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Semen cryopreservation is a crucial technique for preserving male fertility, playing a vital role in assisted reproductive procedures by storing frozen semen samples for artificial insemination (AI) and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to enhance reproductive success rates. This study aims to identify the most effective cryopreservation methods and assess their impact on semen quality, particularly sperm DNA fragmentation. A total of 30 semen samples were categorized into fertile and infertile groups. DNA fragmentation analysis was conducted using the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA). Each sample was divided into three portions and frozen using different cryoprotectants: (egg-yolk + glycerol), (sucrose + glycerol), and (glycerol alone). After one month of storage, the samples were analyzed to determine the most effective medium. The findings revealed a decline in sperm motility post-freezing compared to fresh samples, along with a slight increase in morphological abnormalities. Additionally, there was a rise in sperm DNA fragmentation and an increase in apoptotic marker (Caspase-3) levels after the freezing process. The study concluded that cryopreservation and thawing caused some degree of sperm cell damage, with infertile samples being more adversely affected than fertile ones.

Cross talk, mediated by exosomes, between normal stem cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the tumor microenvironment has been given less attention so far. In addition, no publications are available in the literature that address the in vivo impact of exosomes derived from CSCs and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on progression of long-term hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we hypothesized that transfer of exosomes among the cells in the HCC microenvironment could either induce or inhibit tumor growth and metastasis depending on their source. To check this hypothesis, we investigated the effect of exosomes coming from two different stem cell populations, hepatic CSCs and bone marrow (BM) MSCs, on progression of long-term DEN-induced HCC in rats and the involved underlying mechanisms. CSCs-exosomes induced a significant increase in liver relative weight and serum levels of cancer markers (AFP and GGT) and liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), intensive immunostaining for the HCC marker GST-P, and an increased number and area of tumor nodules as compared to HCC rats injected by PBS. CSCs-exosomes also decreased apoptosis (marked by downregulation of Bax and p53 and upregulation of Bcl2, and increased immunostaining of PCNA), increased angiogenetic activity (revealed by upregulation of VEGF), enhanced metastasis and invasiveness (indicated by upregulation of P13K and ERK proteins and their downstream target MMP9 and downregulation of TIMP1), and induced epithelial mesenchymal transition (marked by increased serum and hepatic level of TGFβ1 mRNA and protein). Notably, CSCs-exosomes also elevated HCC exosomal microRNA (miR) 21, exosomal long noncoding (lnc) RNA Tuc339, lncHEIH, and the HCC lncHOTAIR and decreased liver miR122 and HCC miRs (miR148a, miR16, and miR125b). All these cellular, functional, and molecular changes were reversed following injection of BM-MSCs-exosomes. However, both CSCs- and MSCs-exosomes failed to change the elevated oxidative stress or the inhibited antioxidant activities induced by HCC. Collectively, our results revealed a tumor stimulatory effect (induction of tumor growth, progression, and metastasis) for exosomes derived from CSCs and an inhibitory effect for exosomes derived from MSCs. These results provide valuable insight on the effect of CSCs- and MSCs-exosomes on HCC growth and progression in vivo, which may be helpful to understand the mechanism of HCC development.

BackgroundLiver and breast cancers are among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, prompting researchers to seek natural anticancer agents and reduce chemotherapy side effects. Red beetroot (Beta vulgaris Linnaeus), rich in polyphenols and powerful antioxidants, has shown potential in cancer prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of red beetroot-derived anthocyanin (Ant), Ant-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (Ant NPs), cisplatin (Cis), Cis-loaded chitosan (Cis NPs), and Cis + Ant-loaded chitosan NPs on human hepatoma HepG2 and breast adenocarcinoma MCF7 cell lines.MethodsNPs preparation was evaluated by zeta potential, FTIR, and SEM. The cytotoxic, apoptotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-metastatic, and anti-angiogenic effects were assessed by MTT assay, qPCR, AO/EB staining, and flow cytometry.ResultsTreatment with Ant, Ant NPs, Cis, Cis NPs, and Cis + Ant NPs caused cytotoxicity in HepG2 and MCF7 with best effect in Cis-treated cells. The anticancer effects were attributed to mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis (with high Bax and low Bcl2 expression), chromatin disintegration, and cell cycle arrest in G2/M and S phases. All treatments inhibited migration by downregulating the migration-related gene MMP9 and upregulating the anti-migratory gene TIMP1 and decreased the angiogenesis-related gene VEGF and the inflammatory gene TNFα with best results in Cis NPs-treated cells. Interestingly, Ant, Ant NPs, and Cis + Ant NPs increased the antioxidant status (high GSH and upregulated expression of Nrf2 and OH-1) and decreased drug resistance-related MAPK1 and MDR1 genes compared to Cis and Cis NPs-treated cells.ConclusionsAnthocyanin and cisplatin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles effectively combat breast and liver cancers by inducing cancer cell apoptosis, enhancing antioxidant defenses, and reducing inflammation. They also inhibit tumor spread and blood vessel formation through downregulation of MMP9 and VEGF, highlighting their therapeutic potential.

