet i šezdeset dana kroničnim dozama od 0,25 mg kg-1 odnosno 0,5 mg kg-1 na dan, te izmjerili aktivnost ukupnog AST u serumu i aktivnosti izoenzima AST-a male (LMW-AST) odnosno velike molekulske mase (HMW-AST) u 30 jetrenih reakcija. Također smo ocijenili kinetička svojstva i elektroforetsku mobilnost LMW-AST-a i HMW-AST-a unutar jetrenih stanica. Aktivnosti jetrenog LMW izoenzima AST-a i ukupnog AST-a u serumu značajno su se smanjile nakon 15 dana izloženosti u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu (P<0,05). Tijekom daljnje izloženosti aktivnost serumskog AST-a povećala se 15,67 % (P<0,05). Zanimljivo je primijetiti da je ponašanje serumskog AST-a bilo slično onom jetrenog LMW izoenzima, što upućuje na pouzdanost obaju biopokazatelja pri dugotrajnoj izloženosti kromu, ali i na bolju osjetljivost LMW-AST izoenzima

Latent infections, coronavirus disease 2019 and psychiatric disorders: The friend of my enemy

Abstract Recent reports revealed an increased rate of hospitalization and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) among patients with psychiatric disorders. On the other hand, there is a link between latent infections, including Toxoplasma gondii, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) with psychiatric disorders. We individually assessed data regarding 1) the mortality rate of COVID‐19 among individuals with psychiatric disorders; 2) the association of latent infections in COVID‐19 patients and 3) the association between latent infections and psychiatric disorders. We developed the hypothesis that latent infection could increase the risk of severe COVID‐19 among patients with psychiatric disorders. Cumulative evidence proposed that infection with toxoplasmosis, CMV and HSV‐1 could increase the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐Co‐V2) infections among patients with psychiatric disorders probably by induction of hyperinflammatory conditions. These infections are also associated with hyperinflammation and T cell exhaustion, which has also been observed in both schizophrenia and COVID‐19. This hypothesis provides new insights into the role of latent infections in increasing the mortality rates of COVID‐19 among individuals with psychiatric disorders. Strategies for screening, early diagnosis and treatment of these infections could be recommended for COVID‐19 patients with a background of psychiatric disorders

Study of rs1050450, rs4673 and rs13306294 polymorphic distributions and Glutathione Peroxidase-1 (Gpx-1) activity of patients with coronary artery stenosis in Tehran

Background: Coronary artery stenosis is one of the atherosclerotic complications which can lead to decreased oxygen supply in heart tissue and heart attack. rs1050450 Polymorphism is one of polymorphisms in GPx1 gene that may change its antioxidant activity. Furthermore, two polymorphisms of NADPH Oxidase, rs4673 and rs13306294, are suggested to have a role in the function of this enzyme. In this study, we examined the rs1050450, rs4673 and rs13306294 polymorphisms in the patients with coronary artery stenosis. Materials and Methods: 190 angiography subjects are subdivided into two groups (patients (n =114) and control (n =76)). Lipid profile and polymorphic sites were measured by routine laboratory tests and RFLP-(ARMS) PCR, respectively. Results: In this study we, observed the significant difference between serum LDL level and degree of stenosis. Also, &nbsp;we observed significant difference for rs13306294 polymorphism between patients and controls. On the controlling age, gender and BMI, no correlations were observed between rs13306294, rs1050450 and rs4673 polymorphisms and coronary artery stenosis (P<0.05). Conclusion: rs13306294, rs4673 and rs13306294 polymorphisms have not a basic role in the progression of coronary artery stenosis.&nbsp; &nbsp

Global, regional, and national burden of diabetes from 1990 to 2021, with projections of prevalence to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, and affects people regardless of country, age group, or sex. Using the most recent evidentiary and analytical framework from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD), we produced location-specific, age-specific, and sex-specific estimates of diabetes prevalence and burden from 1990 to 2021, the proportion of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in 2021, the proportion of the type 2 diabetes burden attributable to selected risk factors, and projections of diabetes prevalence through 2050. Methods: Estimates of diabetes prevalence and burden were computed in 204 countries and territories, across 25 age groups, for males and females separately and combined; these estimates comprised lost years of healthy life, measured in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs; defined as the sum of years of life lost [YLLs] and years lived with disability [YLDs]). We used the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) approach to estimate deaths due to diabetes, incorporating 25 666 location-years of data from vital registration and verbal autopsy reports in separate total (including both type 1 and type 2 diabetes) and type-specific models. Other forms of diabetes, including gestational and monogenic diabetes, were not explicitly modelled. Total and type 1 diabetes prevalence was estimated by use of a Bayesian meta-regression modelling tool, DisMod-MR 2.1, to analyse 1527 location-years of data from the scientific literature, survey microdata, and insurance claims; type 2 diabetes estimates were computed by subtracting type 1 diabetes from total estimates. Mortality and prevalence estimates, along with standard life expectancy and disability weights, were used to calculate YLLs, YLDs, and DALYs. When appropriate, we extrapolated estimates to a hypothetical population with a standardised age structure to allow comparison in populations with different age structures. We used the comparative risk assessment framework to estimate the risk-attributable type 2 diabetes burden for 16 risk factors falling under risk categories including environmental and occupational factors, tobacco use, high alcohol use, high body-mass index (BMI), dietary factors, and low physical activity. Using a regression framework, we forecast type 1 and type 2 diabetes prevalence through 2050 with Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and high BMI as predictors, respectively. Findings: In 2021, there were 529 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 500-564) people living with diabetes worldwide, and the global age-standardised total diabetes prevalence was 6·1% (5·8-6·5). At the super-region level, the highest age-standardised rates were observed in north Africa and the Middle East (9·3% [8·7-9·9]) and, at the regional level, in Oceania (12·3% [11·5-13·0]). Nationally, Qatar had the world's highest age-specific prevalence of diabetes, at 76·1% (73·1-79·5) in individuals aged 75-79 years. Total diabetes prevalence-especially among older adults-primarily reflects type 2 diabetes, which in 2021 accounted for 96·0% (95·1-96·8) of diabetes cases and 95·4% (94·9-95·9) of diabetes DALYs worldwide. In 2021, 52·2% (25·5-71·8) of global type 2 diabetes DALYs were attributable to high BMI. The contribution of high BMI to type 2 diabetes DALYs rose by 24·3% (18·5-30·4) worldwide between 1990 and 2021. By 2050, more than 1·31 billion (1·22-1·39) people are projected to have diabetes, with expected age-standardised total diabetes prevalence rates greater than 10% in two super-regions: 16·8% (16·1-17·6) in north Africa and the Middle East and 11·3% (10·8-11·9) in Latin America and Caribbean. By 2050, 89 (43·6%) of 204 countries and territories will have an age-standardised rate greater than 10%. Interpretation: Diabetes remains a substantial public health issue. Type 2 diabetes, which makes up the bulk of diabetes cases, is largely preventable and, in some cases, potentially reversible if identified and managed early in the disease course. However, all evidence indicates that diabetes prevalence is increasing worldwide, primarily due to a rise in obesity caused by multiple factors. Preventing and controlling type 2 diabetes remains an ongoing challenge. It is essential to better understand disparities in risk factor profiles and diabetes burden across populations, to inform strategies to successfully control diabetes risk factors within the context of multiple and complex drivers. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation