Clinical Potential of Fruit in Bladder Cancer Prevention and Treatment.

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common tumor of the urinary system in the world. Moreover, despite using anticancer therapies, BC is also characterized by a high recurrence risk. Among numerous risk factors, cigarette smoking, occupational exposure to certain aromatic compounds, and genetic factors contribute most strongly to BC development. However, the epidemiological data to date suggests that diet quality may influence some carcinogenic factors of BC and, therefore, might have a preventative effect. Adequate consumption of selected fruits with scientifically proven properties, including pomegranates and cranberries, can significantly reduce the risk of developing BC, even in those at risk. Therefore, in this article, we aim to elucidate, using available literature, the role of fruits, including pomegranates, cranberries, citrus fruits, cactus pears, and apples, in BC prevention and treatment. Previous data indicate the role of compounds in the above-mentioned fruits in the modulation of the signaling pathways, including cell proliferation, cell growth, cell survival, and cell death.

The Green Anti-Cancer Weapon. The Role of Natural Compounds in Bladder Cancer Treatment.

Bladder cancer (BC) is the second most common genitourinary cancer. In 2018, 550,000 people in the world were diagnosed with BC, and the number of new cases continues to rise. BC is also characterized by high recurrence risk, despite therapies. Although in the last few years, the range of BC therapy has considerably widened, it is associated with severe side effects and the development of drug resistance, which is hampering treatment success. Thus, patients are increasingly choosing products of natural origin as an alternative or complementary therapeutic options. Therefore, in this article, we aim to elucidate, using the available literature, the role of natural substances such as curcumin, sulforaphane, resveratrol, quercetin, 6-gingerol, delphinidin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate and gossypol in the BC treatment. Numerous clinical and preclinical studies point to their role in the modulation of the signaling pathways, such as cell proliferation, cell survival, apoptosis and cell death.

Evaluation of the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field on the levels of some inflammatory cytokines in post-stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Activation of immunologically competent cells results in the overproduction of pro-inflammatory factors, and causes progression of nerve tissue damage. However, the potential neuroprotective effects of these factors in brain damage have not been well investigated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) treatment on the molecular mechanism of inflammatory cytokine activity in post-stroke patients. METHODS: All patients underwent the same rehabilitation program, but the ELF-EMF group were also given ELF-EMF treatment. Both groups have been used in our previous studies. In order to determine the plasma level of cytokines, the levels of interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon-γ (INF-γ) and transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) were evaluated, and the level of IL-1ß mRNA expression was determined. RESULTS: After ELF-EMF treatment, both IL-1ß plasma level and IL-1ß mRNA expression level, as well as IL-2 plasma level increased, while IFN-γ and TGF-ß levels did not change. CONCLUSION: The increased expression of IL-1ß found in this study may be a response to ELF-EMF stimulation. It is hypothesized that a neuroprotective role of this cytokine may occur due to IL-1ß-dependent regulation of neurotrophic factors. Further research is needed to explore this hypothesis.