Regulation of liver regeneration by prostaglandin E and thromboxane A following partial hepatectomy in rats.

The implication of prostaglandin E (PGE) and thromboxane A (TXA) in the striking process of liver regeneration has been previously reported. However, their exact roles and downstream signals have not been utterly revealed. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explore whether inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-derived PGE by celecoxib and blocking of TXA action by seratrodast could alter the progression of liver regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx) in rats.

JNJ7777120 Ameliorates Inflammatory and Oxidative Manifestations in a Murine Model of Contact Hypersensitivity via Modulation of TLR and Nrf2 Signaling.

JNJ7777120, a histamine H4 receptor antagonist, was shown to be effective in different experimental settings of allergic inflammation, including contact hypersensitivity. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are thought to function as a link between innate and adaptive immune responses to various haptens. Here, we studied the suppression of TLR signaling as a possible mechanism by which JNJ7777120 exerts its anti-inflammatory effects against the chemical hapten, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC).

Pretreatment with magnesium ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in mice.

Background: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, is involved in the pathogenesis of sepsis. LPS administration induces systemic inflammation that mimics many of the initial clinical features of sepsis and has deleterious effects on several organs including the liver and eventually leading to septic shock and death. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of magnesium (Mg), a well known cofactor in many enzymatic reactions and a critical component of the antioxidant system, on hepatic damage associated with LPS-induced endotoxima in mice.

The role of bone marrow derived-mesenchymal stem cells in attenuation of kidney function in rats with diabetic nephropathy.

Background: Stem cell therapy holds a great promise for the repair of injured tissues and organs, including the kidney. We studied the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) on experimental diabetic nephropathy (DN) in rats and the possible paracrine signals that mediate their action.

Materials And Methods: Rats were divided into controls, DN rats, DN rats receiving MSCs.

The effect of a novel curcumin derivative on pancreatic islet regeneration in experimental type-1 diabetes in rats (long term study).

Background: Several studies highlight curcumin's benefit as a hypoglycemic agent, however; a limited number of reports present the importance of curcumin in improvement of pancreatic islets in diabetes. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of a novel curcumin derivative and its effect on pancreatic islet regeneration in type I diabetes-induced by STZ.

Materials And Methods: Rats were divided into diabetic rats and diabetic rats treated orally with the novel curcumin derivative (NCD) for 40 days.

Effect of mesenchymal stem cells and a novel curcumin derivative on Notch1 signaling in hepatoma cell line.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and a novel curcumin derivative (NCD) on HepG2 cells (hepatoma cell line) and to investigate their effect on Notch1 signaling pathway target genes. HepG2 cells were divided into HepG2 control group, HepG2 cells treated with MSC conditioned medium (MSCs CM), HepG2 cells treated with a NCD, HepG2 cells treated with MSCs CM and NCD, and HepG2 cells treated with MSCs CM (CM of MSCs pretreated with a NCD). Expression of Notch1, Hes1, VEGF, and cyclin D1 was assessed by real-time, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in HepG2 cells.

Effect of novel water soluble curcumin derivative on experimental type- 1 diabetes mellitus (short term study).

Background: Diabetes mellitus type 1 is an autoimmune disorder caused by lymphocytic infiltration and beta cells destruction. Curcumin has been identified as a potent inducer of heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a redoxsensitive inducible protein that provides protection against various forms of stress. A novel water soluble curcumin derivative (NCD) has been developed to overcome low in vivo bioavailability of curcumin.

Effects of a water-soluble curcumin protein conjugate vs. pure curcumin in a diabetic model of erectile dysfunction.

Introduction: Curcumin is involved in erectile signaling via elevation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP).

Aim: Assessment of the effects of water-soluble curcumin in erectile dysfunction (ED).

Methods: One hundred twenty male white albino rats were divided into: 1st and 2nd control groups with or without administration of Zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), 3rd and 4th diabetic groups with or without ZnPP, 5th diabetic group on single oral dose of pure curcumin, 6th diabetic group on pure curcumin administered daily for 12 weeks, 7th and 8th diabetic groups on single dose of water-soluble curcumin administered with or without ZnPP, 9th and 10th diabetic groups on water-soluble curcumin administered daily for 12 weeks with or without ZnPP.

Novel water-soluble curcumin derivative mediating erectile signaling.

Introduction: Curcumin is an inducer of heme oxygenase enzyme-1 (HO-1) that is involved in erectile signaling via elevating cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)levels.

Aim: To assess the effect of oral administration of a water-soluble long-acting curcumin derivative on erectile signaling.

