Introduction to Nutrition and Cancer.

By the beginning of the year 2021, the estimated number of new cancer cases worldwide was about 19.3 million and there were 10.0 million cancer-related deaths. Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases worldwide that can be attributed to genetic and environmental factors, including nutrition. The good nutrition concept focuses on the dietary requirements to sustain life. There is a substantial amount of evidence suggesting that a healthy diet can modulate cancer risk, particularly the risk of colorectal and breast cancers. Many studies have evaluated the correlation between our diet and the risk of cancer development, prevention, and treatment. The effect of diet on cancer development is likely to happen through intertwining mechanisms including inflammation and immune responses. For instance, a greater intake of red and processed meat along with low consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers that are implicated in cancer development. On the other hand, the consumption of phytosterols, vitamins, and minerals, which exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory roles have been linked to lower cancer risk, or even its occurrence prevention. In this book, we aim to summarize the current knowledge on the role of nutrition in cancer to provide the best scientific advice in this regard.

Nrf-2-dependent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects underlie the protective effect of esculeoside A against retinal damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Esculeoside A (ESA) is a tomato-derived glycoside with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The protective effect of ESA against diabetic retinopathy is not well-investigated and was the core objective of this study. In addition, we tested if such protection involves the activation of Nrf2 signaling. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) was induced in adult Wistar male rats by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg). Non-diabetic and T1DM rats were divided into two subgroup groups given either the vehicle or ESA (100 mg)/kg. An additional T1DM group was given ESA (100 mg/kg) and an Nrf2 inhibitor (2 mg/kg) (n=8 rats/group). Treatments continued for 12 weeks. In this study, according to the histological features, ESA improved the structure of ganglionic cells and increased the number of cells of the inner nuclear and plexiform layers in the retinas of T1DM rats. Concomitantly, it reduced the retina levels of malondialdehyde (lipid peroxides), vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, Bax, and caspase-3. In the retinas of the control and diabetic rats, ESA boosted the levels of total glutathione, superoxide dismutase, heme-oxygenase-1, and Bcl2, reduced the mRNA levels of REDD1, and enhanced cytoplasmic and nuclear levels of Nrf2. However, ESA failed to alter the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and keap1, protein levels of keap1, plasma glucose, plasma insulin, serum triglycerides, cholesterol, and LDL-c in both the control and T1DM rats. In conclusion, ESA alleviates retinopathy in T1DM rats by suppressing REDD1-associated degradation and inhibiting the Nrf2/antioxidant axis.

Physiological Effects of Fig Leaf Extract and Orlistat on Obesity, Kidney and Liver of Rats.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Obesity is a global health epidemic associated with various health complications. This study investigates the potential effects of ethanolic fig leaf extract and orlistat on obesity, as well as their impact on kidney and liver function in a rat model, aiming to contribute to the development of strategies for managing obesity-related health issues. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Forty male albino rats with hypercholesterolemia were divided into four groups: Group one served as a control and received a normal diet, group two was a control group that was fed a high-fat diet, group three received a high-fat diet with a daily force-fed ration of 3 g kg¹ b.wt., of fig leaves and group four received a high-fat diet along with daily administration of orlistat at 4 mg kg¹ b.wt. Blood samples were collected from all groups at baseline and after 30 days of treatment. <b>Results:</b> Rats in the high-fat diet group showed a significant increase in body weight by 49%, while rats treated with fig leaf extract showed a significant decrease in body weight by 18% (p<0 .01) and treatment with orlistat resulted in 12% elevation in body weight. Renal function markers creatinine and urea were decreased in the group treated with fig leaves. Liver enzymes AST, ALT and ALP decreased significantly in the group treated with fig leaves and orlistat. Albumin and globulin concentrations decreased more with fig leaf extract than with orlistat. <b>Conclusion:</b> Fig leaves and orlistat reduce body weight and improve kidney and liver function in hypercholesterolemic rats.

