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BACKGROUND & AIMS: The liver is a vital organ responsible for numerous metabolic processes, which can be significantly impacted by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). These ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules have been shown to play a crucial role in regulating gene expression, and their dysregulation has been implicated in numerous liver disorders. Our study aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of plasmacytoma variant translocation-1 (PVT-1), microRNA-29a/29b (miR-29a/miR-29b), and inflammatory biomarkers [ interleukine-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß), and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1)] as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for liver cirrhosis. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms by which lncRNAs and miRNAs influence liver metabolism is of paramount importance in developing effective treatments for liver-related diseases. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 164 participants, comprising 114 cirrhotic patients with varying grades (35 grade I, 35 grade II, and 44 grade III) and 50 healthy controls. PVT-1 and miR-29a/miR-29b expression was analyzed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), while the serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The study participants exhibited notable differences in PVT-1 and miR-29a/miR-29b expression. ROC analysis revealed excellent discriminative power for PVT-1 and miR-29a/miR-29b in distinguishing cirrhotic patients from healthy controls. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the promising potential of PVT-1 and miR-29a/miR-29b as early diagnostic biomarkers for liver cirrhosis detection, requiring further validation in larger cohorts. Our findings also reinforce the diagnostic value of circulating inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-ß, and IGF-1) levels for liver cirrhosis screening.

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Breast cancer (BC) is a highly prevalent malignancy that poses a significant threat to women's well-being. Novel biomarker identification helps to improve clinical outcomes and provide tailored treatments. Our research aims to explore the diagnostic potential of miR-200a/lncRNA H-19 and interleukin-6 (IL-6)/SIRT-1 axis crosstalk and evaluate the impact of metastasis on gene expression, which provides valuable insights into the diagnosis and treatment of BC. In this case-control study, we collected blood samples from 54 nonmetastatic breast cancer (NMBC) patients, 46 metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients, and 50 healthy individuals. We used real time-polymerase chain reaction to measure the expression levels of lncRNA H-19 and miR-200a, whereas enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the IL-6 levels. In addition, we evaluated SIRT-1 expression level using a Western blot assay. The levels of lncRNA H-19, miR-200a, and IL-6 were higher in BC patients, whereas SIRT-1 levels were lower. Patients with MBC had higher levels of lncRNA H-19, miR-200a, and IL-6 than those with NMBC. In addition, the expression of lncRNA H-19 and miR-200a showed a negative correlation with SIRT-1 expression, whereas the levels of lncRNA H-19 and miR-200a showed a positive correlation with IL-6 expression level. The diagnostic potential of lncRNA H-19 and miR-200a in BC is undeniable. Moreover, the robust association of IL-6/SIRT-1 with lncRNA H-19/miR-200a expression presents a promising opportunity for clinical outcomes and tailored treatments.

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The molecular alterations in noncoding RNA can lead to a cellular storm that is correlated to higher mortality and morbidity rates and contributes to the progression and metastasis of cancer. Herein, we aim to evaluate the expression levels and correlations of microRNA-1246 (miR-1246), HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR), and interleukin-39 (IL-39) in patients with breast cancer (BC). In this study, 130 participants were recruited, including 90 breast cancer patients and 40 healthy control participants. Serum levels of miR-1246 and HOTAIR expression were assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Also, the level of IL-39 expression was evaluated using a Western blot. All BC participants demonstrated a remarkable elevation in miR-1246 and HOTAIR expression levels. Moreover, IL-39 expression levels demonstrated a noticeable decline in BC patients. Furthermore, the differential expression fold of miR-1246 and HOTAIR revealed a strong positive correlation among breast cancer patients. In addition, a negative relationship between the IL-39 and the miR-1246 and HOTAIR differential expression was also noticed. This study revealed that HOTAIR/miR-1246 exerts an oncogenic impact in patients with breast cancer. The expression levels of circulation miR-1246, HOTAIR, and IL-39 could be considered early diagnostic biomarkers in BC patients.

