Sister chromatid exchanges in lymphocytes of nuclear medicine physicians

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether occupational exposure to chronic, low doses of Iodine 131 (I-131) and Technetium 99m (Tc-99m) may lead to genotoxicity. Medical personnel occupied in nuclear medicine departments are occupationally exposed to low doses of I-131 and Tc-99m. The determination of the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and of cells with a high frequency of SCEs (HFC) is considered to be a sensitive indicator for detecting genotoxic potential of mutagenic and carcinogenic agents. Therefore, we examined peripheral lymphocytes from nuclear medicine physicians for the presence of both SCE and HFC

Clastogenicity of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors

Objective: Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used in the treatment of various forms of psychiatric disorders. Preclinical studies in laboratory animals have indicated that SSRIs were not genotoxic, but clear results from in vitro testing of SSRIs in a human cell system are currently scarce. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether SSRIs might be genotoxic. Sertraline was chosen as model SSRI, since it appears to be at least as well-tolerated as other SSRIs and may even have a more favourable side-effect profile. Unlike fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and paroxetine, sertraline has low potential for pharmacokinetic drug interactions. So, sertraline would be considered first in the treatment of psychiatric disorders requiring SSRI therapy in the future. We therefore examined peripheral lymphocytes from sertraline-treated patients for both sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), cells with a high frequency of SCEs (HFC) and chromosome aberrations (CA) to evaluate the elastogenicity of SSRIs

Tac-MMF Versus CsA-MMF/CsA-AZA-Based Regimens in Development of De Novo Complement-Binding Anti-HLA Antibodies After Kidney Transplantation.

Background. Immunosuppressive regimens with tacrolimus or cyclosporine A (CsA)were compared for graft-related outcomes in conjunction with complement-binding denovo donor-specific antibodies (DSAs).Methods. Non-sensitized adult patients without rejection episodes within 3 months aftertransplantation were screened for the presence of de novo DSAs and C1q binding. Clinicaland biopsy data were retrospectively obtained.Results. The analysis included 118 patients (68 tacrolimus, 50 CsA), with mean age andfollow-up of 36.1 11.4 and 7.2 4.8 years, respectively. As compared with tacrolimus, theCsA group had higher rates of both class II DSAs and C1q-binding DSAs (20% vs 4.4%,P .008, and 18% vs 0%, P .003, respectively). Rates of chronic antibody-mediatedrejection (cAMR), proteinuria >500 mg/g, and levels of creatinine both at last visitswere also higher in the CsA group (20% vs 0%, P .002, 30% vs 5.9%, P .005, 1.67 1.31 vs 1.18 0.45 mg/dL, P .019, respectively).Class II DSAs and C1q-bindingclass II DSAs were significantly correlated with the clinical outcomes (creatinine levels,proteinuria, and cAMR).Conclusions. Compared with tacrolimus, CsA appears to pose a higher risk for thedevelopment of de novo anti-HLA antibodies with C1q-binding properties and,consequently, adverse graft-related outcomes

Nigella sativa (black seed) oil does not affect the T-helper 1 and T-helper 2 type cytokine production from splenic mononuclear cells in allergen sensitized mice

Nigella sativa Linn. (Ranunculaceae) is known to have beneficial effects on a wide range of diseases including asthma. However, the mechanism of action in asthma and other allergic diseases is not entirely clear. The present study was planned to evaluate the effects of Nigella sativa on cytokine production of splenic mononuclear cells in ova-sensitized mice. Nineteen two-month-old BALB/c mice were given 0.3 mL of Nigella sativa oil by oro-eosophageal cannula once a day for a month. The control group consisting of 10 mice took 0.3 mL of 0.9% saline solution by the same route for the same period. In the third week of the study, all mice were sensitized by means of intraperitoneal injections of 20 mu g of ovalbumin (OVA-Grade VI, Sigma). Ova injections were repeated three times with 7-day intervals. After another week, all mice were sacrificed by means of cervical dislocation. Then the splenic mononuclear cells (MNCs) of mice were cultured with OVA or Concavalin A (Con-A). From the culture supernatants, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma were assessed by means of ELISA. The cytokine production of splenic MNCs of mice that were given Nigella sativa for 30 days was not significantly different than those who took saline solution instead. In conclusion, Nigella sativa oil seems not to have an immunomodulatory effect on Th1 and Th2 cell responsiveness to allergen stimulation. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Effects of Rituximab on Atherosclerotic Biomarkers in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Introduction. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in kidney transplantrecipients. Rituximab is widely used in kidney transplantation for a variety of situations,and rituximab may inhibit some cytokines and antibodies that may play an active role in theatherosclerotic process. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of rituximab onatherosclerosis biomarkers in kidney transplant recipients.Methods. All patients, 18 years of age and older, who underwent kidney transplantationand received at least 1 dose of 375 mg/m2 rituximab were considered for participation inthis study. The primary study endpoint was the development of cardiovascular diseasesafter rituximab therapy. The secondary endpoint was the onset of cytomegalovirus (CMV)disease or biopsy-confirmed BK virus nephropathy. In addition, comparison ofatherosclerosis biomarkers was performed between study and control groups.Results. There were no cardiovascular events observed during follow up. Only 8 patientsin the study group suffered from CMV disease during follow up. Serum interleukin 10levels were significantly higher in the rituximab group compared with the control group,although antieoxidized low-density lipoprotein levels were lower in the rituximab groupcompared with the control group, though this did not achieve statistical significance.Discussion. Rituximab treatment may increase the risk of CMV reactivation anddecrease lymphocyte counts and interleukin 10 levels; however, significant decreases in allatherosclerotic-related biomarkers have not been shown in our study