Tehran University of Medical Sciences Acta Biochimica Iranica 0001-5261 3 4 2025 12 20 197 205 Tooba Yousefi Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Samira Nomiri Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Reyhaneh Taebi Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Farzaneh Yazdanimoghaddam Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Yaser Mohammadi Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2025 12 22 2026 01 05 Prosopis farcta, a medicinal plant of the Fabaceae family, is being explored scientifically on the basis of its diverse biological activities and medicinal importance. Rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolics, P. farcta exhibits strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective activities. It has been demonstrated that it can exert neuroprotection by modulating oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. Further, P. farcta possesses antidiabetic activity through the facilitation of the insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, and hence it is a good candidate for glycemic control. Its wound healing efficacy via the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities has been studied through in-vivo and in-vitro models. P. farcta also possesses cardioprotective activity via lipid metabolism modulation and improvement of endothelial function. Nevertheless, while P. farcta fruit extracts have hepatoprotective effects, evidence further suggests the potential for hepatotoxicity with its seed extract, emphasizing dose-dependent analysis. Despite its therapeutic pharmacological potential, additional clinical trials must determine its safety profile, define its optimal therapeutic dosages, and clarify its particular molecular mechanisms of the action. This review consolidates the current evidence in support of the medicinal worth of P. farcta, demonstrating its applications in modern medicine. https://abi.tums.ac.ir/index.php/abi/article/view/173 https://abi.tums.ac.ir/index.php/abi/article/download/173/122

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Acta Biochimica Iranica 0001-5261 3 4 2025 12 22 206 214 Jamal Amri 1. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mohammad Reza Zarei 1. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Elham Esmaeilzadeh Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Reza Meshkani 1. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2026 01 01 2026 02 05 The cyclic GMP–AMP synthase–stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS–STING) signaling pathway is a central component of innate immunity that senses cytosolic double‑stranded DNA and initiates type I interferon and inflammatory responses. Controlled activation of this pathway is essential for antimicrobial defense and antitumor immune surveillance. In contrast, dysregulated or persistent signaling can promote chronic inflammation, tissue damage, autoimmune disorders, or immune evasion in cancer and infectious diseases. Therefore, tight regulation of cGAS–STING activity is critical for maintaining immune homeostasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key post‑transcriptional regulators that fine‑tune cGAS–STING signaling by directly targeting core pathway components or indirectly modulating related immune signaling molecules. This article provides a comprehensive review of current evidence describing miRNA‑mediated regulation of the cGAS–STING axis across diverse pathological contexts, including malignancies, viral and bacterial infections, and autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. In various cancers, miRNA‑mediated suppression of this pathway contributes to reduced interferon signaling, immune escape, therapy resistance, and tumor progression, although in certain cellular settings, controlled inhibition of cGAS–STING may exert protective or antitumor effects. During infectious diseases, some miRNAs are exploited by pathogens to attenuate innate immune sensing, whereas others enhance host defense by modulating negative regulators of immune signaling. In autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, dysregulated miRNA expression can either restrain excessive inflammation or exacerbate disease progression. Overall, this review underscores the miRNA–cGAS–STING regulatory axis as a dynamic and context‑specific network with broad relevance across human diseases. https://abi.tums.ac.ir/index.php/abi/article/view/175 https://abi.tums.ac.ir/index.php/abi/article/download/175/121

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Acta Biochimica Iranica 0001-5261 3 4 2025 12 21 215 220 Arshia Abbaszadeh Department of Biology, Ur.C., Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran Mohammad Reza Asgharzadeh Department of Biology, Ur.C., Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran Zafar Gholinejad Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Ur.C., Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran. 2025 09 14 2026 02 05 Objective: Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is a peroxidase enzyme that defends mammalian cells against oxidative stress.  The Pro198Leu polymorphism of the GPx-1 gene, has been reported to influence its activity. This study aimed to investigate the association of this polymorphism with RA risk in an Iranian population. Methods: In this case-control study, 45 RA patients and 45 healthy controls were enrolled. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples, and genotyping for the Pro198Leu polymorphism was performed using the PCR-RFLP technique. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software, employing chi-square tests and ANOVA. Results: The mean age of all participants was 55.69 years. Genotype distribution was as follows: CC (50.0%), CT (44.4%), and TT (5.6%). Chi-square analysis revealed no significant difference in genotype frequencies between patients and controls (p = 0.779). Furthermore, no significant association was found between genotypes and age or gender. All groups were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the GPx-1 Pro198Leu polymorphism is not significantly associated with the risk of developing RA in the studied population. https://abi.tums.ac.ir/index.php/abi/article/view/159 https://abi.tums.ac.ir/index.php/abi/article/download/159/123

