The Critical Role of Growth Factors in Gastric Ulcer Healing: The Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms and Potential Clinical Implications

Structural characterization of Dendrobium huoshanense polysaccharides and its gastroprotective effect on acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in mice

Dendrobium huoshanense (DH) is a medicinal plant known for its efficacy in improving gastrointestinal diseases. In this study, a novel polysaccharide, DHPs-1, was isolated and purified from DH, and its structural characteristics were analyzed using advanced methodologies, including monosaccharide composition analysis, methylation, FT-IR spectroscopy, and NMR. The gastroprotective effect of DHPs-1 was assessed using a mouse model of chronic gastric ulcers induced by acetic acid. The results revealed that DHPs-1 is primarily composed of mannose (Man) and glucose (Glc) with a molecular weight of 3.137 × 106 Da. The purified polysaccharide DHPs-1 is primarily composed of →4)-β-D-Glcp-(1 → and →4)-β-D-Manp-(1→, with an acetyl substitution at the C-2 position of Man. DHPs-1 exhibited a pronounced protective effect against acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcers in mice by modulating gastric defense factors and inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, DHPs-1 downregulated the expression of p-p65/p-IκBα in gastric tissues, thereby mitigating gastric mucosal injury. These findings suggest that DHPs-1 has the potential to serve as an effective gastric mucosal protective agent and could be developed into functional foods and dietary supplements.

A high-fat diet changes the interaction of the extracellular matrix, cytokines, and growth factors in gastric ulcer repair

BACKGROUND

Obesity is characterized by persistent low-grade inflammation that alters the gastrointestinal system and healing process. The link between obesity and the prevalence of stomach ulcers has not yet been fully established.

AIMS

We investigated the healing features of gastric lesions in male Swiss mice fed a standard diet (SD) or high-fat diet (HFD) using morphometric, biochemical, and molecular parameters.

METHODS

After 12 weeks on different diets, the animals underwent acetic acid-induced stomach ulcer surgery. To evaluate healing patterns, the stomachs of the animals were studied at five post-induction times, including the early, middle, and late phases of healing (1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days). Morphometric features, activity of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and 9), and measurement of inflammatory and growth factors were investigated using multiplex immunoassays.

RESULTS

Compared with the SD group, the HFD group demonstrated slowing of the early healing process. During the initial phase of the healing process, the SD group had significantly higher levels of EGF, VEGF-A, and VEGF-D than the HFD group. In the intermediate phase, only the SD group showed a 70 % increase in the regeneration area compared with the initial phase of the procedure. In this phase, the SD group also had higher levels of MMP-9, VEGF-D, and HGF than the HFD group.

CONCLUSIONS

HFD can have a negative impact on the healing process of gastric ulcers in animals by delaying repair in gastric tissue when compared with animals consuming SD.

Parkia pendula polysaccharides have no acute toxicity and prevent ethanol-induced gastric ulcers via downregulation of TBARS, IL-6, and TNF-α and upregulation of SOD, CAT, and IL-10

We investigated the safety of Parkia pendula exudate polysaccharide (PePp) for acute toxicity and its gastroprotective effect on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. In the acute toxicity test, animals were treated with a single dose of PePp (2000 mg/kg body weight) and evaluated for behavioral parameters, morbidity and mortality; also biochemical, hematological, and histopathological analysis. The mice were pretreated with a single dose of PePp (10, 25, 50 mg/kg) or ranitidine (80 mg/kg) before gastric ulcer induction with ethanol (99.9 %, orally). Subsequently, the stomachs were analyzed for macroscopic and histopathological parameters and the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxidation, and cytokines IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10. PePp did not cause any changes in acute toxicity parameters. Pretreatment with PePp inhibited the formation of gastric ulcers by 52 %, 71 %, and 83 % at doses of 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg, respectively. Macroscopic improvements and treating gastric tissue exudative inflammatory infiltrate reduction were dose-dependent on PePp. In gastric tissue, PePp presented antioxidative effects, evidenced by increasing CAT and SOD activities and reducing lipid peroxidation; it also showed anti-inflammatory effects, evidenced by reduced IL-6 and TNF-α levels and elevated IL-10 levels. PePp is toxicologically safe and has a gastroprotective effect on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers.

The Role of Triterpenoids in Gastric Ulcer: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potentials

Gastric ulcer (GU) is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder impacting millions worldwide, with complex pathogenic mechanisms that may progress to severe illnesses. Conventional therapies relying on anti-secretory agents and antibiotics are constrained by drug abuse and increased bacterial resistance, highlighting the urgent need for safer therapeutic alternatives. Natural medicinal compounds, particularly triterpenoids derived from plants and herbs, have gained significant attention in recent years due to their favorable efficacy and reduced toxicity profiles. Emerging evidence indicates that triterpenoids exhibit potent anti-ulcer properties across various experimental models, modulating key pathways involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mucosal protection. Integrating current knowledge of these bioactive compounds facilitates the development of natural triterpenoids, addresses challenges in their clinical translation, deepens mechanistic understanding of GU pathogenesis, and drives innovation of therapeutic strategies for GU. This review comprehensively evaluates the progress of research on triterpenoids in GU treatment since 2000, discussing their biological sources, structural characteristics, pharmacological activities, and mechanisms of action, the animal models employed in the studies, current limitations, and the challenges associated with their clinical application.

Unlocking the potential of Radix Astragali and its active ingredients in gastric ulcer therapy

We studied the protective effects of Radix Astragali (RA) on gastric ulcer (GU). A literature search was conducted using databases from Web of Science, PubMed, Springer, ScienceDirect, Science Direct Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang. The inclusion criteria for this study were limited to reports on the effects of RA, AS-IV, cycloastragenol, astragalus polysaccharide (APS), and astragalosides (AST) in the treatment of gastric ulcers. Any studies involving gastric lesions that were precancerous or cancerous were eliminated. The search period was from database inception through June 2024. The results suggested RA hold promiseas potential novel therapeutics for the therapy of GU.

Protective effects of vincamine against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer by attenuation of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α mRNA expression levels in the gastric mucosa of BALB/c mice

Vincamine, a monoterpenoid alkaloid, and an active constituent of plant Catharanthus roseus Linn, has been proclaimed for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study was designed to evaluate the gastroprotective activity of Vincamine by ameliorating gastric ulcer in BALB/c mice. The study was also designed to find the possible mechanism of gastric protection by exploring the impact of Vincamine on gastric pH, acidic content, observing histopathology and molecular expression of inflammatory mediators like Interleukin- β (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α) and oxidative stress markers in the gastric tissue. A total number of 36 BALB/c mice were divided into 6 groups mainly normal control (NC) treated with normal saline, disease control (DC) treated with high dose of absolute ethanol (5ml/kg) while treatment groups involved pretreatment with low- dose Vincamine (VLD) at 10mg/kg body weight, medium-dose vincamine (VMD) at 20mg/kg body weight and high- dose vincamine (VHD) at 40mg/kg body weight before ethanol high dose administration and reference drug control, omeprazole (OMT) at the dose of 20 mg/kg body weight. Molecular expression levels of mRNA expressions of inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF- α were evaluated by using reverse transcription real time polymerase chain reaction method (RT-PCR). Pre-treatment of DC group with low (VLD), medium (VMD) and high doses (VHD) of vincamine improved gastric ulcer score and ameliorated histopathological parameter such as, infiltration of inflammatory cells, edema, fibrinoid necrosis, hemorrhage, and erosion score when compared to DC group. Induction of gastric model significantly increased (all P < 0.05) the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF- α in the gastric tissue when same was compared to normal control group (NC). Pretreatment of DC group with different doses of vincamine (VLD, VMD and VHD) significantly downregulated (all P < 0.05) the mRNA expressions of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF- α and ameliorated oxidative stress marker MDA and increased antioxidant markers like SOD and GSH in the gastric tissue when same was compared to the DC group. In a nutshell, vincamine provide gastric protection in the BALB/c mice of gastric ulcer group by increasing the gastric pH, attenuated total acidity of the stomach and modulated infiltration of inflammatory cells, edema, fibrinoid necrosis, hemorrhage, and erosion score when compared to the DC group. Furthermore, vincamine possesses antiulcer and gastroprotective activity which may be ascribed to down-regulation the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF- α in the gastric tissue of disease control group. Vincamine also provide gastroprotective role by increasing the concentration of SOD and GSH while decreasing the MDA in gastric tissue.

