Dietary administration of the glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose reduces endotoxemia-induced inflammation and oxidative stress: Implications in PAMP-associated acute and chronic pathology.

Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) like bacterial cell wall components and viral nucleic acids are known ligands of innate inflammatory receptors that trigger multiple inflammatory pathways that may result in acute inflammation and oxidative stress-driven tissue and organ toxicity. When dysregulated, this inflammation may lead to acute toxicity and multiorgan failure. Inflammatory events are often driven by high energy demands and macromolecular biosynthesis. Therefore, we proposed that targeting the metabolism of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-driven inflammatory events, using an energy restriction approach, can be an effective strategy to prevent the acute or chronic detrimental effects of accidental or seasonal bacterial and other pathogenic exposures. In the present study, we investigated the potential of energy restriction mimetic agent (ERMA) 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) in targeting the metabolism of inflammatory events during LPS-elicited acute inflammatory response. Mice fed with 2-DG as a dietary component in drinking water showed reduced LPS-driven inflammatory processes. Dietary 2-DG reduced LPS-induced lung endothelial damage and oxidative stress by strengthening the antioxidant defense system and limiting the activation and expression of inflammatory proteins, viz., P-Stat-3, NfκΒ, and MAP kinases. This was accompanied by decreased TNF, IL-1ß, and IL-6 levels in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). 2-DG also reduced the infiltration of PMNCs (polymorphonuclear cells) in inflamed tissues. Altered glycolysis and improved mitochondrial activity in 2-DG-treated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells suggested possible impairment of macrophage metabolism and, therefore, activation in macrophages. Taken together, the present study suggests that inclusion of glycolytic inhibitor 2-DG as a part of the diet can be helpful in preventing the severity and poor prognosis associated with inflammatory events during bacterial and other pathogenic exposures.

Technological advancements in cancer diagnostics: Improvements and limitations.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is characterized by the rampant proliferation, growth, and infiltration of malignantly transformed cancer cells past their normal boundaries into adjacent tissues. It is the leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for approximately 19.3 million new diagnoses and 10 million deaths globally in 2020. In the United States alone, the estimated number of new diagnoses and deaths is 1.9 million and 609 360, respectively. Implementation of currently existing cancer diagnostic techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET), X-ray computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and molecular diagnostic techniques, have enabled early detection rates and are instrumental not only for the therapeutic management of cancer patients, but also for early detection of the cancer itself. The effectiveness of these cancer screening programs are heavily dependent on the rate of accurate precursor lesion identification; an increased rate of identification allows for earlier onset treatment, thus decreasing the incidence of invasive cancer in the long-term, and improving the overall prognosis. Although these diagnostic techniques are advantageous due to lack of invasiveness and easier accessibility within the clinical setting, several limitations such as optimal target definition, high signal to background ratio and associated artifacts hinder the accurate diagnosis of specific types of deep-seated tumors, besides associated high cost. In this review we discuss various imaging, molecular, and low-cost diagnostic tools and related technological advancements, to provide a better understanding of cancer diagnostics, unraveling new opportunities for effective management of cancer, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). RECENT FINDINGS: Herein we discuss various technological advancements that are being utilized to construct an assortment of new diagnostic techniques that incorporate hardware, image reconstruction software, imaging devices, biomarkers, and even artificial intelligence algorithms, thereby providing a reliable diagnosis and analysis of the tumor. Also, we provide a brief account of alternative low cost-effective cancer therapy devices (CryoPop®, LumaGEM®, MarginProbe®) and picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), emphasizing the need for multi-disciplinary collaboration among radiologists, pathologists, and other involved specialties for improving cancer diagnostics. CONCLUSION: Revolutionary technological advancements in cancer imaging and molecular biology techniques are indispensable for the accurate diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.

Enhanced Glycolysis Confers Resistance Against Photon but Not Carbon Ion Irradiation in Human Glioma Cell Lines.

