β-sitosterol attenuates high- fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis in rats by modulating lipid metabolism, inflammation and ER stress pathway

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic hepatic disorder. The naturally occurring phytosterol; β-sitosterol has antiobesogenic and anti-diabetic properties. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of β-sitosterol in preventing hepatic steatosis induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in rats. In the current study, to induce NAFLD in the female Wister rats, an HFD was administered to them for 8 weeks. The pathogenic severity of steatosis in rats receiving an HFD diet was dramatically decreased by oral administration of β-sitosterol. After administering β-sitosterol to HFD-induced steatosis for three weeks, several oxidative stress-related markers were then assessed. We showed that β-sitosterol reduced steatosis and the serum levels of triglycerides, transaminases (ALT and AST) and inflammatory markers (IL-1β and iNOS) compared to HFD-fed rats. Additionally, β-sitosterol reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress by preventing the overexpression of inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE-1α), X-box binding protein 1(sXBP1) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) genes which, showing a function in the homeostatic regulation of protein folding. Also, it was found that the expression of the lipogenic factors; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-α), sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP-1c) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1(CPT-1), which are involved in the regulation of the fatty acid oxidation process, may be regulated by β-sitosterol. It can be concluded that β-sitosterol may prevent NAFLD by reducing oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammatory responses, which supports the possibility of using β-sitosterol as an alternative therapy for NAFLD. Together, β-sitosterol may be an option for NAFLD prevention.

Luteolin loaded on zinc oxide nanoparticles ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease associated with insulin resistance in diabetic rats via regulation of PI3K/AKT/FoxO1 pathway

OBJECTIVE

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a worldwide health problem with high prevalence and morbidity associated with obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and dyslipidemia. Nano-formulation of luteolin with Zn oxide in the form of Lut/ZnO NPs may improve the anti-diabetic property of each alone and ameliorate the insulin resistance thus management of NAFLD. This study aimed to measure the efficiency of Lut/ZnO NPs against insulin resistance coupled with NAFLD and T2DM.

METHODS

A diabetic rat model with NAFLD was induced by a high-fat diet and streptozotocin (30 mg/kg I.P). Serum diabetogenic markers levels, lipid profile, and activity of liver enzymes were measured beside liver oxidative stress markers. Moreover, the hepatic expressions of PI3K/AKT/FoxO1/SERBP1c as well as heme oxygenase-1 were measured beside the histopathological examination.

RESULTS

Lut/ZnO NPs treatment effectively reduced hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and ameliorated insulin resistance. Additionally, Lut/ZnO NPs improved the hepatic functions, the antioxidant system, and reduced the oxidative stress markers. Furthermore, the lipid load in the liver, as well as the circulating TG and TC, was minified via the suppression of lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis. Moreover, Lut/ZnO NPs activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, hence inactivating FoxO1, therefore enhancing the hepatic cells' insulin sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

Lut/ZnO NPs have a hepatoprotective effect and may relieve the progression of NAFLD by alleviating insulin resistance, ameliorating the antioxidant status, and regulating the insulin signal pathway.

ONCOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF HUMAN ORTHOPNEUMOVIRUS IN CANCER CELL LINES

Oncolytic virotherapy is an emerging biotherapeutic platform for selectively infecting cancer cells and triggering apoptosis in a number of malignant cells due to robust viral replication. Studies related to the oncolytic activity of human orthopneumovirus (hOPV) are conflicting.

AIM

This study was designed to elucidate the possible role of hOPV in the modulation of cell growth and apoptosis in cancer cell lines including human epidermoid carcinoma (HEp-2), lung epithelial cell line (A549), and breast cancer cell line (MCF-7).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The oncolytic activity of hOPV on cancer cells was studied in vitro. The virus titers were determined by tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50/mL) in A549 cell. The cytotoxic effect of the virus on HEp-2, A549, and MCF-7 was determined using MTT and trypan blue dye exclusion test assays. hOPV in the infected cells was detected using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) assays. The relative expression of apoptosis-related genes (CASP-3, -8, -9, Bax, Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, TP53, P21) during virus infection was estimated using rRT-PCR assay in comparison with the house-keeping gene (GAPDH).

RESULTS

hOPV infection inhibited the growth of HEp-2, A549, and MCF-7 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner. At a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 5, hOPV reduced the viability of A549 cells to about 16%, HEp-2 to 22%, and MCF-7 to 28% (p = 0.001), while no significant inhibitory effect was observed when cells were infected at MOI of 1 and 2. hOPV mRNA and antigens were detected in infected HEp-2, A549, and MCF-7 cells by RT-PCR and IIF. Upon hOPV infection, expression of CASP-3, -8, -9, as well as Bax, TP53, and p21 mRNA increased while expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL anti-apoptotic genes decreased. In hOPV-infected A549 cells, the fold increase of CASP-8 and CASP-9, Bax, TP53, and P21 expression exceeded significantly compared to that in HEp-2 or MCF-7 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide evidence that hOPV could be a potential candidate for oncolytic virotherapy.

