فهرست مطالب zeinab barartabar

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. MiRNAs modulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR (PAM) pathway, functioning as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes. This research explores the impact of AgNPs on breast cancer cells while emphasizing the interplay between miR-133a and the PAM pathway and uncovering regulatory mechanisms.

To assess the impact of AgNPs on cell growth and survival, we performed an MTT assay. Additionally, we employed bioinformatic methodologies to predict potential targets of miR-133a within the PAM pathway. We quantified the expression levels of miR-133a, PI3K, AKT, PTEN, and mTOR in MCF-7 cells after exposure to AgNPs using qRT-PCR. Furthermore, we employed Western blotting to evaluate the protein expression of mTOR.

The MTT assay results demonstrated a significant dose- and time-dependent inhibition of breast cancer cells by AgNPs. The qRT-PCR analysis revealed an upregulation in the mRNA expression levels of PI3K and AKT, accompanied by a downregulation in the mRNA expression levels of PTEN and mTOR upon exposure to AgNPs. However, the efficacy and expression level of miR-133a as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer cells remained unchanged following exposure to AgNPs (IC50).

The study found that AgNPs inhibit breast cancer cell growth, affecting the PAM pathway, but miR-133a remained unchanged, suggesting AgNPs may not primarily act through miR-133a. Further research is needed, but caution is advised when using AgNPs for cancer control and treatment.

The association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and breast cancer may significantly impact the mortality and incidence of breast cancer. This study aimed to assess the association between MetS risk factors and immunohistochemical (IHC) profiles in women with breast cancer. This cross-sectional study used the medical records of 300 breast cancer patients with an average age of 53.11±12.97 years in the Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Clinic of Dr. Anbiai, Tehran, Iran (2020-2021). The cases were divided into five subgroups including luminal A, luminal B (HER-2-), luminal B (HER-2+), HER-2 overexpressing, and triple negative. There was no difference in the prognostic indicators between the presence and absence of MetS in women with breast cancer. A higher proportion of luminal A tumors (39.3%), luminal B (HER-2+) (25%), triple-negative (17%), luminal B (HER-2-) (10.7%), HER-2 overexpression (8%) was observed in women with MetS than those without MetS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with MetS had a 41% higher chance of developing luminal A than those without MetS, and patients with a BMI≥30 Kg/m2 had an 80% higher chance of developing luminal B (HER-2+) than those with a BMI<30 Kg/m2. Moreover, women with a waist circumference higher than 88 cm had a 14 % lower chance of developing Luminal B (HER-2+) than those with a waist circumference less than 88 cm. There was no difference in prognostic indicators and IHC profile in patients with and without MetS.

There is an association between inflammatory factors and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and most of women with PCOS experience the symptoms of hirsutism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of obesity in PCOS occurrence, which is linked with inflammation and hirsutism.

This study was designed as a case-control research. It was performed on 102 women with PCOS and 102 healthy women as controls who were age-matched. Serum concentrations of testosterone, estradiol (E2), IL-1, IL-6, high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and aromatase activity were measured in blood samples. Statistical tests including unpaired t-tests, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman’s correlation, and Chi-square tests were used for data analysis. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

A significant difference was found between hs-CRP, IL-1, and IL-6 in PCOS patients and healthy individuals (p<0.001). Aromatase activity was markedly lower in PCOS cases. The serum level of IL-1 (p=0.392) and IL-6 (p=0.764) was not different between overweight and normal weight women. In both studied groups (case and control), hirsutism frequency was markedly higher in individuals with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 (p<0.05). Inflammatory factors significantly affected the PCOS group (p<0.05). However, logistic regression showed that hs-CRP increment is more effective on increasing the risk of PCOS (OR: 6.324, p<0.001).

In this study, hs-CRP, IL-1, and IL-6 levels increased in all PCOS women. Although the incidence of hirsutism in PCOS is associated with obesity, in PCOS pathogenesis, only IL-1 and IL-6 were independent of BMI.

 It has been reported that low concentration of zinc in serum is associated with insulin resistance (IR), also appears to be a relationship between insulin and leptin. In this study the possibility of increased leptin concentration and zinc deficiency was evaluated; in the following, their relationship with overweight and IR was investigated in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

 In this case-control study, 104 PCOS involved cases and 99 healthy individuals as control were included. Blood specimens were collected from participants post overnight fasting period; zinc concentrations (spectrophotometry method), leptin (ELISA method), insulin (ECLIA method), lipid profiles and glucose were measured with enzymatic method. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index determined the IR level.

