Oxidative stress in prostate cancer: changing research concepts towards a novel paradigm for prevention and therapeutics

Differential Tumor Gene Expression Profiling of Patients With Prostate Adenocarcinoma on the Basis of BMI

PURPOSE

An increased BMI is linked to increased prostate adenocarcinoma incidence and mortality. Baseline tumor gene expression profiling (GEP) can provide a comprehensive picture of the biological processes related to treatment response and disease progression. We interrogate and validate the underlying differences in tumor GEP on the basis of BMI in patients with prostate adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

The inclusion criteria consisted of histologically confirmed prostate adenocarcinoma and the availability of RNA sequencing data obtained from treatment-naïve primary prostate tissue. RNA sequencing was performed by a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-certified laboratory (Tempus or Caris Life Sciences). The Tempus cohort was used for interrogation and the Caris cohort for validation. Patients were stratified on the basis of BMI at the time of prostate cancer diagnosis: BMI-high (BMIH; BMI ≥30) and BMI-low (BMIL; BMI <30). Differential gene expression analysis between the two cohorts was conducted using the DEseq2 pipeline. The resulting GEPs were further analyzed using Gene Set Enrichment software to identify pathways that exhibited enrichment in each cohort.

RESULTS

Overall, 102 patients were eligible, with 60 patients in the Tempus cohort (BMIL = 38, BMIH = 22) and 42 patients in the Caris cohort (BMIL = 24, BMIH = 18). Tumor tissues obtained from patients in the BMIL group exhibited higher expression of genes associated with inflammation pathways. BMIH displayed increased expression of genes involved in pathways such as heme metabolism and androgen response.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows the upregulation of distinct genomic pathways in BMIL compared with BMIH patients with prostate cancer. These hypothesis-generating data could explain different survival outcomes in both groups and guide personalized therapy for men with prostate cancer.

Tempol effect on oxidative and mitochondrial markers in preclinical models for prostate cancer

Background

Tempol is a redox-cycling nitroxide considered a potent antioxidant. The present study investigated the tempol effects on oxidative stress and mitochondrial markers on prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods

PC-3 and LnCaP cells were exposed to tempol. Cell viability test, western blot and Amplex Red analyses were performed. In vivo, five experimental groups evaluated tempol effects in the early (CT12 and TPL12 groups) and late stages (CT20, TPL20-I, and TLP20-II) of PCa development. The TPL groups were treated with 50 or 100 mg/kg tempol doses. Control groups received water as the vehicle. The ventral lobe of the prostate and the blood were collected and submitted to western blotting or enzymatic activity analyses.

Results

In vitro, tempol decreased cell viability and differentially altered the H2O2 content for PC-3 and LNCaP. Tempol increased SOD2 levels in both cell lines and did not alter Catalase protein levels. In vivo, tempol increased SOD2 levels in the early stage and did not change Catalase levels in the different PCa stages. Systemically, tempol decreased SOD2 levels in the late-stage and improved redox status in the early and late stages, which was confirmed by reduced LDH in tempol groups. Alterations on energetic metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation were observed in TRAMP model.

Conclusion

Tempol can be considered a beneficial therapy for PCa treatment considering its antioxidant and low toxicity properties, however the PCa progression must be evaluated to get successful therapy.

The effect of SP/NK1R on expression and activity of glutaredoxin and thioredoxin proteins in prostate cancer cells

Substance P (SP), an important neuropeptide, has a crucial role in the progression of several cancers, including prostate cancer, through interacting with the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R). Oxidative stress is also involved in the onset and progression of prostate cancer. However, no studies have been performed on the cross-talk between the SP/NK1R system and cellular redox balance in prostate cancer, and how it is involved in tumorogenesis. We aimed to investigate the effect of the SP/NK1R system and the blockage of NK1R with its specific antagonist (aprepitant) on the cellular redox status of the prostate cancer cell line (PC3 and LNCaP). We performed the resazurin assay to evaluate the toxicity of the aprepitant on the PC3 and LNCaP cell lines. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was measured after SP and aprepitant treatment. The alterations of expression and activity of two crucial cellular oxidoreductases, glutaredoxin, and thioredoxin were evaluated by qRT-PCR and commercial kits (ZellBio GmbH), respectively. Our results revealed that SP increased ROS production and decreased the expression and activity of glutaredoxin and thioredoxin. On the other hand, treatment of cells with aprepitant showed reverse results. In conclusion, we found that the SP/NK1R system could promote prostate cancer progression by inducing oxidative stress. In addition, the inhibition of NK1R by aprepitant modulated the effect of the SP/NK1R system on the cellular redox system. Aprepitant might therefore be introduced as a candidate for the treatment of prostate cancer; however, more studies are required to confirm the validation of this hypothesis.

Antiproliferative, apoptosis-inducing, and GSTP1 demethylation activities of Ellagitannins isolated from Cornus alba L

This study aimed to prove the prostate cancer chemopreventive activity of compounds isolated from CA. We evaluated these compounds using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and evaluated their NF-κB inhibitory activity and apoptosis-inducing activity using western blot analysis and flow cytometry, respectively. Their DNA methylation activity was also evaluated via a methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction in androgen-dependent (LNCaP) and androgen-independent (PC-3) prostate cancer cell lines. Camptothin B (1), cornusiin B (2), and cornusiin A (3), which were isolated in our previous work, relatively reduced the protein expression levels in PCa cells. Among them, cornusiin B (2) exhibited excellent NF-κB inhibitory activity. Also, concentration-dependently increased the unmethylated DNA content and decreased the methylated DNA content in both PC-3 and LNCaP cells. Therefore, cornusiin B (2), which was isolated from CA, has the potential to act as a chemopreventive agent for prostate cancer.

Comparing histology between prostate cognitive fusion targeted biopsy and radical prostatectomy: exploring risk factors of Gleason score upgrading in Chinese patients

PURPOSE

To explore and identify the relevant clinical and pathological predictors leading to biopsy Gleason score upgrading (GSU) in cognitive fusion targeted biopsy (COG-TB) in Chinese patients.

METHODS

Clinical and pathological information of 496 patients who underwent COG-TB and radical prostatectomy (RP) in our hospital from January 2020 to September 2023 were retrospectively compiled and analyzed. In this study, we screened valuable predictors through univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses and then constructed predictive models. We draw nomograms to visualize the predictive models. In addition, the discriminatory power of the model was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Finally, calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the predictive power of the model and the net benefits it could deliver.

RESULTS

Out of the 496 patients eligible for the study, 279 had a consistent Gleason score (GS) on biopsy and postoperative GS, 191 experienced GSU, and 26 experienced downgrading. Significant associations for GSU were identified for five risk factors through multivariable logistic regression analyses, which included age, prostate volume, BMI, tumor percentage in biopsy tissue, and tumor location. Our model had excellent discriminatory power through ROC analysis. Calibration curves and DCA showed that our model was well calibrated and provided certain benefits for patient treatment decisions.

CONCLUSION

Age, prostate volume, BMI, tumor percentage in biopsy tissue, and tumor location are risk indicators for predicting GSU in COG-TB. Our prediction model is more suitable for Chinese patients and can assist in accurately evaluating biopsy GS and developing effective treatment plans.

Decoding the Influence of Obesity on Prostate Cancer and Its Transgenerational Impact

In recent decades, the escalating prevalence of metabolic disorders, notably obesity and being overweight, has emerged as a pressing concern in public health. Projections for the future indicate a continual upward trajectory in obesity rates, primarily attributable to unhealthy dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyles. The ramifications of obesity extend beyond its visible manifestations, intricately weaving a web of hormonal dysregulation, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. This nexus of factors holds particular significance in the context of carcinogenesis, notably in the case of prostate cancer (PCa), which is a pervasive malignancy and a leading cause of mortality among men. A compelling hypothesis arises from the perspective of transgenerational inheritance, wherein genetic and epigenetic imprints associated with obesity may wield influence over the development of PCa. This review proposes a comprehensive exploration of the nuanced mechanisms through which obesity disrupts prostate homeostasis and serves as a catalyst for PCa initiation. Additionally, it delves into the intriguing interplay between the transgenerational transmission of both obesity-related traits and the predisposition to PCa. Drawing insights from a spectrum of sources, ranging from in vitro and animal model research to human studies, this review endeavors to discuss the intricate connections between obesity and PCa. However, the landscape remains partially obscured as the current state of knowledge unveils only fragments of the complex mechanisms linking these phenomena. As research advances, unraveling the associated factors and underlying mechanisms promises to unveil novel avenues for understanding and potentially mitigating the nexus between obesity and the development of PCa.