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Acta Biochimica Iranica 0001-5261 3 4 2025 12 24 221 225 Maryam Kamyab-Lari Department of Biology, School of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Mostafa Saadat Department of Biology, School of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran 2025 11 12 2025 12 30 Background: Inflammation is involved in development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with the cGAS-STING pathway playing a critical role. This pathway activates in response to cytosolic DNA, such as accumulated mitochondrial DNA from aging or oxidative stress. Given STING's encoded by the STING1 gene, we hypothesized that functional STING1 polymorphisms might influence AMD susceptibility. Methods:  To identify the most relevant polymorphism, all polymorphisms of STING1 with MAF ≥1% were extracted from NCBI. The rs7380824 was selected for genotyping as it demonstrated the highest PSI value—a novel metric combining CADD score and MAF—indicating high potential deleteriousness. Then a hospital-based case-control study comprised 237 subjects (122 AMD patients, 115 controls) was carried out to investigate the association between the rs7380824 and the risk of AMD. Genotyping employed PCR-RFLP, and statistical analyses used logistic regression adjusted for age, smoking, and workplace exposure. Results: The genotypic frequency of the rs7380824 polymorphism was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant association was found between the genotypes of this polymorphism and AMD risk. However, a borderline protective effect was observed for the TT genotype versus CC+CT (OR=0.19, 95% CI: 0.03-1.16, p=0.073) after adjusting for age, workplace and smoking habits of the participants. Conclusion: As the first investigation of the association between the STING1 polymorphism (rs7380824) and AMD risk, this study did not identify a significant overall association. However, the observed protective effect of the TT genotype, potentially covered by the limited sample size, highlights the necessity for validation in studies with larger samples. https://abi.tums.ac.ir/index.php/abi/article/view/166 https://abi.tums.ac.ir/index.php/abi/article/download/166/128

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Acta Biochimica Iranica 0001-5261 3 4 2025 12 21 226 234 Pegah Golpour Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran Saeedeh Moradgholi Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, North-Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Zahra Arab Sadeghabadi Clinical Biochemistry Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran Mona Nourbakhsh Hazrat Aliasghar Children Hospital, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mitra Nourbakhsh Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Zeynab Yousefi Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Maryam Razzaghy-Azar Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2025 11 21 2026 01 04 Objective: Childhood obesity is a global health concern associated with long-term metabolic complications. MicroRNA-135b (miR-135b) has been implicated in regulating adipogenesis, glucose metabolism, and insulin signaling, partly by directly targeting SIRT1, a key metabolic regulator that plays a crucial role in energy homeostasis and inflammation. However, the role of miR-135b in pediatric obesity remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate circulating miR-135b level and its relationship with SIRT1 expression, lipid profile, and glycemic parameters in children and adolescents with obesity. Methods: A total of 67 participants (36 obese and 31 normal-weight controls) aged 8–16 years were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical analyses were performed. miR-135b and SIRT1 expression levels were measured using quantitative real-time PCR. Insulin resistance was assessed using HOMA-IR, and metabolic syndrome was diagnosed based on International Diabetes Federation criteria. Results: miR-135b expression was significantly elevated in the obesity group compared to controls and was highest among participants with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Elevated miR-135b correlated positively with BMI z-score, insulin levels, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C, while showing no significant correlation with HDL-C. In contrast, SIRT1 expression was significantly decreased in obese individuals (p = 0.0026) and inversely correlated with miR-135b levels. Conclusion: Elevated miR-135b and reduced SIRT1 expression are associated with obesity-related metabolic disturbances in children and adolescents. These findings suggest that the miR-135b/SIRT1 axis may play a pivotal role in the development of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, highlighting miR-135b as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for early intervention in pediatric obesity. https://abi.tums.ac.ir/index.php/abi/article/view/167 https://abi.tums.ac.ir/index.php/abi/article/download/167/124

