Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Pioglitazone or Exendin-4 Synergistically Improve Insulin Resistance via Multiple Modulatory Mechanisms in High-Fat Diet/Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rats.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease, characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion and/or insulin action. The current study was designed to assess the therapeutic potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) alone and in combination with pioglitazone (Pz) or exendin-4 (Ex) in high-fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced diabetes in rats.

Methods: The rats were subjected to the HFD for three weeks before being injected with a single low dosage of STZ (35 mg/kg bw).

Esculetin and idebenone ameliorate galactose-induced cataract in a rat model.

Cataract is the principal cause of blindness. The enzyme, aldose reductase (AR) is a key player in polyol pathway. Buildup of polyols and oxidative stress are the main causes of cataractogenesis.

Evaluation of circulating miRNA-208a-3p, miRNA-155-5p and miRNA-637 as potential non-invasive biomarkers and the possible mechanistic insights into pre- and postmenopausal osteoporotic females.

Background And Aim: Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder that increases bone fragility and the risk of fractures. Recent studies have shown that miRNAs possess a pivotal role in osteoporosis development. This study aimed to evaluate the expression profiles of sera miRNA-208a-3p, miRNA-155-5p, and miRNA-637, to examine relation to osteoporosis and suggest the possible mechanisms of action to be used as innovative biomarkers for the diagnosis of osteoporosis among pre- and postmenopausal females.

Role of Serum miR-181b, Proinflammatory Cytokine, and Adhesion Molecules in Behçet's Disease.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic multi-systemic inflammatory disease of uncertain pathogenesis and with no definitive diagnostic test. The aims of this study were to investigate serum levels of miR-181b in BD patients and to correlate this candidate biomarker with disease activity, cytokines, and adhesion molecules to identify new markers that can be used as a diagnostic tool for BD. Blood samples were collected from 96 participants who were classified according to their BD current activity form into 3 groups: healthy control, active BD, and inactive BD patients.

Association of MiRNA-146a, MiRNA-499, IRAK1 and PADI4 Polymorphisms with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Egyptian Population.

Background/aims: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease affecting up to 1% of the population worldwide. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether miRNA-146a rs2910164, miRNA-499 rs3746444, IRAK1 rs3027898 and PADI4 rs1748033 polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to RA in Egyptians and whether they influence disease severity and activity.

Methods: The study was performed on 104 unrelated RA patients and 112 healthy subjects.

Comparative study of the effects of PEGylated interferon-α2a versus 5-fluorouracil on cancer stem cells in a rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) possess tumor-initiating, metastatic, and drug resistance properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of PEGylated interferon-α2a (PEG-IFN-α2a) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the expression of CSC markers and on specific pathways that contribute to the propagation of CSCs in HCC. HCC was initiated in rats using a single intraperitoneal dose of diethylnitrosamine (DENA) (200 mg/kg) and promoted by weekly subcutaneous injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 6 weeks.

Increased cardiac endothelin-1 and nitric oxide in adriamycin-induced acute cardiotoxicity: protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract.

Cardiotoxicity and congestive heart failure are the major factors that limit the use of anti-neoplastic drug adriamycin (ADR). There is increasing experimental evidence that endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) are vasoactive mediators that regulate cardiac performance. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of ET-1 and NO in ADR-induced acute cardiotoxicity and to evaluate the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761) in rats.

Antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of proanthocyanidin and ginkgo biloba extract against doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury in rats.

Grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPE) and ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761) are considered to have protective effects against several diseases. The cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin (DOX) has been reported to be associated with oxidative damage. This study was conducted to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of GSPE and EGb761 against DOX-induced heart injury in rats.

Evaluation of oxidative stress markers and vascular risk factors in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common diabetic chronic complications. The pathogenesis of DPN is complex and involves an intertwined array of mechanisms. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the association of oxidative stress and vascular risk factors with the prevalence of DPN and to determine the role of these biochemical parameters in the prognosis of DPN.