Pharmacological and biochemical insights into lead-induced hepatotoxicity: Pathway interplay and the protective effects of arbutin via the oral and intraperitoneal routes in silico and in vivo

The duality of GSK-3β in urinary bladder cancer: Tumor suppressor and promoter roles through multiple signaling pathways

Urinary bladder cancer (UBC), the tenth most common cancer globally, is primarily categorized into non-muscle-invasive (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive (MIBC) types. NMIBC has a low risk of metastasis but tends to recur frequently after transurethral resection, whereas MIBC is associated with a higher likelihood of metastasis and poorer prognosis. At diagnosis, roughly 75 % of UBC patients have NMIBC, while the remaining 25 % present with tumor invasion into the bladder's muscle layer. The molecular complexity of UBC has driven research toward identifying subtypes for more personalized treatment approaches. Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) has emerged as a pivotal regulator in UBC through its dual roles across six key pathways: (1) Wnt/β-catenin regulation (tumor suppression vs oncogenic activation), (2) ER stress responses (apoptosis induction vs cytoprotection), (3) Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin/c-Myc signaling, (4) PI3K/Akt/mTOR interactions, (5) NF-κB-mediated immune modulation, and (6) Snail1/β-catenin-driven epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Our analysis reveals that GSK-3β's context-dependent functions create both therapeutic opportunities and challenges - while inhibition suppresses tumor growth via β-catenin degradation, it may simultaneously activate NF-κB-mediated oncogenic processes. These paradoxical effects are particularly evident in the tumor microenvironment, where GSK-3β modulation differentially regulates CD8+ T cell function and macrophage polarization. Understanding these complex pathway interactions is crucial for developing precision therapies that exploit GSK-3β's tumor-suppressive roles while mitigating its oncogenic potential.

Investigation of the Theranekron Ameliorative Effect on Sepsis-Induced Hepatotoxicity via Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Pathways

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory liver injury can cause significant tissue damage and apoptosis. Homeopathic formulations such as Tarantula cubensis venom show potential in regulating inflammation. This study's objective was to assess theranecron's (THE) impact on inflammation and oxidative stress in a model of liver injury caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Wistar albino female rats were used in this investigation, and they were split up into four groups of eight each: Control, LPS, LPS+THE, and THE. Single-dose treatments were administered to the respective groups on the same day. Liver tissues were collected 6 h after LPS treatment for histopathological, immunohistochemical, biochemical, and genetic evaluations. Total antioxidant status (TAS) was lower, total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were higher, and the LPS group had higher levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and macrophage antigen-1 (CD11B). Significant liver damage was also seen in this group, as evidenced by elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and decreased albumin. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) were all found to be downregulated by gene expression analysis. However, THE therapy was shown to reverse all of these findings in the LPS+THE group. The THE group similarly maintained baseline levels of these markers and showed no adverse effects. In conclusion, Theranekron showed hepatoprotective effects in LPS-induced liver injury by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation and regulating antioxidant gene expression, possibly through IL-6 and TNF-α.