Zinc supplement ameliorates phthalates-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.

People are inevitably exposed to phthalates (PEs) ubiquitously existing in environment. Our previous studies, simulating the actual situations of people exposure to PEs, have shown that the sub-chronic exposure to low-doses PEs mixture (MIXPs) impaired reproductive function in male rats. Zinc is an important element in maintaining male reproductive functions. However, it is still unknown whether zinc supplement could mitigate PEs-induced male reproductive toxicity or not with sub-chronic low-dose mixture exposure. This study aimed to explore the effect of zinc supplement on the reproductive toxicity caused by sub-chronic MIXPs exposure (160 mg/(kg•body weight)/d, for 90 days) in male rats, and further to reveal the underlying mechanisms. Testosterone (T), FSH and LH in serum, early toxicity indicators in urine, PIWI proteins (PIWIL1 and PIWIL2) expression in testes and pathological examination were performed for toxicity evaluation. Steroidogenic proteins (17ß-HSD, StAR, CYP17A1, P450scc and SRD5A) were measured for mechanisms of exploration. The results indicated that zinc supplement could inhibit the T, LH, FSH level decreases in serum, abolish the effect of 5 early toxicity indicators' levels in urine, restrain the alteration of PIWI proteins expression and improve the constructional injury of testes. These effects might be relevant with the suppressed alteration of the expression of steroidogenic proteins induced by MIXPs in rat testicular cells. This work may offer further insights into reducing health risks of MIXPs exposure.

Guidelines for parenteral and enteral nutrition in geriatric patients in China.

Based on the expert consensus on parenteral and enteral nutrition support for geriatric patients in China in 2013, domestic multidisciplinary experts were gathered to summarize the new evidence in the field of elderly nutritional support at home and abroad. The 2013 consensus was comprehensively updated and upgraded to a guideline by referring to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system for grading evidence. These guidelines were divided into two parts: general conditions and common diseases. After discussion by all members of the academic group and consultation with relevant experts, 60 recommendations were ultimately established as standardized nutritional support in the field of geriatrics in China.

Evaluation of toxicokinetics of nonylphenol in the adult female Sprague-Dawley rats using a physiologically based toxicokinetic model.

The physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model was firstly developed in female rats to quantitatively evaluate toxicokinetics of nonylphenol (NP). Changes in NP serum concentrations over time of single oral NP administration experiments in Sprague-Dawley rats and literature data were collected to establish and calibrate the PBTK model in the SimBiology framework. The calibrated model predicted the serum and tissue NP concentrations of repeat oral NP administration for model evaluation. NP concentrations in serum and tissues (liver, kidneys, adipose, brain, uterus and ovaries) were quantified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The model output of the time course data (values are within the standard deviation defined for each data point) indicated proximity of predictions to reality. The coefficients of determination r2 were all greater than 0.9, and the root mean squared error (RMSE) were within 0.177-2.027, which means the model predicted and observed serum NP concentrations were in excellent agreement. The results indicated that the model could contribute to a simplification of the future exposure risk assessments of NP in a more realistic scenario and provided a better understanding of the disposition process of NP in human.

Chronic low-dose exposure of nonylphenol alters energy homeostasis in the reproductive system of female rats.

Nonylphenol (NP) as a confirmed endocrine disrupt chemical that causes reproductive and developmental toxicity. Previous studies focused only on short-term, high-dose exposure in vivo, or in vitro on female reproductive toxicity, which cannot accurately simulate the real human exposure scenario. The present study aims to explore NP toxicity and the underlying mechanisms of chronic low-dose NP exposure (500 µg/kg·bw/day, for 8 weeks) in the reproductive system of female rats. The results indicated that NP exposure caused female reproductive toxicity, including alterations in serum 17ß-estradiol (E2) levels, endometria hyperplasia, altered oogenesis and significant changes in the metabolic profile observed in urine, serum, uterus and ovary. Furthermore, expression of the energy-sensitive proteins carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPTI), adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) were found to be down-regulated in uterus under NP exposure, which suggested the impaired fatty acid oxidation. Accordingly, a comprehensive metabolomics study in key reproductive tissues and body fluids revealed that 12 metabolites were associated with energy metabolism as potential biomarkers for the evaluation of low toxicity at early stages, with L-carnitines being the most representative ones. The present findings provide evidence that chronic low-dose NP exposure can significantly disrupt energy homeostasis in females, thus offering further insights into NP reproductive toxicity.

