In vivo CYP2E1 phenotyping as a new potential biomarker of occupational and experimental exposure to benzene.

Assessing CYP2E1 phenotype in vivo may be important to predict individual susceptibility to those chemicals, including benzene, which are metabolically activated by this isoenzyme. Chlorzoxazone (CHZ), a specific CYP2E1 substrate, is readily hydroxylated to 6-OH-chlorzoxazone (6-OH-CHZ) by liver CYP2E1 and the metabolic ratio 6-OH-CHZ/CHZ in serum (MR) is a specific and sensitive biomarker of CYP2E1 activity in vivo in humans. We used this MR as a potential biomarker of effect in benzene-treated rats and, also, in humans occupationally exposed to low levels of benzene.

The role of HSP70 on ENPP1 expression and insulin-receptor activation.

Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1) inhibits insulin-receptor (IR) signaling and, when over-expressed, induces insulin resistance in vitro and in vivo. Understanding the regulation of ENPP1 expression may, thus, unravel new molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance. Recent data point to a pivotal role of the ENPP1 3'UTR, in modulating ENPP1 mRNA stability and expression.

Akt2 Gene common allelic variants in insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome.

Background And Aim: Several lines of evidence indicate that glucose homeostasis may be under the control of Akt2 and it can therefore be seen as a candidate gene for human insulin resistance (IR) and related phenotypes. The aim of our study was the identification of Akt2 common allelic variants that might modulate susceptibility to IR and related metabolic abnormalities.

Methods And Results: The Akt2 gene (exons, 5' and 3' regulatory regions) was re-sequenced in samples of 50 blood donors from the Gargano region.

[Burnout: rising interest phenomenon in stressful workplace].

Many stressful situations, particularly strong and long time lasting, can induce the burnout syndrome. The definition "burnout" refers to emotional and exhausting conditions related to working environment. Since 70'ties, many studies, have focused on this topic, have assessed that this condition is much more frequent in some particular professional categories: teachers, physicians, nurses, social workers, policemen, judges (the so-called helping professions).

The allelic variant of LAR gene promoter -127 bp T-->A is associated with reduced risk of obesity and other features related to insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance, which is pathogenic for type 2 diabetes (T2D), is under the control of largely unknown genetic determinants. LAR, a protein-tyrosine phosphatase which inhibits insulin signalling, is overexpressed in animal and human models of insulin resistance. We studied the entire sequence of the LAR gene by SSCP analysis and automatic DNA sequencing, with the aim of verifying whether its sequence variants might be associated with insulin resistance.

Characterization of an immunoreactive 93-kDa core protein of Borrelia burgdorferi with a human IgG monoclonal antibody.

Lyme borreliosis is an infectious disease caused by the tick-borne spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which carries the potential for chronic infection. Ag on the etiologic Borrelia are currently being defined structurally and their ability to elicit immune responses delineated. EBV can be used to immortalize human B.