Purpose: Metabolic reprogramming is a key hallmark in various malignancies and poses a challenge in achieving success with various therapies. Enhanced glycolysis is known to confer resistance against photon irradiation while the tumor response to carbon ion irradiation (CII) has not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of enhanced glycolysis on the response of human glioma cell lines to CII compared to the response to X-rays. Material and Methods: Glycolysis was stimulated using Dinitrophenol (DNP), a mild OXPHOS inhibitor, in three human glioma cell lines (U251, U87, and LN229) and assessed by monitoring glucose uptake and utilization as well as expression of regulators of glycolysis (glucose transporter protein type 1(Glut1), hexokinase-II (HKII), and Pyruvate Kinase-2 (PKM2). Radiation (X-rays and CII) induced loss of clonogenic survival growth inhibition and perturbations in cell cycle progression (G2+M block), cytogenetic damage (micronuclei formation), apoptosis, necrosis (reflecting interphase death), and cell migration (Scratch assay) were investigated as parameters of radiation response. Results: DNP (1 mM) enhanced the expression levels of GLUT1, HKII, and PKM2 by 30-60% and glucose uptake as well as usage by nearly 3 folds in U251 cells suggesting the stimulation of glycolysis. Enhanced glycolysis attenuated the loss of clonogenic survival with D10 doses increasing by 20% to 65% in these cell lines, while no significant changes were noted following CII. Concomitantly, dose-dependent growth inhibition, and cytogenetic damage as well as apoptosis and necrosis induced by X-rays were also reduced by elevated glycolysis in U251 and LN229 cells by 20-50%. However, stimulation of glycolysis enhanced the X-ray-induced cell migration, while it had negligible effect on migration following CII. Conclusion: Our results suggest that enhanced glycolysis confers resistance against X-ray-induced cell death and migration, while it may not significantly alter the cellular responses to carbon ion irradiation.

Carbon Ion Irradiation Downregulates Notch Signaling in Glioma Cell Lines, Impacting Cell Migration and Spheroid Formation.

Photon-based radiotherapy upregulates Notch signaling in cancer, leading to the acquisition of the stem cell phenotype and induction of invasion/migration, which contributes to the development of resistance to therapy. However, the effect of carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) on Notch signaling in glioma and its impact on stemness and migration is not explored yet. Human glioma cell lines (LN229 and U251), stable Notch1 intracellular domain (N1ICD) overexpressing phenotype of LN229 cells, and Notch inhibitor resistant LN229 cells (LN229R) were irradiated with either photon (X-rays) or (carbon ion irradiation) CII, and expressions of Notch signaling components were accessed by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and enzymatic assays and flow cytometry. Spheroid forming ability, cell migration, and clonogenic assay were used to evaluate the effect of modulated Notch signaling by irradiation. Our results show that X-ray irradiation induced the expression of Notch signaling components such as Notch receptors, target genes, and ADAM17 activity, while CII reduced it in glioma cell lines. The differential modulation of ADAM17 activity by CII and X-rays affected the cell surface levels of NOTCH1 and NOTCH2 receptors, as they were reduced by X-ray irradiation but increased in response to CII. Functionally, CII reduced the spheroid formation and migration of glioma cells, possibly by downregulating the N1ICD, as stable overexpression of N1ICD rescued these inhibitory effects of CII. Moreover, LN229R that are less reliant on Notch signaling for their survival showed less response to CII. Therefore, downregulation of Notch signaling resulting in the suppression of stemness and impaired cell migration by CII seen here may reduce tumor regrowth and disease dissemination, in addition to the well-established cytotoxic effects.

Immune-modulation by 7, 8-diacetoxy-4-methylthiocoumarin in total body-irradiated mice: Implications for the mitigation of radiation-induced hematopoietic injury.