Combined effects of simultaneous exposure to six phthalates and emulsifier glycerol monosterate on male reproductive system in rats.

Human beings are inevitably exposed to ubiquitous phthalate esters (PEs), and simultaneously ingesting high quantities of food emulsifiers via daily diet. Glycerin monostearate (GMS) is a widely used food emulsifier. The purposes of this study were to investigate the combined effects between the mixture of six frequently used PEs (MIXPs) and GMS on male rat reproductive system, and further to explore the underlying mechanisms. Male rats were orally administered either sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as controls or MIXPs at three different low-doses with or without GMS (200mg/kg/d) by gavage. The 15-week exposure of MIXPs caused male reproductive toxicity in a dose- and time-dependent manner, including the decrease of serum testosterone and morphological damage of testis. Metabonomics analyses of urine and Western blotting analyses of steroidogenic proteins (StAR, P450scc, CYP17A1, 17ß-HSD and P450arom) indicated that MIXPs exposure down-regulated the expression of steroidogenic proteins, and might alter androgen metabolism. The results also showed that the presence of GMS exacerbated the toxicities of MIXPs to male rat reproductive system. These findings suggest that food emulsifier GMS could enhance the toxic effects of MIXPs on male hormone biosynthesis.

Development and optimization of a novel sample preparation method cored on functionalized nanofibers mat-solid-phase extraction for the simultaneous efficient extraction of illegal anionic and cationic dyes in foods.

A simple and efficient three-step sample preparation method was developed and optimized for the simultaneous analysis of illegal anionic and cationic dyes (acid orange 7, metanil yellow, auramine-O, and chrysoidine) in food samples. A novel solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure based on nanofibers mat (NFsM) was proposed after solvent extraction and freeze-salting out purification. The preferred SPE sorbent was selected from five functionalized NFsMs by orthogonal experimental design, and the optimization of SPE parameters was achieved through response surface methodology (RSM) based on the Box-Behnken design (BBD). Under the optimal conditions, the target analytes could be completely adsorbed by polypyrrole-functionalized polyacrylonitrile NFsM (PPy/PAN NFsM), and the eluent was directly analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). The limits of detection (LODs) were between 0.002 and 0.01 mg kg-1, and satisfactory linearity with correlation coefficients (R > 0.99) for each dye in all samples was achieved. Compared with the Chinese standard method and the published methods, the proposed method was simplified greatly with much lower requirement of sorbent (5.0 mg) and organic solvent (2.8 mL) and higher sample preparation speed (10 min/sample), while higher recovery (83.6-116.5%) and precision (RSDs < 7.1%) were obtained. With this developed method, we have successfully detected illegal ionic dyes in three common representative foods: yellow croaker, soybean products, and chili seasonings. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of the process of the three-step sample preparation.

Simple and sensitive determination of atrazine and its toxic metabolites in environmental water by carboxyl modified polyacrylonitrile nanofibers mat-based solid-phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography-diode array detection.

Carboxyl modified polyacrylonitrile nanofibers mat (COOH-PAN NFsM) was prepared as a novel solid-phase extraction (SPE) adsorbent for the rapid and effective extraction of atrazine (ATZ) and its toxic metabolites deisopropylatrazine (DIA) and deethylatrazine (DEA) from environmental water samples. Without any pre-treatment but only with the simple filter, water samples passed through pre-conditioned COOH-PAN NFsM, which integrated extraction, purification and concentration into one single step, and the eluent was directly analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). Under the optimized conditions, the target analytes in 10mL of water sample could be completely extracted by only 4mg of COOH-PAN NFsM, and easily eluted using 400µL of methanol, indicating a high efficiency in both adsorption and desorption. Satisfactory linearity was achieved in the range of 0.4-40.0ngmL-1 for DIA, and 0.3-40.0ngmL-1 for DEA and ATZ. The limit of detection (LODs) were 0.12, 0.09 and 0.09ngmL-1 for DIA, DEA and ATZ, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 81.35 to 120.32%, with the intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations of 4.03-9.81% even after the 6-cycle usage of NFsM. And, using just 10mL loading sample, the LOD had already satisfied the demand of surface water quality monitoring levels, revealing the good sensitivity of the proposed method.

