2024-03-29T08:49:06Z
https://blj.journals.ekb.eg/?_action=export&rf=summon&issue=9732
Biochemistry Letters
1687-4773
1687-4773
2010
6
1
IMMUNOCHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION OF AN EPITHELIAL MEMBRANE ANTIGEN IN PATIENTS WITH BLADDER CANCER
A.M.
El-Waseef
I.M.
El-Dosoky
M .
Radwan
A.M.
Zakaria
N .
El-Kholy
A.M.
Attallah
An epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) has been analyzed with Western blot at 130-kDa. ELISA was used for screening and diagnosis of EMA in urine samples of bladder cancer patients. EMA was detected in 43 out of 51 bladder cancer patients with detection rate 84%, while it was detected in 22 out of 28 suspicious patients with detection rate 78.5%. In addition, EMA was detected in 21 out of 51 bladder cancer-free patients with detection rate 41%. Moreover EMA was detected in 1 out of 32 urine samples from healthy individuals with detection rate 3.1%. The performance characteristics of ELISA as a rapid diagnostic assay of bladder carcinoma based on EMA detection in urine samples revealed that the sensitivity was 84%, while the specificity was 96.9% among normal individuals. There was an extremely significant (P<0.0001) evaluation of urinary EMA level in patients with bladder cancer compared to the level of healthy subjects. Also the levels of urinary EMA of suspicious patients and bladder cancer-free patients were highly significantly elevated compared to its level in healthy subjects. Furthermore, urinary EMA level of bladder cancer was significantly (P>0.0001) higher than its level in bladder cancer-free patients. EMA levels were progressively increased with grades and stages of bladder cancer. It is concluded that, EMA detected at 130 kDa using Western blot and assayed using ELISA for screening and diagnosis of bladder cancer can be used with high sensitivity compared to cystoscopy and high specificity among healthy individuals. Also quantitative estimation of EMA level in the urine of bladder cancer patients can differentiate them from other bladder affections. Therefore, it is concluded that urine EMA assay may serve as a marker for bladder cancer assessment.
2010
12
01
1
17
https://blj.journals.ekb.eg/article_64417_86a507a3eae97a5841a42ccdbb4362e0.pdf
Biochemistry Letters
1687-4773
1687-4773
2010
6
1
THE RELATION BETWEEN THE RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM AND FIBRINOLYTIC SYSTEM
M. M.
Al-Zendah
A.
Alfaqeh
Background: Several lines of evidence point to an interrelation of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) with the endogenous fibrinolytic system.
Aim & Methods: this study was planned to examine the effect of salt depletion as a method of activation of the endogenous RAS on plasma fibrinolytic balance in 10 healthy human subjects in the presence and absence of Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor- ACEi (captopril). Activation of the RAS during low salt intake was documented by a significant increase in serum aldosterone concentration.
Results: the data suggest that activation of the RAS results in increased plasminogen activator inhibitors (PAI-I) antigen and that interruption of the RAS with the ACE inhibitor captopril significantly lowers PAI-I antigen without lowering tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen.
Conclusion: this data provides an evidence of a direct functional link between the RAS and the fibrinolytic system in humans and these findings may help to elucidate possible mechanisms by which ACE inhibitionexerts vasculoprotective effects and reduces the risk of atherothrombotic events.
2010
12
01
18
31
https://blj.journals.ekb.eg/article_64420_1a9c7e9fb00434a4c9d6b7991e54276e.pdf
Biochemistry Letters
1687-4773
1687-4773
2010
6
1
ANTIOXIDANTS AND CDDP-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY
Kh.A.
AI-Nageh
N.A.
