15^th Euro-Global Summit on Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology July 02-04, 2018 Golden Tulip Berlin – Hotel Hamburg | Berlin, Germany

Biography:

Dirk Petersohn studied biology and conducted his PhD studies at the University of Cologne, Germany on the topic of tissue specific gene regulation in the human nervous system. After his Postdoc studies on wound healing mechanisms in the team of Professor Doctor Thomas Krieg, he joined Henkel AG & Co KGaA in 1998. Since than he held various positions in research and development and is currently the Director of Henkel’s Department of Biological and Clinical Research. Additionally, he Vice-Chairs at Cosmetics Europe’s Steering Scientific committee and Chairs the Task Force Skin Tolerance that is developing approaches to assess skin sensitization of chemicals without the use of animals.

Abstract:

Skin is the site of first contact for many chemicals like topically applied dermo-pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or intra-cutaneous injections used in e.g. aesthetic medicine. Traditional two-dimensional monolayer cultures of skin cells are limited in modelling those exposure scenarios. In contrast, Phenion^® Full Thickness skin models mimic native human skin in its histological architecture and in a wide spectrum of physiological and biochemical properties. Primary human keratinocytes form a fully differentiated epidermis. It is connected through basement membrane proteins with the underlying dermis which comprises a unique and stable collagen meshwork populated with fibroblasts of the same donor. These conditions boost the de novo synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins like elastin and collagens. Its biological equivalence with human skin makes the tissue model perfectly suited for efficacy testing of substances, e.g. for the intra-cutaneous injection of new hyaluronic acid formulations which are intended to activate gene and protein expression of extracellular matrix molecules. Additionally, toxicological assessments can reliably be performed, as exemplified hereafter for genotoxicity studies. Primary human skin cells in the Phenion^® FT skin model keep their normal cell cycle control and DNA-repair competence while additionally exhibiting the xenobiotic metabolism of skin. Beside others, these features make the skin model an ideal tool to be combined with an established toxicological read-out parameter to develop the 3D Skin Comet assay. Recently, the first phase of an ongoing validation exercise has been finalized showing an excellent predictivity in the five participating, international laboratories. Meanwhile, the 3D Skin Comet assay has successfully been used to support the toxicological safety assessment of three cosmetic ingredients. The complete validation data set is expected to build the basis for a broader regulatory acceptance for product risk assessments where the dermal route of exposure is most relevant.

Biography:

Alexei G Basnakian received his PhD and DSc Degrees from the Russian Academy of Medical Science, both in the field of DNases. He had Postdoctoral trainings in Molecular Biology at Harvard Medical School (USA), and in cancer research at the National Center for Toxicological Research. He is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Director of the DNA Damage and Toxicology Core Center at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, USA. He is the author of 85 peer-reviewed papers. His research interests lies in DNases and DNA fragmentation associated with cell injury and cell death.

Abstract:

Endogenous cellular DNases mediate almost all kinds of toxicity to normal and cancer cells, and DNA fragmentation produced by these enzymes makes cell death irreversible. The principal difference between normal and cancer cells is that normal cells express high levels of DNases, while cancer cells have low expression and activity of DNases. The latter is the part of protective mechanism against injury of cancer cells during their growth in a hostile environment. Our studies showed that expression of two most active and abundant DNases, DNase I and EndoG, is strongly suppressed in breast or prostate cancer cell lines, which make them insensitive to anticancer drugs, such as cisplatin, etoposide, camptothecin, and docetaxel. The decrease of EndoG expression is caused by hypermethylation of EndoG gene, while suppression of DNA methylation activated the gene and made cells susceptible to the chemotherapy drugs. The silencing of EndoG using specific siRNA decreased the chemoresistance of the cells, while overexpression of EndoG increased it. The expression of EndoG in orthotopic prostate PC3 cell xenografts in mice increased sensitivity of the tumors to docetaxel. Off-target toxic effect of anticancer drugs on normal tissues was also mediated by DNases in several models. Administration of cisplatin induced toxicity to kidneys, cyclophosphamide induced alopecia, and administration of cisplatin, vinblastin or doxorubicin were toxic to vascular endothelial cells. Importantly, in all of these cases, genetic knockout of chemical inhibition of endonucleases were protective to normal tissues. Therefore, activation of DNases in cancer tissues while inactivating them in normal tissues should be considered as viable approach in cancer therapy.

