Omentin (intelectin) was first detected in the visceral omental adipose tissue. It has mainly two isoforms, omentin-1 and -2, with isoform-1 being the main form in human blood. It possesses insulin-sensitizing, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, cardio-protective, and oxidative stress-decreasing effects. Omentin's cardiovascular protective actions are caused by the improved endothelial cell survival and function, increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, enhanced vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) relaxation with reduced proliferation, decreased inflammation, and suppressed oxidative stress. Omentin may also have a potential role in different cancer types and rheumatic diseases. Thus, omentin is an excellent therapeutic target in many diseases, including diabetes mellitus (DM), metabolic syndrome (MetS), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), inflammatory diseases, and cancer. This review demonstrates the physiological functions of omentin in ameliorating insulin resistance (IR), vascular function, and inflammation and its possible share in managing obesity-linked diseases, such as metabolic disorders, DM, and cardiovascular conditions.

Apoptosis is an interactive and dynamic biological process involved in all phases of embryogenesis. We aimed to study the effect of placental apoptosis on recurrent miscarriage (RM). Placental tissue samples were collected from 40 women with RM (study group) and 30 women with sporadic spontaneous abortion (control group). Samples were prepared and stained immunohistochemically with markers for both the apoptotic protein (p53) and anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 antibodies. Our results showed that expression of the apoptotic (p53) protein was significantly increased in the placental tissues of the RM group (p = 0.003). By contrast, the expression of anti‐apoptotic (Bcl‐2) antibodies was significantly increased in the placental tissues of the control group (p = 0.025). We concluded that placental apoptosis plays a crucial role in pregnancy continuation. However, increased p53 expression in placental tissue in early pregnancy could negatively affect pregnancy continuation.

Telogen effluvium (TE) is a common cause of hair loss characterized by excessive resting hair shedding. Thyroid dysfunction is one of the possible causes of TE. On the other hand, the link between thyroid disorder and TE is still being debated. The aim of this retrospective is to investigate the link between thyroid dysfunction and TE. This retrospective study included 500 female patients with TE who had thyroid function testing between January 2012 and December 2022. Patients were eligible if they had a confirmed TE diagnosis and thyroid function tests within 3 months of being diagnosed with TE. The thyroid function of the participants was classified as euthyroid, hypothyroidism, or hyperthyroidism. The severity of hair loss was determined using the severity of alopecia tool (SALT) score. The study included 500 TE females, 248 of whom were euthyroid, 150 had hypothyroidism, and 102 had hyperthyroidism. The hypothyroid group had a significantly higher mean SALT score than the other 2 groups. Furthermore, patients in the hypothyroid group had a higher proportion of severe hair loss. The mean SALT score did not differ significantly between groups with normal thyroid function and those with hyperthyroidism. A common cause of TE is thyroid dysfunction, particularly hypothyroidism. Patients with hypothyroidism have more severe hair loss than those with normal thyroid function or hyperthyroidism. To effectively identify and manage such cases, thyroid function testing should be included in the diagnostic workup of patients with TE.

Current research is focused on cancer treatments other than chemotherapy medications, particularly those derived from natural sources. The goal of this work was to look at the anticancer and biomarker properties of a methanolic extract of Annona squamosa leaves and their extract-loaded noisome. A. squamosa leaves extract and their leaves extract-loaded noisome were prepared. Transmission electron microscopy was used to screen the size of the niosomes loaded with the A. squamosa L. leaves extract. The tumor size, blood picture (hemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells), liver functions, kidney function, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers were evaluated to assess the potential anticancer activity of the A. squamosa leaves extract and A. squamosa leaves extract-loaded noisome in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. A. squamosa L. leaves extract was found to be an effective anticancer treatment. The protective effect of the loaded extract showed more significant results. All treated groups showed a lower tumor volume compared to the positive control. Liver and kidney functions were improved, and inflammatory markers were decreased. Oxidative stress was improved in tumor, liver, and kidney tissues. A. squamosa leaves contain major anticancer compounds that in general help most enzymes of the liver and kidney and other injured organs to return to their normal levels.

Peptic ulcer is a widespread disease, with a lifetime frequency of 5–10% among the general population and an annual incidence of 0.1–0.3%. Ovothiol A is naturally produced from sea urchin eggs with special antioxidant activity. Gastric ulcers were induced in rats by a single ethanol dose (5 mL/kg). The rats were divided into control, ulcer, and ulcer with 250 and 500 mg/kg ovothiol A doses. Molecular docking studies were used to examine the interactions between ovothiol A and the H+/K+ ATPase active site residues. Ovothiol A led to a significant decline (p < 0.05) in gastric juice volume, ulcer index, MDA, IL-6, and cytochrome c, while levels of gastric juice pH, GSH, CAT, GST, SOD, and NO increased. Histopathological investigation of stomach sections revealed architecture preservation of the gastric mucosa after ovothiol A administration. The anti-ulcerogenic activity of ovothiol A includes scavenging free radicals, inhibition of inflammation, regulation of apoptosis, and stabilization of fibroblast growth factors to promote gastric ulcers healing.

Background: A plasticizer product, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), is widely used in many consumer products, such as food packages, personal care products, children` toys, and medical devices. Phthalates are known to be released into the biological fluids and redistributed into various tissues linked with multiple health problems. Aim: We aimed to study the possible toxic effect of phthalate exposure on the lung tissues. Methods: Thirty male Wister rats were randomly divided into three groups equally, received the following for two weeks once daily via gastric intubation: control group; received normal saline. The DEHP treated group received 2,85mg/kg per BW of DEHP dissolved in normal saline. The DEHP recovery group, received the same as the treated group, followed by two weeks without any treatment. For light microscopic study; the lung tissues were dissected, cut into small pieces, processed, embedded in paraffin wax, sectioned and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin as well as Masson trichrome stains. For electron microscopic study; the lung tissues were fixed in glutaraldehyde, processed, embedded in epoxy, cut into ultrathin sections, and stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. Results: Compared to the control group, the alveolar tissues in the treated group showed a significant increase in collagen deposition and inflammatory cellular infiltration. The number of type-II pneumocytes and alveolar macrophages/field were also significantly increased. However, these pathological changes improved slightly after stopping exposure to DEHP. Conclusion: DEHP has a toxic effect on the lung tissues, which after its withdrawal did not improve completely.