Biology subjects

Santovito, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Santovito, A..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2020

Association of Metabolic and DNA-repair gene polymorphisms with Longevity: a role for GSTT1, GSTP and XPC genes.

Aging and longevity are complex processes controlled at different levels, including genetic level. We evaluated the association of seven drug and DNA-repair gene polymorphisms with longevity in an Italian cohort. A sample of 756 subjects aged 18-98 was genotyped for CYP1A1 exon 7 A>G, GSTT1 null, GSTM1 null, GSTP A>G, XRCC1 exon 6 C>T, XRCC1 exon 9 A> G and XPC exon 15 A>C gene polymorphisms. The association between the analyzed gene polymorphisms and longevity was evaluated by dividing the sample into three age groups: 10-50, 51-85, and 86-98. We observed a significant decrease in the frequency of the GSTT1 null, GSTP G and XPC C alleles in the oldest group with respect to the youngest one and with respect to 51-85 age group. We obtained the same results also subdividing the sample into 1-85 and 86-98 age groups. The general linear model analyses confirmed a significant decreasing trend of the above mentioned alleles with age. We hypothesized that these minor alleles, being important in the sensitivity against the development of different types of cancer, may reflect a reduced life-expectancy in carrier subjects and may explain their significantly lower frequency observed among subjects belonging to oldest age group.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2020

Evaluation of Micronuclei Frequency in Both Shelter and Family Cats and Dogs

Each year a lot of animals are cared for in shelters in Italy. Many of these animals have received minimal or no prior healthcare. Thus, the beneficial role animal shelters play is undeniable. Nonetheless, even well-run shelters lack the necessary resources to provide adequate conditions. It is common knowledge that group-housing can increase stress levels in family cats (Felis silvestris lybica) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) contributing to the development of infectious diseases and/or behavioural problems. The aim of this study is to evaluate, through the buccal micronucleus assay, the level of genomic damage in shelter cats and dogs and compare it with that of family cats and dogs. The hypothesis is that environmental conditions such as those potentially present in shelters can affect the level of genomic damage. The study population included thirty healthy mixed breed cats and dogs, randomly sampled, with at a minimum two-year presence in a shelter. The control group consisted of thirty healthy cats and dogs living in a home environment, using age/sex matching. The micronucleus assay was performed on one thousand exfoliated buccal mucosa cells per subject and standardized protocols were used for stress score tests. Significant differences were found between shelter and family cats and dogs in terms of micronuclei, indicating that a condition of stress found in sheltered cats may increase the levels of genomic damage. Conversely, no significant differences in the frequency of micronuclei were found between the sexes, as well as no correlation was found between age and the frequencies of the used genomic markers.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2019

Evaluation of the possible association of Body Mass Index and four metabolic gene polymorphisms with longevity in an Italian cohort: a role for APOE, eNOS, and FTO gene polymorphisms.

Backgroundlongevity is considered the result of interactions between environmental and genetic factors.\n\nAimwe investigated the possible association of body mass index and the frequencies of APOE, ACE, eNOS, and FTO gene polymorphisms with longevity.\n\nSubjects and Method1,100 healthy volunteers aged 10-100 were recruited. We genotyped subjects for APOE, ACE, eNOS, and FTO gene polymorphisms. Data about height and weight were also collected. The sample was split in four age groups: 1-24, 25-49, 50-85 and 86-100.\n\nResultssignificant differences were found in BMI values between age groups, with exception of 1-24 with respect to 86-100. A significant decrease of the APO E4, eNOS 393 and FTO A and allele frequencies was observed in the 86-100 age group with respect to younger groups. For ACE gene, no significant differences were found in the allele frequencies between groups. A similar trend was also observed subdividing the sample in two main age groups: 1-85 and 86-100.\n\nConclusionthis study provides evidences for a role of APOE, eNOS, and FTO gene polymorphisms in longevity. It has been estimated that the number of centenarians worldwide will double each decade until 2100, making population data about gene polymorphisms relevant for further studies about longevity.

genetics↗