Androgen receptor deficiency-induced TUG1 in suppressing ferroptosis to promote benign prostatic hyperplasia through the miR-188-3p/GPX4 signal pathway

Sulfasalazine combined with anti-IL-1β mAb induces ferroptosis and immune modulation in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), one of the most prevalent and aggressive forms of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, has a five-year survival rate of about 50% ~ 60%, emphasizing the urgent need for more effective therapeutic strategies. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) is overexpressed in various cancers and represents a potential therapeutic target. Sulfasalazine (SAS), a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug, is a potent inhibiter of SLC7A11. However, SAS can also increase the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, which may suppress the immune response. Here, we investigate the effect of SAS combined with anti-IL-1β monoclonal antibody (anti-IL-1β mAb) as a novel treatment strategy for OSCC. In this study, SLC7A11 was markedly increased in OSCC tissues, and high SLC7A11 expression predicted poor prognosis. SAS treatment was shown to suppress OSCC cell proliferation and trigger ferroptosis, as evidenced by elevated reactive oxygen species, reduced glutathione and enhanced lipid peroxidation. SAS also elevated IL-1β levels, leading to T cell exhaustion. Combining SAS with anti-IL-1β mAb reversed T cell exhaustion and amplified the anti-tumor effects in vitro. In the 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide-induced oral cancergenisis model, the combination treatment significantly inhibited oral carcinogenesis compared to monotherapy. Our results suggest that combining SAS with anti-IL-1β mAb enhances the anti-tumor efficacy against OSCC through tumor growth inhibition and immune modulation, offering a promising therapeutic strategy.

Hydroxycitric acid inhibits ferroptosis and ameliorates benign prostatic hyperplasia by upregulating the Nrf2/GPX4 pathway

PURPOSE

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) poses a significant public health challenge, affecting a substantial portion of aging men worldwide. Current therapeutic options offer limited efficacy. The pathogenesis of BPH is multifactorial, involving ferroptosis, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation. Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is a natural compound with diverse pharmacological activities, including the inhibition of ferroptosis, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-tumor effects. However, its role in BPH remains unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of HCA on BPH and elucidate the underlying mechanisms, with the goal of providing novel therapeutic insights for BPH treatment.

METHODS

C57BL/6J mice were used to establish a BPH model induced by testosterone propionate (TP). Animals were then randomly assigned to the following groups: Sham, BPH, BPH + Lip-1, BPH + Bru, BPH + HCA + Bru, and BPH + HCA. Prostate index (PI) was determined, and histopathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Mitochondrial morphology was analyzed by TEM. The levels of Fe2+, MDA, and GSH in prostate tissues were measured. Western blot analysis was performed to assess the protein expression of Nrf2 and GPX4.

RESULTS

Compared to the Sham group, the prostate tissues of the BPH group exhibited typical histopathological features of hyperplasia, including epithelial cell proliferation, increased glandular lumen size. Concurrently, the levels of ferroptosis markers Fe2+ (P < 0.01) and MDA (P < 0.001) were significantly elevated, while the expression of GSH (P < 0.01) and GPX4 (P < 0.05) was downregulated. Furthermore, mitochondrial morphology showed abnormalities. HCA treatment significantly reduced PI (P < 0.01) and attenuated epithelial cell proliferation and glandular lumen enlargement (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, respectively). HCA also reduced the levels of Fe2+ (P < 0.05) and MDA (P < 0.05), and elevated GSH levels (P < 0.01). Furthermore, HCA upregulated the expression of Nrf2 (P < 0.01) and GPX4 (P < 0.01). The Nrf2 inhibitor Brusatol increased the levels of Fe2+ (P < 0.05) and MDA (P < 0.05), and downregulated the expression of Nrf2 (P < 0.05) and GPX4 (P < 0.05), thereby attenuating the protective effects of HCA. However, co-administration of HCA and Brusatol partially reversed changes in Fe2+ (P < 0.05) and MDA (P < 0.05) levels, and increased the expression of Nrf2 (P < 0.05) and GPX4 (P < 0.05), indicating reduction in Brusatol-induced effects. Furthermore, HCA treatment did not significantly affect liver and kidney function markers (AST, ALT, SCR, and UR) (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

HCA inhibits ferroptosis by activating the Nrf2/GPX4 pathway, thereby ameliorating the pathological changes in BPH induced by TP. This study suggests a novel therapeutic strategy for BPH.

Association of life's crucial 9 score with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) are prevalent prostate diseases in aging male populations, with significant implications for quality of life and healthcare burden. While cardiovascular health (CVH) and lifestyle factors have been linked to aging and chronic diseases, their association with prostate diseases remains underexplored.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the relationship between CVH, assessed using the Life's Crucial 9 (LC9) score, and the risk of prostate diseases, including BPH and PCa, in a large UK cohort.

METHODS

Data from 26,656 male participants in the UK Biobank were analyzed. The LC9 score, an expanded CVH metric incorporating mental health, was calculated based on physical, metabolic, and psychological factors. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were performed to examine associations between the LC9 score and prostate diseases. Subgroup and interaction analyses were conducted to explore potential modifiers.

RESULTS

A higher LC9 score was significantly associated with a lower risk of BPH in both continuous and categorical models (P < 0.001). The association demonstrated a linear dose-response relationship, with the inflection point at an LC9 score of 72.5. Subgroup analysis revealed stronger protective effects in participants with lower socioeconomic deprivation. However, no significant association was observed between the LC9 score and PCa risk, even in subgroup analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the importance of overall cardiovascular and psychological health in reducing BPH risk, emphasizing the need for sustained healthy behaviors. The absence of a significant link between the LC9 score and PCa suggests distinct pathophysiological mechanisms and warrants further research. These findings provide valuable insights for targeted prevention and management strategies in prostate health.

Knockdown of lncRNA XR_877193.1 suppresses ferroptosis and promotes osteogenic differentiation via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in SONFH

Ferroptosis is a novel form of regulated cell death characterized by the iron-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxides. Recent research has suggested that ferroptosis in osteoblasts contributes to steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH). However, the relationship between ferroptosis and SONFH remains unclear. In this study, in vitro experiments show that dexamethasone (Dex) treatment reduces the expressions of key ferroptosis regulators, SLC7A11 and GPX4, in MC3T3-E1 cells. This reduction leads to a decrease in intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels, accompanied by elevated levels of total iron, malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Importantly, the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) effectively reverses Dex-induced ferroptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis reveals that the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) XR_877193.1is significantly upregulated in Dex-treated MC3T3-E1 cells. Functional studies demonstrate that the knockdown of lncRNA XR_877193.1 promotes osteogenic differentiation by inhibiting Dex-induced ferroptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells, whereas its overexpression exacerbates cell death via ferroptosis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis reveals that the differentially expressed lncRNA XR_877193.1 is enriched in ferroptosis-related pathways, including the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Moreover, PI3K/AKT inhibitors reverse ferroptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells inhibited by lncRNA XR_877193.1 knockdown. Collectively, our findings indicate that lncRNA XR_877193.1 knockdown exerts anti-ferroptosis effects by stimulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy for attenuating SONFH.