Effects of six priority controlled phthalate esters with long-term low-dose integrated exposure on male reproductive toxicity in rats.

Human beings are inevitably exposed to ubiquitous phthalate esters (PEs) surroundings. The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of long-term low-dose exposure to the mixture of six priority controlled phthalate esters (MIXPs): dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di(2-ethyhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP), on male rat reproductive system and further to explore the underlying mechanisms of the reproductive toxicity. The male rats were orally exposed to either sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as controls or MIXPs at three different low-doses by gavage for 15 weeks. Testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) in serum were analyzed, and pathological examinations were performed for toxicity evaluation. Steroidogenic proteins (StAR, P450scc, CYP17A1 and 17ß-HSD), cell cycle and apoptosis-related proteins (p53, Chk1, Cdc2, CDK6, Bcl-2 and Bax) were measured for mechanisms exploration. MIXPs with long-term low-dose exposure could cause male reproductive toxicity to the rats, including the decrease of both serum and testicular testosterone, and the constructional damage of testis. These effects were related to down-regulated steroidogenic proteins, arresting cell cycle progression and promoting apoptosis in rat testicular cells. The results indicate that MIXPs with long-term low-dose exposure may pose male reproductive toxicity in human.

Food Emulsifier Glycerin Monostearate Increases Internal Exposure Levels of Six Priority Controlled Phthalate Esters and Exacerbates Their Male Reproductive Toxicities in Rats.

Human beings are inevitably exposed to ubiquitous phthalate esters (PAEs). Processed, packaged foods are popular nowadays, in which emulsifiers are frequently added as food additives. It is unclear how emulsifiers affect the bioavailability of ingested PAEs contaminants and their toxicities. The purposes of our study were to explore whether food emulsifier Glycerin Monostearate (GMS) could increase the internal exposure levels of six priority controlled PAEs and affect their reproductive toxicities when male rats are exposed to PAEs mixture (MIXPs). The male rats were exposed to MIXPs by gavage for thirty days in combination with or without given GMS. Phthalate monoesters (MPAEs), primary metabolites of PAEs, in rat urine were used as biomarkers to predict the internal exposure levels of the six PAEs, and their concentrations were determined using UPLC-MS. The reproductive toxicity was evaluated using serum testosterone levels test and histopathology of testes. Results showed that compared to PAEs exposure alone, the internal exposure levels of PAEs increased by 30%-49% in the presence of GMS. PAEs exposure led to the reduction of testosterone level by 23.4%-42.1% in the presence and absence of GMS, respectively, compared to the baseline. Testosterone levels in MIXPs+GMS and DEHP+GMS group were decreased by 9.1% and 13.6%, respectively, compared with MIXPs and DEHP group. Histopathology showed that injuries of testis (deciduous spermatids) were observed, and GMS exacerbated the injuries. The results indicated food emulsifiers chronically taken up might increase safety risks of food PAEs contaminants.

[Effects of diets with different n-6/n-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular risk factors in mice fed high-fat diets].

