Changes in the status of DNA methylation are one of the most common molecular alterations in human neoplasia. We aimed to identify epigenetic molecular markers in serum for early detection of breast cancer. Authors analyzed retrospectively the methylation status of RARb 2 and APC genes in serum samples from 121 breast cancer patients, 79 patients with benign breast diseases, and 66 healthy volunteers using methylationspecific PCR. The methylated APC and RARb 2 were significantly higher in breast cancer patients (93.4%, 95.6%) than benign (7.8%, 14.5%) but not detected in healthy volunteers (0%) at (P < 0.0001). Both methylated genes showed no significant difference among clinicopathological factors apart from triple negative breast cancer patients as all of them (v 2 5 7.4, P 5 0.007) reported to be methylated RARb 2 genes. Both methylated genes were detected in all grades and stages. Both sensitivities and specificities of the methylated genes for breast cancer detection were superior to traditional tumor markers in detection of breast cancer, early stage, low grade tumors, and triple negative breast cancer patients. Thus methylated APC and RARb 2 genes might be valuable serum-based molecular markers for early detection of breast cancer. V C 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(1): [61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68] 2015

Background: This study investigates the effects of nano-curcumin on gene expression of insulin and insulin receptor in diabetic rats. Forty female rats were divided into four groups (ten rats for each). The first group was non-diabetic rats acting as negative control and rats of the second group were rendered diabetic by STZ served as positive controls. The third one was induced diabetic and received oral Diamicron for 3 weeks. The fourth was rendered diabetic and administrated oral nano-curcumin for 3 weeks. Results: A significant increase of blood glucose was showed in diabetic rats with significant reduction of insulin level compared to non-diabetic controls. The gene expression of insulin and insulin receptor were more significant in diabetic untreated rats compared to the control non-diabetic group. The induction of curcumin as well as Diamicron to diabetic rats normalized significantly their blood sugar level. Also, curcumin-treated rats indicated significant higher in gene expression of insulin and insulin receptor than positive and negative controls. Conclusion: The results suggest that nano-curcumin could be used as antidiabetic therapy, induced hypoglycemia, and increase the gene expression of insulin and insulin receptor in STZ-induced diabetic rats. More studies are needed to illustrate the definite mechanism of action of nano-curcumin concerning the upregulation of gene expression of the above-mentioned genes.

These findings indicate that investigated biomarkers are constructive for early diagnosis of breast cancer and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio might be a new significant marker in predicting breast cancer development.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a tremendously widespread endocrine disease that causes many complications risking patient’s quality of life. The current study aims to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of curcumin nanoparticles (Curc-NPs), Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), and Curcumin/Zinc oxide nanocomposite (Curc/ZnO-NC) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Results are compared to rats treated by traditional anti-diabetic Diamicron and to normal non-diabetic rats. Adult Wistar albino rats with weight (180-200 g) were divided into 6 groups, each group contains 8 rats (4 males and 4 females). To induce type 2 DM, five groups were injected intraperitoneal with a single dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. freshly prepared STZ. Each group of diabetic rats were treated orally with a daily dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. of Curc-NPs, 10 mg/kg b.w. of both ZnO-NPs & Curc/ZnO-NC, and 5 mg/kg b.w. of Diamicron for 21 days. The antidiabetic potential of every treatment against diabetic rats was evaluated by investigating different biochemical parameters (glucose, insulin, urea, creatinine, HbA1-C, AST, ALT) and histopathological parameters as well as protein expression of Glucokinase (GK) and Glucose transporter protein 2 (GLUT-2) in the pancreas and livers of diabetic rats. All treated groups showed significant reduction in blood glucose, elevated insulin levels, regulated GLUT-2 and GK genes, however, Curc/ZnO-NC showed the most potent anti-diabetic activity compared to normal rats, the histopathological findings correlate with the achieved data.