Anti- Versus Pro-Inflammatory Metabololipidome Upon Cupping Treatment

The interplay of inflammation and placenta in maternal diabetes: insights into Hofbauer cell expression patterns

Introduction

Inflammation of the placenta is harmful to both the fetus and the mother. Inflammation is strongly associated with diabetes, a common complication of pregnancy. Hofbauer cells (HBCs), unique immune system cells of fetal origin in the placenta, play complex roles, including growth of placental villi and their branching, stromal remodelling, and angiogenesis.

Methods

Our study investigated the expression of IL-1β, IL-10, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2J2 and sEH in HBCs from patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) compared to healthy controls using immunohistochemistry. We also assessed the structure of the villus stroma using Masson´s trichrome.

Results

In T1DM, HBCs showed inflammatory activation characterised by increased IL-1β and decreased CYP epoxygenase expression compared to normal placentas. Conversely, significant inflammation in HBCs appeared less likely in GDM, as levels of IL-1β and CYP epoxygenases remained stable compared to normal placentas. However, GDM showed a significant increase in sEH expression. Both types of diabetes showed delayed placental villous maturation and hypovascularisation, with GDM showing a more pronounced effect.

Conclusion

The expression profiles of IL-1β, CYP epoxygenases and sEH significantlly differ between controls and diabetic placentas and between T1DM and GDM. These facts suggest an association of the CYP epoxygenase-EETs-sEH axis with IL-1β expression as well as villous stromal hypovascularisation. Given the stable high expression of IL-10 in both controls and both types of diabetes, it appears that immune tolerance is maintained in HBCs.

Luteolin alleviates depression-like behavior by modulating glycerophospholipid metabolism in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of LOD rats

BACKGROUND

Late-onset depression (LOD) is defined as primary depression that first manifests after the age of 65. Luteolin (LUT) is a natural flavonoid that has shown promising antidepressant effects and improvement in neurological function in previous studies.

AIMS

In this study, we utilized UPLC-MS/MS non-targeted metabolomics techniques, along with molecular docking technology and experimental validation, to explore the mechanism of LUT in treating LOD from a metabolomics perspective.

RESULTS

The behavioral results of our study demonstrate that LUT significantly ameliorated anxiety and depression-like behaviors while enhancing cognitive function in LOD rats. Metabolomic analysis revealed that the effects of LUT on LOD rats were primarily mediated through the glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. The levels of key lipid metabolites, phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), in the glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway were significantly altered by LUT treatment, with PC and PE showing significant correlations with behavioral indices. Molecular docking analysis indicated that LUT had strong binding activity with phosphatidylserine synthase 1 (PTDSS1), phosphatidylserine synthase 2 (PTDSS2), and phosphatidylserine decarboxylase (PISD), which are involved in the transformation and synthesis of PC, PE, and PS. Lastly, our study explored the reasons for the opposing trends of PC, PE, and PS in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex from the perspective of autophagy, which may be attributable to the bidirectional regulation of autophagy in distinct brain regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results revealed significant alterations in the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways in both the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of LOD rats. Moreover, LUT appears to regulate autophagy disorders by specifically modulating glycerophospholipid metabolism in different brain regions of LOD rats, consequently alleviating depression-like behavior in these animals.

Urtica cannabina L. water extract exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by regulating inflammatory cytokines: In vitro and in vivo evidence

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Urtica cannabina L. (U. cannabina) is a medicinal plant used in traditional Chinese and Kazakh medicine for treatment of various ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic pain, high blood pressure, and snake bites. However, very few studies have focused on the anti-inflammatory effects of U. cannabina and the mechanisms underlying these effects.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of U. cannabina, the underlying mechanisms, and its phytochemical profile.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of the U. cannabina water extract on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and paw edema in rats and analyzed its chemical components using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS).

RESULTS

U. cannabina water extract effectively inhibited the secretion of multiple inflammatory factors, and its corresponding mRNA expression in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells (p < 0.05). Tincture of U. cannabina water extract significantly reduced carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and levels of inflammatory factors (p < 0.05). A total of 31 compounds, which mainly include organic acids, were tentatively identified based on the comparison of their mass spectrum profiles with those recorded in a mass spectra database.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study elucidated the anti-inflammatory effect of U. cannabina water extract in vitro and in vivo and showed that the extract elicits the anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the activity of inflammatory cytokines. The results prove that U. cannabina is a valuable source of active compounds with anti-inflammatory activity.

