Jorjani Biomedicine Journal
Year:2023 | Volume:11 | Issue:4|Papers Count:6

Letter to the Editor

Background: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the prevalent metabolic diseases, and knowing its treatment methods is very important. This study investigates the effect of eight weeks of combined high-intensity interval training on intrahepatic FNDC5 protein and irisin in male rats with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Methods: In this study, 40 rats aged 6 to 8 weeks were divided into two groups: healthy (n=20) and high-fat diet (HFD) (n=20). After eight weeks and assurance of disease induction, the HFD group was randomly divided into control-patient (n=9) and training-patient (n=9). Also, the healthy group was divided into control-healthy (n=9) and training-healthy (n=9). The training group rats performed HIIT in aquatic and land environments (Saturdays and Wednesdays in aquatic environments and Mondays on a treadmill). Western blot method was used to measure FNDC5 and irisin proteins, and the spectrophotometric method was used to measure liver enzymes (ALT and AST). One-way ANOVA and Bonferroni's post hoc test (P<0.05) were used to determine the difference between groups. Results: After eight weeks of combined high-intensity interval training, there was no significant difference in intrahepatic FNDC5 protein levels between the groups (P=0.125). Intrahepatic irisin protein levels significantly increased in the training-healthy group compared to the control-healthy group (P=0.046). Additionally, there was a significant increase in the training-patient group compared to the control-patient group (P=0.036) and a significant increase in the training-healthy group compared to the control-patient group (P=0.011). Conclusion: In general, combined high-intensity interval training (aquatic + land) can increase intrahepatic irisin. Thus, this type of training can be considered one of the potential non-pharmacological options for treating NAS. However, more research is needed to reach definitive results.

Background: Gastric cancer is the fifth most common neoplasm and the fourth leading cause of mortality worldwide. Incidence rates vary widely and depend on risk factors, epidemiological factors, and carcinogenesis patterns. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression and metastasis is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies. Previous studies have reported that fascin overexpression, an actin-binding protein, promotes cell motility and invasion in cancers by bundling actin filaments. Therefore, inhibiting this protein can be a major step in treatment. Methods: In this prospective study, the protein structure of fascin was obtained from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). Using the HyperChem 7.0 software, the chemical structure of cytochalasin H as a small molecule inhibitor was designed. Rigid docking studies between cytochalasin H and fascin protein were performed using the AutoDock Vina 1.1.2 software, and the obtained results were analyzed using LigPlot+ v.1.4.5, Discovery Studio 4.5, and PyMOL v.1.9 software. Results: According to the analyses and the obtained results, cytochalasin H and fascin protein have an effective interaction with an optimal energy level. Conclusion: These findings suggest that cytochalasin H may be developed into a potential chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of gastric cancer by inhibiting fascin. Nevertheless, further in vitro and in vivo experiments are necessary to elucidate the exact mechanism.

Background: Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world and the third most common cancer in developing countries. Early detection of oral cancer can reduce mortality in several ways. The aim of the present study was to combine the quantitative results of various studies concerning serum and salivary microRNAs for early diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guideline. We searched all the relevant English studies in international databases of PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, ProQuest, Embase, and Wiley until February 2022. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled odds ratio (OR) and its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for each study. A total of 672 articles were found. After screening, 93 articles were approved for systematic review. Finally, 5 completely relevant articles were examined in the meta-analysis. Results: Considering all studies regarding miRNAs, the combined results indicated that AUC = 0.73, with a sensitivity of 71.68% and a specificity of 69.95%, could be used for HNSCC diagnosis. Due to the moderate sensitivity and specificity of miRNAs, they may be able to confirm or exclude suspected cases of this disease, enhancing their utility as clinical diagnostic indicators. Conclusion: The available data provide evidence that miRNAs, especially MiR-31 expression in the saliva, serum, or plasma, can be used as a diagnostic biomarker for HNSCC patients. However, controlled clinical trials with large sample sizes are needed to validate different miRNAs.

Background: The use of complementary medicine in healthcare is increasing rapidly. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training with quercetin supplementation on the gene expression of FOXO1 and ATG5 in the liver of diabetic obese rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 42 male Wistar rats were considered research samples at eight weeks. Rats were induced with diabetes after eight weeks of a high-fat diet and familiarization with a laboratory environment and treadmill. Rats were divided into seven groups, and six rats were placed in each group (n=6): healthy control group, diabetes control group, diabetic quercetin group, high-intensity interval training with diabetes group, moderate-intensity continuous training with diabetes group, diabetic high-intensity interval training with quercetin group, and diabetic moderate-intensity continuous training with quercetin group. For one training group, eight weeks of high-intensity interval training, and for the other group, eight weeks of moderate-intensity continuous training on the treadmill were performed. Seventy-two hours after the last training session, liver tissues were isolated to check the gene expression of FOXO1 and ATG5. One-way analysis of variance test was used to check the difference between groups by SPSS version 26 software. Results: Findings showed that by inducing type 2 diabetes, gene expression of FOXO1 increased (3.14 unit) (P<0.001) and ATG5 gene expression decreased (0.71 unit) (P<0.001). After eight weeks of training investigation, gene expression of FOXO1 and ATG5 decreased (P<0.001) and increased (P<0.001), respectively, in all training groups compared to the diabetic control group. There was no significant difference between the four training groups (P>0/05). Conclusion: Both exercises with and without quercetin had a modulating effect on the gene expression of indicators related to the process of autophagy and blood glucose levels in the liver of diabetic obese rats.

Background: Obesity carries great risks related to health, such as the development and progression of chronic inflammation and obvious metabolic disorders. This study aimed to examine the effect of eight weeks of moderate-intensity resistance training with garlic supplementation on the lipid profile in overweight women. Methods: The present research was a semi-experimental study and the participants were 60 overweight women from Gachsaran City with (body mass index: 28/45±6/72) who were randomly divided into four groups (n = 15): supplemental exercise, placebo exercise, garlic supplemental, and placebo. Two training groups performed moderate-intensity resistance training for eight weeks and three sessions per week. One day before the start of training and 48 hours after the last training session, blood samples were collected to measure total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), LDL-C, and HDL-C variables. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and LSD post-hoc test. Results: Findings showed that there is a significant decrease in the serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C and a significant increase in HDL-C (P<0.05) serum levels in three groups of supplemental exercise, placebo exercise, and garlic supplemental compared to the placebo group. Conclusion: Moderate-intensity resistance training with and without consuming garlic improves overweight women's lipid profile, and when exercise is accompanied by consuming garlic, the amount of these changes and improving the lipid profile is greater.