AIMS: Development of novel medical countermeasures (MCMs) against acute radiation syndrome (ARS) and the associated lethality involves protection from and/or mitigation of radiation-induced hematopoietic injury, a critical clinical component of ARS. We earlier identified the molecule 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylthiocoumarin (DAMTC) as a potent mitigator of hematopoietic injury and mortality in C57BL/6 mice when administered 24 h following total body irradiation (TBI). In the present study, we investigated mechanisms and functional relevance of immune modulation by DAMTC during the mitigation of hematopoietic injury. MAIN METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were subjected to TBI doses of 3 and 7.6Gy; administered DAMTC intra-peritoneally 24 h post TBI. Isolation, characterization, intra-cellular cytokine analysis of myeloid cells from bone marrow and spleen accompanied by flow cytometric determination and characterization of B-lymphocytes, serum isolation from peripheral blood and cytokine analysis. KEY FINDINGS: Results showed that DAMTC induced stimulation of pro-inflammatory myeloid subsets in the bone marrow and spleen of TBI mice. Further, it promoted a favorable transition from Th2 to Th1 immunity, triggered humoral immunity, and activated an intricately balanced inflammatory response that appear to contribute to immune-modulation. SIGNIFICANCE: Thus, the present study shows that immune-modulation maybe one of the contributing factors for the mitigation of hematopoietic injury by DAMTC and underscores its efficacy as a potent mitigator of hematopoietic injury that merits to be developed further as a novel MCM to combat H-ARS.

Role of autophagy in tumor response to radiation: Implications for improving radiotherapy.

Autophagy is an evolutionary conserved, lysosome-involved cellular process that facilitates the recycling of damaged macromolecules, cellular structures, and organelles, thereby generating precursors for macromolecular biosynthesis through the salvage pathway. It plays an important role in mediating biological responses toward various stress, including those caused by ionizing radiation at the cellular, tissue, and systemic levels thereby implying an instrumental role in shaping the tumor responses to radiotherapy. While a successful execution of autophagy appears to facilitate cell survival, abortive or interruptions in the completion of autophagy drive cell death in a context-dependent manner. Pre-clinical studies establishing its ubiquitous role in cells and tissues, and the systemic response to focal irradiation of tumors have prompted the initiation of clinical trials using pharmacologic modifiers of autophagy for enhancing the efficacy of radiotherapy. However, the outcome from the Phase I/II trials in many human malignancies has so far been equivocal. Such observations have not only precluded the advancement of these autophagy modifiers in the Phase III trial but have also raised concerns regarding their introduction as an adjuvant to radiotherapy. This warrants a thorough understanding of the biology of the cancer cells, including its spatio-temporal context, as well as its microenvironment all of which might be the crucial factors that determine the success of an autophagy modifier as an anticancer agent. This review captures the current understanding of the interplay between radiation induced autophagy and the biological responses to radiation damage as well as provides insight into the potentials and limitations of targeting autophagy for improving the radiotherapy of tumors.

Technological Advancements in External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): An Indispensable Tool for Cancer Treatment.

Recent technological advancements have increased the efficacy of radiotherapy, leading to effective management of cancer patients with enhanced patient survival and improved quality of life. Several important developments like multileaf collimator, integration of imaging techniques like positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT), involvement of advanced dose calculation algorithms, and delivery techniques have increased tumor dose distribution and decreased normal tissue toxicity. Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiotherapy, image-guided radiotherapy (IGT), and particle therapy have facilitated the planning procedures, accurate tumor delineation, and dose estimation for effective personalized treatment. In this review, we present the technological advancements in various types of EBRT methods and discuss their clinical utility and associated limitations. We also reveal novel approaches of using biocompatible yttrium oxide scintillator-photosensitizer complex (YSM) that can generate X-ray induced cytotoxic reactive oxygen species, facilitating X-ray activated photodynamic therapy (XPDT (external beam) and/or iXPDT (internal X-ray source)) and azido-derivatives of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) as agents for site-specific radiation-induced DNA damage.