Toxic cyanobacteria induce coupled changes in gut microbiota and co-metabolite of freshwater gastropods

Frequent outbreaks of harmful cyanobacterial blooms and the microcystins (MCs) they produce seriously affect the survival of aquatic organisms. Interactions between gut microbiota and hosts often play crucial roles in driving the adaptation of aquatic organisms to environmental changes. In this study, we investigated the phenotypic indicators of the freshwater gastropod Bellamya aeruginosa, after uptake of Microcystis aeruginosa and explored its gut microbial composition and gut metabolites in response to toxic cyanobacterial stress. Results showed that the MCs concentration in the hepatopancreas of snails fed with toxic cyanobacteria decreased from 2.64 ± 0.14 μg·g-1 on day 7 to 1.16 ± 0.10 μg·g-1 on day 14. The compositions of the intestinal microbiota of snails fed with different algae significantly differed, and the relative abundance of gut microbes such as Lactobacillus and Sphingobium significantly increased after feeding toxic cyanobacteria. Significant differences also existed in intestinal metabolites, the relative abundance of the following metabolites significantly increased: l-proline, 5,6-DHET, stachyose, raffinose, and 3-isopropylmalate. Sankey network diagrams showing links between gut microbes and gut metabolites. The association of Lactobacillus and Sphingobium with amino acids may be related to host tolerance to toxicity, and the linkages of gut microbes with metabolites such as levan, imidazolepropionic acid, and eicosanoids may be associated with involvement in host immune responses. The association of microbes with stachyose and raffinose can help the host to regulate energy homeostasis. These results reveal the underlying mechanisms of gut microbes in the snail adaptation to toxic cyanobacterial stress. This study could be great important for gaining new insights into toxic cyanobacteria-induced changes in snail gut microbes and metabolites and their roles in snail adaptation to toxic cyanobacterial stress, and may provide important insights into the use of freshwater gastropods for the prevention and control of cyanobacterial blooms.

Dietary EPA+DHA Mitigate Hepatic Toxicity and Modify the Oxylipin Profile in an Animal Model of Colorectal Cancer Treated with Chemotherapy

Irinotecan (CPT-11) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are commonly used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer, but chemotherapy-associated steatosis/steatohepatitis (CASSH) frequently accompanies their use. The objective of this study was to determine effect of CPT-11+5-FU on liver toxicity, liver oxylipins, and cytokines, and to explore whether these alterations could be modified by dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the form of fish oil (EPA+DHA). Tumor-bearing animals were administered CPT-11+5-FU and maintained on a control diet or a diet containing EPA+DHA (2.3 g/100 g). Livers were collected one week after chemotherapy for the analysis of oxylipins, cytokines, and markers of liver pathology (oxidized glutathione, GSSH; 4-hydroxynonenal, 4-HNE, and type-I collagen fiber). Dietary EPA+DHA prevented the chemotherapy-induced increases in liver GSSH (p < 0.011) and 4-HNE (p < 0.006). Compared with the tumor-bearing animals, ten oxylipins were altered (three/ten n-6 oxylipins were elevated while seven/ten n-3 oxylipins were reduced) following chemotherapy. Reductions in the n-3 fatty-acid-derived oxylipins that were evident following chemotherapy were restored by dietary EPA+DHA. Liver TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 were elevated (p < 0.05) following chemotherapy; dietary EPA+DHA reduced IL-6 (p = 0.09) and eotaxin (p = 0.007) levels. Chemotherapy-induced liver injury results in distinct alterations in oxylipins and cytokines, and dietary EPA+DHA attenuates these pathophysiological effects.

Acupuncture or cupping plus standard care versus standard care in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients: an assessor-blinded, randomized, controlled trial

Background

: Non-pharmacological strategies that have been proposed by complementary medical systems, can be effective in management of COVID-19.

Methods

: This study was designed as a three-arm, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. A total of 139 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were randomly assigned into three groups: (1) acupuncture (ACUG), (2) cupping (CUPG), and (3) control (CTRG). All participants received conventional treatment. The primary study endpoint included changes in respiratory signs including oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and respiratory rate (RR). The secondary endpoints were COVID-19-related hospitalization duration and serious adverse events such as intensive care unit (ICU) admission, intubation or death, all up to day 30. Also, improvements in cough, dyspnea, chest tightness, oxygen demand, anorexia, headache, weakness, sore throat, and myalgia were evaluated.

