Calcineurin and mTOR inhibitors in kidney transplantation: integrative metamodeling on transplant survival and kidney function

In our study, we examined the efficacy of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) inhibitors, specifically rapamycin (Rap), compared to calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) in kidney transplantation. By conducting a comprehensive search across reputable databases (EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, and Crossref), we gathered data for a six-month post-transplantation period. Our analysis revealed that mTOR inhibitor administration resulted in improved glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and serum creatinine levels. However, it is important to note that the mTOR inhibitor group had a higher incidence of acute rejection after biopsy. Through molecular modeling, we observed that Rap exhibited a superior binding affinity for mTOR compared to CNIs' binding to calcineurin, probably contributing to the transplant rejection. Our meta-analysis supports the cautious use of an optimal mTOR inhibitor in conjunction with careful consideration of clinical features when minimizing CNIs early in the transplantation process. This is because mTOR inhibitors have complementary mechanisms of action, a low nephrotoxicity profile, and favorable outcomes in serum creatinine and GFR, which contribute to improved transplant survival.

Deciphering Molecular Mechanisms of Carbon TetrachlorideInduced Hepatotoxicity (Fibrosis): A Brief Systematic Review

The liver plays a critical role in metabolic processes, making it vulnerable to injury. Researchers often study carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in model organisms because it closely resembles human liver damage. This toxicity occurs due to the activation of various cytochromes, including CYP2E1, CYP2B1, CYP2B2, and possibly CYP3A, which produce the trichloromethyl radical (CCl3*). CCl3* can attach to biological molecules such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, impairing lipid metabolism and leading to fatty degeneration. It can also combine with DNA to initiate hepatic carcinogenesis. When exposed to oxygen, CCl3* generates more reactive CCl3OO*, which leads to lipid peroxidation and membrane damage. At the molecular level, CCl4 induces the release of several inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and NO, which can either help or harm hepatotoxicity through cellular apoptosis. TGF-β contributes to fibrogenesis, while IL-6 and IL-10 aid in recovery by minimizing anti-apoptotic activity and directing cells toward regeneration. To prevent liver damage, different interventions can be employed, such as antioxidants, mitogenic agents, and the maintenance of calcium sequestration. Drugs that prevent CCl4- induced cytotoxicity and proliferation or enhance CYP450 activity may offer a protective response against hepatic carcinoma.

Prophylaxis for Treatment-Induced Gynecomastia in Prostate Cancer Patients: A Network Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Treatment-induced gynecomastia is a side-effect that can severely limit quality of life in prostate cancer patients. We performed a network meta-analysis (NMA) to comparing the effectiveness of multiple non-surgical prophylactic treatment for gynecomastia.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A systematic review was performed through MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and meeting abstracts to identify randomized controlled trials comparing treatments for treatment-induced gynecomastia. Treatments included radiotherapy (RT), Anastrozole (ANZ), daily Tamoxifen (TMQD), and weekly Tamoxifen (TMQW), compared to no treatment/placebo (NoTx). The primary endpoint was events of gynecomastia development. Odds Ratio (OR) was the effect size of choice. An NMA was used to compare treatments with random-effects model was used. All tests were 2-sided with an alpha of 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 9 studies involving 1319 patients were identified with 5 distinct arms: RT (n = 358), ANZ (n = 90), TMQD (n = 321), TMQW (n = 39) and NoTx (n = 511). Gynecomastia occurred in 79.2% (405/511) of patients with NoTx, 65.5% (59/90) with ANZ, 37.7% (135/358) with RT, 19.6% (63/321) with TMQD and 74.4% (29/39) with TMQW. TMQD was significantly better than RT (OR 4.73 [1.53, 14.61]), ANZ (OR 7.21 [2.25,23.06]), TMQW (OR 6.25 [1.07, 36.43]) and NoTx (OR 26.30 [10.42,66.40]). RT were significantly better than NoTx (OR 5.56 [2.58,11.95]), but did not reach significance compared to ANZ (OR 1.52 [0.36, 6.43]) or TMQW (OR 1.32 [0.16, 10.70]). ANZ was significantly better than NoTx (OR 3.65 [1.03,12.93]). TMQW was not significantly better than NoTx. RT, TMQW and ANZ were significantly worse compared to TMQD in terms of preventing gynecomastia development.

CONCLUSION

Daily Tamoxifen was the best prophylactic treatment choice, significantly better than RT, weekly Tamoxifen and Anastrozole. RT, weekly Tamoxifen and Anastrozole were significantly better than No Treatment/Placebo, but not daily Tamoxifen, in terms of prevention of treatment-induced gynecomastia in patients with prostate cancer.