UNLABELLED: To investigate effects of diets with different fatty acid composition on serum lipid profiles, inflammation, oxidative stress and endothelial function in mice fed high-fat diets. METHODS: Male KM mice were randomly divided into five groups and were fed normal control diet, high-fat lard diet, high-fat diets with n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratios of 1:1, 5:1 nd 2:1 for fiv weeks, respectively. The levels of serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C ) iterlekin-6 (IL-6), alonildehyde (MDA), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor ncrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), lipid lphaproxide (LPO), 8-iso postaglandin F2aalpha (8-iso-PGlphaF2u), oxidialphaed low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), free faty acid (FFA), E-selectin (ES) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were measured. RESULTS: The levels of serum LDL-C and non-HDL-C in the lard group were significantly higher than those in the other groups (P < 0.05). Th e ard group had. significntly higher serum TG and TC concentrations compared to 1:1 and 5: groups P <0. 05). The evels of serum FFA in 20:1 group wre significantly higher than those in 1:1 and 5:1 groups P < 0.05). Co mpred with the lard and 20:1 groups,the 1:1 and 5:1 groups displayed lower levels of inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress and ES. The 5:1 group sgnificantly decreased the level of serum vWF compared to lard and 20:1 groups P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: diet with low n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio could improve lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress and endothelial function compared to high-fat diets with lard and higher n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. The diet with low n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio can improve cardiovascular disease risk factors to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Enhance Cisplatin Efficacy in Gastric Cancer Cells by Inducing Apoptosis via ADORA1.

It has been suggested that administration of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs), including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), can alter the toxicity and/or activity of several anticancer drugs in in vitro and in vivo studies. Here, we investigated the ability of ω-3 PUFAs to potentiate the antineoplastic activity of cisplatin (CDDP) in gastric cancer cells. The increase in CDDP-induced growth inhibition was measured by the IC50 values obtained when the cells were incubated with CDDP alone or with CDDP plus DHA or EPA. DHA and EPA enhanced the growth-inhibition activity of increasing concentrations of CDDP. The interactions between CDDP and DHA or EPA at the cellular level were assessed through the combination index (CI) method of Chou-Talalay. The results demonstrated synergism between CDDP and DHA or EPA in MKN45 cells. Cell cycle analysis showed that the combination treatment increased G0/G1 phase and S phase arrest, and significantly increased the number of apoptotic cells. According to our previous study, ω -3 PUFAs induce apoptosis of gastric cells via ADORA1, a subtype of adenosine receptor functionally related to cell death. The ADORA1 mRNA and protein expression was higher in the combination treatment than in the individual treatments. Notable, when GC cells were pretreated with DPCPX, a selective ADORA1 antagonist, the combination treatment effect on apoptosis was significantly reduced. Our results suggest that ω-3 PUFAs enhance the antineoplastic effects of CDDP in gastric cancer cells, and the synergistic effect between ω-3 PUFAs and CDDP is partly dependent on activating the ADORA1-mediated apoptosis pathway.

The effect of moxibustion on alleviating menstrual pain in a population of young nursing students: A prospective randomized cross-over pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of moxibustion on alleviating menstrual pain and relieving the symptoms of dysmenorrhea in a cohort of young nursing students in China. METHODS: A randomized double blind clinical trial of crossover design was used. In the two-phase study, a total of 56 nursing students with menstrual pain in Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine in China was randomly allocated into two groups. In the first treatment phase, the participants in Group A (n=28) received moxibustion therapy from five days before the menstrual period to the onset through a specific heating box in which burning moxa stick was fixed, the participants in Group B (n=28) received the same heating box but with a paper-wrapped stick incense fixed inside (placebo therapy) during the same intervention period. The acupoints Guanyuan(CV4) and Shenque(CV8) were selected for treatment. After the first treatment phase for two menstrual cycles, the intervention was stopped for three menstrual cycles during a wash period. In the second treatment phase, the intervention of two groups were switched. Group A received the placebo therapy and Group B received moxibustion therapy. NRS, VRS, PRI, VAS and BRS-6 were evaluated at the baseline and after each treatment phase. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in age, history of dysmenorrhea, length of menstrual cycle, age at menarche, duration of menstrual flow, PRI score, VAS score, BRS score and RSS score between Group A and Group B (p>0.05). After the first treatment phase, the score of BRS-6 has significant differences between two groups at the first menstrual cycle (p<0.05). At the second menstrual cycle, the score of VAS, BRS-6,sensory of PRI, affective dimension of PR and total score of PRI in Group A were much lower than Group B (p<0.05). NRS and VRS had significant differences between two groups with Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney test after the first treatment phase (p<0.05). The frequency rating of weakness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and the total score had significant differences between two groups at the first menstrual cycle (p<0.05). And the frequency rating of weakness, backache, facial blemishes, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and the total score had significant differences between two groups at the second menstrual cycle (p<0.05). The severity rating of backaches, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, and the total score had significant differences between two groups after the second menstrual cycle (p<0.05). After three months' wash period, the score of VAS, BRS-6, sensory of PRI, affective of PR, total score of PRI and VRS had significant differences between two groups after the second treatment phase (p<0.01). And the frequency rating of leg aches, dizziness, nervousness and the total score had significant differences between two groups after the second treatment phase (p<0.05). And the severity rating of abdominal pain, weakness, leg aches, dizziness, nervousness and the total score had significant differences between two groups after the second treatment phase (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that moxibustion therapy with a heating box was effective for alleviating menstrual pain and symptoms of young female university students in China. The effect of moxibustion might not only due to heat stimulation, but also from the burning of moxa stick. Boxing moxibustion could be recommended as a nonpharmacological pain relief intervention for university students for its cost effectiveness, practical design and relative safety, and it is easy for the university students themselves to self-administer at home.

