Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease rat model: Emerging role of SIRT1.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex form of neurodegenerative dementia. Growing body of evidence supports the cardinal role of sirtuin1 (SIRT1) in neurodegeneration and AD development. Recently, adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Ad-MSCs) have made their mark for a wide array of regenerative medicine applications, including neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of Ad-MSCs in AD rat model, and to explore the possible implication of SIRT1. Ad-MSCs were isolated from rat epididymal fat pads and properly characterized. Aluminum chloride was used to induce AD in rats, and afterward, a group of AD-induced rats received a single dose of Ad-MSCs (2 × 106 cell, I.V per rat). One month after Ad-MSCs transplantation, behavioral tests were done, brain tissues were collected, then histopathological and biochemical assessments were performed. Amyloid beta and SIRT1 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Whereas expression levels of neprilysin, BCL2 associated X protein, B-cell lymphoma-2, interleukin-1ß, interleukin-6, and nerve growth factor in hippocampus and frontal cortex brain tissues were assessed using reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our data demonstrated that transplantation of Ad-MSCs alleviated cognitive impairment in AD rats. Additionally, they exhibited anti-amyloidogenic, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, as well as neurogenic effects. Furthermore, Ad-MSCs were found to possibly mediate their therapeutic effects, at least partially, via modulating both central and systemic SIRT1 levels. Hence, the current study portrays Ad-MSCs as an effective therapeutic approach for AD management and opens the door for future investigations to further elucidate the role of SIRT1 and its interrelated molecular mediators in AD.

Beyond mechanical loading: The metabolic contribution of obesity in osteoarthritis unveils novel therapeutic targets.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent progressive disease that frequently coexists with obesity. For several decades, OA was thought to be the result of ageing and mechanical stress on cartilage. Researchers' perspective has been greatly transformed when cumulative findings emphasized the role of adipose tissue in the diseases. Nowadays, the metabolic effect of obesity on cartilage tissue has become an integral part of obesity research; hoping to discover a disease-modifying drug for OA. Recently, several adipokines have been reported to be associated with OA. Particularly, metrnl (meteorin-like) and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) have been recognized as emerging adipokines that can mediate OA pathogenesis. Accordingly, in this review, we will summarize the latest findings concerned with the metabolic contribution of obesity in OA pathogenesis, with particular emphasis on dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and adipokines. Additionally, we will discuss the most recent adipokines that have been reported to play a role in this context. Careful consideration of these molecular mechanisms interrelated with obesity and OA will undoubtedly unveil new avenues for OA treatment.

Golgi signalling proteins GOLPH3, MYO18A, PITPNC1 and RAB1B: implications in prognosis and survival outcomes of AML patients.

BACKGROUND: The role of different Golgi signalling proteins remains unexplored in the progression and spread of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), whom all interact together in a way that facilitates proliferation and differentiation of myeloid lineage cells. OBJECTIVE: Since Golgi apparatus acts as master brain in membrane trafficking and signalling events that affect cell polarity necessary for migration, division, or differentiation; this study aims to explore the association between signalling proteins and the diagnosis, prognosis, and survival of AML patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study comprised 70 newly diagnosed AML patients and 20 healthy controls to investigate the serum levels of signalling proteins; Golgi Phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3), Myosin 18A (MYO18A), Cytoplasmic Phosphatidylinositol Transfer Protein 1 (PITPNC1) and Ras-Associated Binding Protein 1B (RAB1B). RESULTS: AML patients showed higher serum levels of GOLPH3, MYO18A, PITPNC1 and RAB1B when compared to control (p < 0.001). A significant negative correlation was found between the patients' overall survival and GOLPH3 (p = 0.001), MYO18A (p = 0.011), PITPNC1 (p = 0.001) and RAB1B (p = 0.042). Results were confirmed by Kaplen-Meier survival analysis showing lower survival estimates in patients with higher GOLPH3 (p = 0.014), MYO18A (p = 0.047), PITPNC1 (p = 0.008) and RAB1B (p = 0.033) serum levels. CONCLUSION: GOLPH3, MYO18A, PITPNC1 and RAB1B maybe promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in AML patients.

Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation of MEFV Gene and Their Impact on Clinical Outcome in Auto-Inflammatory Familial Mediterranean Fever Patients.

Epigenetic modifications play a pivotal role in autoimmune/inflammatory disorders and could establish a bridge between personalized medicine and disease epidemiological contexts. We sought to investigate the role of epigenetic modifications beside genetic alterations in the MEFV gene in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). The study comprised 63 FMF patients diagnosed according to the Tel Hashomer criteria: 37 (58.7%) colchicine-responders, 26 (41.3%) non-responders, and 19 matched healthy controls. MEFV mutations were detected using a CE/IVD-labeled 4-230 FMF strip assay. DNA methylation of MEFV gene exon 2 was measured using bisulfite modification and related to pyrin level, phenotypic picture, MEFV mutations, disease severity, serum amyloid A (SAA), CRP, ESR, disease severity, and colchicine response. Our results showed that FMF patients exhibited significantly higher methylation percentage (p < 0.001) and lower pyrin levels (p < 0.001) compared to the control. The MEFV gene M694I mutation was the most commonly reported mutation (p < 0.004). High methylation percentage of the MEFV exon 2 and low pyrin concentration were correlated with disease severity, high SAA, ESR levels, H-pylori, and renal calculi. In conclusion, this study highlights the relation between high methylation percentage, reduced pyrin level, and different biomarkers in FMF, which underscores their role in the pathogenesis of FMF and could be considered as potential therapeutic targets.

Rhamnetin ameliorates non-alcoholic steatosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) is a widespread disease with various complications including Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that could lead to cirrhosis and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Up till now there is no FDA approved drug for treatment of NAFLD. Flavonoids such as Rhamnetin (Rhm) have been ascribed effective anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Thus, Rhm as a potent flavonoid could target multiple pathological cascades causing NAFLD to prevent its progression into HCC. NAFLD is a multifactorial disease and its pathophysiology is complex and is currently challenged by the 'Multiple-hit hypothesis' that includes wider range of comorbidities rather than previously established theory of 'Two-hit hypothesis'. Herein, we aimed at establishing reliable in vitro NASH models using different mixtures of variable ratios and concentrations of oleic acid (OA) and palmitic acid (PA) combinations using HepG2 cell lines. Moreover, we compared those models in the context of oil red staining, triglyceride levels and their altered downstream molecular signatures for genes involved in de novo lipogenesis, inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptotic machineries as well. Lastly, the effect of Rhm on NASH and HCC models was deeply investigated. Over the 10 NASH models tested, PA 500 µM concentration was the best model to mimic the molecular events of steatosis induced NAFLD. Rhm successfully ameliorated the dysregulated molecular events caused by the PA-induced NASH. Additionally, Rhm regulated inflammatory and oxidative machinery in the HepG2 cancerous cell lines. In conclusion, PA 500 µM concentration is considered an effective in vitro model to mimic NASH. Rhm could be used as a promising therapeutic modality against both NASH and HCC pathogenesis.

Effect of Lisinopril and Verapamil on Angiopoietin 2 and Endostatin in Hypertensive Diabetic Patients with Nephropathy: A Randomized Trial.

Angiogenesis is a multistep process implicated in the pathophysiology and progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and calcium channel blockers (CCB) have an important role in DN. We performed a randomized-controlled trial of lisinopril alone (an ACEI) or in combination with verapamil (a CCB) as a therapy for DN in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with hypertension (HTN) and urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) (30-300 mg/g) also to evaluate their effect on UACR, the angiogenic proteins: Angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2) and Endostatin (EST). Forty T2DM patients with microalbuminuria, aged 45-65 years were included. Patients were randomly assigned into group 1 receiving oral lisinopril and group 2 receiving oral lisinopril and verapamil once daily. After 3 months follow-up fasting blood glucose (FPG), HbA1c, lipid profile, UACR, serum urea and creatinine levels were assessed. EST and Ang-2 were measured using ELISA technique. Baseline Ang-2 and EST levels were elevated in both groups compared with controls (p<0.001). After follow-up, group 2 had significantly decreased FPG, HbA1c, UACR, EST and Ang-2 compared with their baseline levels (p<0.001 for all comparisons) and with group 1 (p<0.001). No adverse reactions were reported. Baseline EST and Ang-2 were positively correlated to UACR (r=0.753, p<0.001) (r=0.685, p<0.001). Lisinopril/verapamil combination enhanced glycemic control and kidney function via diminishing EST and Ang-2. This combination can be considered as a safe and effective approach for early stage nephropathy therapy in T2DM.

