Essential hypertension is a chronic medical condition affecting thousands of people worldwide. Hypertension results from interplay of genetic and environmental factors. MicroRNAs regulate gene expression and can be biomarkers for disease. MicroRNA let-7e and microRNA 296-5p have been linked to different cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to determine association of serum miRNA let-7e and miRNA 296-5p with essential hypertension in Egyptian patients. MicroRNA let-7e and miRNA-296-5p expression was determined in sera of 25 hypertensive patients and 25 normotensive controls by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Hypertensive patients showed significantly higher expression of miRNA let-7e (3.23-fold increase, p = 0.036) in comparison with normotensive controls. In hypertensive patients, miRNA let-7e expression was positively correlated with increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Furthermore, miRNA 296-5p expression was negatively correlated with serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein. Results from this study indicate that miRNA let-7e can potentially be a biomarker for essential hypertension.

Bioactive compounds with a wide range of chemical compositions and biological functions are found in the Chlorophyceae family. The present work investigated the anticancer effect of ethanolic extract from Chara vulgaris (C. vulgaris) and its selenium nanoformulation (CvSeNPs) against solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC). Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy was used to analyze C. vulgaris, and many analytical methods were used to characterize the biosynthesized CvSeNPs, including zeta potential, particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), SEM, TEM, and FTIR. In addition, mice with SEC were randomly assigned to seven equal groups (n = 6) to investigate possible mechanisms behind the antitumor activity. Group 1: Tumor control, group 2: Tamoxifen (10 mg/kg), group 3: Free SeNPs, group 4: C. vulgaris (25 mg/kg), group 5: C. vulgaris (50 mg/kg), group 6: 25 mg/kg CvSeNPs, group 7: 50 mg/kg CvSeNPs. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis of the ethanolic extract of C. vulgaris revealed the presence of several bioactive chemicals that may promote anticancer activity. Protein levels of TNF-α, NF-кB, VEGF, and Bcl-2 were suppressed in the CvSeNPs group (50 mg/kg), whereas those of caspase-3, BAX, P53, P62, LC3, and Beclin1 were increased. Additionally, CvSeNPs significantly exceeded similar dosages of free extract in terms of caspase-3, BAX, Bcl-2, P53, TNF-α, NF-кB, VEGF, P62, LC3, and Beclin1 gene expression. The CvSeNPs mediated their positive anticancer impact, which manifested as a decrease in tumor volume and an improvement in overall survival rate, by promoting autophagy, apoptosis, and lowering inflammation.

Introduction: Garlic, also known as Allium sativum, has been used for centuries to protect the heart and reduce blood pressure. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the antihypertensive effects and cardioprotective effects of garlic against the effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) on the blood pressure and heart tissue. Materials and Methods: Thirty adult male Albino rats used in the study. Rats were assigned into three groups consisting of one control group, NaF, and NaF + garlic. After a week of acclimatization, the rats were sedated with ketamine and thoracotomy, blood samples were collected, and heart tissues were dissected. Heart specimens were taken from the left ventricle and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological examination. Masson’s trichrome was conducted to examine collagen fibers. Results: The study findings indicated that exposure to NaF leads to an increase in indicators of cellular demise and a decrease in markers of survival in cardiac tissue, suggesting the occurrence of apoptosis. This exposure also disrupts blood lipid profiles, resulting in elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels and reduced high-density lipid (HDL) levels. Furthermore, it enhances the activity of oxidative stress enzymes while lowering the levels of glutathione (GSH). Conversely, garlic exposure is associated with decreased arterial blood pressure, improved histopathological structure, and reduced serum levels of oxidative stress biomarkers. Conclusion: After thorough evaluation, it has been determined that garlic therapy may hold potential as a treatment for various cardiovascular diseases.

The contribution of MTHFR and TP53 genetic variants to breast carcinoma (BC) susceptibility has been examined, but their findings have been inconclusive. This work is designed to explore the potential roles of the MTHFR (rs1801131, rs1801133) and TP53 (rs1042522) variants with increased risk of BC using genetic and bioinformatic approaches. This work included a total of 242 female participants [142 BCE patients and 100 healthy controls]. We genotyped the allelic discrimination analysis for these genetic variants using the T-ARMS-PCR technique. Logistic regression, haplotype analysis, genetic association models, and multivariate clustering were executed. The rs1801131*C allele revealed a significant association with elevated risk of breast carcinoma compared to healthy controls under allelic (OR = 2.02, p-value < 0.001) and recessive (OR = 3.26, p-value < 0.001) models. Moreover, the rs1801133*T allele was correlated to cancer susceptibility under allelic (OR = 1.81, p-value = 0.002) and dominant (OR = 3.33, p-value < 0.001) models, while the rs1042522*G allele was associated with increased risk of BC under allelic (OR = 2.98, p-value < 0.001) and recessive (OR = 3.21, p-value < 0.001) models. BC women carrying the rs1801131*C/C genotype were associated with histological grade III, while those with the rs1801133*T/T and rs1042522*G/G genotypes were correlated with a moderate/poor NPI score (p-value < 0.05). The rs1801131*C, rs1801133*T, and rs1042522*G alleles are associated with an increased risk of BC. The rs1801133*T and rs1042522*G alleles correlated with moderate/poor NPI score. These findings pave the way for the diagnostic functions of these genetic variants as potential prognostic biomarkers.