Gut microbiota metabolites, redox status, and the related regulatory effects of probiotics

Oxidative stress is a state of imbalance between oxidation and antioxidation. It is caused by excess levels of free radicals and leads to the damage of DNA, proteins, and lipids. The crucial role of gut microbiota in regulating oxidative stress has been widely demonstrated. Studies have suggested that the redox regulatory effects of gut microbiota are related to gut microbiota metabolites, including fatty acids, lipopolysaccharides, tryptophan metabolites, trimethylamine-N-oxide and polyphenolic metabolites. In recent years, the potential benefits of probiotics have been gaining increasing scientific interest owing to their ability to modulate gut microbiota and oxidative stress. In this review, we summarise the adverse health effects of oxidative stress and discuss the role of the gut microbiota and its metabolites in redox regulation. Based on the influence of gut microbiota metabolites, the roles of probiotics in preventing oxidative stress are highlighted.

Sigma1 Regulates Lipid Droplet-mediated Redox Homeostasis Required for Prostate Cancer Proliferation

Lipid droplets (LD) are dynamic organelles that serve as hubs of cellular metabolic processes. Emerging evidence shows that LDs also play a critical role in maintaining redox homeostasis and can mitigate lipid oxidative stress. In multiple cancers, including prostate cancer, LD accumulation is associated with cancer aggressiveness, therapy resistance, and poor clinical outcome. Prostate cancer arises as an androgen receptor (AR)-driven disease. Among its myriad roles, AR mediates the biosynthesis of LDs, induces autophagy, and modulates cellular oxidative stress in a tightly regulated cycle that promotes cell proliferation. The factors regulating the interplay of these metabolic processes downstream of AR remain unclear. Here, we show that Sigma1/SIGMAR1, a unique ligand-operated scaffolding protein, regulates LD metabolism in prostate cancer cells. Sigma1 inhibition triggers lipophagy, an LD selective form of autophagy, to prevent accumulation of LDs which normally act to sequester toxic levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This disrupts the interplay between LDs, autophagy, buffering of oxidative stress and redox homeostasis, and results in the suppression of cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Consistent with these experimental results, SIGMAR1 transcripts are strongly associated with lipid metabolism and ROS pathways in prostate tumors. Altogether, these data reveal a novel, pharmacologically responsive role for Sigma1 in regulating the redox homeostasis required by oncogenic metabolic programs that drive prostate cancer proliferation.

SIGNIFICANCE

To proliferate, cancer cells must maintain productive metabolic and oxidative stress (eustress) while mitigating destructive, uncontrolled oxidative stress (distress). LDs are metabolic hubs that enable adaptive responses to promote eustress. Targeting the unique Sigma1 protein can trigger distress by disrupting the LD-mediated homeostasis required for proliferation.

Atopic allergic conditions and prostate cancer risk and survival in the Multiethnic Cohort study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies investigating relationship between atopic allergic conditions (AACs)-a highly reactive immune state-and prostate cancer (PCa) risk were inconclusive, and few have studied diverse racial/ethnic populations.

METHODS

We analysed 74,714 men aged ≥45 years at enrollment in Multiethnic Cohort study. Using multivariable Cox regression, we estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for self-reported AAC status on PCa outcomes.

RESULTS

Through 2017, 8697 incident PCa and 1170 related deaths occurred. Twenty-one percent of men reported a history of AACs. AACs were not associated with incident PCa (HR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.93-1.03) but were significantly inversely associated with PCa mortality (HR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.67-0.92). This inverse association was consistently observed across all racial/ethnic groups (HR range: 0.60-0.90). Among men diagnosed with PCa, AACs were inversely associated with PCa-specific death (HR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.63-0.89). Adjusting for potential confounding effect of PSA screening did not meaningfully change the results. No significant heterogeneity was observed in the effect of AACs on PCa incidence or mortality by Dietary Inflammatory Index.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyper-allergic conditions were not associated with PCa incidence but were inversely associated with PCa mortality, suggesting a potential role in reducing tumour progression. Further aetiological research is warranted to understand underlying mechanisms.

The Relationship between Telomere Length and Nucleoplasmic Bridges and Severity of Disease in Prostate Cancer Patients

Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide (TTAGGG) sequences that stabilize the chromosome ends and play an important role in the prevention of cancer initiation and progression. Nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) are formed when chromatids remain joined together during mitotic anaphase either due to mis-repair of DNA breaks or due to chromatid end fusion as a result of telomere loss or telomere dysfunction. We tested the hypotheses that (i) telomere length (TL) is shorter in prostate cancer (PC) patients relative to healthy age-matched individuals, (ii) TL differs in different stages of PC and (iii) shorter TL is significantly correlated with NPBs formation in PC cases. TL was measured in whole blood by well-established quantitative PCR method and the frequency of NPBs was measured in lymphocytes using cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMNcyt) assay. Our results indicate that TL is shorter and NPBs are increased in PC patients relative to age-matched healthy controls. Furthermore, TL was significantly shorter (p = 0.03) in patients with a Gleason score more than 7 and there was also a significant trend of decreasing TL across all three stages (p trend = 0.01; Gleason score <7, 7 and >7). Furthermore, TL was significantly inversely correlated with NPB frequency in PC patients (r = -0.316; p = 0.001) but not in controls (r = 0.163; p = 0.06) and their relationships became stronger with higher Gleason scores. More studies are required that can confirm our observations and explore mechanistic differences in the role of telomeres in NPB formation in PC cases relative to non-cancer cases.

SH-PRO extract alleviates benign prostatic hyperplasia via ROS-mediated activation of PARP/caspase 3 and inhibition of FOXO3a/AR/PSA signaling in vitro and in vivo

To target benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as a common urinary disease in old men, in the current study, the antiproliferative and apoptotic mechanism of SH-PRO, a mixture of Angelica gigas and Astragalus membranaceus (2:1), was evaluated in BPH-1 cells and rats with testosterone-induced BPH. Herein, SH-PRO significantly reduced the viability of BPH-1 cells and dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-treated RWPE-1 cells. Also, SH-PRO increased the sub-G1 population in BPH-1 cells and consistently attenuated the expression of pro-PARP, pro-caspase 3, Bcl2, FOXO3a, androgen receptor (AR), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in BPH-1 cells and DHT-treated RWPE-1 cells. Of note, SH-PRO generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in BPH-1 cells, while ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) disturbed the ability of SH-PRO to reduce the expression of pro-PARP, FOXO3a, catalase, SOD, and increase sub-G1 population in BPH-1 cells. Furthermore, oral treatment of SH-PRO significantly abrogated the weight of the prostate in testosterone-treated rats compared to BPH control with the reduced expression of AR, PSA, and DHT and lower plasma levels of DTH, bFGF, and EGF with no toxicity. Overall, these findings highlight the antiproliferative and apoptotic potential of SH-PRO via ROS-mediated activation of PARP and caspase 3 and inhibition of FOXO3a/AR/PSA signaling as a potent anti-BPH candidate.