Al-Nageh
Cis-dichlorodianunineplatinum(II) (cisplatin (CDDP) ) is one of' the most effective antitumor agents currently available for cancer therapy. I lowever, its clinical use has been limited by its severe side effects, especially nephrotoxicity. To evaluate the effect of radical scavengers on CDDP nephrotoxicity in rats, CDDP and Vitamin C were given intrapcritoneally. Remarkable protective effects o1' Vitamin C against nephrotoxicity of' CDDP were observed when Vitamin C and GSII were administered to rats before or with CDDP injection. Vitamin C which has radical scavenging effect directly reduced nephrotoxicity of CDDP in vivo. Thus, it seems that free radical is the cause of CDDP nephrotoxicity. Also, combination treatment did not reduce anticancer activity of CDDP. The present results indicate that Vitamin C, and/or GSH when there were given before or with CDllI', may provide protection against CDDP nephrotoxicity without reducing anticancer activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether or not the renal antioxidant system plays also an important role in renal damage induced CDDP (2 mg/kg intrapcritoneally at a single does in rats). In order to elucidate it, serum creatininc and urea levels, renal glutathione and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) content, as well as renal catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) activities were measured in the kidney homogenates and additionally of gene expression of GSHpx and glutathione reductase (GRD) were determined.
2010
12
01
32
55
https://blj.journals.ekb.eg/article_64422_502c6176685ab6c6e9e535b3d29fad5c.pdf
Biochemistry Letters
1687-4773
1687-4773
2010
6
1
DIRECT EFFECT OF TESTOSTERONE ON ISOLATED CORONARY STRIPS
M. M.
Al-Zendah
A.
Al-Faqeh
Background: Although estrogens have been to be vasoactive hormones, the vascular effects of testosterone are not well defined. Also, administration of testosterone to men with angina has been shown to reduce myocardial ischemia. The mechanism of this effect is not clear but could be via an influence on coronary artery tone.
Objectives: We therefore planned this study to examine the vascular effects of testosterone invitro on the coronary artery strips and the potential mechanisms of its action.
Material & methods: Strips of coronary artery were obtained from Adult male Newzea land white rabbits and mounted in Krebs solution in 50 ml organ chambers at 37 oC. These strips are exposed to PGF2α as a vasoconstrictive substance then testosterone is added alone and these experiments are repeated in strips preincubated with different agents.
Results: Testosterone induces a significant relaxation of rabbit coronary artery strips precontracted by PGF2α. Incubation of coronary strips with N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) inhibits partially the relaxing effect of T. However, incubation of these strips with indomethacin did not affect the relaxing effect of T. Moreover, incubation with barium chloride, the relaxing response of T was significantly attenuated.
Conclusion: In conclusion, testosterone causes vasodilatation in coronary artery and the mechanism of this response involved the release of nitric oxide from endothelium and the stimulation of voltage dependent K channels is responsible, at least in part, for the testosterone-induced relaxation of rabbit coronary arteries. This effect may be one of the explanations as to why testosterone has previously been shown to demonstrate beneficial effects on anginal symptoms.
2010
12
01
56
69
https://blj.journals.ekb.eg/article_64423_18a3b3e377b77d106183ace348f43def.pdf
Biochemistry Letters
1687-4773
1687-4773
2010
6
1
EFFECT OF ACUTE ARSENIC TRIOXIDE TOXICITY AND ITS TREATMENT ON HSP70 AND CATALASE mRNA IN RENAL TISSUES
M.K.M.
Mahfouz
M M.
Hussein
The induction of heat shock protein (HSP70) in tissues relayed on tissue type, damage induced by stress and metal specific as arsenic trioxide (As2O3) toxicity which considered the biggest inducer of HSP70 which represents biochemical finger prints of exposure and provides protective mechanism against subsequent lethal effect of arsenic trioxide toxicity. Forty adult male albino rats (180 ± 20gm) were segregated into four groups, 10 animals each. First group (control group) rats were injected s/c with single dose of saline. Second group, rats were injected s/c with arsenic trioxide (0.043mM).Third group, rats were injected I/P with 0.7mM of meso 2,3di mercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). Fourth group, rats were injected s/c with arsenic trioxide (0.043mM) followed by I/P injection with (DMSA) (0.7mM) after 30 minutes of arsenic
trioxide dose. The results revealed significant increase in renal lipid peroxidation (measured as malondialdehyde, MDA) which was associated with a significant decrease in the antioxidant systems such as reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and catalase activity in arsenic trioxide intoxicated group. On the other hand, treatment of rats with DMSA after arsenic trioxide led to a significant decrease in MDA concentration and increase levels of GSH and the activity of catalase when compared with those of arsenic trioxide intoxicated group. Furthermore, total protein and total globulins showed significant decrease in arsenic trioxide intoxicated group than DMSA with arsenic trioxide treated group. At the level of gene expression, we found marked elevation in HSP70 mRNA in arsenic trioxide-intoxicated group while in arsenic trioxide group treated with DMSA its level decreased. Catalase mRNA exhibited a decrease in its level in arsenic trioxide-intoxicated group meanwhile, arsenic trioxide-treated group with DMSA returned catalase mRNA levels to normal. Our results concluded that decreased reduced glutathione concentration and catalase activities in arsenic trioxide intoxicated group were the main inducers for HSP70 mRNA in renal homogenate and DMSA was considered as an effective treatment for acute As2O3 toxicity through amelioration of its oxidative stress especially in the first 30 minutes.
