Infliximab abrogates adenine-induced chronic kidney disease via modulation of the MAPK/JNK/ASK signaling pathway in rats.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prominent cause of death worldwide. Infliximab is one of the anti-TNF-α; herein, we studied the effect of infliximab on adenine-induced CKD. To inspect the role of infliximab, either ameliorative or curative, on CDK induced with adenine. Thirty Wistar albino rats were separated into five groups of 6 rats' each: rats of group Ι were kept as control given saline, rats of group II were treated with infliximab (5 mg/kg, i.p.) for 5 weeks, rats of group ΙΙΙ (the diseased group) had an adenine containing diet (0.25% W/W in feed) for 5 weeks, rats of group ΙV (the ameliorative group) had an adenine-containing diet and infliximab (5 mg/kg, i.p.) for 5 weeks simultaneously, and rats of group V (the curative group) had adenine containing diet then a single dose of infliximab (5 mg/kg, i.p.) was given in the 6th week. Infliximab treatment revealed a decrease in the plasma levels of urea, creatinine, NGAL, and MDA with a substantial increase in TAC. Also, inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 and NF-κB were significantly decreased with the down-regulation of the ASK1/MAPK/JNK pathway. Caspase 3 was downregulated. Also, infliximab treatment exhibited improvement in the histological and immunohistochemical kidney changes. Through its involvement in reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, infliximab has an ameliorative and curative effect on CKD induced with adenine.

MicroRNA-21 and MicroRNA-125b expression in skin tissue and serum as predictive biomarkers for psoriasis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, and hyperproliferative skin disease. We have investigated the role of miR-21 and miR-125b in the development of psoriasis and atopic eczema and their relation with the severity of the diseases. METHODS: Participants included 40 psoriasis patients, 40 healthy controls, and 40 atopic eczema patients as a positive control group. In addition, analysis of mRNA expression of miR-125b and miR-21 was carried out utilizing quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in serum samples and skin tissue. RESULTS: Our results have demonstrated that miR-21 was significantly overexpressed in the psoriatic and atopic eczema skin tissue and serum samples compared to controls, whereas miR-125b was significantly down-expressed in psoriatic and atopic eczema skin tissues and serum samples. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score and miR-21 among the studied groups in both serum and tissue samples. In contrast, there was a statistically significant negative association between the miR-125b and PASI score. On the other hand, there was no significant relation between the extent of body surface area (BSA), intensity, and subjective symptoms using visual analog scale (VAS) of atopic eczema disease and miRNA-21 and miRNA-125b in both tissue and serum. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, miR-21 gene expression was significantly increased in psoriatic and atopic eczema skin samples and serum samples, whereas miR-125b was statistically lowered in psoriatic and atopic eczema patient samples. The miR-21 and miR-125b expression level has a possible predictive value as a marker for psoriasis severity but not for atopic eczema severity.

The protective effect of allium cepa against ethylene glycol-induced kidney stones in rats.

1Background: Kidney stones is one of the serious medical conditions affecting populations worldwide. So, we aimed in this study to investigate the protective effect of allium cepa administration against KSD. 2Methods: 24 adult male albino rats were assigned into 3 groups; group I: control group; group II: received ethylene glycol (EG) in the drinking water for 4 weeks; and group III received EG in the drinking water plus freshly prepared allium cepa extract (ACE) for 4 weeks. Renal function tests and urine analysis were done. Tissue oxidative stress markers (SOD and MDA) were assessed, and kidney expression of SIRT-1, Beclin, LC3, osteopontin, and Regucalcin were measured by RT-qPCR. Histopathological assessment and immunohistochemistry for Bax, Beclin-1 and TNF-α were performed. 3Results: There was a significant improved kidney function tests in the ACE received group compared to EG group (P < 0.001). The present study showed less stones formation and apoptosis with decreased osteopontin and autophagy genes expression in the ACE received group compared to EG group (P < 0.001). While, regucalcin and SIRT-1 genes showed higher expression in the former group than the later group (P < 0.001). 4 Conclusion: Alium Cepa extract administration has a significant protective effect against kidney stones formation.