Guidelines for parenteral and enteral nutrition support in geriatric patients in China.

The mortality and morbidity of geriatric patients is much higher than for younger patients, especially when critically ill. This may be attributed to a lower reserve capacity in most organs and systems, reduced ability to deal with physical stress and the presence of acute or chronic co-mobidities. Parenteral and enteral nutrition support can improve the clinical condition of the elderly patient and result in better outcomes, such as lower mortality, reduced hospital stay and reduced medical costs. There is a need to standardize nutrition screening and assessment, and the implementation of appropriate evidence based nutritional support of geriatric patients in China. The Chinese Medical Association's Group of Geriatric Nutrition Support has developed guidelines by researching the present situation in Chinese hospitals and by referring to the guidelines from both American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) and the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN).

Omega-3 PUFAs induce apoptosis of gastric cancer cells via ADORA1.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3 PUFAs), including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), have been suggested to have anti-cancer effects by epidemiological and clinical studies. However, their underlying anti-cancer mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we examined the influence of two Omega-3 PUFAs (DHA and EPA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer (GC) cells, and found that DHA and EPA reduced the viability of GC cells and induced apoptosis by activating caspase-3. Moreover, we screened the expression profile of apoptosis-related genes in GC cells upon the treatment of DHA and/or EPA, and discovered that ADORA1, one subtype of adenosine receptor functionally involved in cell death, was up-regulated in response to DHA and EPA. Importantly, when GC cells were treated with a selective ADORA1 antagonist, DPCPX, the DHA/EPA-induced apoptosis was substantially reduced. Taken together, our results suggest that the anti-cancer effect of Omega-3 PUFAs on gastric cancer is at least partly dependent on activating the ADORA1-mediated apoptosis pathway.

[Effect of enteral nutrition on liver function and inflammatory response after abdominal operation in patients complicated with liver dysfunction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of enteral nutrition(EN) on liver function and inflammatory response after abdominal operation in patients with liver dysfunction. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was conducted. Patients requiring EN for at least 5 days after abdominal surgery with at least 1 abnormal liver function index were included. After operations, EN suspensions(TPF-FOS) were administered for 5 days after the return of bowel function with targeted content of 125.52 kJ(30 kcal)·kg(-1)·d(-1) maintained for a minimum of 3 days. Levels of serum pre-albumin, C-reaction protein(CRP), and liver function index were measured and the incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS) was recorded before operation and 6 days after EN. Occurrence of gastrointestinal discomfort was monitored during the treatment. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found in pre-albumin between preoperative level and post-EN level[(175.94±71.79) mg/L vs.(192.22±91.26) mg/L, P=0.162]. Patients with abnormal level of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase were less after EN compared to the preoperative period(30 vs. 40, P=0.041), as was total bilirubin (3 vs. 9, P=0.034). No significant differences in other indices of liver function were found. Total bilirubin and direct bilirubin decreased after EN support(P=0.000 and P=0.015, respectively). CRP was notably reduced after EN support [(48.74±65.16) mg/L vs.(25.79±23.63) mg/L, P=0.009] and the incidence of SIRS largely declined after EN support(19.0% vs. 10.3%, P=0.059). The incidence of gastrointestinal discomfort was 22.4% on postoperative day 1 and declined to 19.0% on postoperative day 5. CONCLUSION: For patients with liver dysfunction, enteral nutrition support with TPF-FOS after abdominal operation can reduce inflammatory response, improve liver function, and maintain serum protein level.