Genetic Identification of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Carriage and Its Antibiogram among Kidney Dialysis Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in AL-Karak, Jordan.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major bacterial pathogen. Aim: The present study aimed to determine the incidence of MRSA infections among kidney dialysis patients and the antibiotic susceptibility patterns and investigate the prevalence of mecA gene among MRSA isolates. Materials and Methods: A total of 83 nasal sterile cotton swabs samples were obtained from hemodialysis patients from Al-Karak Governmental Hospital, Al-Karak, Jordan. Collected and cultured on nutrient agar and mannitol salt agar and incubating at 37°C for 24-48 hours, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains were identified by gram stain, coagulase test, and catalase tests. The MRSA isolates were tested for the presence of MecA and SCCmec genes using the Xpert SA Nasal Complete assay real-time PCR. Factors such as age and gender were included in the study. The antibiotic profile tested by using the disc diffusion method tested all MRSA isolates. Results: This study showed that 10.8% of the cultures' growth was S. aureus and 9.6% of all the patients were infected with MRSA, with no relationship between the number and frequency of MRSA according to the patient's gender or age. All MRSA (100%) isolates have both genes (MecA genes and SCCmec genes), and all samples were resistant to oxacillin, ceftazidime, cefoxitin, aztreonam, and ampicillin. Conclusion: The MRSA prevalence was determined among kidney dialysis patients in the hospital. All positive samples were resistant to oxacillin, ceftazidime, cefoxitin, aztreonam, and ampicillin, which is a very rare finding, and this will give the scientists and doctors a dangerous indication about health-care centers in the Al-Karak city of Jordan.

Sub-genotypes of hepatitis C virus in the Middle East and North Africa: Patterns of distribution and temporal changes.

Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a considerable public health concern in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The objectives of this study were to analyze the HCV genotype (GT) and sub-genotype (SGT) distribution in the MENA region and to assess the temporal change in the number of sequences within the MENA region. All HCV molecular sequences collected in the MENA region had been retrieved from GenBank as of 1 August 2022. The number of HCV sequences retrieved was 6740 representing sequences from a total of 17 MENA countries with a majority from Iran (n = 1969, 29.2%), Egypt (n = 1591, 23.6%), Tunisia (n = 1305, 19.4%) and Saudi Arabia (n = 1085, 16.1%). The determination of GT/SGT was based on the NCBI genotyping and Blast tool. Genotype 1 (GT1) dominated infections in the MENA (n = 2777, 41.2%), followed by GT4 (n = 2566, 39.0%). Additionally, SGT4a (1515/6393, 23.7%) was the most common SGT in the MENA, and SGT4a was dominant in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, followed by SGT1b (n = 1308, 20.5%), which was dominant in Morocco and Tunisia, while SGT1a (n = 1275, 19.9%) was common in Iran, Iraq and Palestine. Furthermore, significant temporal increase in the number of HCV MENA sequences was observed. On the SGT level, specific patterns of HCV genetic diversity were seen in the MENA region, with the most common SGT being 4a, in addition to increasing the availability of HCV sequences in the MENA region.

Urtica Pilulifera in Treating Pre-diabetic Rat Model to Control the Blood Glucose, Lipids and Oxidative Stress.

INTRODUCTION: Pre-diabetic precedes the development of full diabetes. Studying and identification changes in pre-diabetic conditions can give the possibility to decline the development of diabetes and treat conditions associated with diabetes such as cardiovascular diseases. AIM: The main objectives of the present study were to investigate the potential of using Urtica pilulifera in treating the pre-diabetic rat model and to investigate its anti-oxidant impact. METHODS: The pre-diabetic model was induced in rats through daily giving high sucrose diet (35%) for 30 days. The extraction of U. pilulifera leaves was made as described by previous studies. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, control group (n=10), pre-diabetic group (n=10), and treated group with the extract of U. pilulifera (n=10). Control group rats received standard diet; pre-diabetic group rats received standard diet and high sucrose (35%) in drinking water, treated group rats received the same conditions as a pre-diabetic group, with intra-peritoneal injection of U. pilulifera injection on daily basis. After one month experiment, blood samples were taken from all rats and tested for glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, GSH, TAC, and MDA. RESULTS: Both glucose and triglycerides levels were significantly increased in pre-diabetic groups, and significantly reduced in the treated group by the extract of U.pilulifera. The cholesterol level was not significantly changed in all groups. The levels of GSH were significantly reduced in the pre-diabetic group compared with the control group. Treatment with the extract of U. pilulifera increased the levels of GSH significantly compared with the pre-diabetic group. The levels of TAC were not significantly changed between the control group and the pre-diabetic group, but significantly increased in the treated group compared with the pre-diabetic group. The levels of MDA significantly increased in the pre-diabetic group compared with the control group, and significantly reduced in the treated group compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: High sucrose pre-diabetic model is a good model to study diabetes at early stages, and the treatment using U. pilulifera has several benefits in reducing glucose and lipid profile lipids as well as combating oxidative stress.

