Possible role of lncRNAs in amelioration of Parkinson's disease symptoms by transplantation of dopaminergic cells

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Since dopaminergic cell transplantation is a clinical method to treat PD, this study investigated the effects of dopaminergic cell therapy on the expression of some lncRNAs and genes related to PD. In this study, Twenty-eight rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups. The control group (Sal group) received saline injections. The Par group was a PD rat model with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) injection in right striatum (ST). PD animals were transplanted by undifferentiated P19 stem cells (Par-E group), and P19-derived dopaminergic cells (Par-N group). Cell transplant effects were evaluated using behavioral tests (cylinder, open field, and rotarod tests), and histological methods (H&E and Nissl staining, and immunohistochemistry). Moreover, the expression of lncRNAs MALAT1, MEG3, and SNHG1, alongside specific neuronal (synaptophysin) and dopaminergic (tyrosine hydroxylase) markers was evaluated by qRT-PCR. Behavioral and histopathological examinations revealed that cell transplantation partially compensated dopaminergic cell degeneration in ST and substantia nigra (SN) of PD rats. The expression of MALAT1, SNHG1, and MEG3 was decreased in the ST of the Par group, while MEG3 and SNHG1 gene expression was increased in PBMC relative to the Sal group. In PBMC of the Par-N group, all three lncRNAs showed a reduction in their expression. Conversely, MALAT1 and SNHG1 expression was increased in ST tissue, while MEG3 gene expression was decreased compared to the Sal group. In conclusion, dopaminergic cell transplantation could change the lncRNAs expression. Furthermore, it partially improves symptoms in PD rats.

Trans-differentiation of mouse mesenchymal stem cells into pancreatic β-like cells by a traditional anti-diabetic medicinal herb Medicago sativa L

Background and aim

Medicago sativa L. is a medicinal herb first cultivated in ancient Iran. Traditionally, it has been utilized for the treatment of several disorders. The plant has been in the human diet for at least 1500 years. Although the hypoglycaemic and anti-diabetic effects of the plant have been approved in traditional medicine, further investigations are needed to support the rational use of M. sativa by humans. This project aimed to evaluate the trans-differentiation potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to pancreatic β-like cells (insulin-producing cells; IPCs) under the influence of M. sativa extract.

Experimental procedure

Bone marrow MSCs isolated, characterized, and then treated by flower or leaf extract of M. sativa. Beta-cell characteristics of the differentiated cells were evaluated by several techniques, including specific staining, QPCR, immunofluorescence, and ELISA.

Results

The results showed that the differentiated cells were able to express some specific pancreatic genes (PDX-1, insulin1, and insulin2) and proteins (insulin receptor beta, insulin, proinsulin, and C peptide). Furthermore, ELISA analysis indicated the ability of these cells in the production and secretion of insulin, after exposure to glucose.

Conclusion

Overall, both the flower and leaf extract of M. sativa had the potential of differentiation induction of MSCs into IPCs with the characteristics of pancreatic β–like cells. Therefore, M. sativa, as an herbal drug, may be beneficial for the treatment of diseases including diabetes.

In vitro differentiation induction of embryonal carcinoma stem cells into insulin-producing cells by Cichorium intybus L. leaf extract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Medicinal herb Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) has been used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases, including diabetes. One of the promising therapeutic options to treat diabetes is replacing the degenerative pancreatic β cells by stem cell-derived IPCs (insulin-producing cells).

AIM OF THE STUDY

By the combination of cell therapy as a modern approach and traditional medicine, the current study was designed to evaluate the effects of chicory leaf extract (LE) on the differentiation potential of P19 EC cells (an embryonal carcinoma stem cell line) into IPCs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The plant (voucher no. 4567) were collected and deposited in the herbarium of Shahrekord University. In vitro experiments were designed to compare the effects of various concentrations of LE on the differentiation potential of P19 EC cells.

RESULTS

The differentiated cells showed morphological characteristics of pancreatic β cells. They could also synthesized and secreted insulin when exposed to glucose. Moreover, the cells expressed specific proteins and genes of mature pancreatic β cells.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, LE as a natural herbal extract was efficiently able to induce the differentiation of P19 EC cells into the clusters similar to pancreatic islets with the molecular, cellular and functional characteristics of mature β cells.

