Vol.7 No.4 – 8:The association between Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha level (TNF-α) and moderate COVID-19 patients in Egypt

Sabah Farouk Alabd and Ahmed Abdelhalim Y. Mahmoud

Molecular Biology Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), University of Sadat City, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Infection with viral agents causes upregulation of cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), which is considered an important mediator of inflammation. TNF-α has been associated with a poor prognosis in patients with the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Patients and methods: This study included 66 mild COVID-19 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection and 22 healthy people as a control group, these study subjects were randomly selected irrespective of the age group and both genders were included, 1 ml blood sample was collected for performing serum TNF-α levels test, Reagents of EIAab is located at East Lake Hi-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan China.  Human tumor necrosis factor ELISA kit TNF-α serum levels immunoassay test catalog number E0133h. Results: This study reveals that serum TNF-α levels for mild COVID-19 patients and healthy control people were non-significant with a p-value of 0.1191 between the two groups. Conclusion: the serum TNF-α level is not a significant biomarker for diagnosis or prognosis of mild COVID-19 patients (Outpatients and patients under home observation), while other studies reported patients with COVID-19 demonstrated significantly elevated levels of TNF- 𝛼 upon admission to hospitals.

The-association-between-Tumor-Necrosis-Factor-alpha-level-TNF-α-and-mild

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Vol.7 No.4 – 7:Characteristics of peripheral Leukocyte in moderate infection of COVID-19

By: Ahmed Abdelhalim Yameny

Society of Pathological Biochemistry and Hematology, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Blood leukocytes are an important part of the body’s defense system, and infection status can be predicted by measuring WBC levels. COVID-19 may involve many organ systems in its host. Studies suggest that hematological profiles change during SARS-CoV-2 illness. Patients and methods: This study included 504 mild infected patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection, these study subjects were randomly selected irrespective of the age group and both genders were included, EDTA blood sample was collected for performing total and differential white blood cells (Diagon D-cell 60 hematology analyzer Europe-Diagon Ltd. Hungary). Results: The present study included patients aged from14 years to 75 years mean age was 44.5 ±30.5 who were confirmed to have Covid-19 based on real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, female gender was more frequent (n=280, 55.6%) than Male gender (n=224, 44.4%). This study reveals normal total WBCs count in 320 patients (63.5%), neutrophilia with a sensitivity of 77.8%, and lymphopenia with a sensitivity of 73%. Conclusion: Neutrophilia has a sensitivity of 77.8% and lymphopenia has a sensitivity of 73% for diagnosis or prognosis of mild infection of COVID-19 patients (Outpatients and patients under home observation).

Characteristics-of-peripheral-Leukocyte-in-mild-infection-of-COVID-19

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Vol.7 No.4 – 6:The prognostic value of elevated creatine kinase as an Independent Prognostic Factor for COVID-19 mild infection

By: Sabah Farouk Alabd and Ahmed Abdelhalim Y. Mahmoud

Molecular Biology Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), University of Sadat City, Egypt

DOI: 10.21608/jbaar.2021.237395

Abstract

Background: Creatine kinase (CK), which is a marker of muscle damage, was also often found to be elevated in deceased COVID-19 patients and those with severe disease, Therefore, higher CK could be used as a prognostic marker to indicate a more severe clinical picture of COVID-19. Patients and methods: This study included 225 out-hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection, these study subjects were randomly selected irrespective of the age group and both genders were included, Assay procedure as manufactory instructions and Reagents of Spectrum diagnostics, optimized DGKC/IFCC liquid reagent, Egypt are used. Results: This study showed male gender was more frequent (n=135, 60%) than the female gender (n=90, 40%). This study reveals high serum CK levels in 45 patients (20%), which has a sensitivity of 20% as a biomarker for COVID-19 diagnosis in out-hospitalized patients (Outpatients and patients under home observation), with a p-value is <0.001 which is less than 0.05. Conclusion: CKhas a sensitivity of 20% in out-hospitalized patients (Outpatients and patients under home observation), thus elevated CK is best used as a rule-in test rather than a rule-out test.

