ABSTRACT
Background: In this study, we demonstrated the effects of the Gallic Acid (GA) molecule on the prostate cancer cells line PC3 using the comet assay (Alkaline electrophoresis) technique and its effects on some important apoptotic factors including BAD (Bcl-2-Associated Death promoter), BAK (Bcl-2 homologous Antagonist/Killer), and BIM (Bcl-2-like protein 11) via simulation analysis by using the Auto Dock and Gromacs software. Methods: Following the MTT assay on the PC3 cells, and determining IC50, we used three concentrations of GA to around IC50 to treat PC3 cells. 100 comet pictures were obtained by alkaline electrophoresis and have been analysed with the CASP version 1.2.2 software; all the results were thereafter analysed by the SPSS version 21 statistical software. Results: The IC50 value for GA was determined to be 35 μM. The ratio of tail to head in alkaline electrophoresis for the three concentrations below the IC50 of GA in 25, 30, and 35 μM were measured as 24.7 (2.7), 44.5 (1.8), and 57.3 (1.3) percent, respectively. The results of the preapoptotic factors (BAD, BAK, and BIM) in the performed simulation in the absence and presence of GA showed that the GA protein causes the structural instability in the BAD protein, and the effect of GA can be explained by the creation of hydrogen bonds with proteins. Conclusion: GA is a polyphenol compound in plants that can suppress cell growth and induce apoptosis in PC3 cells in prostate cancer in the range of IC50 concentrations. The apoptotic properties of GA induce pre-apoptotic factors.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Perinatal asphyxia [PA] is very significant in perinatal medicine due to the involvement of the central nervous system. This study was conducted to investigate the biochemical, clinical, and paraclinical changes associated with Phenobarbital administration in neonates with PA
Methods: In this prospective, case-control study, 30 neonates with PA in two groups of 15 each [case and control] were investigated. The case group received 20 mg/kg intravenous phenobarbital within six hours of birth, and the control group did not receive phenobarbital. Serum concentrations of nitric oxide [NO] were measured at enrollment and one week after birth in the two groups. Clinical, electroencephalography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings of the two groups were compared
Results: At enrollment, the two groups did not differ in clinical severity, seizure incidence, or NO concentration. After one week, NO concentration was significantly lower in the case group [p < 0.050], but there was no significant difference in other variables between the two groups
Conclusions: Early administration of phenobarbital in term neonates with PA could protect them against encephalopathy
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effects of berberine (BBR) on the liver phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP) and plasma lipids in rats fed on high lipogenic and normal diet.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Group I (control) received standard diet. Group II received standard diet plus 90 mg/kg BBR and Groups IV received lipogenic diet (containing sunflower oil, cholesterol and ethanol) without treatment. Groups III and V received lipogenic diet plus 90 mg/kg BBR and 30 mg/kg gemfibrozil, respectively. On Day 60 of the experiment, blood samples were collected and PAP, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein, malondialdehyde, plasma antioxidant, and liver histopathology assessments were conducted.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PAP, plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein, and malondialdehyde levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) in Group III compared to Group IV (24.94%, 36.11%, 21.18%, 36.86% and 19.59%, respectively). The liver triglyceride and cholesterol in Groups III and V had a remarkable decrease (P<0.001) compared with Group IV (24.94% and 49.13%, respectively). There was a significant reduction (P<0.05) in atherogenic index in Groups III compared with Group IV.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results clearly suggested that BBR could be effective in reducing liver PAP, lipid abnormality, liver triglyceride and lateral side effects of hyperlipidemia.</p>
ABSTRACT
We aimed to determine the effects of Anethum graveolens [Dill] powder on postprandial lipid profile, markers of oxidation and endothelial activation when added to a fatty meal. In an experimental study, 32 rabbits were randomly designated into four diet groups: normal diet, high cholesterol diet [1%], high cholesterol diet plus 5% [w/w] dill powder and high cholesterol diet plus lovastatin [10 mg/kg, bw]. The concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol [TC], low density lipoproteins cholesterol [LDL C], alanine aminotransferase [alt], aspartate aminotransferase [ast], fibrinogen, factor VII, apolipoprotein B [ApoB], nitrite and nitrate were measured in blood samples following 15 h of fasting and 3 h after feeding. Concurrent use of A. graveolens powder or lovastatin significantly decreased ALT, TC, glucose, fibrinogen and LDL C values in comparison with hypercholesterolemic diet group [P < 0.05]. Consumption of A. graveolens or lovastatin did not change factor VII, ApoB, nitrite and nitrate levels significantly in comparison with hypercholesterolemic diet group. Intake of A. graveolens significantly decreased serum AST compared to hypercholesterolemic diet. A. graveolens might have some protective values against atherosclerosis and that it significantly affects some biochemical risk factors of this disease. Our findings also confirm the potential harmful effects of oxidized fats and the importance of dietary polyphenols in the meal
ABSTRACT
Phosphatidate phosphohydrolase [PAP] catalyzes the dephosphorylation of phosphatidic acid to yield P[i], and diacylglycerol. Two different forms of PAP in rat hepatocyte have been reported. PAP[1] is located in cytosolic and microsomal fractions and participates in the synthesis of triacylglycerols, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine, whereas the other form of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase [PAP[2]] is primarily involved in lipid signaling pathways. In rat liver, PAP2 has two isoforms; one PAP[2a] and another PAP2b- In this study, essential histidine residues were investigated in native form of rat purified PAP[2b] with diethylpyrocarbonate. PAP[2b] purified from rat liver plasma membrane by solubilizing with n-octyle glucoside and several chromatography steps. Gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE] performed on purified enzyme in order to evaluate its purity and to measure the molecular weight of the enzyme subunit. The enzyme inactivated with diethylpyrocarbonate [DEPC] and the number of moles of histidine residues modified per mol of enzyme determined. The specific activity of purified enzyme was 7350mU/mg protein and it showed only a single band on SDS-PAGE with a MW of about 33.8 kDa. The PAP[2b] inactivated by DEPC. The maximum 6 moles of histidine residues modified per mole of PAP[2b], when about 90% of enzyme activity is lost with DEPC. The data showed that the incubation of PAP[2b] by DEPC can inhibit enzyme activity. Our findings also, revealed the presence of essential histidines in the structure of PAP[2b] which involve in its activity. This enzyme is likely to have a similar hydrolysis catalytic mechanism as its super family through a phosphohistidine intermediate