Amifostine analog, DRDE-30, alleviates radiation induced lung damage by attenuating inflammation and fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy of thoracic neoplasms and accidental radiation exposure often results in pneumonitis and fibrosis of lungs. Here, we investigated the potential of amifostine analogs: DRDE-07, DRDE-30, and DRDE-35, in alleviating radiation-induced lung damage. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 13.5 Gy thoracic irradiation, 30 min after intraperitoneal administration of the analogs, and assessed for modulation of the pathological response at 12 and 24 weeks. KEY FINDINGS: DRDE-07, DRDE-30 and DRDE-35 increased the survival of irradiated mice from 20% to 30%, 80% and 70% respectively. Reduced parenchymal opacity (X-ray CT) in the lungs of DRDE-30 pre-treated mice corroborated well with the significant decrease in Ashcroft score (p < 0.01). Two-fold increase in SOD and catalase activities (p < 0.05), coupled with a 50% increase in GSH content and a 60% decrease in MDA content (p < 0.05) suggested restoration of the antioxidant defence system. A 20% to 40% decrease in radiation-induced apoptotic and mitotic death in the lung tissue (micronuclei: p < 0.01), resulted in attenuated lung and vascular permeability (FITC-Dextran leakage) by 50% (p < 0.01), and a commensurate reduction (~50%) in leukocyte infiltration in the injured tissue (p < 0.05). DRDE-30 abrogated the activation of pro-inflammatory NF-κB and p38/MAPK signaling cascades, suppressing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß: p < 0.05; TNF-α: p < 0.05; IL-6: p < 0.05) and up-regulation of CAMs on the endothelial cell surface. Reduction in hydroxyproline content (p < 0.01) and collagen suggested inhibition of lung fibrosis which was associated with attenuation of TGF-ß/Smad pathway-mediated-EMT. CONCLUSION: DRDE-30 could be a potential prophylactic agent against radiation-induced lung injury.

Mitochondrial uncoupler DNP induces coexistence of dual-state hyper-energy metabolism leading to tumor growth advantage in human glioma xenografts.

Introduction: Cancer bioenergetics is an essential hallmark of neoplastic transformation. Warburg postulated that mitochondrial OXPHOS is impaired in cancer cells, leading to aerobic glycolysis as the primary metabolic pathway. However, mitochondrial function is altered but not entirely compromised in most malignancies, and that mitochondrial uncoupling is known to increase the carcinogenic potential and modifies treatment response by altering metabolic reprogramming. Our earlier study showed that transient DNP exposure increases glycolysis in human glioma cells (BMG-1). The current study investigated the persistent effect of DNP on the energy metabolism of BMG-1 cells and its influence on tumor progression in glioma xenografts. Methods: BMG-1 cells were treated with 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) in-vitro, to establish the OXPHOS-modified (OPM-BMG) cells. Further cellular metabolic characterization was carried out in both in-vitro cellular model and in-vivo tumor xenografts to dissect the role of metabolic adaptation in these cells and compared them with their parental phenotype. Results and Discussion: Chronic exposure to DNP in BMG-1 cells resulted in dual-state hyper-energy metabolism with elevated glycolysis++ and OXPHOS++ compared to parental BMG-1 cells with low glycolysis+ and OXPHOS+. Tumor xenograft of OPM-BMG cells showed relatively increased tumor-forming potential and accelerated tumor growth in nude mice. Moreover, compared to BMG-1, OPM-BMG tumor-derived cells also showed enhanced migration and invasion potential. Although mitochondrial uncouplers are proposed as a valuable anti-cancer strategy; however, our findings reveal that prolonged exposure to uncouplers provides tumor growth advantage over the existing glioma phenotype that may lead to poor clinical outcomes.

Radiosensitization of calreticulin-overexpressing human glioma cell line by the polyphenolic acetate 7, 8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin.

