Alanine Aminotransferase Levels Research Articles

Association of Abnormal Serum Bilirubin and Liver enzymes in Iraqi Patients with Metabolic Syndrome (A cross-sectional study)

Background: Metabolic syndrome affects people worldwide. Hypertension, insulin resistance, central obesity, dyslipidemia, and pro-inflammatory state are cardiometabolic risk factors. Bilirubin is produced from the breakdown of haemoglobin. Recent studies show that small bilirubin elevations can protect tissue and control oxidative stress and inflammation. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is primarily located in the liver but also in the heart, kidneys, and muscles. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is present in the liver, kidneys, skeletal and cardiac muscles, and brain. Objectives: The study aims to assess the impact of bilirubin and liver enzymes on the components and severity of metabolic syndrome(Obesity, fasting blood glucose, Triglycerides, HDL, and blood pressure). Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the diabetes center in Al-Najaf City, Iraq, from October 2023 to February 2024. Age, gender, blood pressure, height, weight, fasting blood glucose, bilirubin, ALT&AST, triglycerides, and HDL were examined in 122 Mets patients. Results: The study results show a significant difference (P<0.05) in the levels of bilirubin(0.9280±0.03783), ALT(12.8934±0.40234), and AST (22.0410 ± 0.89667) among individuals with metabolic syndrome. Also, the study found a significant difference in ALT levels between overweight (19.8409±1.17134), obese (24.0192±.96722), and normal BMI persons (13.7692±.84909). A significant difference in AST levels was observed between those with normal BMI (16.0000±1.29970) and those with overweight (21.3182±1.72740) or obesity (22.4615±.93791). Between BMI groups, bilirubin levels were not substantially different. The study found a positive correlation between ALT and AST with fasting blood glucose and triglyceride. Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome patients have greater liver enzyme levels than others, which increases insulin resistance and oxidative stress, increasing MS risk. Furthermore, liver aminotransferases have the potential to induce diabetes. Furthermore, increased triglyceride levels led to the release of greater hepatic enzyme concentrations; however, total bilirubin and MS do not correlate.

Evaluation of Clinical and Laboratory Findings and Outcomes in Patients Suffering from Earthquake-Related Crush Injury: Who Needs Renal Replacement Therapy?

Many people who are rescued alive from rubble after earthquakes suffer from crush injuries and associated acute kidney injury (AKI). McMahon score is used to determine the risk of AKI and mortality due to rhabdomyolysis in hospitalized patients. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical findings, biochemical characteristics, and outcomes of crush injury patients admitted to our tertiary hospital and the use of the McMahon score in determining the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) in this patient group. Sociodemographic, clinical, and biochemical parameters of 28 patients who had creatine kinase levels of 1000 U/L and above were recorded. Patients with crush injuries requiring and not requiring RRT were compared according to the McMahon Score. A total of 42% of patients developed AKI and 67% of them required renal replacement therapy. In crush injury patients requiring RRT, serum urea, creatinine, LDH, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, phosphorus, and procalcitonin levels were significantly higher and albumin levels were significantly lower at admission compared to patients not requiring RRT. All patients who required RRT had a McMahon Score ≥6. A high McMahon score at hospital admission is associated with an increased need for RRT.

Osimertinib exacerbates immune checkpoint inhibitor-related severe adverse events by activating the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway in macrophages.

The combination of epithelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) leads to an increased incidence of severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs). However, the mechanisms underlying macrophages in irAEs have not been elucidated. An osimertinib and ICI-induced irAE mouse model was constructed. Lung micro-CT scans were used to assess the degree of inflammatory infiltration. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to analyze the histopathologic inflammatory infiltration in mouse liver and lung tissues. Flow cytometry was used to detect the percentages of T cells, NK cells, and macrophages and the expression of EGFR. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum interleukin (IL)-6, alanine transaminase (ALT), ferritin, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels. Total RNA extracted from mouse liver macrophages was analyzed by RNA-seq. Simple Western blot analysis was used to detect the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway activation state. Osimertinib combined with ICIs upregulated EGFR expression on macrophages with increased serum IL-6, ALT, and ferritin levels. RNA-seq and simple Western blot analysis of mouse liver macrophages confirmed that that the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway was activated in the combination treatment group. Ruxolitinib blocked the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway and significantly decreased the serum IL-6, ALT, and ferritin levels in the combination treatment group. An osimertinib and ICI-induced irAE mouse model was constructed that showed osimertinib combined with ICIs inhibited EGFR phosphorylation and activated the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway in mouse liver macrophages, which led to the release of relevant cytokines.

