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Biomedical subjects

E Carbonell

Publications and source records attributed to E Carbonell.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Biomonitoring of workers exposed to lead. Genotoxic effects, its modulation by polyvitamin treatment and evaluation of the induced radioresistance.

A population monitoring study was performed, by using the micronucleus (MN) assay in human peripheral lymphocytes, to investigate whether occupational exposure to lead is genotoxic to workers. In addition to the exposed workers group, two more groups were studied, an external group from a factory without exposure to lead and an internal control group, from the same factory as the exposed workers, but that were not directly exposed to lead. Measures of lead levels at working place and in blood were calculated, and blood samples were collected to carry out a MN study. The results from these studies indicate that the blood from workers directly exposed contained high levels of lead, compared with the other groups, and a significant increase in the frequency of both the total number of MN and the number of binucleated cells carrying MN appeared. In addition, a study on the antimutagenic effects of a polyvitamin rich diet was conducted by measuring the frequency of MN after the workers had a four month daily intake of a polyvitamin-polymineral complex. These results clearly show a significant reduction of the MN frequency evaluated after this treatment, obtaining values that were even lower than those obtained in the internal control group. Finally, a challenge assay was carried out to determine response to gamma-radiation as indication of any kind of radiosensitivity or radioresistance. The results of this experiment did not show any significant variation in the increase of the frequency of MN after challenge irradiation in the lead exposed workers; nevertheless this increase was significantly reduced in the sample obtained after the polyvitamin treatment indicating a radioresistance response.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Lack of genotoxicity of the herbicide atrazine in cultured human lymphocytes.

The widely used herbicide atrazine was evaluated for genotoxicity in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE), chromosome aberrations (CA) and micronuclei (MN) were scored as genetic endpoints. To detect eventual metabolic modification in the genotoxicity of this herbicide, the cultures of SCE and MN demonstration were also treated with S9 microsomal fraction. From our results we can conclude that atrazine was able to exert a weak cytotoxic effect. However, the overall evaluation of the genotoxicity data indicate that this herbicide is not effective in the three assays conducted, irrespective of the presence of metabolic activation, which would mean a general lack of effectiveness of atrazine to induce clastogenic and aneugenic damage in cultured human lymphocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay applied to the analysis of radiation-induced DNA damage in thyroid cancer patients treated with 131I.

The alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE or Comet) assay appears to be a promising tool for measuring DNA damage at the individual cell level in both in vitro and in vivo studies. To provide further data on the possible applicability of this assay in human biomonitoring studies, we have evaluated the eventual genetic damage induced by therapeutic exposure to 131I, by measuring the Comet length and the amount of DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes from a group of 28 thyroid cancer patients who received 131I sodium iodide via oral administration. Blood samples were taken just before the treatment and 1 week after it. From the results obtained after radioiodine therapy, a small increase in the Comet length and in the grade of DNA damage is observed; however, this increase is not statistically significant because of inter-individual variability and the variable responses before and after 131I treatment. Considering our previous studies showing significant increases in the frequency of cytogenetic damage (when measured as micronuclei) in patients treated with relatively low doses of 131I, the results obtained in the present work by using the Comet assay could indicate that 1 week after the exposure most of the radioiodine-induced DNA lesions, that can be detected with this assay, have already been repaired.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Application of the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay to the detection of DNA damage induced by 131I treatment in hyperthyroidism patients.

To provide further data on the possible applications of the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) or Comet assay in human biomonitoring studies, we have evaluated the eventual genetic damage induced by therapeutic exposure to 131I, by measuring the tail length of the comet and the amount of DNA damage in peripheral blood cells from 16 hyperthyroidism patients treated with [131I]sodium iodide by oral administration. Blood samples were taken just before the treatment and 1 week and 1 month after. The results show a slight but significant increase in the mean tail length in the sample obtained 1 month after treatment. When the cells were classified according to the grade of damage the two post-treatment samples showed a clear increase in the proportion of damaged cells. The results of this study indicate that the DNA damage caused by 131I can be detected with the Comet assay, but when comparing the data reported here with our previous results obtained from the same patients and sampling times with the sensitive and well-established micronucleus test, the response in the Comet assay was less clear.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Micronuclei analysis in lymphocytes of pesticide sprayers from Concepción, Chile.

To estimate the genetic risk associated with pesticide exposure in a defined population, the frequency of micronuclei (MN) in peripheral blood lymphocytes from a group of 22 pesticide sprayers from Concepción, Chile, occupationally exposed to pesticide mixtures was evaluated. After scoring 1,000 binucleated cells for each donor, no significant increases were observed either for the total number of MN or for binucleated cells with MN, when compared with a concurrent control population. In addition, when the effects of different confounding factors such as age, smoking, and drinking habits were considered, no significant effect was observed. Our conclusion is that, in this specific group of workers and under the particular conditions of exposure to pesticides, when evaluated by the micronucleus assay, no genetic risk was detected.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Floriceps saccatus plerocerci (Trypanorhyncha, Lacistorhynchidae) as parasites of dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus L.) and pompano dolphin (Coryphaena equiselis L.) in western Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic waters. Ecological and biological aspects.

