Conductometric investigation of nano MnSO4 association parameters and complex formation with glycylglycine in aqueous and methanol-water mixtures: Thermodynamic parameters and potential applications.

This study aimed to investigate the ion pair association values and association parameters of nano MnSO4 in water and methanol-water mixtures (20 % and 40 % methanol by mass percentage) at varying temperatures (298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15 K) using the conductometric technique. Additionally, the parameters for complex formation between nano MnSO4 and glycylglycine as a ligand were determined. The focus was on elucidating the thermodynamic formation parameters for the nano Mn2+-glycylglycine interaction, with particular emphasis on comparing the 1: 1 and 1: 2 (M: L) complexes to understand the complexation behavior more comprehensively. The results indicated that the complexation process was spontaneous, as evidenced by negative ΔGf (formation free energy change) values, which increased with temperature, highlighting the enhanced spontaneity of the process. The findings provide valuable insights into designing new materials and procedures by enhancing our understanding of the complexation behavior of nano MnSO4 with ligands like glycylglycine, thus contributing to advancements in various applications such as chemical synthesis, medicines, and environmental remediation. By elucidating the thermodynamic aspects of these interactions, the study aimed to provide valuable information that could be utilized in practical applications and further research endeavors.

A challenging case of sclerosing polycystic adenoma of the parotid gland: a case report and brief review of the latest updates.

Sclerosing polycystic adenoma (SPA) is a rare neoplastic salivary gland lesion with only about 100 cases reported worldwide so far. The lesion is confused with several malignant and other benign tumors such as apocrine intraductal carcinoma (IC), salivary duct carcinoma (SDC), chronic sclerosing sialadenitis, polycystic dysgenetic disease (PDD), pleomorphic adenoma (PA), acinic cell carcinoma (ACC), and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). We present a case of SPA for a 23-year-old male patient presenting with a slowly growing parotid mass. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) followed by total excision of the tumor was performed and the picture was consistent with SPA. We discuss the findings of the case and briefly review the literature on SPA.

Thymoquinone protects against cardiac mitochondrial DNA loss, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Myocardial infarction (MI) is an ischemic life-threatening disease with exaggerated oxidative stress state that vigorously damages the cardiomyocyte membrane and subcellular structures, including the vital mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The mtDNA is responsible for the proper functionality of the mitochondria, which are abundant in cardiomyocytes due to their dynamic nature and energy production requirements. Furthermore, oxidative stress triggers an inflammatory cascade and eventual apoptosis, which exacerbates cardiac injuries and dysfunction. AIM: The present study used an isoproterenol (ISP)-induced MI rat model to investigate the role of the main active constituent of Nigella Sativa seeds, thymoquinone (TQ), in preserving the cardiac mtDNA content and ameliorating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. METHODS: Rats in the (TQ + ISP) group were pre-treated with TQ (20 mg/kg/day) for 21 days before the MI induction using ISP (85 mg/kg/day). In addition, negative control and ISP groups were included in the study for comparison. A histopathological examination was performed and serum cardiac parameters (cTnI and LDH) were assessed. In addition, mtDNA content, oxidative stress parameters (MDA, GSH, SOD, GPx, and CAT), inflammatory mediators (IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α), and apoptosis markers (BAX, Bcl2, and caspase-3) were detected. RESULTS: The results showed that pre- and co-treatment with TQ in the (TQ + ISP) group reversed the histoarchitecture changes, caused a significant decrease in serum cardiac markers, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines, the apoptosis process, and preserved the cardiac mtDNA content. CONCLUSION: TQ is a cardioprotective agent with an extended effect on preserving the cardiac mtDNA content, in addition to its powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic action.

Thymoquinone dose-dependently attenuates myocardial injury induced by isoproterenol in rats via integrated modulations of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, and fibrosis.

As rats develop myocardial infarction (MI) like lesions when injected with large doses of isoproterenol (ISO), this investigation was designed to evaluate the dose-dependent effects of thymoquinone (TQ) on ISO-induced myocardial injury in rats. Adult male rats were divided into negative control, TQ20 (20 mg/kg/day), TQ50 (50 mg/kg/day), ISO positive control, TQ20 + ISO, and TQ50 + ISO groups. In these rats, biochemical, immunobiochemical, and histopathological studies were carried out to evaluate myocardial oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis, and autophagy, and the changes in serum cardiac biomarkers. The results showed that TQ pretreatment in ISO-administered rats produced a dose-dependent significant reduction of the myocardial infarct size, markedly reduced the ISO-induced elevation in serum cardiac markers and demonstrated several other important findings related to the cardioprotective efficacy of TQ. First, this study is the first reported research work showing that TQ treatment could increase the myocardial reduced glutathione baseline level, adding an indirect antioxidant effect to its known direct free radical scavenging effect. Second, pretreatment with TQ significantly reduced the markers of myocardial oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis. Third, TQ acted as an autophagy enhancer ameliorating myocardial cell damage and dysfunction. Thus, the morphological and biochemical changes associated with ISO-induced myocardial injury were ameliorated with TQ pretreatment. The extent of this improvement was significantly greater in the TQ50 + ISO group than in the TQ20 + ISO group. The present study, for the first time, demonstrates these dose-dependent effects of TQ in experimentally induced myocardial injury. These findings raise the possibility that TQ may serve as a promising prophylactic cardioprotective therapy for patients who are at risk of developing myocardial injury and against the progression of existent myocardial injury as in cases of MI.

