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Reports of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - Volume:10 Issue: 3, Oct 2021

Reports of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Volume:10 Issue: 3, Oct 2021

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1400/11/25
  • تعداد عناوین: 20
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  • Nailil Husna, Niken Satuti Nur Handayani* Pages 346-353
    Background

    alpha-Thalassemia is caused primarily by deletions of one to two alpha-globin genes and is characterized by absent or deficient production of alpha-globin protein. The South-East Asia (SEA) deletion, 3.7-kb and 4.2-kb deletions are the most common causes. The present study aimed to observe the molecular characteristics of this common alpha-Thalassemia deletions and analyse its haematological parameter.

    Methods

    Blood samples from 173 healthy volunteers from thalassemia carrier screening in Yogyakarta Special Region were used. Haematological parameters were analysed and used to predict the carrier subjects. Genotype of suspected carriers was determined using multiplex gap-polymerase chain reaction and its haematological parameters were compared. The boundary site of each deletion was determined by analysing the DNA sequences.

    Results

    Seventeen (9.8%) of the volunteers were confirmed to have alpha-Thalassemia trait. Of these, four genotypes were identified namely –α3.7/αα (58.8%), –α4.2/αα (5.9%), –α3.7/–α4.2 (5.9%) and – –SEA/αα (29.4%). The 5′ and 3′ breakpoints of SEA deletion were located at nt165396 and  nt184700 of chromosome 16, respectively. The breakpoint regions of 3.7-kb deletion were 176-bp long, whereas for 4.2-kb deletion were 321-bp long. The haematological comparison between normal and those with alpha-Thalassemia trait genotype indicated a significant difference in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (p< 0.001) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) (p< 0.001). As for identifying the number of defective genes, MCH parameter was more reliable (p= 0.003).

    Conclusions

    The resultant molecular and haematological features provide insight and direction for future thalassemia screening program in the region.

    Keywords: Allelic Imbalance, Alpha-Thalassemia, Indonesia, Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction, Sequence Deletion
  • Hamid Rezaee, Shadi Abbasnia, Anita Alenabi, Rosita Vakili, Nasrin Moheghi, Jalil Tavakol Afshari, Seyed Abdolrahim Rezaee* Pages 354-361
    Background

    Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the main angiogenesis regulators in solid cancers. The brain solid tumors are life threatening diseases in which angiogenesis is an important phase of development and progression.
    In the present study the gene expression of VEGF-A and VEGF receptor (VEGF-R1) were evaluated in CNS brain tumors.

    Methods

    The quantification of the VEGF-A and VEGF-R1 expressions was carried out by real-time PCR on fresh biopsies of 38 supratentorial brain tumors compared to 30 non-tumoral tissues. Then the correlations were investigated with clinic-pathological and demographic factors of the patients.

    Results

    PCR products sequencing confirmed the validity of the qRT-PCR. Although, VEGF-A and VEGF-R1 expression showed increased trends with progression of cell proliferation in different stages of astrocytoma (p=0.006,p=0.07, respectively), in case of VEGF-R1 did not met 95% confidence interval in other brain tumors. An increasing trend in VEGF-A and a declining trend in VEGF-R1 expression from stage-I to II were observed in meningioma.VEGF-A and VEGF-R1 expressions had not significant correlation with age and gender. Although, peritumoral brain edema (PTBE) in astrocytoma was significantly associated with tumor stages (p=0.01), VEGF-A and VEGF-R1 had not associations with PTBE in meningioma and metastasis.

    Conclusion

    VEGF-A is a valuable factor for prognosis of PTBE and malignancy stage in astrocytoma, and useful for monitoring of the treatment approaches.

