Amy F. Boushra

Hyperthyroidism-induced cardiac disease is an evolving health, economic, and social problem affecting well-being. Sodium-glucose cotransporter protein 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-I) have been proven to be cardio-protective when administered in cases of heart failure. This study intended to investigate the potential therapeutic effect of SGLT2-I on hyperthyroidism-related cardiopulmonary injury, targeting the possible underlying mechanisms. The impact of the SGLT2-I, dapagliflozin (DAPA), (1 mg/kg/day, p.o) on LT4 (0.3 mg/kg/day, i.p)-induced cardiopulmonary injury was investigated in rats. The body weight, ECG, and serum hormones were evaluated. Also, redox balance, DNA fragmentation, inflammatory cytokines, and PCR quantification in heart and lung tissues were employed to investigate the effect of DAPA in experimentally induced hyperthyroid rats along with histological and immunohistochemical examination. Coadministration of DAPA with LT4 effectively restored all serum biomarkers to nearly average levels, improved ECG findings, and reinstated the redox balance. Also, DAPA could improve DNA fragmentation, elevate mtTFA, and lessen TNF-α and IGF-1 gene expression in both organs of treated animals. Furthermore, DAPA markedly improved the necro-inflammatory and fibrotic cardiopulmonary histological alterations and reduced the tissue immunohistochemical expression of TNF-α and caspase-3. Although further clinical and deep molecular studies are required before transposing to humans, our study emphasized DAPA’s potential to relieve hyperthyroidism-induced cardiopulmonary injury in rats through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects, as well as via antagonizing the sympathetic over activity.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common type of liver cancer and is a leading cause of death worldwide. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is involved in HCC progression, migration, and suppression of apoptosis. This study investigates the apoptotic effect of the dietary antioxidant (n-3 PUFAs) on HepG2 cells and analyzes the underlying molecular mechanisms of this effect both in vivo and in vitro. In vivo study: Seventy-five adult male albino rats were divided into three groups (n = 25): Group I (control): 0.9% normal saline, intraperitoneal. Group II: N-Nitrosodiethylamine (200 mg/kg b.wt) intraperitoneal, followed by phenobarbital 0.05% in drinking water. Group III: as group II followed by n-3 PUFAs intubation (400 mg/kg/day). In vivo study: liver specimens for biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical examination. In vitro study: MTT assay, cell morphology, PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis. n-3 PUFAs significantly improved the histopathologic features of HCC and decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins. Further, HepG2 cells proliferation was suppressed through inhibition of the STAT3 signaling pathway, cyclin D1, and Bcl-2 activity. Here we report that n-3 PUFAs may be an ideal cancer chemo-preventive candidate by targeting STAT3 signaling, which is involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis.