Avicenna Journal of Medical Biochemistry
Year:2019 | Volume:7 | Issue:1|Papers Count:7

Although the detection and treatment of breast cancer have significantly developed better than in past decades, it is still the most important cause of death in women worldwide. Until today, various methods have been developed to manage breast cancer, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. However, each method has its own limitations. Effective chemotherapy needs to overcome the challenges of treating breast cancer, including drug toxicity, drug resistance, and adverse drug reactions (1, 2). Drug resistance is the major complication in cancer chemotherapy for breast cancer (3). Thus, using the proper delivery system as a new route of drug administration may overcome many difficulties. The size of the drug delivery ranging from a few nanometers (colloidal carriers) to micrometers (microparticles) and millimeters (implants) depends on the method of drug administration.

Background: Modifications of miRNA expression have been related to various types of cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). miRNAs directly act as repressors of gene expression, as they reside in fragile sites, as well as cancer-related genomic regions. Notch signaling is a conserved evolutionary pathway that controls cell functions. The dysregulation of this pathway leads to different diseases such as cancer. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the role of miR-515-5p and Notch1 as new diagnostic markers in HCC. Methods: Forty formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) autopsy blocks and 40 FFPE normal liver tissues were selected from the archives of the pathology of Imam Reza hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for gene expression. Immune histochemistry method was used for detecting notch1 in normal and cancer FFPE tissues. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was also used for the diagnosis of normal and cancerous tissues. Results: miR-515-5P showed higher expression in the cancer group compared to the normal group (4. 7 fold). Hematoxylin and eosin staining of HCC tissues showed significant color intensity than that of normal tissues. Immune histochemistry results revealed significant Ag-Ab reaction in the cancer group. In this study, we analyzed miRNA gene expression and notch 1 level in HCC patients. miRNA dysregulation has been found in a large variety of HCCs. Hepatocarcinogenesis was associated with the expression level of miR-515-5p with carcinogenesis. Moreover, notch1 was a key protein in liver cell fate and a progressive molecule in HCC. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the main role of miR-515-5p in the pathogenesis of HCC. Likewise, it disclosed the expression of these genes could be utilized in HCC prognosis.

Background: Design, identification, and synthesis of new antimicrobial agents along with preventive proceedings are essential to confront antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria. Heterocyclic Schiff bases are biologically important compounds whose antimicrobial potentials have been proven to bacterial and fungal pathogens. Objectives: In this study, some quinoline Schiff bases were synthesized from condensation of 2-chloro-3-quinolinecarboxaldehyde and aniline derivatives. Their inhibitory activities were evaluated against 6 gram-positive and 2 gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Methods: Disc diffusion, broth microdilution, and time-kill tests were applied according to the CLSI guidelines to determine IZD, MIC, and MBC values. Results: 2-Chloro-3-quinolinecarboxaldehyde Schiff bases could inhibit the growth of bacteria with IZDs of 7. 5-19. 8 mm, MICs of 256-2048 μ g mL-1, and MBCs of 512 to ≥ 2048 μ g mL-1. Conclusion: Moderate antibacterial effects were observed with heterocyclic Schiff bases. Complexation and structural changes can improve their antimicrobial properties.

Background: Drug resistance due to genetic variations renders many therapeutic methods such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy unsuccessful in eradicating cancerous cells. Nowadays, application of nanoparticles (NPs) has been promising in destroying cancerous cells without side effects on normal cells. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and anticancer effects of biosynthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) on a hepatic carcinoma cell line. Methods: MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of CeO2-NPs in concentrations of 0, 15. 6, 31. 2, 62. 5, 125, and 250 μ g/mL after 24, 48, and 72 hours of incubation. Moreover, the expression levels of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (the antioxidant genes) were investigated at different concentrations of CeO2-NPs using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Our results showed a significant toxicity of the synthesized NPs against the cancerous liver cells. The IC50 calculated for CeO2-NPs was 500 μ g/mL at 24 hours of incubation. In addition, the expression levels of CAT and SOD significantly (P < 0. 05) increased upon the treatment of cells with CeO2-NPs (500 μ g /mL) compared to the untreated cells. Conclusion: Considering the minimal effects of the biosynthesized CeO2-NPs on normal cells and on the other hand their considerable toxicity against hepatic cancer cells, these NPs could be utilized in medicine and in the development of new drugs for cancer cells.

Background: Resveratrol (RezV) which is found in several plants including grapes and types of berries has a vital role in inducing apoptosis and suppressing cell proliferation. Although the role of Bcl-2 in the apoptosis has been known in several pathways, the role and mechanism of miR-21 in the regulation of apoptosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells are unclear. Objectives: The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of RezV on the expression level of miR-21, Bax, and Bcl2 in colorectal tumor cells. Methods: In this study, the effect of RezV on the viability of CRC cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Then, the expression level of miR-21 was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. For evaluating HCT-116 cells apoptosis, the expression level of Bax and Bcl2 that are involved in the apoptosis pathway was investigated by the same method. Results: RezV inhibits the viability of HCT-116 cells. MiR-21 gene expression was decreased after 24 hours of treatment with RezV. The reduction of miR-21 expression leads to the reduction of the Bcl2 gene expression level. Moreover, increasing the Bax/Bcl2 ratio enhances HCT-116 cells apoptosis. Conclusion: In summary, RezV might be used as a co-treatment agent for CRC. On the other hand, conducting the in vivo study to evaluate the effects of RezV was critical.

Long non-coding ribonucleic acids (lncRNAs) are the largest group of non-coding RNAs and supposedly have a broad spectrum of diverse functions in normal cellular processes. This study was carried out to review the biological functions of candidate lncRNAs (i. e., H19, MALAT-1, TUG1, UCA-1, MEG-3, HOTAIR, CCAT2, AATBC, and the like) with aberrant expressions that play critical roles in bladder cancer (BC) initiation, progression, and metastasis. A formal narrative review was performed by searching the PubMed database for English articles using a combination of keywords such as “ long non-coding RNA” , “ lncRNA” , “ cancer” , “ bladder cancer” , “ screening” , “ prognosis” , “ diagnosis” , and “ response to therapy” . In addition, the existing literature was studied on biological function, aberrant expression, and the clinical applications of candidate lncRNAs in BC. By a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs, they can be used as biomarkers for tumor signatures in urologic malignancies, which can improve screening, prognosis, diagnosis, and the treatment of BC.

The conversion of a protein from its native conformation to the pathogenic form is a critical event in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’ s (AD), Parkinson’ s, and Huntington’ s diseases, along with type II diabetic mellitus. Although there are several reports on the mechanism of protein aggregation, the actual conformation playing a part in the pathogenicity is yet unclear. Accordingly, the present study summarizes the early pathogenic conformation resulting in several protein aggregations. It is well-documented that a pre-molten globule (MG) structure appears at the early stages of some proteins. Pre-MG is one of the intermediate structures, which is formed during some protein unfolding processes. In addition, it is shown that the pre-molten structure is more flexible than the mature MG one and thus, protein easily rearranges to form amyloid fibrils in this conformation. Therefore, protein aggregation is halted by preventing the pre-MG structure. The strategy of protein aggregation prevention has profound implications in fighting the devastating disorder.