 Zinc level was 87.20 ± 11.32 μg/dl in PCOS group, and 113.68 ± 8.31μg/dl in control group. Leptin  concentration was 23.06 ± 3.33 ng/mL and 19.37 ± 3.34 ng/mL, and IR was 2.37 ± 0.83 and 1.45 ± 0.74 in case and control groups, respectively (all p<0.001). Zinc had marked negative correlation with leptin, insulin, and IR (p<0.001). According to the subject, which waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) parameters were confounding factors, hyperleptinemia and zinc decrement significantly affected PCOS subjects. In contrast, only zinc decrement had an association with PCOS, after eliminating the confounding factors (OR: 0.782, p<0.001).

 Zinc reduction is more effective on PCOS than hyperleptinemia. Hyperleptinemia has association with waist circumference and BMI; it can also affect PCOS.

 Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder, which is characterized by ovulatory dysfunction and hyperandrogenism. This study was done to evaluate insulin and estradiol (E2) in women with PCOS and its relationship with Body mass index (BMI).

This case-control study included, 104 women with polycystic ovary syndrome as a case group and 100 women without polycystic ovary syndrome as a control group. Concentrations of insulin, glucose and E2 were measured in fasting blood samples.

Insulin level was 7.02 ± 3.29 in control group, 11.41 ± 3.84 in the case group. FBS level was 82.75 ± 7.18 in control group versus 84.03 ± 5.82 in case group. E2 level was 70.74 ± 53.03 in control group and 60.21 ± 40.58 in case group. The insulin resistance level was 1.45 ± 0.74 in the control group versus 2.37 ± 0.83 in case group. According to correlation analysis, the insulin variable had a significant positive association with BMI (p < 0.0001, r=.245), although no significant correlation was seen between E2 and BMI (p-value = 0.245, r=.092)

Present data showed that E2 levels were not different in PCOS and non-PCOS patients, but insulin levels in PCOS were significantly increased and PCOS women had significant insulin resistance which is dependent on BMI.

The present study was conducted to determine testosterone and ferritin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and investigate its relationship with body mass index (BMI)

In this case-control study, 104 PCOS cases and 99 controls were included. The concentration of testosterone, ferritin, lipid profile, insulin, glucose, and androgen was measured in fasting blood samples.

Testosterone level was equal to 1.08 ± 0.50 and 0.85 ± 0.42 in the case and control groups, respectively (P< 0.001). Values of ferritin (123.45 ± 18.21ng/dl vs. 92.14 ± 17.74 ng/dl in control group, p< 0.001), insulin (11.41 ± 3.84 µU/ml vs. 7.02 ± 3.29 µU/ml in control group, p< 0.001), and insulin resistance (11.41 ± 3.84 vs.7.02 ± 3.29 in control group, p< 0.001) were also measured. There was a significant relationship between serum concentration of testosterone and ferritin with BMI) p<0.001). The role of ferritin to predict PCOS was significant (ß:-1.1, P< 0.001).

According to the findings of the present study, the levels of testosterone and ferritin were increased in patients with PCOS. Although elevated testosterone levels are effective in PCOS, ferritin concentration is an important factor in predicting and exacerbating the disease.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus spread from Wuhan, China, in 2019 and is spreading rapidly around the world. COVID-19 victims are almost associated with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other underlying diseases. Concerning the high prevalence of these disorders, widespread mortality threatens global society, and its fatality rate may increase with increasing COVID-19 prevalence in countries with older populations. Therefore, evaluating patients' clinical status with severe COVID-19 infection and their medical history can help manage treatment. Currently, one of the considered treatments is angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) inhibition. This study investigated virus entry mechanisms through membrane receptors, their role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and underlying diseases, and treatment methods based on the viral entrance inhibition. According to existing studies, inhibition of ACE2 can increase oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis and ultimately exacerbate underlying diseases such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and hypertension in individuals with COVID-19. The ACE2 inhibition is not suitable for patients with COVID-19 with underlying diseases, but it seems that the recombinant ACE2 solution is more appropriate for inhibiting the virus in these patients if hypotension would be monitored.