Bletilla ochracea Schltr. protects against ethanol-induced acute gastric ulcers by alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation and modulating gut microbiota

Gastric ulcers (GUs) are superficial diffuse lesions of the gastric mucosa that are characterised by being vulnerable to infection, difficult to cure and liable to recur. Bletilla ochracea Schltr. (BO) has the effects of astringent hemostasis, muscle growth and pain relief. We examined the effects of BO on acute GUs and their potential mechanisms from the perspectives of inflammation, oxidative stress and gut microbiota. Results indicated that BO alleviated pathological injury to the gastric mucosa and markedly alleviated oxidative stress and inflammation. In addition, BO significantly upregulated the levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1 protein, and downregulated the levels of NF-κB p65, TLR4 protein. Moreover, BO significantly increased promoting the nuclear transfer of Nrf2 and markedly reduced the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. Furthermore, BO effectively modulated gut microbiota by increasing the diversity of species and relative abundance. Our study provided evidence that BO alleviated ethanol-induced acute GUs by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 and inhibiting the NF-κB p65/TLR4 signalling pathway, regulating dysbiosis of gut microbiota.

Gastroprotective effect of fucoidan from Sargassum siliquastrum against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury

The ethanol-induced BALB/c mice and human gastric epithelial cell (Ges-1 cell) models were used to investigate the Sargassum siliquastrum fucoidan (SFuc) gastroprotective capability. The injury score and histopathological sections of the stomach were used to evaluate the gastroprotective capability. The western blotting and RT-PCR methods determined the signaling mechanism of mice's gastric injury. SFuc is fucoidan with a molecular weight of 300.7 and 25.1 kDa. The injury score and ulcer index of the SFuc-200 group decreased by 3.85 and 2.06 folds in contrast with the Model group, respectively. The findings indicated that SFuc reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory factor expression in the gastric mucosa by downregulating the levels of associated genes within the TLR-4, MyD88, and MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways. Meanwhile, the SFuc-200 group promoted the expressions of EGF and PGE 2 by 1.53 and 1.52 folds, respectively. Together with the expression inhibition of p38, ERK, JNK, and NF-κB proteins in gastric tissue to help for differentiation of gastric cells. In addition, SFuc significantly reduced apoptosis occurrence in mice and Ges-1 cells. Our study provides potential mechanism clues of the SFuc's resistance to ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage, suggesting its potential functional food for gastric protection.

High paracrine activity of hADSCs cartilage microtissues inhibits extracellular matrix degradation and promotes cartilage regeneration

Due to its unique structure, articular cartilage has limited self-repair capacity. Microtissues are tiny tissue clusters that can mimic the function of target organs or tissues. Using cells alone for microtissue construction often results in the formation of necrotic cores. However, the extracellular matrix (ECM) of native cartilage can provide structural support and is an ideal source of microcarriers. Autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are widely used in cartilage tissue engineering. In this study, we fabricated microcarriers and compared the behavior of two homologous cell types in the microcarrier environment. The microcarrier environment highlighted the advantages of ADSCs and promoted the proliferation and migration of these cells. Then, ADSCs microtissues (ADSCs-MT) and BMSCs microtissues (BMSCs-MT) were fabricated using a three-dimensional dynamic culture system. In vitro and in vivo experiments verified that the cartilage regeneration ability of ADSCs-MT was significantly superior to that of BMSCs-MT. Transcriptomics revealed that ADSCs-MT showed significantly lower expression levels of ECM degradation, osteogenesis, and fibrocartilage markers. Finally, the protective effect of microtissues on inflammatory chondrocytes was validated. Overall, the ADSCs-MT constructed in this study achieved excellent cartilage regeneration and could be promising for the autologous application of cartilage microtissues.

Pomegranate as a natural remedy for gastric ulcers prevention: a review of its gastroprotective mechanisms and pharmacological benefits

Gastric ulcers (GUs) represent a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by mucosal damage and inflammation, often precipitated by factors such as Helicobacter pylori infection and the consumption of COX inhibitors. This comprehensive review investigates the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in the pathogenesis of GUs and assesses the potential therapeutic effects of Punica granatum (pomegranate, Pg) supplementation. Utilizing a series of experimental models, including indomethacin, aspirin, and alcohol-induced ulcers, we demonstrate that Pg extracts possess significant gastroprotective properties. The antioxidant activity of Pg is ascribed to its capacity to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS), enhance the activity of endogenous antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and diminish lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effects of Pg are mediated through the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β, in conjunction with the promotion of gastric mucosal protective agents. Histological analyses indicate that Pg extract preserves the architecture of gastric tissue and alleviates ulcer severity. These findings highlight the potential of Pg as a natural remedy for GUs, thereby necessitating further investigation into its mechanisms of action and optimal therapeutic formulations.

A Challenging Case of Giant Gastric Perforation: Insights From a Case Report

Gastric ulcer disease is a prevalent condition in the general population. The presence of giant gastric ulcers poses a challenge due to their increased risk of perforation and potential for malignancy. A giant gastric ulcer was discovered in a 43-year-old male with a history of gastric ulcer perforation and subsequent complications, including recurrent bleeding episodes despite multiple interventions. This case highlights the complexities of managing recurrent bleeding in patients with giant gastric ulcers and the need for a multifaceted approach combining medication and surgical intervention. The patient underwent initial treatment, involving exploratory laparotomy and gastrojejunostomy tube placement (which is a device that is inserted into the jejunum to provide nutrition, fluids, and medications), followed by various surgical procedures and was managed successfully. This case highlights the complex management of recurrent bleeding from a giant gastric ulcer, requiring multiple interventions and emphasizing the importance of long-term follow-up to avoid its possible complications.

Mechanisms of acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) and its combinational acupoints for stress gastric ulcer based on the correlation between Zang-fu and acupoints

Gastric ulcer (GU) is a common digestive system disease. Acupuncture, as one of the external treatments of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has the characteristics of multi-target, multi-pathway and multi-level action in the treatment of GU. The relationship between meridian points and Zang-fu is an important part of the theory of TCM, which is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. There is an external and internal link between acupoints and Zang-fu. The pathological reaction of Zang-fu can manifest as acupoint sensitization, while stimulation of acupoints can play a therapeutic role in the internal Zang-fu. Therefore, the acupoint has the functions of reflecting and treating diseases. This review explores the tender points on the body surface of patients with GU and the rules of acupoint selection. In addition, Zusanli (ST36), as one of the most used acupoints of the stomach meridian, was selected to show the mechanisms behind acupoint stimulation in the treatment of GU in greater detail, specifically in the well-studied model of the stress GU (SGU). Hence, the mechanisms of acupuncture at ST36 and points commonly used in combination with ST36 to treat SGU are discussed further. Treatment effects can be achieved through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, gastric mucosal injury repair, and interaction with the brain-gut axis. In summary, this review provides evidence for a comprehensive understanding of the phenomena and mechanism of acupoint functions for GU. Please cite this article as: He M, Lim XY, Li J, Li L, Zhang T. Mechanisms of acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) and its combinational acupoints for stress gastric ulcer based on the correlation between Zang-fu and acupoints. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 1-11.

Effects of no-ozone cold plasma and mouse mesenchymal stem cell treatments on wound healing in a mouse skin model

Skin wounds heal faster during stem cell differentiation. Cold plasma reportedly enhances cell proliferation and differentiation and enhances the efficacy of stem cell therapy. However, the exact mechanism of action involved remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of a combination therapy involving the transplantation of mouse mesenchymal stem cells (mMSCs) into mice with wounds followed by their activation using no-ozone cold plasma (NCP). Balb/c mMSCs were transplanted into BALB/c mice and treated with NCP for 5 min. The animals were divided into four groups based on treatments received: no treatment (Wound), mMSCs only (mMSC), NCP only (NCP), and both mMSC and NCP (mMSC + NCP). NCP treatment was administered six times over two weeks, and tissue samples were prepared by sacrificing the mice in the 1st and 2nd weeks. The wound healing efficacy was assessed using morphological, histological, and molecular approaches including wound healing length measurements, hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson trichrome staining, immunofluorescence staining, immunohistochemistry, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The wound healing effect was better in the mMSC + NCP group than that in the groups treated with either. Tracking the injected mMSCs in mice also revealed that the mMSC + NCP group had a greater survival rate. Furthermore, upon wound healing, the mMSC + NCP group exhibited elevated levels of growth factors, like platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, and vascular endothelial growth factor. These results suggest that NCP stimulated transplanted mMSCs, resulting in faster wound healing. Therefore, further studies are warranted in preclinical and clinical studies to confirm this effect.