As2O3
DMSA
CAT mRNA
HSP70 mRNA
RT-PCR
GSH
2010
12
01
70
85
https://blj.journals.ekb.eg/article_64425_b7ec9d62a62393550b8f12b482c057dc.pdf
Biochemistry Letters
1687-4773
1687-4773
2010
6
1
A SENSITIVE IMMUNOASSAY FOR HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE (hGH) IN URINE USING ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE LABELED ANTIBODY AND CHEMILUMINSCENT SUBSTRATE
A.B.
El-fighi
I.
Fahelbum
S.
Eljaafary
I.
Laing
The assay of human Growth hormone (hGH) in urine offer potential advantages in serum. The measurement of hGH in urine remains an analytical challenge as concentrations are low and many samples assay at the limit of detection of the assay used. From the analysis of the assay kinetic parameters of a two- site immunoradiometric assay for hGH, we predicted that residual signal was available at analyte concentration below those detectable with I125. We therefore sought to increase the sensitivity of the assay system by an alternative label. The assay was modified to make use of alkaline phosphatase as label instead of I125; we chose to detect the alkaline phosphatase label using as substrate the chemiluminescent substrate adamantly,4-methoxy -4- (3-phosphatephenyl) - Spiro (1,2-dioxetane-3,2`- adamantine) designates as PPD (Diagnostic Products). The assay was shown to be linear from 0.1 to 100 pg growth hormone per tube. This is equivalent to an hGH concentration of 0.05 to 50 pg / ml in a 2 ml of urine sample. Each standard was assayed 10 times to generate an Ekins plot of hGH concentration against standard deviation (Figure 3). Extrapolation to zero concentration gave a detection limit of 0.04 pg/ ml of growth hormone. Different urine samples (n= 17) gave recoveries of 93.9%± 4% at a growth hormone level of 12.5 pg / ml and 93%± 6%, (n= 10) at the level of 2.5 pg / ml. A total of 23 samples were analyzed by Netria hGH (IRMA) on dialysed urine and by the assay described. There was good agreement (r= 0.980) between both assays.
2010
12
01
86
93
https://blj.journals.ekb.eg/article_64431_77729c58bc4812980125ed665f42498d.pdf
Biochemistry Letters
1687-4773
1687-4773
2010
6
1
BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION
C. A. Abdel
Malak
T.
Mosa
M.
Hawas
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major worldwide public health problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 3% (nearly 170 million people) of the world’s population are chronically infected with HCV and that it accounts for around 20% of cases of acute hepatitis and 70% of cases of chronic hepatitis. Detection of HCV antigen in body fluids other than blood is important for assessing possible other routes of viral transmission. This is because body fluids other than blood might be potential sources of HCV infection. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of 25 meningitis patients infected with HCV, serum and cord samples from 25 pregnant women infected with HCV in addition, serum and urine samples of 25 patients infected with HCV were included in this study. Also serum, CSF, cord and urine samples were collected from 30 healthy volunteers as negative controls. HCV antigen was detected in these body fluids using ELISA and western blotting techniques. Western blot analysis showing a single immunoreactive band in cord, CSF, urine and serum of HCV infected patients at 27-kDa. ELISA showed high degrees of sensitivity (92%) and specificity (93.3%). The antigen detection method showed high predictive values of positive (97.2%) and negative (82.4%).