Oxidative Stress Markers in Urine and Serum of Patients with Bladder Cancer

Oxidative stress is defined as an imbalanced state of the production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant capacity that causes oxidative damage to biomolecules, leading to cell injury and finally death. Oxidative stress mediates the development and progression of several cancer diseases, including bladder cancer. The aim of our study was to determine markers of levels of the oxidative stress in serum and urine in the same patients in parallel in serum and urine. Furthermore, we tried to estimate the associations between oxidative stress markers and the type of cancer, its clinical stage and grade, as the well as correlations between serum and urinary markers in patients with bladder cancer. Sixty-one bladder cancer and 50 healthy volunteers as a control group were included. We determined the serum and urine levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), Amadori products, total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative status index (OSI), and malondialdehyde. We confirm that almost all markers are elevated in serum and urine from patients with bladder cancer than from healthy subjects. Moreover, we did not find differences in the level of oxidative stress markers and the type of tumor, its clinical stage, and grade. We noted correlations between serum and urinary biomarkers, in particular TOS and OSI. Our results clearly indicate the participation of oxidative stress in the development of bladder cancer.

Acidic Exo-Polysaccharide Obtained from Bacillus sp. NRC5 Attenuates Testosterone-DMBA-Induced Prostate Cancer in Rats via Inhibition of 5 α-Reductase and Na+/K+ ATPase Activity Mechanisms

Bacillus sp. NRC5 is a new strain that grows in Egyptian beaches. This strain produces acidic exo-polysaccharide that have excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. The current study aimed to introduce a new natural product feasible for prostate cancer therapies. The anti-prostate cancer of acidic exo-polysaccharide produced from marine Bacillus sp. NRC5 (EBPS) was determined using 7,12-dimethylbenz-(a)-anthracene; DMBA-induced prostate cancer in male Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were subcutaneously injected with testosterone (3 mg/kg/day for 3 months) and a single dose of DMBA (65 mg/kg) for induction of prostate cancer. EBPS was administrated orally at dose 200 mg/kg/day for 3 months. To study protective effect of EBPS, animals received EBPS before cancer induction, meanwhile in therapeutic effect animals received EBPS after cancer induction. EBPS debug oxidative stress and inflammatory conditions associated with prostate cancer. EBPS either protective or therapeutic material considerably reduced cancer growth rate-limiting enzyme-i.e., 5-α-reductase (46.89 ± 1.72 and 44.86 ± 2.56 µg Eq/mL) and Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase (0.44 ± 0.03 and 0.42 ± 0.02 µg Eq/mL), compared to cancer control (69.68 ± 3.46 µg Eq/mL). In addition, both cancer biomarkers-i.e., prostate-specific antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen were significantly lowered as evidence of the ability of EBPS to protect and treat prostate cancer in chemically induced rats. EBPS showed protective and therapeutic efficacy on testosterone-DMBA-induced prostate cancer rats with a good safety margin. This study may go to clinical trials after a repeated study on another type of small experimental animal, their offspring, and one big experimental animal.

Combinatorial approaches of nanotherapeutics for inflammatory pathway targeted therapy of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PC) is the most prevalent male urogenital cancer worldwide. PC patients presenting an advanced or metastatic cancer succumb to the disease, even after therapeutic interventions including radiotherapy, surgery, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), and chemotherapy. One of the hallmarks of PC is evading immune surveillance and chronic inflammation, which is a major challenge towards designing effective therapeutic formulations against PC. Chronic inflammation in PC is often characterized by tumor microenvironment alterations, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix modifications. The inflammatory events are modulated by reactive nitrogen and oxygen species, inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Major signaling pathways in PC includes androgen receptor, PI3K and NF-κB pathways and targeting these inter-linked pathways poses a major therapeutic challenge. Notably, many conventional treatments are clinically unsuccessful, due to lack of targetability and poor bioavailability of the therapeutics, untoward toxicity and multidrug resistance. The past decade witnessed an advancement of nanotechnology as an excellent therapeutic paradigm for PC therapy. Modern nanovectorization strategies such as stimuli-responsive and active PC targeting carriers offer controlled release patterns and superior anti-cancer effects. The current review initially describes the classification, inflammatory triggers and major inflammatory pathways of PC, various PC treatment strategies and their limitations. Subsequently, recent advancement in combinatorial nanotherapeutic approaches, which target PC inflammatory pathways, and the mechanism of action are discussed. Besides, the current clinical status and prospects of PC homing nanovectorization, and major challenges to be addressed towards the advancement PC therapy are also addressed.

Hesperidin Suppresses the Proliferation of Prostate Cancer Cells by Inducing Oxidative Stress and Disrupting Ca2+ Homeostasis

Although androgen deprivation therapy is mainly used for its treatment, the mortality rate of prostate cancer remains high due to drug resistance. Hence, there is a need to discover new compounds that exhibit therapeutic effects against prostate cancer with minimum side effects. Hesperidin is a flavonoid carbohydrate isolated from citrus fruits. It has antiproliferative effects in various cancer types; however, whether it can modulate cell proliferation by modulating the key targets of cancer therapy, including intracellular signaling pathways and oxidative stress, remains unknown. Therefore, we confirmed that hesperidin suppressed the proliferation of prostate cancer cells, PC3 and DU145. Hesperidin induced cell death by regulating the cell cycle and inhibited the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a cell proliferation marker. Hesperidin also promoted the generation of reactive oxygen species and induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization and endoplasmic reticulum stress in prostate cancer cells. Moreover, as hesperidin increased Ca2+ levels in prostate cancer cells, we co-treated the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor inhibitor, 2-aminoethyl diphenyl borate (2-APB), with hesperidin. Notably, 2-APB restored cell proliferation, which was reduced to control levels by hesperidin. In addition, hesperidin inhibited the activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Hesperidin also enhanced the anticancer effects of the chemotherapeutic agent, cisplatin, in both PC3 and DU145 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that hesperidin can be used as a potential therapeutic adjuvant in prostate cancer as it can inhibit cell proliferation by mediating oxidative stress and increasing Ca2+ levels.

Association of Blood Pressure with Prostate Cancer Risk by Disease Severity and Prostate Cancer Death: A Pooled Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The association of blood pressure (BP) with prostate cancer risk after accounting for asymptomatic prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, and with prostate cancer death, is unclear.

METHODS

We investigated BP, measured at a mean age of 38 years among 430,472 men from five Swedish cohorts, in association with incident prostate cancer (n = 32,720) and prostate cancer death (n = 6718). HRs were calculated from multivariable Cox regression models.

RESULTS

Increasing systolic and diastolic BP levels combined were associated with a slightly lower prostate cancer risk, with a HR of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.97-0.99) per standard deviation (SD) of mid-BP (average of systolic and diastolic BP). The association was restricted to the PSA era (1997 onwards, HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.95-0.98), to diagnoses initiated by a PSA test in asymptomatic men (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.93-0.97), and to low-risk prostate cancer (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92-0.97). There was no clear association with more advanced disease at diagnosis. In cases, a slightly higher risk of prostate cancer death was observed for higher BP levels (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08) per SD of mid-BP; however, the association was restricted to distant metastatic disease (Pheterogeneity between case groups = 0.01), and there was no association for BP measured less than 10 years prior to diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Prediagnostic BP is unlikely an important risk factor for prostate cancer development and death. Less asymptomatic PSA testing among men with higher BP levels may explain their lower risk of prostate cancer.

IMPACT

Elevated BP is unlikely to be an important risk factor for prostate cancer.

Pathological Roles of Reactive Oxygen Species in Male Reproduction

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are free radicals that have at least one unpaired electron and play specific roles in the human body. An imbalance of ROS and antioxidant levels gives rise to a condition called oxidative stress. High levels of ROS in the male reproductive tract can interfere with its normal functioning and can even pose as toxic to the sperm, inhibiting sperm functioning (including motility) and metabolism. Oxidative stress resulting from ROS and lipid peroxidation is one of the major causes of male infertility including infertility in varicocele patients. These may cause DNA and peroxidative damage and apoptosis. Production of ROS in excess also leads to erectile dysfunction (ED). In recent years, studies have also linked oxidative stress with the development, progress, and therapy response of prostate cancer patients. The present study summarizes the pathological roles of ROS in male reproductive problems such as infertility, ED, and prostate cancer and also provide an insight into the probable mechanism through which ROS exert their pathological impact.