    Keywords: Angiogenesis, Brain edema, Brain neoplasm, Peritumoral brain, VEGF, VEGFR1
  • Heba Bassiony Ghanem*, Marwa Nagy Emam, Dareen Abdelaziz Mohammed Ali, Rania Nagi Abd-Ellatif Pages 362-372
    Background

    Epilepsy is one of the most widespread neurological disease worldwide. Status epilepticus (SE) is a life-threatening neurologic disorder. Neuroprotective approaches are increasingly to discover a promising therapy to manage epileptic disorders. This study aimed to assess the impact of berberine on some epigenetic, transcription regulation & inflammatory biomarkers in a mice model of epilepsy.

    Methods

    This work was performed on; Group I: (control), Group II: berberine‐treated control, Group III: epilepsy group, Group IV: berberine‐treated epilepsy. Groups were subjected to assessment of Tumor growth factor-1ꞵ (TGF-1ꞵ), hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity & neuronal restrictive silencing factor (NRSF) gene expression.

    Results

    Study showed significant increase in levels of HIF-1α, TGF-1β, HDAC activity & NRSF gene expression in epilepsy group & decrease in these levels in berberine treated epilepsy group. Significant decrease in BDNF levels in epilepsy & elevation in them in berberine treated epilepsy group.

    Conclusions

    Our study showed the anti-epileptic impact of berberine via its regulatory effect on some epigenetic, transcription factors & inflammatory biomarkers in a mice model of epilepsy.

    Keywords: Berberine, Epigenetics, Epilepsy, Transcription regulation & inflammatory biomarkers
  • Tengku Siti Hajar Haryuna*, Diana Amellya, Delfitri Munir, Tengku Siti Harilza Zubaidah Pages 373-379
    Background

    Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) can cause damage to the cochlea. Curcumin and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) are transcription activators that play a crucial role in defence mechanisms against oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of curcuminoid administration on NRF2 expression, in the organ of Corti of cochlea of Rattus norvegicus that were exposed to noise, from the results of the distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) examination.

    Methods

    We divided 36 rats into six groups including Group 1 (control); Group 2 (noise exposure without curcuminoid administration); Group 3 (noise exposure+curcuminoid dose 100 mg/day for four days); Group 4 (noise exposure+curcuminoid dose 200 mg/day for four days); Group 5 (curcuminoid dose of 100 mg/day for 14 days followed by two days of noise exposure); Group 6 (curcuminoid dose 200 mg/day for 14 days followed by two days of noise exposure). 

    Results

    Following noise exposure in rats, there was an effect/correlation between NRF2 expression, the SNR values obtained from DPOAE and curcuminoid administration. 

    Conclusions

    There was a correlation between curcuminoid administration, NRF2 expression and DPOAE treatment. Following noise exposure in rats (Rattus norvegicus), SNR values obtained from DPOAE showed improved cochlear function.

    Keywords: Curcuminoid, Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission, Noise Induced Hearing Loss, Oxidative Stress, Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2
  • Vahideh Sahraiian, Homayoun Khazali* Pages 380-386
    Background

    Memory-dependent psychological behaviors have an important role in life. Memory strengthening in adulthood to prevent its defects in aging is a significant issue. The ghrelin endogenous hormone improves memory by targeting glutamatergic and serotonergic circuits. Also, citicoline, a memory strengthening drug in aging, is not recommended to adults due to its side effects. The current study aims to test that ghrelin treatment, like citicoline, would improve passive avoidance memory via expression of the genes encoding the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR1) and the serotonin receptor 1A (HTR1a) involved in this process.

    Methods

    Five groups of adult male rats received (1) saline (as control), (2) 0.5 mg/kg citicoline, or (3-5) 0.3, 1.5, and 3 nmol/μl ghrelin). The rats received the drugs via intra-hippocampal injection. Passive avoidance memory was determined using a shuttle box device. The latency to enter the dark chamber before (IL) and after (RL) injection and the total duration of the animal's presence in the light compartment (TLC) were evaluated. Then, the gene expression rates of NMDAR1 and HTR1a were measured by the Real-Time PCR. 

    Results

    Ghrelin and citicoline had some similar and significant effects on passive avoidance memory, and both increased NMDAR1 and decreased HTR1a expression. 

