Features and Usage Areas of MicroRNAs as Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressors

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small non-coding RNA of 19–24 nucleotides in length that were discovered 12 years ago by Victor Ambros and colleagues. They are important regulatory molecules in animals and plants. MicroRNAs are downregulate gene expression during various crucial cell processes such as apoptosis, differentiation and development. In addition, some miRNAs may function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. More than 50% of miRNA genes are located in cancer-associated genomic regions or in fragile sites. Overexpressed miRNAs in cancers, such as mir17–92, may function as oncogenes and promote cancer development by negatively regulating tumor suppressor genes and genes that control cell differentiation or apoptosis. Underexpressed miRNAs in cancers, such as let–7, function as tumor suppressor genes and may inhibit cancers by regulating oncogenes and genes that control cell differentiation or apoptosis. miRNA expression profiles may become useful biomarkers for cancer diagnostics. [Archives Medical Review Journal 2009; 18(1.000): 1-12

Effect of N-acetylcysteine on cisplatin induced apoptosis in rat kidney

Purpose: Cisplatin is one of the most potent and widely used chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of a wide variety of solid organ cancers. However, due to various side-effects such as nephrotoxicity, its therapeutic applications are limited. In the current study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which is an effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, on cisplatin-induced apoptosis in rat kidneys

Economic growth leads to increase of obesity and associated hepatocellular carcinoma in developing countries

PubMedID: 27493104Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and the third leading cause of cancer related death worldwide. In recent years, the prevalence of HCC has increased in both developing and developed countries. Most HCC cases develop in the presence of advanced chronic liver disease related to viral hepatitis. In particular hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections are considered as major HCC risk factors worldwide. However, current studies provide strong evidence for increasing numbers of HCC in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD represents the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome which is based on obesity and insulin resistance. Epidemiologic data clearly demonstrates that NAFLD and obesity-related disorders are significant risk factors for tumor development in general and HCC in particular. As a consequence of life style changes towards higher calorie intake and less exercise, obesity and metabolic syndrome are spreading all over the world. Due to this increase in obesity and metabolic syndrome NAFLD-related HCC will become a major health care problem in the future. In conclusion, better understanding of the impact of NAFLD and obesity in the development of HCC will improve our treatment strategies of HCC and allow preventive measures. © 2016 Fundacion Clinica Medica Sur. All rights reserved

LOW SERUM VITAMIN D IN NASH PATIENTS AND ANTIFIBROGENIC PROPERTIES OF VITAMIN D IN VITRO: IMPLICATIONS FOR NASH

61st Annual Meeting of the American-Association-for-the-Study-of-Liver-Diseases -- OCT 29-NOV 02, 2010 -- Boston, MAWOS: 000288775602622…Amer Assoc Study Liver Di

Economic growth leads to increase of obesity and associated hepatocellular carcinoma in developing countries

WOS: 000397061200001Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and the third leading cause of cancer related death worldwide. In recent years, the prevalence of HCC has increased in both developing and developed countries. Most HCC cases develop in the presence of advanced chronic liver disease related to viral hepatitis. In particular hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections are considered as major HCC risk factors worldwide. However, current studies provide strong evidence for increasing numbers of HCC in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD represents the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome which is based on obesity and insulin resistance. Epidemiologic data clearly demonstrates that NAFLD and obesity-related disorders are significant risk factors for tumor development in general and HCC in particular. As a consequence of life style changes towards higher calorie intake and less exercise, obesity and metabolic syndrome are spreading all over the world. Due to this increase in obesity and metabolic syndrome NAFLD-related HCC will become a major health care problem in the future. In conclusion, better understanding of the impact of NAFLD and obesity in the development of HCC will improve our treatment strategies of HCC and allow preventive measures.Wilhelm Laupitz Foundation; TUBITAK-2219 Post-doc research scholarship programSupported by the Wilhelm Laupitz Foundation (A.C.) and by the TUBITAK-2219 Post-doc research scholarship program (A.A.)

Epidemiological projections of viral‐induced hepatocellular carcinoma in the perspective of WHO global hepatitis elimination

International audienceHepatitis B is an eminent risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, whereas hepatitis C is a key risk factor for HCC in Western Europe and North America. Increased awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis resulted, in May 2016, in the adoption of the first global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis by the World Health Assembly, which calls for the elimina-tion of viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Although the incidence of liver cancer resulting from viral infections has increased since the 1990s, the imple-mentation of public health interventions, such as hepatitis B vaccination and antiviral therapies might have reduced the global burdens of HCC. Hepatitis B immunization in infancy has been associated with a reduction in the risk of infant fulminant hepati-tis, chronic liver disease, and HCC in Taiwan. Achieving viral hepatitis elimination by 2030 can be accelerated by improving the access to HCC screening programs. HCC surveillance programs in developed countries must be refined to increase an access to personalized surveillance program, whereas the limited access to surveillance and treatment of HCC in developing countries remains a significant public health issu