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Dyslipidemia, an imbalance in blood lipid levels, is a frequent complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and heightens the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Statins, which inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, are potent competitive inhibitors that reduce plasma cholesterol levels. However, individual responses to statins can vary markedly, possibly due to genetic variations in the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) gene. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacogenetic relationship between the HMGCR gene and hypercholesterolemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who respond differently to atorvastatin, as well as in healthy individuals. Ninety participants were involved, including sixty with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia, and thirty healthy individuals. They were randomly assigned to three groups: responsive (received atorvastatin 40 mg), non-responsive (also received atorvastatin 40 mg), and control. Both responsive and non-responsive groups underwent fasting. Biochemical tests were conducted, followed by genetic analysis to identify mutations in the HMGCR gene. The effects of statins in each group were assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) analysis. Atorvastatin 40 mg was administered to assess its efficacy in reducing cholesterol levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The control group exhibited similar cholesterol levels to the responsive group (cholesterol < 200 mg/dl). However, both control and responsive groups significantly differed from the non-responsive group, which had markedly elevated cholesterol levels (> 240 mg/dl). Genetic analysis revealed a cytosine nucleotide insertion in the catalytic domain of the HMGCR gene in only two non-responsive participants to atorvastatin 40 mg therapy. These two patients showed non-responsiveness to atorvastatin 40 mg due to a genetic mutation in the HMGCR gene. This mutation altered the amino acid sequence in the flap domain, replacing isoleucine with a stop codon. As a result, translation was prematurely terminated, leading to the production of truncated proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NK cells are defined as the major components of the immunological network which exerts defense against tumors and viral infections as well as regulation of innate and adaptive immunity, shaped through interaction with other cells like T cells. According to the surface markers, NK cells can be divided into CD56dim NK and CD56bright NK subsets. CD56bright NK cells usually are known as regulatory NK cells. Once the immune system loses its self-tolerance, autoimmune diseases develop. NK cells and their subsets can be altered during autoimmune diseases, indicative of their prominent regulatory roles and even pathological and protective functions in autoimmune disorders. In this regard, activation of CD56bright NK cells can suppress activated autologous CD4+ T cells and subsequently prevent the initiation of autoimmunity. In this review article, we summarize the roles of regulatory NK cells in autoimmune disease occurrence which needs more research to uncover their exact related mechanism. It seems that targeting NK cells can be a promising therapeutic platform against autoimmune diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stem-cell therapy is a revolutionary frontier in modern medicine, offering enormous capacity to transform the treatment landscape of numerous debilitating illnesses and injuries. This review examines the revolutionary frontier of treatments utilizing stem cells, highlighting the distinctive abilities of stem cells to undergo regeneration and specialized cell differentiation into a wide variety of phenotypes. This paper aims to guide researchers, physicians, and stakeholders through the intricate terrain of stem-cell therapy, examining the processes, applications, and challenges inherent in utilizing stem cells across diverse medical disciplines. The historical journey from foundational contributions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to recent breakthroughs, including ESC isolation and iPSC discovery, has set the stage for monumental leaps in medical science. Stem cells' regenerative potential spans embryonic, adult, induced pluripotent, and perinatal stages, offering unprecedented therapeutic opportunities in cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular ailments, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, and tissue damage. However, difficulties, such as immunological rejection, tumorigenesis, and precise manipulation of stem-cell behavior, necessitate comprehensive exploration and innovative solutions. This manuscript summarizes recent biotechnological advancements, critical trial evaluations, and emerging technologies, providing a nuanced understanding of the triumphs, difficulties, and future trajectories in stem cell-based regenerative medicine. Future directions, including precision medicine integration, immune modulation strategies, advancements in gene-editing technologies, and bioengineering synergy, offer a roadmap in stem cell treatment. The focus on stem-cell therapy's potential highlights its significant influence on contemporary medicine and points to a future in which individualized regenerative therapies will alleviate various medical disorders., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)