Biography:

Frederic J Deschamps is a Medical Occupational Doctor since 1990. He is a Professor of Medicine since 2002. He manages Department of Occupational Diseases at the University Hospital of Reims. He is the Director of the Department of Occupational Health. His main topic concerns the assessment of diseases in relationship with low level toxic during long periods. He is mainly interested in: occupational health and toxicology.

Abstract:

Biography:

Najah Abi Gerges, PhD, is the Vice President of Research and Development at AnaBios Corporation, USA. He holds a PhD in Cardiac Physiology from Paris XI University, France. Prior to joining AnaBios, he was involved in drug discovery programs at AstraZeneca. With over 17 years in the pharmaceutical industry, he is an innovative Leader, having made substantial contributions to drug approvals (Tagrisso^®), research across several areas of cardiac physiology and pharmacology resulting in over 40 published articles, and novel paradigms to advance cardiovascular translational science. He is the Editor for the Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods, Vice President Elect for Southern California Chapter of the Society of Toxicology. His interest lies in drug discovery and development. 

Abstract:

Drug-induced pro-arrhythmia and/or changes in contractility can limit the utility of potential novel therapeutics. Since abnormal ventricular repolarization can cause not only electrical disorders, but also affect the heart’s contractile function, we developed a new model based on adult human primary cardiomyocytes to provide a preclinical tool for the simultaneous prediction of drug-induced inotropic and pro-arrhythmia risks. We recorded fractional sarcomere shortening (SS) using a digital, cell geometry measurement system (IonOptix™) and then record changes in the contractility transients to infer both inotropic (SS) as well as pro-arrhythmia risk (aftercontraction). Validation data were generated with 38 clinically well characterized controls: 23 torsadogenic and 10 non-torsadogenic drugs, and 5 positive inotropes. When the assessment of pro-arrhythmia risk was based on effects observed at 10x of the free effective therapeutic plasma concentration, human cardiomyocyte-based model had excellent assay 96% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Human cardiomyocytes also identified drugs associated with negative and positive inotropic effects. Moreover, positive inotrope-induced changes in contractility parameters illustrated the potential for finger-printing different mechanisms of action. Thus, human cardiomyocytes can simultaneously predict risks associated with pro-arrhythmia and inotropic activity. This approach enables the generation of predictive preclinical human-based cardiotoxicity data and appears to be more predictive than the stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte models.

Biography:

Jianwei Zhou has his expertise in research on DNA damage and repair, cancer initiation, metastasis and drug resistance. Based on the mechanistic discovery of JWA gene in anticancer and neuroprotection, he has developed anticancer polypeptides and small molecular compounds and these will can be potentially used as neurodegenerative protection and cancer metastasis therapeutic agents.

Abstract:

Paraquat (PQ), a widely used environmental toxin in agriculture, contributes to the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD) by damaging the neurons. The JWA gene, also known as ARL6IP5, exhibits the protective effect on dopamine (DA) neuron degeneration. In our study, neuronal and astrocytic JWA knockout (JWA-nKO and JWA CKO) mice were used to exposure of PQ, two neuron cell lines (HT-22, SH-SY5Y) and primary astrocytes were also subjected to PQ treatment. The results showed that PQ administration triggered the upregulation of JWA. Elevated expressions of JWA rescued the redundant abundance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) while increased the levels of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) under PQ exposure. Astrocytic JWA deficiency repressed expression of excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (GLT-1) and glutamate uptake both in vivo and in vitro. The further mechanistic data indicated that the protective role of JWA in dopaminergic neurons were mainly through anti-oxidative stress induced DNA damage by regulating MEK/PI3K-Nrf2 axis; however it were mediated by MEK/PI3K-GLT1 signaling in astrocytes, through maintaining homeostasis of intracellular excitatory glutamate; and this was confirmed in MPTP/p-induced PD mice model. Taken together, our findings provide novel insights for both neuronal and astrocytic JWA functions in the pathogenesis of neurotoxin mouse models of Parkinson's disease.

