The difference between dacomitinib and afatinib in effectiveness and safety in first-line treatment of patients with advanced EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer: a real-world observational study.

OBJECTIVES: The irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs) afatinib and dacomitinib are approved for first-line treatment of EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of afatinib and dacomitinib in this setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2020 and March 2023, we retrospectively recruited patients diagnosed with advanced-stage EGFR-mutant NSCLC who were treated with first-line irreversible EGFR-TKIs. The enrolled patients were assigned to two groups based on whether they received afatinib or dacomitinib. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were enrolled in the study (70 to afatinib and 31 to dacomitinib). The partial response rates (PR) for first-line treatment with afatinib and dacomitinib were 85.7 and 80.6% (p = 0.522). The median progression-free survival (PFS) (18.9 vs. 16.3 months, p = 0.975) and time to treatment failure (TTF) (22.7 vs. 15.9 months, p = 0.324) in patients with afatinib and dacomitinib treatment were similar. There was no significant difference observed in the median PFS (16.1 vs. 18.9 months, p = 0.361) and TTF (32.5 vs. 19.6 months, p = 0.182) between patients receiving the standard dose and those receiving the reduced dose. In terms of side effects, the incidence of diarrhea was higher in the afatinib group (75.8% vs. 35.5%, p < 0.001), while the incidence of paronychia was higher in the dacomitinib group (58.1% vs. 31.4%, p = 0.004). The PFS (17.6 vs. 24.9 months, p = 0.663) and TTF (21.3 vs. 25.1 months, p = 0.152) were similar between patients younger than 75 years and those older than 75 years. CONCLUSION: This study showed that afatinib and dacomitinib had similar effectiveness and safety profiles. However, they have slightly different side effects. Afatinib and dacomitinib can be safely administered to patients across different age groups with appropriate dose reductions.

The impact of squamous cell transformation on the prognosis of patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available for guiding the management of upper urinary tract (UUT) urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation (UC-SqD). We did not even know about the difference between pure urothelial carcinoma (UC) and UC-SqD in the UUT regardless of treatment policy and prognosis. Instead of direct comparisons against each other, we included the third UUT malignancy, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This three-way-race model allows us to more clearly demonstrate the impact of squamous cell transformation on patient outcomes in UUT malignancy. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 327 patients with UC, UC-SqD, or SCC who underwent radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision (RNU) at Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, between January 2006 and December 2013. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between patient outcomes and histology. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards modelling was also used to predict patient prognoses. RESULTS: The five-year postoperative cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates were 83.6% (UC), 74.4% (UC-SqD), and 55.6% (SCC), and the 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 87.7% (UC), 61.5% (UC-SqD), and 51.9% (SCC). UC patients had significantly better 5-year RFS than UC-SqD and SCC patients (P = 0.001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Patients with pure UC had significantly better 5-year CSS than SCC patients (P = 0.0045). SCC or UC-SqD did not independently predict disease-specific mortality (HR 0.999, p = 0.999; HR 0.775, p = 0.632, respectively) or disease recurrence compared to pure UC (HR 2.934, p = 0.239; HR 1.422, p = 0.525, respectively). Age, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and lymph node (LN) status independently predicted CSS, while pathological tumour stage, LN status, and LVI predicted RFS. CONCLUSIONS: SCC and UC-SqD are not independent predictors of survival outcomes in patients with UUT tumours. However, they are associated with other worse prognostic factors. Hence, different treatments are needed for these two conditions, especially for SCC.

Staggered intercalation of DNA duplexes with base-pair modulation by two distinct drug molecules induces asymmetric backbone twisting and structure polymorphism.