Results

: Forty-two patients in ACUG, 44 patients in CUPG, and 42 patients in CTRG completed the trial. After 3 days, SpO₂ and RR improved significantly in CUPG and ACUG compared with CTRG (effect size: 8.49 (6.4 to 10.57) and 8.51 (6.67 to 10.34), respectively: p<0.001). Compared with CTRG, patients in CUPG and ACUG recovered faster (mean difference: 6.58 (4.8 to 8.35) and 9.16 (7.16 to 11.15), respectively) and except for two patients in ACUG who were admitted to ICU, none of patients in ACUG or CUPG needed ICU or intubation (p<0.001 in comparison to CTRG). Amelioration of clinical COVID-19 related symptoms reached a high level of statistical significance in CUPG and ACUG in comparison with CTRG (p<0.01).

Conclusion

: Cupping and acupuncture are promising safe and effective therapies in management of COVID-19.

Anti-inflammatory potential of Lactobacillus reuteri LM1071 via eicosanoid regulation in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells

AIMS

To investigate anti-inflammatory effects of Lactobacillus reuteri LM1071 in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced inflammation RAW264.7 cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To evaluate anti-inflammatory activities of L. reuteri LM1071, LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were used. Gene expression levels of eight immune-associated genes including IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α and protein production levels of COX-1 and COX-2 were analysed. Moreover, the production of eicosanoids as important biomarkers for anti-inflammation was determined.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study demonstrates that L. reuteri LM1071 has anti-inflammatory potential by inhibiting the production of inflammation mediators such as NO, eicosanoids such as PGE1 & PGE2, pro-inflammatory cytokines and COX proteins. It can also enhance the production of inflammatory associated genes such as IL-11, BMP4, LEFTY2 and EET metabolite.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Lactobacillus reuteri is one of the crucial bacteria for food fermentation. It can be found in the gastrointestinal system of human and animals. Several studies have shown that L. reuteri has valuable effects on host health. The current study firstly demonstrated that L. reuteri has a beneficial effect on the inflammation containing the variation of eicosanoids (PGE1 and PGE2) which are one of the most important biomarkers and moreover eicosanoid-associated genes as well as proteins (COX-2).

Serumal Lipidomics Reveals the Anti-inflammatory Effect of Flax Lignans and Sinapic Acid in High-Fat-Diet-Fed Mice

Flax lignans (SDG) and sinapic acid (SA) both have the function of antioxidation and anti-inflammation. However, previous studies have focused mainly on biochemical measurements, gene expression analysis, and clinical assessments. There are limited studies that systematically reveal the underlying mechanism of the anti-inflammation effect of SDG or SA from the lipidomic point of view. Herein, the integrated lipidomic profiling platform was used for the analysis of free fatty acids (FFAs), phospholipids (PLs), triacylglycerols (TAGs), and oxylipins in high-fat (HF)-diet-fed mice after SDG or SA administration. Dietary supplementation of SDG or SA downregulated the levels of total TAGs and FFAs in the ApoE^-/- mice model. Furthermore, 28 potential lipids were screened out and considered as key evaluation factors to understand the anti-inflammation function and mechanism of SDG and SA. The results indicated that the anti-inflammatory effect of SDG and SA was principally exerted via regulation of lipid homeostasis.

TPPU treatment of burned mice dampens inflammation and generation of bioactive DHET which impairs neutrophil function

Oxylipins modulate the behavior of immune cells in inflammation. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) converts anti-inflammatory epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) to dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (DHET). An sEH-inhibitor, TPPU, has been demonstrated to ameliorate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and sepsis-induced inflammation via EETs. The immunomodulatory role of DHET is not well characterized. We hypothesized that TPPU dampens inflammation and that sEH-derived DHET alters neutrophil functionality in burn induced inflammation. Outbred mice were treated with vehicle, TPPU or 14,15-DHET and immediately subjected to either sham or dorsal scald 28% total body surface area burn injury. After 6 and 24 h, interleukin 6 (IL-6) serum levels and neutrophil activation were analyzed. For in vitro analyses, bone marrow derived neutrophil functionality and mRNA expression were examined. In vivo, 14,15-DHET and IL-6 serum concentrations were decreased after burn injury with TPPU administration. In vitro, 14,15-DHET impaired neutrophil chemotaxis, acidification, CXCR1/CXCR2 expression and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, the latter independent from p38MAPK and PI3K signaling. We conclude that TPPU administration decreases DHET post-burn. Furthermore, DHET downregulates key neutrophil immune functions and mRNA expression. Altogether, these data reveal that TPPU not only increases anti-inflammatory and inflammation resolving EET levels, but also prevents potential impairment of neutrophils by DHET in trauma.

