Traditional herbal prescription LASAP-C inhibits melanin synthesis in B16F10 melanoma cells and zebrafish

Background

In this study, the anti-melanogenesis efficacy of clinically used herbal prescription LASAP-C, which consists of four herbal medicines—Rehmanniae Radix Crudus, Lycii Fructus, Scutellariae Radix, and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, was investigated.

Methods

The chemical profile of LASAP-C was established by conducting ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Anti-melanogenic efficacy was evaluated by tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 expression in B16F10 melanoma cells. In vivo evaluation was performed by using zebrafish model.

Results

Molecular evidences suggested that melanin synthesis was inhibited via the down-regulation of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 expression in B16F10 melanoma cells treated with LASAP-C. The anti-melanogenesis efficacy was also confirmed in vivo by using the zebrafish model.

Conclusion

The results of this study provide strong evidences that LASAP-C can be used as an active component in cosmeceutical products for reducing excess pigmentation in the human skin.

Ca2+ controls gating of voltage-gated calcium channels by releasing the β2e subunit from the plasma membrane

Voltage-gated calcium (Cav) channels, which are regulated by membrane potential, cytosolic Ca(2+), phosphorylation, and membrane phospholipids, govern Ca(2+) entry into excitable cells. Cav channels contain a pore-forming α1 subunit, an auxiliary α2δ subunit, and a regulatory β subunit, each encoded by several genes in mammals. In addition to a domain that interacts with the α1 subunit, β2e and β2a also interact with the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane through an electrostatic interaction for β2e and posttranslational acylation for β2a. We found that an increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) promoted the release of β2e from the membrane without requiring substantial depletion of the anionic phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) from the plasma membrane. Experiments with liposomes indicated that Ca(2+) disrupted the interaction of the β2e amino-terminal peptide with membranes containing PIP2 Ca(2+) binding to calmodulin (CaM) leads to CaM-mediated inactivation of Cav currents. Although Cav2.2 coexpressed with β2a required Ca(2+)-dependent activation of CaM for Ca(2+)-mediated reduction in channel activity, Cav2.2 coexpressed with β2e exhibited Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation of the channel even in the presence of Ca(2+)-insensitive CaM. Inducible depletion of PIP2 reduced Cav2.2 currents, and in cells coexpressing β2e, but not a form that lacks the polybasic region, increased intracellular Ca(2+) further reduced Cav2.2 currents. Many hormone- or neurotransmitter-activated receptors stimulate PIP2 hydrolysis and increase cytosolic Ca(2+); thus, our findings suggest that β2e may integrate such receptor-mediated signals to limit Cav activity.

Hornerin Is Involved in Breast Cancer Progression

Purpose

The S100 gene family, which comprises over 20 members, including S100A1, S100A2, S100A8, S100A9, profilaggrin, and hornerin encodes low molecular weight calcium-binding proteins with physiological and pathological roles in keratinization. Recent studies have suggested a link between S100 proteins and human cancer progression. The purpose of the present study was to determine the expression levels of hornerin, S100A8, and S100A9 and evaluate their roles in the progression of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC).

Methods

Seventy cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), IDC, and metastatic carcinoma in lymph nodes (MCN) were included. Tissue microarrays were constructed from lesions of DCIS, IDC, and MCN from the same patients. Expression of hornerin, S100A8, and S100A9 was analyzed using immunohistochemistry.

Results

The expression of hornerin was associated with the estrogen receptor-negative (p=0.003) and the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (p=0.002) groups. The expression of S100A8 was associated with a higher pT stage (p=0.017). A significant (p<0.001) correlation between the expression of S100A9 and S100A8 was also found. The mean percentages of hornerin-positive tumor cells in DCIS, IDC, and MCN were 1.0%±3.3% (mean±standard deviation), 12.0%±24.0%, and 75.3%± 27.6%, respectively. The expression of hornerin significantly (p<0.001) increased with the progression of carcinoma. The mean levels of S100A8 and S100A9 in DCIS, IDC, and MCN were not significantly (p>0.050) different. The expression of hornerin increased in a stepwise manner (DCIS<IDC<MCN).

