Evaluation of notch and hypoxia signaling pathways in chemically induced hepatocelluar carcinoma in rats

Hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] is a common worldwide malignancy. Notch signaling pathway contributes to the genesis of diverse cancers, however, its role in HCC is unclear. Hypoxia is a common feature of HCC. Signal integration between Nothc and hypoxia may be involved in HCC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of some Notch pathway genes, in addition to hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha [HIF-l alpha] during rat hepatocellular carcinogenesis. The study aimed also, to identify any crosstalk between Notch signaling and hypoxia throughout hepatocellular oncogenesis in rats. Hepatocellular carcinogenesis was chemically induced in rats. Tissue specimens were examined histopathologically and classified into early preneoplastic group, advanced preneoplastic group, and control group. The expression of Notch-l, Dll-4, and HIF-l alpha was evaluated in tissue samples by total RNA extraction and RT-PCR. The expression of target genes were significantly increased in the diseased group. There was a significant correlation between the expression of Notch-l, Dll4, and HIF-l alpha. These results indicate that overexpression of Notch-l, Dll-4, and HIF-l alpha may be associated with the malignant transformation of hepatocytes with a possible Notch-hypoxia cross talk during hepatocellular oncogenecity

Role of crystallin insolubilization in cataract formation

This work aimed to study the electrophoretic pattern of lens proteins and to study the pathological variation in lens protein in cataract to decide if cataract results from insolubilization of lens protein or due to appearance of a new type of protein. Also, decide if these changes in lens protein composition occur in equal proportion among various types of cataract. The results stated complete absence of crystallin in the water soluble moiety of both nuclear cataract and cortical cataract. There is an increase in proteins of high molecular weight and decrease in low molecular weight protein. Bs crystallin is incorporated into the high molecular weight aggregates of the water insoluble moiety of lens protein

Serum levels of some proteinase inhibitors in non-malignant and malignant liver diseases

The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of alpha-2-macroglobulin [alpha-2-M] and alpha-I-antitrypsin [alpha I AT] in non malignant and malignant liver diseases to be used as a biochemical marker of malignant transformation as well as to detect the degree of malignancy. Alpha-2-macroglobulin and alpha-I- antitrypsin levels were measured in serum by single radial immunodiffusion plates. The study showed a significant increase in alpha-I AT in non malignant liver diseases group, primary untreated liver cancer group and advanced liver cancer group when compared with that of the control group. Alpha-2 M showed a high significant increase only in advanced liver carcinoma with insignificant changes in other groups