Blocking extracellular Galectin-3 in patients with osteoarthritis

A comprehensive review on the functionality and biological relevance of pectin and the use in the food industry

Pectin is a natural biopolymer, which can be extracted from food by-products, adding value to raw material, with a structure more complex than that of other polysaccharides. The gelling properties of these molecules, together with the bioactivity that these can exert, make them suitable to be used as ingredients and bioactive agents. In this review, the characterization of pectin (structure, sources, techno-functional, and biological properties), the extraction methods, and their use in the food industry (food packaging, as carriers, and as ingredients) are described. Different by-products can be used as substrates to extract pectin, enhancing a sustainable food system as described by the circular economy principles. Pectin is characterized for their techno-functional and biological properties, such as gelling and thickening properties or modulation of microbiota both in animals and humans. Such properties make these molecules suitable for a wide range of applications within the food chain, serving as packaging or carriers in foodstuff, or for direct use as functional ingredients as fiber. Overall, pectin has been shown to exert as promising components to be introduced in the food system, although further research on scaling-up the production process and feasibility has to be done.

Intra-articular injection of modified citrus pectin and hyaluronate gel induces synergistic effects in treating osteoarthritis

We previously found that modified citrus pectin (MCP), an inhibitor of pro-inflammatory factor Galectin-3 (Gal-3), has significant anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects. In this study, a hyaluronate (HA) gel-based sustained release system of MCP (MCP-HA) was developed as an anti-inflammatory agent for chronic inflammation for osteoarthritis (OA) treatment. The MCP-HA gel was injected into the knee joint cavities of OA rabbit models induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) or modified Hulth method once a week for five weeks. We found that MCP-HA could improve the symptoms and signs of OA, protect articular cartilage from degeneration, suppress synovial inflammation, and therefore alleviate OA progression. Proteomic analysis of the synovial fluid obtained from the knee joints of OA rabbits revealed that MCP-HA synergistically regulated the levels of multiple inflammatory mediators and proteins involved in metabolic pathways. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the MCP-HA shows a synergistic effect of HA and MCP by modulating both inflammation and metabolic processes, thereby alleviating OA progression. The MCP-HA sustained release system has promising potential for long-term use in OA treatment.

Recent progress and treatment strategy of pectin polysaccharide based tissue engineering scaffolds in cancer therapy, wound healing and cartilage regeneration

Natural polymers and its mixtures in the form of films, sponges and hydrogels are playing a major role in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Hydrogels have been extensively investigated as standalone materials for drug delivery purposes as they enable effective encapsulation and sustained release of drugs. Biopolymers are widely utilised in the fabrication of hydrogels due to their safety, biocompatibility, low toxicity, and regulated breakdown by human enzymes. Among all the biopolymers, polysaccharide-based polymer is well suited to overcome the limitations of traditional wound dressing materials. Pectin is a polysaccharide which can be extracted from different plant sources and is used in various pharmaceutical and biomedical applications including cartilage regeneration. Pectin itself cannot be employed as scaffolds for tissue engineering since it decomposes quickly. This article discusses recent research and developments on pectin polysaccharide, including its types, origins, applications, and potential demands for use in AI-mediated scaffolds. It also covers the materials-design process, strategy for implementation to material selection and fabrication methods for evaluation. Finally, we discuss unmet requirements and current obstacles in the development of optimal materials for wound healing and bone-tissue regeneration, as well as emerging strategies in the field.

High serum levels of galectins 1 and 4 in osteoarthritis patients

BACKGROUND

Although immunostaining of galectins is associated with cartilage damage, the serum levels of these lectins in osteoarthritis (OA) are not fully understood.

OBJECTIVE

Therefore, we evaluate the concentrations of galectins-1, 3, 4, and 7 in patients with osteoarthritis and correlate them with clinical parameters.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved 60 osteoarthritis patients and 43 healthy volunteers, who had serum samples collected for galectins titration by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

Our finds showed that the median values of gal-1 and 4 serum levels in patients were statistically higher (13,990 and 969.1 pg/mL, respectively) than in healthy controls (1,798 and 519.5 pg/mL) with p < 0.001. Further, gal-1 expressed higher levels in patients who had joint edema at the time of collection with a median value of 14,970 pg/mL.

CONCLUSION

Surprisingly, galectin-4 appears to be involved in the osteoarthritis inflammation process as the well-known galectin-1.

Potential Protective Role of Galectin-3 in Patients with Gonarthrosis and Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Gonarthrosis and diabetes mellitus are two diseases that are increasingly being linked. The aim of this study was to quantify serum levels of Gal-3, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (including their ratios and correlations), and participant's condition (pain, stiffness, functional limitations) in gonarthrosis patients with and without diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

A between-subject, cross-sectional experimental design was adopted. Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12, IL-23, IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-10, Gal-3, and WOMAC score were measured.

RESULTS

Gonarthrosis patients with diabetes mellitus had significantly (p < 0.05) lower levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, IFN-γ, and Gal-3 compared to gonarthrosis patients without diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, IL-10/TNF-α, IL-10/IL-6, IL-10/IL-12, Gal-3/TNF-α, Gal-3/IL-6, and Gal-3/IL-12 (p = 0.001) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in gonarthrosis with diabetes mellitus. Moderate-large correlation (p < 0.05) was detected between the serum values of Gal-3 and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-12 (r = 0.575), IL-10 (r = 0.535), TNF-α (r = 0.306), and IL-23 (r = 0.323). WOMAC index was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in gonarthrosis patients without diabetes mellitus compared to gonarthrosis patients with diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSIONS

Correlation between Gal-3 and proinflammatory cytokines and its dominance over proinflammatory cytokines implicate the potential role of Gal-3 in preventing cartilage destruction.