Antiangiogenic therapy exerts antitumor effects by altering the tumor microenvironment: bibliometric analysis

Background

Antiangiogenic therapy can alter the tumor microenvironment (TME) and thus exert anti-tumor effects, and has the potential to increase the efficacy of conventional therapy and immunotherapy. The aim of this study was to examine current research hotspots and collaborative networks on the relationship between previous antiangiogenic therapies and the TME through bibliometric analysis.

Method

From the Web of Science Core Collection database, all publications from inception through December 2023 were downloaded. In-depth analysis was performed by Bibliometrix packages in R. Keywords and collaborative networks were analyzed using VOSviewers and Citespace.

Result

We obtained a total of 9027 publications. They come from 27 countries and were published in 1387 journals, with a total of 39,604 authors in the studied area. The number of publications increases dramatically from 2014 to 2023, accounting for 73.87% (6668/9027) of all publications. China and CANCERS have the highest number of publications on this topic and CANCER RESEACH is the most influential. In the last decade (2013- 2023), research has gradually shifted from studying the role of vascular endothelial growth factor in the TME to examining how antivascular therapy can contribute to the progression of cancer treatment. Furthermore, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems and immunotherapy have been widely explored in the past five years. The findings of this study will help scientists to explore this promising field in depth by providing insight into the relationship between antiangiogenic therapy and the TME.

Conclusion

The relationship between the antiangiogenic therapy and the TME has been developing rapidly, but cooperation between different institutions and countries is still limited. Researchers can use this study to identify hotspots and develop trends for related research, thereby facilitating the development and cooperative exchange in this field, as well as to suggest potential future research directions.

Integrated chemical analysis, metabolic profiling, network pharmacology, molecular docking and toxicity prediction to reveal the active ingredients and their safety of raw and prepared rhubarbs in the treatment of gastric ulcers

BACKGROUND

Rhubarb, containing raw rhubarb (RR) and two processed products (steamed rhubarb, SR; carbonized rhubarb, CR), is commonly used in high-doses for the treatment of peptic ulcer, especially gastric ulcer (GU). However, their active ingredients, therapeutic targets, and potential mechanism remain unclear. Meanwhile, the safety of these active ingredients is also worth studying.

METHODS

An offline two-dimensional low-pressure liquid chromatography/high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry method was applied to identify the chemical constituents of RR, SR, and CR. Then, the plasma and urine samples of rats after oral administration of RR, SR, and CR were studied for metabolite profiling. Based on the analysis of ingredients in vivo, the key active constituents, core therapeutic targets and key signaling pathways of RR, SR, and CR against GU were screened via network pharmacology and molecular docking. Finally, the efficacy and safety of these key active ingredients were evaluated.

RESULTS

Totally, 183, 120 and 115 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized from RR, SR and CR, respectively. Meanwhile, 190, 182 and 180 components were identified after oral administration of RR, SR and CR. By network pharmacology and molecular docking, torachrysone, hydroxyemodin, 6-methylrhein, rhein and emodin anthrone might be the predominant effective constituents in RR, SR, and CR with AKT1 and EGFR being their key targets during the treatment of GU. Moreover, EGFR/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway might play a crucial role in the therapeutic mechanism of GU. In silio ADMET predictions categorized 5 compounds as drugs with good oral bioavailability, but these components may induce liver injury.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our results not only clarified the active substances and molecular mechanism for enhancing our understanding about the traditional efficacy, but also pay attention to the clinical safety issues of raw and prepared rhubarbs.

FOXO1-mTOR pathway in vascular pericyte regulates the formation of type H vessels to control bone metabolism

Background

As the population aging progresses, age-related osteoporosis has become one of the most common and severe chronic degenerative diseases. Due to insufficient understanding of its complex pathomechanisms, current clinical treatments often suffer from many negative effects. Type H vessels play critical role in bone remodeling owing to their specialized function in coupling angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Increasing evidences have shown a close association between the age-related decline of type H vessels and bone loss. However, the underlying mechanisms whereby the regression of type H vessels with aging remain largely unknown.

Methods

Col2-Cre ERT /Foxo1 flox/flox mice and FOXO1 inhibitor (AS1842856) treated adult (6 months) and middle aged (10 months) mice were utilized for evaluating the variations in bone volume, bone microarchitecture and type H vessels through micro-CT scanning analysis, histological staining and immunofluorescence staining. In vitro tube-forming and scratch assays were applied to evaluate the angiogenic capacity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to AS1842856 or conditioned culture milieu of Human Brain Vascular Pericytes (HBVPs). The expression of pericyte marker proteins, myofibroblast-related proteins and genes in inhibitors-stimulated HBVPs were detected via western blot analysis and Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Furthermore, perivascular myofibroblastic-like transformation was confirmed in AS1842856-treated animal models through immunofluorescence staining. We also constructed Adipoq-Cre/Foxo1 flox/flox conditional knockout mice and measured their bone mass and type H vessels by micro-CT and immunofluorescence staining. Mechanistic experiments in vitro were conducted via detection of mTOR signalling expression in HBVPs with pharmacological intervention (AS1842856 and rapamycin), genetic knockdown of Foxo1, or FOXO1-overexpression plasmid treatment, verified by RT-qPCR, western blot analysis and cellular immunofluorescence staining. In vivo validation was conducted on Adipoq-Cre/Foxo1 flox/flox mice using immunofluorescence staining. Finally, alterations in osteo-morphology and type H vessels were verified in AS1842856-treated and rapamycin-treated aged mouse models.

Results

This study identified FOXO1 in pericytes as key components for the formation of type H vessels. We found that FOXO1 expression in pericytes decreases with aging, and pharmacological blocking with AS1842856 promoted type H vessels degeneration and increased bone loss in adult and middle-aged mice, while rapamycin prevented the above pathology in middle-aged mice. We further showed that the loss of FOXO1 in Adipoq + pericytes led to degeneration of type H vessels and bone loss in mice. Mechanistically, the inhibition of FOXO1 by AS1842856 or knockdown of Foxo1 by siRNAs activated mTOR signaling, thereby resulting in the myofibroblastic transformation of pericytes. Furthermore, blocking mTOR signaling by rapamycin rescued the above effects in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion

Our findings uncover a hitherto unknown role of FOXO1 in maintaining the phenotype and function of pericytes, thereby promoting formation of type H vessels. This suggests that targeting the FOXO1-mTOR pathway in pericytes could be a potential therapeutic approach to overcome the regression of type H vessels and bone degeneration with aging.

The translational potential of this article

Our research uncovers a previously unidentified role of FOXO1 in preserving pericyte characteristics and promoting the development of type H vessels. Future translational research targeting the FOXO1-mTOR pathway in pericytes may provide new strategies for the prevention and treatment of age-related osteoporosis in the clinic.

Dehydroevodiamine targeting IKKβ to alleviate acute gastric injury via inhibiting the p65/NLRP3 axis

BACKGROUND

Acute gastric injury, a common and recurring global digestive disorder, significantly impairs patient quality of life and overall health. Dehydroevodiamine (DHE), a bioactive natural product derived from Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Juss.) Hartley, shows potential therapeutic effects on acute gastric injury. This study investigates the underlying mechanisms of DHE's alleviating effects on acute gastric injury.

METHODS

The gastric mucosal protective effect of DHE was confirmed through in vivo and in vitro acute gastric injury models. Biotin pulldown MS and molecular dynamics simulations identified DHE's target. CETSA and SPR assays validated DHE's affinity for IKKβ. Protein site mutation validation and MST pinpointed the direct binding sites of DHE on IKKβ. Additionally, the potential mechanism by which DHE ameliorates acute gastric injury was elucidated using WB, IHC, and IF methods, and further confirmed by rescue experiments.