Conclusion

Our data suggest that hornerin is involved in breast cancer progression and malignant transformation from preinvasive lesions.

Critical role of duplex ultrasonography for the advanced management of a venous malformation

Objectives: Duplex ultrasonography was assessed for its advanced role as a contemporary guide for the safer management of venous malformation (VM) at the lower extremities through a comparison study with matching magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or ascending phlebography findings.

Methods: A retrospective review of 50 patients with a VM in the lower extremities was performed using the duplex scan findings on the initial diagnosis and the subsequent follow-up assessment of the treatment response. The screening findings of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) development following ethanol sclerotherapy on 40 patients were also included. A marginal vein (lateral embryonal) compression test was also performed on 10 patients, who were candidates for a resection preoperatively, in order to assess its value in predicting the response to the subsequent resection. The duplex scan findings were compared with the available ascending phlebography results in 38 patients, and also with the MRI findings available for all 50 patients.

Results: The duplex scan on the 50 patients confirmed the existence of a normal deep vein system in the lower extremities in 43 patients as the true-positive test findings. One false-negative test finding was subsequently confirmed by an angiographic evaluation. The duplex scan also confirmed the absence of a normal deep vein system in four patients as a true-negative test. MRI subsequently confirmed two false-positive findings in one patient, and angiography confirmed two false-positive findings in another (sensitivity − 97.8%, specificity − 66.7%, positive predictive value − 95.6%, and negative predictive value − 80%). Among a total of 40 patients who received ethanol sclerotherapy, the duplex scan identified DVT in three patients, and also screened out properly in 37 patients through a total of 185 ethanol sclerotherapy sessions. The compression test predicted the surgical outcome successfully in the majority (7/8). The duplex scan appears to have comparable reliability to MRI and/or angiography for diagnosing and managing VM.

Conclusions: The duplex scan can provide the critical haemodynamic information of both the deep venous system and VM lesions quite effectively with the cost-effectiveness of a non-invasive test. In particular, the duplex scan is an excellent test for the safe management of VM of the lower extremity, including the early detection of DVT through multi-session ethanol sclerotherapy.

Ampelopsis japonica Makino Extract Inhibits the Inflammatory Reaction Induced by Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns in Epidermal Keratinocytes

Background

Keratinocytes are the major cells in epidermis, providing barrier components such as cornified cells through the sophisticated differentiation process. In addition, keratinocytes exerts their role as the defense cells via activation of innate immunity. It has been known that pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) including double-strand RNA and nucleotides can provoke inflammatory reaction in keratinocytes.

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Ampelopsis japonica Makino extract (AE) on PAMPs-induced inflammatory reaction of keratinocytes.

Methods

The effects of AE were determined using poly (I:C)-induced inflammation and imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis models.

Results

In cultured keratinocytes, AE significantly inhibited poly(I:C)-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α. AE significantly inhibited poly(I:C)-induced release of caspase-1 active form (p20), and down-regulated nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway. In imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis model, topical application of AE resulted in significant reduction of epidermal hyperplasia.

Conclusion

These results suggest that AE may be a potential candidate for the treatment of skin inflammation.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) treatment induces apoptosis in cultured rat mesangial cells via endoplasmic reticulum stress activation

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), a high risk factor for endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease (CVD), has been reported to promote cellular dysfunction via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress activation in various cells. Additionally, increased serum ADMA levels have been observed in incipient kidney diseases. Previously, we reported that activated ER stress is associated with mesangial cell apoptosis, observed mainly in overt nephropathy or chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the effect of ADMA on mesangial cell apoptosis is unknown. Thus, we investigated the effects of ADMA on mesangial cell apoptosis and ER stress signaling. ADMA treatment increased caspase-3 activity and activated three branches of ER stress signaling (PERK, IRE1, and ATF6) that induce mesangial cell apoptosis. Pharmacological inhibitors of ER stress (inhibitors of PERK, IRE1, and S1P) attenuated ADMA-induced cleavage of caspase-3 and induced a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, these inhibitors diminished the number of apoptotic cells induced by ADMA treatment. Taken together, our results indicated that ADMA treatment induces mesangial cell apoptosis via ER stress signaling. These results suggest that ADMA-induced mesangial cell apoptosis could contribute to the progression of overt nephropathy and CKD.

Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase-1 upregulation by O-GlcNAcylation of Sp1 protects against hypoxia-induced mouse embryonic stem cell apoptosis via mTOR activation

Oxygen signaling is critical for stem cell regulation, and oxidative stress-induced stem cell apoptosis decreases the efficiency of stem cell therapy. Hypoxia activates O-linked β-N-acetyl glucosaminylation (O-GlcNAcylation) of stem cells, which contributes to regulation of cellular metabolism, as well as cell fate. Our study investigated the role of O-GlcNAcylation via glucosamine in the protection of hypoxia-induced apoptosis of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Hypoxia increased mESCs apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, hypoxia also slightly increased the O-GlcNAc level. Glucosamine treatment further enhanced the O-GlcNAc level and prevented hypoxia-induced mESC apoptosis, which was suppressed by O-GlcNAc transferase inhibitors. In addition, hypoxia regulated several lipid metabolic enzymes, whereas glucosamine increased expression of glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase-1 (GPAT1), a lipid metabolic enzyme producing lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). In addition, glucosamine-increased O-GlcNAcylation of Sp1, which subsequently leads to Sp1 nuclear translocation and GPAT1 expression. Silencing of GPAT1 by gpat1 siRNA transfection reduced glucosamine-mediated anti-apoptosis in mESCs and reduced mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) phosphorylation. Indeed, LPA prevented mESCs from undergoing hypoxia-induced apoptosis and increased phosphorylation of mTOR and its substrates (S6K1 and 4EBP1). Moreover, mTOR inactivation by rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor) increased pro-apoptotic proteins expressions and mESC apoptosis. Furthermore, transplantation of non-targeting siRNA and glucosamine-treated mESCs increased cell survival and inhibited flap necrosis in mouse skin flap model. Conversely, silencing of GPAT1 expression reversed those glucosamine effects. In conclusion, enhancing O-GlcNAcylation of Sp1 by glucosamine stimulates GPAT1 expression, which leads to inhibition of hypoxia-induced mESC apoptosis via mTOR activation.

Differential interaction of β2e with phosphoinositides: A comparative study between β2e and MARCKS

Voltage-gated calcium (CaV) channels are responsible for Ca(2+) influx in excitable cells. As one of the auxiliary subunits, the CaV β subunit plays a pivotal role in the membrane expression and receptor modulation of CaV channels. In particular, the subcellular localization of the β subunit is critical for determining the biophysical properties of CaV channels. Recently, we showed that the β2e isotype is tethered to the plasma membrane. Such a feature of β2e is due to the reversible electrostatic interaction with anionic membrane phospholipids. Here, we further explored the membrane interaction property of β2e by comparing it with that of myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS). First, the charge neutralization of the inner leaf of the plasma membrane induced the translocation of both β2e and MARCKS to the cytosol, while the transient depletion of poly-phosphoinositides (poly-PIs) by translocatable pseudojanin (PJ) systems induced the cytosolic translocation of β2e but not MARCKS. Second, the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) induced the translocation of MARCKS but not β2e. We also found that after the cytosolic translocation of MARCKS by receptor activation, depletion of poly-PIs slowed the recovery of MARCKS to the plasma membrane. Together, our data demonstrate that both β2e and MARCKS bind to the membrane through electrostatic interaction but with different binding affinity, and thus, they are differentially regulated by enzymatic degradation of membrane PIs.

