Biomarkers and Genomic Medicine最新文献

The aerial application of malathion, a widely used organophosphate insecticide, has raised public concerns about its potential adverse health effects. We, therefore, studied the antigenotoxic potential of curcumin and carvacrol against malathion-induced DNA damage using sister chromatid exchange (SCE) as a biomarker of genotoxicity. To observe the antigenotoxic potential of curcumin and carvacrol, heparinized fresh blood from healthy individuals was treated with 30 μg/mL of malathion in the presence of curcumin and carvacrol. Curcumin at concentrations of 25 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL had significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the frequency of SCE as compared to malathion-exposed sample. Similarly, carvacrol showed significant (p < 0.05) antigenotoxic effect at concentrations of 2.5 μg/mL and 5.0 μg/mL against malathion. We also studied the effect of GSTT1 and GSTM1 on the genotoxicity of malathion and antigenotoxic potential of curcumin and carvacrol. We observed that there is a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the frequency of SCE in case of curcumin and carvacrol as compared to malathion, but we did not observe any significant relationship (p > 0.05) between GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphism and the genotoxicity of malathion and antigenotoxic potential of curcumin and carvacrol.

This study was performed to elucidate the potential of human platelet lysate (huPL) as an alternative to xeno-free media for culturing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this work, Wharton's jelly-derived MSCs (WJ-MSCs; n = 5) were isolated, characterized, and cultured in huPL derived from type O platelets reconstituted with type AB platelet-poor plasma (huPL–ABO). WJ-MSCs from five donors were cultured under two different conditions [cell culture supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 0.250 mg/mL, 0.125 mg/mL, 0.063 mg/mL, and 0.031 mg/mL huPL]. Growth kinetics, cell surface markers, and in vitro differentiation potential toward the adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic lineages were evaluated. Our results indicate that WJ-MSCs cultured in the presence of huPL–ABO showed typical fibroblast-like morphology and had a significantly higher cell count (p < 0.05), compared with those cultured in FBS. Furthermore, results of immunophenotyping assay showed similar MSCs characteristics for both culture conditions. In addition, no significant differences were observed in the MSCs differentiation toward the adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic lineages. The optimal concentrations of huPL–ABO in the culture medium were 0.250 mg/mL and 0.125 mg/mL. Because of insignificant differences between the concentrations in terms of WJ-MSCs population doubling time, the concentration of 0.125 mg/mL was used in all comparisons between FBS and huPL–ABO. The average concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1, platelet-derived growth factor-AB, vascular endothelial growth factor, and transforming growth factor-β1 in huPL–ABO were 287.89 pg/mg, 47,096.63 pg/mg, 150.93 pg/mg, and 74,817.76 pg/mg, respectively. huPL–ABO produced by this method was able to enhance the WJ-MSCs proliferation rate constantly and decrease the required time to reach confluence compared with the FBS culture condition.

Radiotherapy is still an essential option for treatment of various stages of cancer. However, the irradiation administered would deplete the hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow, which would eventually decrease the number of lymphocytes and erythrocytes in the circulatory system. EMSA eritin is a polyherbal formulation that has the ability to stimulate erythropoiesis in mice after radiation therapy. Erythropoiesis is a complex mechanism involving the interaction of dozens of genes that may also be involved in other cellular process, such as lymphopoiesis. In this study, we elucidated the potential of EMSA eritin to stimulate other mechanisms, in addition to being an inducer of erythrocyte production. Bioinformatic analysis results indicated that the EMSA eritin formulation contains multiactive compounds that synergistically drive hematopoiesis and trigger lymphocyte differentiation. We then tested this prediction using an in vivo cell-culture system in a mice model. Experimental results suggested that EMSA eritin is able to induce hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiate these cells into lymphocytes in BALB/c mice after sublethal radiation therapy. Moreover, the polyherbal formulation increased proliferation and survival of B and T lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that the polyherbal formulation is adequate to ameliorate both erythropoiesis and lymphopoiesis. The formulation thus appears very promising for treatment of patients following radiation therapy. However, this warrants further investigation.

