Gamma Tocopherol Reduced Chemotherapeutic-Induced ROS in an Ovarian Granulosa Cell Line, But Not in Breast Cancer Cell Lines In Vitro

Vitamins, Coenzyme Q10, and Antioxidant Strategies to Improve Oocyte Quality in Women with Gynecological Cancers: A Comprehensive Review

BACKGROUND

Gynecological cancers, including ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers, significantly affect both survival and reproductive health in women. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can impair ovarian function, reducing oocyte quality and fertility potential.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to evaluate how vitamins and antioxidants can enhance fertility and fertility preservation outcomes for women diagnosed with gynecological cancers, particularly in the context of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Standard treatments for these cancers, including hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, radiation, and chemotherapy, often compromise ovarian function and oocyte quality. This review focuses on the potential role of these interventions in improving oocyte quality, thereby supporting successful fertility preservation and ART outcomes.

METHODS

A comprehensive narrative review of the current literature was conducted, examining the effects of vitamins A, C, D3, E, and Coenzyme Q10 on oocyte quality, particularly in the context of oxidative stress and inflammation induced by cancer and its treatments.

RESULTS

The evidence suggests that certain vitamins and antioxidants may mitigate oxidative damage and enhance oocyte quality. Vitamin A supports cumulus-oocyte complex integrity, while vitamins C and E act as potent antioxidants, reducing oxidative stress in ovarian tissues. Vitamin D3 enhances ovarian reserve markers and modulates inflammatory cytokines. Coenzyme Q10 improves mitochondrial function and reduces DNA damage, increasing oocyte viability and fertilization potential.

CONCLUSIONS

The incorporation of specific vitamins and antioxidants into fertility preservation strategies may enhance oocyte quality in women with gynecological cancers. Although the preliminary findings are promising, further research is needed to determine optimal dosages and establish standardized protocols for clinical use.

Exploring the potential of tocopherols: mechanisms of action and perspectives in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer

Currently, breast cancer is the most common cause of mortality caused by neoplasia in women worldwide. The unmet challenges of conventional cancer therapy are chemoresistance and lack of selectivity, which can lead to serious side effects in patients; therefore, new treatments based on natural compounds that serve as adjuvants in breast cancer therapy are urgently needed. Tocopherols are naturally occurring antioxidant compounds that have shown antitumor activity against several types of cancer, including breast cancer. This review summarizes the antitumoral activity of tocopherols, such as the antiproliferative, apoptotic, anti-invasive, and antioxidant effects of tocopherols, through different molecular mechanisms. According to the studies described, α-T, δ-T and γ-T are the most studied in breast tumor cells; however, α-T and γ-T show a more critical antitumor activity and significant potential as a complements to chemotherapeutic drugs against breast cancer, enhancing toxicity against tumor cells and preventing cytotoxicity in nontumor cells. However, the possible relationship between tocopherol intake, related to concentration, and the promotion of cancer in particular cases should not be ruled out, so additional studies are required to determine the correct dose to obtain the desired antitumor effect. Moreover, nanomicelles of D-α-tocopherol have promising potential as pharmaceutical excipients for drug delivery to improve the cytotoxicity and selectivity of first-line chemotherapeutics against breast cancer.

Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide Peptide Alleviates Cyclophosphamide-Induced Male Reproductive Injury by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis

Chemotherapy is an important factor leading to male infertility. It is crucial to discover safe and effective treatments to prevent male reproductive injury caused by chemotherapy. The Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide (GLPP) has multiple pharmacological activities. The purpose of this study was to determine whether GLPP could protect the male sperm production from chemotherapeutic injury using a mouse model, with testicular damage induced by cyclophosphamide (CP). CP (50 mg/kg/day) was injected intraperitoneally into male ICR mice gavaged with different doses of GLPP at certain spermatogenic stages. The experimental results showed that GLPP alleviated the CP-induced reduction in reproductive organ coefficients and sperm parameters and reduced the morphological damage of testicular tissues in a dose-dependent manner. GLPP significantly improved the reproductive index, sperm-related parameters, sex hormone levels, and histological testis architecture at different spermatogenic stages. Furthermore, GLPP significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), Nrf2, and HO-1, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and Keap-1 in the testicular tissue, indicating reduced oxidative stress. In addition, GLPP limited CP-induced apoptosis via a reduction in Bax expression and increase in Bcl-2 expression. This study suggests that GLPP plays a protective role in spermatogenesis by reducing chemotherapeutic injury and might be developed into drug for male patients receiving chemotherapy.