A randomized, controlled phase II trial of maxillofacial and oral massage in attenuating severe radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis and lipid metabolite changes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PURPOSE

This randomized controlled phase II study investigated the efficacy, safety and underlying mechanism of maxillofacial and oral massage (MOM) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

METHODS

A total of 158 NPC patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to routine oral care and medication (the control group) or that with additional MOM (the treatment group). The primary endpoint was the incidence of severe radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis (SRTOM). In addition, the time of initiation and duration of RTOM and SRTOM, adverse events, dynamic changes of lipid metabolites in peripheral blood were analyzed.

RESULTS

Seventy-six patients in the treatment group and seventy-nine in the control group completed the trial. The incidence of SRTOM in the treatment group was lower than the control (26.3% vs. 46.8%, P = 0.008). The median initiation time to RTOM and SRTOM was significantly longer in the treatment group than the control (RTOM:12 vs 10 days, hazard ratio [HR] 0.52, P < 0.001; SRTOM: 28.5 vs 19 days, HR 0.5579, P = 0.002). While the median duration time of RTOM and SRTOM in the treatment group was shorter (RTOM: 20.7 vs 24.7 days, P = 0.001; SRTOM: 8.05 vs 13.08 days, P < 0.001). Only 1.3% of patients obtained grade 3 or higher adverse events during MOM. The anti-inflammatory lipids increased significantly after MOM, especially with 10.6 Gy or higher.

CONCLUSION

MOM significantly attenuated the incidence of SRTOM in NPC patients. The adverse events of MOM were slight and tolerant. MOM enhanced anti-inflammatory lipid metabolites, which might be an underlying mechanism.

Protectin DX restores Treg/Th17 cell balance in rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome via miR-20a

Regulatory T-cell (Treg)/T-helper 17 (Th17) cell balance plays an important role in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our study explored the protective effect of protectin DX (PDX), which restored Treg/Th17 cell balance in RA, and the role of the nucleotide-binding domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway in this process. Using mass spectrometry, we discovered that level of PDX decreased in active-RA patients and increased in inactive-RA patients compared with HCs, and serum PDX was a potential biomarker in RA activity detection (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.86). In addition, a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice model was constructed and PDX obviously delayed RA progression in the CIA model, upregulating Tregs and anti-inflammatory cytokines while downregulating Th17 cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, NLRP3 knockout and rescue experiments demonstrated that NLRP3 participated in PDX-mediated Treg/Th17 cell balance restoration, joint injury amelioration and inflammatory-response attenuation using Nlrp3-/- mice. Furthermore, microarray and verified experiments confirmed that PDX reduced NLRP3 expression via miRNA-20a (miR-20a). In summary, we confirmed for the first time that PDX could effectively ameliorate CIA progression by restoring Treg/Th17 cell balance, which was mediated by inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway via miR-20a.

Moving cupping therapy for plaque psoriasis: A PRISMA-compliant study of 16 randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Clinical treatment of plaque psoriasis typically involves a comprehensive therapy, which is expensive and unsatisfactory, and some medications have serious side effects. Moving cupping therapy has shown good clinical efficacy in the treatment of plaque psoriasis; it can significantly relieve skin inflammation and excessive thickening of plaque psoriasis and has fewer side effects. However, a comprehensive evaluation of the current clinical evidence regarding its use is lacking.

METHODS

Several databases were systematically searched from inception to March 2, 2020, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China Network Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wan Fang. This review included randomized controlled trials on plaque psoriasis treatment with the use of moving cupping and in combination with Chinese herbs or conventional Western medicine therapy. These trial findings were compared with the treatment results using placebo, pharmaceutical medications, or Chinese herbs. Moving cupping treatment frequency was also compared.