In vitro colonic fermentation of fermented Radix Astragali by Poria cocos and anti-hyperuricemia mechanism based on network pharmacology and experiment verification

AimThis research aimed to probe the effects of fecal microbiota and Lactobacillus acidophilus on the metabolism of Radix Astragali (RA) and Poria cocos solid fermenting Radix Astragali (FRA). It further explores pharmacological effects of RA, Poria cocos, and FRA on HUA mouse model and the mechanisms in HUA treatment.MethodsFecal microbiota and Lactobacillus acidophilus were used to ferment FRA and RA in vitro to probe the impacts of microbiota on the metabolism of active compound. A HUA mouse model was used to carry out pharmacodynamic experiment of anti-hyperuricemia. Network pharmacology and molecular docking was utilized to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of RA and Poria cocos in the treatment of HUA.ResultsThe results indicated that astragaloside IV (AG IV), total saponins, and flavonoids continuously decreased in FRA and RA during 48 h fecal microbiota colonic fermentation. During Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation, in FRA, the content of AG IV peaked at 12 h with a value of 1.14 ± 0.20 mg/g; total saponins and flavonoids reached the highest values of 136.34 ± 6.15 mg/g at 12 h and 6.35 ± 0.06 mg/g at 6 h; AG IV and total saponins reached the highest values 0.63 ± 0.05 mg/g and 115.12 ± 4.12 mg/g at 12 h and 24 h in RA, respectively; and total flavonoids consecutively decreased. The counts of Lactobacillus acidophilus increased significantly in FRA compared with RA. Pharmacodynamic outcomes revealed that FRA effectively reduced blood levels of uric acid (UA), triglycerides (TG), xanthine oxidase (XOD), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) in HUA mice, exerting protective effects on the liver and kidney. Network pharmacology showed that there were 93 common targets for RA, Poria cocos, and HUA with the top five core targets tumor necrosis factor (TNF), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 (CASP3), jun proto-oncogene (JUN), and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1). Molecular docking analysis revealed that AG IV, calycosin and formononetin bond well to the core targets.ConclusionThis research revealed the interaction of RA and FRA with fecal microbiota and Lactobacillus acidophilus, RA and Poria cocos were featured with multiple components, target points, and signaling pathways in HUA treatment, which provided fresh insights for further HUA therapeutics.

Chronic Hepatitis B Genotype C Mouse Model with Persistent Covalently Closed Circular DNA

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause chronic infections, significantly increasing the risk of death from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A key player in chronic HBV infection is covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), a stable episomal form of viral DNA that acts as a persistent reservoir in infected hepatocytes and drives continuous viral replication. Despite the development of several animal models, few adequately replicate cccDNA formation and maintenance, limiting our understanding of its dynamics and the evaluation of potential therapeutic interventions targeting cccDNA. In this study, we aimed to develop a mouse model to investigate cccDNA formation and maintenance. We infected C57BL/6 mice with recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) carrying a 1.3-overlength HBV genome (genotype C) and collected liver tissue at various time points to assess cccDNA levels and viral replication. Our results demonstrated the successful establishment of a chronic hepatitis B mouse model using rAAV-HBV1.3, which supported persistent HBV infection with sustained cccDNA expression in hepatocytes. Serum levels of HBsAg and HBeAg were elevated for up to 12 weeks, while alanine transaminase (ALT) levels remained within the normal range, indicating limited liver damage during this period. We confirmed HBV DNA expression in hepatocytes, and importantly, cccDNA was detected using qPCR after Plasmid-Safe ATP-Dependent DNase treatment, which selectively removes non-cccDNA forms. Additionally, Southern blot analysis confirmed the presence of cccDNA isolated using the Hirt extraction method. This established model provides a valuable platform for studying the long-term maintenance of cccDNA in chronic HBV infection and offers an important tool for testing novel therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting cccDNA.