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Acta Biochimica Iranica 0001-5261 3 4 2025 12 25 235 241 Atosa Gorji Department of Exercise Physiology and Sport Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Yazd Branch, Yazd, Iran Javad Ramezani Department of Sports Sciences, Payame Noor University (PNU), Tehran, Iran Farid Mahinizadeh Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Pooya Javaherchian Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran Matin Mohyadini Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 2025 10 06 2026 02 05 Objectives: Dyslipidemia and oxidative stress have been reported to play important roles in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complications. This study aimed to test the hypothesis whether curcumin supplementation combined with aerobic exercise could prevent dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in a rat model of T2DM. Methods: Male Wistar rats with nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced T2DM were divided into four groups including untreated diabetes, diabetes treated with curcumin (30 mg/kg, three times weekly), diabetes treated with aerobic exercise (4-week progressive treadmill training), and a combination group. Also, healthy control groups (untreated, curcumin-treated, and curcumin + aerobic-treated) were studied to determine the side effects of the treatments. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profiles (triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL) and antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, SOD, GPx) were measured by commercial kits after 4 weeks of treatment protocol. Results: Diabetic rats had significantly elevated serum levels of FBS, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, and reduced antioxidant activities compared to controls. Curcumin and aerobic exercise alone improved these parameters significantly, but their combination was more effective in reducing FBS, improving lipid profiles, and boosting antioxidant activities. Conclusion: The combination of curcumin and aerobic exercise has more potential to ameliorate dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in T2DM rats, compared to treatments individually. These findings require further exploration in clinical settings. https://abi.tums.ac.ir/index.php/abi/article/view/164 https://abi.tums.ac.ir/index.php/abi/article/download/164/125

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Acta Biochimica Iranica 0001-5261 3 4 2025 12 18 242 247 https://abi.tums.ac.ir/index.php/abi/article/view/139 https://abi.tums.ac.ir/index.php/abi/article/download/139/110

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Acta Biochimica Iranica 0001-5261 3 2 2025 06 19 114 119 Majid efati Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Sahar Ghoflchi Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Khatereh Kharazmi Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Soodeh Alidadi Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Daryoush Hamidi-alamdari Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Hossein Hosseini Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 2025 08 17 2025 08 17 Objectives: Acetaminophen overdose may lead to acute pulmonary complications like acute lung injury because of its overdose harmful effect on cellular systems due to oxidative stress. leucomethylene blue (LMB) may have beneficial effects by improving hemodynamic stability and reducing oxidative damage through its nitric oxide synthase inhibitory and antioxidant activities. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of LMB on acetaminophen-induced pulmonary injury in rats. Methods: Lung samples were collected from 30 male Wistar rats, which were randomly split into five groups, and frozen for later analysis. The groups included control, acetaminophen, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treated, LMB treated, and NAC+LMB combination treated. We evaluated total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione reductase (GR), TNF-α and IL-6 levels, histopathology, and relevant tissue remodeling changes. Results: Our results demonstrated that the administration of LMB greatly diminished the oxidative and inflammatory damage caused by APAP toxicity in the lungs. LMB restored TAC and GR activity that were significantly depressed by APAP toxicity. Additionally, LMB restricted the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines that were released from lung tissue. Moreover, LMB substantially counteracted the pulmonary lesions caused by APAP, including edema, hemorrhage, and inflamed cells, corroborated by histopathological analysis. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that LMB can effectively reduce lung damage caused by acetaminophen poisoning. https://abi.tums.ac.ir/index.php/abi/article/view/152 https://abi.tums.ac.ir/index.php/abi/article/download/152/111

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Acta Biochimica Iranica 0001-5261 3 2 2025 06 20 120 124 Hossein Pourghadamyari 1 Applied Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran 2 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Zohreh Ramazani-Karim 2 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Mohammad Hajializadeh Medical Student, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Esmaeil Sajadi Moghadam Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran Hossein Borji Shafa Hospital, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Hadis Ahmadirad Pistachio Safety Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran Asie Sadeghi Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran 2025 08 02