Evaluation and optimisation of phenolic compounds extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide from the seeds of Plantago ovata and their comparison with conventional extraction

This study's main objectives are to evaluate and confirm the effects of the extraction process, operating conditions, solvent type and solvent polarity on the yield and quality of the extracts. Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) and Soxhlet were specially used in this study to extract bioactive chemicals from the seeds of a natural plant known as Plantago ovata. No studies have been published so far regarding the extraction from the seeds of this plant using scCO2.The effects of three operating parameters (pressure, temperature and particle size) on the extraction yield, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content (TFC), total tannin content (TTC) and antioxidant activity were assessed in this study using the Box-Behnken statistical experimental design (BBD). The chemical components in the extracts were separated and identified using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. According to the antioxidant activity results, scCO2 failed to produce bioactive compounds with interesting properties when operated within operating range conditions.

Effects of blended microbial feed additives on performance, meat quality, gut microbiota and metabolism of broilers

The present study investigated the effects of blend microbial feed additive (BMFA) in diet on performance, meat quality, gut microbiota and metabolism of broilers. In this study 240 seventy-day-old female Wenchang broilers were randomly allocated into four groups with five replicates of 12 broilers each. Broilers in the control group was fed only basal diet (S0), and the other three groups were fed the same basal diet supplemented with 0.2% (S1), 0.4% (S2), or 0.6% (S3) of BMFA, respectively. The trial continued for 54 days. The results showed that broilers in S2 and S3 had lower average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared with S0 and S1 (P < 0.05). However, diet supplementation with BMFA had no significantly influence on the average daily gain (ADG) and the ratio of ADFI to ADG (F/G) (P > 0.05). The highest thigh muscle percentage was observed in S2 (P < 0.05) among all groups. Diet supplementation with BMFA reduced the shear force in both breast and thigh muscles (P < 0.05) of broilers. An increase (P < 0.05) in the total unsaturated fatty acid (USFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and ratio of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acid (USFA/SFA) in breast muscles was observed in S3 compared with S0. It was found that the S3 had a relatively higher abundance of Lactobacillus (P < 0.001), as well as a lower abundance of the Bacteroides, Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, Olsenella, Prevotellaceae UCG-001 and Prevotella (P < 0.05) than the S0. Correlation analysis indicated that a total of 17 differential metabolites between the S3 and S0 were significantly correlated with the 7 differential genera microflora. Overall, diet supplementation with 0.6% of BMFA can significantly improve the meat quality of broilers by decreasing the concentration of SFA and enhancing the levels of the total USFA, MUFA and USFA/SFA in breast muscles. Those findings were tightly bound to the higher proportion of Lactobacillus genus in the intestinal tract of broilers influenced by BMFA.

Effect of vitamins C and E on cancer survival; a systematic review

PURPOSE

Association between vitamins C (VC)/ E (VE) and cancer survival is inconsistent. This systematic review is aimed to summarize trials for effects of VC/VE on cancer survival.

METHODS

Relevant English trials were retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus databases, and Clinicaltrials.gov through 21/June/2022. Inclusion criteria were all trials which assessed sole/combinations intake of VC/VE on survival rate, mortality, or remission of any cancer. Exclusion criteria were observational and animal studies.

RESULTS

We reached 30 trials conducted on 38,936 patients with various cancers. Due to severe methodological heterogeneity, meta-analysis was impossible. High dose VC + chemotherapy or radiation was safe with an overall survival (OS) 182 days - 21.5 months. Sole oral or intravenous high dose VC was safe with non-significant change in OS (2.9-8.2 months). VE plus chemotherapy was safe, resulted in stabling diseases for 5 years in 70- 86.7% of patients and OS 109 months. It was found 60% and 16% non-significant reductions in adjusted hazard ratio (HR) deaths or recurrence by 200 mg/d tocotrienol + tamoxifen in breast cancer, respectively. Sole intake of 200-3200 mg/d tocotrienol before resectable pancreatic cancer was safe and significantly increased cancer cells' apoptosis. Combination VC and VE was non-significantly reduced 7% in rate of neoplastic gastric polyp.