The use of multiple drugs simultaneously targeting DNA is a promising strategy in cancer therapy for potentially overcoming single drug resistance. In support of this concept, we report that a combination of actinomycin D (ActD) and echinomycin (Echi), can interact in novel ways with native and mismatched DNA sequences, distinct from the structural effects produced by either drug alone. Changes in the former with GpC and CpG steps separated by a A:G or G:A mismatch or in a native DNA with canonical G:C and C:G base pairs, result in significant asymmetric backbone twists through staggered intercalation and base pair modulations. A wobble or Watson-Crick base pair at the two drug-binding interfaces can result in a single-stranded 'chair-shaped' DNA duplex with a straight helical axis. However, a novel sugar-edged hydrogen bonding geometry in the G:A mismatch leads to a 'curved-shaped' duplex. Two non-canonical G:C Hoogsteen base pairings produce a sharply kinked duplex in different forms and a four-way junction-like superstructure, respectively. Therefore, single base pair modulations on the two drug-binding interfaces could significantly affect global DNA structure. These structures thus provide a rationale for atypical DNA recognition via multiple DNA intercalators and a structural basis for the drugs' potential synergetic use.

Application of impulse oscillometry to detect interstitial lung disease and airway disease in adults with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a retrospective observational study to explore the potential application of impulse oscillometry (IOS) as an alternative to high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) for detecting pulmonary involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because clinically evident interstitial lung disease (ILD) and airway involvement are common in this population. METHODS: We enrolled 72 patients with RA who underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and IOS between September 2021 and September 2022. We aimed to identify the PFT and IOS variables associated with lung diseases shown on HRCT images. RESULTS: In our cohort of 72 patients, 48 underwent HRCT; of these, 35 had airway disease or ILD and 13 showed no obvious abnormalities on HRCT. Abnormal IOS and PFT parameters were observed in 34 and 23 patients, respectively, with abnormal HRCT images. The predicted percentages for forced vital capacity, the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first one second to forced vital capacity, and forced mid-expiratory flow value were significantly lower in patients with abnormal HRCT. Lung resistance at 5 Hz, difference in resistance between 5 and 20 Hz, resonant frequency (Fres), and reactance area were higher in these patients and reactance at 5 Hz was lower. Compared to other parameters, Fres > 14.14 was significantly associated with alterations in HRCT and may be used as an indicator for monitoring disease. CONCLUSION: Fres > 14.14 is significantly associated with lung involvement in RA patients. Performance of spirometry with IOS is more beneficial than spirometry alone for evaluating lung involvement in RA patients.

New Verticillene Diterpenoids, Eudesmane Sesquiterpenoids, and Hydroperoxysteroids from the Further Chemical Investigation of a Taiwanese Soft Coral Cespitularia sp.

An investigation of the chemical composition of a Formosan soft coral Cespitularia sp. led to the discovery of one new verticillene-type diterpenoid, cespitulactam M (1); one new eudesmane sesquiterpenoid, cespilamide F (2); and three new hydroperoxysteroids (3-5) along with twelve known analogous metabolites (6-17). In addition, one new derivative, cespitulactam M-6,2'-diacetate (1a), was prepared from compound 1. The structures were determined by detailed spectroscopic analyses, particularly HRESIMS and NMR techniques. Moreover, the in vitro cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activity of 1-17 and 1a were evaluated.

Isosarcophytoxide Derivatives with a 2,5-Dihydrofuran Moiety from the Soft Coral Sarcophyton cinereum.

The present chemical investigation on the organic extract of the soft coral Sarcophyton cinereum has contributed to the isolation of four new cembranoids: 16ß- and 16α-hydroperoxyisosarcophytoxides (1 and 2), 16ß- and 16α-methoxyisosarcophytoxides (3 and 4), and a known cembranoid, lobocrasol (5). The structures of all isolates were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis. Their structures were characterized by a 2,5-dihydrofuran moiety, of which the relative configuration was determined by DU8-based calculation for long-range coupling constants (4JH,H). The cytotoxicity and immunosuppressive activities of all isolates were evaluated in this study.