A study of the plerocerci of Floriceps saccatus from the abdominal cavity of dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus) and pompano dolphin (Coryphaena equiselis) was conducted. In all, 565 dolphin fishes were collected from Majorcan waters (Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean) during 3 summer and autumn seasons (1990, 1991, and 1995). From the Canary Islands (eastern Atlantic), 41 specimens of dolphin fish were caught during 1994 and 49 specimens of pompano dolphin during 1995. Cysts of different shapes and sizes appeared in the conjunctive tissues of the abdomen and viscera, mainly in the liver, gonads, and pancreas. A larva was found inside every cyst examined. Small, medium size, and large larvae were found. The largest larvae correspond to Floriceps saccatus plerocercoids. Stomach contents indicated that crustaceans and fish larvae were the main prey items of juvenile C. hippurus, whereas teleosts and cephalopods were the only food found in adult dolphin fishes. Infection of F. saccatus plerocercoids takes place in preadult dolphin fishes. Prevalence increases as fishes grow and change to a diet of teleosts. Coryphaena equiselis was not infected.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1997

Size variation in Middle Pleistocene humans.

It has been suggested that European Middle Pleistocene humans, Neandertals, and prehistoric modern humans had a greater sexual dimorphism than modern humans. Analysis of body size variation and cranial capacity variation in the large sample from the Sima de los Huesos site in Spain showed instead that the sexual dimorphism is comparable in Middle Pleistocene and modern populations.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

A hominid from the lower Pleistocene of Atapuerca, Spain: possible ancestor to Neandertals and modern humans.

Human fossil remains recovered from the TD6 level (Aurora stratum) of the lower Pleistocene cave site of Gran Dolina, Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain, exhibit a unique combination of cranial, mandibular, and dental traits and are suggested as a new species of Homo-H. antecessor sp. nov. The fully modern midfacial morphology of the fossils antedates other evidence of this feature by about 650, 000 years. The midfacial and subnasal morphology of modern humans may be a retention of a juvenile pattern that was not yet present in H. ergaster. Homo antecessor may represent the last common ancestor for Neandertals and modern humans.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

SCE analysis in peripheral blood lymphocytes of a group of filling station attendants.

Petroleum derivatives constitute a complex mixture of chemicals which contain known genotoxicants. Thus, chronic occupational exposure to such derivatives may be considered to possess genotoxic risk. Service station attendants are workers exposed to petroleum derivatives and, as consequence, biomonitoring studies designed to evaluate the genetic risk are required. Here we present the data on sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequencies, proliferation rate index (PRI) and cells with high frequency of SCE (HFC) from a group of 42 attendant workers. In addition, data from a group of 45 unexposed (controls) are presented. The results obtained indicate that there are no significant differences in SCE values between the exposed workers when compared to the non-exposed individuals. The only difference is found when smoking habit is considered, the smokers having significant increases in the SCE frequency. There is a slight increase in the HFC frequency of the occupationally exposed group but the difference did not attain statistical significance.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Micronuclei induction by 131I exposure: study in hyperthyroidism patients.

To evaluate the eventual genetic damage induced by therapeutic exposure to 131I, we have studied the presence of micronuclei (MN) in binucleated peripheral blood lymphocytes from a group of 28 hyperthyroidism patients who received 131I sodium iodide, via oral administration. The study was conducted over time and blood samples were obtained before the treatment, and 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after it. The results obtained indicate a positive relationship between dose and BNMN frequency as calculated by the linear regression coefficient, showing significant increases in the frequency of MN and BNMN (binucleated cells with MN) in the subgroup of patients that received more than 500 MBq. Taking into account that the patients studied were treated with relatively low doses of 131I, our positive results support the view that the MN assay is sensitive enough to monitor the chromosome damage resulting from the exposure.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1997

Genotoxicity of humic acid in cultured human lymphocytes and its interaction with the herbicides alachlor and maleic hydrazide.

The genotoxicity of humic acid and its possible interaction with the herbicides alachlor and maleic hydrazide have been evaluated in cultured human lymphocytes from two donors. Humic acid and the two herbicides have been tested (alone and combined) for sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) induction. In addition, the effect of two different preincubation times, 2 and 24 hr, was analyzed. The results indicate that humic acid and the herbicides alachlor and maleic hydrazide appear to significantly enhance the frequency of SCE, the effect of the herbicides being more pronounced. With reference to the possible interaction of humic acid with the herbicides, the results do not show a common pattern, although mainly an additive effect was obtained. Nevertheless, there is some evidence suggesting that antagonism may occur, especially in the combined treatment of humic acid and maleic hydrazide.