An open label, single arm, pilot study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of daily fluconazole 150 mg in subjects suffering from Tinea cruris and Tinea corporis

Background Dermatophytes are the most common superficial fungal infections worldwide and are treated with prescribed regimens of terbinafine and itraconazole, or with weekly doses of fluconazole. Dermatologists are increasingly encountering treatment failures, and experts suggest that standard treatment regimens are not applicable anymore. We planned an open-label study to evaluate the results of fluconazole 150 mg daily for 8 weeks in patients with tinea cruris and tinea corporis. Methods Patients were enrolled from the La’Mer Clinic, Mumbai, India. We included adult subjects with uncomplicated dermatophytosis confirmed by microscopic examination of skin scrapings. Pregnancy, poor renal function, and recent exposure to anti-fungal therapy were exclusion criteria. Patients were reviewed on days 14, 28 and 56. The treating doctor scored the severity of erythema, scaling, and pruritus on a four-point scale: absent, mild, moderate, and severe. Of 107 subjects screened, 100 were finally included in the study. Eleven were lost to follow up and one subject withdrew consent. Results The site of disease was body alone in 29, groin alone in 7, and both body and groin in 64 cases. At 5 weeks, 98%, 100%, and 97% of patients had no scaling, erythema, and pruritus, respectively. Skin scrapings showed 100% mycological cure. In one patient the alanine transaminase level rose from 54.9 to 100.2 U/L, and qualified as a grade 1 adverse event not requiring intervention. No other significant adverse events were noted. Conclusions Our results suggest that fluconazole 150 mg daily for eight weeks effectively treats dermatophytosis. This regimen is safe and well-tolerated even in patients with co-morbidities. Fluconazole is about eight times less expensive than itraconazole or terbinafine and may be the preferred therapy. Registration The trial was registered with Clinical Trials Registry, India (Registration number CTRI/2020/06/026110) on 24 June 2020. FDC Company, India, provided financial support for the study.

Characterization of tea polysaccharides from Tieguanyin oolong tea and their hepatoprotective effects via AMP-activated protein kinase-mediated signaling pathways.

In the present study, we succeeded in extracting tea polysaccharide (TPS) from Tieguanyin oolong tea, and the TPS was characterized. TPS is an acidic heteropolysaccharide containing rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, glucose (Glc), xylose, mannose, galacturonic acid, and guluronic acid. We found that TPS supplementation partially reversed the elevated levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in high-fat diet (HD)-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) mice (p<0.05), and hepatic steatosis and impaired Glc tolerance were also ameliorated. After HD intervention, the activity of Adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its downstream genes, including Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP1c), acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase 1 (ACC1), and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), was significantly inhibited (p<0.05). TPS can increase the expression of these genes. The hepatoprotective effects of TPS in AMPK-/- mice almost completely disappeared. Moreover, the expression levels of SIRT1, SREBP1c, ACC1, and ATGL did not significantly change after TPS supplementation (p>0.05). Therefore, our findings suggest that TPS protects the liver from hepatic glucolipid metabolism disorders in HD-induced NAFLD mice by activating AMPK-mediated signaling pathways.

Alcoholic Extracts from the Ganoderma Lucidum Fermentation Product Alleviated Ethanol-Induced Liver Injury, Gut Leakiness, and Gut Dysbiosis in Mice.

The hepatoprotective effect of the alcoholic extracts of Ganoderma lucidum fermentation products (GFE) was investigated. C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with GFE for 7 days and then subjected to the chronic-binge ethanol feeding model. GFE pretreatment significantly reduced the ethanol-induced elevated serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), hepatic steatosis, and increased triglyceride content. GFE pretreatment also altered hepatic alcohol metabolism, suppressed oxidative stress by decreasing the expression of Cyp2e1, and increasing the level of GSH. Lipidmoic analysis revealed that GFE pretreatment effectively increased ratio of phosphatidylcholines /phosphatidylethanolamine (PC/PE) in the liver. Furthermore, mice pretreated with GFE demonstrated decreased hepatic inflammation and plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels. Additionally, the mRNA expression of gut tight junction proteins such as ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin-1, along with antimicrobial peptide (e.g., Reg3β and Reg3γ) were up-regulated by GFE pretreatment. 16s rRNA sequencing revealed that GFE increased Bacteroidales, Parabacteroides, and Dubosiella, which were associated with hepatic steatosis, inflammation and intestinal barrier function parameters. These results demonstrate that GFE can prevent ethanol-induced liver injury and inflammation, gut leakiness and restore gut microbiota dysbiosis.