Combination of Multicatheter Plus Stent or Balloon for Treatment of Complex Aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Coiling of complex aneurysms is still difficult even with current adjuvant techniques. This study sought to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a combination of multicatheter plus stent or balloon for the treatment of complex aneurysms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All complex aneurysms that underwent coiling with the combination technique were identified from prospectively maintained neurointerventional data bases. "Complex aneurysm" was defined as a wide-neck aneurysm with branch incorporation into or a deep lobulation of the sac. The clinical and angiographic outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Sixty-two complex aneurysms (12 ruptured, 50 unruptured) in 62 patients (mean age, 57 years; male/female ratio, 12:50) were treated with a combination technique by using a multicatheter plus stent (n = 42, 3 ruptured) or balloon (n = 20, 9 ruptured). Treatment-related morbidity (grade 3 hemiparesis) occurred in 1 patient (1.6%). Except for 1 patient who had treatment-related morbidity, none of the other patients with unruptured aneurysms developed new neurologic symptoms at discharge. Nine of the 12 patients with ruptured aneurysms had good outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Score, 4 or 5) at the latest follow-up (mean, 32 months; range, 6-72 months), and 1 patient died from an initial SAH. Posttreatment control angiograms revealed complete occlusion in 27, neck remnant in 34, and incomplete occlusion in 1 aneurysm. At least 1 follow-up catheter or MR angiogram was available in 80.6% (n = 50) (mean, 21 months; range, 6-65 months). There were 4 minor and 3 major recurrences (14.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this case series, the combination technique by using multicatheter plus stent or balloon seemed safe and effective for the treatment of complex aneurysms.

Physicochemical characterization of Remsima

Remsima® (infliximab) was recently approved as the world's first biosimilar monoclonal antibody (mAb) in both the European Union and Korea. To achieve this, extensive physicochemical characterization of Remsima® in relation to Remicade® was conducted in order to demonstrate the highly similar properties between the two molecules. A multitude of state-of-the-art analyses revealed that Remsima® has identical primary as well as indistinguishable higher order structures compared with the original product. Monomer and aggregate contents of Remsima® were also found to be comparable with those of Remicade®. In terms of charge isoforms, although Remsima® was observed to contain slightly less basic variants than the original antibody, the difference was shown to be largely due to the presence of C-terminal lysine. On the other hand, this lysine was found to be rapidly clipped inside serum in vitro and in vivo, suggesting it has no effect on the biological potency or safety of the drug. Analysis of the glycan contents of the antibodies showed comparable glycan types and distributions. Recent results of clinical studies have further confirmed that the two antibody products are highly similar to each other. Based on this research as well as previous clinical and non-clinical comparability studies, Remsima® can be considered as a highly similar molecule to Remicade® in terms of physicochemical properties, efficacy, and safety for its final approval as a biosimilar product to Remicade®.

End stage renal disease caused by thromboangiitis obliterans: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Thromboangiitis obliterans or Buerger's disease is a nonatherosclerotic, segmental, inflammatory vasculitis that is strongly associated with tobacco products and commonly affects the small- and medium-sized arteries of the upper and lower extremities. However, the disease can, rarely, involve large central or visceral arteries. We report here the case of end stage renal disease due to renal artery thrombosis caused by thromboangiitis obliterans.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 51-year-old Korean man who had previously required amputation of both great toes due to thromboangiitis obliterans presented with left flank pain and oliguria. Both his renal arteries were occluded on contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography and abdominal angiography. He also had abdominal angina. He had no risk factor of thromboembolism from cardiac origin, atherosclerosis except for tobacco abuse, collagen diseases or hypercoagulable disorders. Renal failure and mesenteric ischemia associated with thromboangiitis obliterans progression was diagnosed.

CONCLUSIONS

Renal failure due to renal artery thrombosis and mesenteric ischemia represents an unusual manifestation of thromboangiitis obliterans. But once it occurs, it can be life-threatening. When we care for a patient with thromboangiitis obliterans, we should pay attention to this rare disease course, and encourage cessation of the smoking of tobacco products.

Exercise barriers in Korean colorectal cancer patients

BACKGROUND

To identify barriers to exercise in Korean colorectal cancer patients and survivors, and to analyze differences in exercise barriers by age, gender, treatment status, and physical activity level.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 427 colorectal cancer patients and survivors from different stages and medical status completed a self-administered questionnaire that surveyed their barriers to exercise and exercise participation.

