Evaluation of a Zingiber officinale and Bixa orellana Supplement on the Gut Microbiota of Male Athletes: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

The gut microbiota has emerged as a factor that influences exercise performance and recovery. The present study aimed to test the effect of a polyherbal supplement containing ginger and annatto called "ReWin(d)" on the gut microbiota of recreational athletes in a pilot, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Thirty-four participants who practice physical activity at least three times weekly were randomly allocated to two groups, a ReWin(d) group or a maltodextrin (placebo) group. We evaluated the gut microbiota, the production of short-chain fatty acids, and the serum levels of interleukin-6 and lipopolysaccharide at baseline and after 4 weeks. Results showed that ReWin(d) supplementation slightly increased gut microbiota diversity. Pairwise analysis revealed an increase in the relative abundance of Lachnospira (ß-coefficient = 0.013; p = 0.001), Subdoligranulum (ß-coefficient = 0.016; p = 0.016), Roseburia (ß-coefficient = 0.019; p = 0.001), and Butyricicoccus (ß-coefficient = 0.005; p = 0.035) genera in the ReWin(d) group, and a decrease in Lachnoclostridium (ß-coefficient = - 0.008; p = 0.009) and the Christensenellaceae R7 group (ß-coefficient = - 0.010; p < 0.001). Moreover, the Christensenellaceae R-7 group correlated positively with serum interleukin-6 (ρ = 0.4122; p = 0.032), whereas the Lachnospira genus correlated negatively with interleukin-6 (ρ = - 0.399; p = 0.032). ReWin(d) supplementation had no effect on short-chain fatty acid production or on interleukin-6 or lipopolysaccharide levels.

Cranberry fruit powder (Flowens™) improves lower urinary tract symptoms in men: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and benign prostatic hyperplasia increase with age. To date, several medications are available to treat LUTS, including herbal remedies which offer less side effects but lack robust efficacy studies. METHODS: This 6-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed at evaluating the dose effect of 250 or 500 mg cranberry powder (Flowens™) on LUTS and uroflowmetry in men over the age of 45. A total of 124 volunteers with PSA levels <2.5 ng/mL and an international prostate symptoms score (IPSS) score ≥8 were recruited and randomized. The primary outcome measure was the IPSS, evaluated at 3 and 6 months. Secondary outcome measures included quality of life, bladder volume (Vol), maximum urinary flow rate (Q max), average urinary flow rate (Q ave), ultrasound-estimated post-void residual urine volume (PVR), serum prostate-specific antigen, selenium, interleukin 6, and C-reactive protein at 6 months. RESULTS: After 6 months, subjects in both Flowens™ groups had a lower IPSS (-3.1 and -4.1 in the 250- and 500-mg groups, p = 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively) versus the placebo group (-1.5), and a dose-response effect was observed. There were significant differences in Q max, Q ave, PVR, and Vol in the Flowens™ 500-mg group versus baseline (p < 0.05). A dose-dependent effect on Vol was observed, as well as on PVR, for participants with a nonzero PVR. There was no effect on clinical chemistry or hematology markers. CONCLUSIONS: Flowens™ showed a clinically relevant, dose-dependent, and significant reduction in LUTS in men over 45.

Intake of Wild Blueberry Powder Improves Episodic-Like and Working Memory during Normal Aging in Mice.

The number of Americans older than 65 years old is projected to more than double in the next 40 years. Cognitive changes associated to aging can affect an adult's day-to-day functioning. Among these cognitive changes, reasoning, episodic memory, working memory, and processing speed decline gradually over time. Early memory changes include a decline in both working and episodic memory. The aim of the present study was to determine whether chronic (up to 75 days) daily administration of wild blueberry extract or a wild blueberry full spectrum powder would help prevent memory failure associated with aging in tasks involving various forms of memory. Both blueberry ingredients were used in a study comparing young mice (6 months old) to aged mice (18 months old). At this age, mice exhibit memory decline due to aging, which is exacerbated first by a loss in working and contextual (episodic-like) memory. Contextual memory (episodic-like memory) was evaluated using the contextual serial discrimination test. Working and spatial memory were evaluated using the Morris-Water maze test and the sequential alternation test. Statistical analysis was performed using an ANOVA with the Bonferroni post-hoc test. Supplementation with wild blueberry full spectrum powder and wild blueberry extract resulted in significant improvement of contextual memory, while untreated aged mice experienced a decline in such memory. Only the wild blueberry full spectrum powder significantly contributed to an improvement of spatial and working memory versus untreated aged mice. These improvements of cognitive performance may be related to brain oxidative status, acetylcholinesterase activity, neuroprotection, or attenuation of immunoreactivity.