BACKGROUND: Calreticulin (CRT), an endoplasmic reticulum-resident protein generally overexpressed in cancer cells, is associated with radiation resistance. CRT shows higher transacetylase activity, as shown by us earlier, in the presence of the polyphenolic acetates (like 7, 8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin, DAMC) and modifies the activity of a number of proteins, thereby influencing cell signaling. AIM: To investigate the relationship between CRT expression and radiation response in a human glioma cell line and to evaluate the radiomodifying effects of DAMC. METHODS AND RESULTS: Studies were carried out in an established human glioma cell line (BMG-1) and its isogenic clone overexpressing CRT (CROE, CRT-overexpressing cells) by analyzing clonogenic survival, cell proliferation, micronuclei analysis, and protein levels by Western blotting as parameters of responses. CRT overexpression conferred resistance against radiation-induced cell death in CROE cells (D37  = 7.35 Gy, D10  = 12.6 Gy and D0  = 7.25 Gy) as compared to BMG-1 cells (D37  = 5.70 Gy, D10  = 9.2 Gy and D0  = 5.6 Gy). A lower level of radiation-induced micronuclei formation observed in CROE cells suggested that reduced induction and/or enhanced DNA repair partly contributed to the enhanced radioresistance. Consistent with this suggestion, we noted that CRT-mediated radioresistance was coupled with enhanced grp78 level and reduced P53 activation-mediated prodeath signaling, while no changes were noted in acetylation of histone H4. DAMC-enhanced radiation-induced delayed (secondary) apoptosis, which was higher in CROE cells. CONCLUSION: CRT overexpression confers resistance against radiation-induced death of human glioma cells, which can be overcome by the polyphenolic acetate DAMC.

A combinatorial approach of a polypharmacological adjuvant 2-deoxy-D-glucose with low dose radiation therapy to quell the cytokine storm in COVID-19 management.

COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a pandemic disease and is the major cause of deaths worldwide. The clinical complexities (inflammation, cytokine storm, and multi-organ dysfunction) associated with COVID-19 poses constraints to effective management of critically ill COVID-19 patients. Low dose radiation therapy (LDRT) has been evaluated as a potential therapeutic modality for COVID-19 pneumonia. However, due to heterogeneity in disease manifestation and inter-individual variations, effective planning for LDRT is limited for this large-scale event. 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) has emerged as a polypharmacological agent for COVID-19 treatment due to its effects on the glycolytic pathway, anti-inflammatory action, and interaction with viral proteins. We suggest that 2-DG will be a potential adjuvant to enhance the efficacy of LDRT in the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia. Withal, azido analog of 2-DG, 2-azido-2-DG can produce rapid catastrophic oxidative stress and quell the cytokine storm in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

De novo transcriptome analysis unravels tissue-specific expression of candidate genes involved in major secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways of Plumbago zeylanica: implication for pharmacological potential.

KEY MESSAGE: The present study provides comparative transcriptome analysis, besides identifying functional secondary metabolite genes of Plumbago zeylanica with pharmacological potential for future functional genomics, and metabolomic engineering of secondary metabolites from this plant towards diversified biomedical applications. ABSTRACT: Plumbago zeylanica is a widely used medicinal plant of the traditional Indian system of medicine with wide pharmacological potential to treat several disorders. The present study aimed to carry out comparative transcriptome analysis in leaf and root tissue of P. zeylanica using Illumina paired end sequencing to identify tissue-specific functional genes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, contributing to its therapeutic efficacy. De novo sequencing assembly resulted in the identification of 62,321 "Unigenes" transcripts with an average size of 1325 bp. Functional annotation using BLAST2GO resulted in the identification of 50,301 annotated transcripts (80.71%) and GO assigned to 18,814 transcripts. KEGG pathway annotation of the "Unigenes" revealed that 2465 transcripts could be assigned to 242 KEGG pathway maps wherein the number of transcripts involved in secondary metabolism was distinct in root and leaf transcriptome. Among the secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathways, the cluster of "Unigenes" encoding enzymes of 'Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway' represents the largest group (84 transcripts) followed by 'Terpenoid Backbone biosynthesis' (48 transcripts). The transcript levels of the candidate unigenes encoding key enzymes of phenylpropanoid (PAL, TAL) and flavanoid biosynthesis (CHS, ANS, FLS) pathways were up-regulated in root, while the expression levels of candidate "Unigenes" transcript for monoterpenoid (DXS, ISPF), diterpenoid biosynthesis (SPS, SDS) and indole alkaloid pathways (STR) were significantly higher in leaf of P. zeylanica. Interestingly, validation of differential gene expression profile by qRT-PCR also confirmed that candidate "Unigenes" enzymes of phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis were highly expressed in the root, while the key regulatory enzymes of terpenoid and indole alkaloid compounds were up-regulated in the leaf, suggesting that (differences in) the levels of these functional genes could be attributed to the (differential) pharmacological activity (between root and leaf) in tissues of P. zeylanica.

