Category Archives: Uncategorized
Internal lipids and their fatty acids composition in a sheep wool fiber under biodestruction with fleece microorganisms
V. M. Tkachuk1*, P. V. Stapay2, N. Z. Ohorodnyk1, N. R. Motko3
1Lviv National Environmental University, Dubliany, Lviv Region, Ukraine;
2Institute of Animal Biology, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences, Lviv, Ukraine;
3Stepan Gzhytskyi National University of Veterinary Medicine
and Biotechnologies of Lviv, Ukraine;
*е-mail: vitalii-tkachuk@ukr.net
Received: 18 January 2024; Revised: 23 February 2024;
Accepted: 31 May 2024; Available on-line: 17 June 2024
Microbiological destruction of fibers is a common damage to sheep’s wool. Considering the defining role of internal lipids in the formation of wool fibers surface the aim of the work was to study the structure and lipid composition of the normal and damaged wool. The research was carried out on ewes of the Askanian fine-wool breed. The content of microorganisms was estimated after sowing on dense nutrient environments. Wool fibers surface was studied by scanning electron microscopy, the content of internal lipids by thin layer chromatography after preliminary alkaline hydrolysis of the fiber, and fatty acids composition by gas-liquid chromatography. Biodestructed wool was shown to contain almost three times more bacteria, as well as higher levels of actinomycetes and mushrooms compared to intact wool. The violation of the cuticular layer was detected as the result of the fleece microflora activity. In a defective wool the content of the free internal lipids and non-esterified fatty acids was increased while the content of protein-bound lipids and esterified cholesterol as well as of ceramides was decreased as compared to normal wool. The level of 18-methyleicosanoic acid in the protein-bound lipids of damaged wool was decreased, indicating the destruction of the thioester bonds by which structural lipids are covalently linked to proteins through 18-methyleicosanoic acid.
Iodide n,π-chelate complexes of platinum(II) based on N-allyl substituted thioureas and their effect on the activity of hepatobiliary system enzymes in comparison with chloride analogs
V. Orysyk1*, L. Garmanchuk2, S. Orysyk3, Yu. Zborovskii1,
S. Shishkina4, I. Stupak2, P. Novikova3, D. Ostapchenko2,
N. Khranovska5, V. Pekhnyo3, M. Vovk1
1Department of Functional Heterocyclic Systems Chemistry,
Institute of Organic Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
2Department of Biomedicine of Taras Shevchencko National University,
Educational and Scientific Centre “Institute of Biology and Medicine”, Kyiv, Ukraine
3Department of Complex Compounds Chemistry, V.I. Vernadsky Institute of General
and Inorganic Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
4Department of X-ray Diffraction Studies and Quantum Chemistry,
SSI “Institute for Single Crystals”, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kharkiv;
5National Cancer Institute, Kyiv, Ukraine;
*e-mail: vis.viktorys@gmail.com
Received: 21 December 2023; Revised: 30 January 2024;
Accepted: 31 May 2024; Available on-line: 17 June 2024
The search for new effective drugs in the treatment of neoplasm remains relevant even today, since the adaptation of transformed cells to the action of classical drugs contributes to the emergence of drug resistance. This applies to a number of classic chemotherapy drugs of the platinum series, in particular cisplatin. In this work, we describe the effect of novel analogs of cisplatin on HepG2 cells and on the key enzyme of antioxidant protection system gammaglutamyltranspeptidase, which plays an important role in the acquisition of drug resistance to anticancer drugs by tumor cells. New mononuclear iodide n,π-chelate complexes of Pt(II) with substituted thioureas N-allylmorpholine-4-carbothioamide or 3-allyl-1,1-diethylthiourea were obtained as analogs of cisplatin. All compounds were investigated by UV-Vis, IR, and 1H/13С NMR spectra. Complex I was described by single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. Also, the effect of these analogs on alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, which are marker enzymes of liver cells, release of which into the blood indicates liver pathologies, was investigated. All studies were carried out in comparison with chloride n,π-chelate complexes of platinum obtained earlier (however, the effect of these chloride analogs of platinum on enzymes of the hepatobiliary system was investigated for the first time in this work). The results have shown that the studied compounds are better cytostatics/cytotoxics than cisplatin both according to IC50 and apoptosis level of HepG2 cells. It is established that, for the most part, effect of the studied complexes is reduced to a decrease in the degree of malignancy of cells of hepatocyte lines and the activity of LDH and GHT, as well as a decrease in consumed glucose.
