Ursodeoxycholic acid shows antineoplastic effects in bile duct cancer cells via apoptosis induction; p53 activation; and EGFR-ERK, COX-2, and PI3K-AKT pathway inhibition

The interplay between gut bacteria and targeted therapies: implications for future cancer treatments

Targeted therapy represents a form of cancer treatment that specifically focuses on molecular markers regulating the growth, division, and dissemination of cancer cells. It serves as the cornerstone of precision medicine and is associated with fewer adverse effects compared to conventional chemotherapy, thus enhancing the quality of patient survival. These make targeted therapy as a vital component of contemporary anti-cancer strategies. Although targeted therapy has achieved excellent anti-cancer results, there are still many factors affecting its efficacy. Among the numerous factors affecting anti-cancer treatment, the role of intestinal bacteria and its metabolites are becoming increasingly prominent, particularly in immunotherapy. However, their effects on anticancer targeted therapy have not been systematically reviewed. Herein, we discuss the crosstalk between gut bacteria and anticancer targeted therapies, while also highlighting potential therapeutic strategies and future research directions.

Effects of bile acid metabolism on intestinal health of livestock and poultry

Bile acids are synthesised in the liver and are essential amphiphilic steroids for maintaining the balance of cholesterol and energy metabolism in livestock and poultry. They can be used as novel feed additives to promote fat utilisation in the diet and the absorption of fat-soluble substances in the feed to improve livestock performance and enhance carcass quality. With the development of understanding of intestinal health, the balance of bile acid metabolism is closely related to the composition and growth of livestock intestinal microbiota, inflammatory response, and metabolic diseases. This paper systematically reviews the effects of bile acid metabolism on gut health and gut microbiology in livestock. In addition, our paper summarised the role of bile acid metabolism in performance and disease control.

Bile Acids and Liver Cancer: Molecular Mechanism and Therapeutic Prospects

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive liver malignancy and one of the most lethal cancers globally, with limited effective therapeutic options. Bile acids (BAs), as primary metabolites of hepatic cholesterol, undergo enterohepatic circulation involving secretion into the intestine and reabsorption into the liver, and their composition is modulated in this process. Recent clinical observations have revealed a correlation between alteration in the BAs profile and HCC incidence, and the effect of various species of BAs on HCC development has been investigated. The regulatory effect of different BA species on cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis in tumor cells, as well as their interaction with gut microbiota, inflammation, and immunity have been identified to be involved in HCC progression. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the diverse functions of BAs in HCC pathogenesis and therapy, from elucidating the fundamental mechanisms underlying both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive consequences of various BA species to exploring potential strategies for leveraging BAs for HCC therapy. We also discuss ongoing efforts to target specific BA species in HCC treatment while highlighting new frontiers in BA biology that may inspire further exploration regarding their connection to HCC.

Probucol-Ursodeoxycholic Acid Otic Formulations: Stability and In Vitro Assessments for Hearing Loss Treatment

Targeted drug delivery is an ongoing aspect of scientific research that is expanding through the design of micro- and nanoparticles. In this paper, we focus on spray dried microparticles as carriers for a repurposed lipophilic antioxidant (probucol). We characterise the microparticles and quantify probucol prior to assessing cytotoxicity on both control and cisplatin treated hair cells (known as House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1; HEI-OC1). The addition of water-soluble polymers to 2% β-cyclodextrin resulted in a stable probucol formulation. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) used as formulation excipient increases probucol miscibility and microparticle drug content. Formulation characterisations reveals spray drying results in spherical UDCA-drug microparticles with a mean size distribution of ∼5-12 μm. Probucol microparticles show stable short-term storage conditions accounting for only ∼10% loss over seven days. By mimicking cell culture conditions, both UDCA-probucol (67%) and probucol only (82%) microparticles show drug release in the initial two hours. Furthermore, probucol formulations with or without UDCA preserve cell viability and reduce cisplatin-induced oxidative stress. Mitochondrial bioenergetics results in lower basal respiration and non-mitochondrial respiration, with higher maximal respiration, spare capacity, ATP production and proton leak within cisplatin challenged UDCA-probucol groups. Overall, we present a facile method for incorporating lipophilic antioxidant carriers in polymer-based particles that are tolerated by HEI-OC1 cells and show stable drug release, sufficient in reducing cisplatin-induced reactive oxygen species accumulation.