RESULTS

Sixteen trials with 1164 participants met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed that the intervention group (moving cupping therapy) had a significant effect compared with the no-moving cupping therapy group (weighted mean difference = -1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-1.58, -0.85], P < .00001 random model; I = 85%). Furthermore, moving cupping (weighted mean difference = -1.19, 95% CI [-1.98, -0.39], P = .003 random model; I = 85%) or combined with pharmaceutical medications (weighted mean difference = -1.55, 95% CI [-1.89, -1.20], P < .00001 random model; I = 0%) were better than pharmaceutical medications alone in treating plaque psoriasis. Cupping therapy significantly improved psoriasis recurrence rate (risk ratio = 0.33, 95% CI [0.16, 0.68], P = .003 fixed model; I = 28%). However, for the visual analogue score, moving cupping showed no obvious advantages (weighted mean difference = -0.27, 95% CI [-0.71, 0.17], P = .22 random model; I = 64%). Moreover, studies reported that moving cupping reduced serum tumor necrosis factor-α and vascular endothelial growth factor levels more significantly than pharmaceutical medications. Moving cupping was associated with few transient adverse reactions, such as redness, itching, and local skin burning.

CONCLUSION

Moving cupping therapy could be an effective treatment either alone or as a combination therapy for plaque psoriasis. However, further large-scale, rigorously designed trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Blueberry and/or Banana Consumption Mitigate Arachidonic, Cytochrome P450 Oxylipin Generation During Recovery From 75-Km Cycling: A Randomized Trial

Oxylipins are bioactive lipid oxidation products, have vital regulatory roles in numerous physiological processes including inflammation, and can be impacted by diet. This study determined if 2-weeks of blueberry and/or acute banana ingestion influenced generation of n-6 and n-3 PUFA-derived oxylipins during recovery from exercise-induced physiological stress. Cyclists (n = 59, 39 ± 2 years of age) were randomized to freeze-dried blueberry or placebo groups, and ingested 26 grams/d (1 cup/d blueberries equivalent) for 2 weeks. Cyclists reported to the lab in an overnight fasted state and engaged in a 75-km cycling time trial (185.5 ± 5.2 min). Cyclists from each group (blueberry, placebo) were further randomized to ingestion of a water-only control or water with a carbohydrate source (Cavendish bananas, 0.2 g/kg carbohydrate every 15 min) during exercise. Blood samples were collected pre- and post-2-weeks blueberry supplementation, and 0, 1.5, 3, 5, 24, and 48 h-post-exercise. Plasma oxylipins and blueberry and banana metabolites were measured with UPLC–tandem MS/MS. Significant time by treatment effects (eight time points, four groups) were found for 24 blueberry- and seven banana-derived phenolic metabolites in plasma (FDR adjusted p < 0.05). Significant post-exercise increases were observed for 64 of 67 identified plasma oxylipins. When oxylipins were grouped relative to fatty acid substrate [arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA)], and enzyme systems [cytochrome P450 (CYP), lipoxygenase (LOX)], banana and blueberry ingestion were independently associated with significant post-exercise reductions in pro-inflammatory ARA-CYP hydroxy- and dihydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs, DiHETrEs) (treatment effects, FDR adjusted p < 0.05). These trial differences were especially apparent within the first 3 h of recovery. In summary, heavy exertion evoked a transient but robust increase in plasma levels of oxylipins in cyclists, with a strong attenuation effect linked to both chronic blueberry and acute banana intake on pro-inflammatory ARA-CYP oxylipins.

Activation of Farnesoid X Receptor by Schaftoside Ameliorates Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity by Modulating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Aims: Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose leads to acute liver injury by inducing hepatic mitochondrial oxidative stress and inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms involved are still unclear. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) serves as a therapeutic target for the treatment of liver disorders, whose activation has been proved to protect APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. In this study, we examined whether FXR activation by schaftoside (SS), a naturally occurring flavonoid from Desmodium styracifolium, could protect mice against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity via regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation. Results: We first found that SS exhibited potent protective effects against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. The study reveals that SS is a potential agonist of FXR, which protects mice from hepatotoxicity mostly via regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation. Mechanistically, the hepatoprotective SS is associated with the induction of the genes of phase II detoxifying enzymes (e.g., UGT1A1, GSTα1), phase III drug efflux transporters (e.g., bile salt export pump, organic solvent transporter protein β), and glutathione metabolism-related enzymes (e.g., glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit [Gclm], glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit [Gclc]). More importantly, SS-mediated FXR activation could fine-tune the pro- and anti-inflammatory eicosanoids generation via altering eicosanoids metabolic pathway, thereby resulting in decrease of hepatic inflammation. In contrast, FXR deficiency can abrogate the above effects. Innovation and Conclusion: Our results provided the direct evidence that FXR activation by SS could attenuate APAP-induced hepatotoxicity via inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-B signaling and fine-tuning the generation of proinflammatory mediators' eicosanoids. Our findings indicate that strategies to activate FXR signaling in hepatocytes may provide a promising therapeutic approach to alleviate liver injury induced by APAP overdose.