Luteolin mitigates tamoxifen-associated fatty liver and cognitive impairment in rats by modulating beta-catenin.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Tamoxifen (TAM) therapy has been associated with fatty liver diseases. Recently, multiple reports have also shown that TAM is related to cognitive impairment in patients with breast cancer. Luteolin, a natural flavonoid, has been traditionally used to treat various inflammatory disorders, such as chronic liver diseases, cognitive impairments, and cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the potential protective effects of luteolin against the cognitive defects and liver steatosis induced by TAM in rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The diseased group was subcutaneously (s.c) injected with TAM at a dose of 1 mg/kg daily for 7 days. The cotreated groups were given luteolin via oral gavage at a dose of 20 or 40 mg/kg concomitantly with s.c injection of TAM at a dose of 1 mg/kg for 7 days. All the groups were subjected to behavioral tests 24 h after the last TAM injection. Then, the rats were sacrificed 3 days after the last TAM injection. RESULTS: Luteolin cotreatment significantly alleviated the behavioral defects in rats with TAM-induced cognitive impairment. This finding was supported by the reversal of neurodegeneration in the cortex and in the hippocampal regions of the brain. Furthermore, luteolin attenuated hepatic steatosis and decreased the levels of serum aminotransferases and hypertriglyceridemia. As an anti-inflammatory agent, luteolin cotreatment similarly decreased the levels of hepatic inflammatory markers and increased the levels of hepatic ß-catenin in TAM-induced fatty liver. CONCLUSIONS: Luteolin improved the TAM-induced cognitive impairment and hepatic steatosis in rats by alleviating inflammation and modulating hepatic ß-catenin levels.

Investigation of the relationship between CTLA4 and the tumor suppressor RASSF1A and the possible mediating role of STAT4 in a cohort of Egyptian patients infected with hepatitis C virus with and without hepatocellular carcinoma.

The Ras association domain family 1 isoform A (RASSF1A), cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) genes play a role in regulating the cell cycle, apoptosis, and the autoimmune response against cancer. We investigated the genotype frequency and the possible association of the rs2073498 (RASSF1A), rs5742909 (CTLA-4) and rs7574865 (STAT4) genetic variants with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-G4-mediated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression in Egyptian patients. Fifty patients with HCV infection, 50 patients with HCV-mediated HCC, and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited. The investigated variants were genotyped based on polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The Ser133 mutant G4 variant of the rs2073498 SNP in RASSF1A exhibited a positive correlation with HCC incidence risk (OR = 0.571, 95% CI = 0.175-1.865, P < 0.001). The rs7574865 variant in STAT4 (G/T) occurred frequently in both HCV groups, with a significant incidence risk (OR = 1.583, 95% CI = 1.123-2.232, P = 0.005). The rs5742909 change in CTLA4 (C/T) did not show a significant difference between HCV-mediated HCC cases and the control group (OR = 4.5, 95% CI = 1.326-15.277, P > 0.001). Activation of the immune checkpoint gene CTLA4 or polymorphism in the encoded CTLA4 protein causes phosphorylation of kinases needed for RAS gene activation. This in turn downregulates the tumor suppressor RASSF1, inhibiting apoptosis and leading to HCC development, indicating a negative impact of CTLA4 gene polymorphism on HCV-mediated HCC cases. A major determinant of disease progression could be immune system genetic variants, together with the presence of costimulatory factors. The rs2073498 and rs7574865 variations in the RASSF1A and STAT4 genes, respectively, could be genetic susceptibility factors for Egyptian patients with HCV-mediated HCC.