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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive, autoimmune disease caused by a malfunction of the immune system. The aim of this study was to examine the anti-arthritic effects and suggest the mechanisms of actions of diosmin and trolox in male Wistar rats. Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) was used to establish RA in the animals by subcutaneous injection of 100 µL CFA/rat into plantar region of right hind leg in two consecutive days. Diosmin and/or trolox were administered orally at a dosage of 20 mg/kg/day to CFA-induced arthritic rats for 2 weeks. The normal and arthritic control groups were orally given the same equivalent volume of a vehicle (1% carboxymethyl cellulose) in which treatment agents were dissolved. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from the jugular vein for the detection of the total leukocyte count (TLC) and differential leukocyte count (DLC) in blood and the detection of rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-13 (IL-13), and interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), as well as markers of oxidative stress and the antioxidant defense system in serum. The right hind ankle regions of three rats from each group were dissected out and fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin for histological examination and the other three were kept at -30 °C for Western blot analysis of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) protein 50 (NF-κB p50), NF-κB p65, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 (MMP-1), MMP-3, and MMP-9. The CFA injection was deleterious to the ankle joint's histological architecture, manifesting as infiltration of inflammatory cells into the articular cartilage, hyperplasia of the synovium, and erosion of the cartilage. All these effects were ameliorated by diosmin and/or trolox, with the combined dose being the most effective. The two compounds significantly lowered the elevated serum levels of RF, ACPA, TNF-α, and IL-17, as well as other pro-inflammatory mediators, such as NF-κB p50, NF-κB p65, iNOS, MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-9. They also increased the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-13, and the cytoprotective transcription factor Nrf2. The compounds stimulated higher activities of antioxidants, such as glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, and reduced lipid peroxidation in the serum of arthritic rats. In conclusion, diosmin, trolox, and their combination, which was the most potent, exerted anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by suppressing NF-κB signaling, inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases, and activating Nrf2.

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BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) is one of the serious side effects which have become the most common secondary osteoporosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of parsley, basil and chicory on glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in rats. METHODS: Fifty Female rats were divided into five groups and treated for 8 weeks as follow: group 1 served as control; group (2) subcutaneously injected with 0.1 mg/kg b. wt. dexamethasone dissolved in saline; group 3 received similar dose of dexamethasone together with aqueous parsley extract in a dose of 2 g/kg b. wt.; group 4 received similar dose of dexamethasone together with 400 mg/kg b. wt. aqueous basil extract and group 5 received similar dose of dexamethasone together with 100 mg/kg b. wt. aqueous chicory extract. RESULTS: The dexamethasone group showed a significant decrease in serum E2, Ca, P levels and significant decrease in total BMD, BMC and a significant increase in serum PTH, ALP and ACP. Bone TBARs was significantly increased while GSH, antioxidant enzymes were significantly decreased. These changes were attenuated by parsley, basil and chicory extracts in the group 3, 4 and 5 respectively. CONCLUSION: Aqueous extracts of parsley, basil and chicory showed bone protection against glucocorticoid-induced in rats. From our results, we concluded that chicory has a potent protective effect more than parsley and basil due to containing flavonoids and inulin.

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AIM: The objective of this study is to investigate the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and hepatoprotective effects of the aqueous extract of parsley, basil, and chicory whole plant in normal and dexamethasone (Dex) rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 50 female albino rats were used in this study and divided into 5 groups (for each 10). Group (1) fed basal diet and maintained as negative control group. Group (2) received Dex in a dose of (0.1 mg/kg b. wt.). Groups 3, 4, and 5 were treated with Dex along with three different plant extracts of parsley, basil, and chicory (2 g/kg b. wt.), (400 mg/kg b. wt.), and (100 mg/kg b. wt.), respectively. RESULTS: All these groups were treated given three times per week for 8 consecutive weeks. Dex-induced alterations in the levels of serum glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels and cardiovascular indices and serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities, liver thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) levels increased, while high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total protein, albumin, and liver glutathione (GSH) levels decreased. On the other hand, plant extracts succeeded to modulate these observed abnormalities resulting from Dex as indicated by the reduction of glucose, cholesterol, TBARS, and the pronounced improvement of the investigated biochemical and antioxidant parameters. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that probably, due to its antioxidant property, parsley, basil, and chicory extracts have hepatoprotective effects in Dex-induced in rats.