RAB10 Facilitates Colorectal Cancer Progression through Activation of the NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent malignancy globally, ranking as the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Emerging evidence highlights RAB10's involvement in the progression of various malignant tumors; however, its specific role in CRC remains unclear. Objective: To explore the oncogenic role of RAB10 in colorectal cancer progression by investigating its impact on NF-κB activation, aiming to identify a novel genetic biomarker for enhanced diagnosis and treatment of CRC. Methods: This study collected CRC tissue samples and utilized The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database for RAB10 expression verification through Western blot (WB). Cellular phenotype experiments were conducted on CRC cell lines, including quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), CCK-8, transwell assay, and wound healing assay (HCT116 and SW480). Additionally, the impact of RAB10 on NF-κB signaling was assessed through qRT-PCR and WB. Results: RAB10 exhibited upregulation in CRC tissue samples compared to normal counterparts. Furthermore, RAB10 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCT116 and SW480 cells. Notably, RAB10 induced NF-κB activation in CRC in vitro. Conclusion: This study revealed the oncogenic function of RAB10, explaining its role in activating NF-κB in CRC. The findings present RAB10 as a potential genetic biomarker for CRC diagnosis and treatment.

Artesunate inhibits osteoclastogenesis through the miR-503/RANK axis.

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease that is characterized by decreased bone density and strength due to excessive loss of bone protein and mineral content, which can be induced by increased osteoclast activity. Developing agents targeting osteoclast activation is considered to be the most effective method to reverse bone destruction and alleviate the pain caused by osteoporosis. MTT assay was conducted to detect the cell viability after artesunate treatment of RAW264.7 cells. TRACP staining and pit formation assays were performed to examine the TRACP-positive cells and pit-forming activity of osteoclasts. qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to assess the mRNA and protein expression levels of the osteoclastogenesis-related genes NFATc1, TRAP, and cathepsin k. The protein levels of RANK, p-Akt, p-p38, and p-ERK were examined by Western blotting. Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to determine whether miR-503 targeted RANK directly. Artesunate inhibited TRACP-positive cells and the pit-forming activity of osteoclasts. However, artesunate increased the expression of miR-503. Artesunate suppressed osteoclastogenesis-related gene expression and RANKL-induced activation of MAPKs and the AKT pathway. In addition, miR-503 inhibited RANK expression by directly targeting RANK during osteoclast differentiation. Artesunate inhibited osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast functions in vitro by regulating the miR-503/RANK axis and suppressing the MAPK and AKT pathways, which resulted in decreased expression of osteoclastogenesis-related markers.

A review of pharmacological and clinical studies on the application of Shenling Baizhu San in treatment of Ulcerative colitis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The prescription of Shenling Baizhu San (SLBZS) was derived from the Song Dynasty "Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang", which was a representative prescription for treating spleen asthenic diarrhea. The prescription comprised of 10 herbs for treating weak spleen and stomach. It describes symptoms like eating less, loose stools, cough, shortness of breath and tired limbs. SLBZS has been reported to be capable of eliminating discomfort when it is administered for treating irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea. This traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula has been widely used for improving gastrointestinal dysfunction and modifying the immune response to inflammation. AIM OF THE STUDY: This review is aimed to provide the up-to-date information on the pharmacology and clinical research of SLBZS in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), and to discuss the research findings and possible deficiencies, hoping to better guide the clinical application and scientific research of SLBZS in the treatment of UC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant studies from 2004 to 2018 on SLBZS in the treatment of UC mechanism and curative effect were collected from ancient books, pharmacopoeia, reports, thesis via library and Digital databases (PubMed, CNKI, Google Scholar, Web of Science, SciFinder, Springer, Elsevier, etc). RESULTS: SLBZS could regulate inflammatory factors and intestinal flora, and ERK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway may be one of its targets. In addition, clinical research results show that SLBZS has a good therapeutic effect on UC, and the adverse reactions are small. CONCLUSION: Although SLBZS has achieved some success in the treatment of UC, there are still some scientific gaps. There is a lack of uniform standards for constructing UC animal models, and some methods of modeling through environmental and dietary interventions are not reproducible, and there is a lack of uniform dosing regimen standards. SLBZS doses follow the tradition and lack toxicological validation. Therefore, more specific toxicological research models are essential. The clinical application of SLBZS requires reassessment and standardization. Although all clinical research reports randomly assigned patients to different groups, most did not describe a detailed method of randomization and no description of the analysis data. In addition, extensive in vitro studies and further in-depth molecular studies are essential for the determination of mechanisms that have been performed in all in vivo experiments on animal models and patients.

