Activation of the AGE/RAGE system in the brains of rats and in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to high level of fluoride might connect to oxidative stress.

To explore the mechanisms by which chronic fluorosis damages the brain, we determined the levels of the advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), the receptor for AGE (RAGE), NADPH oxidase-2 (NOX2), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brains of rats and/or SH-SY5Y cells exposed to different levels of sodium fluoride (5 or 50 ppm in the drinking water for 3 or 6 months and in the incubation medium for as long as 48 h, respectively). The levels of AGEs, RAGE and NOX2 protein and mRNA were measured by an Elisa assay, Western blotting and real-time PCR, respectively. The ROS content was assessed by fluorescein staining and MDA by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance assay.

The decreased expression of mitofusin-1 and increased fission-1 together with alterations in mitochondrial morphology in the kidney of rats with chronic fluorosis may involve elevated oxidative stress.

This study was designed to characterize changes in the expression of mitofusin-1 (Mfn1) and fission-1 (Fis1), as well as in mitochondrial morphology in the kidney of rats subjected to chronic fluorosis and to elucidate whether any mitochondrial injury observed is associated with increased oxidative stress. Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided randomly into 3 groups of 20 each, i.e.

[Influence of chronic fluorosis on the expression of mitochondrial fission protein dynamin-related 1 in the cortical neurons of rats].

Objective: To explore the changes of protein expression of mitochondrial fission gene dynamin-related 1(Drp 1) in the cortical neurons of rats with chronic fluorosis.

Methods: A total of 120 one-month-old SD rats (each weighing approximately 100-120 g at the beginning of the experiment) were randomly divided into three groups, and fed with the different doses of fluoride containing in drinking water (untreated control containing 0 mg/L fluoride, and low-fluoride & high-fluoride supplemented with 10 and 50 mg/L fluoride,respectively). After 3 or 6 months exposure, 20 rats from each group were killed.

[Changed expression of mito-fusion 1 and mitochondrial fragmentation in the cortical neurons of rats with chronic fluorosis].

Objective: To observe the mitochondrial fragmentation and the expression of mito-fusion 1 gene in the cortical neurons of rats with chronic fluorosis, and to reveal their roles in mitochondria damage to neurons due to chronic fluorosis.

Methods: SD rats were divided randomly into three groups of 20 each (a half females and a half males housed individually in stainless-steel cages), and fed with the different doses of fluoride containing in drinking water (untreated control containing 0 mg/L fluoride, and low-fluoride and high supplemented with 10 and 50 mg/L fluoride, respectively). After 3 or 6 months exposure, the mitochondrial morphology of the neurons in rat brains were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), then the expression of mitochondrial fusion gene, Mfn1, were detected by immunohistochemistry and western-blotting, respectively.

[Alteration of mitochondrial distribution and gene expression of fission 1 protein in cortical neurons of rats with chronic fluorosis].

Objective: To investigate the changes of mitochondrial distribution in axon/soma and the expression of mitochondrial fission 1 (Fis1) protein in the cortical neurons of rats with chronic fluorosis.

Methods: Sixty SD rats were divided into 3 groups (20 each) according to weight hierarchy and fed with different concentrations of fluoride in drinking water (0, 10 and 50 mg/L, respectively) for 6 months. Images of mitochondria and tubulin labeled by immunofluorescence COXIV and tubulin-α were captured with fluorescence microscope.

[A reviewing for profiling of highly degraded remains].

It's always a challenge to type from highly degraded biological remains. PCR-based STR genotyping is helpful and valuable for such degraded samples like bones, teeth et al, but the typing results are sometimes unstable or wrong. Here the methods for solving the problems and improving reproducibility are reviewed.

[Polymorphism of DXYS267 locus and application of its Y-specific single nucleotide substitutions].

Objective: To investigate the polymorphism of DXYS267 locus in China Han population and find the application and characters of its Y-specific single nucleotide substitutions.

Methods: The locus was analyzed by PCR and PAGE in silver-staining. The Y-specific STR was amplified with newly designed primers according to the Y-specific single nucleotide substitutions.

[Application of the age-associated injure in mitochondrial DNA].

Nowadays, the injury in human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is well known to accumulate in various tissues with age. It's significant to further investigate and then apply it to estimation of the age at parenchymas.