Hematologic, liver enzymes and electrolytes changes in chronic myeloid leukemia after Imatinib medication

BACKGROUND

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), is the first malignancy that related to the chromosomal abnormality and include 15-20% of all adulthood leukemia.

AIMS

This study aimed to compare the hematologic, breakpoint cluster region-abelson (BCR-ABL) and liver function enzymes changes during treatment period of Imatinib.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

A noncurrent clinical trial study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

New incident CML patients received Iranian made or Indian-made Imatinib after baseline measurement. Hematologic, BCR-ABL, electrolytes and liver function enzymes measured again after 24 weeks.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Paired t-test and independent t-test was used to assess the effect of treatment in within and between groups, respectively.

RESULTS

Imatinib has a decreasing impact on white blood cells and placates. While an increasing effect on hemoglobin concentration. Iranian made and Indian-made Imatinib has a same effect on improvement of hematologic, BCR-ABL, electrolytes in CML patients. However, the liver changes of Imatinib were not clinically significant.

CONCLUSION

The Iranian-made Imatinib can be used as a replacement for Indian made ones without any statistical and clinical significant difference on Improvement of CML patients.

Comparison of ultrasonography with computed tomography in the diagnosis of nasal bone fractures

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to compare ultrasonography with CT in the diagnosis of nasal bone fractures.

METHODS

40 patients (9 female and 31 male) with mid-facial fractures, which were suspected nasal bone fractures, were included. All of the patients had mid-facial CT images. Ultrasonography with a 7.5 MHz transducer (Aloka 3500, Tokyo, Japan) was used to evaluate the nasal bone fractures. All of the sonograms were compared with CT findings for sensitivity, specificity and predictive values. A χ(2) test was applied to the data to assess statistical significance.

RESULTS

CT diagnosed nasal bone fractures in 24 of the 40 patients (9 unilateral fractures and 15 bilateral fractures) while ultrasonography diagnosed the fractured bones in 23 patients (9 unilateral fractures and 14 bilateral fractures). Ultrasonography missed one fractured bone in a bilateral fractured case and a unilateral fracture was also missed (two false-negative results). The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in assessing nasal bone fracture in comparison with CT were 94.9% and 100%, respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) and the negative predictive value (NPV) of ultrasonographic evaluation of the nasal bone fractures were 100% and 95.3%, respectively. The χ(2) test did not show any significant difference between CT and ultrasonography in diagnosis of nasal bone fractures (P = 0.819).

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonography can be used as a first line of diagnostic imaging for evaluating nasal bone fractures, especially in children and pregnant women.

Relationship Among Panoramic Radiography Findings, Biochemical Markers of Bone Turnover and Hip BMD in the Diagnosis of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Recent investigations have shown that panoramic radiography might be a useful tool in the early diagnosis of osteoporosis. In addition, bone turnover biochemical markers might be valuable in predicting osteoporosis and fracture risks in the elderly, especially in post-menopausal women. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship among the radiomorphometric indices of the mandible, biochemical markers of the bone turnover and hip BMD in a group of post-menopausal women.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Evaluations of mandibular cortical width (MCW), mandibular cortical index (CI), panoramic index (PMI) and alveolar crest resorption ratio (M/M ratio) were carried out on panoramic radiographs of 140 post-menopausal women with an age range of 44-82 years. Hip BMD was measured by DEXA method. BMD values were divided into three groups of normal (T score>-1.0), osteopenic (T score, -2.5 to -1.0) and osteoporotic (T score<-2.5). Serum alkaline phosphatase and 25(OH) D(3) were measured.

RESULTS

A decrease in MCW by 1 mm increases the likelihood of osteopenia or osteoporosis up to 40%, having taken into consideration the effect of menopause duration. A 1 mm decrease in MCW increased the likelihood of moderate or severe erosion of the lower cortex of the mandible up to 28% by taking age into consideration. The results did not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship between bone turnover markers and mandibular radiomorphometric indices.

CONCLUSION

Panoramic radiography gives sufficient information to make an early diagnosis regarding osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. Panoramic radiographs may be valuable in the prevention of osteoporotic fractures in elderly women.