Reports of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology最新文献

Background: Staphylococcus aureus, an opportunistic microorganism, is the leading cause of severe bloodstream infections, including sepsis and endocarditis, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, S. aureus infection poses a significant public health challenge, particularly in developing nations. mec-a is a genetic element commonly found in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains that characterises the S. aureus resistance phenotype.

Methods: Clinical infection samples obtained from blood were collected and categorised as MRSA or Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) using the VITEK-2 compact device. Subsequently, specific samples were gathered as case series owing to their unique characteristics. Resistance genes were detected using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by visualisation through electrophoresis.

Results: Our findings were based on the identification of five instances of MSSA among samples obtained from a tertiary hospital's microbiology laboratory. Using the VITEK-2 antimicrobial susceptibility profile, these cases were determined to be MSSA. Subsequently, we conducted PCR, which revealed the presence of a mec-a-positive strain. Upon re-examination using Mueller-Hinton agar, the five strains were confirmed to be MSSA. Further analysis demonstrated that all strains were positive for Panton-Valentine leucocidin (pvl) and exfoliative toxin A (eta) gens.

Conclusions: The positive mec-A MSSA results should serve as a warning to clinicians that a resistant strain is forthcoming. mec-A continues to be the benchmark for confirming the resistance phenotype. Additional research is essential to explore this strain.

Background: Acetaminophen also name paracetamol is apopular antipyretic and analgesic drug, in alarge doses produces a cute kidney injury either in human and animals. The aim of this study to assess the effect of celastrol in reducing acetaminophen-induced nephrotoxicity and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Rats were divided into four groups: control, celastrol-treated, acetaminophen-exposed, and a group receiving both acetaminophen and celastrol. After 24 hours, blood samples were taken and kidney tissues were harvested for histological and molecular analyses. The findings shed light on the protective effects of celastrol against acetaminophen-induced nephrotoxicity, offering insights into its therapeutic potential.

Results: paracetamol oral intake altered renal histology with significantly P< 0.05 increased serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and homogenate malonaldhyde (MDA), and immunoexpression of tumor necrosis- alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), caspase-3, Bcl-2-associated X- protein (Bax). Furthermore, it decreases homogenate level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and gene expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Meanwhile, intraperitoneal injection of celastrol with acetaminophen reaffirms the previous results.

Conclusions: We provided a novel treatment against acetaminophen induced-nephrotoxicity with targeting renal oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis with elevation of Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) level.

Background: Beta thalassemia is a hereditary blood condition characterized by a decrease or absence in the production of the beta-globin chain of hemoglobin. Patients with beta-thalassemia major often require regular blood transfusions and are at an increased risk of developing complications such as iron overload and cardiac injury. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in Klotho protein as a multifunctional protein known for its anti-aging and cardio-protective properties. Several studies have revealed a potential correlation between Troponin, a protein released into the circulation as a result of heart muscle damage, and the level of Klotho protein.

Methods: This study included thirty Beta-Thalassemia Major (β-TM) patients and thirty control healthy subjects. Levels of Klotho protein and Troponin-I were determined using the ELISA technique and measured for all participants.

Results: Serum Klotho protein and Troponin-I levels were significantly elevated in β-TM patients compared to healthy control subjects (P< 0.001). A positive correlation was found between serum Klotho protein and Troponin-I in the β-TM patients' group.

Conclusions: A positive correlation was found between serum Klotho protein and Troponin-I in the β-TM patients, which may highlight a relationship between Klotho and cardiac damage.

Background: X-ray exposure can result in acute or chronic damage to lung tissue, leading to pneumonitis and fibrosis. Given the potent antioxidant properties of sumac, this study investigates the impact of hydroalcoholic sumac extract on X-ray-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 36 rats were randomly divided into six groups of six rats each. The treatment and sham groups received intraperitoneal administration of the extract daily for one week before exposure to X-ray radiation. On the seventh day, all rats except those in group 3 were exposed to 2 Gy of 6 MV X-rays using an electro-linear accelerator. Lung tissue was subsequently removed to assess the subacute effects of the extract. Data analysis involved independent sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA using SPSS 26.

Results: A single dose of X-rays significantly increased oxidative stress and lung tissue damage in rats. However, rats receiving vitamin C and hydroalcoholic sumac extract at two different doses (100 and 400 mg/kg intraperitoneally) positively improved lung damage and decreased antioxidant parameters.

Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that hydroalcoholic sumac extract can mitigate oxidative stress and enhance lung repair following X-ray radiation exposure.

Background: Breast cancer remains a significant global health concern, with challenges in treating advanced stages necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. Bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) have shown promise in cancer immunotherapy by targeting cancer cells and modulating immune responses. This study investigated the effects of Helicobacter pylori-derived OMVs on the activation of the Snail/β-Catenin gene cascade in regulating inflammation and cell migration in a mouse model of breast cancer.

Methods: The OMVs were extracted from the culture of H. pylori strain 26695 (ATCC 700392) using ultracentrifugation. In the mouse model, the vesicles were injected intraperitoneally into Balb/c mice with breast tumors. Tumor growth was assessed through histological examination of tumor samples. IgA and IgG antibodies were measured using ELISA. The expression of E-cadherin and vimentin proteins was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and real-time PCR was used for vimentin, Snail, α-SMA, and β-catenin in serum samples from the different groups.

Results: The OMV treatment led to a significant increase in the expression of α-SMA, β-catenin, Snail, and vimentin genes, indicating a potential induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and enhanced cancer cell growth. Additionally, a decrease in vimentin expression and an increase in E-cadherin expression were observed, suggesting inhibition of cell migration. The study also revealed alterations in systemic IgA and IgG antibody levels, indicating potential immunomodulatory effects of OMVs.

Conclusions: These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of OMVs derived from H. pylori in breast cancer treatment by targeting gene cascades involved in cancer progression and modulating immune responses.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause significant alterations in our lives. Oxidative stress (OS) has been proposed to play a major role in COVID-19 pathogenesis, and the determination of OS biomarkers provides insight into disease severity.

Methods: The study was conducted during the second wave of the pandemic in 2020. Fifty blood samples were collected from patients admitted to one of the COVID-19 isolation centers in Baghdad, Iraq. The samples were subdivided into 25 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and 25 non-ICU patients, compared to 25 healthy controls. All participants were aged 35-52 years.

Results: The study showed that the mean (±SD) serum total oxidant status (TOS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly increased (p< 0.001) in the ICU group compared to the control and non-ICU groups. Conversely, the levels of serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and serum antioxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase, and glutathione (GSH) were significantly decreased (p< 0.001) in the ICU group compared to both the control and non-ICU groups. Serum zinc levels were significantly decreased (p< 0.001) in both ICU and non-ICU groups compared to the control group, while serum selenium (Se), copper (Cu), and vitamins C and E were significantly decreased (p< 0.001) in the ICU group compared to both the control and non-ICU groups.

Conclusions: The presence of OS biomarkers in the sera of COVID-19 patients offers a potential new approach for the treatment of this disease.

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: 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: 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.