This study was conducted to evaluate the biochemical effects of grape seed extract against dexamethasone-induced hepatic and renal dysfunction in a female albino rat. Twenty-eight adult female rats were divided randomly into four equal groups: Group 1: animals were injected subcutaneously with saline and consider as normal control one. Group 2: animals were injected subcutaneously with dexamethasone in a dose of 0.1 mg/kg body weight. Group 3: animals were injected subcutaneously with 0.1 mg/kg body weight of dexamethasone, and then treated with a grape seed extract in a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage. Group 4: animals were injected subcutaneously with 0.1 mg/kg body weight of dexamethasone, and then treated with a grape seed extract in a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage. After 4 weeks, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, albumin, uric acid, creatinine, and glucose levels were assayed. Hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH), total protein content, and catalase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were also assayed. Dexamethasone administration caused elevation of serum levels of glucose, uric acid, creatinine, ALT, AST activities, and a decrease in other parameters such as hepatic glutathione, total protein levels, and catalase enzyme activity. Treatment with Vitis vinifera L. seed extract showed a significant increase in the body weight of rats in the group treated with Vitis vinifera L. seed extract orally compared with the dexamethasone control group. An increase in GSH and catalase activity in response to oral treatment with Vitis vinifera L. seed extract was observed after treatment. Grape seed extract positively affects glucocorticoid-induced hepatic and renal alteration in albino rats.

Electrolytes and Lipids have always played significant roles, and changes in their concentrations gives good indications of disease progression in a number of non-communicable diseases. Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disorder in the community. Diabetics may suffer from electrolyte disorders due to complications of diabetes mellitus and the medication they receive. Serum glucose, electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻ and Ca⁺⁺), and lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL-c) were determined in 100 diabetics and in non-diabetic subjects. All the diabetic patients had a significant (p < 0.001) increase in glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, chloride and calcium levels. There was significant (p < 0.001) decrease in the serum levels of Na⁺ and K⁺ in all diabetics. It was concluded that differences in lipids and electrolytes found in diabetics may have great potential as a diagnostic tool in clinical practice and have a significant effect upon the risk of contracting many diseases.

The molecular alterations in noncoding RNA can lead to a cellular storm that is correlated to higher mortality and morbidity rates and contributes to the progression and metastasis of cancer. Herein, we aim to evaluate the expression levels and correlations of microRNA-1246 (miR-1246), HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR), and interleukin-39 (IL-39) in patients with breast cancer (BC). In this study, 130 participants were recruited, including 90 breast cancer patients and 40 healthy control participants. Serum levels of miR-1246 and HOTAIR expression were assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Also, the level of IL-39 expression was evaluated using a Western blot. All BC participants demonstrated a remarkable elevation in miR-1246 and HOTAIR expression levels. Moreover, IL-39 expression levels demonstrated a noticeable decline in BC patients. Furthermore, the differential expression fold of miR-1246 and HOTAIR revealed a strong positive correlation among breast cancer patients. In addition, a negative relationship between the IL-39 and the miR-1246 and HOTAIR differential expression was also noticed. This study revealed that HOTAIR/miR-1246 exerts an oncogenic impact in patients with breast cancer. The expression levels of circulation miR-1246, HOTAIR, and IL-39 could be considered early diagnostic biomarkers in BC patients.

Objective: To assess the ameliorative properties of Iranian Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (T. foenum-graecum) seeds and Punica granatum L. (P. granatum) peel extracts against streptozotocin-induced diabetes in male guinea pigs. Methods: Sixty guinea pigs were divided into six groups (10 guinea pigs per group). Group 1 consisted of normal animals. Groups 2 and 3 were treated with Iranian T. foenum-graecum seeds and P. granatum peel extract alone, respectively. Group 4 was treated with streptozotocin only; whereas Groups 5 and 6 receiving streptozotocin were treated with Iranian T. foenum-graecum seeds and P. granatum peel extract, respectively. All animals were treated for 30 days, and the body weight, blood and liver biochemical parameters were measured. Results: Guinea pigs exposed to streptozotocin showed an alteration in body weight gain, fasting glucose level, kidney function parameters (blood urea nitrogen and creatinine) as well as decreased serum and hepatic total protein level. In addition, it increased the cholesterol and triglyceride level, while decreasing the hepatic glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase activity, glycogen, glutathione content and hepatic catalase activity. Oral treatment with T. foenum-graecum seeds and P. granatum peel extracts revealed significant protective properties with respect to body weight gain and other biochemical parameters studied. Conclusions: The Iranian T. foenum-graecum seeds and P. granatum peel extracts are significantly potent in ameliorating diabetic condition induced by streptozotocin and improving various biochemical parameters in serum and liver of guinea pigs