Non-coding RNA NEAT-1 and interleukin-6 as diagnostic indicators for vitiligo
Mai M. Sharabi1*, Amr A. Zahra1, Azza M. Elamir1,
Talal A. Abd El Raheem2, Nesreen M. Aboraia2
1Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,
Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt;
2Department of Dermatology, STDs Andrology, Faculty of Medicine,
Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt;
*e-mail: mmm29@fayoum.edu.eg
Received: 15 March 2024; Revised: 23 April 2024;
Accepted: 31 May 2024; Available on-line: 17 June 2024
Vitiligo belongs to chronic autoimmune diseases and results in a loss of functioning melanocytes and skin depigmentation. Nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT-1) is a long non-coding RNA that has a vital role in the diagnostics and treatment of certain autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. It is suggested that NEAT-1 can increase the pro-inflammatory cytokine level via regulatory network. The aim of the work was to measure the serum level of NEAT-1 and IL-6 in vitiligo patients compared with healthy controls and to estimate its relation to disease activity. In the study, 60 individuals were enrolled subdivided into 40 vitiligo patients and 20 healthy controls of similar age and gender. NEAT-1 expression was detected by Quantitative real-time PCR, and IL-6 level was measured by ELISA. To assess the severity of the disease Vitiligo area scoring index (VASI) was calculated. Results showed that there was a significant increase in both NEAT-1 and IL-6 levels in vitiligo patients compared with the control group. A positive correlation between NEAT-1 and IL-6 levels and a negative correlation between NEAT-1 level and VASI score was revealed. The elevated serum levels of NEAT-1 and IL-6 suggest that these circulating biomarkers have promise as diagnostic indicators for vitiligo and possible targets for therapeutic interventions.
Embelin mitigates hepatotoxicity induced by isoniazid and rifampicin in rats
O. F. Mosa
Public Health Department, College of Al-Lieth Health Science,
Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia;
e-mail: drosama2030@gmail.com
Received: 09 March 2024; Revised: 29 April 2024;
Accepted: 31 May 2024; Available on-line: 17 June 2024
Isoniazid and rifampicin are reliable drugs against tuberculosis, but while effective, their use is associated with the risk of drug-induced liver damage. Embelin, a natural parabenzoquinone derived from the Embelia ribes plant, has gained attention for its potential therapeutic properties, antioxidant and organ-protective effects. The study aimed to assess the hepatoprotective properties of embelin against liver damage induced by isoniazid and rifampicin in rats. Wistar rats were used, and liver damage was induced by administration of isoniazid (100 mg/kg) and rifampicin (100 mg/kg). Embelin was given at doses of 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg for 21 days. All the drugs were given orally. Serum levels of the oxidative stress markers, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity measured by enzymatic assay kits (Elabscience, China), and the levels of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukins IL-1β and IL-6 measured by ELISA kits (Randox, UK) were estimated. Embelin administration at varying doses effectively restored AST, ALT, ALP, SOD and catalase activity and notably decreased MDA and nitric oxide concentration as well as expression of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the serum of animals with drug-induced liver damage. These findings underscore embelin’s hepatoprotective effects, likely attributed to its radical scavenging properties and ability to suppress cytokine production.
