Uncovering SIRT3 and SHMT2-dependent pathways as novel targets for apigenin in modulating colorectal cancer: In vitro and in vivo studies.

Despite significant advances in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), identification of novel targets and treatment options are imperative for improving its prognosis and survival rates. The mitochondrial SIRT3 and SHMT2 have key roles in metabolic reprogramming and cell proliferation. This study investigated the potential use of the natural product apigenin in CRC treatment employing both in vivo and in vitro models and explored the role of SIRT3 and SHMT2 in apigenin-induced CRC apoptosis. The role of SHMT2 in CRC patients' survival was verified using TCGA database. In vivo, apigenin treatment restored the normal colon appearance. On the molecular level, apigenin augmented the immunohistochemical expression of cleaved caspase-3 and attenuated SIRT3 and SHMT2 mRNA expression CRC patients with decreased SHMT2 expression had improved overall and disease-free survival rates. In vitro, apigenin reduced the cell viability in a time-dependent manner, induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, and increased the apoptotic cell population compared to the untreated control. Mechanistically, apigenin treatment mitigated the expression of SHMT2, SIRT3, and its upstream long intergenic noncoding RNA LINC01234 in CRC cells. Conclusively, apigenin induces caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in CRC through modulation of SIRT3-triggered mitochondrial pathway suggesting it as a promising therapeutic agent to improve patient outcomes.

Anti-Obesity Effect of a Tea Mixture Nano-Formulation on Rats Occurs via the Upregulation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase/Sirtuin-1/Glucose Transporter Type 4 and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Pathways.

White, green, and oolong teas are produced from the tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) and are reported to have anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects. The current study aims to investigate the anti-obesity effects of a tea mixture nano-formulation by targeting the AMPK/Sirt-1/GLUT-4 axis in rats. In vitro lipase and α-amylase inhibition assays were used to determine the active sample, which was then incorporated into a nanoparticle formulation subjected to in vivo anti-obesity testing in rats by measuring the expression level of different genes implicated in adipogenesis and inflammation using qRT-PCR. Moreover, metabolomic analysis was performed for each tea extract using LC/ESI MS/MS coupled to chemometrics in an attempt to find a correlation between the constituents of the extracts and their biological activity. The in vitro pancreatic lipase and α-amylase inhibition assays demonstrated more effective activity in the tea mixture than the standards, orlistat and acarbose, respectively, and each tea alone. Thus, the herbal tea mixture and its nanoparticle formulation were evaluated for their in vivo anti-obesity activity. Intriguingly, the tea mixture significantly decreased the serum levels of glucose and triglycerides and increased the mRNA expression of GLUT-4, P-AMPK, Sirt-1, and PPAR-γ, which induce lipolysis while also decreasing the mRNA expression of TNF-α and ADD1/SREBP-1c, thereby inhibiting the inflammation associated with obesity. Our study suggests that the tea mixture nano-formulation is a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of obesity and may also be beneficial in other metabolic disorders by targeting the AMPK/Sirt-1/Glut-4 pathway.

Thymoquinone Suppresses Angiogenesis in DEN-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting miR-1-3p.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by its high vascularity and metastasis. Thymoquinone (TQ), the main bio-active constituent of Nigella sativa, has shown anticancer and hepatoprotective effects. TQ's anticancer effect is mediated through miRNA regulation. miR-1-3p plays a significant role in various cancers but its role in HCC invasiveness remains poorly understood. Bio-informatics analysis predicted that the 3'-UTR of TIMP3 is a target for miR-1-3p; Rats were equally divided into four groups: Group 1, the negative control; Group 2 received TQ; Group 3 received DEN; and Group 4 received DEN after pretreatment with TQ. The expression of TIMP3, MMP2, MMP9, and VEGF in rats' liver was determined immunohistochemically. RT-qPCR was used to measure the miR-1-3p level in rats' liver, and TIMP3, MMP2, MMP9, and VEGF in the HepG2 cells after being transfected with miR-1-3p mimic or inhibitor; In rats pretreated with TQ, a decreased expression of MMP2, MMP9 and VEGF, and increased expression levels of TIMP3 and miR-1-3p were detected. Treating the HepG2 cells with miR-1-3p mimic led to the upregulation of TIMP3 and downregulation of MMP2, MMP9, and VEGF, and showed a significant delay in wound healing; These results suggested that the anti-angiogenic effect of TQ in HCC may be mediated through the regulation of miR-1-3p.

Role of mesenchymal stem cells exosomes derived microRNAs; miR-136, miR-494 and miR-495 in pre-eclampsia diagnosis and evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is one of the most threatening pregnancy complications. So far neither a secure, competent therapy for PE nor effective biomarkers for a premature discovery has been achieved. However, currently, the use of released microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential biomarkers and therapy targets for various diseases is the dominating area of research. The aim of our study was to identify miRNAs 136, 494 and 495 genes expression in exosomes of peripheral blood compared to umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) conditioned media released exososomes in patients with PE, as valuable markers for PE early prediction. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 100 patients with PE and 100 control with normal pregnancies. Thirty fresh umbilical cord samples of women with healthy pregnancies (n = 15) and PE patients (n = 15) were retrieved during caesarean deliveries and UCMSCs were isolated from Wharton jelly. The expression of miRNAs 136, 494 and 495 in exosomes of peripheral blood and UCMSCs conditioned media was measured using quantitative real-time PCR method. Unpaired t-test, Pearson correlation test and Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Our study revealed a significantly higher expression levels of miRNAs 136, 494 and 495 in exosomes of peripheral blood and matched with UCMSCs released exosomes from patients with PE compared to normal pregnancies (p = 0.000). In peripheral blood of PE, they were 6.4, 3.9 and 2.1 folds higher, respectively. ROC analysis revealed that the sensitivity and specificity values of miRNA-136 were 95% and 100%, respectively, with a cut-off value of 2.55. The sensitivity and specificity values of miRNA-494 were 86% and 95%, respectively, with a cut-off value of 0.47. The sensitivity and specificity values of miRNA-495 were 90% and 83%, respectively, with a cut-off value of 1.287. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that exosomes derived miRNA-136, miRNA-494 and miRNA-495 could be promising circulating biomarkers in early detection of PE. Furthermore, UCMSCs released exosomes miRNA-136, miRNA-494 and miRNA-495 genes expression confirmed peripheral blood results analysis.

The role of gene polymorphisms and AMH level in prediction of poor ovarian response in Egyptian women undergoing IVF procedure.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the role of AMH in prediction of poor ovarian response as well as the relation between ESR 2 (+ 1730G>A) (rs4986938) and FSHR p.Thr307Ala (c.919A>G, rs6165) SNPs and the poor ovarian response in Egyptian women undergoing IVF procedure. Discovering the genetic variants associated with ovarian response is an important step towards individualized pharmacogenetic protocols of ovarian stimulation. METHODS: We performed a prospective study on 216 young women with unexplained infertility. Ovarian stimulation was performed according to the GnRH antagonist protocol with a fixed daily morning dose of human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG). The estrogen receptor (ESR2) (+ 1730G>A) (rs4986938) and FSH receptor p.Thr307Ala (c.919A>G, rs6165) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum FSH, Estradiol (E2) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: This study revealed that the low AMH level was highly significantly related to the poor ovarian response (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the frequency of the ESR2 (AA) genotype and the FSHR (Ala307Ala) genotypes were highly significantly associated with the poor ovarian response (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The AMH level in combination with the ESR2 and the FSHR gene polymorphisms predict the poor ovarian response to COH in Egyptian women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02640976.