Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Volume:18 Issue: 2, Feb 2015

An earlier meta-analysis on gene expression data derived from four microarray, two cDNA library, and one SAGE experiment had identified RGS5 as one of only ten non-housekeeping genes that were reported to be expressed in human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells by all studies. RGS5 encodes regulator of G-protein signaling-5. The TM tissue is the route of aqueous fluid outflow, and is relevant to the pathology of glaucoma. MicroRNAs constitute the most recently identified components of the cellular machinery for gene regulation in eukaryotic cells. Given our long standing interest in glaucoma, we aimed to identify miRNAs that may target RGS5. Eight miRNAs were selected for study using bioinformatics tools and available data on miRNAs expressed in the eye. Their effects were assessed using the dual luciferase assay. 3''-UTR segments of RGS5 mRNA were cloned downstream of a luciferase coding gene in psiCHECK2 vectors, and these were co-transfected with each of the miRNAs into HEK293 cells. The outcomes evidenced that one or more of the segments are in fact targeted by miR-7, miR-9, miR-96, miR-23a, miR-23b, miR-204, and miR-211. Down regulations by the miRNAs were statistically significant. The effect of miR-204 is considered particularly important as this miRNA is well known to regulate eye development and to affect multiple ocular functions. Our results justify further studies on regulation of RGS5 expression and RGS5 downstream functions by these miRNAs.

Some pathologic situations such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome are associated with alternation in nitric oxide level. Incidence of these condition increases with aging. On the other hand, insulin secretion is modulated by nitric oxide, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity is also altered in diabetes. In this study, modification in the enzyme activity associated with aging and also optimized procedure for islet NOS assay was investigated. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided in two experimental groups: A: adult rats; were 4 month old and B: old rats; were 12 month old. In all groups, plasma glucose, insulin and NOX (nitrite + nitrate = NOX) were measured, and also insulin secretion in isolated pancreatic islet with or without L-NAME was investigated. Furthermore, the inducible NOS activity with L-citrulline measurement in islets was measured. L-citrulline was quantified using one step HPLC column. Aging induced hyperglycemia (P<0.05) and excess plasma NOX (17.74 ± 1.664 and 26.25 ± 2.166 μmol/l in A and B groups respectively, P<0.05) with unaltered plasma insulin. Islet insulin secretion was significantly reduced in aging rats. L-NAME induced islet insulin secretion especially in aging rats (P=0.003). Inducible NOS activity in islets of aging rats was significantly higher than adult rats (1.082 ± 0.084 and 6.277 ± 0.475 pmol/min per mg protein in adult and aging rats, respectively, P<0.001). These findings show that decreased in islet insulin secretion may be related to increase in iNOS activity in islets, which follows impaired carbohydrate metabolism in aging.

Involvement of tyrosinase in the synthesis of melanin and cell signaling pathway has made it an attractive target in the search for therapeutic inhibitors for treatment of different skin hyperpigmentation disorders and melanoma cancers. In the present study, we conducted a comprehensive kinetic analysis to understand the mechanisms of inhibition imposed by 2-amino benzoic acid, 4-amino benzoic acid, nicotinic acid, and picolinic acid on the monophenolase and diphenolase activities of the mushroom tyrosinase, and then MTT assay was exploited to evaluate their toxicity on the melanoma cells. Kinetic analysis revealed that nicotinic acid and picolinic acid competitively restricted the monophenolase activity with inhibition constants (Ki) of 1.21 mM and 1.97 mM and the diphenolase activity with Kis of 2.4 mM and 2.93 mM, respectively. 2-aminobenzoic acid and 4-aminobenzoic acid inhibited the monophenolase activity in a non-competitive fashion with Kis of 5.15 µM and 3.8 µM and the diphenolase activity with Kis of 4.72 µM and 20 µM, respectively. Our cell-based data revealed that only the pyridine derivatives imposed cytotoxicity in melanoma cells. Importantly, the concentrations of the inhibitors leading to 50% decrease in the cell density (IC50) werecomparable to those causing 50% drop in the enzyme activity, implying that the observed cytotoxicity is highly likely due to the tyrosinase inhibition. Moreover, our cell-based data exhibited that the pyridine derivatives acted as anti-proliferative agents, perhaps inducing cytotoxicity in the melanoma cells through inhibition of the tyrosinase activities.

