THE ROLE OF SOME OBESITY-RELATED BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN THE INCIDENCE, DIAGNOSIS, AND PROGNOSIS OF POSTMENOPAUSAL BREAST CANCER

Aim: To figure out the association of insulin resistance, serum resistin, insulin, SHBG, and free estradiol with the etiology, diagnosis, and the prognosis of postmenopausal breast cancer. Subjects and Methods: Serum levels of resistin, insulin, SHBG, free E2, glucose, and albumin were assayed in a case-control study of 40 obese postmenopausal breast cancer females and 40 apparently healthy obese postmenopausal controls. Results: Serum levels of resistin, insulin, and free E2 were significantly elevated in breast cancer patients (9.89±0.49, 23.68±2.95 and 9.34±3.02, respectively) compared with controls (8.24±0.63, 13.55±1.31 and 1.01±0.23, respectively). Insulin resistance (IR) was significantly greater in breast cancer patients (7.33±0.95) than controls (3.46±0.37). However, serum SHBG levels were significantly declined in breast cancer patients (42.93± 2.52) compared with controls (64.2±4.89). Serum free E2 had the greatest significant area under the ROC curve, followed by insulin resistance, insulin, SHBG, and resistin. The odds ratio of serum resistin was 4.33 (95% CI=1.69 – 11.06, P=0.002), insulin was 3.66 (95% CI=1.41 – 9.46, P=0.006), insulin resistance was 3.56 (95% CI=1.39 – 9.08, P=0.007), SHBG was 0.25 (95% CI=0.092-0.67, P=0.005), and free E2 was 5.21(95% CI=1.86 –14.52, P=0.002) in breast cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: From this study, it could be concluded that although insulin resistance, serum resistin, insulin, SHBG, and free E2 may have a role in the incidence and diagnosis of obese postmenopausal breast cancer females, these biochemical parameters cannot be used for the prognosis of these patients. Serum free E2 was the most superior diagnostic marker followed by insulin resistance, insulin, SHBG, and resistin

Plasma substance P and soluble P-selectin as biomarkers of β-thalassemia induced hypercoagulability

Background: Hypercoagulability in thalassemia especially in thalassemia major has emerged as a complication of the disease. There is evidence of increased platelet aggregation and increased proportion of platelets expressing P-selectin in thalassemia. P-selectin is a cell adhesion molecule which plays a key role in hemostasis and thrombosis, mediating platelet rolling and generating procoagulant molecules. Substance P is one of the tachykinins which constitute a family of neuropeptides. It now appears that platelets contain substance P which is released upon stimulation leading to faster and more extensive aggregation. Objective: To detect the possible role of substance P and soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) as biomarkers of hypercoagulability in patients with beta-thalassemia major. Subjects and methods: Venous blood samples were collected from ten normal control subjects and thirty patients with beta-thalassemia major (divided into two groups, splenectomized and unsplenectomized). To all studied individuals, plasma substance P and sP-selectin were assayed by an enzyme linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Higher levels of plasma substance P and sP-selectin were observed in thalassemic patients versus the controls. Both substance P and sP-selectin were significantly higher in the splenectomized group of patients. Conclusions: Substance P and sP-selectin might have a role in platelet activation and subsequent hypercoagulability in thalassemic patients

Assessment of the radioprotective effect of propolis in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. New perspective for an old honey bee product

Background: Ionizing radiation is widely used for treatment of cancer. However, one of the limitations of using radiation is its toxic effects on normal tissue. Radiation damage to normal tissue can be partially reduced by the use of radio-protectors that scavenge free radicals produced during radiation. Recently, interest has increased in the development of potential drug of plant origin for the modification of radiation effects and has an advantage over the synthetic compounds in term of low or no toxicity and with minimum side effects. Propolis is apicultural product which is composed of nutritionally valuable substances and contains considerable amounts of polyphenol substances. Flavonoids and phenolic acids are the major classes of polyphenolic compounds. Because of its broad spectrum biological properties, the interest in propolis as harmless medicine has been increased. Aim of the work: The present study has been undertaken to evaluate the radio-protective effect of propolis supplementation in breast cancer (BC) patients undergoing radiotherapy. Subjects and methods: This study included 135 subjects divided into three main groups: Group I: 45 healthy females served as control group of matched age and menopausal status with the next malignant groups. Group II: 45 chemotherapy received breast cancer patients followed by radiation therapy only. Group III: 45 chemotherapy received breast cancer patients followed by radiation therapy plus propolis supplements. Two venous blood samples were collected from both breast cancer patients groups (Before and after radiotherapy) and one blood sample from matched controls. DNA damage in mononuclear cells was assessed by alkaline Comet assay. Serum was separated to measure ribonucleotide reductase M2 subunit (RRM2) by enzyme linked immunossorbent assay (ELISA). Malonaldhyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and iron were assayed by colorimetric method. One ml blood sample was collected into EDTA tubes for complete blood picture analysis. Results: The present study showed that radiotherapy is accompanied by significant increase in Comet tail parameters (Tail length, % Tail DNA, Tail moment) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of BC patients. While in the group of patients supplemented with propolis plus radiotherapy, propolis have the ability to reduce significantly the radiation induced DNA damage. Concerning RRM2 subunit, it was found that, although radiotherapy significantly down regulate RRM2 protein but still significantly higher than normal control value. On the other hand, the supplementation of propolis during radiotherapy caused a significant down regulation of RRM2 level and became within the normal control level. Furthermore, radiotherapy is accompanied by significant increase in serum MDA and significant decrease in serum TAC while after propolis supplementation plus radiotherapy, serum MDA and serum TAC significantly improved. Regarding serum iron and hematological parameters including hemoglobin (HB) concentration, white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets counts were significantly decreased after radiotherapy treatment alone while after radiotherapy plus propolis, these parameters significantly increased and became within the normal control level. Conclusions: Supplementation of propolis with radiotherapy treatment offers a quite measurable protection against DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation in BC patients leukocytes and inhibits RRM2 overexpression. Moreover, propolis has beneficial effects on the serum antioxidant capacity and improves the digestive utilization of iron and the regeneration efficiency of hemoglobin. Larger prospective studies are required to confirm our findings