Bovine Lung Peptides after Trypsinolysis Reveal Anti-Exudative Activity

Abstract Enzymatic hydrolysates of proteins isolated from cow lungs are used as anti-inflammatory agents for the growth and regeneration of new tissues. Hydrolysates were observed to inhibit the production of free radicals in cells and have a high anti-exudative activity even in low doses. In this study, we established the anti-exudative activity of peptides of protein hydrolysates isolated from bovine lungs. The anti-exudative activity of the peptides sum was compared with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and prednisolone, and the dynamics of inflammation were studied by tumour formation using carrageenan and formalin. Between 1 h and 24 h after administration of the drug, the effect of the peptides sum showed a significantly better indicator than the rest of the means. In general, the anti-exudative activity of the peptides sum was 2–3 times higher than the rest of the preparations. Biochemical indicators of prednisolone and peptides sum in two doses of 10−6 μg/kg and 10−4 μg/kg were studied. As a result of the study, it was found that the peptides sum at 10−6 μg/kg dose enhanced alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity by 17.1% compared to those resulting from prednisolone treatment. In C-reactive protein (CRP) and antistreptolysin O (ASO) indicators, 10−4 μg/kg dose showed high activity. The sum of isolated peptides reduced ALT and ASO levels. This study provides additional support for preparing anti-inflammatory means from the peptides sum isolated from bovine lungs.

Comparative analysis of the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic and open approaches for right anterior sectionectomy

Laparoscopic hepatectomy has minimally invasive advantages, but reports on laparoscopic right anterior sectionectomy (LRAS) are rare. Herein, we try to explore the benefits and drawbacks of LRAS by comparing it with open right anterior sectionectomy (ORAS). Between January 2015 and September 2023, 39 patients who underwent LRAS (n = 18) or ORAS (n = 21) were enrolled in the study. The patients’ characteristics, intraoperative details, and postoperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. No significant differences in the preoperative data were observed between the two groups. The LRAS group had significantly lesser blood loss (P = 0.019), a shorter hospital stay (P = 0.045), and a higher rate of bile leak (P = 0.039) than the ORAS group. There was no significant difference in the operative time (P = 0.156), transfusion rate (P = 0.385), hospital expenses (P = 0.511), rate of other complications, postoperative white blood cell count, and alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels between the two groups (P > 0.05). Beside, there was no significant difference in disease-free survival (P = 0.351) or overall survival (P = 0.613) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma between the two groups. LRAS is a safe and feasible surgical procedure. It may be preferred for lesions in the right anterior lobe of the liver.

Investigating the Relationship Between the Levels of Hematological and Biochemical Parameters of COVID-19 Patients with the Length of Hospitalization

Background: Identifying and treating patients with COVID-19 requires the use of quick and precise laboratory diagnostic techniques that assess the patient's health and identify the illness. Aim: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between hematological and biochemical parameters and length of hospitalization in patients with COVID-19. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of a descriptive-analytical type, which was conducted by census method on 360 medical records of patients with COVID-19 in Imam Khomeini Hospital in Jiroft in 2022. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics tests. Results: The average number of days of hospitalization in the present study was 4 days. The rate of COVID-19 was higher in men than in women. The most common underlying diseases in the patients were heart, pulmonary, and diabetes. Among the biochemical parameters, only lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), platelet (PLT), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) parameters had a statistically significant relationship with the total length of hospitalization (P-value&lt;0.001). LDH, AST, ALT, creatinine (Cr), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), blood sugar (BS), total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin parameters were higher than normal in hospitalized patients. Conclusion: The results showed that there is a relationship between LDH, BUN, AST, ALT, PLT, and ESR parameters and the length of hospitalization of patients. The levels of LDH, AST, ALT, Cr, CPK, BS, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin parameters in patients were higher than normal.

Exploring the risk factors and clustering patterns of periodontitis in patients with different subtypes of diabetes through machine learning and cluster analysis.