Serum levels of FAK and some of its effectors in adult AML: correlation with prognostic factors and survival.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), human myofibrillogenesis regulator-1 (MR-1), ephrin receptor type A4 (EphA4), proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase Src (Src), and protein kinase C (PKC) are important markers in proliferation, survival, and migration in some cancers. However, the significance of each is still unclear in different malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate their serum levels in Egyptian adult de novo AML patients (n = 70) against healthy volunteers (n = 20). We managed to study the correlation between each pair and to investigate their association with diagnosis, prognosis, and survival. Serum levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that FAK, MR-1, Src, and PKC serum levels were significantly higher in AML patients compared to control (p < 0.0001), and this was associated with significantly lower EphA4 level (p < 0.0001). Interestingly, we also observed a significant negative correlation of FAK (p = 0.027), MR-1 (p = 0.003), Src (p = 0.038), and PKC (p = 0.03) with patients' overall survival (OS) while there was a positive significant correlation between EphA4 and OS (p = 0.007). In conclusion, this study suggests that FAK, MR-1, EphA4, Src, and PKC may be used as early diagnostic and prognostic markers with high sensitivity and specificity in AML patients and thus may be incorporated into the patients' early diagnostic and prognostic panels.

Berberine ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cognitive impairment (chemobrain) in rats.

AIMS: Cognitive decline is one of the most challenging issues for cancer survivors undergoing doxorubicin (DOX) based chemotherapy. Oxidative stress and inflammation primarily through tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) are considered the key contributors to DOX-induced chemobrain. Berberine (BBR) has attracted much interest because of its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic actions. This study aimed to evaluate the potential neuroprotective effect of BBR in DOX-induced neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chemobrain was induced by DOX i.p. injection at the dose of 2 mg/kg, once/week, for four consecutive weeks. Rats were treated with BBR (100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 5 days/week for four consecutive weeks. KEY FINDINGS: BBR significantly attenuated behavioral defects in DOX-induced cognitive impairment. Besides, BBR reversed histopathological abnormalities. Mechanistically, it reversed DOX-induced neuroinflammation by attenuating NF-κB gene and protein expression in addition to diminishing expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α and IL-1ß), as well as apoptotic related factors (Bax, Bcl2 and Bax/Bcl2 ratio). Additionally, BBR activated the anti-oxidative defense via upregulating the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). BBR improved synaptic plasticity through cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These effects were related through the modulation of Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) expression. SIGNIFICANCE: BBR is highlighted to induce neuroprotection against DOX-induced cognitive decline through modulating brain growth factors and imposing an anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative effects.

Potential emerging roles of the novel adipokines adipolin/CTRP12 and meteorin-like/METRNL in obesity-osteoarthritis interplay.

