Cytogenetic behavior of cryoprotectant DMSO

IVF (in vitro fertilization) is now used worldwide to overcome female or male infertility. Cryopreservation of human embryos provides the clearest opportunity to improve the clinical results obtained with IVF. Cryoprotective agents (CPA) are used to minimize freezing injuries. DMSO has been the most widely used CPA, however, high concentrations of CPAs in the vitrification solution have been shown to be detrimental to the cell. In order to determine the effect of DMSO solutions (5%, 10% and 20%) on genetic stability and/or subsequent DNA repair, we have investigated its ability to induce Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCEs) and Proliferation Rate Index (PRI) in normal human lymphocyte cultures of peripheral blood, due to the fact that the study cannot be conducted on embryos and to the limited number of spare available embryos, the corresponding accessible experimental material was T lymphocyte. The blood samples were taken from three different healthy donors (conducting experimental procedure in triplicate). After the effect of DMSO solutions on blood according to the instructions of kit K-SIBV-500, lymphocytes are harvested and cultured with suitable technique to assess SCEs and PRI. The results show that all three DMSO concentrations cause a statistically dose depended significant increase of SCE frequency of the lymphocytes (p<0.001) and raise the need for more research regarding the safe and effective use of cryoprotectant

Differential effects of alprazolam and clonazepam on the immune system and blood vessels of non-stressed and stressed adult male albino rats

Benzodiazepines belongs to one of the most commonly used anxiolytic and anticonvulsant drugs in the world. Full description of toxic effects on different organs is lacking for nearly all the current benzodiazepines. The aim of the current work was to study the immunologic and vascular changes induced by sub-chronic administration of alprazolam and clonazepam in non-stressed and stressed adult male albino rats. Forty-two adult male albino rats were divided into 6 groups (I): (Ia) Negative control rats, (Ib): Positive control rats received distilled water, (II): Stressed rats, (III): Non-stressed rats received daily oral dose of clonazepam (0.5 mg/kg), (IV): Stressed rats received daily oral dose of clonazepam (0.5 mg/kg), (V): Non-stressed rats received daily oral dose of alprazolam (0.3 mg/kg). (VI): Stressed rats received daily oral dose of alprazolam (0.3 mg/kg). At the end of the 4th week, total leukocyte count (WBCs) and differential count were determined, anti-sheep RBC antibody (Anti-SRBC) titer and interleukin-2 (IL-2) level were assessed, thymus glands, lymph nodes, spleens and abdominal aortae were submitted to histopathological examination. Alprazolam was found to induce a significant increase in neutrophil count and a significant decrease in lymphocytes, anti-SRBC titer and IL-2 level with severe depletion of the splenic, thymal and nodal lymphocytes, accompanied by congestion and eosinophilic vasculitis of all organs tested in comparison to clonazepam treated rats. Stress enhanced the toxic effects. It was concluded that the immune system and blood vessels can be adversely affected to a greater extent by short-term chronic administration of alprazolam than by clonazepam, and these toxic effects are aggravated by stress

The use of comet assay in measuring DNA damage and repair efficiency in child, adult, and old age populations

In the present study, we used the Comet assay to estimate basal DNA damage in three distinct populations aged 5-10, 40-50, and 60-70 years old. The DNA damage induced by hydrogen peroxide and gamma-irradiation in the lymphocytes of these populations, as well as their repair activity, was also studied. Finally, we measured apoptosis and necrosis after the effect of these agents. Our results indicate that the older population (60-70 years old) showed higher basal levels of DNA damage and was more sensitive to the effects of the DNA-damaging agents than the adult one (40-50 years old), who, in turn, was more sensitive than the younger population (5-10 years old). A decline of the repair efficiency with age to the DNA damage induced by the two agents was also observed. Apoptosis and necrosis were also affected by age