Methods: Two hundred and thirty six male white albino rats were divided into four groups; group 1 (N = 20) includes control.

Efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells in suppression of hepatocarcinorigenesis in rats: possible role of Wnt signaling.

Background: The present study was conducted to evaluate the tumor suppressive effects of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in an experimental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model in rats and to investigate the possible role of Wnt signaling in hepato-carcinogenesis.

Methods: Ninety rats were included in the study and were divided equally into: Control group, rats which received MSCs only, rats which received MSCs vehicle only, HCC group induced by diethylnitroseamine (DENA) and CCl(4), rats which received MSCs after HCC induction, rats which received MSCs before HCC induction. Histopathological examination and gene expression of Wnt signaling target genes by real time, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in rat liver tissue, in addition to serum levels of ALT, AST and alpha fetoprotein were performed in all groups.

The effect of curcumin on insulin release in rat-isolated pancreatic islets.

Curcumin exerts a hypoglycemic action and induces heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1). We evaluated the effect of curcumin on isolated islets of Langerhans and studied whether its action on insulin secretion is mediated by inducible HO-1. Islets were isolated from rats and divided into control islets, islets incubated in different curcumin concentrations, islets incubated in hemin, islets incubated in curcumin and HO inhibitor, stannous mesoporphyrin (SnMP), islets incubated in hemin and SnMP, islets incubated in SnMP only, and islets incubated in 16.

Magnesium supplementation enhances the anticonvulsant potential of valproate in pentylenetetrazol-treated rats.

N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists appear to enhance the anticonvulsant activity of antiepileptic drugs in several models of epilepsy. Therefore, the current study evaluates the modulatory effect of magnesium (Mg(2+)), a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, on a subprotective dose of valproate (VPA) against pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced convulsions. Male Wister rats received either saline or PTZ (60mg/kg, i.

Effects of losartan, HO-1 inducers or HO-1 inhibitors on erectile signaling in diabetic rats.

Introduction: Activation of the renin-angiotensin system which is common in diabetes mellitus might affect heme oxygenase (HO-1) gene expression.

Aim: Assessment of the effects of administration of angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor antagonist (losartan) with HO-1 inducer or inhibitor on erectile signaling in diabetic rats.

Materials And Methods: Seventy male rats were divided equally into seven groups; healthy controls, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, rats on citrate buffer, diabetic rats on losartan, diabetic rats on HO-1 inducer (cobalt protoporphyrin [CoPP]), diabetic rats on losartan and CoPP, and diabetic rats on losartan and HO-1 inhibitor (stannus mesoporphyrin [SnMP]).

Putative role of carbon monoxide signaling pathway in penile erectile function.

Introduction: Erectile response depends on nitric oxide (NO) generated by NO synthase (NOS) enzyme of the nerves and vascular endothelium in the cavernous tissue. NO activates soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), leading to the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP activates cGMP-dependent protein kinase that activates Ca(2+)/ATPase pump that activates Ca(2+)/K efflux pump extruding Ca(2+) across the plasma membrane with consequent smooth muscle cell relaxation.

Effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on cardiovascular complications in diabetic rats.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on cardiovascular complications of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) in rats.

Material/methods: MSCs were derived from the bone marrow of male albino rats. The MSCs were characterized morphologically and by RT-PCR for CD29 expression.

Molecular evaluation of apoptotic versus antiapoptotic angiogenic markers in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: To assess the role of HO-1 in HCC progression and to study the expression of apoptotic factors represented by TNF-alpha, and Fas-L versus antiapoptotic and angiogenic factors represented by HO-1, TGF-beta, HGF, and VEGF in HCC compared to non cancerous cirrhotic liver.

Design And Methods: Liver biopsies were taken from twelve patients with grade II HCC confined to the liver and twelve patients with non cancerous liver cirrhosis (served as control). RT-PCR of previous genes was evaluated.

HO-1 and VGEF gene expression in human arteries with advanced atherosclerosis.

Objectives: Both heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have been shown to be involved in the progression of atherosclerosis. The relationship between HO-1 and VEGF gene expression and their proteins in endothelial cells from human atherosclerotic arterial specimens was investigated.

Design And Methods: The study included seventeen human arterial specimens with early and six specimens with advanced atherosclerotic lesions.

Screening for human papillomavirus (HPV) in Egyptian women by the second-generation hybrid capture (HC II) test.

Background: HPV infection is the main cause of cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia worldwide. The second-generation HC II test is a liquid hybridization assay designed to detect 18 HPV types. The aim of the present study was to detect the rate of HPV infection and its various genotypes among Egyptian women.