Validation of the Chinese version of the Subjective Global Assessment scale of nutritional status in a sample of patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To verify the validity of the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) on the nutritional assessment and prognosis prediction in Chinese patients with gastrointestinal cancer. METHODS: Five hundred and five patients with newly diagnosed gastrointestinal cancer who underwent surgeries were enrolled between August 2004 and August 2006. The sample consisted of 307 males (60.8%) and 198 females (39.2%). The nutritional status was assessed using SGA for each patient prior to operation. Simultaneously, anthropometric parameters and laboratory tests including serum albumin (ALB) and prealbumin (PA) levels were also obtained. The postoperative evaluation included length of stay, occurrence of complications, and in-hospital medical expenditures. RESULTS: Based on the results of preoperative SGA, the patients were classified into 3 groups: well nourished (group A), mildly to moderately malnourished (group B), and severely malnourished (group C). The number in each group was 275 (54.4%), 214 (42.4%), and 16 (3.2%), respectively. ANOVA tests revealed significant group differences existed for body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), PA, ALB, length of stay, and in-hospital medical expenditures (p<0.05). The more severely malnourished the patient, the BMI, TSF, PA, and ALB became lower, the length of stay became longer and the medical cost became higher. The occurrence of postoperative complications did not show significant difference among the different SGA groups (X(2)=4.16, p=0.125). And patients in different cancer stages (TNM staging) had no statistical differences in terms of their length of stay (F=1.433, p=0.232) and the occurrence of postoperative complications (X(2)=4.836, p=0.184). CONCLUSIONS: The SGA is safe, inexpensive, and easy to use clinically for nurses. This study demonstrated that it can be a reliable method to assess the nutritional status of Chinese patients with gastrointestinal cancer. The SGA could also help predict certain health outcomes, such as length of stay, in-hospital medical expenditures.

Clinical application of subjective global assessment in Chinese patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

AIM: To investigate the role of subjective global assessment (SGA) in nutritional assessment and outcome prediction of Chinese patients with gastrointestinal cancer. METHODS: A total of 751 patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer between August 2004 and August 2006 were enrolled in this study. Within 72 h after admission, SGA, anthropometric parameters, and laboratory tests were used to assess the nutritional status of each patient. The outcome variables including hospital stay, complications, and in-hospital medical expenditure were also obtained. RESULTS: Based on the results of SGA, 389 (51.8%), 332 (44.2%), and 30 (4.0%) patients were classified into well nourished group (SGA-A), mildly to moderately malnourished group (SGA-B), and severely malnourished group (SGA-C), respectively. The prevalence of malnutrition classified by SGA, triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-upper arm muscle circumference (MAMC), albumin (ALB), prealbumin (PA), and body mass index (BMI) was 48.2%, 39.4%, 37.7%, 31.3%, 21.7%, and 9.6%, respectively. In addition, ANOVA tests revealed significant differences in body mass index (BMI), TSF, PA, and ALB of patients in different SGA groups. The more severely malnourished the patient was, the lower the levels of BMI, TSF, PA, and ALB were (P < 0.05). Chi2 tests showed a significant difference in SGA classification between patients receiving different types of treatment (surgery vs chemotherapy/radiotherapy). As the nutritional status classified by SGA deteriorated, the patients stayed longer in hospital and their medical expenditures increased significantly. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis showed that SGA and serum ALB could help predict the medical expenditures and hospital stay of patients undergoing surgery. The occurrence of complications increased in parallel with the increasing grade of SGA, and was the highest in the SGA-C group (23.3%) and the lowest in the SGA-A group (16.8%). CONCLUSION: SGA is a reliable assessment tool and helps to predict the hospital stay and medical expenditures of Chinese surgical gastrointestinal cancer patients.