CONCLUSION

Although our study is supported improvement of survival and progression rates of cancers by VC/VE, more high quality trials with large sample sizes are required to confirm.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020152795.

Camellia (Camellia oleifera bel.) seed oil reprograms gut microbiota and alleviates lipid accumulation in high fat-fed mice through the mTOR pathway

Camellia (Camellia oleifera bel.) seed oil (CO) is extensively used as an edible oil in China and Asian countries owing to its high nutritional and medicinal values. It has been shown that a high-fat diet enhances lipid accumulation and induces intestinal microbiota imbalance in mice. However, it is still to be learned whether CO prevents dyslipidemia through gut microbiota. Here, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis of the gut microbiota, we found that oral CO relieved lipid accumulation and reversed gut microbiota dysbiosis. Compared to mice (C57BL/6J male mice) fed a high-fat diet, treatment with CO regulated the composition and functional profiling communities related to the lipid metabolism of gut microbiota. The abundances of Dubosiella, Lactobacillus, and Alistipes were markedly increased in CO supplementation mice. In addition, the colon levels of isobutyric acid, pentanoic acid, and isovaleric acid were similar between the control and CO supplementation mice. Besides, the results indicated that CO supplementation in mice alleviated lipid droplet accumulation in the hepatocytes and subcutaneous adipose tissue, although the liver index did not show a difference. Notably, CO supplementation for 6 weeks significantly reduced the levels of LDL, TC, and TG, while enhancing the level of HDL in serum and liver. Meanwhile, we also identified that CO supplementation suppressed the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in high fat-fed (HF-fed) mice. Taken together, our results suggest that CO improved dyslipidemia and alleviated lipid accumulation in HF-fed mice, the molecular mechanisms possibly associated with the reorganization of gut microbiota, in particular, Alistipes and Dubosiella, mediated the inhibition of the mTOR pathway.

The Role of ROS as a Double-Edged Sword in (In)Fertility: The Impact of Cancer Treatment

Simple Summary

Tumor cells are highly resistant to oxidative stress, but beyond a certain threshold, it may lead to apoptosis/necrosis. Thus, induced loss of redox balance can be a strategy used in anticancer therapies. However, the effectiveness of drugs contrasts with unknown mechanisms involved in the loss of fertility. Considering that cancer patients’ life expectancy is increasing, it raises concerns about the unknown adverse effects. Therefore, new strategies should be pursued alongside explaining to the patients their options regarding the reproduction side effects.

Abstract

Tumor cells are highly resistant to oxidative stress resulting from the imbalance between high reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and insufficient antioxidant defenses. However, when intracellular levels of ROS rise beyond a certain threshold, largely above cancer cells’ capacity to reduce it, they may ultimately lead to apoptosis or necrosis. This is, in fact, one of the molecular mechanisms of anticancer drugs, as most chemotherapeutic treatments alter redox homeostasis by further elevation of intracellular ROS levels or inhibition of antioxidant pathways. In traditional chemotherapy, it is widely accepted that most therapeutic effects are due to ROS-mediated cell damage, but in targeted therapies, ROS-mediated effects are mostly unknown and data are still emerging. The increasing effectiveness of anticancer treatments has raised new challenges, especially in the field of reproduction. With cancer patients’ life expectancy increasing, many aiming to become parents will be confronted with the adverse effects of treatments. Consequently, concerns about the impact of anticancer therapies on reproductive capacity are of particular interest. In this review, we begin with a short introduction on anticancer therapies, then address ROS physiological/pathophysiological roles in both male and female reproductive systems, and finish with ROS-mediated adverse effects of anticancer treatments in reproduction.

Development of Stable Tocopherol Succinate-Loaded Ethosomes to Enhance Transdermal Permeation: In-Vitro and In-Vivo Characterizations

BACKGROUND

Tocopherol succinate (TS) represents synthetic derivative of α-tocopherol (vitamin E), it act as anti-aging, moisturizing and antioxidant. Ultraviolet (UV) photo stability of TS is low and it cause skin irritation.

