The correlation of SKA2 with cortisol, IL-1β and anxiety in pregnant women with the risk of preterm delivery

Objective The association between preterm birth (PTB), Spindle and Kinetochore Associated Complex Subunit 2 gene (SKA2), cortisol and anxiety have been shown, but in this study, we aimed to clarify whether the expression of the SKA2 gene plays a role in interleukin-1β (IL-1β) level since increasing level of IL-1β is linked with PTB. Methods The case-control study was conducted on 49 and 51 women with preterm and term delivery, respectively. The score of anxiety was ranked according to the Spielberger state trait Anxiety Inventory. The concentration of cortisol and IL-1β was determined by the ELISA method. The expression of SKA2 gene was assessed by the quantitative real time real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The western blot analysis was also performed to confirm the expression of SKA2 at the levels of protein. Results The results showed that the gene/protein expression of SKA2, the concentrations of cortisol and IL-1β were significantly high-er in the preterm than the term group. In the preterm group, the expression of SKA2 was positively correlated to the other factors including cortisol, IL-1β, and the degree of anxiety. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the expression of SKA2 was correlated positively to the levels of cortisol, IL-1β and the rate of anxiety in women with PTB. © 2020 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association

SKA2 gene � A novel biomarker for latent anxiety and preterm birth prediction

Background: There is a relationship between preterm birth (PTB)and anxiety. Spindle and Kinetochore Associated Complex Subunit 2 (SKA2)gene polymorphism (NC000017.11: g.59110368 G > A)has also been associated with the development of anxiety. The current study was designed to evaluate the relationship between SKA2 gene SNP (NC000017.11: g.59110368 G > A)with the occurrence of anxiety and PTB which might be considered a predictive biomarker for the prediction of preterm delivery. Methods: SKA2 gene (SNP rs7208505)genotyping was performed in 300 women with term birth (TB)and 293 women with PTB using PCR-RFLP method and then followed by DNA sequencing. Cortisol level was analyzed with ELISA method and the presence of anxiety was detected using Spielberg Inventory. Results: The AA genotype of SKA2 gene significantly increased the risk of PTB compared to the GG genotype by 9.6 fold (CI4.5�20.2, P A)could be as a predictive biomarker for the risk of PTB. © 2019 Elsevier B.V

The shift of hbf to hba under influence of ska2 gene; a possible link between cortisol and hematopoietic maturation in term and preterm newborns

Background: We hypothesized that the SKA2 gene can convert hemoglobin F to A leading to the maturity of the hematopoietic system by glucocorticoid hormone; so, the present study aimed to investigate the health outcome of newborns by using the effect of SKA2 gene on hematopoietic matu-ration. Methods: At first, 142 samples were divided into term and preterm. After sampling from the umbilical cord blood, the expression of SKA2 genes and HbA and F were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR. The blood gases were measured by Campact 3 device. Finally, the cortisol level was measured by ELISA method and HbA and F levels were investigated by capillary electrophoresis. Results: The blood gases and Apgar scores were more favorable in term newborns (P <0.001). Levels of protein/expression of HbF in newborns with Apgar score greater than 7 was lower than that of the newborns with Apgar score below 7 (P <0.001). Cortisol and HbA levels were considerably higher in term newborns compared to the preterm ones (P <0.001). In the preterm and term groups, SKA2 gene expression had a positive and significant relationship with cortisol and HbA levels as well as a nega-tive relationship with the HbF level. In the preterm group, a positive and significant relationship was observed between the expression of SKA2 and HbF genes. Conclusion: The results revealed that the SKA2 gene affected hematopoietic maturation in preterm and term newborns and the health outcome of newborns improved by increasing HbA level. © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers

Association of grp78, hif-1α and bag3 expression with the severity of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Introduction: Parallel with the progression of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), the levels of 78KDa Glucose-Regulated Protein (GRP78) and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) are increased as they may activate the induction of anti-apoptotic proteins such as BCL2 Associated Athanogene 3 (BAG3). Previous studies have indicated that there is a positive correlation among GRP78, HIF-1α and BAG3. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of metabolic factors involved in invasive CLL on apoptotic factors. Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 77 patients diagnosed with CLL along with 100 healthy individuals. Cell blood count was performed for all participants. According to Binet's classification, CLL patients were divided into different groups. B cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of CLL patients by binding to anti-CD19 beads. The expression of BAG3, GRP78 and HIF-1α genes was analyzed using the RT-PCR method. To confirm the results of RT-PCR, western blot analysis was carried out. Results: The results showed that there was a strong association among the expression of BAG3, GRP78 and HIF-1α. The stage of CLL in patients was highly correlated with the expression rate of each gene (p<0.001). Accordingly, the western blot analysis indicated that the concentrations of GRP78 and HIF-1α were significantly higher than the expression of BAG3, considering the stage of CLL. Conclusion: It was shown that increased expression of GRP78 and HIF-1α could result in the elevation of BAG3, as well as the disease progression. Therefore, the role of these metabolic factors might be more pronounced compared with the anti-apoptotic agents to monitor disease progression in CLL patients. © 2020 Bentham Science Publishers