To analyse the risk factors contributing to the prevalence of periodontitis among clusters of patients with diabetes and to examine the clustering patterns of clinical blood biochemical indicators. Data regarding clinical blood biochemical indicators and periodontitis prevalence among 1804 patients with diabetes were sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database spanning 2009 to 2014. A clinical prediction model for periodontitis risk in patients with diabetes was constructed via the XGBoost machine learning method. Furthermore, the relationships between diabetes patient clusters and periodontitis prevalence were investigated through consistent consensus clustering analysis. Seventeen clinical blood biochemical indicators emerged as superior predictors of periodontitis in patients with diabetes. Patients with diabetes were subsequently categorized into two subtypes: Cluster A presented a slightly lower periodontitis prevalence (74.80%), whereas Cluster B presented a higher prevalence risk (83.68%). Differences between the two groups were considered statistically significant at a pvalue of ≤0.05. There was marked variability in the associations of different cluster characteristics with periodontitis prevalence. Machine learning combined with consensus clustering analysis revealed a greater prevalence of periodontitis among patients with diabetes mellitus in Cluster B. This cluster was characterized by a smoking habit, a lower education level, a higher income-to-poverty ratio, and higher levels of albumin (ALB g/L) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT U/L).

Effects of dapagliflozin on liver steatosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver comorbidity with considerable global consequences. This study explores the efficacy of dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor primarily used to manage type 2 diabetes, in reducing liver steatosis among NAFLD patients. This randomized, open-label, two-arm, parallel-group trial enrolled patients with NAFLD and a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) score of ≥ 252dB/m. Participants were randomized (1:1) into either the control or dapagliflozin groups. The primary outcome was the change in CAP scores, measured with FibroScan after 24weeks. The trial included 150 patients, 20 of whom (13%) had type 2 diabetes. In week 24, the dapagliflozin group had significantly lower CAP score and fatty liver grade than did the control group (266.3 ± 57.8 50 vs 298.6 ± 59.0dB/m, respectively [p = 0.002]; 1.7 ± 0.7 vs 2.2 ± 0.8, respectively [p < 0.001]). Liver stiffness, waist circumference, and alanine transaminase levels decreased in both the dapagliflozin and control groups, but the between-group differences were nonsignificant (1.0 ± 0.3 vs 1.1 ± 0.3 [p = 0.678], 94.2 ± 12.7 vs 92.4 ± 11.1 [p = 0.382], and 28.8 ± 18.3 vs 28.3 ± 14.2 U/L [p = 0.856], respectively). In the multivariate analysis, a reduction in CAP was associated with dapagliflozin treatment (p = 0.01) and changes in BMI (p = 0.007). No adverse events were observed. Dapagliflozin can reduce CAP score and fatty liver grade in patients with moderate to severe NAFLD, regardless of their diabetes status.

Modulation of cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity by iron supplementation in rats

Cadmium is known to cause nephrotoxicity in rats. This research aimed to evaluate the influence of iron on cadmium toxicity when rats were exposed to water and food-chain-mediated feed. Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups containing three rats for the two-phase studies. After four weeks of exposure, the rat’s kidney was excised and evaluated for a kidney function test involving alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities. In rats exposed via water, Cd-exposed rats show a significantly increased ALT level (266.250 ± 0.005U/I) compared to the control group (238.321 ± 0.0001U/I) while Fe-exposed rats exhibit a significant decrease in ALT levels (182.972 ± 0.029U/I) compared to the control group. Cd+Fe-exposed rats show a further significant decrease in ALT levels compared to both the control and other experimental groups. Also, Cd-exposed rats show a significant decrease in AST levels (200.176 ± 0.018U/I) compared to the control group (287.108 ± 0.003 U/I) while Fe-exposed rats do not show a significant difference in AST levels (277.553 ± 0.448U/I) compared to the control. In rats exposed via feeding, Cd-exposed rats show decreased ALT levels (159.868 ± 0.132U/I) compared to the control group (179. 076 ± 0.001U/I) while Cd+Fe-exposed rats have ALT levels (178.001 ± 0.001U/I) almost identical to the control group, indicating that the combined exposure to Cd and Fe might neutralize the individual effects on ALT levels. The results revealed that iron offers protection against cadmium-induced toxicity in the kidney. This finding suggests that cadmium toxicity in the kidney could be ameliorated in the presence of iron, potentially opening new and promising avenues for the prevention and treatment of cadmium toxicity in humans. This is a finding of direct relevance to the fields of biochemistry and environmental science, and it brings hope for the future of cadmium toxicity research.