(-)-Agelasidine A Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Dependent Apoptosis in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Liver cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), are a highly prevalent cause of cancer-related deaths. Current treatments to combat liver cancer are limited. (-)-Agelasidine A, a compound isolated from the methanol extract of Agelasnakamurai, a sesquiterpene guanidine derived from sea sponge, has antibacterial activity. We demonstrated its anticancer capabilities by researching the associated mechanism of (-)-agelasidine A in human liver cancer cells. We found that (-)-agelasidine A significantly reduced viability in Hep3B and HepG2 cells, and we determined that apoptosis was involved in the (-)-agelasidine A-induced Hep3B cell deaths. (-)-Agelasidine A activated caspases 9, 8, and 3, as well as PARP. This effect was reversed by caspase inhibitors, suggesting caspase-mediated apoptosis in the (-)-agelasidine A-treated Hep3B cells. Moreover, the reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the release of cytochrome c indicated that the (-)-agelasidine A-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis was mechanistic. (-)-Agelasidine A also increased apoptosis-associated proteins (DR4, DR5, FAS), which are related to extrinsic pathways. These events were accompanied by an increase in Bim and Bax, proteins that promote apoptosis, and a decrease in the antiapoptotic protein, Bcl-2. Furthermore, our results presented that (-)-agelasidine A treatment bridged the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Western blot analysis of Hep3B cells treated with (-)-agelasidine A showed that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related proteins (GRP78, phosphorylated PERK, phosphorylated eIF2α, ATF4, truncated ATF6, and CHOP) were upregulated. Moreover, 4-PBA, an ER stress inhibitor, could also abrogate (-)-agelasidine A-induced cell viability reduction, annexin V+ apoptosis, death receptor (DR4, DR5, FAS) expression, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cytochrome c release. In conclusion, by activating ER stress, (-)-agelasidine A induced the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways of human HCC.

Regulation of Myeloid Dendritic Cells by Synthetic and Natural Compounds for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Different subsets of dendritic cells (DCs) participate in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In particular, myeloid DCs play a key role in the generation of autoreactive T and B cells. Herein, we undertook a literature review on those synthetic and natural compounds that have therapeutic efficacy/potential for RA and act through the regulation of myeloid DCs. Most of these compounds inhibit both the maturation of DCs and their secretion of inflammatory cytokines and, subsequently, alter the downstream T-cell response (suppression of Th1 and Th17 responses while expanding the Treg response). The majority of the synthetic compounds are approved for the treatment of patients with RA, which is consistent with the importance of DCs in the pathogenesis of RA. All of the natural compounds are derived from plants. Their DC-modulating effect has been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, these natural products ameliorate arthritis in rodents and are potential therapeutics for human RA.

Crassolide Induces G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis, and Autophagy in Human Lung Cancer Cells via ROS-Mediated ER Stress Pathways.

Crassolide, a cembranoid diterpene extracted from the soft coral Lobophytum crissum, has been proven to possess antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. In the present study, we assessed the anticancer effects of crassolide on human H460 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. We found that crassolide exerted cytotoxic effects on H460 cancer cells in vitro, inducing G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis. In addition, in H460 cells exposed to crassolide, the expression of the autophagy-related proteins LC3-II and beclin was increased, while the expression of p62 was decreased. Moreover, inhibiting autophagy with chloroquine (CQ) suppressed the crassolide-induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis of H460 cells. Moreover, we also found that crassolide induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in lung cancer cells by increasing the expression of ER stress marker proteins and that the crassolide-induced G2/M arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy were markedly attenuated by the ER stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA). Furthermore, we found that crassolide promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by H460 cells and that the ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC) decreased the crassolide-induced ER stress, G2/M arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy. In conclusion, our findings show that crassolide inhibits NSCLC cell malignant biological behaviors for the first time, suggesting that this effect may be mechanistically achieved by inducing G2/M arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy through ROS accumulation, which activates the ER stress pathway. As a result of our findings, we now have a better understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the anticancer effect of crassolide, and we believe crassolide might be a candidate for targeted cancer therapy.

