Reports of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology最新文献

Background: Infertility affects about 15% of couples during reproductive age and male factor infertility accounts for half of these cases. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of leptin, KISS1, leptin receptor, and HOTAIR genes in blood and semen samples of individuals diagnosed with oligospermia in comparison to healthy controls.

Methods: In the current investigation, we studied 36 semen and 30 blood samples from fertile oligospermic men as well as the same number of healthy controls. RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted to assess the gene expression levels. Statistical analysis was performed using Graph Pad Prism software. The results were reported as mean±SEM and any P< 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: A significant increase in the expression of the leptin gene in infertile males, particularly in semen samples (P< 0.001) was found when compared to the healthy controls. On the other hand, significant decrease in the expression of the KISS1 (P< 0.0001) and HOTAIR (P< 0.001) genes, particularly in semen samples were found when compared to the controls. As it was shown, the expression of leptin receptor had no significant effects on male infertility. Additionally, there may be a potential correlation between the expression of HOTAIR and the leptin and KISS1 genes, with a negative correlation observed between HOTAIR and leptin, and a positive correlation between HOTAIR and KISS1 in both blood and semen samples. However, further investigations are necessary to establish the statistical significance of these correlations.

Conclusions: According to the results, leptin, KISS1, and HOTAIR genes seem to be affected in oligospermia, however, further studies with higher sample sizes are necessary.

Background: Infection of diabetic foot ulcer is very common and leads in 20% of cases to amputation. Antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is the main cause of severe infection. Antibiotic resistance is a major challenge to the global health system. This work aimed to investigate the antibacterial efficacy of some algae extracts against Staphylococcus aureus isolated from diabetic foot ulcers.

Methods: freshwater river samples were collected to isolate the algae, and PCR was used for identification. The ethanol, water, and ethyl acetate extract of these algae were prepared and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine the key components that have antibacterial properties. The antibacterial activity of these extracts against S. aureus was determined by broth dilution and well diffusion methods.

Results: Chlorella vulgaris and Anabaena flos-aquae were isolated from freshwater river and identified by PCR. Anabaena flos-aquae has a greater antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus in comparison to Chlorella vulgaris, and the ethanolic extract demonstrated superior outcomes compared to the aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts. The MS spectrum of both algae had a very similar pattern, but the frequency of detected peaks was different.

Conclusions: Ethanolic extract of A. flos-aquae and Chlorella vulgaris can be suggested to treat and control diabetic foot ulcer infection caused by S. aureus. Further studies are required to explore the full potential of these algae safely and extensively.

Background: Prostate cancer is a classic public health problem in males and has broadly different levels of mortality and morbidity. As an endocrine gland, adipose tissue synthesizes and secretes a variety of bioactive peptides, such as irisin and omentin-1. Adipokines and oxidative stress potentially contribute to the proliferation of prostatic carcinoma cells. The relationship between irisin, omentin-1, and oxidative stress has not been widely investigated in prostate cancer. Therefore, the present research assessed whether there is a significant correlation between irisin and omentin-1 levels and oxidative status in prostate cancer individuals.

Methods: The present research recruited 40 individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer and 40 healthy individuals for comparative purposes. All individuals underwent demographics, biochemicals, and serum adipokines (irisin and omentin-1) data analysis.

Results: The means of total prostate-specific antigen (43.3±20.5 vs. 2.5±1.2) and free prostate-specific antigen (2.1±1.4 vs. 0.08±0.02) were highly significant increases in the prostate cancer patients than in the healthy individuals. Furthermore, the means of omentin-1 (31.6±12.8 vs. 23.5±14.1) and total oxidant stress (22.4±10.6 vs. 9.1±3.6) were highly significant increases in patients with prostate cancer than in healthy individuals. In contrast, the means of irisin (343.5±240.2 vs. 716.4±142.3) and total antioxidant capacity (2.2±1.2 vs. 3.3±1.3) were highly significant decreases in patients with prostate cancer than in healthy individuals. No significant relationship was demonstrated between all parameters in the two groups under study.

Conclusions: The study findings indicate that irisin and omentin-1 could serve as biomarkers for predicting prostate cancer.

Background: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has lately been connected to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a growing body of research, even though hyperandrogenism is one of the primary symptoms of PCOS.Evaluate the association of serum anti-Müllerian hormone and free testosterone with different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Methods: This is cross-sectional study was carried out at Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, during the period from November 2023 to March 2024. It included 111 women, 91 of these women, age range (18-40 year) were diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome according to 2003 Rotterdam Consensus criteria, and 20 women were apparently healthy women. The PCOS women were sub-grouped into four phenotype groups (A, B, C and D). Investigations included serum measurements of free testosterone and anti-müllerian hormone by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique in all included women.