This study aimed to investigate whether a combined supplementation of vitamins C and E was able to modify the oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), soluble form of CD36 (sCD36), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and nitrite/nitrate oxide (NO_x) levels in pediatric nephrotic syndrome (NS) cases. The study included 36 children with NS. The patients were randomly allocated to either the treatment group or the placebo group (18 children each). The treatment group received a combined supplementation of vitamins C and E. The serum levels of ox-LDL, sCD36, and sVCAM-1 were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The serum levels of NO_x were assayed by colorimetric assay. Results showed that the levels of ox-LDL, sVCAM-1, and NO_x were decreased after treatment with a combined supplementation of vitamins C and E, but there was no statistical difference (p > 0.05). After treatment, there was an increase in the level of sCD36 in both groups, although this was not significantly different (p > 0.05). The level of ox-LDL was significantly lower in the remission-idiopathic NS (remission-INS) group compared with the nonremission-INS group (p < 0.05). The levels of ox-LDL and sVCAM-1 were significantly lower in the remission-treated group than in the nonremission-treated group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the combined supplementation of vitamins C and E cannot modify the ox-LDL, sCD36, sVCAM-1, and NO_x levels in children with INS. In remission cases, the combined supplementation of vitamins C and E reduces the ox-LDL and sVCAM-1 levels.

This study aimed to investigate whether an extract of green tea (GT) modulates the apoptotic, superoxide-dismutase (SOD), and endothelial-nitric-oxide-synthase (eNOS) levels in rats treated with depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). Twenty-five female Wistar rats were divided into the following groups (n = 5 rats each): control group, received DMPA, DMPA plus GT extract at doses of 10.8 mg/day (DMPA + GT₁), DMPA plus DMPA plus GT extract at doses of 21.6 mg/day (DMPA + GT₂), and DMPA plus DMPA plus GT extract at doses of 43.2 mg/day (DMPA + GT₃). The treatment with DMPA plus GT was performed for 4 weeks. The ovarian and endometrial apoptotic indices were significantly higher in the DMPA group compared with the untreated control group (p < 0.05). This increase was significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated by all dose treatments of DMPA plus GT. The DMPA significantly decreased the SOD (ovarian) and eNOS (endometrial) levels compared with the untreated group. The decrease in the SOD level was significantly attenuated by highest doses of the extract. The decrease in the eNOS expression was significantly attenuated by two highest doses of the extract. In conclusion, DMPA induces apoptosis of the ovary and endometrium. The GT extract prohibits the increase in ovarian apoptosis, at least in part by modulation of the SOD. In the endometrium, this effect may be due to the modulation of the eNOS expression. Therefore, this may provide a natural therapy for attenuating the ovaries and endometrial dysfunction found in DMPA users.

Presently, no satisfactory effective treatment is available to cure diabetes mellitus. Although synthetic drugs are used, there are several drawbacks. The attributed antihyperglycemic effects of many traditional plants are due to their ability for the management of diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to investigate the antidiabetic effect of the ethyl acetate fraction of the seed of Eugenia jambolana in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male albino rats. Diabetic rats were treated with this fraction at a dose of 200 mg/kg/d for 35 days. Potential antidiabetic mechanisms were investigated with blood glucose (short-term and long-term model), serum insulin, glycated hemoglobin, study of in situ end-labeling in pancreatic tissue, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, followed by western blotting study to assess the hepatic hexokinase-I gene expression, and in-vitro assessment of intestinal maltase and sucrase activity. Results showed a significant antihyperglycemic action in both short-term and long-term treatment schedules. Serum insulin and glycated hemoglobin levels were also recovered in the treated group in comparison with the untreated diabetic group (p < 0.05). In situ end-labeling study focused on the regeneration of pancreatic beta cells in the treated group. We also observed the correction of expression of the hepatic hexokinase-I gene after the treatment of the fraction in diabetic rats. Intestinal maltase and sucrase activities also displayed inhibition activity in the presence of ethyl acetate fraction. The antidiabetic activity of the fraction was compared with glibenclamide, a standard antidiabetic drug. The findings provide information about the antihyperglycemic activity of this fraction through gene regulation.

This study aimed to investigate whether concomitant exposure to cigarette smoke and coal dust could activate the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) for MUC5AC expression. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups (n = 8 each): control group (C); exposed to cigarette smoke plus coal dust at doses of 6.25 mg/m³ (CS + CD₁); 12.5 mg/m³ (CS + CD₂); and 25 mg/m³ (CS + CD₃). The duration of exposure was 21 days, 1 hour/day. Lung malondialdehyde level was analyzed colorimetrically. Serum EGF and MUC5AC expression were measured by ELISA. Expression of lung EGFR and MUC5AC were measured by a confocal laser scanning microscopy. The level of lung malondialdehyde was higher significantly in all doses of exposure compared with control group (p < 0.05). The level of serum EGF was significantly increased in CS + CD₂ group compared with control group or CS + CD₁ group. The expression of EGFR was not significantly different among all the treatment groups (p > 0.05). Serum MUC5AC levels were significantly lower in the two highest doses of coal dust compared with the control group. In conclusion, subchronic combined exposure to cigarette smoke and coal dust induces lung oxidative stress and inflammation and decreases serum MUC5AC level.