Network pharmacology and multitarget analysis of Nigella sativa in the management of diabetes and obesity: a computational study

Obesity and diabetes are commonly associated with one another and represent a significant global health issue, with a recent surge in disease incidence. Nigella sativa, also known as black cumin, is believed to possess several health benefits, including anti-diabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-obesity properties. In this study, we aimed to identify the active compounds derived from N. sativa, which can potentially inhibit key protein targets and signaling pathways associated with diabesity treatment. We employed an exhaustive in silico search, which led to the identification of 22 potential compounds. Out of these, only five hits were found to be non-toxic, including Arabic and ascorbic acids, dihydrocodeine, catechin, and kaempferol. Our analysis revealed that these hits were associated with genes such as AKT1, IL6, SRC, and EGFR. Finally, we conducted molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, which identified kaempferol as the best binder for AKT1 in comparison to the reference molecule. Overall, our in silico integrated pipeline provides a useful approach to identify non-toxic phytocompounds as promising drug candidates to treat diabetes and obesity.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

The Role of Vitamins in DNA Methylation as Dietary Supplements or Neutraceuticals: A Systematic Review

Epigenetic modifications play a vital role in gene regulation associated with different pathologies. Various nutrients in our diet, such as vitamins can modulate these epigenetic mechanism. They also can regulatenderlying pathophysiological factors and processes that directly or indirectly. Most importantly, A, B, C, and D vitamins have recently been shown to be involved in this type of regulation together with vitamins E and K. Despite their effect on the DNA methylation process, an in-depth understanding of vitamin-mediated epigenetic alterations have yet to be investigated. Moreover, the role of vitamins in DNA methylation as nutraceuticals might be important to use for targeted therapy of various human diseases. Overall, this review provides a brief survey of the role of vitamins as epigenetic modulators or nutraceuticals, emphasizing their potential in epigenetic therapy.

In silico investigation of nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in BCL2 apoptosis regulator gene to design novel protein-based drugs against cancer

BCL2 apoptosis regulator gene encodes Bcl-2 pro-survival protein, which plays an important role to evade apoptosis in various cancers. Moreover, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the BCL2 gene can be nonsynonymous (nsSNPs), which might affect the protein stability and probably its function. Therefore, we implement cutting-edge computational techniques based on the Spherical Polar Fourier and Monte-Carlo algorithms to investigate the impact of these SNPs on the B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) stability and therapeutic potential of protein-based molecules to inhibit this protein. As a result, we identified two nsSNPs (Q118R and R129C) to be deleterious and highly conserved, having a negative effect on protein stability. Additionally, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the decreased binding affinity of mutated Bcl-2 variants to bind three-helix bundle protein inhibitor as these mutations occurred in the protein-protein binding site. Overall, this computational approach investigating nsSNPs provides a useful basis for designing novel molecules to inhibit Bcl-2 pro-survival pathway in malignant cells.

Reverse vaccinology assisted designing of multiepitope-based subunit vaccine against SARS-CoV-2

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) linked with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cause severe illness and life-threatening pneumonia in humans. The current COVID-19 pandemic demands an effective vaccine to acquire protection against the infection. Therefore, the present study was aimed to design a multiepitope-based subunit vaccine (MESV) against COVID-19.

METHODS

Structural proteins (Surface glycoprotein, Envelope protein, and Membrane glycoprotein) of SARS-CoV-2 are responsible for its prime functions. Sequences of proteins were downloaded from GenBank and several immunoinformatics coupled with computational approaches were employed to forecast B- and T- cell epitopes from the SARS-CoV-2 highly antigenic structural proteins to design an effective MESV.

RESULTS

Predicted epitopes suggested high antigenicity, conserveness, substantial interactions with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) binding alleles, and collective global population coverage of 88.40%. Taken together, 276 amino acids long MESV was designed by connecting 3 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), 6 helper T lymphocyte (HTL) and 4 B-cell epitopes with suitable adjuvant and linkers. The MESV construct was non-allergenic, stable, and highly antigenic. Molecular docking showed a stable and high binding affinity of MESV with human pathogenic toll-like receptors-3 (TLR3). Furthermore, in silico immune simulation revealed significant immunogenic response of MESV. Finally, MEV codons were optimized for its in silico cloning into the Escherichia coli K-12 system, to ensure its increased expression.

CONCLUSION

The MESV developed in this study is capable of generating immune response against COVID-19. Therefore, if designed MESV further investigated experimentally, it would be an effective vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2 to control and prevent COVID-19.