Biography:

Eva Novotna has her expertise in the preparation and purification of recombinant enzymes. She studies interactions of potential inhibitors with carbonyl reducing enzymes using human recombinant enzymes and cancer cell lines. Her research interest include: carbonyl reducing enzymes, inhibitors and cancer drug resistance.

Abstract:

Dinaciclib (MK-7965, SCH727965) is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. Dinaciclib recently enters Phase III clinical trial for the treatment of leukaemia. The results of the study shows its promising anti-leukemia activity and a tolerability. Dinaciclib causes apoptosis to several cancer cell lines, including those that are resistant to anthracyclines. The reductive metabolism of anthracyclines to their secondary C13-hydroxy metabolites is one of the main mechanisms leading to cancer resistance. To date, this kind of metabolism has been associated with members of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) and of aldo-keto reductase superfamilies (AKR). In our study, dinaciclib was identified as an effective inhibitor of aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3), the enzyme that is overexpressed in many cancer types and its increased metabolism contributes to the pharmacokinetic resistance to antracyclines in tumor tissues. In our study, dinaciclib inhibited AKR1C3 in the experiments with purified recombinant enzyme (IC₅₀=220 nM, Ki=170 nM) and was equally active at the cellular level (IC₅₀=235 nM). Molecular docking studies predicted that dinaciclib occupies a part of the cofactor binding site, which is consistent with the noncompetitive mechanism of inhibition determined in our in vitro experiments. Furthermore, we demonstrated that pretreatment with dinaciclib significantly sensitized AKR1C3-overexpressing anthracycline-resistant cancer cells to daunorubicin. Our results indicate that dinaciclib may potentially increase the therapeutic efficacy of anthracyclines, prevent anthracycline resistance and minimize their adverse effects.

Biography:

Tim Meyer has his expertise in tissue engineering  of human myocardium and the automation of tissue generation and analysis.  Coming from a multidisciplinary, engineering background his focus is on methods development, 3D printing, video analysis and laboratory automation

Abstract:

We employ engineered human myocardium (EHM) as patient-centric model for preclinical safety and efficacy screens, replacing animal research.

Based on the spontaneous and stimulated auxotonic contraction exhibited by EHM we developed a 48 well screening plate for chronic and acute screens of potentially cardio-active compounds. EHM are cast and suspended on fluorescent rubber poles generating a defined restoring force, contractions are recorded at high spatial (20µm) and temporal (20ms) resolution and analyzed in real time using special purpose image recognition hardware. Based on contraction frequency and amplitude we determine, besides others, inotropic, chronotropic, lusotropic and arrhythmogenic responses to treatment.

Our video-optical measurements are sterile and non-perturbing allowing successive measurements over weeks and months to follow tissue maturation and chronic effects. Continuous electrical stimulation may be applied for improved maturation and as a tachycardia model. Poles with increasing stiffness simulate pressure overload. The screening platform is validated against reference compounds, comparison to our classical isometric organ bath measurements and clinical data.

Biography:

Liu Zhengtao has his expertise in ecotoxicology, environmental criteria and risk assessment in China.

Abstract:

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are emerging persistent organic pollutants, the global eco-system of pollution caused by them have become a fact. In this study, the use and the physico-chemical properties of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were summarized. The pollution level of PFOS and PFOA in environment media (water; atmospheric; soil and the deposition) and organisms in China were analyzed. Moreover, toxicity data of aquatic and terrestrial species were screened and selected, and the water quality criteria of PFOS and PFOA pollutants were developed based on Chinese native species. Thereafter, ecological risk assessment of PFCs was carried out based on the environmental concentration level and the water quality criteria of PFCs in China.