Adiposity and risk of prostate cancer death: a prospective analysis in UK Biobank and meta-analysis of published studies

BACKGROUND

The association of adiposity with prostate cancer specific mortality remains unclear. We examined how adiposity relates to fatal prostate cancer and described the cross-sectional associations of commonly used adiposity measurements with adiposity estimated by imaging in UK Biobank. We also conducted a dose-response meta-analysis to integrate the new data with existing prospective evidence.

METHODS

218,237 men from UK Biobank who were free from cancer at baseline were included. Body mass index (BMI), total body fat percentage (using bioimpedance), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were collected at recruitment. Risk of dying from prostate cancer (primary cause) by the different adiposity measurements was estimated using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. Results from this and other prospective cohort studies were combined in a dose-response meta-analysis.

RESULTS

In UK Biobank, 661 men died from prostate cancer over a mean follow-up of 11.6 years. In the subsample of participants with magnetic resonance imaging and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, BMI, body fat percentage and WC were strongly associated with imaging estimates of total and central adiposity (e.g. visceral fat, trunk fat). The hazard ratios (HR) for prostate cancer death were 1.07 (95% confidence interval = 0.97-1.17) per 5 kg/m2 higher BMI, 1.00 (0.94-1.08) per 5% increase in total body fat percentage, 1.06 (0.99-1.14) per 10 cm increase in WC and 1.07 (1.01-1.14) per 0.05 increase in WHR. Our meta-analyses of prospective studies included 19,633 prostate cancer deaths for BMI, 670 for body fat percentage, 3181 for WC and 1639 for WHR, and the combined HRs for dying from prostate cancer for the increments above were 1.10 (1.07-1.12), 1.03 (0.96-1.11), 1.07 (1.03-1.11), and 1.06 (1.01-1.10), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Overall, we found that men with higher total and central adiposity had similarly higher risks of prostate cancer death, which may be biologically driven and/or due to differences in detection. In either case, these findings support the benefit for men of maintaining a healthy body weight.

PGC1 alpha coactivates ERG fusion to drive antioxidant target genes under metabolic stress

The presence of ERG gene fusion; from developing prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) lesions to hormone resistant high grade prostate cancer (PCa) dictates disease progression, altered androgen metabolism, proliferation and metastasis^1–3. ERG driven transcriptional landscape may provide pro-tumorigenic cues in overcoming various strains like hypoxia, nutrient deprivation, inflammation and oxidative stress. However, insights on the androgen independent regulation and function of ERG during stress are limited. Here, we identify PGC1α as a coactivator of ERG fusion under various metabolic stress. Deacetylase SIRT1 is necessary for PGC1α-ERG interaction and function. We reveal that ERG drives the expression of antioxidant genes; SOD1 and TXN, benefitting PCa growth. We observe increased expression of these antioxidant genes in patients with high ERG expression correlates with poor survival. Inhibition of PGC1α-ERG axis driven transcriptional program results in apoptosis and reduction in PCa xenografts. Here we report a function of ERG under metabolic stress which warrants further studies as a therapeutic target for ERG fusion positive PCa.

PGC1α acts as a co-activator of the ERG transcription factor during metabolic stress resulting in antioxidant functionsand inhibition of the PGC1α-ERG driven transcriptional program reduces prostate cancer growth by inducing ROS mediated apoptosis.

Effect of Copper and Selenium Supplementation on the Level of Elements in Rats' Femurs under Neoplastic Conditions

A study was conducted to determine the effect of long-term supplementation with selenium and copper, administered at twice the level used in the standard diet of rats, on the content of selected elements in the femoral bones of healthy rats and rats with implanted LNCaP cancer cells. After an adaptation period, the animals were randomly divided into two experimental groups. The rats in the experimental group were implanted with prostate cancer cells. The rats in the control group were kept in the same conditions as those in the experimental group and fed the same diet, but without implanted cancer cells. The cancer cells (LNCaP) were intraperitoneally implanted in the amount of 1 × 106 (in PBS 0.4 mL) at the age of 90 days. The content of elements in the samples was determined by a quadrupole mass spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma ionization (ICP-MS). In the femoral bones of rats with implanted LNCaP cells, in the case of the standard diet and the copper-enriched diet, there was a marked decreasing trend in the content of the analysed elements relative to the control rats. This may indicate slow osteolysis taking place in the bone tissue. Contrasting results were obtained for the diet enriched with selenium; there was no significant reduction in the level of these elements, and there was even an increase in the concentrations of Fe and K in the bones of rats with implanted LNCaP cells. Particularly, numerous changes in the mineral composition of the bones were generated by enriching the diet with copper. The elements that most often underwent changes (losses) in the bones were cobalt, iron, manganese and molybdenum. The changes observed, most likely induced by the implantation of LNCaP cells, may indicate a disturbance of mineral homeostasis.

Alcohol and Prostate Cancer: Time to Draw Conclusions

It has been a long-standing debate in the research and medical societies whether alcohol consumption is linked to the risk of prostate cancer (PCa). Many comprehensive studies from different geographical areas and nationalities have shown that moderate and heavy drinking is positively correlated with the development of PCa. Nevertheless, some observations could not confirm that such a correlation exists; some even suggest that wine consumption could prevent or slow prostate tumor growth. Here, we have rigorously analyzed the evidence both for and against the role of alcohol in PCa development. We found that many of the epidemiological studies did not consider other, potentially critical, factors, including diet (especially, low intake of fish, vegetables and linoleic acid, and excessive use of red meat), smoking, family history of PCa, low physical activity, history of high sexual activities especially with early age of first intercourse, and sexually transmitted infections. In addition, discrepancies between observations come from selectivity criteria for control groups, questionnaires about the type and dosage of alcohol, and misreported alcohol consumption. The lifetime history of alcohol consumption is critical given that a prostate tumor is typically slow-growing; however, many epidemiological observations that show no association monitored only current or relatively recent drinking status. Nevertheless, the overall conclusion is that high alcohol intake, especially binge drinking, is associated with increased risk for PCa, and this effect is not limited to any type of beverage. Alcohol consumption is also directly linked to PCa lethality as it may accelerate the growth of prostate tumors and significantly shorten the time for the progression to metastatic PCa. Thus, we recommend immediately quitting alcohol for patients diagnosed with PCa. We discuss the features of alcohol metabolism in the prostate tissue and the damaging effect of ethanol metabolites on intracellular organization and trafficking. In addition, we review the impact of alcohol consumption on prostate-specific antigen level and the risk for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Lastly, we highlight the known mechanisms of alcohol interference in prostate carcinogenesis and the possible side effects of alcohol during androgen deprivation therapy.

Associations Between Polymorphisms in Genes Related to Oxidative Stress and DNA Repair, Interactions With Serum Antioxidants, and Prostate Cancer Risk: Results From the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial

Study of polymorphisms in genes related to the generation and removal of oxidative stress and repair of oxidative DNA damage will lead to new insights into the genetic basis of prostate cancer. In the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT), a double-blind, randomized controlled trial testing finasteride versus placebo for prostate cancer prevention, we intend to investigate the role of oxidative stress/DNA repair mechanisms in prostate cancer etiology and whether these polymorphisms modify prostate cancer risk by interacting with antioxidant status in both placebo and finasteride arms. We evaluated associations of selected candidate polymorphisms in genes in these pathways, and interactions with pre-diagnostic serum antioxidants, and the risk of prostate cancer among 1,598 cases and 1,706 frequency-matched controls enrolled in the PCPT. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. While there were no statistically significant associations observed in the placebo arm, several SNPs were associated with prostate cancer in the finasteride arm. Specifically, APEX1-rs1760944 was associated with increased risk of total prostate cancer (per minor allele: p-trend=0.04). OGG1-rs1052133 was positively (CG/GG vs. CC: OR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.01-1.73) and NOS3-rs1799983 was inversely (per minor allele: p-trend=0.04) associated with risk of low-grade prostate cancer. LIG3-rs1052536 and XRCC1-rs25489 were suggestively associated with reduced risk of high-grade prostate cancer (per minor allele: both p-trend=0.04). In the placebo arm, significant associations were observed among men with higher serum lycopene for APEX1-rs1760944 and NQO1-rs1800566, or higher serum β-cryptoxanthin for ERCC4-rs1800067. In the finasteride arm, stronger associations were observed among men with lower serum lycopene for NOS3-rs1799983, higher serum α-carotene, β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin for LIG3-rs1052536, or lower serum retinol for SOD2-rs1799725. These results suggest that germline variations in oxidative stress and DNA repair pathways may contribute to prostate carcinogenesis and that these associations may differ by intraprostatic sex steroid hormone status and be further modified by antioxidant status. Findings provide insights into the complex role of gene, gene-antioxidant and -finasteride interactions in prostate cancer etiology, and thus may lead to the development of preventative strategies.