Effects of a natural extract of Aronia Melanocarpa berry on endothelial cell nitric oxide production.

The effects of acute and chronic treatment with Aronia extracts on NO production and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation in bovine coronary artery endothelial cells were investigated. Acute time-course and concentration-response experiments were performed to determine the time and concentration at which Aronia induced maximal NO synthesis and eNOS phosphorylation. The findings indicate that relatively low concentrations (0.1 µg/mL) of Aronia extract significantly induced NO synthesis and eNOS phosphorylation after 10 min of treatment. Increased sensitivity of eNOS and a significant increase in NO synthesis resulted from longer-term stimulation with Aronia (48 hr) and an acute re-treatment of the cells (10 min). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: These in vitro results may be translated into potential future clinical applications where Aronia extracts may be used for prevention and coadjuvant treatment of cardiovascular diseases via increases in endothelial NO synthesis and related improvements in vascular functions. Given the dose-response effect of Aronia extract in vitro and metabolism of polyphenols that occurs in humans, dose-response studies would be necessary to define the optimal daily amount to be consumed.

Improved working memory performance following administration of a single dose of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) to healthy middle-age adults.

OBJECTIVE: A ginsenoside-rich extract of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.), Cereboost(TM), was previously shown to improve working memory and mood in healthy young individuals. The present study represented a partial replication investigating whether these effects extended to healthy middle-aged individuals. METHODS: Fifty-two healthy volunteers (40-60 years old, mean age 51.63) received 200 mg of P. quinquefolius or a matching placebo according to a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced, crossover design. The Cognitive Drug Research battery and the Computerised Mental Performance Assessment System were used to evaluate cognitive performance at baseline then 1, 3 and 6 h following treatment. Blood glucose and mood were co-monitored. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, P. quinquefolius improved cognitive performance on 'Working Memory' factor at 3 h. Similar effects were observed in one of the two tasks making up this factor, spatial working memory. There were no significant effects on mood or blood glucose levels. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm that P. quinquefolius can acutely benefit working memory and extend the age range of this effect to middle-aged individuals. These changes are unlikely to be underpinned by modulation of blood glucose in this population.

Targeted and Untargeted Metabolomics to Explore the Bioavailability of the Secoiridoids from a Seed/Fruit Extract (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl) in Human Healthy Volunteers: A Preliminary Study.

The bark, seeds, fruits and leaves of the genus Fraxinus (Oleaceae) which contain a wide range of phytochemicals, mostly secoiridoid glucosides, have been widely used in folk medicine against a number of ailments, yet little is known about the metabolism and uptake of the major Fraxinus components. The aim of this work was to advance in the knowledge on the bioavailability of the secoiridoids present in a Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl seed/fruit extract using both targeted and untargeted metabolomic analyses. Plasma and urine samples from nine healthy volunteers were taken at specific time intervals following the intake of the extract and analyzed by UPLC-ESI-QTOF. Predicted metabolites such as tyrosol and ligstroside-aglycone glucuronides and sulfates were detected at low intensity. These compounds reached peak plasma levels 2 h after the intake and exhibited high variability among the participants. The ligstroside-aglycone conjugates may be considered as potential biomarkers of the Fraxinus secoiridoids intake. Using the untargeted approach we additionally detected phenolic conjugates identified as ferulic acid and caffeic acid sulfates, as well as hydroxybenzyl and hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde sulfate derivatives which support further metabolism of the secoiridoids by phase I and (or) microbial enzymes. Overall, the results of this study suggest low uptake of intact secoiridoids from a Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl extract in healthy human volunteers and metabolic conversion by esterases, glycosidases, and phase II sulfo- and glucuronosyl transferases to form smaller conjugated derivatives.

Claudin 18.2 is a target for IMAB362 antibody in pancreatic neoplasms.