RESULTS

The greatest perceived exercise barriers for the sampled population as a whole were fatigue, low level of physical fitness, and poor health. Those under 60-years old reported lack of time (p=0.008), whereas those over 60 reported low level of physical fitness (p=0.014) as greater exercise barriers than their counterparts. Women reported fatigue as a greater barrier than men (p<0.001). Those who were receiving treatment rated poor health (p=0.0005) and cancer-related factors as greater exercise barriers compared to those who were not receiving treatment. A multivariate model found that other demographic and medical status were not potential factors that may affect exercise participation. Further, for those who were not participating in physical activity, tendency to be physically inactive (p<0.001) and lack of exercise skill (p<0.001) were highly significant barriers, compared to those who were participating in physical activity. Also, for those who were not meeting ACSM guidelines, cancer-related exercise barriers were additionally reported (p<0.001), compared to those who were.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that fatigue, low level of physical fitness, and poor health are most reported exercise barriers for Korean colorectal cancer survivors and there are differences in exercise barriers by age, sex, treatment status, and physical activity level. Therefore, support for cancer patients should be provided considering these variables to increase exercise participation.

The effect of oncologists' exercise recommendations on the level of exercise and quality of life in survivors of breast and colorectal cancer: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of an oncologist's exercise recommendation with and without an exercise motivation package on the amount of exercise participation and quality of life (QOL) in survivors of breast and colorectal cancer.

METHODS

A total of 162 survivors of early-stage breast and colorectal cancer who completed primary and adjuvant treatments were recruited for the current study. Participants were randomly assigned into 1 of 3 groups: 1) control (59 patients); 2) those receiving an oncologist's exercise recommendation (53 patients); and 3) those receiving an oncologist's exercise recommendation with an exercise motivation package (50 patients). At baseline and after 4 weeks, the level of exercise participation and QOL were assessed.

RESULTS

Of the 162 participants, 130 (80.2%) completed the trial. Intention-to-treat analysis indicated that participants who received an oncologist's exercise recommendation with an exercise motivation package significantly increased their level of exercise participation in terms of minutes (47.57 added minutes per week; 95% confidence interval, 9.62-85.52 minutes [P =.022] vs control) and in Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)-hours per week (4.14 additional MET-hours per week; 95% confidence interval, 1.70-6.58 MET-hours [P =.004] vs control) compared with the control group. Participants who received only their oncologist's exercise recommendation did not increase their exercise participation level. Further analysis demonstrated that role functioning was significantly improved among participants who received an oncologist's exercise recommendation with an exercise motivation package.

CONCLUSIONS

Providing an exercise motivation package in addition to the oncologist's exercise recommendation to increase the level of exercise among survivors of breast and colorectal cancer should be considered.

Dynamic phospholipid interaction of β2e subunit regulates the gating of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels

Membrane targeting of the β2e subunit is dynamically regulated by M₁ muscarinic receptor signaling to promote fast inactivation of Ca_V2.2.

High voltage-activated Ca²⁺ (Ca_V) channels are protein complexes containing pore-forming α1 and auxiliary β and α2δ subunits. The subcellular localization and membrane interactions of the β subunits play a crucial role in regulating Ca_V channel inactivation and its lipid sensitivity. Here, we investigated the effects of membrane phosphoinositide (PI) turnover on Ca_V2.2 channel function. The β2 isoform β2e associates with the membrane through electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. Using chimeric β subunits and liposome-binding assays, we determined that interaction between the N-terminal 23 amino acids of β2e and anionic phospholipids was sufficient for β2e membrane targeting. Binding of the β2e subunit N terminus to liposomes was significantly increased by inclusion of 1% phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂) in the liposomes, suggesting that, in addition to phosphatidylserine, PIs are responsible for β2e targeting to the plasma membrane. Membrane binding of the β2e subunit slowed Ca_V2.2 current inactivation. When membrane phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and PIP₂ were depleted by rapamycin-induced translocation of pseudojanin to the membrane, however, channel opening was decreased and fast inactivation of Ca_V2.2(β2e) currents was enhanced. Activation of the M₁ muscarinic receptor elicited transient and reversible translocation of β2e subunits from membrane to cytosol, but not that of β2a or β3, resulting in fast inactivation of Ca_V2.2 channels with β2e. These results suggest that membrane targeting of the β2e subunit, which is mediated by nonspecific electrostatic insertion, is dynamically regulated by receptor stimulation, and that the reversible association of β2e with membrane PIs results in functional changes in Ca_V channel gating. The phospholipid–protein interaction observed here provides structural insight into mechanisms of membrane–protein association and the role of phospholipids in ion channel regulation.