    Conclusions

    Ghrelin, like citicoline, improves passive avoidance learning by altering the NMDAR1 and HTR1a expression in the hippocampus.

    Keywords: Citicoline, Ghrelin, HTR1a, Intrahippocampal injection, NMDAR1, Passive Avoidance Memory
  • Seyed Mojtaba Mortazavi, Amin Tarinjoo, Sepideh Dastani, Majid Niazpour, Samira Dahaghin*, Reza Mirnejad* Pages 387-395
    Background

    According to the studies, many pathogens function as cofactors interacting with Human papillomavirus in the development of pre-cancer or cancer of the cervix. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) pathogens including  Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Gardnerella vaginalis, and Streptococcus agalactiae in people with HPV and without HPV infection, and frequency rate of these pathogens in high and low risk of HPV.

    Methods

    Cervical samples of 280 women who referred to Tehran west hospitals in Iran, between 2019 and 2020, were collected. After DNA extraction of samples, identification of HPV and genotyping was performed, and then, to detect each microorganism, the PCR was carried out with specific primers. Finally, the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics tests. 

    Results

    The mean age of patients was 37 years. Two groups of patients were identified based on positivity or negativity of HPV. In HPV-positive group (118 cases), the prevalence of U. urealyticum, M. hominis, N. gonorrhoeae, G. vaginalis, and S. agalactiae was 38 (13%), 7 (62%), 5.93%, 19.49%, 0.84% respectively. In HPV-negative group (162 cases), rate of infection with U. urealyticum, M. hominis, N. gonorrhoeae, G. vaginalis, and S. agalactiae was 29.62%, 6.17%, 3.08%, 16.04%, 0.61% respectively. Among the two groups, there was only 1 patient with C. trachomatis (0.84%), seen in HPV-positive group.

    Conclusions

    In this study no significant association was found between HPV and bacteria such as G. vaginalis and S. agalactiae, and it was found that C. trachomatis, and especially N. gonorrhoeae are strongly associated with HPV infection.

    Keywords: HPV, Sexually transmitted infections, PCR
  • Fatemeh Roshani, Hossien Delavar Kasmaee, Kowsar Falahati, Ghazaleh Arabzadeh, Atefeh Aohan Forooshan Moghadam, Mohammd Hossein Sanati* Pages 396-401
    Background

    Etiology of multiple sclerosis is non-clarified. It seems that environmental factors impact epigenetic in this disease. Micro-RNAs (MIR) as epigenetic factors are one of the most important factors in non-genetically neurodegenerative diseases. It has been found MIR-144 plays a main role in the regulation of many processes in the central nervous system. Here, we aimed to investigation of MIR-144 expression alteration in Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. 

    Methods

    In this study 32 healthy and 32 MS patient's blood sample were analyzed by quantitative Real-Time PCR method and obtained data analyzed by REST 2009 software. 

    Results

    Analysis of Real-Time PCR data revealed that miR-144 Increase significantly in MS patients compared to healthy controls. 

    Conclusions

    The increase of MIR-144 expression in MS patients is obvious. MIR-144 can be used as a biomarker of MS and help to early diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

    Keywords: MicroRNA (miRNA), MiRNA-144, Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Alireza Torki, Nour Amirmozafari*, Malihe Talebi, Alireza Talebi Pages 402-411
    Background

    One of the causes of male infertility is Genital tract infections (GTI). Considering the importance of GTI, widespread recognition of them seems necessary. we aimed to characterize and compare semen microbial populations in fertile and infertile men who referred to an infertility clinic in Yazd, Iran. 

    Methods

    Semen samples were collected from two groups of fertile (268) and infertile (210) men. Sperm analysis (concentration, morphology, viability and motility parameters) were performed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2010 guidelines laboratory manual. Bacterial isolation was performed in Sheep Blood Agar and Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar plates. For PCR, samples were analyzed with genus specific primers.