Calcineurin (CN) is a main phosphatase and a critical regulator of cellular pathways for learning, memory, and plasticity. The FK-506 (tacrolimus),a phosphatase inhibitor, is a fungal-derived agent and a common immune suppressant extensively used for tissue transplantation. To further clarify the role of CN in different stages oflearning and memory the main aim of this study was to evaluate the role of FK-506 in an inhibitory avoidance model. Using different doses of FK-506 (0.5, 5, and 50 nM) in the CA1 of hippocampus at different times (before, after the training and also before the test), the effect of drug was evaluated in a step-through inhibitory avoidance paradigm.The latency of entering to the dark compartment was considered as a criterion for memory. Thepre-training intra-CA1 injections of FK-506 impaired inhibitory avoidance (IA) learning acquisition. In addition, thepost-training intra-CA1 injections of FK-506 at 1, 2, and 3 hr relative to training impaired memory consolidation. Moreover, thepre-test intra-CA1 injections of FK-506 impaired memory retrieval. These findings suggest that the FK-506 selectively interferes with acquisition, retention, and retrieval of information processing in CA1 of hippocampus. Given the crucial role of CN in common signaling pathway of higher functions such as memory performance and cognition, in future it would be a probable therapeutic target in the treatment of a wide verity of neurological conditions involving memory.

Estrogen (E2) has neuroprotective effects on blood-brain-barrier (BBB) after traumatic brain injury (TBI). In order to investigate the roles of estrogen receptors (ERs) in these effects, ER-α antagonist (MPP) and, ER-β antagonist (PHTPP), or non-selective estrogen receptors antagonist (ICI 182780) were administered. Ovariectomized rats were divided into 10 groups, as follows: Sham, TBI, E2, oil, MPP+E2, PHTPP+E2, MPP+PHTPP+E2, ICI+E2, MPP, and DMSO. E2 (33.3 µg/Kg) or oil were administered 30 min after TBI. 1 dose (150 µg/Kg) of each of MPP, PHTPP, and (4 mg/kg) ICI182780 was injected two times, 24 hr apart, before TBI and estrogen treatment. BBB disruption (Evans blue content) and brain edema (brain water content) evaluated 5 hr and 24 hr after the TBI were evaluated, respectively. The results showed that E2 reduced brain edema after TBI compared to vehicle (P<0.01). The brain edema in the MPP+E2 and PHTPP+E2 groups decreased compared to the vehicle (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in MPP+PHTPP+E2 and ICI+E2 compared to TBI. This parameter in MPP was similar to vehicle. Evans blue content in E2 group was lower than vehicle (P<0.05).The inhibitory effect of E2 on Evans blue was not reduced by MPP+E2 and PHTPP+E2 groups, but decreased by treatment with MPP+PHTPP or ICI. MPP had no effect on Evans blue content. A combined administration of MPP and PHTPP or ICI inhibited the E2-induced decrease in brain edema and BBB disruption; this may suggest that these effects were mediated via both receptors.

Multi-epitopic protein vaccines and direction of vaccine delivery to dendritic cells (DCs) are promising approaches for enhancing immune responses against mutable pathogens. Escherichia coli is current host for expression of recombinant proteins, and it is important to optimize expression condition. The aim of this study was the optimization of multi-epitopic HIV-1 tat/pol/gag/env recombinant protein (HIVtop4) expression by E. coli and conjugation of purified protein to anti DEC-205 monoclonal antibody as candidate vaccine. In this study, expression was induced in BL21 (DE3) E. coli cells by optimization of induction condition, post induction incubation time, temperature and culture medium formula. Some culture mediums were used for cell culture, and isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside was used for induction of expression. Protein was purified by Ni-NTA column chromatography and confirmed against anti-His antibody in western-blotting. To exploit DCs properties for immunization purposes, recombinant protein chemically coupled to αDEC-205 monoclonal antibody and confirmed against anti-His antibody in western-blotting. The optimum condition for expression was 1 mM IPTG during 4 hr cultures in 2XYT medium, and final protein produced in soluble form. Conjugation of purified protein to αDEC-205 antibody resulted in smears of protein: antibodies conjugate in different molecular weights. [AGA1]. The best cultivation condition for production of HIVtop4 protein is induction by 1 mM IPTG during 4 hr in 2XYT medium. [AGA2] The final concentration of purified protein was 500 µg/ml.

Auraptene, a monoterpene coumarin from Citrus species, exhibits cardioprotective effects.In this study, the effects of auraptene administration were investigated on blood pressure of normotensive and desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salt induced hypertensive rats. Five weeks administration of auraptene (2, 4, 8 and 16 mg/kg/day) and nifedipine (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/kg/day) in different groups of normotensive and hypertensive rats (at the end of 3 weeks treatment by DOCA salt) was carried out and their effects on mean systolic blood pressure (MSBP) and mean heart rate (MHR) were evaluated using tail cuff method. Our results indicated that chronic administration of auraptene (2, 4, 8 and 16 mg/kg/day) significantly reduced the MSBP in DOCA salt treated rats in a dose and time dependent manner. The percent of decreases in MSBP levels by the highest dose of auraptene (16 mg/kg) at the end of 4 th to 8 th weeks, were 7.00%, 10.78%, 16.07%, 21.28% and 27.54% respectively(P<0.001). Moreover the antihypertensive effect of auraptene was less than nifedipine (ED50 value of nifedipine = 0.7 mg/kg at 8th week and ED50 value of auraptene = 5.64 mg/kg at 8 week). Auraptene considerably reduced MSBP in hypertensive rats, but not in normotensive (normal saline treated) rats. The results of MHR measurement showed that the increase in MHR was not significant in comparison with DOCA treated rats.