Berberine, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, Reduces Inflammation in Adipose Tissue, Polarizes M2 Macrophages, and Increases Energy Expenditure in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

BACKGROUND The uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) gene has a role in mitochondrial energy expenditure in brown adipose tissue. This study aimed to investigate the effects of berberine, a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid used in traditional Chinese medicine, on energy expenditure, expression of the UCP1 gene, the cell stress protein inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α), apoptosis genes, and macrophage phenotype (M1 and M2) in white and brown adipose tissue in an obese mouse model fed a high-fat diet. MATERIAL AND METHODS Four-week-old C57BL/6J male mice (n=20) were divided into a high-fat diet group, a normal diet group, a group treated with berberine at 100 mg/kg/d in 0.9% normal saline, and a non-treated group. Whole-body fat mass, blood glucose, insulin resistance, and oxygen expenditure during physical activity were measured. After 16 weeks, the mice were euthanized for examination of liver and adipose tissue. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis genes, thermogenic genes (including UCP1), and IRE1α, were investigated using immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), in white and brown adipose tissue. Magnetic cell sorting harvested M1 and M2 macrophages in adipose tissue. Clodronate liposomes were used to inhibit macrophage recruitment. RESULTS Berberine treatment in mice fed a high-fat diet increased energy metabolism, glucose tolerance, and expression of UCP1, and reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, macrophage recruitment, and resulted in M2 macrophage polarization in white adipose tissue. Polarized M2 macrophages showed reduced expression of apoptotic genes and IRE1α. CONCLUSIONS Berberine improved metabolic function in a mouse model fed a high-fat diet.

Effect of health Baduanjin Qigong for mild to moderate Parkinson's disease.

AIM: The present study investigated the effectiveness of Baduanjin Qigong on symptoms related to gait, functional mobility and sleep in Parkinson disease (PD) patients. METHODS: A total of 100 patients (age 67.53 ± 8.56 years, range 55-80 years) with mild to moderate PD were randomly assigned to two groups. Participants in the Baduanjin Qigong group (BQG) received a Baduanjin Qigong program, consisting of four 45-min sessions each week and daily walking 30 min for 6 months. Participants in the control group were carried out daily walking for 30 min. Pre- and post-intervention testing was carried out to assess sleep quality, fatigue, functional mobility and gait performance in these participants. RESULTS: After the 6-month Baduanjin Qigong intervention, the BQG showed sleep quality improvements in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score (P = 0.049), Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale-2 (PDSS-2) total score (P = 0.039), Motor Symptoms at Night (PDSS-2) score (P = 0.039), PD Symptoms at Night (PDSS-2) score (P = 0.029), Disturbed Sleep (PDSS-2) score (P = 0.037). The BQG showing functional mobility capacity greater improvements in the Berg Balance Scale (P = 0.041) and 6-minute walk test (P = 0.042), and greater decrease in the Timed Up & Go (s; P = 0.046). The BQG showing gait function increased in the gait speed (m/s; P = 0.011). However, this was not the case for the control group, which remained at the same level as pretest performance. CONCLUSIONS: BQG improved the gait performance, functional mobility and sleep quality in older adults with PD at the 6-month follow up. It is as an alternative home exercise program for older adults in rehabilitation for PD. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 911-919.

Efficacy of Liuzijue Qigong in Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Remission.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effectiveness of a 6-month Liuzijue qigong (LQG) program in promoting physical and psychosocial function in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). DESIGN: Single-blind, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Seven hospital respiratory care centers in Beijing. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with COPD (N = 126; mean age 71.1 ± 2.7, range 65-85). METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: LQG (n = 63) and control (n = 63). Subjects in the LQG group received a LQG program consisting of four 45-minute sessions each week and daily walking for 30 minutes for 6 months. Control subjects walked daily for 30 minutes. Data collection was performed at baseline, at 6 weeks, and at 6 months. Primary outcomes involved functional capacity, and secondary outcomes involved quality of life. RESULTS: The LQG group had greater improvements in the 6-minute walk test (P = .02); specific airway conductance (P = .02); monitored functional task evaluation (P = .04); Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36; general health (P < .001), mental health (P = .03)); Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (dyspnea (P = .05), emotion (P = .05), and mastery (P = .04) at 6-month follow-up. After 6 months, the control group had significant improvement only on the SF-36 mental health (P = .02). CONCLUSION: LQG promoted functional capacity and quality of life in older adults with COPD at 6 months and is a good alternative home exercise program for older adults in the rehabilitation of COPD.

Optimization of antioxidant activity by response surface methodology in hydrolysates of jellyfish (Rhopilema esculentum) umbrella collagen.

To optimize the hydrolysis conditions to prepare hydrolysates of jellyfish umbrella collagen with the highest hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, collagen extracted from jellyfish umbrella was hydrolyzed with trypsin, and response surface methodology (RSM) was applied. The optimum conditions obtained from experiments were pH 7.75, temperature (T) 48.77 degrees C, and enzyme-to-substrate ratio ([E]/[S]) 3.50%. The analysis of variance in RSM showed that pH and [E]/[S] were important factors that significantly affected the process (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). The hydrolysates of jellyfish umbrella collagen were fractionated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and three fractions (HF-1>3000 Da, 1000 Da