Search results for "Ethion"
showing 10 items of 190 documents
Expression of the pea S -adenosylmethionine decarboxylase gene is involved in developmental and environmental responses
2002
A cDNA, able to complement the S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase (SAMdC; EC 4.1.1.50)-defective yeast strain Y342, has been isolated from pea (Pisum sativum L.). Expression of the SAMdC gene was characterised during pea development. Northern analysis showed a differential expression of the pea SAMdC gene in vegetative and reproductive tissues. The highest SAMdC mRNA levels were found in undifferentiated callus and tissues with high rates of cell division, and at the onset of fruit development. SAMdC expression was also induced in senescing ovaries, probably in relation to an accumulation of spermine during ovary senescence. Finally, the levels of SAMdC transcripts in leaves and shoots w…
Hawthorn extract inhibits human isolated neutrophil functions.
2008
Hawthorn extract is a popular herbal medicine given as adjunctive treatment for chronic heart failure. In contrast to the cardiac properties of hawthorn extract, its anti-inflammatory effect has been scarcely investigated. This study examines the effects of a dry extract of leaves and flowers of Crataegus laevigata on various functional outputs of human neutrophils in vitro. Incubation of human neutrophils obtained from peripheral blood of healthy donors with C. laevigata extract (0.75-250 microg/ml) inhibited N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP)-induced superoxide anion generation, elastase release and chemotactic migration with potency values of 43.6, 21.9, and 31.6 microg/ml, respectively. By con…
Elevated plasma total homocysteine in centenarians
2004
Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulfur-containing metabolite of methionine and is an emerging independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Previous studies have shown that age, gender, renal function and folic acid intake are the main factors influencing total plasma Hcy levels in humans. A unique approach to the science of human longevity is the natural model of centenarians. The objective of this study was to verify whether the previously determined risk factors for atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis-related diseases change with age and, finally, to establish the vitamin nutritional status role. We studied 54 centenarians (14 males and 40 females) aged between 100-107 years (mean age 102.6+/-1.8…
Gene-environment interaction as a predictor of early adjustment in first episode psychosis.
2017
Abstract Background This study aims to explore the gene-environment interaction hypothesis applied to pre-symptomatic neurodevelopmental phenotypes of first episode psychosis (FEP), that is, genetic factors might increase vulnerability to the effects of environmental adverse conditions occurring at later stages of development. Methods We constructed a schematic ‘two-hit’ model, with Val/Val homozygosity for the catechol- O -methyltransferase ( COMT ) Val158Met polymorphism as the ‘first hit’ and history of obstetric complications and parental socioeconomic status as ‘second hits’. Early adjustment, measured using the Premorbid Adjustment Scale, was considered the main outcome. The study pop…
Identification of a gene-pathway associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
2007
Background/Aims We have integrated gene expression profiling of liver biopsies of NASH patients with liver samples of a mouse model of steatohepatitis (MAT1A-KO) to identify a gene-pathway associated with NASH. Methods Affymetrix U133 Plus 2.0 microarrays were used to evaluate nine patients with NASH, six patients with steatosis, and six control subjects; Affymetrix MOE430A microarrays were used to evaluate wild-type and MAT1A-KO mice at 15 days, 1, 3, 5 and 8 months after birth. Transcriptional profiles of patients with NASH and MAT1A-KO mice were compared with those of their proficient controls. Results We identified a gene-pathway associated with NASH, that accurately distinguishes betwe…
The catechol-O-methyltransferase Val108/158Met polymorphism affects short-term treatment response to mirtazapine, but not to paroxetine in major depr…
2004
The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a major degrading enzyme in the metabolic pathways of catecholaminergic neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine. This study investigated whether the functionally relevant Val(108/158)Met gene variant is associated with differential antidepressant response to mirtazapine and/or paroxetine in 102 patients with major depression (DSM-IV criteria) participating in a randomized clinical trial with both drugs. In patients treated with mirtazapine, but not paroxetine, allelic variations in the COMT gene were associated with differential response. COMT(VAL/VAL) and COMT(VAL/MET) genotype carriers showed a better response than COMT(MET/MET)-bea…
Normal intestinal dietary fat and cholesterol absorption, intestinal apolipoprotein B (ApoB) mRNA levels, and ApoB-48 synthesis in a hypobetalipoprot…
1997
Abstract The purpose of this study was to characterize intestinal apolipoprotein B (apoB) metabolism in subjects with familial hypobetalipoproteinemia (FHBL), where segregation analysis supports linkage to the apoB gene but no apoB truncations are present. We investigated cholesterol and fat absorption, intestinal apoB mRNA synthesis and editing, as well as apoB-48 synthesis. Plasma triglycerides (TG) and retinyl palmitate in the chylomicron fractions were analyzed after 12 hours of fasting and then repeatedly for 14 hours after ingestion of a vitamin A—containing high-fat meal. Cholesterol absorption was assessed using a dual stable-isotope method. Mean peak times and concentrations and ar…
Regional distribution of opioidergic nerves in human and canine prostates
1989
The regional distribution of opioidergic nerves in the juvenile and adult human prostate and in the adult canine prostate has been studied immunohistochemically using well-characterized polyclonal antisera against multiple opioid peptides. Nerves displaying immunoreactivity (ir) for the proenkephalin (PRO-ENK) derivatives met-enkephalin (ME), leuenkephalin (LE), octapeptide, and heptapeptide (ordered in decreasing frequency) were present in the dorsolateral stroma of human prostate. In canine prostate, the situation was similar, but the number of opioid-ir nerve fibers was lower than in human prostate. In both species, staining for the prodynorphin (PRO-DYN) derivatives dynorphin A and alph…
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte membrane fluidity before and after activation in subjects with insulin resistance.
2000
The aim of this research was the evaluation of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) membrane fluidity in subjects with insulin resistance. Insulin sensitivity, in fact, may be influenced by plasma membrane fluidity. We enrolled 19 subjects with insulin resistance previously demonstrated during an euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. PMN membrane fluidity was studied by labeling intact cells with the fluorescent probe 1-[4-(trimethylamino)phenyl]-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene and calculating the fluorescence polarization degree. The measurement was made before and after incubation of PMNs with two activating agents: 4-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (…
Modulatory role of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism on the effects of serious life events on impulsive aggression in borde…
2009
Impulsive aggression belongs to the key features of borderline personality disorder (BPD). In the development of BPD, serious life events are known to play a major role. Acute and chronic stress has been suggested to inhibit hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) synthesis and to mediate neural plasticity in response to adverse social experiences. Recently it has been reported that the frequency of violent suicide attempts is higher in adult suicide attempters reporting severe childhood sexual abuse and carrying the Val(66)Val genotype of the BDNF Val(66)Met polymorphism. In this study we analysed modulating effects of BDNF Val(66)Met polymorphism on the effects of physical ma…