RESULTS

DHE effectively ameliorated IDO-induced gastric injury in GES-1 cells and rat gastric mucosa, both in vitro and in vivo. Biotin pulldown MS identified IKKβ as the target of DHE in alleviating gastric injury. CETSA and SPR assays confirmed DHE's direct binding to IKKβ. Molecular dynamics simulations, protein mutation experiments, and MST results pinpointed GLU-149, GLU-49, and ASP-103 in the ATP-binding pocket as the binding sites of DHE on IKKβ. Notably, DHE was found to competitively bind to IKKβ with ATP. Mechanistically, DHE attenuated IDO-induced gastric injury by inhibiting the IKKβ-p65/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Importantly, exogenous activation of IKKβ reversed the therapeutic effect of DHE, indicating that DHE's efficacy depends on IKKβ.

CONCLUSION

DHE attenuated IDO-induced gastric injury by inhibiting the IKKβ-p65/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Notably, DHE is a novel ATP-competitive IKKβ inhibitor that prevents phosphorylation by targeting GLU-149, GLU-49, and ASP-103 in the ATP-binding pocket. This study reveals new targets of action for DHE, providing a new molecular basis for using DHE in treating inflammation-related diseases.

The Potential of Human Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells Secretome Based Topical Gel for Therapeutic Application

Background

Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) might be worsened by neuropathy and vascular issues. This condition can cause 14.3% fatality, stressing the need for effective wound healing therapy. Wound healing is a complex biological process, and human Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hWJMSCs) may help manage DFU treatment issues. This research focuses on utilizing a gel carrier to deliver bioactive substances from Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells secretome (hWJ-MSCs-Sec) as a possible treatment for DFU.

Methods

To maintain quality, hWJMSCs-Sec is thoroughly mixed with carbomer gel and freeze-dried. ELISA test is performed to determine the characterization of the gel of hWJMSCs-Sec such as Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF), Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), and Heparin-Binding EGF-Like Growth Factor (HB-EGF). The antioxidant activity was also measured with Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), Nitric oxide (NO), and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay. Proliferation assay was utilized using WST-8 and the wound healing potential was assessed via the migration cell ability of scratched-human skin fibroblast (BJ cells).

Results

The freeze-dried hWJ-MSCs-Sec showed higher levels of KGF, HGF, PDGF, EGF, HB-EGF, and the antioxidant activities compared to fresh hWJ-MSCs-Sec. Additionally, the gel of freeze-dried hWJ-MSCs-Sec exhibited higher levels compared to the gel of fresh hWJMSCs-Sec. This was evidenced by faster closure of scratched wounds on BJ cells treated with hWJMSCs-Sec and freeze-dried hWJ-MSCs-Sec gel.

Conclusion

The freeze-dried hWJ-MSCs-Sec gel exhibits superior quality compared to the non-freeze-dried hWJ-MSCs-Sec gel. This demonstrates that the freeze-drying procedure can maintain the bioactive chemicals found in hWJMSCs-Sec, potentially enhancing the efficacy of this gel in promoting cell regeneration for wound healing.

Dysbiosis of gut microbiota is associated with pathogenesis of peptic ulcer diseases through inflammatory proteins: A Mendelian randomization study

The gut microbiota and inflammatory proteins may affect the development of peptic ulcer disease. However, this association remains unclear. We analyzed genome-wide association study data of gut microbiota, inflammatory proteins, and peptic ulcer disease using Mendelian randomization with instrumental variables to assess causal relationships. Various statistical methods, including inverse variance weighting, Mendelian randomization Egger regression, and sensitivity analysis were employed to evaluate the data and calculate mediation ratios. Our findings reveal that the genus Butyriciccus plays a role in mitigating the adverse effects of gastric ulcers by 7.9%, primarily through reducing beta-negative growth factor levels. Additionally, the genus Lachnospiraceae UCG004 can significantly alleviate the negative outcomes of gastric ulcers and reduces hepatocyte growth factor and beta-reserve growth factor levels by 6.39% and 7.45%, respectively. This study highlights the independent and mediating effects of the gut microbiota and inflammatory proteins on peptic ulcers, offering insights on potential pathways and targets for future preventive interventions.

pH-responsive bioadhesive with robust and stable wet adhesion for gastric ulcer healing

Development of bioadhesives that can be facilely delivered by endoscope and exhibit instant and robust adhesion with gastric tissues to promote gastric ulcer healing remains challenging. In this study, an advanced bioadhesive is prepared through free radical polymerization of ionized N-acryloyl phenylalanine (iAPA) and N-[tris (hydroxymethyl) methyl] acrylamide (THMA). The precursory polymer solution exhibits low viscosity with the capability for endoscope delivery, and the hydrophilic-hydrophobic transition of iAPA upon exposure to gastric acid can trigger gelation through phenyl groups assisted multiple hydrogen bonds formation and repel water molecules on tissue surface to establish favorable environment for interfacial interactions between THMA and functional groups on tissues. The in-situ formed hydrogel features excellent stability in acid environment (14 days) and exhibits firm wet adhesion to gastric tissue (33.4 kPa), which can efficiently protect the wound from the stimulation of gastric acid and pepsin. In vivo studies reveal that the bioadhesive can accelerate the healing of ulcers by inhibiting inflammation and promoting capillary formation in the acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. Our work may provide an effective solution for the treatment of gastric ulcers clinically.

Gastroprotective role of a flavonoid-rich subfraction from Fridericia chica (Bonpl.) L. G. Lohmann: a medicinal plant used in the Amazon region

Fridericia chica is an Amazonian plant used to treat stomach disorders. However, the pharmacological activity of flavonoids in the extract has yet to be investigated. Therefore, we considered that a flavonoid-rich F. chica subfraction (FRS) has gastroprotective functions. For this, before the induction of gastric ulcers with ethanol or piroxicam, the rats received vehicle (water), omeprazole (30 mg/kg), or FRS (30 mg/kg), and the ulcer area was measured macro and microscopically, and the antisecretory action was investigated in pylorus-ligated rats. In addition, the roles of nitric oxide (NO) and nonprotein sulfhydryl compounds (NP-SH) in the gastroprotective effects of FRS were studied. FRS reduced ethanol- and piroxicam-induced ulcerations by 81% and 77%, respectively, as confirmed histologically. Antioxidant effects were observed for FRS through the maintenance of GSH and LPO levels, and the SOD and CAT activity similar to those found in the nonulcerated group. Moreover, FRS avoided the increase in MPO activity and TNF, IL-6, IL-4 and IL-10 levels. Moreover, mucin staining increased in ulcerated rats receiving FRS, and the pharmacological mechanism gastroprotective seems to involve the NO and NP-SH in addition to antisecretory actions. The chemical study by mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of flavonoids in FRS, and molecular docking studies have shown that these compounds interact with cyclooxygenase-1 and NO synthase. Furthermore, there was no indication that FRS had cytotoxic effects. Our results support the popular use of F. chica, and we conclude that the gastroprotection effect promoted by FRS can be attributed to the combined effect of the flavonoids.

Growth factor-functionalized titanium implants for enhanced bone regeneration: A review

Titanium and titanium alloys are widely favored materials for orthopedic implants due to their exceptional mechanical properties and biological inertness. The additional benefit of sustained local release of bioactive substances further promotes bone tissue formation, thereby augmenting the osseointegration capacity of titanium implants and attracting increasing attention in bone tissue engineering. Among these bioactive substances, growth factors have shown remarkable osteogenic and angiogenic induction capabilities. Consequently, researchers have developed various physical, chemical, and biological loading techniques to incorporate growth factors into titanium implants, ensuring controlled release kinetics. In contrast to conventional treatment modalities, the localized release of growth factors from functionalized titanium implants not only enhances osseointegration but also reduces the risk of complications. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the types and mechanisms of growth factors, along with a detailed exploration of the methodologies used to load growth factors onto the surface of titanium implants. Moreover, it highlights recent advancements in the application of growth factors to the surface of titanium implants (Scheme 1). Finally, the review discusses current limitations and future prospects for growth factor-functionalized titanium implants. In summary, this paper presents cutting-edge design strategies aimed at enhancing the bone regenerative capacity of growth factor-functionalized titanium implants-a significant advancement in the field of enhanced bone regeneration.