PREX proteins level correlation with insulin resistance markers and lipid profile in obese and overweight non-diabetic patients
N. Hamza1*, A. A. Kasim2, W. E. Hameed3
1Babel Health Directorate, Ministry of Health and Environment, Babel, Iraq;
2Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Pharmacy,
University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq;
3Nutrition Clinic Unit, Al-Imam Al-Sadiq Teaching Hospital,
Ministry of Health, Babil, Iraq;
*e-mail: ali.abdulhussein@uobasrah.edu.iq
Received: 04 March 2024; Revised: 03 April 2024;
Accepted: 31 May 2024; Available on-line: 17 June 2024
Metabolic dysregulation and obesity are associated with many metabolic alterations, including impairment of insulin sensitivity and dyslipidemia. Recent studies highlight the key role of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate-dependent Rac exchange proteins (PREX proteins) in the pathogenesis of obesity, advocating further elucidation of their potential therapeutic implications. The present study aimed to estimate the serum level of PREX proteins and its potential association with insulin resistance markers and plasma lipids level in obese and overweight non-diabetic patients. The study included 30 persons classified as obese, 30 as overweight, and 30 healthy individuals of similar age and gender. The levels of PREX1 and PREX2 were measured using ELISA kits, insulin, fasting glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and total lipid profile were determined using appropriate photometric kits. HOMA-IR was used as a measure of insulin sensitivity. According to the obtained results, obese non-diabetic patients had higher serum PREX1 level compared to both overweight and normal-weight individuals. PREX1 correlated positively with the markers of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. PREX2 level was shown to be lower both in obese compared to overweight patients and in overweight compared to normal-weight individuals. PREX2 correlated negatively with the markers of insulin resistance but not with the markers of dyslipidemia.
The level of sex and fertility hormones in the serum of male patients recovered from COVID-19
M. K. Albayaty1*, M. S. Ali2, A. Y. AL-Tarboolee1, R. H. Yousif3
1Department of Molecular and Medical Biotechnology,
College of Biotechnology, Al-Nahrain University, Jadriya, Baghdad, Iraq;
2University of Technology-Iraq, Applied Sciences Department,
Branch of Chemistry, Baghdad, Iraq;
3Department of Forensic Evidence Sciences, College of Medical Technology,
Al-Farahidi University, Baghdad, Iraq;
*e-mail: mustafa.kahtan@nahrainuniv.edu.iq; mustafaalbayaty42@gmail.com
Received: 20 March 2024; Revised: 30 April 2024
Accepted: 31 May 2024; Available on-line: 17 June 2024
The new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that generated the COVID-19 pandemic is a broad-spectrum infection that besides the respiratory tract, can attack multiple organs, including the digestive, circulatory, and urinary systems. However, the negative consequences of SARS-CoV-2 on the male reproductive system have been largely ignored. The aim of this research was to see how SARS-CoV-2 affects the production of hormones, which are the markers of male reproductive function and fertility. The 350 Iraqi male participants were classified into two groups consisting of 150 COVID-19 recovered patients with a mean age of (32 ± 7.9) years and COVID-19 diagnosis confirmed by RT-PCR, and 200 apparently healthy male volunteers of similar age. The patients’ group was further divided into three groups depending on the recovery period of 3, 5 and 7 months. Serum levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin were measured using the Mindray CL-1000i automated chemiluminescence analyzer provided with matching kits. When comparing the indices of COVID-19 recovered participants to the control group, the results revealed a decrease in testosterone level that was positively associated with the recovery period and an increase in the LH, FSH and prolactin levels that were negatively associated with the recovery period. It is supposed that infection with SARS-CoV-2 may be followed by a temporary condition of testicular failure.
