ABSTRACT
Glycation of biomolecules results in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Immunoglobulin G (IgG) has been implicated in the progression of various diseases, including diabetes and cancer. This study purified three IgG subclasses (IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3) from Camelus dromedarius colostrum using ammonium sulfate fractionation and chromatographic procedures. SDS-PAGE was performed to confirm the purity and molecular weight of the IgG subclasses. Several biochemical and biophysical techniques were employed to study the effect of glycation on camel IgG using methylglyoxal (MGO), a dicarbonyl sugar. Early glycation measurement showed an increase in the fructosamine content by ~four-fold in IgG2, ~two-fold in IgG3, and a slight rise in IgG1. AGEs were observed in all classes of IgGs with maximum hyperchromicity (96.6%) in IgG2. Furthermore, glycation-induced oxidation of IgGs led to an increase in carbonyl content and loss of -SH groups. Among subclass, IgG2 showed the highest (39.7%) increase in carbonyl content accompanied by 82.5% decrease in -SH groups. Far UV-CD analysis illustrated perturbation of ß-sheet structure during glycation reaction with MGO. Moreover, glycation of IgG proceeds to various conformational states like aggregation and increased hydrophobicity. In addition, the cytotoxicity assay (MTT) illustrated the proliferation of breast cancer cells (MCF-7) with IgG2 treatment.
Subject(s)
Camelus , Neoplasms , Animals , Maillard Reaction , Magnesium Oxide , Immunoglobulin G/chemistry , Glycation End Products, Advanced , Cell ProliferationABSTRACT
Oxidative stress caused due to the perturbations in the oxidant-antioxidant system can damage molecules and cause cellular alteration leading to the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. This study was designed and performed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of an alkaloid, gramine on H2O2-induced oxidative stress on HEK 293 cells. Cell viability and morphometric analysis of cells treated with H2O2 and gramine were studied. Oxidative stress and inflammatory and antioxidant enzymes such as ROS, LPO, NO, SOD, GSH, and CAT were analyzed. Furthermore, mRNA expression of SOD, CAT, and COX-2 was also evaluated. H2O2 at concentration > 0.3 mM and gramine at concentration > 80 µg/mL affect the proliferation. Viability and morphometric analysis showed that gramine has protective effects. Treating cells with gramine suppressed oxidative stress and inflammatory enzymes, whereas antioxidant enzymes were enhanced. SOD and CAT mRNA levels were overexpressed and COX-2 mRNA levels were decreased in the treated groups. Gramine possesses effective antioxidant potential and can regulate oxidative stress and damages associated with it.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Vaccination against the virus was first approved in Saudi Arabia in December 2020. Vaccinated individuals are still at risk of getting infected with the virus and can transmit the disease. Therefore, the perception of vaccinated individuals regarding the disease can help limit the spread of the virus. OBJECTIVES: To measure the risk perception of COVID-19 following vaccination and factors that have an effect on risk perception; to identify the health protective behaviours of the vaccinated individuals. METHODOLOGY: This is a quantitative analytical cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. The target population includes individuals aged 18 and above who live in the Riyadh region and have been vaccinated, during the period of June 2021 to December 2021. RESULTS: The perception of 30.2% of participants did not change after vaccination, with many participants continuing to "always" take precautions even after vaccination. Numerous factors, such as age, gender, marital status, occupational status, employment status, and total household income, have shown significant effects towards risk perception. CONCLUSION: Many vaccinated individuals have continued to take precautionary steps and their risk perception has not changed.
ABSTRACT
Prediabetes is an increase-risk state for diabetes that is associated with an increase in blood glucose levels to more than normal, but not increased enough to be termed as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A timely intervention and management of prediabetes can stop its further progression to the diabetic state. Many cytokines are involved in diseases including diabetes, however, their role in prediabetes is unknown. In this study, we attempted to analyze numerous proinflammatory cytokines in prediabetic patients. A total of 60 adult Saudi prediabetes patients and healthy control individuals were included in this study. To better understand the role of the proinflammatory cytokines in prediabetes patients and its potential link to the disease outcome, the variations in the levels of these cytokines were investigated using Multi-Analyte ELISA technique. The T helper cells (Th1 and Th2) immune response expression profiling of 84 genes was done using Real Time-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) technique. The present finding showed that serum Interleukin IL-2, IL-1ß, and IL-1α levels of all prediabetes patients were increased when compared with healthy control cases (P < 0.05). Inductions of proinflammatory cytokines and upregulation of Th1 and Th2 immune genes might play a potential role during prediabetes status and may be linked to the disease outcome. Further studies are needed to investigate the underlying mechanism of these proinflammatory cytokines in diabetes development. A strong positive correlation was found between IL and 1α with glucose levels than with IL-1ß and IL-2. In conclusion, cytokines, especially IL-1, may play a critical role in the development of diabetes.
ABSTRACT
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a highly challenging and threatening situation worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 patients develop various clinical symptoms. The olfactory and taste dysfunctions are potential neurological manifestations among SARS-CoV-2 patients; however, their relationship with blood groups has rarely been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of chemosensitive neurological disorders of smell and taste and their association with blood groups in SARS-CoV-2 patients. The present cross-sectional study was performed in the Department of Pathology, and Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A well-structured, self-administered questionnaire was designed and distributed through social media platforms. A total of 922 Saudi and non-Saudi adults aged 18 years or older participated in the study. Out of 922 participants, the number of people who had anosmia was 309 (33.5%), 211 (22.9%) had hyposmia, and 45 (4.8%) had dysosmia. Moreover, 180 (19.52%) had ageusia, 47 (5.1%) and 293 (31.8%) had hypogeusia and dysgeusia, respectively. Among all the participants, 565 (61.27%) had smell-related disorders and 520 (56.39%) participants had taste-related clinical symptoms. The occurrence of anosmia and ageusia was relatively high among females compared to males (p = 0.024). The prevalence of smell-related disorders was 25.0% (230) and taste-related disorders was 23.21% (214) among the study participants with blood group O compared to all other blood group (A, B, and AB) participants who have smell allied disorders 30.69% (283), and taste allied disorders 27.98% (258). The prevalence of chemosensitive neurological disorders involving impaired smell and taste was higher in SARS-CoV-2 patients. These clinical symptoms were common among the participants with blood group type O compared to all other ABO blood group types. The role of certain demographic characteristics was consistent throughout multiple studies, notably with female gender and young adults.