Hepatitis C is a major cause of liver failure worldwide. Current therapies applied for this disease are not fully effective and produce side effects in most cases. Non-structural protein 3 helicase (NS3) of HCV is one of the key enzymes in viral replication and infection. Therefore, this region is a promising target to design new drugs and therapies against HCV infection. The aim of this study was cloning and expression of HCV NS3 helicase fragment in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) using pET102/D-TOPO expression vector and studying immunoreactivity of the expressed antigen in Iranian infected with hepatitis C. The viral RNA was extracted from the serum of HCV infected patient. The NS3 helicase region was amplified by RT-PCR. The PCR product was directionally cloned into the expression vector pET102/D-TOPO and transformed into the BL21 strain of E. coli (DE3). The transformed bacteria were then induced by adding 1mM isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) into the culture medium to enhance the protein expression. SDS-PAGE and western blotting were carried out to identify the protein under investigation, and finally purified recombinant fusion protein was used as the antigen for ELISA method. Theinsertion of theDNA fragment of the NS3 regioninto the expression vectorwas further confirmed by PCR and sequencing. SDS-PAGE analysis showed the successful expression of the recombinant protein of interest. Furthermore, immunoreactivity of fusion NS3 helicase was confirmed by ELISA and western blotting. It seems that this recombinant protein could be a useful source of antigen for future studies on HCV diagnosis and therapy.

This study aimed to develop drugs from natural sources to overcome the side effects of many of synthetic drugs. Methanol extracts of both pericarp and seeds of Pleiogynium solandri were used to investigate antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and renal function protective, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects and to determine the chemical composition of the extract responsible for bioactivity. Methanol (70%) extracts of the seeds and pericarps of P. solandri were prepared. Hot plate method was used to test analgesic activity, carrageenan-induced paw inflammation method was used to test anti-inflammatory activity, and colorimetric methods were used to test antioxidant, hepatoprotective (by determination of serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activities), and renal function protective effects (by measuring uric acid and creatinine levels). Chromatographic methods and means of 1H-NMR, 13C –NMR, and UV spectra were used for isolation and identification of the responsible compounds. In this study for the first time,four phenolic compounds were isolated from the pericarp of P. solandri which were identified as catechin, quercetin, quercetrin and rutin[m1]. Methanolic extract of both seeds and pericarp of P. solandri showed strong antioxidant effect, hepatoprotective, renal function protective, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, seed extract had lower effect than pericarp in a dose dependent manner. This study showed that methanol extract of pericarp of P. solandri is more powerful than that of the seed regarding its antioxidant, hepato-protective; renal function protective, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects[m2]. The phenolic compounds isolated from the methanol extract of pericarp were responsible for bioactivity.

Thyroid hormones play an essential role in fetal growth and maternal hypo-thyroidism which leads to cardiovascular deficiency in their offspring. Considering this, we intended to investigate the impact of gestational hypothyroidism on offspring vascular contractibility and possible underlying mechanisms. Hypothyroidism was induced in female rats by administration of 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil in drinking water (0.02%) till delivery. The offspring aorta smooth muscle (without endothelium) contractile response to KCl (10-100 mM), KCl in the presence of nifedipine (10-4-10-1 µM), phenylephrine (10-9-10-6 M) and finally, phenylephrine and caffeine 100 mM in Ca2+-free Krebs were measured. KCl and phenylephrine-induced contractions were considerably lower in gestational hypothyroid (GH) than euthyroid offspring. GH responded to nifedipine with less sensitivity than control. The GH and control groups produced almost equal contraction in respond to phenylephrine and caffeine in Ca2+-free Krebs. This study suggests that in hypothyroid offspring L-type Ca2+ channels are less functional, while intracellular Ca2+ handling systems are less modified by low levels of maternal thyroid hormones.