    Results

    All semen characteristics were poor in the infertile group compared to those in the fertile men (p-value< 0.05). Enterococcus spp. (18.7%, 17.1%; p= 0.814), E. coli (7.9%, 11.4%; p= 0.486), Staphylococcus aureus (6.4%, 2.9%; p= 0.398) and Proteus mirabilis (0%, 2.9%; p= 0.002) were the most
    common agents, respectively. Also, the results obtained from PCR were confirmed using culture-base method.

    Conclusions

    Proteus mirabilis contamination was identified in the infertile group. While no significant association was observed between male infertility and semen microbial populations, p. mirabilis may be the leading cause of reproduction impairment in men.

    Keywords: Infertility, Microbial contamination, culture, PCR
  • Shirin Sarshar, Reza Mirnejad, Ebrahim Babapour* Pages 412-419
    Background

    Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is an opportunistic microorganism and one of the most important causes of urinary tract infection. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of K. pneumoniae producing broad-spectrum beta-lactamase in urinary tract infection and to determine the pattern of drug resistance.

    Methods

    This study was performed on 50 samples of K. pneumoniae isolated from patients with urinary tract infection referred to the Medical Diagnostic Laboratory in Hashtgerd city. The isolates were first evaluated for antibiotic susceptibility by disk diffusion method according to the method proposed by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Then phenotypic detection of ESBLS was carried out by the DDST method. The frequency of gene blaTEM and blaCTX-M was determined by PCR.

    Results

    The highest resistance was observed to ampicillin (94%) and the highest sensitivity was observed to gentamicin (84%). 22 isolates (44%) were positive for ESBLs production. Of the 50 isolates studied, 34% had blaCTX-M and 28% had blaTEM and 11 (22%) had both genes simultaneously. Also, more than 77% of positive ESBLs isolates had the blaCTX-M gene and approximately 63.64% of positive ESBLs isolates had the blaTEM gene.

    Conclusions

    Given the high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant and ESBL-producing isolates, early identification of these resistant isolates and their follow-up is essential to prevent further outbreaks. It is also important to use appropriate therapeutic strategies and proper and rational administration of
    antibiotics by physicians.

    Keywords: Antibiotic Resistance, ESBLs, K. pneumoniae, Urinary Tract Infection
  • Sina Dalvand*, Amin Namdari, Farzad Sepahvand, Mohammad Hassan Meshkibaf, Gholamreza Ahmadpour Pages 420-428
    Background

    Decitabine is a potent anticancer hypomethylating agent and changes the gene expression through the gene's promoter demethylation and also independently from DNA demethylation. So, the present study was designed to distinguish whether Decitabine, in addition to inhibitory effects on DNA
    methyltransferase, can change HDAC3 and HDAC7 mRNA expression in NALM-6 and HL-60 cancer cell lines.

    Methods

    HL-60, NALM-6, and normal cells were cultured, and the Decitabine treatment dose was obtained (1 μM) through the MTT assay. Finally, HDAC3 and HDAC7 mRNA expression were measured by Real-Time PCR in HL-60 and NALM-6 cancerous cells before and after treatment. Furthermore, HDAC3 and HDAC7 mRNA expression in untreated HL-60 and NALM-6 cancerous cells were compared to normal cells. 

    Results

    Our results revealed that the expression of HDAC3 and HDAC7 in HL-60 and NALM-6 cells increases as compared to normal cells. After treatment of HL-60 and NALM-6 cells with Decitabine, HDAC3, and HDAC7 mRNA expression were decreased significantly. 

    Conclusions

    Our data confirmed that the effects of Decitabine are not limited to direct hypomethylation of DNMTs, but it can indirectly affect other epigenetic factors, such as HDACs activity, through converging pathways.

