Protective role of Lactobacillus plantarum A7 against irinotecan-induced genotoxicity

Objective: Irinotecan is a botanical derivative and an anti-cancer drug with cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. The present study evaluated the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum A7 on the genotoxic activity of irinotecan in a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) by comet assay. Materials and Methods: HepG2 were incubated with irinotecan (100 µM), heat-killed cells (0.025 µg/ml) + irinotecan (100 µM), and cell-free supernatants (0.5 and 1 µg/ml) of L. plantarum A7 + irinotecan (100 µM). Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was used as negative control. Results: Irinotecan was shown to induce DNA damage in HepG2 cells. The results showed that heat-killed cells (0.025 µg/ml) and cell-free supernatants (0.5 and 1 µg/ml) of L. plantarum significantly reduce irinotecan- induced DNA damage. Conclusion: Our results indicate that L. plantarum A7 can decrease the genotoxic effects of irinotecan in HepG2 cells, in vitro. This finding may be supportive for the optimization of therapeutic efficacy in irinotecan treatment

Relationship between false positive screening results of down syndrome and adverse pregnancy outcomes

Background: Maternal serum sample screening in the first and second trimesters has been commonly used to identify women who are at risk of fetal trisomy 21. In addition, these serum markers are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Hence, the present study was conducted to determine the relationship between false positive screening results of Down syndrome and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Material and Methods: This prospective, two-group, cohort study was conducted on 608 pregnant women who had undergone fetal contingent screening. They were selected through convenience sampling in the twentieth week of pregnancy and were followed up until delivery. The raw Odd Ratios (OR), Relative Risk (RR), and adjusted OR of adverse pregnancy outcomes were calculated in the false positive and true negative groups. Results: The adjusted OR of developing preeclampsia was 1.98 (95% CI: 1.14–3.42), and its RR was 2.13 (95% CI: 1.34–3.38) times higher in the false positive group. Moreover, the adjusted OR of Small for Gestational Age (SGA) was 2.80 (95% CI: 1.76–4.47), and its RR was 2.28 (95% CI: 1.54–3.36) times higher in the false positive group. The adjusted OR of Low Birth Weight (LBW) was 3.34 (95% CI: 1.97–5.64), and its RR was 2.65 (95% CI: 1.72–4.11) times higher in the false positive group. In addition, no significant difference was observed between false positive and true negative groups in terms of preterm birth. Conclusions: Women with a false positive fetal screening test result are more likely to suffer from preeclampsia, SGA, and LBW and require planned prenatal care