Showing 4 results for Gene Expression
Mojdeh Khajehlandi, Lotfali Bolboli,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background: Mitochondrial function is an integral part of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells and is a hallmark feature of cardiovascular disease. It may contribute to the pathophysiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy and atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), combined with quercetin supplementation (eight weeks), on mitochondrial gene expression in the diabetic heart.
Methods: In this study, 35 adult male rats were equally divided into seven groups (n=5): healthy sedentary, diabetic sedentary, diabetic quercetin sedentary, diabetic HIIT (DHIIT), diabetic MICT (DMICT), DHIIT with quercetin, and DMICT with quercetin. The rats were fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks and subsequently treated with a single low dose of streptozotocin to create a model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Eight weeks (five times a week) of HIIT and MICT, with and without quercetin, were conducted for the training groups, and quercetin was injected over eight weeks at a dose of 15 mg/kg.
Results: Eight weeks of quercetin supplementation, HIIT, and MICT, with and without quercetin, significantly decreased blood glucose levels (P=0.001). Eight weeks of HIIT and MICT training increased nuclear respiratory factor-2 (NRF2) (P=0.001) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) (P=0.001) expression and decreased perilipin 2 (PLIN2) gene expression (P=0.001).
Conclusion: The training groups alone improved the gene expression of NRF2, ATGL, and PLIN2. Both training protocols, combined with quercetin, controlled blood glucose levels and improved antioxidant capacity. Thus, the reduction in blood glucose through quercetin supplementation appears to be a promising approach for managing T2DM.
Mahsa Mahdizadeh, Zahra Arab-Bafrani, Seyyed Mehdi Jafari,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background: Esophageal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Because this disease is usually diagnosed in advanced stages, its treatment is challenging and the survival rate of patients is relatively low. One of the parts that is disturbed in the tumor tissue of esophageal cancer is the tight connections between cells. Claudin-4 (CLDN-4) is one of the tight junction regulatory proteins whose changes are involved in cancer formation. In this systematic review, we examine the changes in CLDN-4 and the factors that affect its level in samples and cell lines related to esophageal cancer.
Methods: Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were searched for articles that examined CLDN-4 gene and protein expression in patients with esophageal cancer or cell lines related to esophageal cancer. A number of 202 manuscripts were obtained in the beginning, and after screening and applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, six studies remained.
Results: Six studies, including 596 patients and seven cell lines related to esophageal tissues, were included in this systematic review. The studies were related to Japan, South Korea, China, and Finland. In these studies, the level of CLDN-4 in cancer samples related to esophageal cancer and their location in esophageal tissue cells have been examined.
Conclusion: In summary, it can be concluded that the change in the level of CLDN-4 in the tumor tissues of esophageal cancer altered the tight junctions from the normal state in the normal esophageal tissues, leading to a change in normal barrier function. However, considering the conflicting results in the reports, more studies are needed to accurately interpret the role of CLDN-4 in esophageal cancer.
Malihe Bakhti, Farzaneh Taghian, Khosro Jalali Dehkordi , Rezvan Mirsafaei Rizi,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2024)
Abstract
Background: Hypothyroidism is typically associated with a decreased basal metabolic rate, reduced energy expenditure, and weight gain. Exercise training and Dorema Aucheri (DA) have been identified as beneficial therapeutic strategies within complementary health approaches. Skeletal muscle metabolism and fiber type are regulated by innervation and soluble factors, such as thyroid hormones. However, the mechanisms between muscle function and hypothyroidism remain unclear.
Methods: Thirty mice were divided into five subgroups: the normal group; hypothyroid mice (HYPO, 8 mg/kg of propylthiouracil administered via intraperitoneal injection for 30 days); hypothyroid mice treated with DA (gavaged at 0.4 mg/kg for two months, five days per week); hypothyroid mice treated with exercise (75% VO2 max, 45 minutes per session, for two months, five days per week); and hypothyroid mice treated with both DA and exercise. The mRNA expression levels were detected via real-time qPCR.
Results: The data indicated that PPARγ, mTOR, and PI3K levels are reduced in hypothyroidism. DA and exercise enhanced PPARγ, mTOR, and PI3K levels in muscle tissue. Notably, DA and exercise significantly increased the expression levels of PPARγ, mTOR, and PI3K.
Conclusion: Exercise and DA, as alternative and complementary medicine, modified the PPARγ/mTOR/PI3K signaling pathways affected by hypothyroidism in mice.
Zahra Minaei , Farah Nameni ,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (9-2025)
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the modulating effects of two interventions, glycyrrhizin and swimming exercise, on the expression of CXCR4 and CXCL12 genes in the blood and heart tissue of diabetic rat models.
Methods: A total of 55 male Wistar rats were purchased, of which 44 were subcutaneously injected with streptozotocin between the ears. Four days post-injection, blood glucose levels were assessed. Rats exhibiting levels above 250 mg/dL were classified as diabetic and subsequently randomized into four groups of 11 animals each (diabetic control, diabetic + glycyrrhizin, diabetic + swimming training, and diabetic + swimming training + glycyrrhizin). The healthy control group consisted of 11 rats. Two groups of diabetic rats were treated with glycyrrhizin. The core experimental protocol involved swimming training, which was implemented in two of the experimental groups. Glycyrrhizin was dissolved in 0.9% saline with sterile distilled water and administered by gavage at a dose of 120 mg/kg on average, transferred to the stomach of the animals every night. The main experimental protocol consisted of eight weeks of swimming training, which was performed in two experimental groups. The swimming training time started from 25 minutes with 7 liters of water in the adaptation period and increased to 60 minutes of activity in 17 liters of water in the eighth week. After eight weeks, the rats were anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine before blood collection, and then blood samples were taken from their hearts. Data analysis was performed using two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test.
Results: A marked reduction in the expression levels of CXCR4 and CXCL12 was observed in the groups subjected to exercise and glycyrrhizin supplementation, indicating the potential of these interventions in modulating inflammatory signaling pathways (p<0.05). The greatest reduction in CXCR4 (49.77%) and CXCL12 (68.19%) was observed in the combined exercise + glycyrrhizin group, indicating a stronger effect of the combined therapy than the single treatments.
Conclusion: Swimming training combined with glycyrrhizin supplementation significantly downregulated the expression of CXCR4 and CXCL12 genes and demonstrated potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, contributing effectively to the modulation and prevention of diabetes.