Results: The results revealed that phenotype A is the predominant one of PCOS, while the B phenotype is the rare one. The mean (±SEM) values of free testosterone levels of phenotypes A, B, and C were significantly higher those of phenotype D and controls (p=0.001). The mean (±SEM) value of serum anti-Mullerian hormone levels was significantly increased in phenotypes A (p=0.04) and D (p=0.01) than C phenotype.

Conclusions: Phenotype A is the predominant one of PCOS phenotypes and is associated with highest serum AMH, free testosterone and obesity. Both free testosterone and AMH are helpful in differentiation of different phenotypes of PCOS.

Background: The envelope (E) protein of globally circulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV 2) is highly conserved. This study aimed to find the mutation rate of the E genes in COVID-19 patients, and also to evaluate the conformational characteristics of viral E protein.

Methods: In this study, 120 patients with SARS-CoV-2 positive test results were selected according to real-time PCR assay. Specific primers for conventional PCR have been used to amplify E gene; furthermore, to identify the E gene mutations, direct sequencing of the E genes was also done. Bioinformatics techniques were used to investigate the possible effects of antigenic changes and 3D characteristics of amino acid substitutions. Also, the immunogenicity of wild-type and mutant E was analyzed utilizing a ClusPro docking server and the IEDB online platform.

Results: A total of 120 COVID-19 patients were included (57.5% were male and 42.5% female), with an overall mean age of 55.70±10.61 years old. Of 10 nucleotide changes, 8 (80%) were silent. Also, 2 (20%) missense mutations (amino acid altering) were found in the E gene (L73F and S68F).

Conclusions: These mutations insert some new helix structures in the E mutants. Also, the results of molecular docking studies indicated that both S68F and L73F mutations could notably enhance the stability and binding affinity of protein E's C-terminal motif to the Protein Associated with LIN7 1, MAGUK P55 Family Member (PALS1) which may probably increase local viral spread, and infiltration of immune cells into lung alveolar spaces.

Background: Hypertrophic scar (HS) is a cutaneous condition results from abnormal wound healing following deep tissue injury. To date, there is no optimal treatment for this skin disorder. Catechins possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-fibrotic properties. In this study we investigated the effects of catechin hydrate (CH) in rabbit ear model of HS.

Methods: A rabbit ear model of hypertrophic scar was set up. Ten New Zealand white rabbit were divided into 5 equal groups: non-treatment group, vehicle control, treated with intralesional injection of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and test groups, received intralesional injection of CH/DMSO solution at concentration of 0.25, 1.25 and, 2.5 mg/ml, respectively. The treatments were initiated ‏‎35 days after wounding once a ‏week for ‏‎4 ‎weeks‎.‎ ‏ The scar elevation index (SEI) and the epidermal thickness index (ETI) were measured using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) ‏staining and the amount of collagen deposition were determined after Masson‎' ‎trichrome staining‎. ‎In addition‎, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) ‎‏method was used to determine the levels of ‎ type І ‏and ІІІ collagen and matrix metalloproteinase ‏‎1 (MMP1) in scar tissues.

Results: CH improved abnormal scarring at concentrations of 1.25 and 2.5 mg/ml and significantly (P<0.001) reduced the SEI and ETI. The levels of collagen type І and type ІІІ, and total collagen deposition were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in scar tissues of CH treated groups and no significant effect on MMP1 levels.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that CH has the potential for the treatment of HSs.

Background: A high body mass index (BMI) is known to be associated with high blood pressure. Levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are also increased in hypertensive patients. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation of BMI with MMP-9, TIMP-1, and IL-6 based on blood pressure.

Methods: The study design was cross-sectional with subjects aged >= 36 years, male and female and divided into 3 groups: group with normal blood pressure (NBP), group with controlled hypertension (CHT), and group with uncontrolled hypertension (UcHT). Height, weight, and blood pressure were measured, as well as serum levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and IL-6 using the ELISA method. The correlation was considered significant at p-value of < 0.05.

Results: The BMI in group UcHT was higher than in the other groups. There was a positive correlation between BMI and MMP-9; BMI and TIMP-1; and BMI and IL-6 (r=0.480, p=0.007; r=0.620; p=0.000; r=374, p=0.042 respectively) in group UcHT.