[Reappraisal of the impacts of human Runt-related transcription factor gene 3 expression on differentiation and prognosis of gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of Runt-related transcription factor gene 3(RUNX3) in gastric cancer and its impact on the outcome of gastric cancer patients. METHODS: By using immunohistochemistry staining and western blot assay, the expression of RUNX3 protein in 66 cases of gastric cancer with various clinicopathologic characteristics were detected, and the effects of RUNX3 protein expression on the outcome of patients undergone surgical resection were evaluated. RESULTS: (1) The expression rate of RUNX3 protein in gastric cancer lesions was 60.6% (40/66), and RUNX3 protein was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of cancer cells. RUNX3 protein expression in tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in non-tumor tissues. (2) RUNX3 protein expression was correlated with tumor differentiation (P=0.025) and Lauren's classification (P=0.034), but had no relationship with the TNM stage (P=0.085). (3) In sharp contrast, the median survival time of patients who had tumors with negative and positive RUNX3 protein expression were 2478 and 2187 days respectively (P=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: RUNX3 protein influences the differentiation of gastric cancer. The role of RUNX3 protein as a tumor-suppressor in tumorigenesis and differentiation of gastric carcinoma need to be further evaluated.

Applying proteomic methodologies to analyze the effect of methionine restriction on proliferation of human gastric cancer SGC7901 cells.

BACKGROUND: Methionine dependence is a feature unique to cancer cells, exhibited as inability to grow in a methionine-depleted environment supplemented with homocysteine, the immediate metabolic precursor of methionine. However, the molecular mechanisms by which methionine restriction inhibits cancer cells growth have not been elucidated. The effect of methionine restriction on the protein expression in gastric cancer cells was studied. METHODS: SGC7901 cells were treated with M-H+ medium for 5 days, which was followed by analysis of total cellular protein from cells by a combination of 2-DE and MS. Then the differential expressional levels of partially identified proteins were determined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The well-resolved, reproducible 2-DE patterns of SGC7901 cells cultured in M+H- or M-H+ medium were established. The 10 differential proteins between pairs of gastric cancer cells SGC7901 cultured either in M+H- medium or M-H+ medium, were identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF MS, and the differential expression levels of 2 identified proteins were confirmed. CONCLUSION: These data will be valuable for further study of the molecular mechanisms by which methionine restriction induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human gastric cancer.

[Immunotherapeutic efficacy of both helper T lymphocytes and cytotoxic T lymphocytes epitopes augmented dendritic cells tumor vaccine on gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immunotherapy efficacy of both helper T lymphocytes (Th) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) epitopes augmented dendritic cells (DCs) tumor vaccine on gastric cancer. METHODS: Naïve spleen T cells were stimulated by mixed peptides (a mixture of Th epitope MAGE-3 (22-36)) primed DCs per week in vitro. After 4 cycles of restimulation, peptide specific T cells were harvested and subgroups of which were determined with flow cytometry. Cytokines secreting profiles by CD4+ T cells and cytotoxicities of CD8+ T cells on tumor cells were assessed. The protective immunity by referred DCs tumor vaccines was also monitored. RESULTS: Both Th and CTL epitopes primed DCs could elicit both CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in vitro,of which CD4+ T cells released high amount of Th1 type cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-2) on recognizing specific antigen, as well as CD8+ T cells exhibited efficient tumor-killing capacity. The effects induced by DCs pulsed with single epitope (Th or CTL epitope) in vivo were less effective than those induced by DCs pulsed with mixture epitopes. CONCLUSIONS: Both Th and CTL epitopes augmented DCs tumor vaccine can induce CD4+ Th1 and CD8+ CTL mediated immune responses to eradicate gastric cancer cells.