Systematic review with meta-analysis: effects of probiotic fungi on irritable bowel syndrome.

Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) remains challenging for clinicians. Probiotic fungi may act as candidate options for IBS treatment, but systematic evaluation of their clinical value remains scarce. This study is aimed to assess the efficacy and the safety of probiotic fungi for IBS treatment by means of systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, were searched up to June 2022. Randomised controlled trials recruited subjects with prescriptions of probiotic fungi were eligible. Efficacy and safety of probiotic fungi were re-evaluated. Continuous data were pooled to obtain standardised difference in means (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval. The search strategy identified 120 articles of which 7 trial assessing 883 subjects were included in the analysis. Systematic data support that Saccharomyces helps to relieve abdominal pain/discomfort (SMD = -0.205, P = 0.005), and presented potential improvements on psychological outcomes, stool form for IBS patients. It is hard to demonstrate favourable effects on other symptoms (including distension, mucus passage, sense of incomplete evacuation, urgency, straining). The incidence of mild complications ranged from 0 to 51.4%, but no serious complications were observed in the included trials. Therefore, the partial response and the relative safe of probiotic fungi for IBS treatment have been demonstrated from the existing trials. However, it is premature to eventually declare the practical effects of probiotic fungi. Conducting more high-quality and large-scale trials and real-world studies, or even developing new fungal strains, is still necessary.

[Serological screening and analysis of clinical characteristics for celiac disease in susceptible population in Southern China].

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of celiac disease in susceptible population, and to analyze the relationship between demographic characteristics, dietary habits, lifestyle and serological positivity so as to provide guidance for the prevention and treatment of celiac disease in Southern China. Methods: A total of 1 273 individuals who participated in Guangdong Province Health Screening Program in 2015, were selected as serologically positive subjects of celiac disease, including people with irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, diarrhea, anemia, low BMI, short stature, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis and bristol grade=6 or 7. All subjects were tested for serum IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (TTGA), IgA antibodies against deamidated gliadin peptides(DGPA) and IgG against deamidated gliadin peptides (DGPG). Dietary habits, lifestyle and demographic characteristics were compared in subgroups. Results: The seroprevalence of celiac disease in susceptible population was 0.94% (95%CI 0.54%-1.64%) including 0.08% (1/1 273) for TTGA, 0.47% (6/1 273) for DGPA, and 0.39% (5/1 273) for DGPG. The seropositive rate was 3.6% (1/28) in patients with psoriasis, 2.1% (2/95) in the low BMI group, 1.9% (1/53) in T1DM group, 1.8% (3/169) in diarrhea group and 1.1% (5/463) in RA group. No significant difference was found in age, gender, high carbohydrate diet or lifestyle between the negative and the positive subjects. Conclusions: In Southern China, the seropositive rate of celiac disease is 0.94% in susceptible population, which prompts an urgent need of serological screening for early diagnosis.

[Studies on the resolution of racemic gossypol. II. By chiral alpha-methylphenethylamine and alpha-methylbenzylamine].

A simplified and more practical method for the resolution of racemic gossypol was developed by quick chromatographing the condensation products of either (S) or (R)-alpha-methylphenethylamine and alpha-methylbenzylamine with racemic gossypol on a silica column using diethylether/light petroleum as eluent. The optically active gossypol thus obtained showed specific rotation [alpha]D of (+) or (-)370 +/- 10 degrees, with ee% 96.8 and 98.8 respectively and chemical purity greater than 99% by HPLC. Isomerization of the amino condensates of optically active gossypol through the racemization of the binaphthalene moiety of gossypol was observed, though gossypol itself is optically stable in such condition. The rate of racemization varied with the structure of the amine moiety and solvent present and was increased by light and free radical initiator.

[Studies on the resolution of racemic gossypol. III. Study on the chemical and physical properties of the amino condensates of gossypol].

Fifteen condensates of chiral amines and racemic gossypol were prepared. Their 1HNMR spectra indicated that all the amine condensates tested had the same keto-enamine structures and shifts of protons on C11, C11 of various condensates were analyzed for their structural relationship. The Rf and delta Rf values (difference between (+) and (-)gossypol condensates) on TLC of these derivatives and stability of eight condensates of (-)gossypol were examined. All these properties were discussed in light of the configuration of gossypol. These studies not only provided rational basis of selecting resolving agent, but also gave indications of their relative absorbability and stereochemistry of the condensates which might be useful in postulating their in vivo behaviors and designing derivatives with better pharmacological actions.

[Studies on the resolution of racemic gossypol. IV. Use of threo (-) or (+)-1-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3-dihydroxypropylamine-2 as the resolving agent].

Threo (-) or (+)-1-(p-nitrophenyl)-1,3-dihydroxypropylamine-2 was found to be a useful resolving agent for racemic gossypol. The optical and chemical stability of the condensate of enantiomeric gossypols with the titled amine and the great difference in the Rf values on TLC and the solubilities in various solvents between the two diastereoisomeric condensates facilitate the separation. Therefore, the pure isomers can be easily obtained by means of chromatography or crystallization.

Selective inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication by the (-) but not the (+) enantiomer of gossypol.

The (-) enantiomer of gossypol but not the (+) enantiomer had good antiviral activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 at a concentration more than 20-fold lower than that required for cytotoxicity; however, in H9 cells the (-) enantiomer, although more potent as an antiviral agent, was more cytotoxic.

Resolution of racemic gossypol.

Treating racemic gossypol with chiral amine (S)-1-methylphenethyl amine gave the expected pair of diastereomeric amino condensates in which the binaphthyl nuclei racemized during further treatment. Acetylation was applied to avoid the change. On acetylation, 7 products were separated. Their structures were assigned based upon their spectroscopic data. After hydrolysis they gave optically active (+)- and (-)-gossypol correspondingly. A simple and practical method of quick separation of the diastereomers was also discussed.

Resolution of racemic gossypol.

PIP: The resolution of gossypol for the purpose of comparing the biologic action of (-)-gossypol with its naturally occurring antipode has attracted the attention of scientists. Recently the 1st successful resolution accomplished by chromatographic separation of the hexa-acetates of the condensation products of (+)-gossypol with (S)-1-methylphenethylamine followed by acid hydrolysis of the 2 main hexa-acetate, to give (+)- and (-)-gossypol with identical mp and alpha D values, was reported. Treatment of racemic gossypol with either (R)- or (S)-methylphenethylamine afforded yellow solids with mp 197-200 degrees C and m/z 753 (M + 1)+. By quick chromatography of the condensation products of either the (S) or (R) amine with (+)-gossypol on a silica column with diethyl ether-light petroleum as eluant, pure compounds were obtained. The compounds were assigned as (S)-amino-(+)-gossypol and (R)-amino-(-)-gossypol. These gossypols contained less than 5% of their antipodes. Although different in their antifertility action, the (+ or -), (+), and (-) isomers of gossypol demonstrate the same degree of inhibitory activity against the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase-X. Comparison of the antifertility action of the 3 isomers in male rats revealed that (-)-gossypol in half the dose of the (+ or -) isomer showed comparable activity, while the (+)-gossypol proved to be inactive.^ieng