Physiological and biochemical responses of Labeo rohita to neonicotinoids imidacloprid, clothianidin, and their mixture.

Neonicotinoids, widely used insecticides, pose severe environmental risks due to their persistence in soil and water, adversely affecting non-target organisms and ecosystem integrity. The present study examined the 56days effects of imidacloprid (66.6mg/l), clothianidin (30mg/l), and their combination (33.3mg/l and 15mg/l) on Labeo rohita, using one-third of the LC50 sub-lethal concentrations. Survival, weight gain, and the hepatosomatic index decreased insignificantly in the IMI group and significantly in the CLO and Mix groups. Haematological indicators, including erythrocyte counts, haemoglobin, and haematocrit values, were also significantly reduced. Blood glucose and serum creatinine levels increased, while serum albumin, globulin, and plasma total proteins decreased. White blood cell counts elevated, while immunoglobulin (IgM), respiratory burst, and lysozyme activities were significantly inhibited. Liver, brain and muscle lactate and malate dehydrogenases were elevated, whereas succinate and glutamate dehydrogenases were decreased. Liver aspartate aminotransferase activity was substantially higher than that of brain and muscle, which had considerably higher levels of alanine aminotransferase in muscle than in the brain and liver. Additionally, muscle alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly higher than in the liver and brain, whereas liver acid phosphatase showed a greater elevation than in the muscle and brain. The physiological, haematological, and biochemical indices peaked on day 28 and slight recovery was observed on day 56 (IMI > CLO > Mix). The study highlights that the mixture of insecticides poses greater hazards compared to a single active compound, and the indiscriminate use of these insecticides jeopardizes non-target organisms, ecosystems, and public health.

MiR-148b Caused Liver Injury in Rats with Traumatic Hemorrhagic Shock by Inhibiting SIRT6 Expression.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of miR- 148b in liver injury in rats with traumatic hemorrhagic shock (THS) and to elucidate its potential mechanism. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the serum of rats were detected by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA), and the injury of rat liver was analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Apoptosis of rat hepatocytes and normal rat liver cell line (BRL3A) was identified by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. MiR-148b and sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) expression was measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content and cell viability were measured by commercial kits and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, respectively. The binding sites of miR-148b and SIRT6 were predicted by the Starbase database and verified by dual luciferase reporter assay. MiR-148b expression in THS rats or ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-treated cells was higher than in the control group. Overexpression of miR-148b further promoted the effects of I/R, which enhanced the levels of ALT, AST and LDH, cell apoptosis of liver tissue or BRL3A cells and decreased the expression of SITR6. Besides, miR-148b negatively correlated with SIRT6, and upregulated the expression of SIRT6 could partly reverse the effect of miR-148b. Hepatocyte injury induced by I/R was achieved by regulating miR-148b /SIRT6 axis.

Therapeutic Potential of Aloe vera and Aloe vera-Conjugated Silver Nanoparticles on Mice Exposed to Hexavalent Chromium.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) is a hazardous heavy metal that induces hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Thus, this study was planned to explore the ameliorating capacity of Aloe vera leaf gel extract (AV) and their conjugated silver nanoparticles (AVNP) against Cr (VI) induced hepatotoxicity and renal toxicity. The organ indices, level of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, malondialdehyde, total protein, and creatinine in blood serum were measured. The histopathological and micrometric analysis of the hepatic and renal tissue sections were studied. The hepatosomatic index was raised significantly (0.098 ± 0.13g) in Cr treated group. The blood serum level of AST (484 ± 10.7 U/L), ALT (163 ± 5.5 U/L), ALP (336.7 ± 9.5 U/L), MDA (642.3 ± 28.3 U/L), and creatinine (4.0 ± 0.1mg/dL) were increased significantly, whereas total protein level was declined (2.8 ± 0.3g/dL) significantly in Cr exposed group. In the histopathological study, necrosis, disturbed hepatic cords, impaired glomeruli, and Bowman's capsule were noted. Micrometric data from the liver and kidney revealed a significant surge in the size of hepatocytes and their nuclei (1188.2 ± 467.7µ2 and 456.5 ± 205.6µ2) and CSA of glomeruli and Bowman's capsule (9051.8 ± 249.8µ2 and 11,835.5 ± 336.7µ2) in Cr (VI) exposed group, whereas the brush border (10.2 ± 4.0µ) size declined significantly. The administration of AV and AVNP reduced the oxidative stress induced by Cr (VI).

