Immunomodulatory effect of diallyl sulfide on experimentally-induced benign prostate hyperplasia via the suppression of CD4+T/IL-17 and TGF-ß1/ERK pathways.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate common in older men. Diallyl sulfide (DAS), a major component of garlic, has been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects. However, the underlying protective immunomodulatory mechanism of DAS on BPH remains vague. Herein, experimental BPH was induced in rats by daily subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate (TP) (3 mg/kg, s.c.) for 4 weeks. In parallel, finasteride (Fin) (5 mg/kg, p.o) or DAS (50 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered orally during BPH induction. TP-induced histological alterations and the immune-inflammatory cascade. On the other hand, DAS or Fin administration alleviated all abnormalities induced testosterone. Fin and DAS administration markedly reduced prostate weight by 53% with Fin, and by 60% with DAS. Moreover, serum testosterone and DHT were reduced by 55% and 52%, respectively, with Fin and by 68% and 75%, respectively, with DAS, in concordance with decreased protein expression of androgen receptor (AR), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Furthermore, both regime lessen immune-inflammatory milieu, as evidenced by decrease CD4+ T-cells protein expression and associated inflammatory cytokines. Concomitantly, Fin and DAS exhibited marked mitigation in insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-ß1), and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) signaling. Besides alleviating oxidative stress by 53% and 68% in prostatic MDA and by 27% and 7% in prostatic iNOS with Fin and DAS, respectively. In conclusion, this work highlighted a potential therapeutic approach of DAS as a dietary preventive agent against BPH via its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect along with suppression of the ERK pathway.

Aberrations of miR-126-3p, miR-181a and sirtuin1 network mediate Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-induced testicular damage in rats: The protective role of hesperidin.

Recently, oxidative stress was implicated in the environmental contaminant Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)-induced testicular toxicity, however the mechanism is unclear. We investigated the role of oxidative stress-responsive microRNAs in DEHP-induced aberrations and the protective effect of the citrus flavonoid, hesperidin (HSP). Male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups as vehicle-treated control, DEHP-alone group (500 mg/kg/day) for 30 days, and HSP (25 or 50 mg/kg) for 60 days; testicular damage was triggered by oral administration of DEHP (500 mg/kg/day) after thirty days of oral administration of HSP (25 or 50 mg/kg). DEHP administration reduced testis weight coefficient, serum testosterone, testicular 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and antioxidant enzyme activities, and elevated serum fatty acid-binding protein-9, testicular malondialdehyde, and Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Aberrant testicular miR-126-3p and miR-181a expression was observed, along with decreased expression of sirtuin1 (SIRT1) and its targets; nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor2, haeme oxygenase-1, and superoxide dismutase2. HSP administration significantly ameliorated these changes and restored testicular function in a dose-dependent manner. We highlight a novel role of oxidative stress-miR-126/miR-181a-SIRT1 network in mediating DEHP-induced changes which were reversed by the antioxidant HSP.

Colon targeting of celecoxib nanomixed micelles using pulsatile drug delivery systems for the prevention of inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a debilitating condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the colon which can increase the risk of colon cancer. Celecoxib (CXB), a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, showed potential for the prophylaxis against IBD. However, it suffers from poor aqueous solubility and cardiovascular toxicity on prolonged use. Here, CXB solubility was enhanced using nanomixed micelles (NMMs) and then colon targeted in a pulsatile system to minimize systemic side effects. Pluronic P123 NMMs with bile salts or hydrophilic Pluronics were prepared using the thin film hydration technique. NMMs were characterized for particle size, size distribution and zeta potential before and after freeze drying and for solubility enhancement. The freeze dried NMMs were then loaded in pulsatile systems with varying tablet plugs containing time-dependent polymers at different concentrations. The optimum NMM consisted of Pluronic P123 and sodium taurocholate (1:1) and CXB:surfactant mixture ratio of 1:30. The pulsatile capsules, containing a tablet plug made of 75% Carbopol®, achieved the target release profile with 88.35% of the dose released after an 8 hrs lag period. Finally, the optimum NMM/pulsatile system showed protective effect against experimentally-induced colitis compared to conventional capsules and pulsatile capsules filled with pure CXB.

Lercanidipine boosts the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in 3-NP-induced Huntington's disease model rats via modulation of the calcium/calcineurin/NFATc4 and Wnt/ß-catenin signalling pathways.