    Keywords: Decitabine, HDAC3, HDAC7, HL-60, NALM-6
  • Aida Abdeen Mahmoud*, Hekmat Abdel-Aziz, Mohamed Elbadr, Hala Elbadre Pages 429-436
    Background

    Tobacco use is responsible for millions of preventable deaths due to cancer. Nicotine, an alkaloid chemical found in tobacco was proved to cause chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. The transcription factor STAT1 induces the expression of many proinflammatory genes and has been suggested to be a target for anti-inflammatory therapeutics. The following study investigated the effect of Nicotine on STAT1 pathway and oxidative stress in rat lung tissue. 

    Methods

    Thirty rats were divided into 3 groups; group I considered as control, group II; its rats were daily injected with Nicotine at a dose of 0.4 mg/100 gm body for 8 successive weeks and group III; its rats were daily injected with Nicotine as group II, but the injection was stopped for another 4
    weeks. STAT1α protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry, COX-2 and iNOS genes expression were evaluated by real time PCR and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total thiols were measured using spectrophotometric methods in the lung tissues of the rats.

    Results

    The results of the study revealed that group II rats had the highest expression of STAT1α protein and COX-2 and iNOS genes and oxidative stress in their lung tissues. Nicotine cessation for 4 weeks caused a marked reduction in the expression of STAT1α protein, COX-2 and iNOS genes and oxidative stress.

    Conclusions

    Induction of STAT1 pathway and the increase in oxidative stress may be the mechanisms through which Nicotine may induce its harmful effects.

    Keywords: COX-2, iNOS, Nicotine, Oxidative stress, STAT1
  • Syarifah Dewi*, Yulhasri Yulhasri, Wawan Mulyawan Pages 437-444
    Background

    In a hypoxic state, fatty acid breakdown reaction may be inhibited due to a lack of oxygen. It is likely that the fatty acids will be stored as triacylglycerol. The aim of this study was to analyse triacylglycerol synthesis in the liver after intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (HH) exposures.

    Methods

    Samples are liver tissues from 25 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: control group (normoxia), group I (once HH exposure), group II (twice HH exposures), group III (three-times HH exposures) and group IV (four-times HH exposures). The triacylglycerol level, mRNA expression
    of HIF-1α and PPAR-γ were measured in rat liver from each group.

    Results

    We demonstrated that triacylglycerol level, mRNA expression of HIF-1α and PPAR-γ is elevated in group I significantly compared to control group. In the intermittent HH groups (group II, III and IV), mRNA expression of HIF-1α and PPAR-γ tends to downregulate near to control group. However, the triacylglycerol level is still found increased in the intermittent HH exposures groups. Significant increasing of triacylglycerol level was found especially in group IV compared to control group. 

    Conclusions

    We conclude that intermittent HH exposures will increase the triacylglycerol level in rat liver, supported by the increasing of HIF-1α and PPAR-γ mRNA expression that act as  transcription factor to promote triacylglycerol synthesis.

    Keywords: Hypoxia, Triacylglycerol, Liver, HIF-1α, PPAR-γ
  • Rachmat Hidayat*, Patricia Wulandari Pages 445-454
    Background

    Hyperglycemia and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) play a significant role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Andrographis paniculata (AP) is a plant with high flavonoid content with the potential to suppress oxidative stress activity in cells and tissue. This study was aimed to investigate the role of Andrographis paniculata extract (APE) in protecting kidney damage due to the formation of AGEs in the renal glomerulus in diabetic rats.

    Methods

    A total of 30 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups as follows: normal control group, streptozocin (STZ) induced diabetic group, STZ-induced diabetic group with AP extract (100 mg/kg BW), STZ-induced diabetic rats with AP extract (200 mg/kg BW), and STZinduced
    diabetic rats with APE (400 mg/ kg BW). Blood glucose levels were measured before treatment and after treatment. Serum and urine parameters were determined. Antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxide levels were determined in the kidney along with histopathological examination.

    Results

    The finding of this study showed that treatment APE at the dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg ameliorated kidney hypertrophy index. SOD, catalase, and GSH activities significantly decreased in the kidney of STZ-diabetic rats compared to the normal control rats. Treatment with APE
    significantly decreased malondialdehyde level at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg BW.