The SP1-12LOX axis promotes chemoresistance and metastasis of ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic cancer. Chemoresistance, especially platinum-resistance, is closely related to metastasis of ovarian cancer, however, the molecular basis by which links chemoresistance and metastasis remains vague. Disordered arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism has been shown to play an important role in the advanced ovarian cancer. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism involving eicosanoid metabolism that controlling chemoresistance and metastasis of ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Cisplatin (DDP)-resistant SKOV3 (SKOV3-R) cells were constantly induced. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was performed to determine the AA metabolism in SKOV3 and SKOV3-R cells. Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and percentage of cell viability were tested using cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8). Realtime quantitative PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to evaluate indicated genes and proteins respectively. Bioinformatic analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) were performed to predict and identify the co-transcription factor of interest genes. Tumor growth and metastasis in the liver were assessed with nude mice by subcutaneously injection of SKOV3-R cells.

RESULTS

SKOV3-R cells expressed higher multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) MRP1 and MRP4. They showed enhanced metastatic ability and produced increased AA-derived eicosanoids. Mechanistically, MRPs, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers Snail and Slug, as well as key enzymes involved in AA-metabolism including 12-lipoxygenase (12LOX) were transcribed by the mutual transcription factor SP1 which was consistently upregulated in SKOV3-R cells. Inhibition of SP1 or 12LOX sensitized SKOV3-R cells to DDP and impaired metastasis in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Our results reveal that SP1-12LOX axis signaling plays a key role in DDP-resistance and metastasis, which provide a new therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

Annexin A1 Regulates NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Modifies Lipid Release Profile in Isolated Peritoneal Macrophages

Annexin A1 (AnxA1) is a potent anti-inflammatory protein that downregulates proinflammatory cytokine release. This study evaluated the role of AnxA1 in the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and lipid release by starch-elicited murine peritoneal macrophages. C57bl/6 wild-type (WT) and AnxA1-null (AnxA1^-/-) mice received an intraperitoneal injection of 1.5% starch solution for macrophage recruitment. NLRP3 was activated by priming cells with lipopolysaccharide for 3 h, followed by nigericin (1 h) or ATP (30 min) incubation. As expected, nigericin and ATP administration decreased elicited peritoneal macrophage viability and induced IL-1β release, more pronounced in the AnxA1^-/- cells than in the control peritoneal macrophages. In addition, nigericin-activated AnxA1^-/- macrophages showed increased levels of NLRP3, while points of co-localization of the AnxA1 protein and NLRP3 inflammasome were detected in WT cells, as demonstrated by ultrastructural analysis. The lipidomic analysis showed a pronounced release of prostaglandins in nigericin-stimulated WT peritoneal macrophages, while ceramides were detected in AnxA1^-/- cell supernatants. Different eicosanoid profiles were detected for both genotypes, and our results suggest that endogenous AnxA1 regulates the NLRP3-derived IL-1β and lipid mediator release in macrophages.

Effects of moving cupping therapy for plaque psoriasis: study protocol for a randomized multicenter clinical trial

BACKGROUND

It is difficult to achieve a balance among safety, efficacy, and cost for the clinical treatment of plaque psoriasis. The current treatment of psoriasis often involves comprehensive therapy such as topical plasters, internal medicine, and phototherapy, which are expensive, and some of the drugs have serious side effects. Moving cupping is a type of cupping that has been used clinically for thousands of years in China. It has the advantage of being inexpensive and easy to perform. Therefore, it is widely used in public hospitals in China for psoriasis treatment. However, a comprehensive evaluation of the current clinical evidence of its efficacy is lacking. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of moving cupping to treat plaque psoriasis.