Epidemiology of internet behaviors and addiction among adolescents in six Asian countries

Internet addiction has become a serious behavioral health problem in Asia. However, there are no up-to-date country comparisons. The Asian Adolescent Risk Behavior Survey (AARBS) screens and compares the prevalence of Internet behaviors and addiction in adolescents in six Asian countries. A total of 5,366 adolescents aged 12-18 years were recruited from six Asian countries: China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Participants completed a structured questionnaire on their Internet use in the 2012-2013 school year. Internet addiction was assessed using the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and the Revised Chen Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS-R). The variations in Internet behaviors and addiction across countries were examined. The overall prevalence of smartphone ownership is 62%, ranging from 41% in China to 84% in South Korea. Moreover, participation in online gaming ranges from 11% in China to 39% in Japan. Hong Kong has the highest number of adolescents reporting daily or above Internet use (68%). Internet addiction is highest in the Philippines, according to both the IAT (5%) and the CIAS-R (21%). Internet addictive behavior is common among adolescents in Asian countries. Problematic Internet use is prevalent and characterized by risky cyberbehaviors.

Inhibitory effect of Paeonia lactiflora Pallas extract (PE) on poly (I:C)-induced immune response of epidermal keratinocytes

Epidermal keratinocytes provide protective role against external stimuli by barrier formation. In addition, kertinocytes exerts their role as the defense cells via activation of innate immunity. Disturbance of keratinocyte functions is related with skin disorders. Psoriasis is a common skin disease related with inflammatory reaction in epidermal cells. We attempted to find therapeutics for psoriasis, and found that Paeonia lactiflora Pallas extract (PE) has an inhibitory potential on poly (I:C)-induced inflammation of keratinocytes. PE significantly inhibited poly (I:C)-induced expression of crucial psoriatic cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-8, CCL20 and TNF-α, via down-regulation of NF-κB signaling pathway in human keratinocytes. In addition, PE significantly inhibited poly (I:C)-induced inflammasome activation, in terms of IL-1β and caspase-1 secretion. Finally, PE markedly inhibited poly (I:C)-increased NLRP3, an important component of inflammasome. These results indicate that PE has an inhibitory effect on poly (I:C)-induced inflammatory reaction of keratinocytes, suggesting that PE can be developed for the treatment of psoriasis.

Association between physical fitness, quality of life, and depression in stage II-III colorectal cancer survivors

PURPOSE

The impact of cancer on quality of life and depression is an important issue. The purpose of this study was to identify the impact of physical fitness on quality of life and depression in stage II-III colorectal cancer survivors.

METHODS

Participants in the current study included 122 stage II-III colorectal cancer survivors (57 females; 56.67 ± 9.16 years of age and 55 males; 54.69 ± 9.78 years of age). Fitness was assessed using the 6-min walk test, chair stand test, and push-up test. Quality of life and depression were measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal (FACT-C) scale and a 9-item patient health questionnaire interview, respectively.

RESULTS

There was a significant association between physical fitness and quality of life and depression in colorectal cancer survivors. The 6-min walk test results were associated with FACT-C total (r = 0.298, p < 0.05), physical well-being (r = 0.230, p < 0.05), functional well-being (r = 0.234, p < 0.05), colorectal cancer concern (r = 0.229, p < 0.05), and depression (r = -0.228, p < 0.05), and the chair stand test results were associated with functional well-being (r = 0.231, p < 0.05), colorectal cancer concern (r = 0.242, p < 0.05), and depression (r = -0.227, p < 0.05) even after controlling for all potentially confounding variables. A multiple regression analysis indicated that the 6-min walk was a significant predictor of health-related quality of life, and participants in the lowest tertile of the 6-min walk test results had lower quality of life and greater depression than those in the highest tertile.

CONCLUSION

Improving and maintaining physical fitness are important for quality of life and depression in stage II-III colorectal cancer survivors.