Apigenin ameliorates genitourinary dysfunction in a type 1 diabetic rat model via Drp1 modulation.

The present study aimed to explore the potential ameliorative effect of apigenin (APG) against diabetes-associated genitourinary complications in rats. A diabetic rat model was induced by the intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). All experimental animals were treated with vehicle or vehicle plus APG at a dose of 0.78 mg/kg/day for 10 days, either once diabetes was confirmed or at the end of the 3rd week after confirmation of diabetes. Rats were sacrificed at the end of the fifth week. In addition to the histological assessment, an analysis of kidney function tests and serum testosterone was performed to assess diabetic genitourinary complications. Gene expression of the mitochondrial fission protein, dynamin related protein 1 (Drp1), was measured in renal and testicular tissues using qRT PCR. APG can increase body weight, reduce blood glucose levels, and improve renal and testicular functions in diabetic rats. APG decreased Drp1 overexpression in diabetic animals' kidneys and testes. In summary, our current work discloses that APG attenuates diabetic genitourinary lesions in rats via suppressing Drp1 overexpression.

Study of long non-coding RNA and mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a worldwide health problem. The Micro- and macro-vascular complications are the major causes of morbidity and mortality of DM. Molecular regulation of mitochondrial fission/fusion cycles is being studied, but the results were not conclusive. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible functional role of lncRNA H19 and its relation to mitofusin-2 (Mfn-2) gene expression in diabetic rats with cardiac and renal complications. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic male, albino rats and a matched control group were investigated. Cardiac weights, blood pressure and ECG were recorded. Biochemical evaluation of cardiac and renal functions was performed. Molecular determination of lncRNA H19 and Mfn-2 gene expression and histological examination by light and electron microscopy for cardiac and renal tissues were performed. Diabetic rats showed a significant increase of left ventricle weight/whole body weight ratio, R wave voltage, and a significant decrease of blood pressure, heart rate, and P wave voltage. At the molecular level, lncRNA H19 and Mfn-2 mRNA showed altered expression with a statistically significant downregulation of Mfn-2 mRNA expression in renal tissues. In conclusion, the changes in lncRNA H19 and Mfn-2 mRNA expression may help better understanding of the pathogenesis of cardiac and renal dysfunctions associated with type 1 DM.

Elevation of hyaluronidase-1 and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 helps select bladder cancer patients at risk of invasion.

BACKGROUND: The identification of accurate bladder tumor marker/tests could improve diagnosis, recurrence monitoring and treatment in patients with bladder cancer. This study evaluates the potential usefulness of hyaluronidase-1 (HYAL-1) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in Egyptian bladder cancer patients. METHODS: A total of 210 tissue, serum and urine specimens were used to investigate HYAL-1 and sICAM-1 expression by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) techniques, respectively. RESULTS: The detection of urinary and tissue HYAL-1 mRNA as well as urinary and circulating sICAM-1 were higher in the malignant than the control group (p <0.0001). In the cancer group, both HYAL-1 and sICAM-1 were significantly correlated with each other and with the patient's age. Also, they were increased in advanced and poorly differentiated tumors (p <0.01). Patients with positive HYAL-1 had elevated sICAM-1 in their serum and urine (p <0.05). Although sometimes statistically insignificant, both markers tended to increase in lymph node and cytology positive than the corresponding negative subgroups. The levels of sICAM-1 (urinary and circulating) were elevated in relation to schistosomal infection (p <0.01). Using receiver operating characteristic curve, the best cut-off values for urinary and circulating sICAM-1 were 110 ng/mg creatinine and 130 ng/mL, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity and efficiency were >80%. CONCLUSIONS: Serial monitoring of sICAM-1 (in urine and/or serum) is potentially recommended for selecting patients who are at risk of tumor invasion.

Lipoprotein (a) and lipid profile in neonates from mothers with three different types of diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: The metabolic components in neonates may be affected by maternal diabetes mellitus. DESIGN AND METHODS: To investigate the alterations in lipid metabolism and the possible atherogenic risk, the lipoprotein a (Lp a), apoproteins, lipid profile, glucose concentrations were measured (ELISA, immunodiffusion and enzymatic) in 77 cord blood samples from diabetic and healthy pregnant mothers. RESULTS: The body weight, cord glucose and both apoproteins were increased in neonates of gestational and noninsulin dependent diabetic (GDM, NIDDM) than in neonates of nondiabetic mothers (NNDM). The Lp (a) was not correlated with the blood glucose and didn't significantly increase in the three neonates groups of diabetic mothers. The apo B/apo A1 and the LDL/HDL ratios were insignificantly increased in relation to the body weight. In neonates of diabetic mothers (NDM), only the blood glucose and Lp (a) differ between both sexes. CONCLUSION: NDM may have disturbed lipid metabolism, which require special care to them and to their mothers during the prenatal period.