Background/Objectives: In the Middle East, people consume camel milk regularly as it is believed to improve immunity against diseases and decrease the risk for cancer. Recently, it was noted that most of the beneficial effects of milk come from their nanoparticles, especially exosomes. Herein, we evaluated the anticancer potential of camel milk and its exosomes on MCF7 breast cancer cells (in vitro and in vivo) and investigated the possible underlying molecular mechanism of action. Methods/Results: Administration of camel milk (orally) and its exosomes (orally and by local injection) decreased breast tumor progression as evident by (a) higher apoptosis (indicated by higher DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activity, Bax gene expression, and lower Bcl2 gene expression), (b) remarkable inhibition of oxidative stress (decrease in MDA levels and iNOS gene expression); (c) induction of antioxidant status (increased activities of SOD, CAT, and GPX), (d) notable reduction in expression of inflammation-(IL1b, NFκB), angiogenesis-(VEGF) and metastasis-(MMP9, ICAM1) related genes; and (e) higher immune response (high number of CD+4, CD+8, NK1.1 T cells in spleen). Conclusions: Overall, administration of camel milk–derived exosomes showed better anticancer effect, but less immune response, than treatment by camel milk. Moreover, local injection of exosomes led to better improvement than oral administration. These findings suggest that camel milk and its exosomes have anticancer effect possibly through induction of apoptosis and inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation, angiogenesis and metastasis in the tumor microenvironment. Thus, camel milk and its exosomes could be used as an anticancer agent for cancer treatment.

Hepatitis is one of earlier, but serious, signs of liver damage. High doses of statins for a long time can induce hepatitis. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the therapeutic potential of thymoquinone ( TQ) and bee pollen (BP) on fluvastatin (F)-induced hepatitis in rats. Rats were randomly divided into: group 1 (G1, control), G2 (F, hepatitis), G3 (F + TQ), G4 (F + BP), and G5 (F + TQ + BP). Single treatment with TQ or BP relieved fluvastatin-induced hepatitis, with best effect for the combined therapy. TQ and/or BP treatment significantly (1) reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, and total bilirubin, (2) decreased malondialdehyde levels and increased level of reduced glutathione, and activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase in the liver, (3) improved liver histology with mild deposition of type I collagen, (4) increased mRNA levels of transforming growth factor beta 1, nuclear factor Kappa B, and cyclooxygenase 1 and 2, and (5) decreased tumor necrosis factor alpha and upregulated interleukin 10 protein in the liver. These data clearly highlight the ability of TQ and BP combined therapy to cause better ameliorative effects on fluvastatin-induced hepatitis than individual treatment by each alone.

Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, often resulting from uncontrolled growth in various organs. Protein kinase inhibitors represent an important class of targeted cancer therapies. Recently, the kinases BRAF and VEGFR-2 have shown synergistic effects on tumor progression. Seeking to develop dual BRAF/VEGFR-2 inhibitors, we synthesized 18 amino-benzothiazole derivatives with structural similarities to reported dual inhibitors. Four compounds—4a, 4f, 4l, and 4r—demonstrated remarkable cytotoxicity, with IC50 values ranging from 3.58 to 15.36 μM, against three cancer cell lines. Furthermore, these compounds showed IC50 values of 38.77–66.22 μM in the case of a normal cell line, which was significantly safer than the reference, sorafenib. Subsequent investigation revealed that compound 4f exhibited the capacity to inhibit the BRAF and VEGFR-2 enzymes, with IC50 values similar to sorafenib (0.071 and 0.194 μM, respectively). Moreover, compound 4f caused G2-M- and S-phase cycle arrest. Molecular modeling demonstrated binding patterns compatible with inhibition for both targets, where 4f exerted the critical interactions in the BRAF site and interacted in the VEGFR-2 site in a manner akin to sorafenib, demonstrating affinity similar to dabrafenib.

Cisplatin is a potent compound in anti-tumor chemotherapy; however, its clinical utility is hampered by dose-limiting nephrotoxicity. This study investigated whether papaverine could mitigate cisplatin-induced kidney damage while preserving its chemotherapeutic efficacy. Integrative bioinformatics analysis predicted papaverine modulation of the mechanistic pathways related to cisplatin renal toxicity; notably, mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) signaling. We validated protective effects in normal kidney cells without interfering with cisplatin cytotoxicity on a cancer cell line. Concurrent in vivo administration of papaverine alongside cisplatin in rats prevented elevations in nephrotoxicity markers, including serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and renal oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and pro-inflammatory cytokines), as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Papaverine also reduced apoptosis markers such as Bcl2 and Bcl-2–associated X protein (Bax) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and histological damage. In addition, it upregulates antioxidant enzymes like catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) while boosting anti-inflammatory signaling interleukin-10 (IL-10). These effects were underlined by the ability of Papaverine to downregulate MAPK-1 expression. Overall, these findings show papaverine could protect against cisplatin kidney damage without reducing its cytotoxic activity. Further research would allow the transition of these results to clinical practice.

