Restorative potential of (-)-epicatechin in a rat model of Gulf War illness muscle atrophy and fatigue.

We examined in a rat model of Gulf War illness (GWI), the potential of (-)-epicatechin (Epi) to reverse skeletal muscle (SkM) atrophy and dysfunction, decrease mediators of inflammation and normalize metabolic perturbations. Male Wistar rats (n = 15) were provided orally with pyridostigmine bromide (PB) 1.3 mg/kg/day, permethrin (PM) 0.13 mg/kg/day (skin), DEET 40 mg/kg/day (skin) and were physically restrained for 5 min/day for 3 weeks. A one-week period ensued to fully develop the GWI-like profile followed by 2 weeks of either Epi treatment at 1 mg/kg/day by gavage (n = 8) or water (n = 7) for controls. A normal, control group (n = 15) was given vehicle and not restrained. At 6 weeks, animals were subjected to treadmill and limb strength testing followed by euthanasia. SkM and blood sampling was used for histological, biochemical and plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine and metabolomics assessments. GWI animals developed an intoxication profile characterized SkM atrophy and loss of function accompanied by increases in modulators of muscle atrophy, degradation markers and plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Treatment of GWI animals with Epi yielded either a significant partial or full normalization of the above stated indicators relative to normal controls. Plasma metabolomics revealed that metabolites linked to inflammation and SkM waste pathways were dysregulated in the GWI group whereas Epi, attenuated such changes. In conclusion, in a rat model of GWI, Epi partially reverses detrimental changes in SkM structure including modulators of atrophy, inflammation and select plasma metabolites yielding improved function.

Analysis of ERCC1 and ERCC2 gene variants in osteosarcoma, colorectal and breast cancer.

The Asn118Asn (rs11615) variant in the ERCC1 gene, and the Lys751Gln (rs13181) and Asp312Asn (rs1799793) variants in the ERCC2 gene have been associated with the development of varied types of cancer. The aim of the present study was to test for any association between the ERCC1 and ERCC2 gene variants and three different types of cancer in Mexican-mestizo patients. Patients and their respective controls were formed into three groups: The osteosarcoma group, with 28 patients and 97 controls; the colorectal group, with 108 patients and 119 controls; and the breast cancer group, with 71 patients and 74 controls. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan probes and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared using a χ2 test. Only one SNP (rs1799793) was found to be associated with breast cancer. This is the first study analyzing the SNPs in ERCC1 and ERCC2 genes and the susceptibility to cancer in Mexican-mestizo patients with osteosarcoma, and colorectal and breast cancer.