BACKGROUND: Several insights into obesity-osteoarthritis (OA) relationship have been recently highlighted. Adipolin and metrnl are new adipokines also secreted by chondrocytes. However, their role in OA, and obesity-OA interplay hasn't been elucidated. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the circulating as well as synovial fluid (SF) levels of adipolin and metrnl in osteoarthritic-patients compared to non-osteoarthritic subjects, and to study their association with OA-severity, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance (IR). METHODS: Patients with osteoarthritis and obesity (n = 30), and subjects with obesity not suffering OA (n = 25) were enrolled in the current study. Circulating and SF-levels of adipolin, metrnl, and insulin, as well as SF-levels of matrix-metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) were measured by ELISA. Knee-radiographs using X-ray were done to determine OA-severity, and investigate its association with adipokines' levels. RESULTS: Serum and SF-adipolin levels showed tendency to be lower in OA-patients compared to non-OA-subjects; serum: 0.64 [0.45-0.85] and 0.73 [0.62-0.78] ng/ml, p = 0.174, and SF: 0.53 [0.34-0.69] and 0.63 [0.44-0.74] ng/ml, p = 0.353, respectively. Additionally, serum adipolin showed negative-association with SF-MMP-13. However, when stratifying OA-patients into various severity grades, serum adipolin levels did not show a significant difference between them. Regarding serum metrnl, it was significantly lower in OA-patients compared to non-OA-subjects; 19.68 [10.40-53.40] and 48.83 [20.80-86.60] pg/ml, respectively, p = 0.018. Surprisingly, SF-metrnl levels were higher in OA-patients compared to non-OA-subjects; 912 [367-1524] and 315 [125-484] pg/ml, respectively, p = 0.007. SF-metrnl showed positive-association with insulin resistance, and negative-association with SF-MMP-13. Moreover, higher serum metrnl levels were found to be slightly associated with lower likelihood of OA in subjects with obesity; OR = 0.978, CI (0.960- 0.996), p = 0.02, and its levels were also found to be relatively lower in grade-4 compared to the less severe OAgrades. CONCLUSIONS: Metrnl, and to a lesser extent adipolin seem to be interrelated with OA. Different in-context regulatory mechanisms for metrnl production from various tissues are strongly suggested. Importantly, the findings of the current study shed lights on metrnl as a potential novel mediator and therapeutic target to consider in obesity-OA interplay.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 truncating mutations and variants of unknown significance in Egyptian female breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide and the leading cause of cancer death in economically developing countries. We sought to study the contribution of BRCA1/2 mutations to the burden of breast cancer in Egypt. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 103 Egyptian female breast cancer patients, unselected for age of onset or family history, were included in the study. Mutational screening of some exons of BRCA1/2 genes was performed using High Resolution Melting analysis followed by direct sequencing of detected variants. RESULTS: Twenty sequence variants were identified. According to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP) guidelines, 8 variants were classified as pathogenic (Class 5), 1 as likely pathogenic and 11 as variants of unknown significance (Class 3). The pathogenic variants comprised 5 novel frameshift mutations; BRCA1 c.5205delA and BRCA2 (c.3641delT, c.3291dupT, c.3292delA, and c.787dupA) mutations; 1 novel nonsense mutation (BRCA2 c.3280A>T) and 2 previously described missense mutations (BRCA1 c.117T>G, c.110C>A). CONCLUSION: This study provides the results of our attempt to delineate the genetic aspect of breast cancer among the Egyptian population and emphasizes the necessity of implementing screening strategies for early diagnosis and counseling for breast cancer in Egypt.

Evaluation of Serum Integrin αvß3 & Vitronectin in the Early Diagnosis of Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of serum vitronectin and integrin alpha V beta 3 (αvß3) levels with various clinicopathological parameters of breast cancer and to assess the diagnostic value of these markers alone or in combination with the conventional breast cancer biomarker CA15.3. METHODS: This study included 50 early diagnosed stage I - II primary breast cancer patients, 20 patients with fibroadenoma benign lesions, and 20 apparently normal healthy controls. Integrin αVß3, vitronectin, and CA15.3 levels were measured using ELISA technique. RESULTS: Serum levels of integrin αVß3 and vitronectin were significantly higher in the malignant group than those in the benign group and the control group with (p < 0.001). Significant positive correlation between integrin αvß3 and vitronectin concentrations was found. Both markers showed significant statistically difference with lymph node, histological grade, tumor stage, and tumor size (p < 0.05). Integrin αvß3 exhibited the highest sensitivity (70%) and specificity (68%), then vitronectin with 67% and 68%, respectively, followed by CA15.3 showing the least sensitivity and specificity (65% and 62%, respectively). All assessed parameters revealed comparable area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) 95% confidence interval (CI) range of 0.581 - 0.822. CONCLUSIONS: Integrin αvß3 is a promising biomarker alone or in combination with vitronectin and CA15.3 for diagnosis and prognosis of early stage breast cancer.