Conclusions: An increase in BMI is accompanied by an increase in levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1, and IL-6 in group UcHT, signifying that it is necessary to control BMI to maintain stable levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1, and IL-6, thereby keeping blood pressure under control.

Background: Amino acid analysis is an important tool for the diagnosis of metabolic disorders in newborns. Today, Liquid Chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has emerged as a powerful technique for amino acid analysis. We aimed to determine the local normal range of amino acids in dried blood spot (DBS) samples of neonates using LC-MS/MS.

Methods: A total of 1005 samples from healthy neonates of northeast and east of Iran aged 2-7 days were utilized for normal range determination. The amino acids were extracted from dried blood spot samples using organic solvent and then analyzed using LC-MS/MS system. The 1%, 2.5%, 97.5%, and 99% percentiles were calculated, and the results were compared to the global cut-off values.

Results: The results showed that glutamic acid has the highest concentration range among amino acids evaluated in this study (178.94 - 421.31µmol/L). Moreover, the plasma concentrations of Glycine (142.65 - 397.06 µmol/L), Alanine (97.00-349.72 µmol/L), Proline (63.77 - 236.53 µmol/L), and Tyrosine (25.79 - 150.58 µmol/L) were in the next ranks. Comparing the obtained results with the global values obtained in the R4S study indicated a slight difference between the obtained local normal values and the global values.

Conclusions: The calculated values were slightly different from global values obtained in the R4S study and regional values calculated in other studies. This further emphasized the importance of the local establishment of reference values, which facilitates the correct interpretation and diagnosis in the Newborn Screening Programs.

Background: People with autism frequently exhibit poor social skills, communication difficulties, and repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potential and promised targets in developing of new treatment strategies for autism. This study aimed to assess the relative expression of miR-124a, miR-34a-3p, miR-545-3p, miR-153, and BDNF in the blood samples of autistic children.

Methods: The children autism rating scale (CARS) was used to determine the severity of autism and to confirm the diagnosis. Blood samples were obtained from 50 patients and 40 age-/sex-matched healthy controls. Expressions of miR-545-3p, miR-34a-3p, miR-124a, and BDNF were evaluated using qRT-PCR. Pearson's correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used to check correlations between relative expressions of the miRNAs and BDNF. Biomarker potencies were assessed by ROC curve analysis.

Results: qRT-PCR analysis showed that the relative expressions of miR-545-3p, miR-34a-3p, miR-124a, and BDNF were significantly higher in the patients' group than the healthy controls. However, the relative expression of miR-153 was significantly lower in the case group than the control group. The relative expression of miR-124a was positively correlated with those of miR-545-3p and BDNF among the patients group. Also, the relative expressions of miR-545-3p and BDNF were positively correlated with each other. The ROC curve data also indicated that miR-124a, miR-34a-3p, miR-545-3p, miR-153, and BDNF could be possible diagnostic biomarker for CARS diagnosis (AUC=0.8328, AUC=0.8354, AUC=0.6727, AUC=0.8518 and AUC=0.8214, respectively).

Conclusions: Deregulation of miR-124a, miR-454-3p and BDNF might be considered as potential biomarkers for severity of autism.

Background: Several studies provide evidence for a role of serum cytokines imbalance including IL-10 and IL-27 in immune thrombocytopenia pathogenesis and prognosis. The aim of this study was designed to investigate the role of serum levels of IL-10 and IL-27 in prognosis the efficiency of treatment in thrombocytopenic Iraqi children.

Methods: This case controls study was carried out at Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, during the period from October 2023 to March 2024. It included 88 children, 63 children previously diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia, and 25 apparently healthy children who served as control group. The included immune thrombocytopenic children were sub-grouped according to their treatment into three groups: Romiplostim group (group 1), Prednisolone group (group 2), Prednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or Prednisolone and mycophenolate group (group 3). Investigations included serum level measurements of IL-10 and IL-27 by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay ELISA. Platelet count of each included children was measured by Huma Count 30 TS Human, Germany.

Results: The mean (±SEM) values of serum IL-10 and IL-27 levels of immune thrombocytopenic children were insignificantly lower than that of controls. In addition, there was non- significant differences in serum levels of IL-10 and IL-27 among and between the three groups of patient children. The mean value of platelet count of patient children was significantly increased by all types of treatment in whole immune thrombocytopenic children (117.48±18.15*10^9/L).

Conclusions: Measurement of serum IL-10 and IL-27 are helpful biomarker in prognosis of thrombocytopenia irrespective of type of treatment.