Phenformin attenuates the oxidative-nitrosative stress in the liver of rats under long-term ethanol administration
A. Mykytenko1*, O. Akimov2, G. Yeroshenko3, K. Neporada1
1Department of Bioorganic and Biological Chemistry,
Poltava State Medical University, Poltava, Ukraine;
2Department of Pathophysiology, Poltava State Medical University, Poltava, Ukraine;
3Department of Medical Biology, Poltava State Medical University, Poltava, Ukraine;
*e-mail: mykytenkoandrej18@gmail.com
Received: 09 March 2024; Revised: 29 April 2024;
Accepted: 31 May 2024; Available on-line: 17 June 2024
Modulation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway activity is considered to be a promising option in the development of approaches to chronic alcoholic hepatitis treatment. Phenformin, which is a biguanide, has been reported to increase AMPK activity. The aim of this work was to estimate the effect of phenformin as AMPK activator on the development of oxidative-nitrosative stress in the liver of rats under conditions of long-term ethanol administration. The experiments were performed on 24 male Wistar rats, divided into 4 groups: control; animals, which received phenformin hydrochloride orally at a dose of 10 mg/kg daily for 63 days; animals with a forced intermittent alcoholization for 5 days by intraperitoneal administration of 16.5% ethanol solution in 5% glucose at the rate of 4 ml/kg b.w. and subsequent transfer to 10% ethanol as the only source of drinking; animals with chronic alcohol hepatitis simulation and phenformin administration. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, NO synthase isoforms activity, superoxide anion radical production, concentration of malonic dialdehyde, peroxynitrite, nitrites, nitrosothiols concentration and oxidative modification of proteins (OMP) were estimated in liver homogenates. The increased production of oxygen and nitrogen active forms and OMP intensification in the liver of rats under long-term administration of ethanol was detected. Phenformin introduction under long-term ethanol administration was shown to limit the excess peroxynitrite formation and to prevent oxidative damage to rat liver proteins.
Plasminogen influence on the PAI-1 release by human platelets
O. I. Yusova*, T. V. Grinenko, T. F. Drobot’ko, A. O. Tykhomyrov
Department of Enzyme Chemistry and Biochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry,
National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: yusova07@gmail.com
Received: 06 February 2024; Revised: 27 March 2024;
Accepted: 31 May 2024; Available on-line: 17 June 2024
РАІ-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1), as a major physiological inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator and urokinase, plays a key role in the regulation of fibrinolysis in vivo. Besides, PAI-1 suppresses plasmin formation and affects cell migration through interaction with vitronectin. РАІ-1 is secreted from α-granules of platelets upon stimulation of cells by agonists. The aim of our study was to explore the effects of Glu- and Lys-forms of plasminogen on PAI-1 secretion by platelets and to evaluate the possible role of plasminogen in modulation of agonist-induced PAI-1 release. The secretion of PAI-1 by platelets was investigated by the Western blot analysis. It has been established that depending on the agonist, PAI-1 can be released from platelets in a free form, in a complex with a tissue plasminogen activator, as well as in the form of high-molecular complexes that contain a tissue activator and vitronectin molecules. The revealed induction of PAI-1 secretion under the action of Gly- and Lys-forms of plasminogen indicates their ability to activate intracellular signaling pathways that regulate the release of platelet α-granules. Our findings may be of importance for elucidating the pathogenetic mechanisms of many diseases associated with abnormally enhanced platelet function and PAI-1-related disorders.
ATP as a signaling molecule
L. G. Babich*, S. G. Shlykov, S. O. Kosterin
Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: babich@biochem.kiev.ua
Received: 22 January 2024; Revised: 13 February 2024;
Accepted: 31 May 2024; Available on-line: 17 June 2024
The review considers the effects of extracellular ATP mediated by plasma membrane purinoreceptors in the cells of different tissues, in particular, myometrium. Recently published results suggest that cytosolic ATP may also play a role of signaling molecule, as indicated by the detection of the ATP receptor not only in the plasma membrane, but also in mitochondria. The authors have shown that ionized Ca2+ concentration in the rat myometrium mitochondria matrix is regulated by ATP at the absence of exogenous Ca2+. ATP concentration-dependent increase of [Ca2+]m was not affected in the presence of the mitochondrial Ca2+-uniporter blocker ruthenium red, the mitochondrial pore blocker cyclosporine A, or ATP synthase inhibitor oligomycin. It is assumed that cytosolic ATP could be a signaling molecule that regulates at least the Ca2+ ions exchange in mitochondria.