Biologia Molecular: Acesso Aberto

The study on liver function status of high fat diet and low dose streptozotocin (HFD-STZ) induced NIDDM in Wistar rats placed on antioxidant supplementation was monitored in vitro. Some antioxidant rich substances which include some minerals and vitamins, α-lipoic acid, cinnamon powder, curcumin (Meriva®), cordyceps, resveratrol, quercetin, D-ribose-L-cysteine were assembled together in appropriate (RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance)) proportions into corn oil and stored 4oC for use. Liver and kidney function test were assayed using standard analytical grade reagents and kits as well as good equipment’s. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 20.0 and significant level was set at p ≤ 0.05. A total of five groups were created and used for this study. After induction of diabetes, the treatment lasted for a total of 12 weeks, with analysis carried out at the 4th, 8th and 12th week intervals respectively. Results obtained from assay of the functional status of the hepatocyte indicate that there was significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in enzyme activities of all groups with the exception of diabetic control group. Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) activities of the treated groups, as well as normal control group where reduced significantly (p ≤ 0.05) when compared with the diabetic control group which increased constantly within the duration (4th to the 12th week) of treatment. However, significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in serum Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity and serum total protein level was observed in the treated groups as the duration increase with the 8th week having the highest significant value. The results of direct and total serum bilirubin and albumin levels showed no significant difference (p ≥ 0.05) in all groups. Hence, the results obtained suggest that the antioxidant supplement might aid in the restoration of liver function status by reducing free radical generation and activity via increased antioxidant presence.

Consumption of antioxidant compounds in the diet may provide cytoprotection against oxidative damage associated with diseases or exposure to toxic agents. In the present study, we have investigated the influence of extracellular protein-binding on the cytoprotective properties of two free-radical-scavenging natural products: quercetin (Q) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Cytoprotection was determined by the ability of Q/EGCG to reduce the toxicity elicited by the oxidant tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) in human hepatoma HepG2 cells, performed in serum-free medium or medium containing low [2%(v/v)] or high [10%(v/v)] levels of foetal bovine serum. Initial studies confirmed that the presence of serum (up to 10% v/v) was without effect on HepG2 viability. Furthermore, Q and EGCG were not toxic (up to a concentration of 100 μg/mL) under any of the culture conditions. Cytoprotection elicited by Q was significantly greater in serum-free and low-serum conditions compared to high-serum conditions. Similar results were obtained with EGCG, with additional evidence of a significant difference between serum-free and low-serum conditions. In conclusion, cytoprotective effects of Q and EGCG are modified by the presence of extracellular protein.

Burn injury causes serious mortality and morbidity. Especially all pathophysiologic responses are seen in burn patients who are affected in more than 20% of total body surface. In the literature, biochemical studies on burns are usually studies investigating the effects of inflammation, sepsis and inhalation. However, studies that evaluated the wound healing and clinical course with biochemical parameters are limited. In particular, there were no studies investigating the effects of early physiotherapy on burn patients. Using biochemical parameters to evaluate these physiological changes seen in major burns can give more objective data. Therefore, the aim of this review is to discuss the recent advances in research into the utility of biomarkers in burn injury and to examine the effect of physiotherapy on these parameters.

Introduction: In Systemic Lupus, miRNAs construct a substantial layer of post-transcriptional gene expression regulation. Availability of sensitive and specific methods for their detection makes them candidates for potential biomarker discovery. Here we compared miRNAs particular to SLE patients with healthy controls.
Methods: Total RNA and miRNAs were isolated from blood and serum of 16 SLE patients and 8 healthy controls for microarray assays. Potential target genes were predicted and interrogated with mRNA profiling data. BLAST alignment analysis was done between differentially expressed miRNAs and predicted target genes. Microarray results were confirmed by QRT-PCR.
Results: 10 miRNAs were differently expressed in SLE patients of which, has-miR-149-5p was up-regulated about 8.5 fold. Among predicted targets only ERbB3 approved by mRNA profiling and found to be down-regulated approximately by two fold. BLAST alignment analysis of mature sequence of has-miR-149-5p and ERbB3 sequence revealed that 16 of 18 nucleotides belong to hsa-miR-149-5p, matched with nucleotides in minus chain of target gene (89%). Two nucleotides “mismatches” did not interfere with target mRNA degradation.
Conclusion: We conclude hsa-miR-149-5p degrades ERbB3 gene’s primary transcript before splicing meaning that up-regulation of hsa-miR-149-5p activates direct/indirect apoptosis by stopping ERbB3 translation and could be a biomarker candidate for lupus activity.

Air pollution is one of the most crucial public health concerns over the globe. Car fumes are major component of the pollution burden, and thought to modulate the methylation landscape of the exposed people. In the present investigation, 199 blood samples were collected from male traffic workers belonging to the Traffic Department, Ministry of Interior in Egypt. Global DNA methylation was quantified using real time PCR, and the obtained results indicated a hypermethylation in the outdoor group compared to the indoor group. Transforming growth factor (TGF-β) gene expression was assessed using real time PCR as an indicator for the transformation of cells from the normal to the malignant state. Data indicated that the outdoor group had an elevated level of TGF-β expression as normalized by β actin compared to the indoor group. Blood glucose was also reported an increased level in the outdoor compared to the indoor group. These data could be considered as a preliminary study to a larger one to underlie the risk of exposure to car fumes on traffic workers, especially the outdoor workers.

Background: Malnutrition is the important key risk factors for the various diseases. In this study, Body Mass Index (BMI) was used to measure nutritional status for adults. The aim of the study was to differentiate nutritional status between male and female in Bangladesh.
Methods: Data was extracted from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS-2011) dataset. Independent sample t-test, Z-proportional test, chi-square (χ2) test and multinomial logistic regression were used in this study.
Results: This study revealed that the prevalence of under and over nutrition among Bangladeshi adults aged 16-34 years were 23.6% and 14.3% respectively. It was found that the prevalence of under nutrition among men (26.3%) was significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of women (23.3%), while the prevalence of over nutrition among women (15.2%) was higher than that of men (7.2%). Height and weight of adult male was significantly (p<0.01) higher than female, but the mean value of BMI of female (21.32 ± 3.59 kg/m2) was significantly higher (p<0.01) than male (20.54 ± 2.83 kg/m2). Urban male and female were higher BMI than rural male and female (p<0.01). Multinomial logistic regressions exhibited that living location (division), education level, toilet facilities, marital status and wealth index were risk factors for malnutrition for both sexes.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a remarkable number of both male and female were malnourished in Bangladesh. This study suggested that controlling some modifiable factors such as household wealth quintile, education, working status and residence might reduce the prevalence of malnutrition among adults in Bangladesh.