Effects of chronic cold stress and thermal stress on growth performance, hepatic apoptosis, oxidative stress, immune response and gut microbiota of juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♀ × A. schrenkii ♂)

The current study was conducted to investigate the effects of chronic cold stress and thermal stress on the growth performance, hepatic oxidative status, immune response, apoptosis and gut microbiota in juvenile hybrid sturgeon. The fish (initial mean weight: 21.4 ± 0.3 g) was reared at three temperatures (14 °C, 22 °C, and 30 °C) for 16 d, which were termed as low temperature group (LT), moderate temperature group (MT), and high temperature group (HT), respectively, and the second group was regarded as control group in this study. Each group was assigned randomly to three tanks with 15 fish per replica. The results indicated that cold stress resulted in a significant reduction of growth metrics and a significant increase of feed conversion ratio in fish compared with MT group. Interestingly, cold stress increased hepatocyte apoptosis revealed by TUNEL staining, along with nuclear disappearance in H&E-stained sections and elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. Transcriptional levels of apoptosis-related genes and toll-like receptor signaling pathway components were significantly up-regulated in liver under cold stress. Compared with control group, in terms of thermal stress, the growth performance and feed utilization of fish were declined to some extent compared with MT group. Moreover, high temperature significantly elevated hepatic productions of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide, as well as increased activities of some antioxidant enzymes in liver. In addition, low and high temperature induce changes in the composition of gut microbiota. Overall, the results suggested that cold stress decelerated growth performance, induced hepatocyte apoptosis, and enhanced innate immunity in hybrid sturgeon to cope with additional stressors. Whereas, thermal stress resulted in hepatic oxidative stress in liver and the protective responses in the antioxidant enzymes in fish were activated. These results provided insights into the different physiological adaptation strategies in responsive to cold stress and thermal stress in this cold-water fish.

Clinical characteristics of 30 children with severe acute SARS‐CoV‐2 infection

AbstractBackgroundTo describe the characteristics of pediatric patients with severe COVID‐19 in China and identify the clinical variables associated with cardiovascular involvement, severe neurological complications, and disease prognosis.MethodsA retrospective surveillance study were conducted from December 1 to 31, 2022, in Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center. Clinical and laboratory characteristics were abstracted by medical record review and were further analyzed according to different manifestations.ResultsA total of 30 children (median age, 27.5 months; 36.7% female) met the criteria for the diagnosis of severe COVID‐19. The top five presented symptoms were fever, convulsions, cough, polypnea, and fatigue. Compared with shock absent patients, the cardiovascular involved patients had different laboratory features, including elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactic acid levels, and abnormalities in coagulation parameters. Higher levels of alanine aminotransferase, AST, lactic dehydrogenase, creatinine, lactic acid, and abnormal coagulant function were more common in patients with severe neurological complications and patients who died during hospitalization. Higher lymphocyte counts and serum sodium concentrations were also observed in non‐survivors.ConclusionSevere COVID‐19 pediatric patients had varied clinical characteristics. Laboratory features associated with cardiovascular involvement, severe neurological complications, and adverse outcomes may facilitate early identification of the severe patients.

A case of complete remission by cabozantinib as an end-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Cabozantinib is a multi-kinase inhibitor targeting multiple tyrosine kinases. It improves overall survival and progression-free survival in patients previously treated with sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to the placebo in the phase 3 CELESTIAL trial. A 71-year-old man presented to our hospital for treatment of HCC with chronic hepatitis C. He was refractory to sorafenib, lenvatinib, regorafenib, and ramucirumab and started atezolizumab and bevacizumab therapy in November 2020. After administering the second cycle on December 10, 2020, the patient was diagnosed with progressive disease in January 2021. Therefore, cabozantinib (60 mg/day) was initiated on January 14, 2021. As the grade 3 aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels increased, grade 3 anorexia and a decline in performance status were observed in the first week, and cabozantinib was terminated. His performance status and anorexia gradually improved, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in June 2021 showed complete remission (CR) according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. The patient did not show disease progression for 11 months without receiving any treatment for HCC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of CR with cabozantinib in advanced HCC.