Gene expression of IQGAPs and Ras families in an experimental mouse model for hepatocellular carcinoma: a mechanistic study of cancer progression

IQGAPs genes play critical role in either induction or suppression of cancer and its progression, however the relationship between Ras genes and these genes are still unclear. In this study, we tried to understand the mechanistic action of IQGAPs genes and its correlation with Ras genes in mouse hepatic cancer model. The genetic expressions of IQGAP1, IQGAP2, IQGAP3, Hras, Kras, Nras, Mras, Caspase3, and BAX were followed in both hepatocellular carcinoma and normal liver cells of Balbc mice. Genotoxic agent diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatic cancer model was induced in male mice and recorded the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma by morphological and histological changes in the liver. It was observed that mRNA expressions of IQGAP1, Hras, Kras, Nras, Mras, Caspase3, and BAX genes were highly elevated in hepatocellular carcinoma cells when compared with normal liver cells, additionally their expressions increased by concentrating the dose of DEN. While, the expressions of IQGAP2 and IQGAP3 were significantly decreased in hepatocellular carcinoma cells when compared with normal liver cells, as well as their expressions decreased more with increasing the dose of DEN. It was concluded from this study that IQGAP1 has a strong signaling relationship with Ras genes in induction of cancer and it is considered as a key gene for induction or suppression of the hepatocellular carcinoma

The role of the yeast as probiotic in protection against liver injury

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a well known yeast used safely from ancient times in many biotechnological applications. Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in using yeast as probiotic. Dimethyl nitrosamine (DMN) has been used to induce liver fibrosis in rats. Yeast has been used side by side with the DMN to evaluate the role of its use as a probiotic in the protection against liver fibrosis. Six groups of rats have been used to represent negative and positive controls and other four groups which have been treated by DMN for two weeks and killed after 35 or 60 days. Two of the DMN treatment groups have been fed by yeast from the first 35 to 60 days, respectively. The results show that yeast has no side effect on each of glutamate-oxaloacetate-transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme activities. DMN showed a significant effect on those enzymes. Feeding with yeast for 35 days showed a minor improvement, while feeding them for 60 days showed a significant improvement. Moreover, the expressions of interleukin 1-alpha (IL-1.) and interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7r) have been evaluated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The study includes also the analysis of liver histopathology. This study shows the importance of using yeasts as probiotics in the protection against liver injury.Key words: Yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, probiotic, dimethyl nitrosamine, IL-7r, IL-1.