Systemic Effects Reflected in Specific Biomarker Patterns Are Instrumental for the Paradigm Change in Prostate Cancer Management: A Strategic Paper

Prostate cancer (PCa) is reported as the most common malignancy and second leading cause of death in America. In Europe, PCa is considered the leading type of tumour in 28 European countries. The costs of treating PCa are currently increasing more rapidly than those of any other cancer. Corresponding economic burden is enormous, due to an overtreatment of slowly developing disease on one hand and underestimation/therapy resistance of particularly aggressive PCa subtypes on the other hand. The incidence of metastatic PCa is rapidly increasing that is particularly characteristic for young adults. PCa is a systemic multi-factorial disease resulting from an imbalanced interplay between risks and protective factors. Sub-optimal behavioural patterns, abnormal stress reactions, imbalanced antioxidant defence, systemic ischemia and inflammation, mitochondriopathies, aberrant metabolic pathways, gene methylation and damage to DNA, amongst others, are synergistically involved in pathomechanisms of PCa development and progression. To this end, PCa-relevant systemic effects are reflected in liquid biopsies such as blood patterns which are instrumental for predictive diagnostics, targeted prevention and personalisation of medical services (PPPM/3P medicine) as a new paradigm in the overall PCa management. This strategic review article highlights systemic effects in prostate cancer development and progression, demonstrates evident challenges in PCa management and provides expert recommendations in the framework of 3P medicine.

Updates on Molecular and Biochemical Development and Progression of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) represents the most commonly non-cutaneous diagnosed cancer in men worldwide and occupies a very wide area of preclinical and clinical research. Targeted therapy for any cancer depends on the understanding of the molecular bases and natural behaviour of the diseases. Despite the well-known effect of androgen deprivation on PCa, many patients develop resistance either for antiandrogen therapy or other new treatment modalities such as checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy. Comprehensive understanding of the development of PCa as well as of the mechanisms underlying its progression is mandatory to maximise the benefit of the current approved medications or to guide the future research for targeted therapy of PCa. The aim of this review was to provide updates on the most recent mechanisms regarding the development and the progression of PCa. According to the current understanding, future treatment strategies should include more predictive genetic and biomarker analysis to assign different patients to the expected most appropriate and effective treatment.

Potentiating the Benefits of Melatonin through Chemical Functionalization: Possible Impact on Multifactorial Neurodegenerative Disorders

Although melatonin is an astonishing molecule, it is possible that chemistry will help in the discovery of new compounds derived from it that may exceed our expectations regarding antioxidant protection and perhaps even neuroprotection. This review briefly summarizes the significant amount of data gathered to date regarding the multiple health benefits of melatonin and related compounds. This review also highlights some of the most recent directions in the discovery of multifunctional pharmaceuticals intended to act as one-molecule multiple-target drugs with potential use in multifactorial diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. Herein, we discuss the beneficial activities of melatonin derivatives reported to date, in addition to computational strategies to rationally design new derivatives by functionalization of the melatonin molecular framework. It is hoped that this review will promote more investigations on the subject from both experimental and theoretical perspectives.

Synthetic Retinoids as Potential Therapeutics in Prostate Cancer-An Update of the Last Decade of Research: A Review

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common tumor in males. The search for appropriate therapeutic options against advanced PC has been in process for several decades. Especially after cessation of the effectiveness of hormonal therapy (i.e., emergence of castration-resistant PC), PC management options have become scarce and the prognosis is poor. To overcome this stage of disease, an array of natural and synthetic substances underwent investigation. An interesting and promising class of compounds constitutes the derivatives of natural retinoids. Synthesized on the basis of the structure of retinoic acid, they present unique and remarkable properties that warrant their investigation as antitumor drugs. However, there is no up-to-date compilation that consecutively summarizes the current state of knowledge about synthetic retinoids with regard to PC. Therefore, in this review, we present the results of the experimental studies on synthetic retinoids conducted within the last decade. Our primary aim is to highlight the molecular targets of these compounds and to identify their potential promise in the treatment of PC.

Association of Anthropometric Measures With the Risk of Prostate Cancer in the Multiethnic Cohort

In studies of anthropometric measures and prostate cancer risk, conducted primarily in White men, positive associations with advanced disease have been reported. We assessed body size in relation to incident prostate cancer risk in 79,950 men from the Multiethnic Cohort, with 8,819 cases identified over 22 years (1993-2015). Height was associated with increased risk of advanced prostate cancer (≥68 inches (≥ 173 cm) vs. < 66 inches (168 cm); hazard ratio (HR) = 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.48) and high-grade disease (HR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.31). Compared with men of normal weight, men overweight at baseline were at higher risk of high-grade cancer (HR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.26). Greater weight was positively associated with localized and low-grade disease in Blacks and Native Hawaiians (by race, P for heterogeneity = 0.0002 and 0.008, respectively). Weight change since age 21 years was positively associated with high-grade disease (for ≥ 40 pounds (18 kg) vs. 10 pounds (4.5 kg), HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.37; P for trend = 0.005). Comparing highest versus lowest quartile, waist-to-hip ratio was associated with a 1.78-fold increase (95% CI: 1.28, 2.46) in the risk of advanced prostate cancer. Positive associations with the majority of anthropometric measures were observed in all 5 racial/ethnic groups, suggesting a general impact of anthropometric measures on risk across populations.

Systemic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of yellow passion fruit bagasse extract during prostate cancer progression

We evaluated the impact of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis sp.) bagasse extract (PFBE) administration in systemic oxidative and inflammatory parameters in vivo, considering prostate cancer progression in transgenic mice (TRAMP). Piceatannol, scirpusin-B, dicaffeoylquinic acid, citric acid, and (+)-catechin were identified in PFBE, and the extract showed high in vitro antioxidant capacity. Some alterations in systemic parameters were verified during prostate cancer progression, as the increase in ALT and MDA levels, and SOD and GPx activities in the plasma. In the liver, higher MDA, TNF-α, and NF-κB levels, and GR and GPx activities were verified. Compared to their respective controls, the short- and long-term PFBE administration reduced MDA levels in the liver and plasma. The long-term treatment increased the catalase activity in the plasma, while the short-term treatment increased the hepatic SOD and catalase activities. Still, a reduction in hepatic TNF-α and NF-κB levels was verified after long-term treatment. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Prostate cancer progression is associated with changes in systemic redox status and inflammation markers. Moreover, the intake of polyphenols with antioxidant properties, besides delaying prostate carcinogenesis, may improve the systemic antioxidant defenses and inflammatory response. In vitro studies pointed to a promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of yellow passion fruit bagasse. However, in vivo studies are scarce. Our results provided information about in vivo impacts of PFBE oral consumption on antioxidant defense and inflammation, indicating its potential as an adjuvant during the initial steps of prostate cancer.

