Effect of Low Level Laser Irradiation on the Function of Glycated Catalase

Introduction: The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of low level laser irradiation (LLLI), by lasers with different wavelengths, on glycated catalase enzyme in vitro experimentally. This is done by measuring the activity and structure properties of glycated catalase enzyme. The structure properties were evaluated with circular dichroism (CD) and fluoroscopy methods. Three continuous wave (CW) lasers in visible spectrum (λ= 450, 530, 638 nm) and a 100-ns pulsed laser in infrared spectrum (λ= 905 nm) were chosen for comparison. For the infrared laser, same effects have been investigated for different energy doses. The effect of photon energy (hυ) at different wavelengths was measured on activity, CD, and fluoroscopy properties of catalase, and compared with the control group [samples without irradiation]. The energy intensity of laser should not exceed 0.1 J/cm2. Experiments were performed on glycated catalase between 2 to 16 weeks after glycation of catalase. The LLLI effect has also been investigated on the samples, by comparing the catalase activity, CD and fluoroscopy for different wavelengths.Results: Our results indicate, the decrease in catalase activity as a function of glycation time (weeks) for all samples, and a slight increase on its activity by different laser wavelengths irradiation for any fixed period of glycation time. Finally, as the laser’s photon energy (hυ) increases, the catalase activity also increases. More specifically, the blue laser (λ= 450nm) has the most and the red laser (λ = 638nm), has the least effect, and the green laser (λ = 530nm) has the medium effect on catalase activity. Furthermore, pulsed laser had an additional effect by increasing energy dosage. As we expected in all experiments, the increase in the catalase activity was coincident with the decrease in catalase fluoroscopy and CD parameters

Exogenous coenzyme Q10 modulates MMP-2 activity in MCF-7 cell line as a breast cancer cellular model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background/Aims</p> <p>Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 is a key molecule in cellular invasion and metastasis. Mitochondrial ROS has been established as a mediator of MMP activity. Coenzyme Q₁₀contributes to intracellular ROS regulation. Coenzyme Q₁₀beneficial effects on cancer are still in controversy but there are indications of Coenzyme Q₁₀complementing effect on tamoxifen receiving breast cancer patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study we aimed to investigate the correlation of the effects of co-incubation of coenzyme Q10 and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) on intracellular H2O2 content and Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) activity in MCF-7 cell line.</p> <p>Results and Discussion</p> <p>Our experiment was designed to assess the effect in a time and dose related manner. Gelatin zymography and Flowcytometric measurement of H2O2 by 2'7',-dichlorofluorescin-diacetate probe were employed. The results showed that both coenzyme Q10 and N-acetyl-L-cysteine reduce MMP-2 activity along with the pro-oxidant capacity of the MCF-7 cell in a dose proportionate manner.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Collectively, the present study highlights the significance of Coenzyme Q₁₀effect on the cell invasion/metastasis effecter molecules.</p

Inhibitory effect of curcumin on angiogenesis in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model: An aortic ring assay

Background: Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) has been associated with the inhibition of angiogenesis, as well as the prevention of cancers and inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of curcumin in suppressing angiogenesis in the cultured endothelial cells of rat aortic rings. Methods: Eight-week-old male Wistar rats were randomized into five groups each with a different treatment and cell culturing paradigm: controls cultured in the absence of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) (C), controls cultured in the presence of VEGF (C-V), controls treated with curcumin and then cultured in media lacking VEGF (C-TC), diabetics cultured in media supplemented with VEGF (D-V) and diabetics treated with curcumin and then cultured in media supplemented with VEGF (D-V-TC). Each group consisted of 8 animals. Diabetes was induced in by streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg body weight, IV). After 8 weeks, animals were sacrificed and their aortas were excised. Ring-shaped explants were embedded in a 96-well culture plate. Angiogenesis response was measured by counting the number of primary microtubules in each well. Results: Optic microscopy revealed that the D-V group had the highest number of microvessels, while angiogenesis was not observed in the C or C-TC groups. The number of primary microtubules was significantly lower in the D-V-TC group compared to the D-V group (P < 0.05). The D-V-TC group had a significantly higher number of microvessels compared to the C-TC group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Curcumin attenuates angiogenesis response in stertozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Effect of hemodialysis on oxidants and antioxidant factors in chronic renal failure

The current study was conducted to assess the effect of hemodialysis (HD) on the status of plasma oxidants and antioxidants among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). These parameters can have an influence on the HD process and can also be useful for follow-up of these patients. The participants of this cross-sectional study comprised 91 patients with a mean age of 51.1 ± 8.2 years on chronic HD with kt/v between 1.2 and 1.4. The etiology of ESRD in these patients was as follows: diabetes mellitus in 39, hypertension in 35, and glomerulonephritis in 17 patients. All patients were on maintenance treatment with phosphate binder, 1,25 Vitamin D, iron, and erythropoietin therapy as per the K/DOQI guidelines. They were selected by random method from Shahid Bahonar Hospital, Karaj, Iran. The height, weight, waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure were measured according to standardized protocols, and blood samples were obtained before and after HD. Blood samples were checked for advanced glycation end products, advanced oxidation protein product, malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), and ferritin reducing ability of plasma, catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The means of MDA, BUN, advanced glycation end product (AGE), and ox-LDL plasma level postdialysis significantly decreased compared to the predialysis level. The mean of plasma catalase, GPx, and SOD increased significantly postdialysis compared to the predia- lysis level in these patients. Factors including age, body mass index, WC, and diastolic blood pressure affected changes in levels of oxidants and antioxidants after HD. Our study results revealed that the status of antioxidants and oxidants tends to improve after HD

