The impact of curcumin and its modified formulations on Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major health problem worldwide, with no effective treatment approach. Curcumin is the main ingredient of turmeric traditionally used in Asian medicine. Several experimental studies have indicated the protective effect of curcumin and its novel formulations in AD. Curcumin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic activities, proposing a strong potential to prevent neurodegenerative diseases. However, there are no sufficient clinical trials to confirm curcumin use in AD patients. Low bioavailability following oral administration of curcumin limits its usage in human. The present study was designed to gather the effects of curcumin and its modified formulations in human and experimental models of AD.     

Biochemical evidence on the potential role of methyl mercury in hepatic glucose metabolism through inflammatory signaling and free radical pathways

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an extremely important environmental toxicant posing serious health risks to human health and a big source of environmental pollutant. Numerous evidence available showing a link between nervous system toxicity and MeHg exposure. Other forms of mercury are reason of metabolic toxic effects and alteration of DNA in the human body. The sources of exposure could be occupational or other environmental settings. In the present study MeHg was orally gavaged to mice, at doses of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Fasting hyperglycemia, activity of hepatic phoshphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose 6-phoshphate were reported high as compared to control group. Inflammatory markers like, tumor necrosis factor α, the actual end product of inflammatory mediators’ cascade pathway was also raised in comparison to control group. Hyperinsulinemia observed in serum showed clear understanding of mercury induced insulin resistance. Moreover, tissue damage due to increased oxidative stress markers like, hepatic lipid peroxidation, 8-deoxygunosine, reactive oxygen species, and carbonyl groups was significantly higher as compared to control group. MeHg caused a significant reduction in antioxidant markers like ferric reducing antioxidant power and total thiol molecules. The present study highlighted that activity of key enzymes involved in glucose metabolism is changed, owing to MeHg induced toxicity in the liver. Induction of similar toxic effects assumed to be stimulated by the production of high quantity free radicals.     

The role of inflammation,oxidative stress,angiogenesis, and apoptosis in the pathophysiology of endometriosis: Basic science and new insights based on gene expression

Endometriosis is a frequent and chronic illness in young women which could be defined by the existence of endometrial stroma and glands outside of the normal site of the lining of the uterus. It has painful symptoms. The advanced stage of endometriosis may lead to gynecological malignancies, such as ovarian cancer, and other complications, including infertility. However, its exact physiopathology is not well known. Recent studies have shown the possible roles of inflammation along with oxidative stress. Additionally, angiogenesis and apoptosis dysregulation contribute to endometriosis pathophysiology. Therapeutic strategies and continuing attempts, to conquer endometriosis should be done regarding molecular signaling pathways. Thus, the present review summarizes current studies and focuses on molecular mechanisms.     

Optimization of Anti-CXCL10 Nanobody Expression Using Response Surface Methodology and Evaluation of its Anti-metastatic Effect on Breast Cancer cells

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Some chemokines and chemokine receptors play important roles in various types of autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and cancer...     

Cardiomyocyte marker expression in a human lymphocyte cell line using mouse cardiomyocyte extract

Cell transplantation shows potential for the treatment of cardiac diseases. Embryonic stem cells, cord blood and mesenchymal stem cells have been suggested as sources for transplantation therapy. Because of some technical limitations with the use of stem cells, transdifferentiation of fully differentiated cells is a potentially useful alternative. We investigated whether human peripheral blood cells could transdifferentiate into cardiomyocyte. Transdifferentiation was induced in a human B lymphocyte cell line (Raji). Cardiomyocyte extract was prepared from adult mouse cardiomyocytes. The cells were treated with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine and trichostatin A, permeabilized with streptolysin O, and exposed to the mouse cardiomyocyte extract. They were cultured for 10 days, 3 weeks and 4 weeks. Cardiomyocyte markers were detected with immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Immunocytochemistry revealed that some cells expressed myosin heavy chain, α-actinin and cardiac troponin T after 3 and 4 weeks. Flow cytometry confirmed these data. In cells exposed to trichostatin A and 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine and permeabilized in the presence of the cardiomyocyte extract, troponin T expression was seen in 3.53% of the cells and 3.11% of them expressed α-actinin. After exposure to the cardiomyocyte extract, some permeabilized cells adhered to the plate loosely; however, the morphology did not change significantly, and they continued to show a rounded shape after 4 weeks. Our treated lymphocytes expressed cardiomyocyte markers. Our results suggest that lymphocytes may be useful in future research as a source of cells for reprogramming procedures.     

Molecular pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome based on gene expression

Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is a chronic bladder inflammation that leads to chronic bladder pain and urinary urgency and frequency. The presentation of IC/PBS is heterogeneous, and it is classified as ulcerative IC/PBS and nonulcerative IC/PBS. The main cause of IC/PBS is thought to be a persistent inflammatory condition in the bladder, though the actual pathophysiology has not been identified yet. Although the underlying pathophysiology of IC/PBS is not completely understood, several theories for the etiology of this syndrome have been suggested, including deficiency of the glycosaminoglycan covering urothelium surface that results in leaky urothelium infection, immunological etiology, activated mast cells, neural changes, and inflammation. In addition, there are no gold standards for the detection of this disorder to date. So, determination of gene expression and its role in different signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of this heterogeneous disorder contribute to the more efficient cognition of the pathophysiology of this disease and to the design of effective treatments and molecular diagnostic methods for IC/PBS.     

Impact of chrysin on the molecular mechanisms underlying diabetic complications

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder, resulting in high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Neuropathy, ocular diseases, kidney diseases, and cardiovascular disease are common complications of diabetes that threats the patient’s life. Chrysin (CH), a natural flavonoid, has several pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer. Strong scientific documents indicated that chrysin may be effective for preventing and treating complications of diabetes in experimental models. The present study was designed to review the association between chrysin administration and diabetes complications by focusing on the possible molecular pathway. The findings indicate that chrysin has protective effects against diabetes outcomes by modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in animal models. However, more clinical trial study should be done to clear the protective effects of chrysin in diabetic patients.     

Effect of Lactobacillus casei on Innate Immunity Responses and Aeromonas hydrophila Resistance in Shabot,Tor grypus

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins - For investigating the possible effect of Lactobacillus casei on the immune status of Shabot, Tor grypus, 480 fish weighing...     

Epidermal growth factor and three‐dimensional scaffolds provide conducive environment for differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into oocyte‐like cells

Three‐dimensional (3D) culture provides a biomimicry of the naive microenvironment that can support cell proliferation, differentiation, and regeneration. Some growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), facilitate normal meiosis during oocyte maturation in vivo. In this study, a scaffold‐based 3D coculture system using purified alginate was applied to induce oocyte differentiation from mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). mESCs were induced to differentiate into oocyte‐like cells using embryoid body protocol in the two‐dimensional or 3D microenvironment in vitro. To increase the efficiency of the oocyte‐like cell differentiation from mESCs, we employed a coculture system using ovarian granulosa cells in the presence or absence of epidermal growth factor (+EGF or ?EGF) for 14 days and then the cells were assessed for germ cell differentiation, meiotic progression, and oocyte maturation markers. The cultures exposed to EGF in the alginate‐based 3D microenvironment showed the highest level of premeiotic (Oct4 and Mvh), meiotic (Scp1, Scp3, Stra8, and Rec8), and oocyte maturation (Gdf9, Cx37, and Zp2) marker genes (p < .05) in comparison to other groups. According to the gene‐expression patterns, we can conclude that alginate‐based 3D coculture system provided a highly efficient protocol for oocyte‐like cell differentiation from mESCs. The data showed that this culture system along with EGF improved the rate of in vitro oocyte‐like cell differentiation.