The prognostic value of elevated creatine kinase as an Independent Prognostic Factor for COVID-19 mild infection 2

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Vol.7 No.4 – 5: Evaluation of the anticancer activity of dipyridamole and Imatinib mesylate compounds against breast cancer cell line and related biochemical and genetic changes

By: Rania A. El-Leithy1, Aly F. Mohamed2, Asmaa A. EL-refaay1, Mohamed M. Omran1, *

1Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt

2Former Head of R&D Sector, The Holding Company for Production of Vaccines, Sera and Drugs (VACSERA), Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Imatinib mesylate and dipyridamole were antineoplastic targeted chemotherapeutic agents, and it is here evaluating the anticancer of imatinib mesylate and dipyridamole compounds against MDA-MB231 breast cancer cell line in-vitro and the related cell cycle and gene profile.  MDA-MB231 cells showed more sensitivity to imatinib mesylate than to dipyridamole, with an IC50 value of 348 g/mL versus 494 g/mL for imatinib mesylate and dipyridamole, respectively (P-value < 0.05). The up/downregulation of Bax and Bcl-2 and metastasis contributing gene (MMP-1) assured the anticancer activity. Also, the apoptotic potential of dipyridamole and imatinib mesylate was verified by arresting cells in the G2/M phase and increasing the percentage of the apoptotic cells in the pre-G1 phase. The antioxidant levels were drug dependent, as they were significantly higher(P<0.05)  in cells treated with imatinib than in cells treated with Dipyridamole.

Conclusion: Imatinib mesylate growth-inhibitory impact on breast cell lines, either alone or in combination with dipyridamole, may be mediated through up/downregulation of the Bax, Bcl-2, and MMP-1 genes. Imatinib is a promising treatment for breast cancer patients who require targeted therapy.

Evaluation of anticancer activity of dipyridamole and imatinib mesylate compounds against breast cancer cell line and related biochemical and genetic changes

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Vol.7 No.4 – 4: Therapeutic Role of Quercetin against Experimentally Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Female Albino Rats and their offspring

By: Asma R Abdeltawab1, Hassan I.H Elsyyad2, Karoline K.Abdelaziz1,

Abd El-Fattah B. M. El-Beltagy1*

1, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt

2Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

Abstract

Aim:  To evaluate the potential role of quercetin against N-methyl nitrosourea (MNU)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in pregnant rats and their offspring. Material & Methods: Twenty-four female rats were used in this study. Six rats were preserved without treatment and the other eighteen female rats were induced by a single dose of MNU (50 mg /kg B wt). After confirmation of the positive tumor marker test, female rats were placed with the males for mating. The pregnant rats were divided into four groups (n=6). Group1: control rats, group2: Quercetin supplemented rats (20 mg/kg B.Wt, group3: MNU-induced rats, and group4: MNU-treated rats followed by supplementation with quercetin. At the end of the weaning period, the mothers and their offspring (at 21 days old postnatal) of all groups were sacrificed, the liver was removed immediately for histological and immunohistochemical investigations. Also, blood samples were collected, centrifuged, and processed for the estimation of antioxidants. Results: In the control and quercetin groups, the histological investigation of the liver of mother rats and their offspring appeared with normal architecture. In Group3 (MNU-induced group) the liver sections of mother’s rats revealed degenerated hepatic lobules with pronounced cellular hyperplasia (HCC) especially around the central vein and portal area as well as numerous Kupffer cells and fat droplets.  However, the liver sections of offspring displayed little cellular hyperplasia but the central and portal veins appeared damaged and congested with blood. Immunohistochemically, the liver sections of MNU-induced mother’s rats and their offspring appeared strongly stained with α-FP antibody and negatively stained with caspase-3 antibody. Furthermore, the levels of serum antioxidants; SOD, CAT&GSH were significantly decreased however the levels of MDA and NO were significantly increased in MNU-induced mother rats and their offspring if compared with control. In group 4, quercetin was able to restore the histological and immunohistochemical changes in the liver induced by MNU.  Also, the levels of antioxidants, as well as MDA and NO, were markedly restored near to the normal level as in control.  Conclusion: Quercetin has a powerful therapeutic role against MNU-induced HCC in pregnant rats and their offspring.

Therapeutic

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Vol.7 No.4 – 3:Molecular and Biochemical Studies on Some Natural Compounds and Their Effect on the Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats and Their Role in Treatment

By: Adel Abaskharon Guirgis1, Dawoud Fakhry Habib2, Hanan Hanna3 and Ramy Abosaif Mahmoud1

1Molecular Biology Department, Genetic Engineering &Biotechnology Research Institute University of Sadat City, Egypt

2 Clinical Biochemistry Department, National Research Centre (NRC), Egypt

3 Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Pharos University in Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

Background: The number of individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) worldwide has more than doubled over the past three decades, and it has been predicted that the number of diabetic patients would increase to 439 million by 2030, so many efforts are being made to find a new and effective treatment for diabetes mellitus.

Objective:   This work aims to study the biochemical and molecular effect of the Moringa oleifera MO and Ficus sycomorus FLE in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and compare them with the effect of metformin, by estimation of the expression of β-actin and glucose transporter GLUT2, GLUT4, and Insulin Receptors genes in studied groups, Determination of fasting blood glucose and insulin levels before and after induction of (STZ), Quantitative estimation serum cholesterol, TG levels, HDL, LDL, Some antioxidant enzyme activity Glutathione peroxidase, catalase and lipid peroxidation in plasma. Results: MO and FLEshowed promising anti-diabetic potential in diabetic-bearing albino mice which can be attributed to its anti-inflammatory effect. This could serve as a stepping stone towards the discovery of newer safe and effective anti-diabetic treatment.

