The Value of SIRT1/FOXO1 Signaling Pathway in Early Detection of Cardiovascular Risk in Children with β-Thalassemia Major.

Background: Atherosclerosis represents one of the major causes of morbidity in children with β-thalassemia major (β-TM). Aim: This study was designed to investigate SIRT1-FOXO1 signaling in β-TM children and their role in early detection of premature atherosclerosis. Methods: We equally subdivided 100 Egyptian children aged 6−14 years with β-TM according to carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) into 50 with CIMT < 0.

Soluble receptor and gene polymorphism for AGE: relationship with obesity and cardiovascular risks.

Background: Obesity in adolescents has quadrupled in the past 30 y. Markers for cardiovascular risks are needed in this population. We hypothesized that soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) and asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) can correlate with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), a known index of subclinical atherosclerosis.

Favorable effects of vildagliptin on metabolic and cognitive dysfunctions in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Progression of diabetes mellitus is accompanied by metabolic disorders together with psychological deficits including cognitive dysfunctions. Herein, we used a murine streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes to investigate the beneficial effects of vildagliptin not only on metabolic abnormalities, but also on diabetes-induced cognitive decline. Sixty rats were divided randomly and equally into 2 groups; one remains normal and the other serves as STZ- induced diabetic.

A proliferation-inducing ligand in atopic dermatitis and vitiligo.

Background: A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily member ligand that stimulates B cells in vitro and in vivo. It also plays an important role in T cell activation and survival.

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate serum levels of APRIL in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and vitiligo and their correlation with disease activity.

Taurine is more effective than melatonin on cytochrome P450 2E1 and some oxidative stress markers in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Melatonin and taurine have alleviative effects in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into nondiabetic, diabetic, diabetic melatonin supplemented and diabetic taurine supplemented groups. At the end of the study, both blood and liver were collected for determination of some oxidative stress parameters, and hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) enzyme activity and gene expression.

Effect of histidine on autotaxin activity in experimentally induced liver fibrosis.

The aim of this study was to explain whether serum autotaxin (ATX) activity might be a target for regulation of liver fibrosis and to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antifibrotic effects of histidine in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. This study was carried out on 100 Wistar Albino rats, classified into five groups, each containing 20 rats: Group I (control group), Group II: rats were given histidine intraperitoneally, Group III: rats were injected intraperitoneally with TAA, Group IV: rats were injected with L-histidine together with TAA, and Group V: rats were injected with TAA for 1 month then treated with intraperitoneal injection of L-histidine for another month. At the end of experiment, blood and liver were collected for determination of some liver enzymes, plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC), serum ATX activity, and liver tissue hydroxyproline.

Heamostatic and genetic predisposing factors for stroke in children with sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of genetic disorders characterized by the production of the abnormal hemoglobin S (HbS). Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is the most common type of SCD and represents the homozygous form, in which the individual inherits a double dose of the abnormal gene that codes for hemoglobin S. This study was done to detect cases of silent and clinically overt strokes in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) and examine predisposing factors for stroke development.