Lactoferrin Ameliorates Ovalbumin-Induced Asthma in Mice through Reducing Dendritic-Cell-Derived Th2 Cell Responses.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease with symptoms such as expiratory airflow narrowing and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Millions of people suffer from asthma and are at risk of life-threatening conditions. Lactoferrin (LF) is a glycoprotein with multiple physiological functions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumoral activities. LF has been shown to function in immunoregulatory activities in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) in mice. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of LF in AHR and the functions of dendritic cells (DCs) and Th2-related responses in asthma. Twenty 8-week-old male BALB/c mice were divided into normal control (NC), ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized, and OVA-sensitized with low dose of LF (100 mg/kg) or high dose of LF (300 mg/kg) treatment groups. The mice were challenged by intranasal instillation with 5% OVA on the 21st to 27th day after the start of the sensitization period. The AHR, cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and pulmonary histology of each mouse were measured. Serum OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 and OVA-specific splenocyte responses were further detected. The results showed that LF exhibited protective effects in ameliorating AHR, as well as lung inflammation and damage, in reducing the expression of Th2 cytokines and the secretion of allergen-specific antibodies, in influencing the functions of DCs, and in decreasing the level of Th2 immune responses in a BALB/c mouse model of OVA-induced allergic asthma. Importantly, we demonstrated that LF has practical application in reducing DC-induced Th2 cell responses in asthma. In conclusion, LF exhibits anti-inflammation and immunoregulation activities in OVA-induced allergic asthma. These results suggest that LF may act as a supplement to prevent asthma-induced lung injury and provide an additional agent for reducing asthma severity.

Long-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Greater Curvature Plication and Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Critical Appraisal of the Role of Gastric Plication in Bariatric Surgery.

Background and Objectives: This single-center study aimed to assess the role of laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) in bariatric surgery. Materials and Methods: Using data from our institution's prospectively maintained database, we identified adult patients with obesity who underwent either laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) or LGCP between January 2012 and July 2017. In total, 280 patients were enrolled in this study. Results: The body mass index was higher in the LSG group than in the LGCP group (39.3 vs. 33.3, p < 0.001). Both groups achieved significant weight loss during the 3-year follow-up (p < 0.001). The weight-reduction rate was higher in the LSG group than in the LGCP group 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively (p = 0.001, 0.001, and 0.012, respectively). The reoperation rate of the LGCP group was higher than that of the LSG group (p = 0.001). No deaths were recorded in either group. Conclusions: Although both the LGCP and LSG groups achieved significant weight loss over three years, the LGCP group demonstrated a lower weight-reduction rate and a higher reoperation rate than the LSG group. Thus, it is necessary to reassess the role of LGCP in bariatric surgery, particularly when LSG is a feasible alternative.

Proteomic and microbial assessments on the effect of Antrodia cinnamomea in C57BL/6 mice.

Antrodia cinnamomea (AC) is a nutraceutical fungus and studies have suggested that AC has the potential to prevent or alleviate diseases. However, little is known about the AC-induced phenotypes on the intestine-liver axis and gut microbial alterations. Here, we performed two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and MALDI-Biotyper to elaborate the AC-induced phenotypes on the intestine-liver axis and gut microbial distribution of C57BL/6 mice. The experimental outcomes showed that the hepatic density may increase by elevating hepatic redox regulation, lipid degradation and glycolysis-related proteins and alleviating cholesterol biosynthesis and transport-related proteins in C57BL/6 mice with AC treatment. Moreover, AC facilitates intestinal glycolysis, TCA cycle, redox and cytoskeleton regulation-related proteins, but also reduces intestinal vesicle transport-related proteins in C57BL/6 mice. However, the body weight, GTT, daily food/water intake, and fecal/urine weight were unaffected by AC supplementation in C57BL/6 mice. Notably, the C57BL/6-AC mice had a higher gut microbial abundance of Alistipes shahii (AS) than C57BL/6-Ctrl mice. In summary, the AC treatment affects intestinal permeability by regulating redox and cytoskeleton-related proteins and elevates the gut microbial abundance of AS in C57BL/6 mice that might be associated with increasing hepatic density and metabolism-related proteins of the liver in C57BL/6 mice. Our study provides an insight into the mechanisms of AC-induced phenotypes and a comprehensive assessment of AC's nutraceutical effect in C57BL/6 mice.