The majority of pancreatic neoplasms are characterized by a generally lethal progress within a short period of time after primary diagnosis and the mortality of patients is expected to increase further. Due to lack of efficient screening programs and moderate response to treatments, novel compounds for treatment are needed. We investigated the CLDN18.2 expression in affected patients as in vitro feasibility study for a potential treatment with the novel antibody IMAB362. Therefore, we analyzed the expression of CLDN18.2 in normal pancreatic tissues (N = 24), primary lesions (N = 202), metastases (N = 84) and intra-individually matched samples (N = 48) of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), neuroendocrine neoplasia (NEN) and acinar cell carcinoma. A standardized method for evaluation by immunohistochemistry was developed. The specific staining was evaluated by two independent raters and analysis of staining intensities (range 0-3+) and relative proportions of tumor cells were performed. One hundred three (59.2%) samples of primary PDAC were found positive. The vast majority of positive samples were characterized to highly express CLDN18.2: 54.6% (N = 95) with staining intensities of ≥ 2+. NEN were positive in 20% of cases (all ≥ 2+). Metastases of pancreatic neoplasms were also frequently found positive with comparable high rates (69.4% of lymph node and 65.7% of liver metastases). The rate of CLDN18.2 positivity is high in pancreatic neoplasms whereby the expression is not limited to the primaries but is also maintained upon metastasis. Thus, a considerable number of patients with pancreatic neoplasms would be in principle eligible for a CLDN18.2-targeting approach.

Lipolytic activity of Svetol®, a decaffeinated green coffee bean extract.

The beneficial health effects of chlorogenic acids (CGAs), major components of coffee beans, are well known and have been attributed to multiple mechanisms of action. However, the lipolytic activity of CGAs does not appear to have been reported. We studied the effects of varying concentrations of Svetol®, a decaffeinated green coffee bean extract enriched in CGAs, on the liberation of free fatty acids from human adipocytes following short-term (2 h) and long-term (192 h) exposure. The results showed that although lipolytic activity observed following short-term incubation could be tentatively linked to residual caffeine traces in the sample, longer-term exposure clearly showed the effects of Svetol® on release of free fatty acids, and this effect was not due to caffeine. The results of this study provide a further mechanism by which to explain the long-term health benefits of CGAs and Svetol®.

Androgen receptor expression in primary breast cancer and its predictive and prognostic value in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

The androgen receptor (AR) has been shown to be of potential prognostic importance in retrospective cohorts. We evaluated immunohistochemical AR expression on a tissue microarray of 673 core biopsies from primary breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant docetaxel/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (TAC) chemotherapy in the prospective GeparTrio phase-III trial. AR was detected in 53.2% of tumours. Lowest AR expression was detected in triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) with 21.2%. Highest AR expression was observed in Luminal A-like tumours with 67%. In AR-positive tumours, pathological complete response (pCR) rate was 12.8% compared to 25.4% in AR-negative tumours (P < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, AR independently predicted pCR (OR 1.86; 95% CI [1.16-2.79] P = 0.0086). Overall patients with an AR-positive tumour had a significant better disease-free (DFS) (AR-positive 78.9% vs. AR-negative 72.5%; log-rank P = 0.0329) and overall survival (OS) (88.8% vs. 82.7%; log-rank P = 0.0234) than those with AR-negative tumours. Stratified analysis revealed that in the TNBC subgroup, but not in the other subgroups defined by ER, PgR and HER2, AR expression predicted a better DFS (AR-positive 85.7% vs. AR-negative 65.5% log-rank P = 0.0544) and OS (95.2% vs. 76.2%; log-rank P = 0.0355). Within the non-pCR subgroup, AR positivity selected a group with a significant better DFS (P = 0.045) and OS (0.021) but not within the pCR group. Patients with an AR-negative tumour have a higher chance of achieving a pCR than those with an AR-positive one. But, patients with AR-positive tumours have a better survival especially if they did not achieve a pCR.

