Influence of irisin on diet-induced metabolic syndrome in experimental rat model

Deciphering the Interplay of the PD-L1/MALT1/miR-200a Axis During Lung Cancer Development

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Our study investigates the involvement of the PD-L1/MALAT1/miR-200a-3p axis in lung tumor progression using a murine model of lung carcinogenesis. Lung tumors were induced in rats, which were divided into groups and sacrificed at different stages of tumor development. A histopathological examination was performed to assess tumor progression. Immunohistochemistry was applied to evaluate the expression of Ki-67 and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). The level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and expression analysis of metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), miR-200a-3p, and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) were evaluated for each stage of induction. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated a progressive upregulation of the proliferative marker Ki-67 and the immune checkpoint protein PD-L1 during the induction process, indicative of enhanced tumor proliferation and immune evasion. Additionally, CEA levels revealed a progressive increase across induction stages, with a significant increase in advanced tumor stages, highlighting its clinical relevance as a biomarker for lung cancer progression. Expression analysis revealed dynamic upregulation of MALAT1 and downregulation of miR-200a during lung tumor induction, which correlated with advanced tumor stages and elevated PD-L1 expression, suggesting that the negative correlation between MALAT1 and miR-200a is involved in the development of lung tumors. ZEB1 expression exhibited a notable increase in the advanced stages of induction, consistent with its association with aggressive lung cancer. Our findings underscore the interplay between molecular pathways involved in lung tumor development and the potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications of the PD-L1/MALAT1/miR-200a-3p axis.

The Potential of Dehydrated Geniotrigona thoracica Stingless Bee Honey against Metabolic Syndrome in Rats Induced by a High-Carbohydrate, High-Fat Diet

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is diagnosed when at least three out of five key risk factors are present: obesity, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, high triglycerides (TG) and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL). MS is often associated with chronic low-grade inflammation. Recent studies have shown that raw stingless bee honey (SBH) can alleviate MS risk factors. However, the high moisture content in raw SBH predisposes it to fermentation, which can degrade its quality. Therefore, dehydrating SBH is necessary to prevent the fermentation process. This study aimed to compare the effects of dehydrated (DeGT) and raw (RGT) SBH from Geniotrigona thoracica species on high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet (HCHF)-induced MS in rats.

METHODS

Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (C), HCHF-induced MS without treatment (MS), HCHF-induced MS treated with DeGT (MS+DeGT) and HCHF-induced MS treated with RGT (MS+RGT). Group C received standard rat chow, while the other groups were fed with HCHF diet for 16 weeks. In the final eight weeks, two HCHF-induced groups received their respective SBH treatments.

RESULTS

Both DeGT and RGT treatments reduced energy intake, fat mass, high blood pressure, inflammatory (tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)) and obesity (the leptin/adiponectin (L/A) ratio, corticosterone, 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-1 (11βHSD1)) markers, as well as prevented histomorphometry changes (prevented adipocyte hypertrophy, increased the Bowman's space area and glomerular atrophy). Additionally, DeGT increased serum HDL levels, while RGT reduced serum TG, leptin and other inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)), as well as hepatosteatosis.

CONCLUSIONS

While DeGT demonstrates potential as a preventive agent for MS, RGT exhibited more pronounced anti-MS effects in this study.

Potential role of irisin in digestive system diseases

Digestive system diseases (DSD) are very complex conditions that severely threaten human health. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new pharmacological treatment strategies. Irisin, a myokine discovered in 2012, is produced by fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5), which is a transmembrane protein. Irisin is involved in promoting the browning of white adipose tissue, the regulation of energy metabolism, and the improvement of insulin resistance. Irisin is also an essential mediator of the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis. Recent studies have proved that irisin concentration is altered in DSD and exerts pivotal effects on the initiation, progression, and prognosis of these diseases through various mechanisms. Therefore, studying the expression and function of irisin may have great significance for the diagnosis and treatment of DSD. Here, we focus on irisin and explore the multiple molecular pathways targeted by irisin therapy. This review indicates that irisin can serve as a diagnostic marker or potential therapeutic agent for DSD. DATA AVAILABILITY: Not applicable.

Bombax ceiba Linn. leaf extract rich in phenolic compounds to mitigate non-alcoholic fatty liver-related complications in experimental model

OBJECTIVES

Obesity, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance (IR), and hypertriglyceridemia are common features observed in non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD). There is a critical medical necessity to find novel therapeutics that can halt the development of NAFLD.

METHODS

Bombax ceiba Linn. leaf extract was prepared and its phytochemical profile was determined. Standard and high carbohydrate high-fat diets (HCHF) were prepared. Rats were fed HCHF for 18 weeks to induce a non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) model. Forty male rats were divided into control, B. ceiba Linn. leaf extract, NAFL, prophylactic, and treated groups. Serum fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), intelectin-1 (ITLN1), p38 MAP kinase (MAPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Data obtained showed that HCHF-induced NAFL resulting in a significant increase in FBS, serum insulin, HOMA-IR, cholesterol, LDL, TG, ALT, AST, and IL-6 and a significant decrease in serum levels of HDL, ITLN1, p38 MAP kinase, and PPAR-α compared to the control group. The analysis of B. ceiba Linn. leaf extract showed high content of phenol compounds which may cause a significant decrease in the levels of FBS, insulin, HOMA-IR values, lipid profile, and levels of IL-6 while a significant increase in serum levels of LDL, ITLN1, p38 MAP kinase, and PPAR-α compared to the NAFL group.

CONCLUSIONS

B. ceiba Linn. Leaf extract is a highly protective and promising therapeutic agent against inflammation and oxidative stress in the NAFLD model induced by HCHF.