Non-Enzymatic Protein Acetylation by 7-Acetoxy-4-Methylcoumarin: Implications in Protein Biochemistry.

BACKGROUND: The semi-synthetic acetoxycoumarins are known to acetylate proteins using novel enzymatic Calreticulin Transacetylase (CRTAase) system in cells. However, the nonenzymatic protein acetylation by polyphenolic acetates is not known. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of 7-acetoxy-4-methyl coumarin (7-AMC) to acetylate proteins non-enzymatically in the test tube. METHODS: We incubated 7-AMC with BSA and analyzed the protein acetylation using Western blot technique. Further, BSA induced biophysical changes in the spectroscopic properties of 7-AMC was analyzed using Fluorescence spectroscopy. RESULTS: Using pan anti-acetyl lysine antibody, herein we demonstrate that 7-AMC acetylates Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) in time and concentration dependent manner in the absence of any enzyme. 7-AMC is a relatively less fluorescent molecule compared to the parental compound, 7- hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (7-HMC), however the fluorescence of 7-AMC increased by two fold on incubation with BSA, depending on the time of incubation and concentration of BSA. Analysis of the reaction mixture of 7-AMC and BSA after filtration revealed that the increased fluorescence is associated with the compound of lower molecular weight in the filtrate and not residual BSA, suggesting that the less fluorescent 7-AMC undergoes self-hydrolysis in the presence of protein to give highly fluorescent parental molecule 7-HMC and acetate ion in polar solvent (phosphate buffered saline, PBS). The protein augmented conversion of 7-AMC to 7-HMC was found to be linearly related to the protein concentration. CONCLUSION: Thus protein acetylation induced by 7-AMC could also be non-enzymatic in nature and this molecule can be exploited for quantification of proteins.

Developing polyphenolic acetates as radiation countermeasure agents: current status and future perspectives.

Total-body exposure to ionizing radiation (TBI) results in life-threatening acute radiation syndrome (ARS), which encompasses hematopoietic and gastrointestinal (GI) injuries and results in dose-dependent morbidity and mortality. Management of ARS warrants the deployment of effective medical countermeasure agents (MCM) that protect against and/or mitigate lethal radiation injury. The polyphenolic acetate (PA) 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylthiocoumarin (DAMTC) has been identified as a potential MCM against ARS by virtue of it mitigating the lethal effects of TBI in C57BL/6 mice. Herein, we describe current evidence, including mechanistic aspects, for the use of PAs as MCMs against ARS and provide perspectives for their further development as approved drugs for the mitigation of ARS.

Proton minibeams-a springboard for physics, biology and clinical creativity.

Proton minibeam therapy (PMBT) is a form of spatially fractionated radiotherapy wherein broad beam radiation is replaced with segmented minibeams-either parallel, planar minibeam arrays generated by a multislit collimator or scanned pencil beams that converge laterally at depth to create a uniform dose layer at the tumor. By doing so, the spatial pattern of entrance dose is considerably modified while still maintaining tumor dose and efficacy. Recent studies using computational modeling, phantom experiments, in vitro and in vivo preclinical models, and early clinical feasibility assessments suggest that unique physical and biological attributes of PMBT can be exploited for future clinical benefit. We outline some of the guiding principle of PMBT in this concise overview of this emerging area of preclinical and clinical research inquiry.

Modulation of Immuno-biome during Radio-sensitization of Tumors by Glycolytic Inhibitors.