Biography:

Wang Xiaonan has his expertise in ecotoxicology, environmental criteria and risk assessment in China.    

Abstract:

Systematic study about water quality criteria is being carried out in China, but study of soil environmental criteria is comparatively insufficient. In this study, germination and root growth of 8 terrestrial plants (Triticum aestivum, Lactuca sativa, Cucumis sativus, Zea mays, Brassica pekinensis, Glycine max, Allium tuberosum and Solanum lycopersicum) and growth inhibition of one terrestrial animal (Achatina fulica) were used to determine the chronic ecotoxicological effects of chromium (â…¥) using the agricultural moisture soil of Baoding. In addition, with the native toxicity data selected, the HC5 (hazardous concentration of the 5% species) and the ecological protected soil environmental criteria of chromium (â…¥) in Baoding moisture soil were calculated using the log-normal species sensitivity distribution (SSD) method. Results showed that NOEC (no observed effect concentration) values for the growth of the terrestrial plants T. aestivum, L. sativa, C. sativus, Z. mays, B. pekinensis, G. max, A. tuberosum, S. lycopersicum, and the terrestrial invertebrate snail A. fulica were 19.0, 21.0, 28.0, 32.0, 28.0, 32.0, 32.0, 12.0 and 20.0 mg/kg, respectively. The comparison of species toxicity data that were tested in the same conditions showed that terrestrial plants S. lycopersicum was the most sensitive species to chromium (â…¥), T. aestivum and L. sativa had the same sensitivities to chromium (â…¥) exposure, whereas, plants C. sativus, Z. mays, B. pekinensis, G. max and A. tuberosum had the same sensitivities to chromium (â…¥) exposure. Finally, the HC5 value of chromium (â…¥) in the moisture soil of Baoding was calculated to be 7.66 (4.12<CI<11.34) mg/kg using the log-normal SSD method, and the ecologically protected soil environmental criteria of chromium (â…¥) was 1.53~7.66 mg/kg. With the investigation of this work, we expect that it could provide useful information in the study of soil environmental criteria in China.

Biography:

Yu Jie has his expertise in Environmental Toxicology. His most recent researches focus on the impact of environmental endocrine disruptors on endocrine metabolism disorder, neurotic depression and its mechanisms.

Abstract:

Exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) contributes to the pathogenesis of many metabolic disorders. Here, we have analyzed the effect of the EED-nonylphenol (NP) in the promotion of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats fed high sucrose-high fat diet (HSHFD). Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: controls fed a normal diet (C-ND); HSHFD-fed controls (C-HSHFD); and rats fed a HSHFD combined with NP at doses of 0.02 μg/kg/day (NP-L-HSHFD), 0.2 μg/kg/day (NP-M-HSHFD), and 2 μg/kg/day (NP-H-HSHFD). Subchronic exposure to NP coupled with HSHFD increased daily water and food intake (p<0.05), hepatic echogenicity and oblique liver diameter (p<0.05), and plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<0.05). Combined exposure to NP and HSHFD induced macrovesicular steatosis with dilation and congestion of the central vein, liver inflammatory cell infiltration, and expression of genes regulating lipid metabolism, SREBP-1C, FAS, and Ucp2. These results demonstrate that NP aggravates NAFLD in HSHFD-treated rats by up-regulating lipogenic genes, and that HSHFD increases the toxic effects of NP. Thus subchronic NP exposure may lead to NAFLD, especially when combined with a high-sucrose/high-fat diet.