Control the bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by a combination of hypericum extract and niacin

Pulmonary fibrosis is a fatal disease, and is considered as one of the most important side effects of chemotherapy drugs such as bleomycin. The antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory activities of Hypericum have been confirmed; on the other hand, the inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase enzyme affected the levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) in cells. In the present study, the effects of hypericum perforatum extract in combination with niacin were assessed on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, male rats weighing 160-190 g were used. The animals were randomly divided into the following five groups of six: The control group (NS), which receives normal saline only; the bleomycin group (BLM), which was administrated with an endotracheal single dose of bleomycin sulfate solution after anesthetizing the animals. Hypericum perforatum (HP) group, Niacin group (100 mg/kg), and the combination group (HP + NC). In addition to receiving endotracheal bleomycin, the studied drug was administered intraperitoneally for 21 days. At the end of the study, hydroxy-proline and malondialdehyde were measured, and specific pathology tests were performed in lung tissues to determine the changes that occur in in various groups. The results showed that the lung index (lung weight/body weight), hydroxy-proline content (μg of hydroxyproline/lung), and malondialdehyde in the control group were 0.662�0.03 μg, 1156.8�41.5 μg, and 753.7�40.2 μg respectively, while these values in the BLM group were 1.56� 0.24 μg, 4073.4�468.9 μg, and 1643.6 � 129.9 μg, respectively. Treatment with the combination of hypericum extract and niacin significantly reduced these factors as compared to the bleomycin group (P < 0.05) .Our results represented a potential protection of hypericum extract and niacin on lung fibrosis induced by bleomycin. This protective effect showed a significant increase when compared to the use of the plant extract or niacin alone

Control the bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by a combination of hypericum extract and niacin

Pulmonary fibrosis is a fatal disease, and is considered as one of the most important side effects of chemotherapy drugs such asbleomycin.The antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory activities of Hypericum have been confirmed; on the other hand, the inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase enzyme affected the levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) in cells.In the present study, the effects of hypericum perforatum extract in combination with niacin were assessed on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, male rats weighing 160-190 g were used. The animals were randomly divided into the following five groups of six: The control group (NS), which receives normal saline only; the bleomycin group (BLM), which was administrated with anendotracheal single dose of bleomycin sulfate solution after anesthetizing the animals. Hypericumperforatum (HP) group, Niacin group (100 mg/kg),and the combination group (HP + NC). In addition to receiving endotracheal bleomycin, the studied drug was administered intraperitoneally for 21 days. At the end of the study, hydroxy-proline and malondialdehyde were measured, and specific pathology tests were performed in lung tissues to determine the changes that occur in in various groups. The results showed that the lung index (lung weight/body weight), hydroxy-proline content (μg of hydroxyproline/lung), and malondialdehyde in the control group were 0.662±0.03μg, 1156.8±41.5 μg, and 753.7±40.2μg respectively, while the sevalues in the BLM group were1.56± 0.24μg, 4073.4±468.9μg,and 1643.6 ± 129.9μg,respectively. Treatment with the combination of hypericum extract and niacin significantly reduced these factors as compared to the bleomycin group (P < 0.05) .Our results represented a potential protection of hypericum extract and niacin on lung fibrosis induced by bleomycin. This protective effect showed a significant increase when compared to the use of the plant extract or niacin alone

Alteration of the level of salivary cortisol under psychological stress and its relationship with rumination and personality traits

Background and Objective: Gender differences in biobehavioral responses to environmental stressors and experience of psychological stress should be identified. This study was done to evaluate the changes of the level of salivary cortisol under psychological stress and its relationship with rumination and personality traits. Methods: In this case-control study, for 45 medical students, The NEO Personality Inventory-Short Form and emotional control questionnaire (ECQ) were filed two months before the final examination. Saliva samples were taken from students in the non-stress (control) and examination stress conditions. Salivary cortisol levels were measured by ELISA method. Results: Gender differences were not observed in the level of salivary cortisol under psychological stress. Significant difference was observed between the mean of salivary cortisol in the non-stress and under examination stress conditions. Positive correlation was found between traits of neuroticism (P<0.05) and rumination (P<0.05) with salivary cortisol as well as negative correlation between the traits openness to experience (P<0.05) and angery control (P<0.05) with salivary cortisol. Neuroticism, rumination and angery control may predict a substantial variance (32%) of salivary cortisol under exam stress. Conclusion: Psychological stress leads to increase in the secretion of salivary cortisol unrelated to gender. Subjects with different personality traits are prone to cortisol responses to stress based on their particular character