Expression signature of inflammation-associated long non-coding RNAs in adult-onset Still's disease.

OBJECTIVES: Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare and complex inflammatory disease with unclear immunopathogenesis. This study aims to investigate the expression signature of inflammation-associated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in AOSD and to evaluate its utility for disease diagnosis and prognostication. METHODS: Expression levels of lncRNAs MIAT, THRIL, NTT, RMRP, PACERR and NEAT1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from treatment-naïve AOSD patients and healthy donors were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A diagnostic scoring algorithm was built based on the expression pattern of MIAT, THRIL and RMRP, which could differentiate AOSD from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or sepsis. Our score could also predict the need of biologics in AOSD treatment. We further followed up ten AOSD patients and found that the expression of NEAT1 was positively correlated with the expression levels of MIAT, THRIL and RMRP after treatment. In poly(I:C)-stimulated THP-1 cell and primary monocytes, MIAT upregulation coupled with THRIL downregulation was similar to the expression pattern observed in AOSD. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides an AOSD diagnostic scoring system based on the expression signature of MIAT, THRIL and RMRP. Further investigations are needed to uncover the mechanisms of lncRNA dysregulation in AOSD.

Association between α-glucosidase inhibitor use and psoriatic disease risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A population-based cohort study.

AIMS: To investigate the association between the use of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) and the risk of psoriatic disease (ie, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with metformin. METHODS: Using the 1999-2013 Taiwanese Longitudinal Cohort of Diabetes Patients Database, we identified patients with T2DM who initiated hypoglycaemic treatment between 2003 and 2012. After excluding patients with a history of psoriatic disease (International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes 696.0-1) before T2DM diagnosis, patients who received antidiabetic treatment for <90 days, and patients aged <20 or >100 years, we identified 1390 patients who received metformin+AGIs (AGI exposure group) and 47 514 patients who received metformin only (comparison group). We matched the two groups at a 1:10 ratio by age, sex, and index date of T2DM drug use. The association between AGI use and psoriatic disease risk was analysed using a Cox proportional hazard mode; time-dependent covariates for factors were reported in terms of hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) after age, sex, T2DM duration, and comorbidities were controlled for. RESULTS: After adjusting the AGI exposure and comparison groups for potential confounders, we found that psoriatic disease risk was associated with metformin+AGI use when AGI was discontinued for 30 days (HR, 8.77; 95% CI, 1.58-48.5) and when a high AGI dose was administered; furthermore, the risk declined during AGI discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study reports that AGI use and interruption of AGI use may be associated with increased psoriatic disease risk in treated patients with T2DM.

Kurarinone Attenuates Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Mice by Inhibiting Th1/Th17 Cell Responses and Oxidative Stress.