    Conclusions

    This study revealed evidence for improving diabetic retinopathy in male rats treated with Andrographis paniculata extract. APE significantly decreased oxidative stress activities in kidney of diabetic rats.

    Keywords: Andrographis, Diabetic Nephropathies, Streptozocin, Rats, Oxidative Stress
  • Mohsen Alizadeh, Amirhossein Nafari, Ali Safarzadeh, Saeed Veiskarami, Mohammad Almasian, Ali Asghar Kiani* Pages 455-461
    Background

    The available evidence has increasingly demonstrated that a combination of genetic and epigenetic factors, such as DNA methylation, could be considered as causing leukemia. Epigenetic changes and methylation of the suppressor of the cytokine signaling 1 promoter (SOCS1) CpG region silence SOCS1 expression in cancer. In the current study, we evaluated the impact of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and RG108 on SOCS1 promoter methylation and expression in U937 cells.

    Methods

    In the current study, U937 leukemic cells were treated with EGCG and RG108 for 12, 24, 48, and 72 h and SOCS1 promoter methylation and its expression were measured by methylationspecific PCR (MSP) and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. 

    Results

    The outcomes indicated that the SOCS1 promoter is methylated in U937 cells, and treatment of these cells with either EGCG or RG108 reduced its methylation. Moreover, we observed that SOCS1 expression was significantly upregulated in a time-dependent manner by both EGCG and RG108 in U937
    cells compared with control cells. In the RG108-treated group at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h, SOCS1 expression was upregulated by 1, 4.2, 16.6, and 32.6 -fold respectively, and in the EGCG-treated group, by 0.5, 3.2, 10.8, and 22.3 -fold, respectively.

    Conclusions

    Treatment with either EGCG or RG108 reduced SOCS1 promoter methylation and increased SOCS1 expression in U937 cells in a time-dependent manner, which may play a role in leukemia therapy.

    Keywords: SOCS1, RG108, EGCG, Leukemia, DNA Methylation
  • Dhurgham Al-Fahad*, Khalid Majeed, Ahmed Al-Naqshbandi, Ahmed Al-Amery, Bandar Fahad Alharbi Pages 462-470
    Background

    Parvovirus B19 (B19) infection is linked with various diseases. Cytokines play critical roles in cellular response to viral infection. It has also been reported that’s susceptibility of the ABO blood type people to several viral infection. In this study, we evaluated interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8(IL-8), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) levels in aborted women infected with parvovirus B19 (B19+/Abr+) and uninfected with B19(B19-/Abr+) in comparison with healthy women (B12-/Abr-) and susceptibility of their RhD blood type to contract B19.

    Methods

    B19+/Abr+ were diagnosed using IgM and IgG antibodies against B19, and the concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and IFN-γ were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test in both B19+/Abr+, B19-/Abr+, and B19-/Abr-. Here, we also collected blood groups, number of abortion, and gestational ages from 200 B19+/Abr+ along with the same number ofB19-/Abr+ and B19-/Abr-.

    Results

    The levels of IFN-γ were higher in serum of B19-/Abr+andB19+/Abr+ group in comparison to B19-/Abr-, while the serum levels of IL-6, IL-8were increased in B19+/Abr+ group in comparisontoB19-/Abr+ and B19-/Abr-. Our analyzed data also showed that aborted women with RhD+ are more susceptible to contract s B19 than people with RhD- blood type.

    Conclusions

    B19 infection may differently modulate the amount of cytokines in the plasma of aborted women. So, it can be suggested that IL-6, IL-8, and IFN-γ potentially useful as markers for inflammation intrauterine. The susceptibility/protection of aborted women against B19 might be determined based on RhD blood type.

