Novel targets in rectal cancer by considering lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network in response to Lactobacillus acidophilus consumption: a randomized clinical trial.

We aimed to explore the lncRNA-miR-mRNA network in response to Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) consumption in rectal cancer patients. The candidate miRs were first taken from the GEO and TCGA databases. We constructed the lncRNA-miR-mRNA network using the high-throughput sequencing data. At last, we created a heatmap based on the experimental data to show the possible correlation of the selected targets. The expression levels of selected targets were measured in the samples of 107 rectal cancer patients undergoing placebo and probiotic consumption and 10 noncancerous subjects using Real-Time PCR. Our analysis revealed a group of differentially expressed 12 miRs and 11 lncRNAs, and 12 genes in rectal cancer patients. A significant expression increase of the selected tumor suppressor miRs, lncRNAs, and genes and a substantial expression decrease of the selected oncomiRs, onco-lncRNAs, and oncogenes were obtained after the probiotic consumption compared to the placebo group. There is a strong correlation between some network components, including miR-133b and IGF1 gene, miR-548ac and MSH2 gene, and miR-21 and SMAD4 gene. In rectal cancer patients, L. acidophilus consumption was associated with improved expression of the lncRNA-miR-mRNA network, which may provide novel monitoring and therapeutic approaches.

Role of oxytocin and c-Myc pathway in cardiac remodeling in neonatal rats undergoing cardiac apical resection.

Oxytocin (OT) is a nonapeptide hormone that can improve cardiomyocyte proliferation, suggesting a potential heart regeneration function. Here, we investigated the role of oxytocin and the c-Myc pathway in cardiac remodeling in neonatal rats undergoing cardiac apical resection. We have utilized a knockout of oxytocin receptor (OTR) with OTR-shRNA. A neonatal rat model of cardiac resection (≈10%-15%) was first established. The protein levels of OTR and c-Myc and the expression of cyclin d1 and c-Myc genes were then evaluated in the cardiac tissues at 1, 7, and 21 days after cardiac resection. We also analyzed the proliferation of cardiomyocytes through α-actinin, BrdU, and ki-67 markers. At last, the hemodynamic and electrophysiologic functions were evaluated eight weeks after cardiac resection. At 21 days, the regeneration of cardiomyocytes was repaired among rats in the control and resection groups, while OTR-shRNA groups were failed to improve. Inhibition of OTR failed cardiac regeneration and reduced the number of proliferating cardiomyocytes. The c-Myc protein was significantly reduced in the OTR-shRNA injection hearts. Moreover, we have severely found a depressed heart function in the OTR-shRNA injection animals. These observations revealed that the OT must improve cardiac remodeling in neonatal rat hearts by regulating the c-Myc pathway.