Background and Objectives: Experimental data show that superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) is involved in ochratoxin (OTA)-induced nephrotoxicity, whereas clinical data indicate the role of SOD2 rs4880 or glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) rs1050450 polymorphisms in end-stage renal disease and urothelial carcinoma risk, known to be the major complications of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN). Therefore, we hypothesized that SOD2 and GPX1 gene polymorphisms would influence the risk of BEN and its associated tumors. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 207 BEN patients and 86 controls from endemic areas. Results: Individuals with both copies of variant SOD2 allele, known for lower mitochondrial antioxidant protection, are at a significantly higher BEN risk (OR = 2.6, p = 0.021). No association was observed between GPX1 gene polymorphism and BEN risk. Combining SOD2 and GPX1 genotypes did not alter the risk of BEN development. Regarding the risk of urothelial tumors in BEN patients, none of the polymorphisms studied was significantly associated with the risk of these tumors. Conclusions: Polymorphism in SOD2 rs4880 gene affects the risk of BEN development. Hence, SOD2 genotyping could, together with a panel of other enzymes, be used as a biomarker of susceptibility in BEN areas.

Hypothyroidism is one of most common endocrine disorders resulting from deficiency of thyroid hormones. The aim of our study was to investigate whether cardiovascular drugs as well as gender, age, body-mass index, and habits, like smoking or drinking coffee affect thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level in hypothyroid patients with thyroxine replacement therapy who suffer from cardiovascular disease.

Chalcones represent precursor compounds for flavonoids biosynthesis in plants. Chalcones, 1,3-diaryl-2-propen-1-ones, have unique chemical structure with conjugated double bonds and delocalized π-electron system on both aromatic rings. Various studies have shown that chemical structure of chalcone is responsible for their antitumor effect. In our study, we have examined the antitumor effect of chalcone analogue (E) -1- (4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) -5-methylhex-1-en-3-one (CH) on HeLa cells. The antitumor efficiency of different CH concentrations was compared to the antitumor effects of dehydrozingerone and cisplatin. The viability of the cells was evaluated using MTT assay; type of the cell death was evaluated by Annexin V-FITC/7-AAD staining using FACS analysis; morphology changes of treated cells were visualized and compared to untreated cells using phase contrast microscopy. The result of our research showed that CH have a stronger antitumor compared to the effect both of dehydrozingerone and cisplatin. Our results indicated that chalcone analogue induced cell death via activation of apoptosis more powerfully compared to the apoptosis induced with dehydrozingerone and cisplatin.

Cultivated fibroblasts have been widely used in a large number of in vitro studies. Although they readily proliferate under cell culture conditions, improvements in methods for their isolation are necessary. Here, we present our modified enzyme digestion method and compare its efficiency with commonly used techniques. Three foreskin samples from young, middle-aged and old donors were used. The classical explant, standard enzyme digestion method with collagenase and our improved enzyme digestion method were compared for efficiency of fibroblast isolation and the time needed to achieve 95% confluence in a 30-mm Petri dish. The explant method was the slowest to achieve fibroblast confluence, especially with the tissues from the older donors (up to 23 days). With the standard enzyme digestion method, the skin tissue was partially digested, but the fibroblasts reached confluence much faster (the younger donor cells needed approximately 7 days to reach confluence). Our modified “mixed” enzyme digestion method was the fastest (the fibroblasts from the younger donors needed up to 5 days to reach confluence). For studies requiring the primary isolation and cultivation of dermal fibroblasts, the best method to achieve this goal is the tissue digestion method with the multiple enzyme solution.