Multi-targeted therapeutic exploration of Tamarix gallica flowers for anti-ulcer activity and associated complications

BACKGROUND

Peptic ulcer is a condition characterized by open sores resulting from excessive acid production in the stomach or digestive tract, causing damage to the mucosal lining. Tamarix gallica (TG), is traditionally known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial activity, etc. Objective: The scientific evidences based on its efficacy specifically for anti-ulcers activity are limited, hence, the study aimed to evaluate protective effect of TG against aspirin-induced peptic ulcers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Phytochemical screening was performed followed by assessment of protective effect of TG against aspirin induced toxicity in rats. Network biology and polypharmacology studies were performed to determine the possible molecular targets involved in pathophysiology of ulcers.

RESULTS

The study revealed that the TG extract at high dose (500 mg/kg b.w.) significantly exhibits protective effect against aspirin induced ulcers via regulation of free acidity pepsin production, overall acidity via regulating antioxidant status (SOD, GSH, CAT, etc). Morphological studies revealed less damage with less disruption of the gastric mucosa layer having normal mucosal structure, no swelling or oedema was found in drug treated groups.

CONCLUSION

Moreover, network biology and polypharmacology outcomes revealed that SOD2, CAT, EPO, IL10, EGF, TGFB1 etc. play a significant role in functional gastrointestinal-associated disease or peptic ulcer. Hence, the study concludes that TG polyphenols including phenols and flavonoids play an important role in alleviation of peptic ulcer or associated complication and thus demonstrating TG as a natural therapeutic regimen against ulcers in glance of nature.

Argel's stemmoside C as a novel natural remedy for mice with alcohol-induced gastric ulcer based on its molecular mechanistic pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Solenostemma argel is widely distributed in Africa & Asia with traditional usage in alleviating abdominal colic, aches, & cramps. This plant is rich in phytochemicals, which must be explored for its pharmacological effects.

PURPOSE

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) is the digestion of the digestive tube. PUD not only interferes with food digestion & nutrient absorption, damages one of the largest defensive barriers against pathogenic micro-organisms, but also impedes drug absorption & bioavailability, rendering the oral route, the most convenient way, ineffective. Omeprazole, one of the indispensable cost-effective proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) extensively prescribed to control PUD, is showing growing apprehensions toward multiple drug interactions & side effects. Hence, finding a natural alternative with Omeprazole-like activity & limited side effects is a medical concern.

STUDY DESIGN

Therefore, we present Stemmoside C as a new gastroprotective phytochemical agent isolated from Solenostemma argel to be tested in upgrading doses against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice compared to negative, positive, & reference Omeprazole groups.

METHODS

We carried out in-depth pharmacological & histopathological studies to determine the possible mechanistic pathway.

RESULTS

Our results showed that Stemmoside C protected the stomach against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers parallel to Omeprazole. Furthermore, the mechanistic studies revealed that Stemmoside C produced its effect using an orchestrated array of different mechanisms. Stemmoside C stimulates stomach defense by increasing COX-2, PGE-2, NO, & TFF-1 healing factors, IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokine, & Nrf-2 & HO-1 anti-oxidant pathways. It also suppresses stomach ulceration by inhibiting leucocyte recruitment, especially neutrophils, leading to subsequent inhibition of NF-κBp65, TNF-α, IL-1β, & iNOS pro-inflammatory cytokines & JAK-1/STAT-3 inflammation-induced carcinogenicity cascade in addition to MMP-9 responsible for tissue degradation.

CONCLUSION

These findings cast light on Stemmoside C's clinical application against gastric ulcer progression, recurrence, & tumorigenicity & concurrently with chemotherapy.

Overexpression of HSP27 accelerates stress-induced gastric ulcer healing via the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis

Chronic stress often triggers gastrointestinal complications, including gastric injury and ulcers. Understanding the role of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) in stress-induced gastric ulcers could unveil novel therapeutic targets. Here, we established a stress-induced gastric ulcer rat model using water immersion restraint stress and administered adenovirus-packaged HSP27 overexpression vector. Gastric ulcer severity was scored, and mucosal changes were assessed. Gastric epithelial and endothelial cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide and transfected with HSP27 overexpression vectors to evaluate cell viability, migration and angiogenesis. Expression levels of HSP27, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) were measured in tissues and cells. HSP27 expression was initially low during stress-induced gastric ulceration but increased during ulcer healing. HSP27 overexpression accelerated ulcer healing in rats, promoting gastric epithelial cell proliferation and migration and gastric endothelial cell angiogenesis through the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis. Inhibitor IT1t reversed the effects of HSP27 overexpression on cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis. In summary, HSP27 overexpression facilitated ulcer healing, which was partially mediated by the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis.

The Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory Activity of Selenium and Lecithin Combination Against ethanol-induced Gastric Ulcer in mice via Modulating IGF-1/PTEN/Akt/FoxO3a Signaling

Gastric ulcers are one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders. The current study investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of selenium (Se) and lecithin (Lec) alone and in combination against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice, and their ability to modulate insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)/ Phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN)/ Protein kinase B (Akt)/ Forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) signaling. The mice were divided into normal, ethanol, Se + ethanol, Lec + ethanol, Se + Lec + ethanol, and omeprazole + ethanol groups. Treatment with the selected doses was continued for 14 days before a single dose of absolute ethanol (5 ml/kg body weight) was administered to induce gastric ulcers in mice. The results showed that pretreatment with Se and Lec combination effectively decreased both the macro- and microscopic gastric lesions and increased the protection index compared to the ethanol group. Remarkably, the Se and Lec combination decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and cytochrome c and increased glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and thioredoxin reductase activities in gastric tissues. The Se and Lec combination increased prostaglandin E2 and interleukin-10 levels but decreased tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β levels compared to either treatment alone. Interestingly, this combination decreased the expression of IGF-1, p-Akt, and FoxO3a proteins and increased PTEN expression in gastric tissues. The gastric tissues examination by hematoxylin and eosin staining confirmed these results. Therefore, the Se and Lec combination showed superior protective effects against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice, compared to either treatment alone, through antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, in addition to modulating IGF-1/PTEN/Akt/FoxO3a pathway signaling.

Duloxetine protected indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal injury by increasing serotonin-dependent RANTES expression and activating PI3K-AKT-VEGF pathway

Antidepressant duloxetine has been shown protective effect on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer, which was escorted by inflammation in the gastric mucosa. Cytokines are the principal mediators of inflammation. Thus, by screening the differential expression of cytokines in the gastric mucosa using cytokine array at 3 h after indomethacin exposure, when the gastric ulcer began to format, we found that indomethacin increased cytokines which promoted inflammation responses, whereas duloxetine decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines increased by indomethacin and increased RANTES expression. RANTES was consistently increased by pretreated with both 5 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg duloxetine at 3 h and 6 h after indomethacin exposure in male rats. Selective blockade of RANTES-CCR5 axis by a functional antagonist Met-RANTES or a CCR5 antagonist maraviroc suppressed the protection of duloxetine. Considering the pharmacologic action of duloxetine on reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitters, we examined the serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine and dopamine contents in the blood and discovered 20 mg/kg duloxetine increased 5-HT levels in platelet-poor plasma, while treatment with 5-HT promoted expression of RANTES in the gastric mucosa and alleviated the indomethacin-induced gastric injury. Furthermore, duloxetine activated PI3K-AKT-VEGF signaling pathway, which was regulated by RANTES-CCR5, and selective inhibitor of VEGF receptor axitinib blocked the prophylactic effect of duloxetine. Furthermore, duloxetine also protected gastric mucosa from indomethacin in female rats, and RANTES was increased by duloxetine after 6 h after indomethacin exposure too. Together, our results identified the role of cytokines, particularly RANTES, and the underlying mechanisms in gastroprotective effect of duloxetine against indomethacin, which advanced our understanding in inflammatory modulation by monoamine-based antidepressants.

Causal relationships between gut microbrome and digestive system diseases: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Growing evidences of recent studies have shown that gut microbrome are causally related to digestive system diseases (DSDs). However, causal relationships between the gut microbiota and the risk of DSDs still remain unclear. We utilized identified gut microbiota based on class, family, genus, order and phylum information and digestive system diseases genome-wide association study (GWAS) dataset for two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used to evaluate causal relationships between gut microbiota and 7 DSDs, including chronic gastritis, colorectal cancer, Crohn's disease, gastric cancer, gastric ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome and esophageal cancer. Finally, we verified the robustness of MR results based on heterogeneity and pleiotropy analysis. We discovered 15 causal associations with genetic liabilities in the gut microbiota and DSDs, such as genus Victivallis, genus RuminococcaceaeUCG005, genus Ruminococcusgauvreauiigroup, genus Oxalobacter and so on. Our MR analysis revealed that the gut microbiota is causally associated with DSDs. Further researches of the gut microbiota and the pathogenesis of DSDs are still significant and provide new methods for the prevention and treatment of DSDs.

