Clinical Biochemistry

Permanent URI for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11888/17722

Browse

Now showing 1 - 5 of 13

STATINS INHIBITS GROWTH AND METASTASIS OF MELANOMA THROUGH MIR-126/MMP-9
(An-Najah National University, 2024-11-03) Nasser, Rasha
Background: Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer, with morbidity and mortality rates increasing globally. Melanoma has an elevated metastatic potential, leading to limited response to the available treatments in addition to poor prognosis. The transcription factor (NF-κB) for nuclear factor kappa B has been up-regulated in melanoma cases. Simvastatin has anticancer properties that can act as a repurposed drug for treating melanoma. Recognizing the signaling pathway and the anti-tumor properties of simvastatin is essential in discovering new kinds of tumors that might be intended by simvastatin. MicroRNA-126 is a significant microRNA family member; recent studies demonstrate its role in cancer as a new tumor suppressor gene because it can stop cancer cells from growing, migrating, and invading by suppressing important oncogenes like matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9). Here, we inspected how simvastatin can affect melanoma growth, tumor cell migration, and angiogenesis. Mechanically, Simvastatin blocks the transcription factor NF-κB, which up-regulates MIR-126 and, therefore, down-regulates the expression of MMP9 as an oncogene of melanoma cancer responsible for cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. Aims: Eliminating melanoma from our lives is our objective. The only way to accomplish this is through study, and it is pretty bold and huge. We propose that, rather than finding a new drug, it would be better to use an existing one to prevent growth and metastasis so that we can investigate the impact of statin drug on melanoma growth and metastasis using an innovative approach. This goal is supported by our unique research technique, which describes how we use the newest ideas to advance the discovery of a new treatment for melanoma. Methods: we use Simvastatin to block the transcription factor NF-κB, which then regulates the expression of MIR-126. Therefore, this micro-RNA inhibits the expression of MMP9 as an oncogene of melanoma cancer, responsible for cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Results: The results of the study demonstrate that simvastatin, via inhibiting the transcription factor NFκB; can influence the growth and spread of melanoma cancer at even low concentrations (5µM). In conclusion: Through downregulation of the transcription factor NFκB, which restores the production of miR-126 that targets the MMP-9 mRNA, simvastatin possesses anti-proliferative characteristics that limit the growth and metastasis of the B16F10 melanoma cell line dependent on dosage and time approach.
.The RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SYMPTOMS SEVERITY, MENTAL HEALTH, LIFESTYLE FACTORS, AND GUT MICROBIOME AMONG IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME PATIENTS, A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY,WEST BANK,PALESTINE
(An-Najah National University, 2025-03-24) Sa'd al deen Yasmeen
Background: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a popular functional disorder, which is characterized by chronic abdominal pain, variation in bowel habits and bloating. IBS is one of the global disorders that constitute a burden on both healthcare organizations and patients' quality of life. Its pathophysiology is complex and involves an interaction of psychosocial and environmental factors. Also, dysbiosis of gut microbiota and gut-brain axis plays an important role in this disorder and affects patients' mental health which can affect symptoms of IBS. So the study objective is to determine the relationship between the symptoms of IBS patients and their mental health, life style, certain types of diet, and gut microbiota diversity and compare it with healthy control. Methods: in this cross-sectional study, we aimed to find the relationship between IBS patients' mental health, physical activity, MEDAS, and gut microbiota composition, and compare it between healthy control and between themselves according to the severity of symptoms. The total number of IBS patients who participated in this study was 237 and 30 healthy control participants. All participants fulfilled the questionnaire to evaluate their mental health, physical activity, adherence to the MEDAS diet, smoking habits, and the severity of symptoms for IBS patients to assess their severity of symptoms using the Birmingham IBS questionnaire. For analysis of gut microbiota, stool samples were collected from all the control and 30 IBS matching patients. DNA extraction was followed by a semi-quantitative PCR to quantify the following bacterial species (Butyricicoccus, Enterobacteriaceae, Fecalibacter, Akkermansia, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Escherichia, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Roseburia) from all stool samples. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between mental health, physical activity, adherence to the MEDAS diet, smoking habits, and severity of IBS symptoms, as well as between the patient and healthy control. Results: Microbiota diversity analysis using alpha and beta diversity, got a good variance between healthy control and IBS patients, which was evaluated using Bray-Curtis dissimilarity with a value of 0.88. Mental health distress, physical activity, sleep problems, duration of, and smoking had a significant relationship between them, while no significant relationship was detected between BMI and MEDAS diet adherence. When using the Shannon index to assess alpha diversity between groups of patients with different severity of symptoms, different microbiota diversity was shown, with a significant relationship between smoking, sleep problems, and mental health distress. While no variation was shown between BMI, physical activity, and MEDAS diet adherence. Conclusion: This study shows differentiation in gut microbiota diversity between IBS patients and healthy controls. As well as, between groups of patients with different severity of symptoms. There is a significant relationship between mental health distress, smoking, and sleep problems for both. Physical activity between IBS patients and healthy control got significant relationship. These findings emphasize the significance of taking into consideration managing IBS patients based on their lifestyle and mental health status, together with traditional medication which can improve gut microbiota diversity.
IMPLEMENTING CYSTATIN C AS A BIOMARKER TO IMPROVE DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DYSFUNCTION IN PALESTINE
(An-Najah National University, 2025-02-05) Saleh, Malak
Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) continues to be a major threat to public wellness. Since the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a reliable indicator of kidney function and the traditional direct measurement techniques are expensive and time-consuming, estimation GFR has emerged as the most widely used technique for estimating renal function using endogenous chemicals like creatinine. Nevertheless, the restriction of creatinine requires the use of alternative markers for timely and accurate diagnosis. Objectives: This study aimed to test cystatin C as a substitute biomarker for estimating GFR in CKD patients in Palestine and compare its efficacy to creatinine. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was performed between June and December, 2023 focuses on CKD patients from clinics or admitted to the Ramallah Governmental Hospital and Al-Watani Government Hospital in Nablus, Palestine. A total of 160 patients were included. Demographic, medical data were collected using structured questionnaires and hospital records. Creatinine and cystatin C levels were performed from plasma samples of patients. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, employing Pearson's chi-square, with a p-value of less than 0.05, which was considered significant. Results: The study's findings suggest that cystatin C may offer a more reliable estimation of GFR compared to creatinine, with a higher stability. The equation that used both serum creatinine and cystatin C was better than the equations that used only one of these markers, as it minimized the independent limitation effect of both markers alone. Conclusion: Implementing cystatin C as a biomarker could enhance diagnostic accuracy for CKD, allowing for timely intervention and management, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs associated with advanced renal failure. Further research is recommended to solidify these findings and promote the integration of cystatin C into routine clinical practice.
CD44 EXPRESSION LEVELS AS A BIOMARKER FOR THE EARLY DETECTION OF VARIOUS CANCERS IN BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES: A CASE- CONTROL STUDY
(An-Najah National University, 2025-02-06) Bsharat, Samah
BACKGROUND: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to tumor progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance, with CD44 playing a key role in CSC function. As a transmembrane glycoprotein, CD44 interacts with ligands like hyaluronic acid, regulating adhesion, migration, and signaling pathways (Ras-MAPK/ERK). Its alternative splicing and modifications enhance functional diversity, promoting chemoresistance and metastasis. Elevated CD44 expression in aggressive cancers, including breast and colorectal malignancies, highlights its potential as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target. Given its role in tumor progression, this study aims to evaluate soluble CD44 as a biomarker for the early detection and differentiation of breast and colorectal cancer. By analyzing its expression levels in blood and urine across different cancer stages and types, this research seeks to establish CD44’s diagnostic value and potential contribution to precision medicine in oncology. METHODS: This case-control study (2023–2024) examined CD44 expression as a biomarker for breast cancer (BC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) at three hospitals in Nablus, including 40 BC patients, 23 CRC patients, and 70 healthy controls. Blood and urine samples were analyzed for CD44 gene and soluble forms, with exosomal RNA quantified via real-time PCR (normalized to GAPDH) and soluble CD44 levels measured using ELISA. Statistical analyses (two-way ANOVA, t-tests, p ≤ 0.05) confirmed significant differences, ensuring accuracy through standardized protocols. RESULTS: The research indicates a very strong statistically significant elevation in CD44 expression in breast cancer patients when compared to healthy controls (p < 0.0001) in both fold change (gene expression) and soluble CD44 (sCD44) serum and urine concentrations. Similarly, a moderate statistically significant elevation (p < 0.01) in CD44 gene expression form and soluble form for CRC patients compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, there is a strong statistically significant difference in CD44 expression between patients with breast cancer and those with colorectal cancer (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study identified significantly elevated sCD44 levels in serum and urine of breast and colorectal cancer patients, supporting its potential as a cancer biomarker. In contrast, αFP showed minimal diagnostic value, with negligible serum changes and absence in urine, reinforcing its association with liver-related cancers.
THE CORRELATION BETWEEN INTERLEUKIN-6 AND BONE MINERAL DENSITY AMONG HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS IN PALESTINE
(An-Najah National University, 2024-10-13) Zakarneh, Siwar
Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant public health challenge worldwide. CKD and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) have systemic effects on the body, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), hematologic problems, metabolic abnormalities, and bone diseases, which are then referred to as chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorders (CKD-MBD). Therefore, monitoring bone density in chronic kidney disease patients is very crucial. This study aims to identify the association between IL-6 and clinical parameters with Bone density in chronic kidney disease patients. This study aims to find out the association between IL-6 and the severity of bone mineral disease on (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) DEXA scan to measure IL-6 as a new marker for bone remodelling and reabsorption in renal osteodystrophy patients as determined by bone mineral density (BMD) at different sites and to help monitor bone remodelling and reabsorption in renal osteodystrophy patients. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among ESRD patients in An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine dialysis unit. A total number of 138 samples were collected from the patients between April 2022 and May 2022. Patient samples were frozen at -80°C. Then, sample was thawed, and the interleukin-6 cytokine was tested using the manual ELISA method (DRG Instruments). The sensitivity of this ELISA kit is 2 pg\dL. A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan was used to evaluate BMD, and a T-score represents the result. SPSS were used to analyze data. ResultsThe results indicate that most patients included in the study had osteoporosis with a prevalence of 60%, 53%, 47% and 50%, 44.7, and 33.8 for osteopenia at the spine, hip, and neck, respectively. IL-6 is normal within our participants, and there is no relationship between IL-6 and Dexa scan. On the other hand, this study revealed that there is a correlation between IL-6 and albumin (p value< 0.001), ferritin (p-value = 0.011), iron (p-value = 0.008), transferrin saturation (p-value = 0.013), and hemoglobin concentration (p-value = 0.018). Patients who had more CVDs significantly had higher IL-6 than patients who had not. In addition, the IL-6 value for patients with only CVDs is higher than that for those with DM or both CVD and DM and higher than that for those with none of them. ConclusionThe main promising finding is that Palestinian CKD patients have low bone density and elevated levels of IL-6, which were linked with low albumin, iron, transferrin saturation, and hemoglobin but increased ferritin concentration. It also demonstrated that CVDs could be related to high IL-6 concentration in those patients.

Browse

Recent Submissions