Impact of Androgen Deprivation on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Nigerian Patients With Prostate Cancer Undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy

PURPOSE

Prostate cancer (CaP) incidence and mortality rate are increasing in Africa. Some have linked oxidative stress with the pathogenesis of cancer. This study assessed the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), total plasma peroxide (TPP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in Nigerian patients with CaP.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred twenty patients with CaP and 100 apparently healthy controls were consecutively recruited into this case-control study. The patients with CaP were divided into treatment-naïve and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)–treated groups. Anthropometric indices were measured, and MDA, NO, TAC, and TPP were assayed by colorimetric methods. The t test and analysis of variance were used in analysis of data; statistical significance was set at P < .05, and 95% CIs were reported.

RESULTS

The patients with CaP had significantly higher waist-hip ratios and NO (P = .0001), TPP (P = .001), oxidative stress index (OSI; P = .003), and MDA values (P = .002) than controls. The treatment-naive patients with CaP had significantly higher waist-hip ratios (P = .011) and TPP (P = .013), MDA (P = .011), and NO values (P = .0001) and lower TAC values (P = .013) compared with the controls. The ADT-treated patients had higher waist-hip ratios (P = .0001) and TPP (P = .005), OSI (P = .005), MDA (P = .011), and NO values (P = .0001) than the controls. However, the treatment-naive patients had significantly higher NO values (P = .05) only compared with the ADT-treated patients. There was a significantly positive correlation between MDA and duration of treatment (r = 0.280, P = .018) in ADT-treated patients with CaP.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that patients with CaP have higher levels of TPP, MDA, and NO and lower levels of TAC compared with men without CaP. In addition, even in patients with CaP undergoing treatment, TPP and MDA levels remained high.

Metabolism and biomarkers of heterocyclic aromatic amines in humans

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) form during the high-temperature cooking of meats, poultry, and fish. Some HAAs also arise during the combustion of tobacco. HAAs are multisite carcinogens in rodents, inducing cancer of the liver, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, mammary, and prostate glands. HAAs undergo metabolic activation by N-hydroxylation of the exocyclic amine groups to produce the proposed reactive intermediate, the heteroaryl nitrenium ion, which is the critical metabolite implicated in DNA damage and genotoxicity. Humans efficiently convert HAAs to these reactive intermediates, resulting in HAA protein and DNA adduct formation. Some epidemiologic studies have reported an association between frequent consumption of well-done cooked meats and elevated cancer risk of the colorectum, pancreas, and prostate. However, other studies have reported no associations between cooked meat and these cancer sites. A significant limitation in epidemiology studies assessing the role of HAAs and cooked meat in cancer risk is their reliance on food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) to gauge HAA exposure. FFQs are problematic because of limitations in self-reported dietary history accuracy, and estimating HAA intake formed in cooked meats at the parts-per-billion level is challenging. There is a critical need to establish long-lived biomarkers of HAAs for implementation in molecular epidemiology studies designed to assess the role of HAAs in health risk. This review article highlights the mechanisms of HAA formation, mutagenesis and carcinogenesis, the metabolism of several prominent HAAs, and the impact of critical xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes on biological effects. The analytical approaches that have successfully biomonitored HAAs and their biomarkers for molecular epidemiology studies are presented.

Histological and biochemical investigation of the renoprotective effects of metformin in diabetic and prostate cancer model

BACKGROUND

Diabetes and cancer have common physiological and biochemical mechanisms. Metformin is the preferred drug of choice for the treatment of diabetes. Prostate cancer can be modeled in by injection of MAT-Lylu cells. A model of diabetes in rats is induced by streptozotocin injectıon. In the current study, we explored the mechanisms by which diabetes accelerates cancer, and evaluated the effects of metformin to know whether it has any impact against the damage caused by cancer and diabetic + cancer via histopathological and biochemical parameters of kidney tissue.

METHODS

The experiment was carried out in rats. Groups 1-Control, 2- Diabetic, 3-Cancer, 4-Diabetic + cancer, 5-Diabetic + cancer + metformin, 6-Cancer + metformin. Metformin treatment was applied by gavage every day. The research ended on the 14th day. The collected kidney tissue sections were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin.

RESULTS

Histological evaluation showed moderate to severe damage to the kidney tissue following diabetic and cancer processess. In diabetic, cancer and diabetic + cancer groups, reduced glutathione levels, total antioxidant status, sodium/potassium-ATPase and paraoxonase1 activities were found to be significantly abated. While advanced oxidized protein products, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, reactive oxygen species levels, total oxidant status, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-related antioxidant enzymes, myeloperoxidase, and arginase activities were significantly raised. The administration of metformin reversed these defects. The outcome of the reveals that histopathological and biochemical damage in cancer and diabetes + cancer groups decreased in the groups that received metformin.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, metformin treatment can be considered an adjuvant candidate for kidney tissue in diabetes, prostate cancer and cancer therapy related damage.

NKX3.1 Localization to Mitochondria Suppresses Prostate Cancer Initiation

Mitochondria provide the first line of defense against the tumor-promoting effects of oxidative stress. Here we show that the prostate-specific homeoprotein NKX3.1 suppresses prostate cancer initiation by protecting mitochondria from oxidative stress. Integrating analyses of genetically engineered mouse models, human prostate cancer cells, and human prostate cancer organotypic cultures, we find that, in response to oxidative stress, NKX3.1 is imported to mitochondria via the chaperone protein HSPA9, where it regulates transcription of mitochondrial-encoded electron transport chain (ETC) genes, thereby restoring oxidative phosphorylation and preventing cancer initiation. Germline polymorphisms of NKX3.1 associated with increased cancer risk fail to protect from oxidative stress or suppress tumorigenicity. Low expression levels of NKX3.1 combined with low expression of mitochondrial ETC genes are associated with adverse clinical outcome, whereas high levels of mitochondrial NKX3.1 protein are associated with favorable outcome. This work reveals an extranuclear role for NKX3.1 in suppression of prostate cancer by protecting mitochondrial function. SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings uncover a nonnuclear function for NKX3.1 that is a key mechanism for suppression of prostate cancer. Analyses of the expression levels and subcellular localization of NKX3.1 in patients at risk of cancer progression may improve risk assessment in a precision prevention paradigm, particularly for men undergoing active surveillance.See related commentary by Finch and Baena, p. 2132.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2113.

Hydrogen Sulfide: Novel Endogenous and Exogenous Modulator of Oxidative Stress in Retinal Degeneration Diseases

Oxidative stress (OS) damage can cause significant injury to cells, which is related to the occurrence and development of many diseases. This pathological process is considered to be the first step to trigger the death of outer retinal neurons, which is related to the pathology of retinal degenerative diseases. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has recently received widespread attention as a physiological signal molecule and gas neuromodulator and plays an important role in regulating OS in eyes. In this article, we reviewed the OS responses and regulatory mechanisms of H₂S and its donors as endogenous and exogenous regulators in retinal degenerative diseases. Understanding the relevant mechanisms will help to identify the therapeutic potential of H₂S in retinal degenerative diseases.

Synthesis and anticancer evaluation of 6-azacyclonol-2,4,6-trimethylpyridin-3-ol derivatives: M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated anticancer activity of a cyclohexyl derivative in androgen-refractory prostate cancer

We recently reported 2,4,5-trimethylpyridin-3-ol with C(6)-azacyclonol, whose code name is BJ-1207, showing a promising anticancer activity by inhibiting NOX-derived ROS in A549 human lung cancer cells. The present study was focused on structural modification of the azacyclonol moiety of BJ-1207 to find a compound with better anticancer activity. Ten new compounds (3A-3J) were prepared and evaluated their inhibitory actions against proliferation of eighteen cancer cell lines as a primary screening. Among the ten derivatives of BJ-1207, the effects of compounds 3A and 3J on DU145 and PC-3, androgen-refractory cancer cell lines (ARPC), were greater than the parent compound, and compound 3A showed better activity than 3J. Antitumor activity of compound 3A was also observed in DU145-xenografted chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) tumor model. In addition, the ligand-based target prediction and molecular docking study using DeepZema® server showed compound 3A was a ligand to M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R) which is overexpressed in ARPC. Carbachol, a muscarinic receptor agonist, concentration dependently increased proliferation of DU145 in the absence of serum, and it also activated NADPH oxidase (NOX). The carbachol-induced proliferation and NOX activity was significantly blocked by compounds 3A in a concentration-dependent manner. This finding might become a new milestone in the development of pyridinol-based anti-cancer agents against ARPC.

Protective effect of procyanidin A-type dimers against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in prostate DU145 cells through the MAPKs signaling pathway

It has been reported that B-type procyanidins can alleviate oxidative damage of prostatic cells, but there has been limited information on the similar role of A-type procyanidins. This study investigated the protective effect of procyanidin A-type dimers from peanut skin against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress damage in prostate cancer DU145 cells. According to the UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis and comparison with standards, the fourth fraction of peanut skin procyanidin (PSP-4) was identified as procyanidin A-type dimers, namely, procyanidin A₁ and A₂. Results revealed that PSP-4 treatment prior H₂O₂ exposure increased cell activity and attenuated the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis rate. The H₂O₂-induced increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was remarkably inhibited by PSP-4. PSP-4 treatment enhanced the activity of catalase (CAT) and total super oxide dismutase (T-SOD) and restored glutathione (GSH) content, compared with the H₂O₂ treatment. Furthermore, the results indicated that PSP-4 protected DU145 cells by attenuating phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), by increasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and by reducing the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 by cascade reactions. This study reveals that procyanidin A-type dimers from peanut skin have the potential function in preventing oxidative stress damage of prostatic cells.

Protective effects of natural compounds against oxidative stress in ischemic diseases and cancers via activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway: A mini review

Oxidative stress, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidants, has been seen in the pathological states of many disorders such as ischemic diseases and cancers. Many natural compounds (NCs) have long been recognized to ameliorate oxidative stress due to their inherent antioxidant activities. The modulation of oxidative stress by NCs via activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway is summarized in the review. Three NCs, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, and curcumin, and the mechanisms of their cytoprotective effects are investigated in myocardial ischemia, cerebral ischemia, skin cancer, and prostate cancer. To promote the therapeutic performance of NCs with poor water solubility, the formulation approach, such as the nano drug delivery system, is elaborated as well in this review.

Melatonin ameliorates degenerative alterations caused by age in the rat prostate and mitigates high-fat diet damages

Imbalance of sexual steroids milieu and oxidative stress are often observed during aging and correlated to prostate disorders. Likewise, high-fat intake has been related to prostate damage and tumor development. Melatonin (MLT) is an antioxidant whose secretion decreases in elderly and is also suggested to protect the gland. This study evaluated the impact of a long-term high-fat diet during aging on prostate morphology and antioxidant system of rats and tested the effects of MLT supplementation under these conditions. Male rats were assigned into four groups: control, treated with MLT, high-fat diet and high-fat diet treated with MLT. The high-fat diet was provided from the 24th week of age, MLT from the 48th (100 μg/kg/day) and rats were euthanized at the 62nd week. The high-fat diet increased body weight, retroperitoneal fatness, glycaemia, and circulating estrogen levels. It aggravated the aging effects, leading to epithelial atrophy (∼32% reduction of epithelial height) and collagen fibers increase (83%). MLT alone did not alter biometric and physiological parameters, except for the prostate weight decrease, whereas it alleviated biometric as well as ameliorated acinar atrophy induced by high-lipid intake. Systemic oxidative stress increased, and prostatic glutathione peroxidase activity decreased fivefold with the high-fat diet despite the indole. Regardless of the diet, MLT triggered epithelial desquamation, reduced androgen receptor-positive cells, increased smooth muscle layer thickness (12%), decreased at least 50% corpora amylacea formation, and stimulated prostatic gluthatione-S-transferase activity. In conclusion, MLT partially recovered prostate damage induced by aging and the long-term high-fat diet and ameliorated degenerative prostate alterations.

The assessment of a possible link between HPV-mediated inflammation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis in Prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of HPV in patients with Prostate cancer (PCa) and its possible association with cancer progression.

METHODS

In this case-control study, fresh prostate tissues and blood samples were collected from 90 individuals, including 58 cases samples with PCa and 32 non-malignant prostate tissue samples as a control group. The expression level of viral genes (E2, E6, and E7) and cellular factors including tumor suppressor proteins (Rb and p53), anti-apoptotic mediators (Bcl-2 and survivin), and some mediators involved in inflammation and angiogenesis was evaluated.

RESULTS

The presence of the HPV genome was identified in 19 out of the 58 cases (32.7%) and five out of the 32 controls (15.6%). However, there was not any statistically significant relationship between the presence of the HPV genome and PCa (OR = 2.63, 95% C.I = 0.89-7.91, P-value = 0.078). Moreover, the HPV high-risk genotypes 16 and 18 were detected in 47.4% and 31.6% of HPV-infected PCa tissues, respectively. The expression level of the tumor suppressor proteins (Rb and p53) significantly decreased in the HPV-infected samples compared to the HPV negative specimens (P-value = 0.01, P-value = 0.01, respectively). However, the expression level of the anti-apoptotic mediators and those involved in angiogenesis and inflammation significantly increased in the HPV-infected PCa group compared to the HPV-negative PCa and control groups (P-value < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that although it is not definitely known whether HPV causes PCa, this virus probably modulates PCa cell behavior by affecting inflammation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis mechanisms, which, in turn, promotes tumorigenesis.

Critical review on the use and abuse of alcohol. When the dose makes the difference

Nowadays harmful alcohol consumption represents one of the most important risk factors for the development of several type of chronic and acute diseases in the western countries, contributing to a great number of deaths. Focusing the attention on cancer development and progression, the scientific community has a large consensus in declaring the existence of a harmful association between alcohol consumption and liver, breast, upper aerodigestive tract (mouth, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and esophagus), pancreas and colon cancer appearance. However the precise biological links by which the alcohol could be responsible for cancer initiation and progression are not fully understood yet, even if the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) indicated both ethanol and acetaldehyde as carcinogen for humans. The possible explanation of the effect exerted by ethanol and acetaldehyde could be related to direct genotoxicity, hormonal disturbance, triggering of oxidative stress and inflammation. In this review, we examine the relationship between alcohol dosage and associated diseases, with focus on alcohol-related cancers. Furthermore, to understand the potential molecular mechanisms of these diseases, the results of in vivo experiments on animal models were discussed.

Enhancement of the biological autoluminescence by mito-liposomal gold nanoparticle nanocarriers

One of the most important barriers to the detection of the biological autoluminescence (BAL) from biosystems using a non-invasive monitoring approach, in both the in vivo and the in vitro applications, is its very low signal intensity (< 1000 photons/s/cm²). Experimental studies have revealed that the formation of electron excited species, as a result of reactions of biomolecules with reactive oxygen species (ROS), is the principal biochemical source of the BAL which occurs during the cell metabolism. Mitochondria, as the most important organelles involved in oxidative metabolism, are considered to be the main intracellular BAL source. Hence, in order to achieve the BAL enhancement via affecting the mitochondria, we prepared a novel mitochondrial-liposomal nanocarrier with two attractive features including the intra-liposomal gold nanoparticle synthesizing ability and the mitochondria penetration capability. The results indicate that these nanocarriers (with the average size of 131.1 ± 20.1 nm) are not only able to synthesize the gold nanoparticles within them (with the average size of 15 nm) and penetrate into the U2OS cell mitochondria, but they are also able to amplify the BAL signals. Our results open new possibilities for the use of biological autoluminescence as a non-invasive and label-free monitoring method in nanomedicine and biotechnology.