Biography:

Abstract:

The contaminanted aquatic environment may end up into the food chain posing risks to tourists’ health in tourist destination. To assess the health risk for tourists visiting st martine island, the best destination of the tourists, both domestic and foreigner, in Bangladesh, a study has been undertaken to analyze the level of heavy metal contamination from Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn),Copper (Cu),Zinc(Zn),Arsenic (As),Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Iron(Fe),  in  six mostly consumed fish (L. fasciatus, R. kanagurta, H. nigrescens, P. cuneatus, P. annularis and S. rubrum),  and five crustacean species (one shrimp (P. sculptilis) one lobster (P. versicolor) and three crabs (P. sanguinolentus, T. crenata and M. victor) captured at St. Martine Island of Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh . The samples were analyzed for trace metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) and the concentrations of the metals were interpreted using US EPA health risk model. Muscle and carapace/exoskeleton of shrimp, lobster and crabs were analyzed which containted various concentration of Pb, Hg, As, Cr, Cd, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn . The hiearchy of the havey metal in marine fishes showed as Fe > Cd > Zn > Pb > Cu > Cr > Mn > Hg.  Concentration of Pb in the species R. kanagurta, H. nigresceus and S. rubrum was above  the Food Safety Guideline (FSG) by Australia-New Zealand and other legislation in most of the marine fish and crustaceans. Furthermore, crabs showed the highest mean heavy metal concentrations than that of shrimp and lobster. The carcinogenic acceptable ranges were observed in three fish species (R. kanagurata, H.nigresceus, and S. rubrum) and one crustacean species (P. sculptilis) samples.

Biography:

Daniele Zink earned her PhD from the University of Heidelberg, Germany in 1995 and completed her Habilitation (2001) at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. In 2001, she was awarded funding of a Junior Group from the Volkswagen-Foundation, which she led until she moved to the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) in Singapore in 2007. Her work on predictive in vitro models has been awarded by Merck Millipore and the US Society of Toxicology. She has won the prestigious LUSH Prize (2016, Science Category). She holds 10 patents/patent applications, is Editorial Board Member of Scientific Reports, has more than 70 peer reviewed publications and is Co-Founder and Director of the spin-off company Cellbae.

Abstract:

Predictive in vitro methods are crucial for 21^st century toxicology. Currently, most in vitro methods are not predictive or their predictivity has not been determined. With respect to predictive assays there is often substantial confusion about the question what an assay actually predicts, and the way how results are presented is often not helpful. Crucial for developing predictive methods is pre-validation with a statistically robust set of compounds, and proper compound annotation and classification require careful consideration. Whereas most discussions focus on selection of proper cell and tissue models, little attention is paid to endpoint selection. Examples will be discussed how bioinformatics methods can be used for the identification of proper endpoints. In addition, the analysis of high-throughput data will be addressed.

Biography:

Jianwei Zhou has his expertise in research on DNA damage and repair, cancer initiation, metastasis and drug resistance. Based on the mechanistic discovery of JWA gene in anticancer and neuroprotection, he has developed anticancer polypeptides and small molecular compounds and these will can be potentially used as neurodegenerative protection and cancer metastasis therapeutic agents.

Abstract:

Cancer metastasis is still the biggest challenge to cancer patients worldwide. Melanoma is the most malignant tumor due to its rapid metastatic capacity and shorter survival rate. The JWA gene, also known as ARL6IP5, is initially cloned from a retinoid acid induced cell differentiation cell culture model in HBE (human bronchial epithelial) cells. JWA is also identified as an multi-functional protein in both normal and cancer cells. In normal cells, JWA works as an active ROS (reactive oxygen species) response gene and DNA repair protein; however, in cancer cells, JWA exerts a tumor suppressor role to inhibit cell migration, proliferation, angiogenesis and chemoresistance in some cancers including melanoma and gastric cancer. Here, we have developed a JWA gene based polypeptide (PJP1-RGD) which is able to specifically target overexpressed integrin αvβ3 on membrane of melanoma cells by its RGD linker. Our data showed 50 mg.kg/day of PJP1-RGD could effectively inhibit xenograft tumor growth of both B16H10 and A375 melanoma cells in mice, suppressed its metastasis and improved mice survival. The anticancer effect of PJP1-RGD is comparable to 80 mg.kg/day Dacarbazine, a first line drug for clinical melanoma chemotherapy. More importantly, a synergistic role was observed between PJP1-RGD and Dacarbazine in the treatment of melanoma. The combined use of PJP1-RGD (50 mg.kg/day) and Dacarbazine (40 mg.kg/day) indicated an enhanced inhibitory effects but less side effects of Dacarbazine. In conclusion, PJP1-RGD targeting peptide might be an useful anti-cancer metastasis candidate and with translational significance in drug development.