The anticancer activity of bile acids in drug discovery and development

Bile acids (BAs) constitute essential components of cholesterol metabolites that are synthesized in the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and excreted into the intestine through the biliary system. They play a crucial role in nutrient absorption, lipid and glucose regulation, and the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis. In additional, BAs have demonstrated the ability to attenuate disease progression such as diabetes, metabolic disorders, heart disease, and respiratory ailments. Intriguingly, recent research has offered exciting evidence to unveil their potential antitumor properties against various cancer cell types including tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, gastric cancer, colon cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, prostate cancer, gallbladder cancer, neuroblastoma, and others. Up to date, multiple laboratories have synthesized novel BA derivatives to develop potential drug candidates. These derivatives have exhibited the capacity to induce cell death in individual cancer cell types and display promising anti-tumor activities. This review extensively elucidates the anticancer activity of natural BAs and synthetic derivatives in cancer cells, their associated signaling pathways, and therapeutic strategies. Understanding of BAs and their derivatives activities and action mechanisms will evidently assist anticancer drug discovery and devise novel treatment.

Bile Acid Application in Cell-Targeting for Molecular Receptors in Relation to Hearing: A Comprehensive Review

Bile acids play important roles in the human body, and changes in their pool can be used as markers for various liver pathologies. In addition to their functional effects in modulating inflammatory responses and cellular survivability, the unconjugated or conjugated, secondary, or primary nature of bile acids accounts for their various ligand effects. The common hydrophilic bile acids have been used successfully as local treatment to resolve drug-induced cell damage or to ameliorate hearing loss. From various literature references, bile acids show concentration and tissue-dependent effects. Some hydrophobic bile acids act as ligands modulating vitamin D receptors, muscarinic receptors, and calcium-activated potassium channels, important proteins in the inner ear system. Currently, there are limited resources investigating the therapeutic effects of bile acid on hearing loss and little to no information on detecting bile acids in the remote ear system, let alone baseline bile acid levels and their prevalence in healthy and disease conditions. This review presents both hydrophilic and hydrophobic human bile acids and their tissue-specific effects in modulating cellular integrity, thus considering the possible effects and extended therapeutic applicability of bile acids to the inner ear tissue.

Review on chronic metabolic diseases surrounding bile acids and gut microbiota: What we have explored so far

Bile acid, the final product of cholesterol breakdown, functions as a complex regulator and signaling factor in human metabolism. Chronic metabolic diseases pose significant medical challenges. Growing research underscores bile acids' capacity to enhance metabolism via diverse pathways, regulating disorders and offering treatment potential. Numerous bile-acid-triggered pathways have become treatment targets. This review outlines bile acid synthesis, its role as a signal in chronic metabolic diseases, and highlights its interaction with gut microbiota in different metabolic conditions. Exploring host-bacteria-bile acid links emerges as a valuable future research direction with clinical implications.

Metabolic Clues to Bile Acid Patterns and Prolonged Survival in Patients with Metastatic Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Treated with Trabectedin

Metastatic soft-tissue sarcomas (mSTS) encompass a highly heterogeneous group of rare tumours characterized by different clinical behaviours and outcomes. Currently, prognostic factors for mSTS are very limited, posing significant challenges in predicting patient survival. Within a cohort of 39 mSTS patients undergoing trabectedin treatment, it was remarkable to find one patient who underwent 73 cycles of trabectedin achieving an unforeseen clinical outcome. To identify contributing factors to her exceptional long-term survival, we have explored circulation metabolomics and biohumoral biomarkers to uncover a potential distinct host biochemical phenotype. The long-term survival patient compared with the other mSTS patients exhibited a distinctive metabolic profile characterized by remarkably higher levels of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) derivatives and vitamin D and lower levels of lithocholic acid (LCA) derivatives, as well as reduced levels of inflammatory C-Reactive Protein 4 (C-RP4) biomarker. Despite its exploratory nature, this study reveals a potential association between specific bile acid metabolic profiles and mSTS patients' prognosis. Enhanced clinical understanding of the interplay between bile acid metabolism and disease progression could pave the way for new targeted therapeutic interventions which may improve the overall survival of mSTS patients.