Role of Circ-ITCH Gene Polymorphisms and Its Expression in Breast Cancer Susceptibility and Prognosis.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer (BC) is the first leading cause of cancer-related mortality in females worldwide. We have investigated the correlation between circ-ITCH gene polymorphisms, circ-ITCH expression, and their effect on ß-catenin levels and BC development. METHODS: Participants included 62 BC and 62 controls matched in terms of age. The circ-ITCH polymorphisms rs10485505 and rs4911154 were genotyped using whole blood samples. In addition, mRNA expression analysis of circ-ITCH was performed on BC tissues. The ß-catenin levels in serum samples were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: The qRT-PCR results demonstrated that circ-ITCH was significantly downregulated in BC compared to normal healthy tissues. The genotype distribution of rs10485505 and rs4911154 were significantly associated with BC risk. For rs10485505, genotype CT and TT were significantly associated with an increased BC risk. In contrast, there was a significant association between rs4911154, genotypes GA and AA, and an increased BC risk. Regarding the rs10485505 genotype, carriers of the T allele frequently have a poor prognosis compared to carriers of the CC genotype. Serum ß-catenin in the BC patients' group was significantly higher than in the control group. The relative expression levels of circ-ITCH were remarkably decreased in the BC samples of patients carrying the A allele at rs4911154 compared to patients with a GG genotype. Conversely, ß-catenin protein levels were increased in patients carrying the A allele, while rs10485505 genotype carriers of the CT and TT genotypes showed downregulation of circ-ITCH expression fold compared to the CC genotype. Contrarily, ß-catenin levels markedly increased in TT and CT genotypes compared with the CC genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Our research showed that the rs10485505 polymorphism (T allele) and the rs4911154 polymorphism (A allele) are associated with the risk and prognosis of BC. This finding may be due to the effect on the level of circ-ITCH mRNA expression in BC tissues as well as the level of ß-catenin in BC patients.

The possible ameliorative role of Lycopene on Tributyltin induced thyroid damage in adult male albino rats (histological, immunohistochemical and biochemical study).

Tributyltin is used in industrial applications. This current research aimed to study the effect of Tributyltin on the thyroid gland structure and function of adult male albino rats and the protective effect of Lycopene. Twenty-one male adult albino rats were classified into three groups: Control, treated that received Tributyltin, and protective that received Lycopene with Tributyltin. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected and T4, T3, and (TSH) were measured. Tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated. Thyroid gland specimens were processed for histological and immunohistochemical examination. Then morphometric and statistical analyses were done. The treated group showed affection in thyroid function and histological structure as vacuolated colloid and cytoplasm and dark nuclei. Ultrastructurally, follicular cells showed irregular shrunken nuclei, atrophied apical microvilli, vacuoles, multiple lysosomal granules, mitochondria with destructed cristae, and extensively dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum. There was increase in Caspase-3 immunoexpression and decrease in Beclin-1 immunoexpression. The thyroid structure and biochemical markers improved after Lycopene administration. The thyroid gland damage caused by Tributyltin is ameliorated by Lycopene.

Ghrelin polymorphism/TRPV1 receptor expression in Egyptian IBS patients.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder. Ghrelin is a peptide hormone which affects gastrointestinal motility. We have studied the association between ghrelin gene polymorphism, ghrelin expression, and their effect on TRPV1 correlating this with IBS manifestations in the Egyptian patients. METHODS: Participants included 60 IBS patients meeting the Rome III criteria and 60 controls similar in age and gender were recruited. Whole blood samples were used for genotyping of Ghrelin polymorphisms rs696217. Colonic biopsies were processed for mRNA expression analysis of ghrelin and TRPV1. RESULTS: The rs696217 GG genotype frequency was higher in patients (78.3%) compared to controls (57%). According to GT\TT genotype there was significant difference between IBS and control group: 21.7%, 43% respectively (p = 0.0126). In allele frequency distribution, G allele in the IBS group was 87.5% while in the control group was 74%.T allele presents in 12.5% of IBS patients and 26% in the control group (p = 0.010). The genotype frequencies did not significantly differ between IBS subtypes. TRPV1 mRNA levels in were significantly increased in IBS patients than in controls (p < 0.05), while GHRL mRNA expression was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The IBS-C group showed significantly higher levels of TRPV1 and lower levels of GHRL mRNA expression (p < 0.05) CONCLUSIONS: we showed that ghrelin rs696217 might have a role in IBS, as those patients carrying the GG genotype showed a significant decrease in ghrelin mRNA expression, with a subsequent significant increase in TRPV1 gene expression, and could explain some of the IBS manifestations.