Methylation of Glutathione-S-Transferase P1 Promotor in Egyptian Females with Breast Cancer.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cancer after the lung cancer worldwide and number one killing cancer in Egyptian females . It is a multifactorial disease driven by different environmental, hormonal, genetic and epigenetic factors. Epigenetic alterations have been studied in cancer breast. Role of GSTP1 promotor methylation in breast cancer has been studied in different ethnic groups. Objectives: Current study aimed at studying the methylation status of the promotor region of glutathione-S-transferase P1 in breast ductal carcinoma of a cohort group of Egyptian females and its correlations with histopathological and prognostic parameters. Methods: Control group included 15 fresh normal breast tissues taken from BC female patients after leaving a clearly defined safety margin and a Patient group included confirmed 35 fresh breast ductal carcinoma tissue biopsies taken from female patients postoperatively. To all patients clinical examination, radiological examination (plain X-ray chest and or CT scan, ultrasonography of abdomen and pelvis were done), in addition to histopathological examination, typing, grading and staging of tumour, hormonal receptors status and molecular typing of breast mass. GSTP1 methylation status was evaluated using methyl specific polymerase chain reaction. Results: Statistical significant increase was found in methylation status of GSTP1 promotor gene in BC cases than that in control group, (60% of patients samples had methylated GSTP1 promotor vs only 6.7% of controls) (p= >0.001). No association was found between GSTP1 promotor methylation status and the poor prognostic factors neither with hormonal profile nor molecular type. However, GSTP1 promotor methylation were two times higher in postmenopausal than premenopausal cases and three times higher in late grade (III). Also GSTP1 promotor methylation was 2.4 times higher in Her2 positive cases than either ER or PR positive cases. Conclusion: Glutathione-S-Transferase P1 Promotor methylation plays a role in breast cancer development.

Superior protective effects of febuxostat plus alpha-lipoic acid on renal ischemia/reperfusion-induced hepatorenal injury in rats.

A complex cascade of pathological events including oxidative stress and inflammation is involved in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced local and remote organ injuries. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of febuxostat (FEB), a selective xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor, and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a strong antioxidant, on the kidney and liver changes induced by renal I/R in rats. Renal I/R was induced in rats by clamping renal pedicles for 1 h followed by 2 h reperfusion. Fifty rats were assigned to five groups as follows: sham operated; vehicle + I/R; FEB + I/R; ALA + I/R, and (FEB + ALA) + I/R. Drug treatment was given 24 h and 1 h before I/R induction. Serum and tissue biochemical parameters and histopathological changes were examined after reperfusion. Serum creatinine, urea and uric acid levels, and alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities were elevated after renal I/R. An increase in XO, myeloperoxidase, and malondialdehyde levels was observed in kidney and liver tissues with a concomitant decrease in both the glutathione level and superoxide dismutase activity. In addition, kidney and liver sections of vehicle-pretreated rats subjected to I/R exhibited a pronounced alteration in microanatomy. FEB, ALA, or FEB + ALA pretreatment attenuated the serum and tissue biochemical changes with amelioration of the histopathological changes in both the kidney and liver. The findings of this study revealed that FEB in combination with ALA had a greater protective effect than either drug alone. Thus, FEB and ALA co-administration may provide a potential superior therapeutic strategy to protect the kidney and liver against renal I/R-induced injury.

Hepatorenal protection in renal ischemia/reperfusion by celecoxib and pentoxifylline.

BACKGROUND: Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a major clinical problem. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial involving oxidative stress, cytokine overproduction, and inflammatory responses in the kidney and remote organs. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of celecoxib (CEB) and pentoxifylline (PTX) on kidney and liver changes after renal I/R in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Renal ischemia was induced by clamping renal pedicles for 1 h followed by reperfusion for another 1 h. The rats were assigned to five groups: sham control, untreated I/R, CEB + I/R, PTX + I/R, and (CEB + PTX)+I/R. Drug treatment was given for 7 d before I/R. Serum and tissue biochemical and histomorphologic changes were evaluated after reperfusion. RESULTS: Renal I/R caused changes in kidney and liver histology with a significant reduction in the function of both organs. An increase in tumor necrosis factor-alpha, myeloperoxidase, and malondialdehyde levels with a decrease in glutathione content and superoxide dismutase activity was observed in kidney and liver tissues. Pretreatment with CEB, PTX, or CEB + PTX attenuated all these changes and the extent of improvement was similar in all drug-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first experimental work demonstrating the simultaneous nephroprotective and hepatoprotective effects of CEB and PTX after renal I/R. It seems likely that both drugs protect the kidney and liver by reducing oxidative stress, attenuating tumor necrosis factor-alpha production and inhibiting neutrophil tissue infiltration. No additive protective effects were observed in rats received the combined treatment. Thus, our results may imply a promising therapeutic approach by using CEB or PTX to protect the kidney and liver against the hazardous consequences of renal I/R.