METHODS

A multicenter, two-arm parallel group, single-blind, randomized, controlled trial will be conducted at six hospitals in China between August 1, 2019 and December 31, 2021. A total of 122 adult patients (aged 18-65 years) who meet the inclusion criteria are being recruited. Participants will receive either basic treatment combined with moving cupping therapy or basic treatment combined with moving cupping placebo. The treatment cycle will be 4 weeks, and the efficacy of treatment will be assessed weekly by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index during the treatment period and follow-up visits at weeks 6 and 8. The body surface area, physician's global assessment, Dermatology Life Quality Index, patient-reported quality of life, visual analog scale, Traditional Chinese Medication syndrome scoring scale, combined medication, and adverse events will also be recorded and compared to the relative baseline values.

DISCUSSION

The findings of this trial may lead to better decisions regarding the treatment of plaque psoriasis. If the trial outcomes are considered favorable, this ancient Chinese medical therapy may be worthy of widespread use because of its convenience and low cost.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered on May 15,2019 at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier number NCT03952676.

Oxidized Lipids in Persistent Pain States

Chemotherapy, nerve injuries, or diseases like multiple sclerosis can cause pathophysiological processes of persistent and neuropathic pain. Thereby, the activation threshold of ion channels is reduced in peripheral sensory neurons to normally noxious stimuli like heat, cold, acid, or mechanical due to sensitization processes. This leads to enhanced neuronal activity, which can result in mechanical allodynia, cold allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, spontaneous pain, and may initiate persistent and neuropathic pain. The treatment options for persistent and neuropathic pain patients are limited; for about 50% of them, current medication is not efficient due to severe side effects or low response to the treatment. Therefore, it is of special interest to find additional treatment strategies. One approach is the control of neuronal sensitization processes. Herein, signaling lipids are crucial mediators and play an important role during the onset and maintenance of pain. As preclinical studies demonstrate, lipids may act as endogenous ligands or may sensitize transient receptor potential (TRP)-channels. Likewise, they can cause enhanced activity of sensory neurons by mechanisms involving G-protein coupled receptors and activation of intracellular protein kinases. In this regard, oxidized metabolites of the essential fatty acid linoleic acid, 9- and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (HODE), their dihydroxy-metabolites (DiHOMEs), as well as epoxides of linoleic acid (EpOMEs) and of arachidonic acid (EETs), as well as lysophospholipids, sphingolipids, and specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) have been reported to play distinct roles in pain transmission or inhibition. Here, we discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms of the oxidized linoleic acid metabolites and eicosanoids. Furthermore, we critically evaluate their role as potential targets for the development of novel analgesics and for the treatment of persistent or neuropathic pain.

Maresin 1 improves the Treg/Th17 imbalance in rheumatoid arthritis through miR-21

Objective

Treg/Th17 imbalance plays an important role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Maresin 1 (MaR1) prompts inflammation resolution and regulates immune responses. We explored the effect of MaR1 on RA progression and investigated the correlation between MaR1 and Treg/Th17 balance.

Methods

Both patients with RA and healthy controls were recruited into the study. Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model was constructed to detect the clinical score, histopathological changes and Treg/Th17 ratio. Purified naive CD4+ T-cells were used to study the effect of MaR1 on its differentiation process and microRNA microarray studies were performed to investigate MaR1 downstream microRNAs in this process. MicroRNA transfection experiments were conducted by lentivirus to verify the mechanism of MaR1 on Treg/Th17 balance.

Results

Compared with controls, the MaR1 concentration was higher in the patients with inactive RA and lower in the patients with active RA. Expression of the Treg transcription factor FoxP3 was the highest in inactive RA and the lowest in active RA, while the Th17 transcription factor RORc showed a reverse trend. An inverse correlation was observed between the FoxP3/RORc ratio and Disease Activity Score 28. Intervention of MaR1 in the CIA model reduced joint inflammation and damage, and improved the imbalanced Treg/Th17 ratio. MaR1 increased Treg cells proportion while reduced Th17 cells proportion under specific differentiation conditions. Furthermore, miR-21 was verified as MaR1 downstream microRNA, which was upregulated by MaR1, modulating the Treg/Th17 balance and thus ameliorating the RA progression.

Conclusions

MaR1 is a therapeutic target for RA, likely operating through effects on the imbalanced Treg/Th17 ratio found in the disease.