Zinc and Copper Concentrations in Human Milk and Infant Formulas

Objective: Available accurate data on the concentrations of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in human milk throughout lactation and infant formulas is important both for formulating nutritional requirements for substances and to provide a base line for the understanding the physiology of their secretion. The objective of this study was to analyze the concentrations of zinc and copper in infant formulas and human milk during prolonged lactation. Levels of these metals were examined in relation to selected parameters such as age, weight, height, education and occupation of mothers. Methods: Thirty mothers referred to the selected clinics in Tehran entered the study. Human milk samples were collected at 2 months postpartum. Zinc and copper concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Findings: The mean values of Zn and Cu in human milk were 2.95±0.77mg/L and 0.36±0.11 mg/L. The mean values of Zn and Cu in infant formulas were 3.98±0.25 mg/L and 0.53±0.17mg/L. Conclusion: No significant relationship was found between levels of trace elements in human milk and evaluated parameters such as age, weight, height, education and occupation of mothers. The concentrations of zinc and copper in breast milk were lower than those reported in the literature

Assessment of genetic mutations in the XRCC2 coding region by high resolution melting curve analysis and the risk of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in Iran

Homologous recombination (HR) is the major pathway for repairing double strand breaks (DSBs) in eukaryotes and XRCC2 is an essential component of the HR repair machinery. To evaluate the potential role of mutations in gene repair by HR in individuals susceptible to differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) we used high resolution melting (HRM) analysis, a recently introduced method for detecting mutations, to examine the entire XRCC2 coding region in an Iranian population. HRM analysis was used to screen for mutations in three XRCC2 coding regions in 50 patients and 50 controls. There was no variation in the HRM curves obtained from the analysis of exons 1 and 2 in the case and control groups. In exon 3, an Arg188His polymorphism (rs3218536) was detected as a new melting curve group (OR: 1.46; 95%CI: 0.432-4.969; p = 0.38) compared with the normal melting curve. We also found a new Ser150Arg polymorphism in exon 3 of the control group. These findings suggest that genetic variations in the XRCC2 coding region have no potential effects on susceptibility to DTC. However, further studies with larger populations are required to confirm this conclusion

The Preventive Effect of L-Lysine on Lysozyme Glycation in Type 2 Diabetes

Lysozyme is a bactericidal enzyme whose structure and functions change in diabetes. Chemical chaperones are small molecules including polyamines (e.g. spermine), amino acids (e.g. L-lysine) and polyols (e.g. glycerol). They can improve protein conformation in several stressful conditions such as glycation. In this study, the authors aimed to observe the effect of L-lysine as a chemical chaperone on structure and function of glycated lysozyme. In this study, in vitro and in vivo effects of L-lysine on lysozyme glycation were investigated. Lysozyme was incubated with glucose and/or L-lysine, followed by an investigation of its structure by electrophoresis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and circular dichroism spectroscopy and also assessment of its bactericidal activity against M. lysodeikticus. In the clinical trial, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were randomly divided into two groups of 25 (test and control). All patients received metformin and glibenclamide for a three months period. The test group was supplemented with 3 g/day of L-lysine. The quantity and activity of lysozyme and other parameters were then measured. Among the test group, L-lysine was found to reduce the advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the sera of patients with T2DM and in vitro condition. This chemical chaperone reversed the alteration in lysozyme structure and function due to glycation and resulted in increased lysozyme activity. Structure and function of glycated lysozyme are significantly improved by l-lysine; therefore it can be considered an effective therapeutic supplementation in T2DM, decreasing the risk of infection in these patients

Investigating the effect of visfatin on ERalpha phosphorylation (Ser118 and Ser167) and ERE-dependent transcriptional activity

Obesity is associated with higher postmenopausal breast cancer incidence. Visfatin level alteration is one of the mechanisms by which obesity promotes cancer. Ligand-independent activation of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is also associated with carcinogenesis. The activity of ERα is modulated through phosphorylation on multiple sites by a number of protein kinases. Here we investigated the effect of visfatin as a novel adipocytokine on the phosphorylation and activity of ERα in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. We showed that exogenous administration of visfatin significantly increased the phosphorylation of ERα at serine 118 (Ser118) and 167 (Ser167) residues. Visfatininduced Ser118 phosphorylation was diminished after treatment of cells with U0126 (MEK1/2 inhibitor). Furthermore, our results showed that visfatin-induced Ser167 phosphorylation is mediated through both MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Inhibition of the enzymatic activity of visfatin by FK866 had no effect on phosphorylation of ERα. We also showed that visfatin enhanced the estrogen response element (ERE)-dependent activity of ER in the presence of 17-β estradiol (E2). Additional study on T47D cells showed that visfatin also increased Ser118 and Ser167 phosphorylation of ERα and enhanced ERE-dependent activity in the presence of E2 in these cells