HMGB1 and SEPP1 as predictors of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with viral C hepatitis: Effect of DAAs.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C viral infection (HCV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are potential health problems. New directly acting antivirals (DAAs) changed HCV treatment strategies. Selenoprotein P1 (SEPP1) is a hepatokine implicated in HCC pathogenesis. High mobility group box1 (HMGB1), a nuclear DNA-binding protein, involved in immune and inflammatory responses in HCV and HCC. Therefore, the aim of current study was to investigate HMGB1 and SEPP1 levels in HCV and HCV + HCC patients and exploring DAAs effect on them. METHODS: 15 healthy volunteers, 25 HCV and 25 HCV + HCC patients were included. Liver function tests, alpha fetoprotein (AFP), SEPP1 and HMGB1 serum levels were evaluated. For HCV group blood samples before and after treatment with sofosbuvir/daclatasvir combination were collected. RESULTS: HMGB1 was significantly higher in HCV + HCC group than in control and HCV groups (p < .05). SEPP1 decreased significantly in HCV and HCV + HCC groups compared to control group (p < .001). SEPP1 significantly elevated after treatment with DAAs (p = .001). HMGB1 and SEPP1 were negatively correlated with each other in HCV group (p = .047). Logistic regression analysis showed that HMGB1 and SEPP1 could be used as predictors for HCC in HCV infected patients (p = .02,p = .002) respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) revealed HMGB1 had 32% sensitivity and 100% specificity in differentiating HCV from HCV + HCC patients, both SEPP1 and HMGB1 had high sensitivity (92%,60%) and 93% specificity in differentiating healthy from HCV + HCC group. CONCLUSION: HMGB1 and SEPP1 are involved in pathogenesis of HCV and HCV induced HCC. Both of them could serve as predictive biomarkers for HCC in HCV patients.

E-cadherin and periostin in early detection and progression of diabetic nephropathy: epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Many mechanisms are involved in its development; one of these mechanisms is epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). During EMT, losing of the epithelial biomarkers like E-cadherin and increasing of mesenchymal biomarkers like periostin are very characteristic. METHODS: The study included 19 healthy controls and 71 DN patients categorized according to their urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) into 19 normoalbuminuric (UACR < 30 mg/g), 37 microalbuminuric (UACR 30-300 mg/g), and 15 macroalbuminuric (UACR > 300 mg/g) patients. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C%), serum creatinine (Cr), and urea were measured. E-cadherin and periostin were measured by ELISA and compared among groups. RESULTS: Concerning E-cadherin levels, in comparison to control group, there were significantly decreased in all groups (0.94, 0.52, and 0.14 ng/mL in normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria groups; respectively). For periostin levels, nonsignificant increase in normoalbuminuria (0.32 ng/mL) than control group (0.3 ng/mL) was observed. There was a significant increase in other groups with the highest values in macroalbuminuria group (1.66 ng/mL). E-cadherin and periostin were correlated with each other (r = - 0.353, P < 0.001). UACR was negatively correlated with E-cadherin and positively correlated with periostin. ROC curve analyses showed that the AUC to diagnose established microalbuminuria using E-cadherin was 0.998 (95% CI 0. 932-1), and using periostin was 0.833 (95% CI 0.709-0.919). CONCLUSION: Serum E-cadherin and periostin could be considered as reliable biomarkers involved in DN pathogenesis and linked to its stages.

Epidermal growth factor receptor and podocin predict nephropathy progression in type 2 diabetic patients through interaction with the autophagy influencer ULK-1.

AIMS: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) that progress to end stage renal failure is a serious health problem. Autophagy is involved in DN pathogenesis. Finding renal prognostic biomarkers can help in the future renal status prevision. Therefore, the aim of current study was to evaluate and correlate circulating levels of autophagy regulator protein Unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK-1) with the widely expressed receptor in mammalian kidney; epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR); and the key functional podocyte protein podocin (PDCN). METHODS: Serum levels were assessed by ELISA in 72 type 2 diabetic patients classified according to their urinary albumin/creatinine ratio; 19 normoalbuminuric, 37 microalbuminuric and 16 macroalbuminuric patients; age and sex matched with 18 healthy controls. RESULTS: Microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria patients exhibited decreased ULK-1, EGFR and PDCN levels. Only EGFR showed lower levels in normoalbuminuria compared with controls. ULK-1 and EGFR were significantly higher in normoalbuminuria compared with microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria patients. ULK-1, EGFR and PDCN were correlated with each other and with some metabolic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: ULK-1 with EGFR can predict early impairment in DN while PDCN can highlight progressive DN risk EGFR and PDCN may interact synergistically with ULK-1 in autophagy dysregulation as a pathogenic mechanism of DN induction and progression.

Role of CTRP3, CTRP9 and MCP-1 for the evaluation of T2DM associated coronary artery disease in Egyptian postmenopausal females.

