Possible mitigating effect of adropin on lung injury in diabetic rats: Targeting the role of Rho A/Rho-associated kinase pathway

This study evaluated possible mitigating effect of adropin on lung injury in diabetic rats, targeting role of Rho A/Rho-associated kinase pathway. Rats were allocated into four groups: control, adropin, diabetic, and diabetic+adropin groups. At the termination of the experiment, serum fasting glucose, insulin and adropin levels and insulin resistance were calculated. Wet/dry ratio, histopathological, immunohistochemical analyses, and relative real time gene expression of lung tissue was determined. Interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, malondialdehyde, 8-Oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, Bcl-2, BAX, myeloperoxidase, intracellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and transforming growth factor-β were determined in lung tissue. Adropin treatment in diabetic rats notably attenuated hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Also, it mitigated diabetic lung injury via suppressing effect on Rho A/ROCK pathway, apoptosis, inflammatory reactions, oxidative stress, and fibrosis of lung tissue. Adropin can be considered as a promising therapeutic agent for treating diabetic lung injury.

The Ratio of Cysteine-Rich Angiogenic Inducer 61 to MicroRNA -155 Expression as a Preeclampsia Diagnostic Marker and Predictor of Its Severity

Background

Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem pregnancy disorder that increases maternal-perinatal morbidity and mortality significantly. MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) overexpression in the sera of pregnant women has been linked to preeclampsia. Researchers discovered that miR-155 acts during pregnancy by down-regulating and reducing the cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (CYR61), which causes local ischemia as well as oxidative stress.

Methods

The level of miR-155 expression in all serum samples was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and serum CYR61 was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Together with the Cyr-61/miR-155 ratio, they were evaluated as biomarkers for PE pathogenesis and severity prediction.

Results

MiR-155 expression, serum CYR61 levels, and Cyr-61/miR-155 ratios were all significantly higher in PE patients compared to the control group. Serum CYR61 levels and the Cyr-61/miR-155 ratio differed significantly between mild and severe PE patients.

Conclusions

MiR-155 expression, serum CYR61 levels, and Cyr-61/miR-155 may serve as biomarkers for PE pathogenesis and severity prediction.

Crocin lessens desipramine-induced phospholipidosis biomarker levels via targeting oxidative stress- related PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways in the rat liver

Background and aim Crocin is a pharmacologically active chemical found in the spice saffron from Crocus sativus L. It possesses antioxidant and anti-radical properties that can minimize the hepatic phospholipidosis triggered using the tricyclic antidepressant desipramine. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of crocin on desipramine-induced hepatic phospholipidosis targeting the oxidative stress-related PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways.

METHODS

Forty adult male rats were divided into 4 groups (n =10): control group, a group receiving intraperitoneal (IP) crocin (50 mg/kg/day), a group receiving IP desipramine (10 mg/kg/day), and a group receiving both IP crocin and desipramine.

RESULTS

After 3 weeks of treatment, the combined treatment group showed diminished desipramine-induced hepatic phospholipidosis, along with significant reductions in total oxidant status (TOS) , the levels of inflammatory markers including interleukin 6 (IL6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and apoptotic markers including caspase3 and Bcl2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) while other markers including total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were increased. The gene expression of lysosomal enzymes including ELOVL6, SCD1 and HMGR was notably downregulated, while AP1S1 was upregulated in the combined treatment group compared to the desipramine group. No ultrastructural signs of hepatic phospholipidosis, in the form of multilamellar bodies, were apparent in the combined treatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

These data collectively suggest that crocin has a protective effect against desipramine-induced phospholipidosis. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Ameliorative effect of sesame oil on experimentally induced polycystic ovary syndrome: A cross-link between XBP-1/PPAR-1, regulatory proteins for lipogenesis/steroids

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a mixed endocrine/metabolic/reproductive disorder in women of reproductive age. Sesame oil (SO) contains sesame lignans & vitamin E with broad-spectrum antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigates the ameliorative effect of SO on experimentally induced PCOS and elucidates the possible molecular mechanisms with a deeper focus on the different signaling pathways involved. The study was carried out on 28 nonpregnant female Wister albino rats that were divided into four equal groups; Group I (control group) received oral 0.5% wt/vol carboxymethyl cellulose daily. Group II (SO group): orally administered SO (2 mL/kg body wt./day) for 21 days. Group III (PCOS group) received letrozole daily, 1 mg/kg, for 21 days. Group IV (PCOS + SO group): concomitantly administered letrozole and SO for 21 days. The serum hormonal and metabolic panel and the homogenate ATF-1, StAR, MAPK, PKA, and PI3K levels of the ovarian tissue were calorimetrically evaluated. However, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was evaluated by ovarian XBP1 and PPAR-γ messenger RNA expression level using the qRT-PCR technique. Ovarian COX-2 was detected immunohistochemically. The results suggest that SO-treated PCOS rats showed a significantly improved hormonal, metabolic panel, inflammatory, and ER stress status with concomitant decreases in ATF-1, StAR, MAPK, PKA, and PI3K in ovarian rats compared to the correspondent values in PCOS without treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The protective effects of SO against PCOS are triggered by ameliorating regulatory proteins of ER stress, lipogenesis, and steroidogenesis through the PI3K/PKA and MAPK/ERK2 signaling cascades. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common mixed endocrine-metabolic dysfunction among women within the reproductive period, with an estimated prevalence of 5%-26% worldwide. Doctors traditionally recommend metformin for PCOS patients. However, metformin is known to be associated with significant adverse effects and contraindications. This work aimed at shedding light on the ameliorative effect of sesame oil (SO), natural polyunsaturated fatty acids-rich oil, on the induced PCOS model. SO proved to have a marvelous effect on the metabolic and endocrine derangements in the PCOS rat model. We hoped to provide a valuable alternative treatment for PCOS patients to avoid the side effects of metformin and to help PCOS patients for whom metformin is contraindicated.