    Keywords: Aborted women, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, Parvovirus B19, RhD blood type
  • Parisa Najari Hanjani, Masoud Golalipour* Pages 471-476
    Background

    Circadian clocks are autonomous intracellular oscillators that synchronize metabolic and physiological processes with the external signals. So, misalignment of environmental and endogenous circadian rhythms leads to disruption of biological activities in living organisms. Noncoding transcripts
    including antisense RNAs are an important component of the molecular clocks. Commonly, the antisense transcripts are involved in the regulation of gene expression. PER2AS and CRY1AS are the only known Natural Antisense Transcripts (NAT) among the core clock genes, which overlap with the PER2 and CRY1 genes, respectively. In this study, we hypothesized that PER2AS and CRY1AS like the other clock genes, exhibit the oscillatory behavior in a 24-hour period and affect the expression of PER2 and CRY1.

    Methods

    First, the A549 cell line was cultured under standard conditions. After horse serum shock, RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis was performed; then the expression fluctuations of PER2AS, CRY1AS, PER2, and CRY1 were measured with Real-time PCR. 

    Results

    Our result showed that PER2AS and CRY1AS had similar oscillation patterns with their sense strand during 24-hour period.

    Conclusions

    Therefore, we suggested that PER2AS and CRY1AS transcripts probably by preventing the interaction of miRNAs with PER2 and CRY1 mRNAs, influence the expression of them, positively.

    Keywords: CRY1, CRY1AS, Natural Antisense Transcripts, PER2, PER2AS
  • Amirul Nazhan Ilias, Intan Safinar Ismail, Hazilawati Hamzah, Taznim Begam Mohd Mohidin, Mohd Faiz Idris, Mokrish Ajat* Pages 477-487
    Background

    Rebaudioside A is one of the major diterpene glycosides found in Stevia had been reported to possess anti-hyperlipidemic effects. In this study, we explore the potential cholesterol-regulating mechanisms of Rebaudioside A in the human hepatoma (HepG2) cell line in comparison with simvastatin.

    Methods

    Cells were incubated with Rebaudioside A at several concentrations (0-10 μM) to determine the cytotoxicity by the MTT assay. Cells were treated with selected dosage (1 and 5 μM) in further experiments. Total cellular lipid was extracted by Bligh and Dyer method and subjected to quantitative colorimetric assay. To illustrate the effect of Rebaudioside A on cellular lipid droplets and low-density lipoprotein receptors, treated cells were subjected to immunofluorescence microscopy. Finally, we investigated the expression of experimental gene patterns of cells in response to treatment.

    Results

    In this study, cytotoxicity of Rebaudioside A was determined at 27.72 μM. Treatment of cells with a higher concentration of Rebaudioside A promotes better hepatocellular cholesterol internalization and ameliorates cholesterol-regulating genes such as HMGCR, LDLR, and ACAT2.

    Conclusions

    In conclusion, our data demonstrated that Rebaudioside A is capable to regulate cholesterol levels in HepG2 cells. Hence, we proposed that Rebaudioside A offers a potential alternative to statins for atherosclerosis therapy.

    Keywords: Rebaudioside A, Anti-hypercholesterolemia, Lipid droplets, Low-density lipoprotein, HMGCR
  • Ahmed Abd Temur, Farah Aqeel Rashid* Pages 488-494
    Background

    Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a common gastrointestinal tumor biomarker. Irisin is adipo-myokines that has been suggested to have a potential role in cancer development. However, limited studies test irisin as biomarker in gastric and colorectal cancers. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether CEA and irisin could be a potential diagnostic biomarker in gastric and colorectal cancer.

    Methods

    A case-control study consists of 90 subjects, 21 gastric cancer patients, 49 colorectal cancer patients and 20 control. Serum CEA was detected by fluorescence immunoassay (FIA) kit. Serum irisin was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.