Treatment of gastric ulcer, traditional Chinese medicine may be a better choice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gastric ulcer (GU) is the injury of the gastric mucosa caused by the stimulation of various pathogenic factors penetrating the deep mucosal muscle layer. An increasing number of studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is highly effective in treating GU due to its multitarget, multilevel, and multi-pathway effects.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To review the latest research progress in the treatment of GU by TCM, including clinical and experimental studies, focusing on the target and mechanism of action of drugs and providing a theoretical basis for the treatment of GU by natural herbs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Electronic databases (PubMed, Elsevier, Springer, Web of Science, and CNKI) were searched using the keywords "gastric ulcer", "gastric mucosal lesion", "TCM" and or paired with "peptic ulcer" and "natural drugs" for studies published in the last fifteen years until 2023.

RESULTS

TCM, including single components of natural products, Chinese patent medicines (CPM), and TCM decoction, is expected to treat GU by regulating various mechanisms, such as redox balance, inflammatory factors, angiogenesis, gastric mucosal protective factors, intestinal flora, apoptosis, and autophagy.

CONCLUSIONS

We discussed and summarized the mechanism of TCM in the treatment of GU, which provided a sufficient basis for TCM treatment of GU.

Postnatal Growth and Development of the Rumen: Integrating Physiological and Molecular Insights

The rumen plays an essential role in the physiology and production of agriculturally important ruminants such as cattle. Functions of the rumen include fermentation, absorption, metabolism, and protection. Cattle are, however, not born with a functional rumen, and the rumen undergoes considerable changes in size, histology, physiology, and transcriptome from birth to adulthood. In this review, we discuss these changes in detail, the factors that affect these changes, and the potential molecular and cellular mechanisms that mediate these changes. The introduction of solid feed to the rumen is essential for rumen growth and functional development in post-weaning calves. Increasing evidence suggests that solid feed stimulates rumen growth and functional development through butyric acid and other volatile fatty acids (VFAs) produced by microbial fermentation of feed in the rumen and that VFAs stimulate rumen growth and functional development through hormones such as insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) or through direct actions on energy production, chromatin modification, and gene expression. Given the role of the rumen in ruminant physiology and performance, it is important to further study the cellular, molecular, genomic, and epigenomic mechanisms that control rumen growth and development in postnatal ruminants. A better understanding of these mechanisms could lead to the development of novel strategies to enhance the growth and development of the rumen and thereby the productivity and health of cattle and other agriculturally important ruminants.

First experience of using alginate polymer polysaccharide hemostatic hydrogel in complex endoscopic treatment of unstable gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding: Clinical cases

Background. Gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding continues to be a serious problem in modern emergency surgery. Early intensive therapy combined with endoscopic hemostasis remains crucial for successful treatment of patients with ulcerative hemorrhages. The problem of recurrent bleeding, which is recorded in 12–33% of cases, even when using combined methods of endoscopic hemostasis, is still the most difficult challenge in the treatment of patients with ulcerative bleeding. The search for new approaches in the endoscopic treatment of bleeding gastroduodenal ulcers is considered to be highly relevant.

Description of clinical cases. The present paper describes the experience of using an alginate polymer polysaccharide hemostatic hydrogel in the complex treatment of two patients with unstable bleeding from duodenal ulcers. Patient B., 70 years old, with severe somatic pathology and a history of ulcers for 20 years, was admitted to the Voronezh City Clinical Emergency Hospital No. 1 with gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding. According to urgent esophagogastroduodenoscopy, the patient was diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer of the anterior wall of the duodenum with unstable bleeding (Forrest IIA). A large thrombosed vessel 2 mm in diameter was detected in the ulcer base. Patient K., 50 years old, suffering from type II diabetes mellitus for 4 years, was admitted to an emergency hospital with Forrest IIB bleeding from an extensive ulcerative defect of the duodenum. The complex treatment of patients involved a personalized approach using an alginate polymer polysaccharide hemostatic hydrogel during therapeutic endoscopy. After applying a powdered alginate hemostatic agent, a transparent hydrogel tightly fixed to the ulcer was formed on the surface of the ulcerative defect, which remained on the surface of the defect for up to 3–4 days and provided a prolonged hemostatic effect without any damaging effect on the ulcer and the surrounding mucous membrane of the duodenum. Transendoscopic application of an alginate polymer polysaccharide hemostatic hydrogel on the surface of a bleeding ulcer in the complex treatment of unstable ulcer bleeding prevented recurrent bleeding and ensured proper healing of the ulcer defect, thereby improving treatment results for patients with complicated peptic ulcer disease.

Conclusion. Clinical observations have shown that the use of alginate polymer polysaccharide hemostatic hydrogels in combined endoscopic treatment of unstable gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding reliably prevents recurrence of hemorrhage, stabilizes the condition of patients in the early stages, improves the quality of healing of a bleeding ulcerative defect, thereby suggesting the prospects of use of this hemostatic in the treatment of gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding. However, the present paper describes only the first experience of the clinical use of hemostatic alginate polymer polysaccharide hemostatic hydrogel, which is to be analyzed in more details on a larger sample of patients.

Modern aspects of vagus-induced gastroprotection and ulcerogenesis in gastric and duodenal ulcers

The vagus nerve is an essential connection between the body and the brain that controls vital aspects of autonomic physiology such as respiration, heart rate, blood pressure and intestinal motility, reflexes such as coughing and swallowing, and survival behaviors such as eating, drinking and response to nausea. The stomach has a complex nervous apparatus. The innervation of the stomach is provided by both the somatic and the autonomic nervous system. The stomach receives innervation from the vagus nerve and derivatives of the celiac plexus (superior mesenteric, gastric, splenic, hepatic). The vagus nerve has the greatest influence on the work of the stomach and intestines. The vagus nerve is the longest splanchnic nerve, literally wandering throughout the body. The vagus nerves play a dominant role in stimulating gastric secretion. The basal or continuous secretion of gastric juice in normal humans is entirely due to tonic impulses in the vagus nerves. The purpose of our review was to identify the pathogenetic role of the vagus nerve in gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Mechanisms of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Reversion of Gastric Precancerous Lesions

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) stands as one of the most prevalent cancer types worldwide, holding the position of the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Gastric lesions represent pathological alterations to the gastric mucosa, with an elevated propensity to advance to gastric cancer. Limited research has explored the potential of stem cells in the treatment of gastric lesions.

METHODS

This study aimed to explore the potential of intravenous transplantation of labeled bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) to inhibit the progression of precancerous gastric lesions.

RESULTS

In the gastric lesion disease model group, the rat tissue exhibited noteworthy mucosal atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Following the infusion of BMMSCs, a notable decrease in gastric lesions was found, with atrophic gastritis being the sole remaining lesion, which was confirmed by morphological and histological examinations. BMMSCs that were colonized at gastric lesions could differentiate into epithelial and stromal cells, as determined by the expression of pan-keratin or vimentin. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was significantly elevated following BMMSC transplantation. BMMSCs could also upregulate the production of humoral immune response cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10, and downregulate the production of IL-17 and interferon-gamma, which could be highly associated with the cellular immune response and inflammation severity of the lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

BMMSC transplantation significantly reduced inflammation and reversed gastric lesion progression.

