Pomegranate juice protects kidneys from Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity

Background: Cisplatin is a potent anti-cancer agent used successfully in treatment of cancers of solid organs, but it has a high rate of nephrotoxicity. Objective: The present study was designed to study Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and the nephroprotective property of pomegranate juice. Materials and Methods: The experiment was performed on 36 Iraqi white male domestic rabbits. Rabbits were divided into three groups; control group (received neither pomegranate juice, no Cisplatin), Cisplatin group (received Cisplatin only), and pomegranate group (received pomegranate juice and Cisplatin). Results: Cisplatin group showed marked reduction of renal function manifested by high levels of blood urea, serum creatinine, and low level of serum albumin.Raised levels of oxidative stress markers and severe renal parenchymal damage by histopathology.While, pomegranate group showed almost normal renal function tests and normal levels of oxidative stress markers, and normal renal parenchymal histopathology. Conclusion: Cisplatin in a highly nephrotoxic drug, and Pomegranate juice has a nephroprotective activity against Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity

Bronchial wash miR-21 as a potential biomarker for non-small cell lung cancer

Background: Lung cancer is one of the major health problems all over the world. Most of cases are discovered at advanced stages because of late appearance of symptoms and the lack of efficient and effective methods for early diagnosis and screening of high risk groups. The microRNA-21(miR-21) was stably present and reliably measurable in all samples of bronchial wash whether positive or negative (control) for lung cancer. Objectives: to evaluate the expressions of the miRNA-21 as a minimally invasive diagnostic biomarker for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Results: Relative quantification of miR-21 gene showed overexpression in samples positive for NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer) and ROC study yielding 85% sensitivity and 98% specificity in distinguishing NSCLC patients from controls with p-value < 0.05. Conclusion: altered expressions of the miR-21 in samples of bronchial wash may provide a potential biomarker for detection of non-small cell lung cancer