2010
12
01
94
105
https://blj.journals.ekb.eg/article_64433_5e10de76b0e1f2700f4067f805b76112.pdf
Biochemistry Letters
1687-4773
1687-4773
2010
6
1
INHIBITION BY GLUCOCORTICOIDS OF PIT 1 INDUCED ACTIVATION OF TRANSCRIPTION FROM RPR1 PROMOTER FRAGMENTS IN NON PITUITARY CELLS
S.
Eljaafari
A:B.
El-Fighi
I.M.
fahelbum
Bovine and rat prolactin gene promoter function by glucocorticoids. It was of interest, therefore to examine the possible inhibition by glucocorticoids of pit l induced activation of transcription from the 3'- rPrl promoter mutant generated for this study. The studies were carried out by co-transfection into glucocorticoids receptor (GR) deficient CV-1 cells both pin1 and (GR) expression vectors and the reporter CAT plasmids with upstream rPrl promoter fragments. The effect of glucocorticoids was examined by the Addition of dexamethasone (10-6 M) to the cultures immediately after transfection. In these studies glucocorticoids receptor (GR) deficient CV-l cells were used and the (GR) was expressed from an expression vector parker et al. (1994). However, in the case of prolactin promoter fragments (eg, - 1960/+ 38, -44/ -423, -190/-423 and – 75 /+ 38) decreased in pitl induced DAT gene expression was seen when the (GR) was expressed but it was evident even in the absence of glucocorticoids.
2010
12
01
106
112
https://blj.journals.ekb.eg/article_64435_5a3fe8415214d96c6e1a0722355a7d93.pdf
Biochemistry Letters
1687-4773
1687-4773
2010
6
1
EFFECT OF GLUCOCORTICOIDS ON PIT 1 INHIBITION OF SV40 ENHANCER ACTIVITY
S.
El-Jaafary
A. B.
EL Fighi
S. A .B.
Hasan
Earlier studies had shown an effect of glucocorticoids receptor on Pit 1 activation of rPrl promoter activity Treacy. Therefore, the effect of glucocorticoids on Pit 1 inhibition of SV40 enhancer function was investigated in a series of co-transfection studies into glucocorticoids receptor deficient CV-1 cells. Under identical conditions co-transfection of CMV – Pit 1 activated transcription from prPrl (-1960-+38) – CAT; however, expression of GR in the presence of dexamethasone (10-6M) suppressed this activation. The effect of glucocorticoids on the inhibition of SV40 enhancer activity by Pit 1 was investigated. In co- transfection studies in CV-1 cells (Figure 4) it was shown that GR expression and the provision of glucocorticoids (dexamethasone 10-6M) blocked the ability of Pit 1 to inhibit SV40 enhancer activity. Under the same conditions the ability of Pit 1 to activate the rPrl promoter (-1960/+38) was inhibited.
2010
12
01
113
118
https://blj.journals.ekb.eg/article_64438_983e5af94c45ed6b316eaf22cfe34291.pdf
Biochemistry Letters
1687-4773
1687-4773
2010
6
1
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEUKOCYTE COUNT, ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION RATE, AND TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS
A. M.
Afan
M. E.
Zendah
H. M.
Abu- Saida
S. S.
Alabdeli
Because few prospective studies have addressed this issue, this study examined the relation between DM type 2 and leukocyte count, ESR, BMI, BP. Total and differential WBC count, ESR. BMI and blood pressure for 250 participants: 91 men and 159 women. Among 91 men there are 62 diabetic, and among 159 female subjects, 110 develop diabetes were measured. All using data were collected from diabetic Hospital. In the present work a graded associationbetween higher WBC and diabetes mellitus type 2 was observed after adjustingfor age, sex. ESR, BMI, and BP were also significantly associated(P < 0.05) with DM type 2. Smoking status has no real effect in the present data. These finding are consistent with the hypothesis that an activation of leukopoiesis may play a role in pathogenesis of DM type 2 and the inflammationis a dependent risk factor for diabetes. Additionalstudies are needed to determine whether circulating levels ofinflammatory markers are associated with increased risk of incidentdiabetes.
2010
12
01
119
139
https://blj.journals.ekb.eg/article_64442_d1e3a1ecc42af63b344200e7fa8c99dd.pdf