Biography:

Eva Novotna has her expertise in the preparation and purification of recombinant enzymes. She studies interactions of potential inhibitors with carbonyl reducing enzymes using human recombinant enzymes and cancer cell lines. Her research interest include: carbonyl reducing enzymes, inhibitors and cancer drug resistance.

Abstract:

Anthracyclines, in particular, doxorubicin (Dox) and daunorubicin (Dau), have been used as a key part of many cancer treatment regimes, but their usefulness is limited by intrinsic and/or acquired resistance. Pharmacokinetic anthracycline resistance is associated with the enzymatic detoxification and with changes in anthracycline absorption and retention. The major anthracycline metabolic pathway in humans is mediated by a group of cytosolic NADPH-dependent carbonyl reducing enzymes from AKR and SDR superfamilies that catalyze two-electron reduction of Dau and Dox to less active metabolites. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) are key regulators of cell cycle progression, and defects in their regulation are associated with many human pathologies. The CDK inhibitors purvalanol A and roscovitine are purine analogs with different potencies and selectivities. Recent studies showed that roscovitine could effectively kill anthracycline-resistant cancer cells and increase the therapeutic activity of anthracyclines. Although beneficial effects of these combinations have been demonstrated, the molecular mechanisms have not been fully understood yet. In our study, we proved that both purvalanol A and roscovitine significantly inhibit recombinant AKR1C3 with IC50 values of 6.6 and 2.2 M, respectively. Kinetic measurements showed that the ARK1C3-mediated reduction of Dau is inhibited in a noncompetitive manner. Both the drugs were also active at the cellular level in the experiments with transiently transfected HCT116 cells. In the follow up combination experiments, we demonstrated that the inhibition of AKR1C3 by roscovitine and purvalanol A has a potential to overcome the Dau resistance mediated by this enzyme. The dose reduction indices suggest a potential of the examined combinations to increase the safety of the treatment with the involved drugs.

Biography:

Abstract:

The present study was addressed to gain better understanding of the intimate mechanisms of FA hepatotoxicity. Adult female Wistar rats were distributed into: (1) control, (2) FA; 10 ppm for 15 days, (3) FA; 10 ppm for 30 days, (4): FA; 20 ppm for 15 days and (5): FA; 20 ppm for 30 days. Histopathological description, immunohistochemical examination and molecular genetics analyses were carried out. Liver histopathological findings of liver tissue sections revealed sinusoidal congestion, liver necrosis and fibrosis due to FA exposure. Liver tissue sections immunostained with the antibody for PCNA or cytochrome c showed strong positive immunoreactivity within numerous nuclei and the cytoplasm of numerous cells respectively. Exposure of rat to FA for 15 days evoked downregulation in liver Cyp2c6 and BHMT genes expression level. Exposure of rat to FA for 30 days elicited upregulation in liver Cyp2c6 and BHMT genes expression level. Rats exposed to FA (20 ppm) for 15 or 30 days experienced downregulation in liver Mapk12 gene expression level. Liver HLA-A and GSTP1 genes expression of rats exposed to FA for 15 and 30 days showed upregulation except for 10 ppm of FA at 15 days. This study provides cellular and molecular evidences for FA–induced hepatotoxicity. Formaldehyde is reasonable to assume that apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation be involved in formaldehyde-induced hepatotoxicity.