Kurarinone is a flavanone, extracted from Sophora flavescens Aiton, with multiple biological effects. Here, we determine the therapeutic potential of kurarinone and elucidate the interplay between kurarinone and the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Arthritis was recapitulated by induction of bovine collagen II (CII) in DBA/1 mice as a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. After the establishment of the CIA, kurarinone was given orally from day 21 to 42 (100 mg/kg/day) followed by determination of the severity based on a symptom scoring scale and with histopathology. Levels of cytokines, anti-CII antibodies, and the proliferation and lineages of T cells from the draining lymph nodes were measured using ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. The expressional changes, including STAT1, STAT3, Nrf2, KEAP-1, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) changes in the paw tissues, were evaluated by Western blot assay. Oxidative stress featured with malondiadehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) activities in paw tissues were also evaluated. Results showed that kurarinone treatment reduced arthritis severity of CIA mice, as well as their levels of proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ, and IL-17A, in the serum and paw tissues. T cell proliferation was also reduced by kurarinone even under the stimulation of CII and anti-CD3 antibody. In addition, kurarinone reduced STAT1 and STAT3 phosphorylation and the proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells in lymph nodes. Moreover, kurarinone suppressed the production of MDA and H2O2. All while promoting enzymatic activities of key antioxidant enzymes, SOD and GSH-Px. In the paw tissues, upregulation of Nrf-2 and HO-1, and downregulation of KEAP-1 were observed. Overall, kurarinone showed an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation and an antioxidant effect exerted in part through activating the Nrf-2/KEAP-1 pathway. These beneficial effects in CIA mice contributed to the amelioration of their arthritis, indicating that kurarinone might be an adjunct treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Gastroprotective Effect of Naringenin against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Mice through Inhibiting Oxidative and Inflammatory Responses.

Naringenin is a major flavanone found in grapes, tangelos, blood oranges, lemons, pummelo, and tangerines. It is known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antimutagenic, antifibrogenic, and antiatherogenic pharmacological properties. This study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of naringenin in ethanol-induced gastric damage in vivo and ethanol-stimulated KATO III cells in vitro. Our results showed that pretreatment with naringenin significantly protected mice from ethanol-induced hemorrhagic damage, epithelial cell loss, and edema with leucocytes. It reduced gastric ulcers (GU) by suppressing ethanol-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity and decreasing the levels of nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and myeloperoxidase (MPO). In addition, pretreatment with naringenin might inhibit the secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8, as well as the proteins cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) via the suppression of NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in ethanol-stimulated stomach epithelial KATO III cells. Together, the results of this study highlight the gastroprotective effect of naringenin in GU of mice by inhibiting gastric secretion and acidity, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, suppressing NF-κB activity, and restoring the histological architecture. These findings suggested that naringenin has therapeutic potential in the alleviation of ethanol-induced GU.

Atractylodin Suppresses TGF-ß-Mediated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Alveolar Epithelial Cells and Attenuates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by fibrotic change in alveolar epithelial cells and leads to the irreversible deterioration of pulmonary function. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in type 2 lung epithelial cells contributes to excessive collagen deposition and plays an important role in IPF. Atractylodin (ATL) is a kind of herbal medicine that has been proven to protect intestinal inflammation and attenuate acute lung injury. Our study aimed to determine whether EMT played a crucial role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and whether EMT can be utilized as a therapeutic target by ATL treatment to mitigate IPF. To address this topic, we took two steps to investigate: 1. Utilization of anin vitro EMT model by treating alveolar epithelial cells (A549 cells) with TGF-ß1 followed by ATL treatment for elucidating the underlying pathways, including Smad2/3 hyperphosphorylation, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway overexpression, Snail and Slug upregulation, and loss of E-cadherin. Utilization of an in vivo lung injury model by treating bleomycin on mice followed by ATL treatment to demonstrate the therapeutic effectiveness, such as, less collagen deposition and lower E-cadherin expression. In conclusion, ATL attenuates TGF-ß1-induced EMT in A549 cells and bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