Chemopreventive Potential of Myrtenal against Nitrosamine-Initiated, Radiation-Promoted Rat Bladder Carcinogenesis

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the chemopreventive activity of myrtenal, a natural monoterpene, against bladder carcinoma in rats induced with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine (BBN) and promoted with γ-ionizing radiation (γ-IRR) as well as to assess the involvement of inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative damage in tumor development. Histopathological examination of rat bladder revealed the presence of noninvasive papillary transitional cell carcinoma (Grade 2) in sections from BBN group indicating the credibility of the applied carcinogenesis model. Myrtenal treatment caused improvement in urinary bladder mucosa with cells more likely in Grade 1. Administration of myrtenal to BBN-treated rats exhibited downregulation in the expressions of COX-2, NF-kB and STAT-3 associated with suppression of inflammatory cytokines levels of TNF-α and IL-6 as well as biomarkers of oxidative damage (MDA & NO). In addition, myrtenal treatment caused a significant increase in caspase-3 activity and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Data obtained suggested that the anti-inflammatory effect and the induction of apoptosis contributed largely to the beneficial antitumor effects of myrtenal in rats with BBN/γ-IRR-induced bladder carcinoma. Present findings, in addition to benefits described in other pathologies, indicated myrtenal as a potential adjuvant natural compound for the prevention of tumor progression of bladder cancer.

Synergistic Effect of Benzethonium Chloride Combined with Endoxan against Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Rats through Targeting Apoptosis Signaling Pathway

Combination therapy has been the trendy of care, particularly in cancer remedy, since it is a rational approach to increase response and tolerability and to diminish resistance. Hence, there is a growing interest in combining anticancer drugs to maximizing efficacy with minimum systemic toxicity through the delivery of lower drug doses. Therefore, in the present study, the value of combination between benzethonium chloride (benzo) and endoxan (endo) as anti-tumor drug sensitization of hepatocellular carcinoma HCC treatment were detected both in vitro and in vivo. Crystal violet test was performed to detect the proliferation of HepG2 cells treated with benzo or/and endo. In addition, the HCC rat model was established by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) administration. The antitumor effect was enhanced with the combined treatment of the two drugs, particularly in the group with benzo and endo. The results confirmed that the HCC condition was developed in response to lower expressions of caspase 3 and P53 which, in turn, was due to the overexpression of Bcl-2, and downregulation of cytochrome C. The treatment with benzo combined with endo caused significant activation of caspase-3 mediated apoptotic signals that could be responsible for its anti-HCC potential. Meantime, benzo combined with endo treatments could reduce the hepatocellular carcinogenesis by reducing the expression of MMP-9. Therefore, benzo and endo treatments may be a hopeful therapeutic drug for HCC. Also, more studies are recommended to feat the idea of this research for medical use.

Naked DNA immunization with full-length attachment gene of human respiratory syncytial virus induces safe and protective immune response

Development of potent vaccine for human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) that confers better protection than natural infection remains a global challenge. Vaccination with naked DNA is considered successful approach for the control of many viral diseases. In this study, the potential of DNA vaccination using full-length attachment gene of HRSV type A Saudi strain cloned in pcDNA3.1+ vector (pcDNA/GA) was evaluated in BALB/c mice. The expression efficiency of pcDNA/GA was first confirmed in HEp-2 cells on RNA and protein levels. Mice immunization with either pcDNA/GA or the positive control formalin-inactivated vaccine (FI-RSV) has generated significant serum antibody concentration in ELISA (7.31±0.418 and 9.76±0.006 µg/ml, respectively) with superior neutralizing activity. Similarly, both immunogens evoked robust HRSV-specific CD8+ T-cell response in ELISPOT assay compared to mice immunized with pcDNA3.1+ vector or saline (negative controls). Challenge of the immunized mice with the wild-type HRSV did not provoke clinical symptoms or mortality in any mice group. On the 7th day post-challenge, mice were euthanized and lungs were extirpated for evaluation of viral load, histopathological changes and cytokine profile. A significant diminish in the viral load and histology score were concluded in lungs of pcDNA/GA immunized mice compared to those immunized with FI-RSV and negative controls. The pulmonary cytokine profile of pcDNA/GA immunized mice displayed notable upregulation of Th1-associated cytokines while that of FI-RSV immunized mice exhibited high levels of Th2-associated cytokines. In conclusion, the DNA vaccine candidate pcDNA/GA has proven prominent efficacy and safety in mouse model, which encourages further evaluation in clinical trials.

The Beneficial Radioprotective Effect of Tomato Seed Oil Against Gamma Radiation-Induced Damage in Male Rats

Radiation protection research receives intense focus due to its significant impact on human health. The present study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of pretreatment with tomato seed oil (TSO) against gamma radiation-induced damage in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (1) untreated control; (2) TSO-supplemented; (3) gamma-irradiated; (4) TSO-pretreated and gamma-irradiated. Acute exposure of animals to a single gamma radiation dose (6 Gy) induced oxidative stress in major body organs, altered serum lipid homeostasis, significantly increased serum testosterone and sorbitol dehydrogenase levels, and elicited a systemic inflammation as manifested by the induction of serum vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. Oral pretreatment with TSO (1 ml/kg; 3 times/week for 8 weeks) before exposure to gamma radiation protected rats against ionizing radiation-induced oxidative stress, restored lipid homeostasis, and suppressed systemic inflammation. Histological findings of target tissues verified biochemical data. The radioprotective ability of TSO was attributed to its content of phytosterols, policosanol, and antioxidants, including lycopene, β-carotene, lutein, and tocopherols. TSO is considered a promising radioprotective agent that can be effectively used to protect the body from the damaging effects of harmful radiation.