3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) induces a spectrum of Huntington's disease (HD)-like neuropathologies in the rat striatum. The present study aimed to demonstrate the neuroprotective effect of lercanidipine (LER) in rats with 3-NP-induced neurotoxicity, address the possible additional protective effect of combined treatment with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and LER, and investigate the possible involvement of the Ca2+/calcineurin (CaN)/nuclear factor of activated T cells c4 (NFATc4) and Wnt/ß-catenin signalling pathways. Rats were injected with 3-NP (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for two weeks and were divided into four subgroups; the first served as the control HD group, the second received a daily dose of LER (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), the third received a single injection of BM-MSCs (1 x 106/rat, i.v.) and the last received a combination of both BM-MSCs and LER. The combined therapy improved motor and behaviour performance. Meanwhile, this treatment led to a marked reduction in striatal cytosolic Ca2+, CaN, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and NFATc4 expression and the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Combined therapy also increased striatal brain-derived neurotrophic factor, FOXP3, Wnt, and ß-catenin protein expression. Furthermore, haematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining revealed an amelioration of striatum tissue injury with the combined treatment. In conclusion, the current study provides evidence for a neuroprotective effect of LER and/or BM-MSCs in 3-NP-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Interestingly, combined LER/BM-MSC therapy was superior to cell therapy alone in inhibiting 3-NP-induced neurological insults via modulation of the Ca2+/CaN/NFATc4 and Wnt/ß-catenin signalling pathways. LER/BM-MSC combined therapy may represent a feasible approach for improving the beneficial effects of stem cell therapy in HD.

Association of MTMR3 rs12537 at miR-181a binding site with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus risk in Egyptian patients.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNA-target sites influence an individual's risk and prognosis for autoimmune diseases. Myotubularin-related protein 3 (MTMR3), an autophagy-related gene, is a direct target of miR-181a. We investigated whether MTMR3 SNP rs12537 in the miR-181a-binding site is associated with the susceptibility and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Overall, 94 patients with RA, 80 patients with SLE, and 104 healthy volunteers were recruited. Genotyping and expression analysis of circulating MTMR3 and miR-181a were performed by qPCR. The autophagic marker MAP1LC3B was measured by ELISA. The rs12537 minor homozygote (TT) genotype was a candidate risk factor of both RA and SLE. rs12537TT was associated with lower serum MTMR3 expression and higher LC3B levels than other genotypes in patients with both diseases. Serum miR-181a expression was higher in rs12537TT carriers than in other genotypes among SLE patients. Serum miR-181a and MTMR3 levels were inversely correlated in SLE but not in RA patients. rs12537TT and serum miR-181a were positively associated with disease severity in both diseases. Our results identify a novel role of rs12537 in the susceptibility and progression of RA and SLE, possibly through impacting the interaction between miR-181a and MTMR3 leading to increased autophagy.

Venlafaxine Mitigates Depressive-Like Behavior in Ovariectomized Rats by Activating the EPO/EPOR/JAK2 Signaling Pathway and Increasing the Serum Estradiol Level.

Reduced estradiol levels are associated with depression in women during the transition to and after menopause. A considerable number of studies focusing on the theme of treating depression through the activation of erythropoietin (EPO)-induced signaling pathways have been published. Venlafaxine is an approved antidepressant drug that inhibits both serotonin and norepinephrine transporters. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of venlafaxine on the depressive-like behaviors and serum estradiol levels in female rats following ovariectomy (OVX) and the possible roles of EPO-induced signaling pathways. Venlafaxine (10 mg/kg/day) was orally administered to OVX rats over a period of 4 weeks using two different treatment regimens: either starting 24 h or 2 weeks after OVX. Venlafaxine showed a superior efficacy in inducing antidepressant-like effects after an acute treatment (24 h post-OVX) than after the delayed treatment (2 weeks post-OVX) and was characterized by a decreased immobility time in the forced swimming test. In parallel, venlafaxine induced EPO and EPO receptor mRNA expression and increased levels of phospho-Janus kinase 2 (p-JAK2), phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription 5, and phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in the hippocampus of OVX rats. Meanwhile, rats exhibited a marked reduction in the hippocampal Bax/Bcl2 ratio, caspase-3 activity, and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels after venlafaxine treatment. Venlafaxine also increased the hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor and serum estradiol levels. Based on these findings, venlafaxine exerts a neuroprotective effect on OVX rats that is at least partially attributed to the activation of EPO/EPOR/JAK2 signaling pathways, anti-apoptotic activities, anti-inflammatory activities, and neurotrophic activities, as well as an increase in serum estradiol level. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.