The expanding uses of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in industry and medicine have raised concerns about their toxicity on human and animal health. CNTs, including multi-walled nanotubes (MWCNTs), have been reported to induce immunotoxic, inflammatory, and oxidative effects. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid present in many vegetables and fruits and has immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Herein, we investigated the protective effects of quercetin on pristine MWCNTs-induced immunotoxicity in mice. In comparison with two doses of MWCNTs, high doses [0.5 mg/kg body weight (BW), once intraperitoneally (IP)] caused higher immunotoxic, inflammatory, and oxidative effects than low doses (0.25 mg/kg BW, once IP). Administration of quercetin (30 mg/kg BW, IP for 2 weeks) relieved these deleterious effects as evidenced by (1) reduced spleen weight, (2) increased number of total leukocytes, lymphocytes, and neutrophils, (3) elevated serum levels of IgM, IgG, and IgA, (4) decreased lipid peroxide malondialdehyde levels and increased levels of antioxidant markers reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in the spleen, (5) decreased concentrations and mRNA levels of inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukin 1 beta (IL1ß), and IL6 in the spleen, (6) downregulated expression of immunomodulatory genes transforming growth factor-beta (TGFß), cyclooxygenase2 (COX2), and IL10, and (7) regenerative histological changes as indicated by decreased mononuclear cell infiltration, minimized degenerative changes and restored lymphocytes depletion in the spleen. These results infer that quercetin can ameliorate MWCNTs-induced immunotoxic, inflammatory, and oxidative effects.

Background: Na+/K+ ATPase enzyme is essential for nerve cell membrane integrity, and reduction in its activity, probably due to ATP1A1 gene polymorphisms, is related to diabetic neuropathy progression. Therefore, the goal of the existent study is to evaluate the Na+/K+ ATPase activity in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) Egyptian patients with or without neuropathy, search for polymorphism(s) in the highly polymorphic region of ATP1A1 gene, exon 2, and study its (their) associations with T2DM with and without neuropathy. Materials and Methods: A total number of 150 individuals were subclassified into healthy controls (n = 30), T2DM without complications (n = 60), and T2DM with neuropathy (n = 60). Results: The biochemical results exhibited a significant reduction in fasting C-Peptide and activity of Na+/K+ ATPase in T2DM patients with neuropathy followed by T2DM without complication in comparison with healthy controls. ATP1A1 exon2 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) then digested by the PstI restriction enzyme, and the obtained data from restriction fragment length polymorphism-PCR and sequencing revealed the existence of a novel synonymous G94A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at nucleotide 27 in exon 2 of ATP1A1 gene (rs1060366). Diabetic groups had only allele A, while the control group had G allele. Interestingly, individuals carrying AA genotype had a significantly lower Na+/K+ ATPase, C-peptide, and higher glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1c %) than those having GG genotype, suggesting a possible association for this SNP, and this developed phenomenon of not only T2DM but also diabetic neuropathy. Conclusion: Thus, allele A of G94A SNP (rs1060366) could be a risk allele for diabetes susceptibility among Egyptian patients.

The use of insects as a feasible and useful natural product resource is a novel and promising option in alternative medicine. Several components from insects and their larvae have been found to inhibit molecular pathways in different stages of cancer. This study aimed to analyze the effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Vespa orientalis larvae on breast cancer MCF7 cells and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that individual treatment with 5% aqueous or alcoholic larval extract inhibited MCF7 proliferation but had no cytotoxic effect on normal Vero cells. The anticancer effect was mediated through (1) induction of apoptosis, as indicated by increased expression of apoptotic genes (Bax, caspase3, and p53) and decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2; (2) suppression of intracellular reactive oxygen species; (3) elevation of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, and GPx) and upregulation of the antioxidant regulator Nrf2 and its downstream target HO-1; (4) inhibition of migration as revealed by in vitro wound healing assay and downregulation of the migration-related gene MMP9 and upregulation of the anti-migratory gene TIMP1; and (5) downregulation of inflammation-related genes (NFκB and IL8). The aqueous extract exhibited the best anticancer effect with higher antioxidant activities but lower anti-inflammatory properties than the alcoholic extract. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of several flavonoids and phenolic compounds with highest concentrations for resveratrol and naringenin in aqueous extract and rosmarinic acid in alcoholic extract. This is the first report to explain the intracellular pathway by which flavonoids and phenolic compounds-rich extracts of Vespa orientalis larvae could induce MCF7 cell viability loss through the initiation of apoptosis, activation of antioxidants, and inhibition of migration and inflammation. Therefore, these extracts could be used as adjuvants for anticancer drugs and as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.