AIM

To develop tocopherol succinate loaded ethosomal gel for topical TS delivery and to evaluate its moisturizing and anti-aging effects.

METHOD

Cold method technique was used to produce ethosomal formulations (N=9) by varying ethanol and lipid concentrations (F1-F9). The most optimized formulation (F5) was selected for further study on the basis of characterization. F5 Formulation was incorporated into gel. Ex vivo permeation study was done by using Franz diffusion cell. Non-invasive in-vivo study was performed by using corneometer for evaluation of skin moisture content and skin mechanical properties by using cutometer, for 12 weeks on human subjects (N=13).

RESULTS

Particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP) and polydispersity index (PDI), Entrapment efficiency were found to be 179.1 nm, -13.7 mV and 0.345, 99.71% respectively. TEM depicted spherical ethosomal particles. Ethosomal gel and control gel were evaluated for Conductivity and pH. Rheological analysis revealed a non-Newtonian flow. The release profile showed Initial burst and then sustained release, release data followed Korsmeyer-Peppas model. TS loaded ethosomal gel appeared physically stable and showed significant results in terms of skin capacitance and mechanical properties.

CONCLUSION

The prepared ethosomal gel formulation containing TS is more stable with enhanced antioxidant, moisturizing properties and increased TS deposition into the skin layer.

Antioxidants for the Treatment of Breast Cancer: Are We There Yet?

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women. Oxidative stress and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been related to cancer progression. Compared to their normal counterparts, tumor cells show higher ROS levels and tight regulation of REDOX homeostasis to maintain a low degree of oxidative stress. Traditionally antioxidants have been extensively investigated to counteract breast carcinogenesis and tumor progression as chemopreventive agents; however, there is growing evidence indicating their potential as adjuvants for the treatment of breast cancer. Aimed to elucidate whether antioxidants could be a reality in the management of breast cancer patients, this review focuses on the latest investigations regarding the ambivalent role of antioxidants in the development of breast cancer, with special attention to the results derived from clinical trials, as well as their potential use as plausible agents in combination therapy and their power to ameliorate the side effects attributed to standard therapeutics. Data retrieved herein suggest that antioxidants play an important role in breast cancer prevention and the improvement of therapeutic efficacy; nevertheless, appropriate patient stratification based on "redoxidomics" or tumor subtype is mandatory in order to define the dosage for future standardized and personalized treatments of patients.

Primary and Secondary Markers of Doxorubicin-Induced Female Infertility and the Alleviative Properties of Quercetin and Vitamin E in a Rat Model

The incidence of cancer has recently risen among the women at the reproductive age. Therefore, exposure to doxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy has become a cause of reproductive toxicity followed by secondary destructive effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of quercetin (QCT) and vitamin.E (Vit.E) on doxorubicin-induced toxicity in the ovary and uterus, and the secondary bone-related effects in a rat model. Animals were divided into six groups including control normal saline/corn oil (CON), QCT at 20 mg/Kg, Vit.E at 200 mg/Kg, DOX at accumulative 15 mg/Kg, DOX/QCT, and DOX/Vit.E. After 21 days of treatment, the alterations were analyzed in histoarchitecture, apoptosis, hormones secretion, the gene expression of aromatase and estrogen α-receptor (ER-α) in the uterine and ovarian tissues, and serum levels of bone-related factors. The results demonstrated the ameliorative effects of QCT and Vit.E on doxorubicin caused altered ovarian histology, increased apoptosis, decreased ovarian aromatase and ER-α gene expression (p-value<0.05), decreased estrogen and progesterone levels, decreased ALP (p-value<0.001), and increased osteocalcin (p-value<0.05). The findings suggested that the studied antioxidants administration could be a promising fertility preservation strategy in DOX-treated females.

Oxidative Stress and Inflammation as Targets for Novel Preventive and Therapeutic Approches in Non Communicable Diseases

As recently reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) has been rising over the last century representing the main cause of death and disability for the general population regardless of age, region, or gender [...].