Molecular signatures associated with prostate cancer cell line (PC-3) exposure to inactivated Zika virus

The recent outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection associated with microcephaly cases has elicited much research on the mechanisms involved in ZIKV-host cell interactions. It has been described that Zika virus impairs cell growth, raising a hypothesis about its oncolytic potential against cancer cells. ZIKV tumor cell growth inhibition was later confirmed for glioblastoma. It was also demonstrated that an inactivated ZIKV prototype (ZVp) based on bacterial outer membrane vesicles has antiproliferative activity upon other cancer cell lines, such as PC-3 prostate cancer cell. This study aims at understanding the pathways that might be involved with the antiproliferative effect of Zika virus against prostate cancer cells. A metabolomic approach based on high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis led to the identification of 21 statistically relevant markers of PC-3 cells treated with ZVp. The markers were associated with metabolic alterations that trigger lipid remodeling, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammatory mediators, as well as disrupted porphyrin and folate metabolism. These findings highlight molecular signatures of ZVp-induced response that may be involved on cellular pathways triggered by its antiproliferative effect. To our knowledge, this is the first reported metabolomic assessment of ZIKV effect on prostate cancer cells, a promising topic for further research.

No association of serum PSA with vitamin D or total oxidant-antioxidant capacity in healthy men

Background and aim: Vitamin D deficiency and oxidative stress were suggested to be related to prostate cancer risk. We aimed to investigate the association of serum PSA concentration with vitamin D and total oxidant/antioxidant levels. Materials and methods: A total of 95 healthy men were enrolled for the cross sectional study. Serum PSA, 25(OH)D, serum total oxidant status, and total antioxidant status were measured. Results: Serum PSA was significantly negatively correlated with serum total oxidant status (r= -0.309, p = .003) but there was no significant correlation between PSA and 25(OH)D (p = .383) or total antioxidant levels (p = .233). After adjustment for age BMI and smoking status with multiple regression analysis, there was no significant association between serum PSA and total oxidant status. Conclusion: We find no evidence for an association between PSA and vitamin D levels or serum total oxidant/antioxidant levels.

Prostate Cancer Disparity, Chemoprevention, and Treatment by Specific Medicinal Plants

Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common cancers in men. The global burden of this disease is rising. Its incidence and mortality rates are higher in African American (AA) men compared to white men and other ethnic groups. The treatment decisions for PC are based exclusively on histological architecture, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and local disease state. Despite advances in screening for and early detection of PC, a large percentage of men continue to be diagnosed with metastatic disease including about 20% of men affected with a high mortality rate within the African American population. As such, this population group may benefit from edible natural products that are safe with a low cost. Hence, the central goal of this article is to highlight PC disparity associated with nutritional factors and highlight chemo-preventive agents from medicinal plants that are more likely to reduce PC. To reach this central goal, we searched the PubMed Central database and the Google Scholar website for relevant papers. Our search results revealed that there are significant improvements in PC statistics among white men and other ethnic groups. However, its mortality rate remains significantly high among AA men. In addition, there are limited studies that have addressed the benefits of medicinal plants as chemo-preventive agents for PC treatment, especially among AA men. This review paper addresses this knowledge gap by discussing PC disparity associated with nutritional factors and highlighting the biomedical significance of three medicinal plants (curcumin, garlic, and Vernonia amygdalina) that show a great potential to prevent/treat PC, as well as to reduce its incidence/prevalence and mortality, improve survival rate, and reduce PC-related health disparity.

Systemic Oxidative Stress: A key Point in Neurodegeneration - A Review

Systemic oxidative stress (SOS) has an important role in the mechanisms activation of neuronal death, involved in the neurodegenerative disease (ND) etiology. Brain is susceptible to oxidative stress injuries due to its high energy and metabolic request, therefore minimal imbalances of the redox state, as occurs in mitochondrial dysfunction, favour tissue injury and neuroinflammatory mechanisms activation. ND affect around the world about a billion people, without distinction of sex, educational level and economic status. Public measures generation that prevent ND from the SOS are possible promising therapeutic targets that could reduce the ND incidence. We discuss here the effects and mechanisms of SOS derived neurodegeneration, as well as the neuroinflammation repercussions for some cerebral structures.

Ginsenoside Rg3 suppresses the proliferation of prostate cancer cell line PC3 through ROS-induced cell cycle arrest

To investigate the potential antitumor effects of ginsenoside Rg3 in prostate cancer cells, the androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cell line PC3 was cultured and incubated with ginsenoside Rg3 in vitro. Cell number counts, cell proliferation assays and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining were performed to evaluate cell proliferation. The results demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg3 led to cell proliferation arrest; ginsenoside Rg3 decreased the number of cells and increased the positive SA-β-gal staining rate in PC3 cells. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry revealed that ginsenoside Rg3 interfered with the G1/S transition in PC3 cells. The mechanism involved in ginsenoside Rg3-induced cell proliferation arrest was then further investigated. This indicated that the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PC3 cells was upregulated by ginsenoside Rg3 treatment. Furthermore, pretreatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a scavenger of ROS, was able to reverse the effects on cell number and cell cycle arrest induced by ginsenoside Rg3 in PC3 cells. These results indicate that ginsenoside Rg3 exhibits anticancer effects on prostate cancer cells through ROS-mediated arrest of the cell cycle.

Inflammatory mechanisms and oxidative stress in prostatitis: the possible role of antioxidant therapy

This article focuses on the role that oxidative stress plays in chronic prostatitis, not only with respect to the known impact on symptoms and fertility but also especially in relation to possible prostate cancer development. Prostatitis is the most common urologic disease in adult males younger than 50 years and the third most common urologic diagnosis in males older than 50 years. If the germ-causing acute prostatitis is not eliminated, the inflammatory process becomes chronic. Persistent inflammation causes ongoing production of large quantities of pro-inflammatory cytokines and both oxygen and nitrogen reactive species, with consequent activation of transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and genes encoding for further production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemotactic factors, and growth factors. Confirming the role of oxidative stress in chronic prostatitis, several studies have demonstrated the presence of oxidative stress markers in the genital secretions of patients suffering from the disease. Antioxidants can therefore play an essential role in the treatment of chronic bacterial and non-bacterial prostatitis; in the case of bacterial inflammation, they can be associated with antibiotic therapy. Moreover, due to their anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidants hinder the progression of inflammation and the possible development of prostate cancer.

Recent Progress in Metal-Based Nanoparticles Mediated Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is able to non-invasively treat and diagnose various cancers and nonmalignant diseases by combining light, oxygen, and photosensitizers (PSs). However, the application of PDT is hindered by poor water solubility and limited light-penetration depth of the currently available photosensitizers (PSs). Water solubility of PSs is crucial for designing pharmaceutical formulation and administration routes. Wavelength of light source at visible range normally has therapeutic depth less than 1 mm. In this review, focus is on the recent research progress of metal-based nanoparticles being applied in PDT. The potential toxicity of these nanoscales and future directions are further discussed.

Is oxidative stress measured by thiol/disulphide homeostasis status associated with prostate adenocarcinoma?

Aim of the study

We aim to examine the relation between thiol/disulphide homeostasis and transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-Bx) results and evaluate whether it was effective on the distinction of benign and malign prostate disease.

Material and methods

The study included 29 men histopathologically diagnosed as prostate adenocancer (Pca) (group 1), 30 men having benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) (group 2) and age match 30 healthy individuals in the control group (group 3). Thiol/disulphide homeostasis was measured using a novel automatic and spectrophotometric method.

Results

Among the three groups, a statistically significant difference was detected among native thiol, total thiol levels and disulphide/total thiol, disulphide/native thiol and native thiol/total thiol ratios which are thiol/disulphide homeostasis parameters apart from disulphide (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). Additionally, no significant difference was detected in albumin and total protein levels among the groups (p = 0.223, p = 0.316 respectively). Serum native and total thiol levels were high and disulphide level was low in group 1 when compared to the group 2 (p = 0.003, p = 0.007, p = 0.265 respectively). In addition, serum native thiol, total thiol and disulphide levels were low in group 1 when compared to the group 3, but while low native and total thiol levels were significant, low disulphide levels were not found significant (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.331, respectively).

Conclusions

Thiol/disulphide homeostasis was found to be disturbed in Pca patients detected with TRUS-Bx. This is suggesting serum native thiol, total thiol level and ratios provides a novel biomarker for the role for oxidative stress in disease etiopathogenesis.