The emerging role of irisin in experimentally induced arthritis: a recent update involving HMGB1/MCP1/Chitotriosidase I–mediated necroptosis

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Abbreviations

Netrin-1 and clusterin: Innovative potential diagnostic biomarkers for early renal damage in β-thalassemia major children

BACKGROUND

Children with β-thalassemia major (β-TM) suffer from tubular dysfunction even before the onset of any renal impairment symptoms and/or clinical signs. Therefore, identifying innovative biomarkers allowing early renal damage detection has focused attention.

AIM

This study aims to preliminary assess Netrin-1(NTN-1) and clusterin (CLU) in β-TM children and explore their possible roles as surrogate noninvasive biomarkers of renal tubular dysfunction.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In this study, 40 β-TM children and 30 healthy children were enrolled. Routine serum and urinary biochemical variables were determined. Urinary NTN-1 and CLU levels were measured using ELISA and their mRNA expression in PBMCs were assayed using real-time PCR. Serum TNF-α, MDA levels and GST activity were measured.

RESULTS

Urinary NTN-1 and CLU concentrations and mRNA relative expression levels in PBMCs were significantly increased in β-TM children relative to controls. Oxidative stress and inflammatory markers revealed significant elevation in β-TM children compared to controls. The change in these parameters correlated significantly with other renal parameters. ROC curves analysis showed that urinary NTN-1 and CLU levels are of promising diagnostic performance.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that NTN-1 and CLU are qualified as new noninvasive biomarker panels for early detection of renal injury in β-TM children. Moreover, urinary NTN-1 is recommended as a precise one during the clinical practices.

Troxerutin downregulates C/EBP-β gene expression via modulating the IFNγ-ERK1/2 signaling pathway to ameliorate rotenone-induced retinal neurodegeneration

Troxerutin, a natural flavonoid guards against oxidative stress and apoptosis with a high capability of passing through the blood-brain barrier. Our aim was to investigate the role of troxerutin in experimentally induced retinal neurodegeneration by modulating the interferon-gamma (IFNγ)-extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2)-CCAAT enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBP-β) signaling pathway. Three groups of rats (10 each group) were included. Group I (control group), group II (rotenone treated group): the rats were injected subcutaneously with a single rotenone dosage of 3 mg/kg repeated every 48 hours for 60 days to trigger retinal neurodegeneration. Group III (troxerutin-treated group): rats received troxerutin (150 mg/kg/day) by oral gavage 1 hour before rotenone administration. A real-time polymerase chain reaction technique was applied to measure messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of retinal C/EBP-β. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique was utilized to assay tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IFNγ, and ERK1/2 levels. Finally, reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as carbonylated protein (CP) levels, were assessed spectrophotometrically. Improved retinal neurodegeneration by downregulation of C/EBP-β mRNA gene expression, also caused a significant reduction of TNF-α, IFNγ, ERK1/2 as well as ROS and CP levels compared with the diseased group. These findings could hold promise for the usage of troxerutin as a protective agent against rotenone-induced retinal neurodegeneration.

The ameliorative effect of angiotensin 1-7 on experimentally induced-preeclampsia in rats: Targeting the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma expression & asymmetric dimethylarginine

This study was designed to explore the effect of angiotensin 1-7 (Ang 1-7) on experimentally induced-preeclampsia in Wistar rats targeting the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma expression (PPARs-γ) & asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). 30 female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Normal pregnant (NP), preeclampsia (PE), and preeclampsia treated with Ang 1-7 (PE + Ang 1-7) groups. Reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) model was induced on GD14. On GD18, protein in urine, urine volume and urinary sodium excretion were determined. On GD19, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured, and the gene expression of PPARs-γ were determined. The serum samples were separated for determination of Ang 1-7, ADMA, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nitric oxide (NO) products, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total anti-oxidant capacity (T-AOC). Compared to NP group, SBP, urine protein, serum levels of ADMA, sFlt-1, IL-6 and MDA significantly increased, while expression of PPARs-γ, serum levels of Ang 1-7, VEGF, NO products, eNOS, IL-10 and T-AOC significantly decreased in PE group, while treatment of Ang 1-7 significantly ameliorated all these studied parameters as compared to PE group. We concluded that Ang 1-7 attenuated the symptoms of preeclampsia, which might be via increasing the expression of PPARs-γ and reduction of ADMA levels which could explain its anti-hypertensive, anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.