Carnosic acid-rich rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) leaf extract limits weight gain and improves cholesterol levels and glycaemia in mice on a high-fat diet.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extracts (RE) are natural antioxidants that are used in food, food supplements and cosmetic applications; exert anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycaemic effects; and promote weight loss, which can be exploited to develop new preventive strategies against metabolic disorders. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the preventive effects of rosemary leaf extract that was standardised to 20 % carnosic acid (RE) on weight gain, glucose levels and lipid homeostasis in mice that had begun a high-fat diet (HFD) as juveniles. The animals were given a low-fat diet, a HFD or a HFD that was supplemented with 500 mg RE/kg body weight per d (mpk). Physiological and biochemical parameters were monitored for 16 weeks. Body and epididymal fat weight in animals on the HFD that was supplemented with RE increased 69 and 79 % less than those in the HFD group. Treatment with RE was associated with increased faecal fat excretion but not with decreased food intake. The extract also reduced fasting glycaemia and plasma cholesterol levels. In addition, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of RE in vitro on pancreatic lipase and PPAR-γ agonist activity; the in vitro findings correlated with our observations in the animal experiments. Thus, the present results suggest that RE that is rich in carnosic acid can be used as a preventive treatment against metabolic disorders, which merits further examination at physiological doses in randomised controlled trials.

Effect of the standardized Cimicifuga foetida extract on Hsp 27 expression in the MCF-7 cell line.

Cimicifuga foetida, an Asian Cimicifuga species, has been employed as a cooling and detoxification agent in traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times. For this herb, two cycloartane triterpene glycosides isolated from the rhizomes have demonstrated cytotoxicity on rat tumor and human cancer cell lines. Since human Hsp27 is increased in various human cancers and exhibits cytoprotective activity that affects tumorigenesis and the susceptibility of tumours to cancer treatment, the purpose of this research was to study the expression of this protein in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. To accomplish this aim, MCF-7 cells were exposed to different concentrations of Cimicifuga foetida extract showing a reduction in cell number measured by the sulforhodamine assay. In addition, the expression of Hsp-27 mRNA detected by RT-PCR and Hsp-27 protein detected by immnofluorescence was present in all conditions, except when using the highest concentration of Cimicifuga foetida extract (2,000 jig /L). We conclude that Hsp 27 expression at 2,000 jig /L Cimicifuga foetida extract is diminished. This is the first report showing the Hsp-27 expression after exposure to Cimicifuga foetida extract in MCF-7 cells.

Analysis of Effectiveness of a Supplement Combining Harpagophytum procumbens, Zingiber officinale and Bixa orellana in Healthy Recreational Runners with Self-Reported Knee Pain: A Pilot, Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Recreational running (RR) is becoming a popular way to increase physical activity for improving health, together with a higher incidence of knee injuries. The aim was to analyze the effect of a four-week supplementation with a mixture of Harpagophytum procumbens, Zingiber officinale and Bixa orellana on males, middle-aged, RR with an undiagnosed knee discomfort. A randomized triple-blind placebo-control trial was conducted among male RR aged 40-60 years suffering from self-declared knee discomfort after training. Participants were assigned to supplementation (2 g/day in 6 doses; n = 13; intervention group (IG)) or matched placebo (n = 15; control group (CG)) for 4 weeks. At pre- and post-intervention, assessment of routine blood biomarkers, body composition, running biomechanics and body temperature was performed using standardized procedures. Machine learning (ML) techniques were used to classify whether subjects belonged to IG or CG. ML model was able to correctly classify individuals as IG or CG with a median accuracy of 0.857. Leg fat mass decreased significantly (p = 0.037) and a deeper reduction in knee thermograms was observed in IG (p < 0.05). Safety evaluation revealed no significant differences in the rest of parameters studied. Subjects belonging to IG or CG are clearly differentiated, pointing into an effect of the supplement of ameliorating inflammation.

Monitoring serum HER2 levels during neoadjuvant trastuzumab treatment within the GeparQuattro trial.