Crassolide Suppresses Dendritic Cell Maturation and Attenuates Experimental Antiphospholipid Syndrome.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of ß2-glycoprotein I (ß2GPI)-dependent autoantibodies, with vascular thrombosis or obstetrical complications. Around 20% of APS patients are refractory to current treatments. Crassolide, a cembranoid diterpene extracted from soft corals, is a potential therapeutic candidate. Here, to examine the anti-inflammatory properties of crassolide, we first determined its effects on bone marrow-derived and splenic dendritic cells (DC). Specifically, we applied lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or ß2GPI stimulation and measured the expressions of CD80 and CD86, and secretions of cytokines. We also determined in the OT-II mice, if bone marrow-derived DC was able to stimulate antigen-specific T cells. Moreover, we examined the therapeutic potential of crassolide postimmunization in a murine model of APS that depended on active immunization with ß2GPI. The vascular manifestations were evaluated in terms of fluorescein-induced thrombi in mesenteric microvessels, whereas the obstetric manifestations were evaluated based on the proportion of fetal loss after pregnancy. We also measured blood titers of anti-ß2GPI antibody, splenic cell proliferative responses and cytokine secretions after ß2GPI stimulation ex vivo. Finally, we determined in these mice, hematological, hepatic and renal toxicities of crassolide. Crassolide after LPS stimulation suppressed DC maturation and secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12 and IL-23, and downstream T cell activation. Crassolide could partially ameliorate both the vascular and obstetric manifestations of APS in BALB/c mice. Both blood titers of anti-ß2GPI antibody and splenic cell proliferation after ß2GPI stimulation were reduced. Splenic Th1 and Th17 responses were also lowered after ß2GPI stimulation. Finally, within therapeutic doses of crassolide, we found no evidence of its toxicity. In conclusion, we showed the ability of crassolide to suppress DC and downstream T cell responses. Crassolide is therefore a potential candidate for adjunctive therapy in APS.

Alantolactone alleviates collagen-induced arthritis and inhibits Th17 cell differentiation through modulation of STAT3 signalling.

CONTEXT: Alantolactone, the bioactive component in Inula helenium L. (Asteraceae), exhibits multiple biological effects. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of alantolactone in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model and its immunomodulatory effects on Th17 differentiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A CIA mouse model was established with DBA/1 mice randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): healthy, vehicle and two alantolactone-treated groups (25 or 50 mg/kg), followed by oral administration of alantolactone to mice for 21 consecutive days after arthritis onset. The severity of CIA was evaluated by an arthritic scoring system and histopathological examination. Levels of cytokines and anti-CII antibodies as well as percentages of splenic Th17 and Th17 differentiation with or without alantolactone treatments (0.62, 1.2 or 2.5 µM) were detected with ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate intracellular signalling in alantolactone-treated spleen cells. RESULTS: In CIA mice, alantolactone at 50 mg/kg attenuated RA symptoms, including high arthritis scores, infiltrating inflammatory cells, synovial hyperplasia, bone erosion and levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-17A, but not IL-10 in paw tissues. Alantolactone also reduced the number of splenic Th17 cells and the capability of naïve CD4+ T cells to differentiate into the Th17 subset by downregulating STAT3/RORγt signalling by as early as 24 h of treatment. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Alantolactone possesses an anti-inflammatory effect that suppresses murine CIA by inhibiting Th17 cell differentiation, suggesting alantolactone is an adjunctive therapeutic candidate to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

New Biscembranoids Sardigitolides A-D and Known Cembranoid-Related Compounds from Sarcophyton digitatum: Isolation, Structure Elucidation, and Bioactivities.

Chemical examination from the cultured soft coral Sarcophyton digitatum resulted in the isolation and structural identification of four new biscembranoidal metabolites, sardigitolides A-D (1-4), along with three previously isolated biscembranoids, sarcophytolide L (5), glaucumolide A (6), glaucumolide B (7), and two known cembranoids (8 and 9). The chemical structures of all isolates were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. Additionally, in order to discover bioactivity of marine natural products, 1-8 were examined in terms of their inhibitory potential against the upregulation of inflammatory factor production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophage J774A.1 cells and their cytotoxicities against a limited panel of cancer cells. The anti-inflammatory results showed that at a concentration of 10 µg/mL, 6 and 8 inhibited the production of IL-1ß to 68 ± 1 and 56 ± 1%, respectively, in LPS-stimulated murine macrophages J774A.1. Furthermore, sardigitolide B (2) displayed cytotoxicities toward MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines with the IC50 values of 9.6 ± 3.0 and 14.8 ± 4.0 µg/mL, respectively.