Marine organisms are known as a potential source of natural products, which contain bioactive substances with therapeutic properties. Sea cucumbers are prominent among marine organisms because of their dietary and therapeutic applications. In addition, they have capacity of synthesizing saponins molecules and other metabolites with therapeutic properties such as antitumor, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and pro-apoptotic effects of sea cucumber saponins (SCS) isolated from Holothuria leucospilota species. Evaluation of antioxidant activity of SCS was carried out by DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), power reducing and total antioxidant assays. The anti-proliferative effect was studied by МТТ (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Mechanisms leading to apoptosis were also evaluated byfluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and real time PCR. The results showed that the DPPH and ABTS activities increased in a dose dependent manner. The reducing capacity enhanced with increasing concentration of the saponin extract (0 to 2 mg/ml). The SCS exhibited moderate total antioxidant activity. Evaluation of anti-proliferative effect revealed that SCS with IC50 of about 6 μg/ml, can display a good cytotoxic activity in a dose dependent manner. Further apoptosis induction was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Sea cucumber saponin was also found to exert a pro-apoptotic effect by increasing the expression of Bax and decreasing the expression of Bcl2. These results indicate that the SCS may act as a natural antioxidant and antitumor agent.

Electrical inhomogeneity between ischemic and non ischemic myocardium is the basis of arrhythmia which occurs following coronary artery occlusion. The leakage of potassium from the ischemic region to the non ischemic region is very effective in the generation of these arrhythmias. The aim of this study is to research the effect of ATP-dependent potassium (KATP) channel blocker (glibenclamide) and opener (pinacidil) on ischemia induced arrhythmia in the presence of small and large infarct sizes. In this study Sprague-Dawley male rats of 8-9 months of age were used. Ischemia was produced by the partial ligation of left coronary artery ramus descending (PL) for smaller infarct and complete ligation of this artery (CL) for larger infarct for 30 min. The arrhythmia score which was calculated from the duration and type of arrhythmia was significantly higher in animals which had a larger infarct area than the animals which had a smaller infarct. Glibenclamide increased the rate of arrhythmia in animals having smaller infarct but not in animals having larger infarct. Pinacidil did not affect the occurrence of arrhythmia in either group. There was a significant difference in the infarct size and risk of infarct zone between animals which had small and large infarct sizes. The effect of glibenclamide and pinacidil on the arrhythmias differed depend on decrease of infarct size. Glibenclamide is not effective to decrease ischemia induced arrhythmia in the presence of small and pinacidil in large ischemic zone.

The aim of this study wasto investigate the effects of mild hypothermia therapy on oxidative stress injury of rabbit brain tissue after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Rabbit models of cardiac arrest were established. After the restoration of spontaneous circulation, 50 rabbits were randomly divided into normothermia and hypothermia groups. The following five time points were selected: before CPR, immediately after CPR, 2 hr after CPR (hypothermia group reached the target temperature), 14 hr after CPR (hypothermia group before rewarming), and 24 hr after CPR (hypothermia group recovered to normal temperature). Glutathione (GSH) concentrations in both the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of the normothermia and hypothermia groups were measured. At 2, 14, and 24 hr after CPR, the GSH concentrations in both the blood and cerebrospinal fluid were significantly higher in the hypothermia group than in the nomorthermia group. Mild hypothermia therapy may increase GSH concentrations in rabbit blood and cerebrospinal fluid after CPR as well as promote the recovery of cerebral function.

Global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury causes loss of pyramidal cells in CA1 region of hippocampus. In this study, we investigated the possible neuroprotective effects of the ethanol extract of Cyperus rotundus (EECR) on a model of global transient ischemia in rat, by evaluating the pathophysiology of the hippocampal tissue and spatial memory. Treatment group (EECR, 100 mg/kg/day) was gavaged from 4 days before, to 3 days after ischemia. Morris water maze test was performed 1 week after ischemia for 4 days. Brain tissue was prepared for Nissl staining. Our data showed no statistical difference between the treatment and ischemia groups in water maze task. So, treatment of ischemia with EECR cannot improve spatial learning and memory. On the contrary EECR ameliorated the CA1 pyramidal cell loss due to transient global ischemia/ reperfusion injury. These results suggest that EECR cannot reduce the ischemia-induced, cognitive impairments seen after transient, global cerebral ischemia but can prevent pyramidal cell loss in CA1 region of hippocampus.

Protective effects of different extracts and essential oil from Pimpinella anisum L. seeds were examined against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced toxicity. The parameters such as serum transaminases, lactate dehydrogenase activity, hepatic glutathione content, liver lipid peroxidation and histopathological changes of liver were assessed as toxicity markers. In the in vitro model of this study, markers such as cell viability, cellular reduced and oxidized glutathione and lipid peroxidation in HepG2 cells were evaluated. Human liver cancer cell line HepG2 and male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with extracts and essential oil, and markers of hepatotoxicity were investigated. The data revealed that the n-hexane extract, effectively attenuated CCl4‑induced toxicity in both in vitro and in vivo models in current investigation. As the oxidative stress markers were ameliorated, it might be concluded that anise seed possesses protective effects probably due to its antioxidant constituents.