In the context of neoadjuvant therapy (NT) for breast cancer patients, different targeted therapy approaches are currently evaluated in clinical trials. Serum markers could help to monitor and optimize such treatment strategies. We investigated human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 serum (sHER2) levels in 175 breast cancer patients participating in the GeparQuattro trial. This study incorporated NT approaches and additional trastuzumab treatment for all patients with HER2-positive tumors. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before initiation of NT and after NT (pre-surgery) in a HER2-positive (n = 90) and a HER2-negative patient cohort (n = 85). Median pre-chemotherapy sHER2 levels were higher in patients with positive HER2 status of the primary tumor than in patients with negative HER2 status (14.9 ng/ml vs. 7.7 ng/ml, P < 0.001). A pre-chemotherapy sHER2 cut-off level of 10 ng/ml had the best sensitivity and specificity in discriminating between HER2-positive and HER2-negative primary tumors. In HER2-positive patients, we found a significant positive association between pathological complete remission (pCR) and elevated sHER2 levels (above 15 ng/ml, P = 0.045) and a decrease of sHER2 levels during NT (P = 0.02), which was also significant in multivariate analysis (OR = 3.29, 95% CI 1.001-10.89, P = 0.049). In HER2-negative patients, we observed no association between sHER2 levels and pCR (P > 0.05). Monitoring sHER2 levels in the presence of anti-HER2 treatment might be an adjunct to the clinical evaluation during NT.

Iridoids from Fraxinus excelsior with adipocyte differentiation-inhibitory and PPARalpha activation activity.

Two new secoiridoid glucosides, excelsides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the seeds of Fraxinus excelsior. Their structures were elucidated as (2S,4S,3E)-methyl 3-ethylidene-4-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-2-[(6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-beta-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-5-carboxylate and (2S,4S,3E)-methyl 3-ethylidene-4-{2-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]oxy-2-oxoethyl}-2-[(6-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-beta-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-5-carboxylate, respectively, on the basis of NMR and MS data. Eight known compounds were identified as nuzhenide (3), GI3 (4), GI5 (5), ligstroside (6), oleoside 11-methyl ester (7), oleoside dimethyl ester (8), 1'''-O-beta-D-glucosylformoside (9), and salidroside (10). Compounds 1-9 inhibited adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. Dilutions of the aqueous extract of F. excelsior (1:10,000) as well as compounds 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 activated the peroxisome proliferator-mediated receptor-alpha (PPARalpha) reporter cell system in the range of 10(-4) M, compared to 10(-7)-10(-8) M for the synthetic PPARalpha activator, WY14,643. Both biological activity profiles support the hypothesis that inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and PPARalpha-mediated mechanisms might be relevant pathways for the antidiabetic activity of F. excelsior extract.

The anti-diabetic effect of eight Lagerstroemia speciosa leaf extracts based on the contents of ellagitannins and ellagic acid derivatives.

Previously, we have reported the opposite effects of compounds isolated from Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves on a glucose transport (GLUT4) assay. Ellagitannins from L. speciosa activated GLUT4, while ellagic acid derivatives showed an inhibitory effect. As part of our continuing research on anti-diabetic nutritional supplements, we herein compared the anti-diabetic effects of several extracts (LE1-8) from leaves of L. speciosa using different manufacturing processes based on the contents of ellagitannins and ellagic acid derivatives. Their anti-diabetic effects were evaluated through glucose uptake and adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells in vitro as well as alloxan induced diabetic mice in vivo. These extracts were given to mice by gavage at doses of 0.25, 1.0, and 4.0 g per kg body weight once a day for 21 consecutive days. Results showed that LE1 (1.0 g kg-1), LE3 (1.0 or 4.0 g kg-1), LE4 (1.0 or 4.0 g kg-1), LE5 (0.25 or 1.0 or 4.0 g kg-1) and LE7 (1.0 or 4.0 g kg-1) showed significant anti-diabetic effects in alloxan-induced diabetic mice as indicated by the decreased levels of fasting blood glucose, body weight, serum biomarkers, tissue weight and body fat, and increased final insulin levels. LE8 (1.0 g kg-1) showed a moderate anti-diabetic effect as illustrated by the reduced fasting blood glucose level while LE2 and LE6 showed slight effects in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The potential correlation of the content of ellagitannins, ellagic acid derivatives, and corosolic acid with the anti-diabetic activity was discussed.