    Results

    Serum CEA increases significantly and serum irisin decreases significantly in gastric and colorectal cancer patients. According to Receiver  Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, in gastric cancer, the area under curve of CEA is 1.00 (95% CI, 1.000-1.000, p< 0.0001). The diagnostic
    cut-off of CEA is< 3.08 ng/ml with %100 sensitivity and 100% specificity. The area under curve of irisin is 0.94 (95% CI, 0.8177-1.000, p< 0.0001). The cut-off of irisin is> 30.2 ng/ml with %90 sensitivity and 100%, specificity. In colorectal cancer, the area under curve of CEA is 0.99 (95% CI, 0.9866-1.000, p<0.0001) and the diagnostic value< 2.6 ng/ml with %98 sensitivity and %100 specificity. The area under curve of irisin is 0.96 (95% CI, 0.9155-1.000, p< 0.0001). The diagnostic cut-off of irisin is> 41.9 ng/ml with 88.1sensitivity and 90.5 specificity.

    Conclusions

    CEA and irisin could be powerful potential diagnostic biomarkers which would be use for early detection of gastric and colorectal cancers.

    Keywords: Biomarker, Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), Colorectal cancer, Gastric cancer, Irisin
  • Omar Younis Al-Abbasy*, Wathba Idrees Ali, Aya Ihsan Rashan, Shihab Ahmed Al-Bajari Pages 495-505
    Background

    Because it tends to cause deterioration in the quality of food and appearance, food browning is unacceptable. Tyrosinase, which catalyzes the transformation of mono phenolic compounds into oquinones, has been associated with this phenomenon. Natural anti-browning agents were used to help avoid the enzymatic browning that occurs in many foods.

    Methods

    Tyrosinase of Jerusalem Artichoke tubers was purified through (NH4)2SO4 sedimentation, dialysis, chromatography, and finally gel  electrophoresis. The purified enzyme was characterized and inhibited by rosemary extracts.

    Results

    Purification of tyrosinase from Jerusalem Artichoke tuber were accomplished. The specific activity at the final step of purification increased to 14115.76 U/mg protein with purification fold 32.89 using CM-Cellulose chromatography. The molecular mass was evaluated by electrophoresis and found
    to be 62 KDa. Maximum tyrosinase activity was found at 30 °C, pH 7.2, and higher affinity towards Ltyrosine. Inhibition percentage of heated extracts for leaves and flowers on tyrosinase activity was better than nonheated with 29.65% and 23.75%, respectively. The kinetic analysis exposed uncompetitive
    inhibition by leaves and flowers heated extracts.

    Conclusions

    In this study, we concluded the usage of natural anti-browning inhibitors like rosemary extract be able to be castoff to substitute the chemical agents which might be dangerous to social healthiness. Natural anti-browning agents can be used to prevent the browning of many foods.

    Keywords: Tyrosinase, Jerusalem artichoke, Rosemary
  • Sherifa Fathalla Dawoud, Tarek Mostafa Al-Akra, Amina Mohamed Zedan* Pages 506-517
    Background

    Emamectin benzoate (EMB) is a biopesticide which used in agriculture as an insecticide. It is easier to reach ecologically and affects human health. This study aims to evaluate the protective effect of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles against EMB-induced hepatotoxicity.

    Methods

    Male mice were distributed into four groups: G1: the negative control, G2: EMB group (5 mg/kg diet), G3: EMB with Chitosan, (600 mg/kg diet), and G4: EMB with Chitosan nanoparticles (600 mg/kg diet). The experiment continues for 8 weeks, and the animals were sacrificed, and their organs were removed and immediately weighed after sacrifice. The liver was quickly removed and processed for histopathological and genetic studies.

    Results

    Emamectin benzoate (EMB) treatment induced oxidative stress by increased levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) with inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) levels. EMB produced several histopathological changes in the liver. Relative expressions of studied genes elevated in the liver with increase in DNA damage. Co-treatment with chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles reduced EMB related liver toxicity that belong to biochemical, histopathological, gene expression, and DNA damage by increasing antioxidant capacity.

    Conclusions

    This study offers insight into the potential for Chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles as a novel natural material against the oxidative stress induced by EMB.

    Keywords: Chitosan Nanoparticles, DNA Fragmentation, Emamectin Benzoate, Gene Expression, Hepatotoxicity