Acetamides↗
PubMed1996

Genotoxic evaluation of the herbicide trifluralin on human lymphocytes exposed in vitro.

The herbicide trifluralin was evaluated for genotoxicity in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE), chromosome aberrations (CA) and micronuclei (MN) were scored as genetic endpoints. To detect eventual metabolic modification in the genotoxicity of this herbicide, the cultures for SCE and MN demonstration were also treated with S9 fraction. From our results we can conclude that trifluralin was able to exert a weak cytotoxic effect, reducing both the proliferative rate index (PRI) and the cytokinesis block proliferation index (CBPI), and also to induce a slight but statistically significant increase in the frequency of SCE. Under our conditions of testing, no genotoxic effects of trifluralin were observed in the CA and MN assays.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1996

No increase in micronuclei frequency in cultured blood lymphocytes from a group of filling station attendants.

Service station attendants are workers that are definitely exposed to petroleum derivatives. Taking into account that this exposure has been considered to possess genotoxic risk, here we present data on the biomonitoring of a group of 50 service station workers and 43 controls. Micronuclei (MN) from peripheral blood lymphocytes has been considered as the genetic endpoint to be studied and, in addition, data on the concentration of aromatic hydrocarbons at the workplace, urinary metabolites and differential white blood cell count have also been analysed. The results obtained indicate no significant differences between petrol station attendants and controls, when the effects of petrol exposure were investigated by differential white blood cell count and analysis of MN frequencies in phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes. Regarding the urinary metabolites, a significant increase in the phenol level was found in the exposed workers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Chromosomal aberration analysis in 85 control individuals.

Chromosomal aberrations (CA) were studied in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 85 healthy male volunteers from Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain). The effect that factors such as age, life style, work exposure and medical treatment had on the cytological endpoints was studied by means of a Poisson regression model. The results obtained indicate a significant positive relationship between the age of the subjects analyzed and the total of chromosome-type aberrations. With respect to the other variables analyzed, a positive association was found between the frequent consumption of analgesics and the incidence of chromatid-type aberrations.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Genotoxicity of the herbicides alachlor and maleic hydrazide in cultured human lymphocytes.

The herbicides alachlor and maleic hydrazide were evaluated for genotoxicity in peripheral blood human lymphocyte cultures. Sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE), chromosome aberrations (CA) and micronuclei (MN) were scored as genetic endpoints. To detect possible metabolic modifications in the genotoxicity of both herbicides, the cultures for SCE and MN demonstration were also treated with S9 fraction. From our results we conclude that, in the absence of metabolic activation, the two herbicides induce significant increases in the frequency of SCE, although the concentrations needed to be effective are very different. Thus, alachlor gave positive results at concentrations ranging from 1 microg/ml, and maleic hydrazide at concentrations ranging from 100 microg/ml. In addition, alachlor appears to be clastogenic in both the CA and MN assays, but only at the highest concentration tested (20 microg/ml). The co-treatment with the S9 fraction produced a slight decrease in the induction of SCE with both herbicides: nevertheless, it does not seem to affect the response in the MN assay.

Acetamides↗
PubMed1996

Cytogenetic analysis in peripheral lymphocytes of cancer patients treated with cytostatic drugs: results from an EC Collaborative Study.

Many of the cytostatic drugs commonly used in cancer chemotherapy treatments have been shown to be genotoxic in vivo and in vitro. We present a cytogenetic collaborative study on 13 cancer patients treated with different antitumor agents. For comparison we also carried out a cytogenetic analysis on 14 healthy untreated controls. The frequency of sister chromatid exchanges and structural chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of the cancer patients was determined prior to the treatment, just after it and 3-7 weeks later. The results obtained show clear differences between the basal levels of cytogenetic alterations in cancer patients, even though the mean value is higher in this group than the basal levels of the group of healthy individuals. Treatment with cytostatics increases the frequency of both cytogenetic biomarkers analyzed, which declined to values similar to those initially observed several weeks after the treatment. Our data are in qualitative and quantitative agreement with other results previously found by other authors.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Lower Pleistocene hominids and artifacts from Atapuerca-TD6 (Spain)

Human remains dating to more than 780,000 years ago are associated with a rich faunal and lithic assemblage in the Pleistocene cave site of Gran Dolina (TD), Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain. The micromammal species represent the late Biharian (Mimomys savini zone), and the lithic objects represent pre-Acheulean technology (Mode 1) and comes from the TD6 level below the Matuyama-Brunhes boundary. The Gran Dolina hominid fossils cannot be comfortably accommodated in any of the defined Homo species. They could be considered a primitive form of Homo heidelbergensis, but a new species might be named in the future if the sample is enlarged. The new human fossil evidence demonstrates that Western Europe was settled at least since the late early Pleistocene.

Animals↗