Natural anti-inflammatory products for osteoarthritis: From molecular mechanism to drug delivery systems and clinical trials.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that affects millions globally. The present nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug treatments have different side effects, leading researchers to focus on natural anti-inflammatory products (NAIPs). To review the effectiveness and mechanisms of NAIPs in the cellular microenvironment, examining their impact on OA cell phenotype and organelles levels. Additionally, we summarize relevant research on drug delivery systems and clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs), to promote clinical studies and explore natural product delivery options. English-language articles were searched on PubMed using the search terms "natural products," "OA," and so forth. We categorized search results based on PubChem and excluded "natural products" which are mix of ingredients or compounds without the structure message. Then further review was separately conducted for molecular mechanisms, drug delivery systems, and RCTs later. At present, it cannot be considered that NAIPs can thoroughly prevent or cure OA. Further high-quality studies on the anti-inflammatory mechanism and drug delivery systems of NAIPs are needed, to determine the appropriate drug types and regimens for clinical application, and to explore the combined effects of different NAIPs to prevent and treat OA.

Omega-3 fatty acid protects cardiomyocytes against hypoxia-induced injury through targeting MiR-210-3p/CASP8AP2 axis.

MicroRNAs (miRs) regulate diverse biological functions in both normal and pathological cellular conditions by post-transcriptional regulation of various genes expression. Nevertheless, the role of miRs in regulating the protective functions of omega-3 fatty acid in relation to hypoxia in cardiomyocytes remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and further delineate the mechanisms underlying microRNA-210 (miRNA-210)-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis in vitro. H9C2 cultured cells were first subjected to hypoxia followed by a subsequent treatment with main component of the Omega-3 fatty acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). Cell apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry and the expression of miR-210-3p were detected by RT-qPCR and caspase-8-associated protein 2 (CASP8AP2) at protein levels by immunoblotting. Dual luciferase assay was used to verify the mutual effect between miR-210-3p and the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of CASP8AP2 gene. DHA was shown to reduce apoptosis in H9C2 cells subjected to hypoxia. While DHA caused a significant increase in the expression of miR-210-3p, there was a marked reduction in the protein expression of CASP8AP2. MiR-210-3p and CASP8AP2 were significantly increased in H9C2 cardiomyocyte subjected to hypoxia. Overexpression of miR-210-3p could ameliorate hypoxia-induced apoptosis in H9C2 cells. MiR-210-3p negatively regulated CASP8AP2 expression at the transcriptional level. Both miR-210-3p mimic and CASP8AP2 siRNA could efficiently inhibit apoptosis in H9C2 cardiomyocyte subjected to hypoxia. We provide strong evidence showing that Omega-3 fatty acids can attenuate apoptosis in cardiomyocyte under hypoxic conditions via the up-regulation of miR-210-3p and targeting CASP8AP2 signaling pathway.

Association between dietary selenium intake and the prevalence of osteoporosis: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the correlation between dietary selenium (Se) intake and the prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) in the general middle-aged and older population in China. METHODS: Data for analyses were collected from a population based cross-sectional study performed at the Xiangya Hospital Health Management Centre. Dietary Se intake was evaluated using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. OP was diagnosed on the basis of bone mineral density scans using a compact radiographic absorptiometry system. The correlation between dietary Se intake and the prevalence of OP was primarily examined by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: This cross-sectional study included a total of 6267 subjects (mean age: 52.2 ± 7.4 years; 42% women), and the prevalence of OP among the included subjects was 9.6% (2.3% in men and 19.7% in women). Compared with the lowest quartile, the energy intake, age, gender and body mass index (BMI)-adjusted odds ratios of OP were 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55-0.94), 0.72 (95% CI 0.51-1.01) and 0.47 (95% CI 0.31-0.73) for the second, third and fourth quartiles of dietary Se intake, respectively (P for trend = 0.001). The results remained consistent in male and female subjects. Adjustment for additional potential confounders (i.e., smoking status, drinking status, physical activity level, nutritional supplements, diabetes, hypertension, fibre intake, and calcium intake) did not cause substantial changes to the results. CONCLUSIONS: In the middle-aged and older humans, participants with lower levels of dietary Se intake have a higher prevalence of OP in a dose-response manner.

Effectiveness of Folic Acid Fortified Flour for Prevention of Neural Tube Defects in a High Risk Region.

Despite efforts to tackle folate deficiency and Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) through folic acid fortification, its implementation is still lacking where it is needed most, highlighting the need for studies that evaluate the effectiveness of folic acid fortified wheat flour in a poor, rural, high-risk, NTD region of China. One of the most affected regions, Shanxi Province, was selected as a case study. A community intervention was carried out in which 16,648 women of child-bearing age received fortified flour (eight villages) and a control group received ordinary flour (three villages). NTD birth prevalence and biological indicators were measured two years after program initiation at endline only. The effect on the NTD burden was calculated using the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) method. In the intervention group, serum folate level was higher than in the control group. NTDs in the intervention group were 68.2% lower than in the control group (OR = 0.313, 95% CI = 0.207-0473, p < 0.001). In terms of DALYs, burden in intervention group was approximately 58.5% lower than in the control group. Flour fortification was associated with lower birth prevalence and burden of NTDs in economically developing regions with a high risk of NTDs. The positive findings confirm the potential of fortification when selecting an appropriate food vehicle and target region. As such, this study provides support for decision makers aiming for the implementation of (mandatory) folic acid fortification in China.