Molecular and Biochemical Studies on Some Natural Compounds and Their Effect on the Streptozotocin induced Diabetic Rats and Their Role in Treatment-converted

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Vol.7 No.4 – 2:Diagnostic values of a model based on B-type natriuretic peptide, C reactive protein, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio for diagnosis of diabetic heart diseases patients

By: Mohamed M. Omran1*, Yassmin Taha2, Mohamed Kadry3, Fathy M. Eltaweel2, Tarek M. Emran4

1 Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.

2 Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, Egypt

3Laboratory Department, Gamasa Central Hospital, Gamasa, Egypt

4Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University,

New Damietta; Egypt

Abstract

Background: People with type 2 diabetes means they are more likely to progress many complications such as hyperglycemia, low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, and accelerated heart disease. Diabetic heart disease (DHD) can be diabetic cardiomyopathy, heart failure (HF), and coronary heart disease.

Methods: Blood samples from 100 patients with DHD, and 76 controls included   [diabetic patients without cardiac diseases 56, and 20 healthy individuals were collected. C reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), were estimated in all study individuals. The area under receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the single and combined markers. Results: Levels of CRP, BNP, and NLR had significant differences but VCAM had no significant differences among DHD, controls, diabetic, and healthy individuals groups.  Then VCAM marker was excluded from further analysis. CRP was the most efficient biomarker among markers for discriminating DHD patients from healthy individuals, diabetic patients and, controls with AUCs were 0.99, 0.87, and 0.89; respectively. We developed a new model based on three blood markers (CRP, BNP, NLR) for differentiated DHD.  Linear significant correlations were observed between model levels and candidate markers that included: CRP (r=0. 78; p <0.0001), NLR (r = 0. 0.53; p <0.0001), BNP (r = – 0.55; p <0.0001). The AUC of the model was 1.0 with 100 % sensitivity and 100 % specificity for discriminated patients with DHD from healthy individuals. For discriminate patients with DHD from diabetic patients, AUC was 0.90 with 92 % sensitivity and 81% specificity. For discriminate patients with DHD from controls, AUC was 0.93 with 92 % sensitivity and 83 % specificity.  

Conclusion: The combination of three candidate biomarkers CRP, BNP, and NLR can be used to improve the diagnosis of DHD patients with high diagnostic performances.

Diagnostic-values-of-a-model-based-on-B-type-natriuretic-peptide-C-reactive-protein-and-neutrophil-lymphocyte-ratio-for-diagnosis-of-diabetic-heart-diseases-patients-converted

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Vol.7 No.4 – 1: Antioxidant effect of vitamin E on diphenylamine-induced hepato-renal oxidative stress and structural changes in rat fetuses

By: Hend Tarek El-Borm

Zoology Department-Faculty of Science-Menoufia University, Egypt

Abstract

To date, studies on the effects of prenatal exposure to diphenylamine on developing fetuses are sparse. Therefore, further investigation is required to determine the potential prenatal hazard of this compound and to introduce possible treatment for these hazards. This study aimed to assess the biochemical, histopathological, and ultrastructural changes induced by diphenylamine in the developing liver and kidney of rat fetuses and the role of vitamin E in alleviating these changes. Fifty pregnant rats were divided equally into five groups, the group I was administrated distilled water, group II was administrated corn oil, group III was administrated 100 mg/kg/b.wt. vitamin E, group IV was administrated approximately 400 mg/kg/b.wt diphenylamine and group V was administrated diphenylamine + vitamin E at the above-mentioned doses from the 6th to 15th day of pregnancy. Diphenylamine induced undesirable histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the fetal liver and kidney. These changes were in the form of vacuolation, congestions of central veins, hemorrhage, leucocytic infiltration, degenerated cytoplasm, pyknotic nuclei, and swollen mitochondria and rER of hepatocytes. While the degenerative changes in the kidney were represented by degenerated brush border, lumen dilation, tubular hyalinization, vacuolation, degenerated nuclei, and mitochondria. Also, there was a significant decrease in the antioxidant enzymes i.e., superoxide dismutase and catalase, and a significant increase in reactive oxygen radicals and malondialdehyde. Treatment with vitamins E after diphenylamine restored all biochemical, histopathological, and ultrastructural damage cited above. In conclusion, vitamin E has antioxidant effects which could be able to antagonize diphenylamine prenatal toxicity.

Antioxidant-effect-of-vitamin-E-on-diphenylamine-induced-hepato-renal-oxidative-stress-and-structural-changes-in-rat-fetuses-converted

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