The Tumor Microenvironment (TME) comprising stromal cells, fibroblasts and various components of the immune system forms a pro-tumorigenic cocoon around the tumor cells with the reprogramming of the metabolism in the form of Warburg phenotype (enhanced aerobic glycolysis) in tumor as well as non-tumor cells. This reprogramming plays a significant role in suppressing the immune response leading to the survival and proliferation of tumor cells and resistance to therapies. Therefore, there is a considerable interest in developing strategies involving metabolic modifiers to improve the therapeutic efficacy that restores immune competence, besides enhancing the direct effects on tumor cells. Inhibitors of glycolysis like 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG; a hexokinase inhibitor), dichloroacetate and small molecule inhibitors of lactate transport (MCT-1) are some of the metabolic modifiers investigated for their therapeutic as well as adjuvant potential. Among these, 2-DG has been widely investigated and established as an ideal adjuvant in the radio- and chemotherapy of tumors. Modulation of the immuno-biome in the form of cytokine shifts, differential transcriptional regulation, abrogation of immunosuppressive network and reduced accumulation of lactate are some of the contributing factors for immune stimulation linked to the radio- and chemosensitization by glycolytic inhibitors.

Dietary 2-deoxy-D-glucose impairs tumour growth and metastasis by inhibiting angiogenesis.

Accumulating evidence suggests the antiangiogenic potential of the glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) among the anticancerous properties of this drug. In the present studies, we investigated the antiangiogenic effects of dietary 2-DG on tumour (Lewis lung carcinoma [LLC]) as well as ionising radiation-induced angiogenesis in mouse models. Dietary 2-DG reduced the serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels (∼40%) in LLC-bearing mice along with a significant inhibition of tumour growth and metastases. In vivo Matrigel plug assays showed significant decrease in vascularisation, Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran fluorescence and factor VIII-positive cells in the plugs from 2-DG-fed mice, supporting the notion that dietary 2-DG significantly suppresses the tumour-associated and radiation-induced angiogenesis. 2-DG inhibited the glucose usage and lactate production as well as ATP levels of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in a concentration-dependent manner, accompanied by growth inhibition and loss of viability in vitro. Furthermore, 2-DG inhibited the capillary-like tube formation in Matrigel as well as migration and transwell invasion by HUVECs, which are functional indicators of the process of angiogenesis. These results suggest that dietary 2-DG inhibits processes related to angiogenesis, which can impair the growth and metastasis of tumours.

Mitigation of radiation-induced gastro-intestinal injury by the polyphenolic acetate 7, 8-diacetoxy-4-methylthiocoumarin in mice.

Radiation-induced intestinal injury (RIII) constitutes a crucial clinical element of acute radiation syndrome with life-threatening implications posing challenges in devising effective medical countermeasures. Herein, we report the potential of 7, 8-diacetoxy-4-methylthiocoumarin (DAMTC) to mitigate RIII following total-body irradiation (TBI) in C57BL/6 mice and underlying mechanisms. Administration of DAMTC 24 hours post TBI facilitated structural reconstitution and restoration of functional absorption linked to alleviation of radiation-induced apoptotic death of intestinal crypt progenitor/stem (ICPS) and villus stromal cells through induction of Bcl-2 family-mediated anti-apoptotic signalling. Reduction in TBI-induced DNA damage accumulation coupled with inhibition of cell cycle arrest through stimulation of anti-p53- and anti-p21-dependent synergistic signalling protected ICPS cells from radiation injury. Enhanced proliferation of crypt stem cells, induction of anti-oxidant defence, subjugation of TBI-induced lipid peroxidation and phenotypic polarization of intestinal macrophages to anti-inflammatory M2 class underlie amelioration of RIII. Stimulation of multiple mitigative signalling processes by DAMTC appeared to be associated with enhanced protein acetylation, an important regulator of cellular responses to radiation damage. Our findings establish the mitigative potential of DAMTC against RIII by hyper-acetylation-mediated epigenetic regulation, which triggers axes of anti-apoptotic and pro-survival pathways, enabling proliferation and maintenance of ICPS cells leading to epithelial regeneration.