Biography:

Semir Gül is a PhD student in the Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Turkey and obtained his Master’s Degree from the same university. He graduated from Molecular Biology and Genetics Department in 2010 from Izmir Institute of Technology, Turkey. His research interests are: toxicology, reproductive biology and developmental biology.         

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is the most toxic member of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons. TCDD is able to pass from environment to humans through the food chain by absorption of the gastrointestinal system. TCDD has many biological effects such as carcinogenesis, immune system suppression, neuronal damage, liver damage, developmental defects and fertility problems. TCDD leads to lipid peroxidation resulting in molecular oxygen transport increase which causes formation of reactive oxygen species within the tissue. Thymoquinone (TQ) which is one of the active ingredients in Nigella sativa plant was reported to have anti-carcinogen, antitumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune system supporter effects.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effects of TQ in liver tissues of rats exposed to TCDD.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Fifty rats were randomly divided to 5 groups (n=10 for each group) as follows: control, corn oil, TCDD (1µg/kg/day), TQ (50 mg/kg/day), TCDD+TQ (1µg/kg/day TCDD and 50 mg/kg/day TQ). Biochemical, histopathological and electron microscopic analyses were performed for liver tissues obtained after the experiment.

Findings: TCDD significantly increased MDA, TOS, ALT, AST and ALP levels and reduced GSH, TAS, SOD and CAT levels (p≤0.05) when compared to all other groups. In the TCDD+TQ group, MDA, TOS, ALT, AST, ALP levels approached to the control group levels and GSH, TAS, SOD, CAT levels increased and approached to the control group levels and were significantly different from TCDD group (p≤0,05). In terms of histopathological evaluation, total damage score (TDS) findings demonstrated that TCDD group showed an increase in TDS when compared to all other groups. In contrast, TCDD+TQ group showed a statistically significant decrease in TDS compared to TCDD group (p≤0.05), Transmission electron microscopic analysis showed that ultrastructural changes seen in TCDD group were diminished in TCDD+TQ group.

Biography:

Catriona Kielty (BSc) is a Veterinary Nursing and Applied Bioscience Postgraduate student working in the field of lipid research with a particular focus on dietary linoleic acid and its impact on inflammation and coagulation. Her research interest include: Lipidomics and Cellular Toxicology.

Abstract:

Historical dietary recommendations have resulted in the substitution of saturated fatty acids with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), with a subsequent increase in the intake of dietary linoleic acid. Some PUFAs, particularly, linoleic acid, have been associated in the past with a pro-inflammatory response. Linoleic acid, being a precursor for arachidonic acid, is associated with the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids such as prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes, as well as independently affecting inflammation through its metabolism to biologically active oxidation products. The primary aim of this investigation is to delineate the mechanism of action of linoleic acid in its free fatty acid form, specifically cis-9, cis-12, unconjugated linoleic acid (ULA), in relation to cytotoxicity and inflammation. Experiments were performed using the epithelial cell line, HepG2, and the endothelial cell line, HUVEC (Human umbilical vein endothelial cells). Using the MTT assay as an endpoint, the potential cellular lipotoxicity of this essential fatty acid was investigated when cells were exposed to it at high concentrations (0 to 2.5 mM). The Oil Red O assay was also used to identify the intracellular accumulation of neutral lipids in treated cells. To date, results indicate that high concentrations of ULA inhibit cell proliferation (P=0.0001) which could indicate an inflammatory response. Intracellular lipid accumulation also declined as ULA concentrations increased. Future work will include the identification of inflammatory biomarkers, such as TNF-α, associated with inflammation, in order to further elucidate the mechanism of action of ULA. 

