Beta 1, Beta 2 and Beta 3 Adrenergic Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in a Southeastern European Population.

Genetic polymorphisms in β-, β- and β-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) have been associated with chronic non-communicable disorders, such as cardiovascular diseases, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obesity, as well as β-agonists and antagonists response and toxicity. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency distribution of genetic variants Ser49Gly and Arg389Gly, variants Gly16Arg and Gln27Glu, variant Trp64Arg in a Southeastern European Caucasian (SEC) population sample and to establish a comparison with existing data from other human populations. A sample of 431 men and 590 women volunteered to participate in this genotyping analysis after anonymization and de-identification.

Human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals: effects on the male and female reproductive systems.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) comprise a group of chemical compounds that have been examined extensively due to the potential harmful effects in the health of human populations. During the past decades, particular focus has been given to the harmful effects of EDCs to the reproductive system. The estimation of human exposure to EDCs can be broadly categorized into occupational and environmental exposure, and has been a major challenge due to the structural diversity of the chemicals that are derived by many different sources at doses below the limit of detection used by conventional methodologies.

The relationship between cotinine concentrations and inflammatory markers among highly secondhand smoke exposed non-smoking adolescents.

Background: Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is a risk factor of respiratory, cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, however its association with inflammatory markers among highly SHS exposed adolescents has not yet been explored.

Methods: Participants included in this study were a subset of 68 non-smoking adolescents, aged 12.5-17.

Benzo[a]pyrene sensitizes MCF7 breast cancer cells to induction of G1 arrest by the natural flavonoid eupatorin-5-methyl ether, via activation of cell signaling proteins and CYP1-mediated metabolism.

Eupatorin-5-methyl ether (E5M) is a flavone containing 4 methoxy groups that is present in plants with medicinal activity, whereas luteolin (L) is a polyhydroxylated flavone commonly encountered in dietary products. In the present study we investigated the interaction of the two flavonoids with cytochrome P450 CYP1 enzymes in breast cancer MCF7 cells. Both compounds induced a dose dependent increase in CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 mRNA levels, as well as in EROD activity, a marker of CYP1 enzyme activity.

Anticancer effects of the metabolic products of the resveratrol analogue, DMU-212: structural requirements for potency.

The methoxylated trans-stilbene resveratrol analogue, (E)-3,4,5,4'-tetramethoxystilbene (1), has shown promising antiproliferative activity in in vitro cell line and in vivo models. In vivo 1 gives rise to several metabolic products through demethylation or hydroxylation reactions at the stilbene moiety. In the present study we examined the anticancer activity of 1 and the metabolites (E)-3'-hydroxy-3,4,5,4'-tetramethoxystilbene (2), (E)-4'-hydroxy-3,4,5-trimethoxystilbene (3), (E)-4-hydroxy-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene (4) and (E)-3-hydroxy-4,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene (5) by means of cell viability testing, cell cycle analysis, immunostaining and Western blotting.

Passive smoking alters circulating naïve/memory lymphocyte T-cell subpopulations in children.

While it has been indicated that exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) can cause a local in vivo response, limited evidence exists on its possible systemic effects from population-based levels of exposure. We investigated into a possible systemic response in the immune parameters and lymphocyte subsets, i.e.

A brief exposure to moderate passive smoke increases metabolism and thyroid hormone secretion.

Context: Active smoking influences normal metabolic status and thyroid function.

Objective: The objective was to assess experimentally the effects of 1 h of moderate passive smoking in a controlled simulated bar/restaurant environment on the metabolism and thyroid hormone levels in healthy nonsmokers.

Participants: Eighteen (nine females, nine males) healthy individuals (mean +/- sd: age, 25.

Biomarkers of passive smoking among Greek preschool children.

Background: Greece has the highest adult smoking prevalence in the European Union, affecting not only those who smoke but also threatening the health of those who are involuntarily exposed to passive smoke, especially young Greek children.

Objective: The aim of this study was to quantify passive smoking biomarkers (serum nicotine and cotinine levels) among preschool children in Crete in relation to parental smoking habits.

Methods: All children enrolled in kindergarten in western Crete (1,757 preschool children and 2,809 parents) were interviewed during the 2004-2005 Cretan health promotion programme out of which a sample of 81 children was randomly selected according to parental smoking status and blood samples for cotinine and nicotine assay were taken.