Aya Megahed

Colon cancer (CC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Although chemotherapy remains the primary treatment, its toxicity and drug resistance highlight the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. Silymarin (Sily), a natural compound, and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have shown potential antitumor activity. This study evaluated Sily and/or ZnO-NPs against DMH-induced CC in rats. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n = 6): control, CC (DMH 20 mg/kg/16-week S.C.), and three groups receiving Sily (40 mg/kg orally), ZnO-NPs (10 mg/kg IP), or their combination daily for 4 weeks. In comparison to the CC group, Sily or ZnO-NPs significantly decreased CEA levels, restored mucin synthesis, and improved colonic histology, with the combination treatment producing the most pronounced antitumor effects. Treatments attenuated oxidative stress, with Sily restoring SOD and GSH levels, whereas ZnO-NPs primarily reduced lipid peroxidation, as reflected by decreased MDA levels. Mechanistically, the combined therapy decreased inhibitory GSK-3β phosphorylation and β-catenin expression, consistent with restoration of GSK-3β-mediated suppression of β-catenin. The combination also restored PKCα and miR-192 expression and reduced the expression of the proliferation- and metastasis-associated markers MMP-9, c-Myc, and Cyclin-D1. CD133 expression was significantly reduced, suggesting an effect on the cancer stem cell-associated phenotype. Sily and ZnO-NPs demonstrated therapeutic effects against CC, particularly when administered in combination. Their antitumor effects were associated with modulation of miR-192/PKCα and GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling, supporting further investigation of their combined multitargeted potential in CC.

Heat stress (HS) adversely affects rabbit production, reducing growth performance, physiological responses, and farm profitability. Nanoemulsified orange essential oil (NOEO) is a natural antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties that may mitigate oxidative stress and enhance cellular defense mechanisms. This study evaluated the effects of dietary NOEO on growth performance, blood biochemistry, antioxidant status, immune and inflammatory responses, and liver and kidney histomorphology in heat-stressed rabbits. Forty-eight six-week-old male New Zealand White rabbits (752.91 ± 17.40 g) were randomly assigned to four groups: a control group fed a basal diet and three treatment groups receiving the same diet supplemented with 100, 200, or 400 mg NOEO/kg feed. Heat-stressed rabbits supplemented with NOEO showed significant ( p < 0.05) improvements in body weight, feed conversion ratio, and performance index. Blood hematology and serum levels of total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein were also enhanced in all treated groups compared with the control. NOEO supplementation improved antioxidant defenses, as indicated by increased total antioxidant capacity and elevated activities of key antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase), particularly in the NOEO400 treated group ( p < 0.05). Nitric oxide levels were significantly higher, while malondialdehyde concentrations were significantly lower in NOEO200 and NOEO400 groups, reflecting reduced oxidative stress ( p < 0.05). Immune responses were strengthened, with higher serum IgM and IgA levels, accompanied by downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IFN-γ ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, liver and kidney function and tissue structure were improved in NOEO-supplemented rabbits. In conclusion, dietary NOEO, particularly at 400 mg/kg, enhanced growth performance, antioxidant status, immune competence, and hepato-renal health in heat-stressed rabbits, likely through improved cellular defense mechanisms that protect against oxidative and inflammatory damage.

This study found that adding L-carnitine to maturation or fertilization media significantly improves nuclear maturation, fertilization, and blastocyst rates in

Vitamin D₃ (VD₃) is a sunshine hormone that regulates cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis related to liver parenchyma. We used a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic fibrosis rat model in our study to investigate the beneficial roles of VD₃ to overcome extensive liver fibrosis. Randomly, four equal groups (eight rats per group) underwent therapy for eight successive weeks: a control group, a group treated with TAA 100 mg/kg BW IP every other day, a group treated with VD₃ 1000 IU/kg BW IM every day, and a TAA+VD group treated with both therapies. Treatment with VD₃ after TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis was found to alleviate elevated liver function measures by decreasing ALT, AST, and ALP activity; decreasing total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels; and increasing glucose and 25[OH]D₃. Rats treated with VD₃ showed marked decreases in MDA and increased SOD, CAT, and GSH levels. In addition, CD34 and FGF23 gene expressions were reduced after dual therapy. Liver sections from the TAA+VD group showed markedly decreased hepatic lesions, and Masson’s trichrome stain showed a marked decrease in dense bluish-stained fibrous tissue. The immunohistochemical expression of TGF-β and α-SMA showed markedly decreased positive brown cytoplasmic expression in a few hepatocytes, clarifying the antifibrotic effect of VD₃ in hepatic fibrosis. In conclusion, VD₃ alleviates hepatotoxicity and fibrosis caused by TAA.