Hyperlipidemia can lead to atherosclerosis by lipoprotein deposition inside the vessel wall and oxidative stress induction that leads to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein particles (Ox-LDL) have a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The lipid-lowering properties and antioxidants of the grape seed can be beneficial in atherosclerosis prevention. We conducted a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial. Fifty-two mildly hyperlipidemic individuals were divided into two groups that received either 200 mg/day of the red grape seed extract (RGSE) or placebo for 8 weeks. After an 8-week washout period, the groups were crossed over for another 8 weeks. Lipid profiles and Ox-LDL were measured at the beginning and the end of each phase. RGSE consumption reduced total cholesterol (-10.68±26.76 mg/dL, P=.015), LDL cholesterol (-9.66±23.92 mg/dL, P=.014), and Ox-LDL (-5.47±12.12 mg/dL, P=.008). While triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were decreased and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was increased by RGSE, the changes were not statistically significant. RGSE consumption decreases Ox-LDL and has beneficial effects on lipid profile-consequently decreasing the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders-in mild hyperlipidemic individuals.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Red grape seed extract (RGSE) contains oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes as a class of flavonoids. These compounds are potent antioxidants and exert many health-promoting effects. This study aimed to determine the effects of RGSE on serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein AI (apo-AI) levels and paraoxonase (PON) activity in patients with mild to moderate hyperlipidemia (MMH). DESIGN AND SETTINGS: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted at Shahid-Modarres Hospital (Tehran, Iran) and Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Seventy MMH patients were randomly assigned to receive treatment (200 mg/day of RGSE) or placebo for eight weeks. RESULTS: Significant elevation in serum levels of apo-AI (P = 0.001), HDL-C (P = 0.001) and PON activity (P = 0.001) and marked decreases in concentrations of TC (P = 0.015), TG (P = 0.011) and LDL-C (P = 0.014) were found in the cases. PON activity was significantly correlated with apo-AI (r = 0.270; P < 0.01) and HDL-C (r = 0.45; P < 0.001). Significant differences between the RGSE and control groups (before and after treatment) for TC (P = 0.001), TG (P = 0.001), PON (P = 0.03), apo-AI (P = 0.001) and LDL-C (P = 0.002) were seen. CONCLUSION: It is possible that RGSE increases PON activity mostly through increasing HDL-C and apo-AI levels in MMH patients. It may thus have potential beneficial effects in preventing oxidative stress and atherosclerosis in these patients. RESUMOCONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Extrato de semente de uva vermelha (RGSE) contém complexos de proantocianidinas oligoméricas como classe de flavonoides. Estes compostos são antioxidantes potentes e exercem muitos efeitos de promoção da saúde. Este estudo visou determinar os efeitos de RGSE nos níveis séricos de triglicérides (TG), colesterol total (TC), colesterol de lipoproteína alta-densidade (HDL-C), colesterol de lipoproteína baixa-densidade (LDL-C), apolipoproteína AI (apo-AI) e atividade de paraoxonase (PON) em pacientes com hiperlipidemia leve a moderada (MMH). DESENHO E LOCAL: Estudo clínico randomizado duplo-cego controlado com placebo, realizado no Hospital Shahid-Modarres (Teerã, Irã) e na Universidade de Ciências Médicas de Tabriz. Setenta pacientes com MMH foram aleatoriamente designados para receber tratamento (200 mg/dia de RGSE) ou placebo durante oito semanas. RESULTADOS: Elevação significativa nos níveis séricos de apo-AI (P = 0,001), HDL-C (P = 0,001) e atividade de PON (P = 0,001) e diminuição marcada nas concentrações de TC (P = 0,015), TG (P = 0,011) e LDL-C (P = 0,014) foram encontradas nos casos. Atividade de PON mostrou correlação significativa com apo-AI (r = 0,270; P < 0,01) e HDL-C (r = 0,45; P < 0,001). Diferenças significativas entre os grupos RGSE e controle (antes e após tratamento) para TC (P = 0,001), TG (P = 0,001), PON (P = 0,03), apo-AI (P = 0,001) e LDL-C (P = 0,002) foram observadas. CONCLUSÃO...

Bladder cancer is one of the most prevalent genitourinary cancers responsible for about 150,000 deaths per year worldwide. Currently, several treatments, such as endoscopic and open surgery, appended by local or systemic immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are used to treat this malignancy. However, the differences in treatment outcome among patients suffering from bladder cancer are considered as one of the important challenges. In recent years, cancer stem cells, representing a population of undifferentiated cells with stem-cell like properties, have been eyed as a major culprit for the high recurrence rate in superficial papillary bladder cancer.Cancer stem cells have been reported to be resistant to conventional treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, which induce selective pressure on tumoral populations resulting in selection and growth of the resistant cells. Therefore, targeting the therapeutic aspects of cancer stem cells in bladder cancer may be promising.In this study, we briefly discuss the biology of bladder cancer and then address the possible relationship between molecular biology of bladder cancer and cancer stem cells. Subsequently, the mechanisms of resistance applied by cancer stem cells against the conventional therapeutic tools, especially chemotherapy, are discussed.Moreover, by emphasizing the biomarkers described for cancer stem cells in bladder cancer, we have provided, described, and proposed targets on cancer stem cells for therapeutic interventions and, finally, reviewed some immunotargeting strategies against bladder cancer stem cells.cancer stem cells, drug resistance, immunotherapy, transitional cell carcinoma, urinary bladder neoplasms a higher rate of recurrence was associated with variants in the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) enzyme (Andrew et al., 2015). Also, CD44 polymorphisms may have a crucial role in the development of bladder cancer and may have a clinical significance as molecular prognostic markers. Indeed, current evidence indicates that

Purpose:To evaluate the effects of onion juice on sodium-selenite induced cataract formation.Materials and Methods:Thirty-two 10-day-old Wistar-albino rat pups were divided into four equal groups. Group 1 received only subcutaneous saline injection. In Group 2, sodium-selenite (30 nmol/g body weight) was injected subcutaneously. In Group 3, subcutaneous sodium-selenite was injected and one drop 50% diluted fresh juice of crude onion was instilled every 8 h into the right eye for 14 days; the left eye received no treatment. Group 4 rats were similar to those of Group 3, the only difference being that of undiluted fresh juice of crude onion. The development of cataract was assessed. Rat lenses were analyzed for total antioxidant (TA) level, and for activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD).Results:Both eyes of all rats in Group 1 did not exhibit cataract formation. In Group 2, all rats developed Grade 3 cataract in the lenses of both eyes. The difference in exhibited cataract in the lens of the right eyes in all rats between Group 2 and any eyes of groups 3 or 4 were significant (P = 0.001). The mean TA level and mean activities of SOD and GPX in Group 2 rat lenses were significantly lower than the values in lenses of all rats in Group 1 (P = 0.001, 0.003, 0.001), and in the lenses of the right eyes of rats in Groups 3 and 4 (P = 0.001, 0.020, 0.001).Conclusion:Instillation of onion juice into the rat eyes can effectively prevent selenite-induced cataract formation. This effect was associated with increased TA level, SOD and GPX activities in the lens.

Immune responses and inflammation are major risk factors for mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Increased oxidative stress is a common feature of ESRD, and it has been speculated that it is interrelated to inflammation. In many studies it has been proved that red grape seed extract (RGSE) provides an antioxidant efficacy. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of RGSE in hemodialysis patients. Patients and Methods: Thirty hemodialysis individuals were divided into two groups that received either 200 mg/day of the RGSE or placebo for one month. Mean ± SD of age of patients was 58.5 ± 10.5 years. Duration of dialysis was 4 ± 3.4 years and 27 patients were male and 3 patients were female. After a 2-week washout period, the groups were crossed over for another one month. Markers of inflammation, lipid profiles and blood factors were measured at baseline after intervention with RGSE or placebo. Results: Our results showed that RGSE consumption could not make statistically significant changes in markers of inflammation, lipid profiles and blood factors in hemodialysis patients. Conclusion: Although RGSE could not improve markers of inflammation, lipid profiles and blood factors in hemodialysis subjects over a 1 month period. However, this result may be due to short period of treatment or low dose of RGSE. Further studies need to clear these contradictions.