Occupational health hazards of trichloroethylene among workers in relation to altered mRNA expression of cell cycle regulating genes (p53, p21, bax and bcl-2) and PPARA.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is widely used as a metal degreaser in industrial processes. The present study reports on the effects of TCE exposure on workers employed in the lock industries. To ensure exposure of the workers to TCE, its toxic metabolites, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), dichloroacetic acid (DCA) and trichloroethanol (TCEOH) were detected in the plasma of the subjects through solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-electron capture detection.

Allergenicity potential of red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) proteins in orally treated BALB/c mice and passively sensitized RBL-2H3 cells.

Red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one the most commonly consumed legumes that requires an in depth understanding of its allergenicity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the allergenicity of red kidney bean proteins following oral exposure in BALB/c mice and elucidate the levels of Th1/Th2 transcription factors induced by red kidney bean proteins in rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3 cells) passively sensitized with the sera of red kidney bean sensitized mice.

Polymorphism Arg72Pro of p53 confers susceptibility to squamous cell carcinoma of lungs in a North Indian population.

The causes of lung cancer might be many, but genetic variation in the genes of carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes, tumor suppressor proteins, and/or DNA-repairing enzymes can also play a significant role in lung cancer susceptibility. The tumor suppressor protein p53 functions to induce cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, or apoptosis. Polymorphism in its gene can, therefore, play a significant role in cancer susceptibility.

Alteration in mitochondrial thiol enhances calcium ion dependent membrane permeability transition and dysfunction in vitro: a cross-talk between mtThiol, Ca(2+), and ROS.

Mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) and dysfunctions play a pivotal role in many patho-physiological and toxicological conditions. The interplay of mitochondrial thiol (mtThiol), MPT, Ca(2+) homeostasis, and resulting dysfunctions still remains controversial despite studies by several research groups. Present study was undertaken to ascertain the correlation between Ca(2+) homeostasis, mtThiol alteration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in causing MPT leading to mitochondrial dysfunction.

Association of functionally important polymorphism of microsomal epoxide hydrolase gene (EPHX1) with lung cancer susceptibility.

Distribution and gene-environment interaction of EPHX1 polymorphism was evaluated in 175 lung cancer patients and 322 controls from north India. Two novel non-synonymous, Lys117Arg and Leu263Phe, and twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in the present study. Binary logistic regression analysis showed association of polymorphism Tyr113His with increased risk of lung cancer (OR = 2.

Nimesulide aggravates redox imbalance and calcium dependent mitochondrial permeability transition leading to dysfunction in vitro.

Nimesulide (selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for the symptomatic treatment of painful conditions like osteoarthritis, spondilitis and primary dysmenorrhoea. Nimesulide induced liver damage is a serious side effect of this otherwise popular drug. The mechanism involved in nimesulide induced hepatotoxicity is still not fully elucidated.

Genetic polymorphism of CYP3A5 in Indian chronic myeloid leukemia patients.

CYP3A5 is an important genetic contributor to inter-individual differences in CYP3A-dependent clinically important drugs of metabolism and also of various endogenous compounds and environmental contaminants. The CYP3A5*3 allele results in a truncated protein with loss of CYP3A5 expression and CYP3A5*6 is associated with lower CYP3A5 catalytic activity. The polymorphism analysis was performed by PCR-RFLP and some representative cases by direct sequencing.

Skin tumor promotion by argemone oil/alkaloid in mice: evidence for enhanced cell proliferation, ornithine decarboxylase, cyclooxygenase-2 and activation of MAPK/NF-kappaB pathway.

Consumption of argemone oil (AO) contaminated edible oil causes "Epidemic Dropsy". Previously, we have shown that AO and isolated sanguinarine possess genotoxicity and skin tumor initiating activity. Here, we evaluate tumor-promoting potential of AO/sanguinarine alkaloid and investigate the molecular mechanisms involved therein.

DNA damaging potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles in human epidermal cells.

At present, more than 20 countries worldwide are manufacturing and marketing different varieties of nanotech-based consumer products of which cosmetics form the largest category. Due to the extremely small size of the nanoparticles (NPs) being used, there is a concern that they may interact directly with macromolecules such as DNA. The present study was aimed to assess the genotoxicity of zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs, one of the widely used ingredients of cosmetics, and other dermatological preparations in human epidermal cell line (A431).

Altered platelet monoamine oxidase-B activity in idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

A case-control study was undertaken to investigate the status of platelet monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity in Indian cases of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. A significant increase in the activity of platelet MAO-B was observed in Parkinson's cases (n = 26) as compared to controls (n = 26). No significant change in the activity of the enzyme was observed while the data was analysed with respect to age, sex and duration of disease.

Association of poor metabolizers of cytochrome P450 2C19 with head and neck cancer and poor treatment response.

A case-control study consisting of 300 patients and an equal number of healthy controls was carried out to investigate the association of polymorphism in cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19), which results in poor and extensive metabolizers (PMs and EMs) genotypes, with squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (HNSCC) and treatment response in patients receiving combination of chemo-radiotherapy. A higher frequency of CYP2C19 2 variants was observed in the cases resulting in significantly higher risk to HNSCC (Ad OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.

Association of functionally important polymorphisms in cytochrome P4501B1 with lung cancer.

In the present study, genotype and haplotype frequencies of four polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) that cause amino acid changes (Arg-Gly at codon 48, Ala-Ser at codon 119, Leu-Val at 432 and Asn-Ser at codon 453) were studied in 200 patients suffering from lung cancer and equal number of controls. A significant difference was observed for the distribution of variant genotypes of CYP1B1Arg48Gly and Ala119Ser polymorphisms (CYP1B1*2) in cases when compared to the controls. No significant difference was observed for the distribution of variant genotypes of CYP1B1Leu432Val (CYP1B1*3) and CYP1B1Asn453Ser (CYP1B1*4) polymorphism.

Responsiveness of cerebral and hepatic cytochrome P450s in rat offspring prenatally exposed to lindane.

Prenatal exposure to low doses of lindane has been shown to affect the ontogeny of xenobiotic metabolizing cytochrome P450s (CYPs), involved in the metabolism and neurobehavioral toxicity of lindane. Attempts were made in the present study to investigate the responsiveness of CYPs in offspring prenatally exposed to lindane (0.25 mg/kg b.

Comet assay: a reliable tool for the assessment of DNA damage in different models.

New chemicals are being added each year to the existing burden of toxic substances in the environment. This has led to increased pollution of ecosystems as well as deterioration of the air, water, and soil quality. Excessive agricultural and industrial activities adversely affect biodiversity, threatening the survival of species in a particular habitat as well as posing disease risks to humans.

Antioxidant status of erythrocytes and their response to oxidative challenge in humans with argemone oil poisoning.

Oxidative damage of biomolecules and antioxidant status in erythrocytes of humans from an outbreak of argemone oil (AO) poisoning in Kannauj (India) and AO intoxicated experimental animals was investigated. Erythrocytes of the dropsy patients and AO treated rats were found to be more susceptible to 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) induced peroxidative stress. Significant decrease in RBC glutathione (GSH) levels (46, 63%) with concomitant enhancement in oxidized glutathione (172, 154%) levels was noticed in patients and AO intoxicated animals.