The Compound Expression of HSP90 and INOS in the Testis of Diabetic Rats as Cellular and Pathologic Adverse Effects of Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes is increasingly prevalent at global level and associated with various impacts including the male reproductive system. AIMS: This research is aimed at investigating the influence of diabetes on the localization and expression of HSP90 and iNOS in the testicular tissue of diabetic rats. METHODS: A diabetic model was developed through a single injection of alloxan monohydrate intraperitoneally (purchased from Sigma-Aldrich) 120 mg/kg body weight following fasting for 12 hrs. The experiment involved two groups, the control and diabetic groups with 10 albino rats in each group. Diabetes was considered if glucose concentration was ≥200 mg/dl. The experiment duration was for one month. After the experiment had finished, all rats were terminated and prepared for routine histological and immunohistochemical examination. RESULTS: The results revealed that diabetes caused morphological changes at histological level in testicular tissue. Immunohistochemical examination showed that diabetes significantly upregulated the expression of both HSP90 and iNOS in the testicular tissue of diabetic rats as compared with that of the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Diabetes may induce adverse health effects on the male reproduction through upregulation of HSP90 and iNOS in the testicular tissue of diabetic rats.

Altered expression pattern of integrin alphavbeta3 correlates with actin cytoskeleton in primary cultures of human breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Integrins are transmembrane adhesion receptors that provide the physical link between the actin cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. It has been well established that integrins play a major role in various cancer stages, such as tumor growth, progression, invasion and metastasis. In breast cancer, integrin alphavbeta3 has been associated with high malignant potential in cancer cells, signaling the onset of widespread metastasis. Many preclinical breast cancer studies are based on established cell lines, which may not represent the cell behavior and phenotype of the primary tumor of origin, due to undergone genotypic and phenotypic changes. In the present study, short-term primary breast cancer cell cultures were developed. Integrin alphavbeta3 localization was studied in correlation with F-actin cytoskeleton by means of immunofluorescence and immunogold ultrastructural localization. Integrin fluorescence intensities were semi-quantitatively assessed by means of computerized image analysis, while integrin and actin expression was evaluated by Western immunoblotting. RESULTS: In the primary breast cancer epithelial cells integrin alphavbeta3 immunofluorescence was observed in the marginal cytoplasmic area, whereas in the primary normal breast epithelial cells it was observed in the main cell body, i.e. in the ventrally located perinuclear area. In the former, F-actin cytoskeleton appeared well-formed, consisting of numerous and thicker stress fibers, compared to normal epithelial cells. Furthermore, electron microscopy showed increased integrin alphavbeta3 immunogold localization in epithelial breast cancer cells over the area of stress fibers at the basal cell surface. These findings were verified with Western immunoblotting by the higher expression of integrin beta3 subunit and actin in primary breast cancer cells, revealing their reciprocal relation, in response to the higher motility requirements, determined by the malignant potential of the breast cancer cells. CONCLUSION: A model system of primary breast cancer cell cultures was developed, in an effort to maintain the closest resembling environment to the tumor of origin. Using the above system model as an experimental tool the study of breast tumor cell behavior is possible concerning the adhesion capacity and the migrating potential of these cells, as defined by the integrin alphavbeta3 distribution in correlation with F-actin cytoskeleton.