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Introduction: Any disruption in renal function can have cascading effects on overall health. Understanding how a heat-born toxicant like acrylamide (ACR) affects kidney tissue is vital for realizing its broader implications for systemic health. Methods: This study investigated the ACR-induced renal damage mechanisms, particularly focusing on the regulating role of miR-21a-5p/fibrotic and miR-122-5p/inflammatory signaling pathways via targeting Timp-3 and TP53 proteins in an In silico preliminary study. Besides, renal function assessment, oxidative status, protein profile, and the expression of renal biomarkers (Timp-1, Keap-1, Kim-1, P53, TNF-α, Bax, and Caspase3) were assessed in a 60-day experiment. The examination was additionally extended to explore the potential protective effects of green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNO-MONPs). A four-group experiment including control, ZNO-MONPs (10 mg/kg b.wt.), ACR (20 mg/kg b.wt.), and ZNO-MONPs + ACR was established encompassing biochemical, histological, and molecular levels. The study further investigated the proteinbinding ability of ZNO and MONPs to inactivate caspase-3, Keap-1, Kim-1, and TNFRS-1A. Results: ZNO-MONPs significantly reduced ACR-induced renal tissue damage as evidenced by increased serum creatinine, uric acid, albumin, and oxidative stress markers. ACR-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammationare revealed by biochemical tests, gene expression, and the presence of apoptotic nuclei microscopically. Also, molecular docking revealed binding affinity between ACR-BCL-2 and glutathione-synthetase, elucidating the potential mechanisms through which ACR induces renal damage. Notably, ZNO-MONPs revealed a protective potential against ACR-induced damage. Zn levels in the renal tissues of ACR-exposed rats were significantly restored in those treated with ACR + ZNOMONPs. In conclusion, this study establishes the efficacy of ZNO-MONPs in mitigating ACR-induced disturbances in renal tissue functions, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. The findings shed light on the potential renoprotective activity of green-synthesized nanomaterials, offering insights into novel therapeutic approaches for countering ACR-induced renal damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although anticoccidial drugs have been used to treat avian coccidiosis for nearly a century, resistance, bird harm, and food residues have caused health concerns. Thus, Nannochloropsis oculata was investigated as a possible coccidiosis treatment for broilers. A total of 150 1-day-old male Cobb broiler chicks were treated as follows: G1-Ng: fed a basal diet; G2-Ps: challenged with Eimeria spp. oocysts and fed basal diet; G3-Clo: challenged and fed basal diet with clopidol; G4-NOa: challenged and fed 0.1% N. oculata in diet, and G5-NOb: challenged and fed 0.2% N. oculata. Compared to G2-Ps, N. oculata in the diet significantly (P < 0.05) decreased dropping scores, lesion scores, and oocyst shedding. Without affecting breast meat colour metrics, N. oculata improved meat quality characters. At 28 days of age, birds received 0.2% N. oculata had significantly (P < 0.05) higher serum levels of MDA, T-SOD, HDL, and LDL cholesterol compared to G2-Ps. Serum AST, ALT, and urea levels were all decreased when N. oculata (0.2%) was used as opposed to G2-Ps. Histopathological alterations and the number of developmental and degenerative stages of Eimeria spp. in the intestinal epithelium were dramatically reduced by 0.2% N. oculata compared to G2-Ps. Molecular docking revealed a higher binding affinity of N. oculata for E. tenella aldolase, EtAMA1, and EtMIC3, which hindered glucose metabolism, host cell adhesion, and invasion of Eimeria. Finally, N. oculata (0.2%) can be used in broiler diets to mitigate the deleterious effects of coccidiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Aflatoxins (AFT) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants that are extremely dangerous for both human beings as well as animals. A safe, effective, and considerate strategy is therefore credited with controlling AFT intoxication. Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate the mitigating properties of Chlorella vulgaris (ChV) against AFT-induced nephrotoxicity and altered egg quality. Methods: Quails were randomized into Control group (receiving a normal diet); ChV group (1 g/kg diet); AFT group (receiving an AFT-containing diet); and the AFT-ChV group were given both treatments. Results and discussion: AFT provoked kidney injury, exhibited by increased renal biochemical parameters and reduced protein levels. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels dramatically increased as a consequence of AFT exposure, and glutathione (GSH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were also decreased. Substantial up-modulation of the mRNA expression of the inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) was additionally reported. Furthermore, AFT residues were detected in the egg compromising its quality and nutritional value. Contrarily, ChV supplemented diet suppressed the AFT-prompted oxidative stress and inflammation, together with enhancing the nutritional value and quality of eggs and decreasing AFT residues. These beneficial impacts are proposed to be attributed to its antioxidant and nutritional ingredients. The molecular docking dynamics confirmed the inflammatory and apoptotic protein targets for ChV. Our findings recommend that adding ChV supplements to foods might guard against nephrotoxicity brought on by AFT exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging is one of the major risk factors associated chronic diseases. Oxidative stress is one of the aging associated mechanisms induced by pro-oxidants. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in body cells. In the current study, we investigated the molecular docking scores of rutin with aging associated biomarkers, including human β-galactosidase, caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-3, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit delta (PK3CD), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit gamma (PK3CG), and RAC-alpha serine/threonineprotein kinase (AKT1). All proteins were retrieved from RCSB PDB database (https://www.rcsb.org/), while rutin three-dimensional structure was obtained from PubChem database (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). The docking process was achieved by InstaDock software (https://instadock.webs.com/) and visualized by BIOVIA Discovery Studio Visualizer software. Rutin exhibited binding affinity (pKi) against AKT1, PK3CD, PK3CG, β-galactosidase, caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3 of 7.85, 7.04, 6.89, 6.82, 5.94, 5.57, and 5.50, respectively. The obtained data revealed that rutin exhibited marked binding affinity to these biomarkers revealing its anti-aging potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycolysis is the primary source of energy for cancer growth and metastasis. The shift in metabolism from mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis is called the Warburg effect. Cancer progression due to aerobic glycolysis is often associated with the activation of oncogenes or the loss of tumor suppressors. Therefore, inhibition of glycolysis is one of the effective strategies in cancer control. Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is a key glycolytic enzyme overexpressed in breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, and liver cancers. Here, we discuss published studies regarding PKM2 inhibitors from natural products that are promising drug candidates for cancer therapy. We have highlighted the potential of natural PKM2 inhibitors for various cancer types. Moreover, we encourage researchers to evaluate the combinational effects between natural and synthetic PKM2 inhibitors. Also, further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]