In vitro true root cultures of Lotus hebranicus Hochst. ex brand: profiling of secondary metabolites and plausible in vivo gastroprotective effect

In vitro, the Lotus hebranicus produces true root cultures under entirely growth regulator-free culture conditions. These roots are completely independent of the shoots and gives abundant amounts of biomass of true root culture as raw materials in a short time. Lately, gastric ulcer have gained an increasing interest as it affects millions around the world. So, this study aimed to screen and evaluate the chemical constituents of the L. hebranicus extract (plant and true root culture), in addition to studying the biological effect of these extracts on mice with ethanol-induced gastric ulcer and the possible role of mediating oxidative stress, inflammation and TGFβ/Smad3 as underlying mechanisms. Fifty-four Albino mice were assigned into nine groups (n = 6). Lotus was orally administered for seven successive days, followed by a single dose of oral ethanol for ulcer induction. Using histological assessment and immunohistochemical studies as well as colorimetric analysis, ELISA and qRT-PCR, the results revealed that ethanol-induced ulcers exhibited a substantial increase (p < 0.05) in malondialdehyde and interleukin 18 with a remarkable lessening in the gastro-protective mediators; superoxide dismutase, prostaglandin E2 and glutathione, parallel with an increase in TGFβ/Smad3 expressions relative to control. Pre-treatment with L. hebranicus showed a comparable result to those with omeprazole and showed a significant inhibitory effect on inflammatory mediators and significant elevation of the gastro-protective mediators relative to the positive control. In conclusion, L. hebranicus extract (plant/true root culture) has the potential to protect the gastric tissues against ethanol by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation and enhancing TGFβ/Smad3 mediators along with gastric protective mediators.

Molecular docking, characterization, ADME/toxicity prediction, and anti-ulcer activity of new quercetin derivatives on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in mice

Gastric ulcer (GU) is a serious upper gastrointestinal tract disorder that affects people worldwide. The drugs now available for GU treatment have a high rate of relapses and drug interactions, as well as mild to severe side effects. As a result, new natural therapeutic medications for treating GU with fewer negative side effects are desperately needed. Because of quercetin's (QCT) diverse pharmacological effects and unique structural features, we decided to semi-synthesize new QCT derivatives and test them for antiulcer activity. Docking assays were performed on the synthesized compounds to determine their affinity for TLR-4/MD-2, MyD88/TIR, and NF-κB domains, an important inflammatory pathway involved in GU development and progression. Mice were given oral famotidine (40 mg/kg/day), QCT, QCT pentamethyl (QPM), or QCT pentaacetyl (QPA) (50 mg/kg/day) for 5 days before GU induction by a single intraperitoneal injection of indomethacin (INDO; 18 mg/kg). QPM and QPA have a stronger binding affinity for TLR-4/MD-2, MyD88/TIR and NF-κB domains than QCT. In comparison, they demonstrated the greatest reduction in ulcer score and index, gastric MDA and nitric oxide (NO) contents, MyD88 and NF-κB expressions, and gastric TLR-4 immunostaining. They also enhanced the levels of GSH, CAT, COX-1, and COX-2 in the gastric mucosa, as well as HO-1 and Nrf2 expression, with histological regression in gastric mucosal lesions, with QPA-treated mice demonstrating the best GU healing. QPA is safe against all of the target organs and adverse pathways studied, with good ADME properties. However, further in vitro experiments are necessary to demonstrate the inhibitory effects of QPM and QPA on the protein targets of interest. In addition, preclinical research on its bioavailability and safety is essential before clinical management can be undertaken. Overall, the new QPA derivative could one day serve as the basis for a new class of potential antiulcer drugs.

Dendrobium officinale Polysaccharides as a Natural Functional Component for Acetic-Acid-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats

Dendrobium officinale is an important edible and medicinal plant, with the Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide (DOP) being its primary active constituent, known for its diverse biological activities. In this study, DOP was extracted and characterized for its structural properties. The potential of DOP to ameliorate gastric ulcers (GUs) was investigated using an acetic-acid-induced GU model in rats. The results demonstrated that DOP exerted a multifaceted protective effect against GU, mitigating the deleterious impact on food intake and body weight in rats. DOP exhibited its protective action by attenuating cellular damage attributed to oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions mediated by enhanced activities of SOD, GSH, and GSH-PX, coupled with a downregulation in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Furthermore, DOP effectively inhibited apoptosis in gastric mucosa cells of acetic-acid-induced GU rat models and facilitated the self-repair of damaged tissues. Remarkably, the DOP-200 and DOP-400 groups outperformed omeprazole in reducing the expression of IL-6 and malondialdehyde (MDA) in tissues, as well as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in serum. These groups also exhibited an improved expression of SOD in tissues and SOD, GSH, and GSH-PX in serum. A Western blot analysis of gastric mucosa demonstrated that the DOP-200 and DOP-400 groups significantly reduced the expression of NF-κBp65, phosphorylated NF-κBp65, FoxO3a, and Bim. The observed antagonism to GU appeared to be associated with the NF-κB cell pathway. Additionally, qRT-PCR results indicate that DOP reduced the mRNA transcription levels of IL-6, and TNF-α, which shows that the healing of GU is related to the reduction in the inflammatory reaction by DOP. However, the expression of EGF and VEGF decreased, suggesting that the mechanism of DOP inhibiting GU may not be directly related to EGF and VEGF, or there is an uncertain competitive relationship between them, so further research is needed.

Growth Factors-Loaded Temperature-Sensitive Hydrogel as Biomimetic Mucus Attenuated Murine Ulcerative Colitis via Repairing the Mucosal Barriers

The pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with the shedding of the gut mucus. Herein, inspired by the biological functions of mucus, growth factors-loaded in situ hydrogel (PHE-EK) was designed for UC treatment by integrating dihydrocaffeic acid-modified poloxamer as a thermosensitive material with hyaluronic acid (colitis-specific adhesive), epigallocatechin-3-gallate (antibacterial agent), and bioactive factors (KPV tripeptide and epidermal growth factor). PHE-EK presented good thermosensitive properties, as a flowable liquid at room temperature and gelled within 10 s when exposed to body temperature. PHE-EK hydrogel presented good mechanical strength with a strain of 77.8%. Moreover, PHE-EK hydrogel displayed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. Importantly, in vitro and in vivo adhesive tests showed that the PHE-EK hydrogel could specifically adhere to the inflamed colon via electrostatic interaction. When PHE-EK as a biomimetic mucus was rectally administrated to colitis rats, it effectively hindered the body weight loss, reduced the disease activity index and improved the colonic shorting. Moreover, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) at the laminae propria or epitheliums of the colon for colitis rats was substantially inhibited by PHE-EK. Besides, the colonic epitheliums were well rearranged, and the tight junction proteins (Zonula-1 and Claudin-5) between them were greatly upregulated after PHE-EK treatment. Collectively, PHE-EK might be a promising therapy for UC.

A new method regulates bone fracture tissue exosome lncRNA-mRNA to promote mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and migration

Post-injury adaptation (PIA) is a simple and convenient method to promote bone healing, but its mechanism is unclear. This study was to discuss the role of fracture site tissue exosomes lncRNAs-mRNAs networks on PIA promoting bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) proliferation and migration. Firstly, the effects of PIA accelerating BMSCs proliferation and migration were confirmed by rat fracture model and bone fracture environment in vitro. Besides, the fracture site tissue exosomes were isolated and authenticated. Then the tissue exosomes were the key factor in PIA promoting BMSCs proliferation and migration authenticated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. The high throughput sequencing and RT-PCR were used to analyze the tissue exosomes lncRNAs-mRNAs networks. It was found that PIA treatment upregulated 118 lncRNAs, 295 mRNAs, and downregulated 111 lncRNAs, 2706 mRNAs in tissue exosomes. A total 12,211 genes were the target genes. Akt1, Actb and Uba52 were the hub mRNAs in tissue exosomes. In additions, tissue-derived exosomes of PIA treated rats upregulated 49 genes, 3 lncRNAs and downregulated 28 genes, 1 lncRNA in BMSCs. Kif11 was the hub gene. Overall, PIA promoted BMSCs proliferation and migration in the early stage of fracture healing, which was closely related to the fracture site tissue exosomes. Akt1, Actb and Uba52 were the hub mRNAs in the exosomes. Besides, Kif11 might be the key gene in BMSC regulated by tissue-derived exosomes of PIA treated rats.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Accelerate Recovery of Acetic Acid-Induced Chronic Gastric Ulcer by Regulating Ekt/Akt/TRIM29 Axis

Chronic gastric ulcer (CGU), a prevalent digestive disease, has a high incidence and is seriously harmful to human health. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been proven to have beneficial therapeutic effects in many human diseases. Here, a CGU model induced by acetic acid in mice was used to evaluate the repair effects and potential mechanism of human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (hUC-MSCs) and hUC-MSCs derived conditioned medium (hUC-MSC-CM). We found that hUC-MSCs and hUC-MSC-CM treatment significantly repaired morphological characteristics of CGU, improved proliferation and decreased apoptosis of gastric cells, and promoted the generation of new blood vessels in granulation tissues. In addition, we could detect the homing of MSCs in gastric tissue, and MSCs may differentiate into Lgr5-positive cells. As well as this, in vitro experiments showed that hUC-MSC-CM could promote cell proliferation, stimulate cell cycle progression, and reduce the incidence of apoptosis. The transcriptome of cells and the iTRAQ proteome of gastric tissues suggest that MSCs may play a therapeutic role by increasing the expression of TRIM29. Additionally, it was found that knocking down TRIM29 significantly decreased the ameliorative effects of hUC-MSC-CM on cell apoptosis. As a result of further molecular experiments, it was found that TRIM29 is capable of phosphorylating Erk/Akt in specific cell type. As a whole, it appears that hUC-MSCs can be an effective therapeutic approach for promoting gastric ulcer healing and may exert therapeutic effects in the form of paracrine and differentiation into gastric cells.