Biography:

Sarah Naughton has graduated with BSc in Biomedical Science, and with a BSc in Forensic Toxicology and the BSc (Hons) in Human and Animal Toxicology. Her work focuses on using microbiological techniques coupled with DNA and RNA informatics; on novel, non-chemical disinfection technologies such as pulsed ultraviolet light (PUV), as well as the rapid diagnosis and remediation of sudden changes in freshwater aquaculture.       

Abstract:

The lack of expansion in the freshwater aquaculture sector as a whole has become an alarming concern over the past 20 years in Ireland. This is in marked contrast with FoodWise 2025 which seeks to increase food exports by €19 bn by 2025. Impediments to the traditional flow-through production process encompassing fatal disease outbreaks, issues with uncertainty over discharge licensing and a lack of understanding of the overall culture-water dynamic have contributed to this stagnation. In order to address the intensive sustainability of Irelands’ freshwater aquaculture sector and to inform these bottleneck concerns, it is important to develop an in-depth understanding of the dynamic mix of biological and physico-chemical parameters governing desirable rearing water as a baseline for successful operation. This project focuses on development and testing of novel molecular diagnostic methods facilitating DNA profiling of predominant bacterial and algal communities in rearing water, with real-time detection of important fish pathogens. Gaining an understanding of target species that contribute to finfish disease outbreaks and poor water quality is essential for prevention and control of problematic species. Molecular-based techniques, such as real-time PCR, have many advantages over traditional plating methods in the identification of species present, as less than 1 % of environmental microorganisms are culturable. The use of species-specific probes enables detection of problematic pathogens and therefore aids future characterization of harmful bacteria and algae. Linking the biological profile with water quality parameters such as nitrates, nitrites and ammonia in a pill-pond farm when production is thriving will allow for the amendment of the process when production regresses or fails. It will also identify the potential to up-scale and replicate this type of fish farm in the culturing of a variety of freshwater species such as trout, therefore providing an opportunity to expand the industry.

Biography:

Semir Gül is a PhD student in the Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Turkey and obtained his Master’s Degree from the same university. He graduated from Molecular Biology and Genetics Department in 2010 from Izmir Institute of Technology, Turkey. His research interests are: toxicology, reproductive biology and developmental biology.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Acetamiprid (ACMP) is an insecticide of the neonicotinoid class, widely used for combating insects in many areas of agricultural production. Neonicotinoids act as agonists of acetylcholine in the synaptic range and inhibit synaptic stimulation by binding to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system of insects. Since different nAChRs subspecies are expressed in human testes, prostate, mammalian nervous system, mouse testes and spermatozoa, these organs are the main targets of neonicotinoids and therefore acetamiprid. It has been reported that the insecticides cause structural and functional damage to spermatozoon, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells by oxidative stress in the testis. Vitamin-E is a cell membrane soluble vitamin and plays a protective role against harmful effects of free radicals in cells and tissues with antioxidant property. It is known that Vitamin-E is a potent lipophilic antioxidant that is vital for the protection of mammalian spermatogenesis and is present in high amounts in Sertoli and spermatogenic cells. We propose that the use of vitamin-E against acetamiprid testis toxicity may play protective role through oxidant-antioxidant mechanism.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Thirty mice were divided into 5 groups (n=6 for each): water, corn oil, ACMP (25mg/kg/day), Vit-E (100mg/kg/day), ACMP+Vit-E (25mg/kg/day ACMP and 100mg/kg/day Vit-E). After 21 days, testis tissues were taken for histological, biochemical and intracellular ultrastructural evaluations.

Findings: In water, corn oil and Vit-E groups, testes tissues had normal testicular histomorphology, mature-healthy spermatogenic cells and seminiferous tubules. In ACMP group, degenerations in germ cells that accumulated in the lumen of the seminiferous tubule, seminiferous tubular atrophy and organization disorder of seminiferous tubule epithelium were observed. Histomorphological damage changes in the ACMP+Vit-E group were less than in ACMP group. However, histological scores showing the tissue improvement in ACMP+Vit-E were not very close to water, corn oil and Vit-E groups.