Value of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 for predicting acute pancreatitis severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 and the severity of acute pancreatitis and its diagnostic utility. METHODS: This study was carried out by searching Chinese and English literature from the establishment of the database to July 9, 2023, systematically, and assessing the quality and heterogeneity of the articles included. RESULTS: Thirteen studies with a total of 986 patients were included. Patients with severe acute pancreatitis showed higher levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 compared with mild acute pancreatitis [weighted mean difference=76.64 pg/mL, 95% confidence interval (95%CI 50.39-102.89, p<0.001)]. Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 predicted pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve were 79%, 74%, and 0.85 for severe acute pancreatitis, with some heterogeneity (I2>50% or p<0.05). In the subgroup analysis, cutoff >150 pg/mL was found to be a heterogeneous factor. CONCLUSION: Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 is a reliable tool for identifying acute pancreatitis severity, but only as a screening tool.

Value of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 for predicting acute pancreatitis severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 and the severity of acute pancreatitis and its diagnostic utility. METHODS: This study was carried out by searching Chinese and English literature from the establishment of the database to July 9, 2023, systematically, and assessing the quality and heterogeneity of the articles included. RESULTS: Thirteen studies with a total of 986 patients were included. Patients with severe acute pancreatitis showed higher levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 compared with mild acute pancreatitis [weighted mean difference=76.64 pg/mL, 95% confidence interval (95%CI 50.39-102.89, p<0.001)]. Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 predicted pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve were 79%, 74%, and 0.85 for severe acute pancreatitis, with some heterogeneity (I2>50% or p<0.05). In the subgroup analysis, cutoff >150 pg/mL was found to be a heterogeneous factor. CONCLUSION: Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 is a reliable tool for identifying acute pancreatitis severity, but only as a screening tool.

CircRNA circ_0043533 facilitates cell growth in polycystic ovary syndrome by targeting miR-1179.

Increasing evidence indicates that circular RNAs (CircRNAs) have an important role in human diseases, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Recently, circ_0043533, a novel circRNA, was proposed to be involved in the progression of PCOS. However, its role in PCOS has not been explored. In this study, the expression levels of circ_0043533 and miR-1179 in ovarian granulosa cells (OGCs) were examined by qRT-PCR analysis. Moreover, knockdown of circ_0043533 in OGC lines COV434 and KGN, respectively, the cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and cycle-related markers of insulin-triggered OGCs were examined by CCK-8, EdU staining, flow cytometry, and western blot assays, respectively. The interaction between circ_0043533 and miR-1179 was examined by bioinformatics, dual-luciferase assay, and RNA immunoprecipitation. Besides, effects of the miR-1179 inhibitor on cell viability and apoptosis in OGC lines with circ_0043533 knockdown were also evaluated. OGCs and insulin-treated OGCs exhibited higher circ_0043533 levels in comparison to the IOSE80 cells. Additionally, knockdown of circ_0043533 remarkably inhibited the cell viability and proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of insulin-treated COV434 and KGN cells, respectively. Meanwhile, circ_0043533 knockdown could down-regulate the Bcl-2, CDK2, and Cyclin D1 expressions, and up-regulate the Bax levels. Furthermore, we demonstrated that circ_0043533 acted as a sponge to absorb miR-1179. Interestingly, miR-1179 inhibition remarkably attenuated the effect of circ_0043533 silence on cell proliferation and apoptosis in insulin-treated COV434 and KGN cells. Taken together, this study revealed that circ_0043533 knockdown restrained the malignant progression of PCOS via targeting miR-1179. Our data suggested that circ_0043533 would serve as a novel therapeutic target for PCOS.

Epidermal growth factor upregulates serotonin transporter and its association with visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome.

AIM: To investigate the role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in visceral hypersensitivity and its effect on the serotonin transporter (SERT). METHODS: A rat model for visceral hypersensitivity was established by intra-colonic infusion of 0.5% acetic acid in 10-d-old Sprague-Dawley rats. The visceral sensitivity was assessed by observing the abdominal withdrawal reflex and recording electromyographic activity of the external oblique muscle in response to colorectal distension. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the EGF levels in plasma and colonic tissues. SERT mRNA expression was detected by real-time PCR while protein level was determined by Western blot. The correlation between EGF and SERT levels in colon tissues was analyzed by Pearson's correlation analysis. SERT function was examined by tritiated serotonin (5-HT) uptake experiments. Rat intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) were used to examine the EGF regulatory effect on SERT expression and function via the EGF receptor (EGFR). RESULTS: EGF levels were significantly lower in the rats with visceral hypersensitivity as measured in plasma (2.639 ± 0.107 ng/mL vs 4.066 ± 0.573 ng/mL, P < 0.01) and in colonic tissue (3.244 ± 0.135 ng/100 mg vs 3.582 ± 0.197 ng/100 mg colon tissue, P < 0.01) compared with controls. Moreover, the EGF levels were positively correlated with SERT levels (r = 0.820, P < 0.01). EGF displayed dose- and time-dependent increased SERT gene expressions in IEC-6 cells. An EGFR kinase inhibitor inhibited the effect of EGF on SERT gene upregulation. SERT activity was enhanced following treatment with EGF (592.908 ± 31.515 fmol/min per milligram vs 316.789 ± 85.652 fmol/min per milligram protein, P < 0.05) and blocked by the EGFR kinase inhibitor in IEC-6 cells (590.274 ± 25.954 fmol/min per milligram vs 367.834 ± 120.307 fmol/min per milligram protein, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A decrease in EGF levels may contribute to the formation of visceral hypersensitivity through downregulation of SERT-mediated 5-HT uptake into enterocytes.