Protective effect of Amauroderma rugosum ethanol extract and its primary bioactive compound, ergosterol, against acute gastric ulcers based on LXR-mediated gastric mucus secretions

BACKGROUND

Amauroderma rugosum (Blume & T. Nees) Torrend (Ganodermataceae) is an edible mushroom with a wide range of medicinal values. Our previous publication demonstrated the therapeutic effects of the water extract of A. rugosum (WEA) against gastric ulcers. However, the protective effects of the ethanol extract of A. rugosum (EEA) on gastric mucosa and its major active constituents have not yet been elucidated.

PURPOSE

This study aims to evaluate the gastroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of EEA and its fat-soluble constituent, ergosterol, in acute gastric ulcers.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHOD

SD rats were pre-treated with EEA (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) or ergosterol (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg), and acute gastric ulcer models were constructed using ethanol, gastric mucus secretion inhibitor (indomethacin) or pyloric-ligation. The gastric ulcer area, histological structure alterations (H&E staining), and mucus secretion (AB-PAS staining) were recorded. Additionally, Q-PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, MM-GBSA analysis, and surface plasmon resonance assay (SPR) were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the gastroprotective effect.

RESULT

Compared with WEA, which primarily exerts its anti-ulcer effects by inhibiting inflammation, EEA containing fat-soluble molecules showed more potent gastroprotective effect through the promotion of gastric mucus secretion, as the anti-ulcer activity was partly blocked by indomethacin. Meanwhile, EEA exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the production of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and NO, thereby inhibiting the MAPK pathway. Significantly, ergosterol (20 mg/kg), the bioactive water-insoluble compound in EEA, exhibited a gastroprotective effect comparable to that of lansoprazole (30 mg/kg). The promotion of gastric mucus secretion contributed to the effects of ergosterol, as indomethacin can completely block it. The upregulations of COX1-PGE2 and C-fos, an activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factor, were observed after the ergosterol treatment. Ergosterol acted as an LXRβ agonist via van der Waals binding and stabilizing the LXRβ protein without compromising its flexibility, thereby inducing the upregulation of AP-1 and COX-1.

CONCLUSION

EEA and its primary bioactive compound, ergosterol, exert anti-ulcer effects by promoting gastric mucus secretion through the LXRβ/C-fos/COX-1/PGE2 pathway.

Gastric protective effect of Alpinia officinarum flavonoids: mediating TLR4/NF-κB and TRPV1 signalling pathways and gastric mucosal healing

CONTEXT

Our previous studies have found that total flavonoid of Alpinia officinarum Hance (Zingiberaceae) (F.AOH) had protective effects on gastric ulcer (GU).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective mechanism of F.AOH on acetic acid-induced chronic GUs in rats and ethanol-induced GES-1 cells damage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vivo: Gastric damage was induced in SD rats by administering acetic acid after oral treatment with F-AOH at 54, 27 and 13.5 mg/kg (2 weeks of continuous gavage). After a comprehensive evaluation of rats' serum and gastric tissue-related indicators, gene transcriptome sequencing, qPCR and Western blotting were used to investigate the mechanism further. In vivo: GES-1 cells were incubated with F-AOH (8, 4 and 2 μg/mL) for 16 h and treated with 7% ethanol for 4 h. Transwell and flow cytometry were employed to detect migration and apoptosis of cells.

RESULTS

F.AOH effectively reduced the area of GUs in rats (from 11.2 ± 1.89 to 2.19 ± 0.95), reversing ethanol-induced cells apoptosis (from 23 ± 1.3 to 8.11 ± 0.93%). It also inhibited the expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and iNOS proteins, decreasing the levels of TNF-α IL-6 in serum, improving oxidative stress levels and increasing the expression of Bcl-2/Bax dimer genes. In addition, 4005 differentially expressed genes between the acetic acid model and the drug groups. Through experimental verification, F.AOH can inhibit the activation of TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway and TRPV1 receptor.

CONCLUSIONS

F.AOH, as an effective gastric protective plant component, had potential therapeutic value in anti-inflammatory pain and antioxidative stress gastrointestinal diseases.

Therapeutic potential of gene therapy for gastrointestinal diseases: Advancements and future perspectives

Advancements in understanding the pathogenesis mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal diseases, encompassing inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal cancer, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, have led to the identification of numerous novel therapeutic targets. These discoveries have opened up exciting possibilities for developing gene therapy strategies to treat gastrointestinal diseases. These strategies include gene replacement, gene enhancement, gene overexpression, gene function blocking, and transgenic somatic cell transplantation. In this review, we introduce the important gene therapy targets and targeted delivery systems within the field of gastroenterology. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent progress in gene therapy related to gastrointestinal disorders and shed light on the application of innovative gene-editing technologies in treating these conditions. These developments are fueling a revolution in the management of gastrointestinal diseases. Ultimately, we discuss the current challenges (particularly regarding safety, oral efficacy, and cost) and explore potential future directions for implementing gene therapy in the clinical settings for gastrointestinal diseases.

Immune function, gastrointestinal hormone levels, and their clinical significance in patients with gastric ulcers complicated with depression

BACKGROUND

Gastric ulcer (GU) is a common digestive tract disease, and medical records of GU combined with depression are increasingly common. Currently, the risk factors and pathogenesis of GU complicated with depression remain unclear. Low immune function and gastrointestinal hormone levels may also be significant risk factors. Therefore, this study explored the immune function and gastrointestinal hormone levels in patients with GU combined with depression.

AIM

To explore the immune function, gastrointestinal hormone level, and clinical significance of patients with GU combined with depression.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 300 patients with GU combined with depression admitted to Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital from January 2021 to June 2022 as the study subjects. According to the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score, patients were divided into mild-to-moderate (n = 210) and heavy (n = 90) groups. Basic data, immune function indices [immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM, IgG, serum CD4+ and CD8+ percentage, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio], and gastrointestinal hormone indices [serum gastrin (GAS), cholecystokinin (CCK), and motilin (MTL) levels] were collected. The basic data of the two groups were compared, and the immune function and gastrointestinal hormone indices were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing the severity of GU complicated with depression. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the ROC curve (AUC) were used to analyze the value of the immune function index, gastrointestinal hormone index, and combined index in predicting the severity of GU complicated with depression.

RESULTS

There were no marked differences in sex, age, body mass index, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, belching, nausea, vomiting, or sleep disorders between the heavy and mild-to-moderate groups (P > 0.05). There was a marked difference in the family history of depression between the heavy and mild-to-moderate groups (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in serum IgA and IgM levels and serum CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ ratios between the heavy and mild-to-moderate groups (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that IgA, IgM, GAS, and CCK serum levels influenced the severity of GU with depression (P < 0.05). The AUC of the ROC curve for serum IgA level predicting GU with depression severity was 0.808 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.760-0.857], the AUC of the serum IgM level was 0.757 (95%CI: 0.700-0.814), the AUC of the serum GAS level was 0.853 (95%CI: 0.810-0.897), the AUC of the serum CCK level was 0.762 (95%CI: 0.709-0.822), the AUC of immune function (IgA, IgM) and gastrointestinal hormone levels (GAS, CCK) for the prediction of GU with depression severity was 0.958 (95%CI: 0.933-0.976).

CONCLUSION

Important factors influencing GU complicated with depression are serum IgA, IgM, GAS, and CCK indicators. They can be used as indicators to predict the severity of GU complicated with depression.