Irisin Preserves Cardiac Performance and Insulin Sensitivity in Response to Hemorrhage

Irisin, a cleaved product of the fibronectin type III domain containing protein-5, is produced in the muscle tissue, which plays an important role in modulating insulin resistance. However, it remains unknown if irisin provides a protective effect against the detrimental outcomes of hemorrhage. Hemorrhages were simulated in male CD-1 mice to achieve a mean arterial blood pressure of 35–45 mmHg, followed by resuscitation. Irisin (50 ng/kg) and the vehicle (saline) were administrated at the start of resuscitation. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography, and hemodynamics were measured through femoral artery catheterization. A glucose tolerance test was used to evaluate insulin sensitivity. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect inflammatory factors in the muscles and blood serum. Western blot was carried out to assess the irisin production in skeletal muscles. Histological analyses were used to determine tissue damage and active-caspase 3 apoptotic signals. The hemorrhage suppressed cardiac performance, as indicated by a reduced ejection fraction and fractional shortening, which was accompanied by enhanced insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. Furthermore, the hemorrhage resulted in a marked decrease in irisin and an increase in the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1). Additionally, the hemorrhage caused marked edema, inflammatory cell infiltration and active-caspase 3 positive signals in skeletal muscles and cardiac muscles. Irisin treatment led to a significant improvement in the cardiac function of animals exposed to a hemorrhage. In addition, irisin treatment improved insulin sensitivity, which is consistent with the suppressed inflammatory cytokine secretion elicited by hemorrhages. Furthermore, hemorrhage-induced tissue edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, and active-caspase 3 positive signaling were attenuated by irisin treatment. The results suggest that irisin protects against damage from a hemorrhage through the modulation of insulin sensitivity.

The potential role of FNDC5/irisin in various liver diseases: awakening the sleeping beauties

Fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5) is a transmembrane protein and the precursor of irisin, which serves as a systemic exerkine/myokine with multiple origins. Since its discovery in 2012, this hormone-like polypeptide has rapidly evolved to a component significantly involved in a gamut of metabolic dysregulations and various liver diseases. After a decade of extensive investigation on FNDC5/irisin, we are still surrounded by lots of open questions regarding its diagnostic and therapeutic values. In this review, we first concentrated on the structure-function relationship of FNDC5/irisin. Next, we comprehensively summarised the current knowledge and research findings regarding pathogenic roles/therapeutic applications of FNDC5/irisin in the context of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, fibrosis, liver injury due to multiple detrimental insults, hepatic malignancy and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Moreover, the prominent molecules involved in the underlying mechanisms and signalling pathways were highlighted. As a result, emerging evidence reveals FNDC5/irisin may act as a proxy for diagnosing liver disease pathology, a sensitive biomarker for assessing damage severity, a predisposing factor for surveilling illness progression and a treatment option with protective/preventive impact, all of which are highly dependent on disease grading and contextually pathological features.

The potential role of miR-27a and miR-320a in metabolic syndrome in obese Egyptian females

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of many health complications, such as obesity, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance, with an increasing threat of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases. As the MetS develops, an alteration in the expression of some genes regulated by circulating microRNAs may also develop as a consequence. TaqMan microRNA primers specific for both miR-27a and miR-320a were used to estimate their expression levels in plasma samples collected from two groups: obese females with metabolic syndrome (n = 49) and lean healthy female volunteers (n = 23), to detect if their expression levels were deregulated with MetS.

RESULTS

The study results revealed that miR-27a was upregulated in the plasma of MetS group compared to the healthy controls, while miR-320a was downregulated (p ≤ 0.005). There was a highly significantly positive correlation between miR-27a expression and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin resistance (represented as HOMA-IR), and triglycerides (TG), while it showed significantly negative correlation only with HDL-cholesterol (p ≤ 0.0001). miR-320a showed significantly negative correlation with BMI, WC, waist-hip ratio (WHR), FBG, HOMA-IR, and TG. The expression value of miR-320a was positively correlated with HDL-cholesterol. Area under the curves (AUC) was equal to 1.000 for both microRNAs.

CONCLUSION

Our study added more evidence that monitoring changes in expression levels of both miR-27a and miR-320a in MetS patients could help in the evaluation of disease progression, risk, and susceptibility.

Formulation of wheat germ oil based on nanoemulsions to mitigate cisplatin's nephrotoxic effects

The present study was designed to fabricate wheat germ oil nanoemulsions (WGO-NEs) by using two different emulsifiers in their physical properties and their chemical structures which were Triton X-100 and Lecithin to form Triton X-100 coated WGO nanoemulsion (WGOT-NE) and Lecithin coated WGO nanoemulsion (WGOL-NE) then characterized them using Transmission Electron Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and study their biological effects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. The experimental study was performed on fifty male albino rats divided into 5 groups. healthy group, group injected with a single dose of cisplatin (CP), group injected with a single dose of CP then received WGO orally, group injected with a single dose of CP then received WGOL-NE and group injected a single dose of CP then received WGOT-NE. The results showed that the shape of the particles of WGOL-NE is spherical with poorly aggregation and average particle size is 161.2 nm while WGOT-NE is nearly spherical but with noticeable agglomeration and an average particle size of 194.6 nm. In the experimental study, the results showed involvement of cisplatin in nephrotoxicity through disturbance kidney function and histological examination of the cortical tissue of the kidney and increased biochemical markers related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptotic pathway. Otherwise, treatment with WGO, WGOT-NE, and WGOL-NE increased a significant amelioration in all the biochemical markers. In conclusion, WGOT-NE and WGOL-NE were more efficient than the native WGO in attenuating the kidney damage induced by CP although WGOL-NE showed the nearest results to the control group.