Breaking barriers: How modified citrus pectin inhibits galectin-8.

Inhibition of galectin-3-mediated interactions by modified citrus pectin (MCP) could affect several rate-limiting steps in cancer metastasis, but the ability of MCP to antagonize galectin-8 function remains unknown. We hypothesized that MCP could bind to galectin-8 in addition to galectin-3. In this study, a combination of gradual ethanol precipitation and DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow chromatography was used to isolate several fractions from MCP. The ability of these fractions to antagonize galectin-8 function was studied as well as the primary structure and initial structure-function relationship of the major active component MCP-30-3. The results showed that MCP-30-3 (168 kDa) was composed of Gal (13.8%), GalA (63.1%), GlcA (13.0%), and Glc (10.1%). MCP-30-3 could specifically bind to galectin-8, with an MIC value of 0.04 mg mL-1. After MCP-30-3 was hydrolyzed by ß-galactosidase or pectinase, its binding activity was significantly reduced. These results provide new insights into the interaction between MCP structure and galectin function, as well as the potential utility in the development of functional foods.

Predictive Value of Preoperative Prostate Health Index and Serum Testosterone Testing for Biochemical Recurrence after Radical Prostatectomy for Non-Metastatic Prostate Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the predictive value of prostate health index (PHI) combined with serum testosterone after radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: A total of 132 PCa patients who received RP treatment from January 2016 to December 2019 were selected, retrospectively. And then these patients were divided into biochemical recurrence (BCR) group (n = 51) and non-biochemical recurrence (non-BCR) group (n = 81) based on whether BCR was present after RP. Basic data of PCa patients were collected, and preoperative prostate health index (PHI) and serum testosterone levels were measured in both groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the influencing factors of BCR after RP. The predictive value of PHI and serum testosterone on BCR after RP was analysed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves, and log rank test was used to analyse the differences between survival curves. RESULTS: The BCR rate of patients in this study was 38.64% (51/132). Single-factor analysis showed that BCR after RP in PCa patients was associated with prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score, pathological stage, postoperative adjuvant therapy, testosterone and PHI (p < 0.05). Logistics regression analysis showed that PSA >20 ng/mL, Gleason score (8 scores), pathological stage pT3, increased PHI and increased testosterone were independent risk factors for BCR after RP. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under curve (AUC) of PHI and serum testosterone predicting BCR after RP alone and in combination were 0.769, 0.725 and 0.906, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that preoperative high PHI and low testosterone are negatively correlated with recurrence-free survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative PHI and testosterone can serve as simple prognostic indicators for postoperative BCR in PCa patients undergoing RP. PCa patients with higher PHI levels and lower testosterone levels may be more prone to developing BCR. The combination of PHI and testosterone has a higher value in predicting BCR after RP.