C1q complement/tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related protein (CTRP) family comprises of 15 proteins that posses important implications in energy homeostasis, infection and inflammation. However, their roles in diabetes mellitus (DM) and its vascular complications have not been completely assessed. This works aims to study the association of two CTRPs; 3 and 9, with pro-inflammatory cytokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and biochemical parameters of type 2 diabetes (T2D), dyslipidemia and coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Biochemical markers and serum levels of CTRPs and MCP-1 were measured in 86 postmenopausal females. Subjects were divided over four groups; 13 apparent healthy subjects as control (group I), 29 patients with CAD (group II), 29 patients with T2D ≥5 years (group III) and 15 patients with CAD secondary to T2D (group IV). Serum CTRP3, CTRP9, MCP-1 and insulin were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Serum CTRP3 levels were found to be significantly higher in group III and IV, whereas, it was significantly lower in group II on comparing to group I. While, CTRP9 levels were significantly decreased in group II, III and IV on comparing to group I. MCP-1 levels were found to be significantly increased in groups II, III and IV on comparison with group I. Both CTRPs were significantly negatively correlated with each other. While MCP-1 was significantly correlated negatively to CTRP9. CONCLUSION: This study associates the possible role of CTRP3, CTRP9 and MCP-1/CCL2 in the diagnosis/prognosis of CAD complication in T2D postmenopausal females.

Biomolecular study of human thymidylate synthase conformer-selective inhibitors: New chemotherapeutic approach.

Thymidylate synthase (TS) is a well-validated target for the therapy of adult cancers. Propane-1,3-diphosphonic acid (PDPA) has significant inhibitory properties against human thymidylate synthase (hTS) relative to mouse TS which is not predicted to adopt an inactive conformer. The current research aims to identify novel, lead inhibitors of hTS and examine the prediction that they bind selectively to hTS enzymes existing in different conformational equilibria. Conformer-selectivity was evaluated through performing activity inhibition studies, as well as intrinsic fluorescence (IF) studies in comparison to the known orthosteric inhibitor raltitrexed (RTX). Human TS was isolated from recombinant bacteria expressing either native hTS, capable of conformational switching, or an actively stabilized mutant (R163K-hTS). The examined test compounds were rationally or virtually predicted to have inhibitory activity against hTS. Among these compounds, glutarate, N-(4-carboxyphenyl) succinamic acid, and diglycolic anhydride showed higher selectivity towards native hTS as compared to R163K-hTS. The active site inhibitor RTX showed significantly higher inhibition of R163K-hTS relative to hTS. Targeting hTS via conformational selectivity represents a future approach for overcoming reported resistance towards active-state TS analogs.

Obestatin can potentially differentiate Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells into insulin-producing cells.

In vitro-generation of ß-cells from Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) could provide a potential basis for diabetes mellitus cell therapy. However, the generation of functional insulin-producing cells (IPCs) from WJ-MSCs remains a challenge. Recently, obestatin, a gut hormone, was found to promote ß-cell generation from pancreatic precursor cells. Accordingly, we hypothesize that obestatin can induce the differentiation of WJ-MSCs into IPCs. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to examine the ability of obestatin to generate IPCs in comparison to well-known extrinsic factors that are commonly used in IPCs differentiation protocols from MSCs, namely exendin-4 and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). To achieve our aims, WJ-MSCs were isolated, cultured and characterized by immunophenotyping and adipocytes differentiation. Afterwards, WJ-MSCs were induced to differentiate into IPCs using two differentiation protocols incorporating either exendin-4, GLP-1 or obestatin. The pancreatic progenitor marker, nestin and ß-cell differentiation markers were assessed by qRT-PCR, while the functionality of the generated IPCs was assessed by glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Our results showed that WJ-MSCs exhibit all the characteristics of MSCs. Interestingly, using obestatin in both the short and long differentiation protocols managed to induce the expression of ß-cell markers, similar to exendin-4. In GSIS, IPCs generated using either GLP-1 or obestatin showed higher secretion of insulin as compared to those generated using exendin-4 under low-glucose conditions but failed to show a significant response to increased glucose. These results indicate obestatin can be considered as a novel potential factor to consider for generation of IPCs from WJ-MSCs.