Effect of a Blend of Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Bixa orellana L. Herbal Supplement on the Recovery of Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness Induced by Unaccustomed Eccentric Resistance Training: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing interest in the use of eccentric muscle exercise to improve physical condition, especially with regards to its health-related benefits. However, it is known that unaccustomed eccentric exercise causes muscle damage and delayed pain, commonly defined as "delayed onset muscle soreness" (DOMS). The efficacy of herbal preparations in subjects suffering from DOMS has been reported in a few previous studies with small or moderate outcome measures related to muscle recovery. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of a polyherbal mixture containing whole Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Bixa orellana L., powders called ReWin(d), in young male athletes suffering from DOMS induced by a 1 h session of plyometric exercises. METHODS: Thirty-three young male athletes participated in this randomized, Triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial: 17 of them assigned to the ReWin(d) group and 16 of them to the placebo group. Creatine kinase (CK) was measured as a muscle damage marker, pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), muscle performance was measured through half-squat exercise (HS) monitored with an accelerometer (Encoder), and heart rate variability (HRV) was monitored for 5 min with the subjects in the supine position. All determinations were performed before and after the eccentric session and 24, 48, and 72 h after the session. RESULTS: The eccentric exercise session caused an increase in CK at 24 and 48 h after exercise intervention in both groups (p < 0.001). There was no interaction between groups regarding muscle damage. The pain increased after the training session in both groups (p < 0.001), and a significant interaction was observed between groups at 48 h after exercise (p = 0.004). Lower limb muscular power showed a significant interaction between groups 24 h after exercise (p = 0.049); the placebo group showed a reduction in muscle power compared to the ReWin(d) group. The LF/HF ratio decreased significantly at 72 h after exercise in the herbal group but not in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: The herbal supplement maintained the maximum power of the lower limbs and attenuated muscle pain. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03961022.

Identification of biology-based breast cancer types with distinct predictive and prognostic features: role of steroid hormone and HER2 receptor expression in patients treated with neoadjuvant anthracycline/taxane-based chemotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: Reliable predictive and prognostic markers for routine diagnostic purposes are needed for breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We evaluated protein biomarkers in a cohort of 116 participants of the GeparDuo study on anthracycline/taxane-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy for operable breast cancer to test for associations with pathological complete response (pCR) and disease-free survival (DFS). Particularly, we evaluated if interactions between hormone receptor (HR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression might lead to a different clinical behavior of HR+/HER2+ co-expressing and HR+/HER2- tumors and whether subgroups of triple negative tumors might be identified by the help of Ki67 labeling index, cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6), as well as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and Y-box binding protein 1 (YB-1) expression. METHODS: Expression analysis was performed using immunohistochemistry and silver-enhanced in situ hybridization on tissue microarrays (TMAs) of pretherapeutic core biopsies. RESULTS: pCR rates were significantly different between the biology-based tumor types (P = 0.044) with HR+/HER2+ and HR-/HER2- tumors having higher pCR rates than HR+/HER2- tumors. Ki67 labeling index, confirmed as significant predictor of pCR in the whole cohort (P = 0.001), identified HR-/HER- (triple negative) carcinomas with a higher chance for a pCR (P = 0.006). Biology-based tumor type (P = 0.046 for HR+/HER2+ vs. HR+/HER2-), Ki67 labeling index (P = 0.028), and treatment arm (P = 0.036) were independent predictors of pCR in a multivariate model. DFS was different in the biology-based tumor types (P < 0.0001) with HR+/HER2- and HR+/HER2+ tumors having the best prognosis and HR-/HER2+ tumors showing the worst outcome. Biology-based tumor type was an independent prognostic factor for DFS in multivariate analysis (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that a biology-based breast cancer classification using estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and HER2 bears independent predictive and prognostic potential. The HR+/HER2+ co-expressing carcinomas emerged as a group of tumors with a good response rate to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and a favorable prognosis. HR+/HER2- tumors had a good prognosis irrespective of a pCR, whereas patients with HR-/HER- and HR-/HER+ tumors, especially if they had not achieved a pCR, had an unfavorable prognosis and are in need of additional treatment options.

Grape extract improves antioxidant status and physical performance in elite male athletes.

Excessive physical exercise overproduces reactive oxygen species. Even if elite sportsmen increase their antioxidant status by regular physical training, during the competition period, this improvement is not sufficient to limit free radical production which could be detrimental to the body. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, and crossover study on 20 elite sportsmen (handball = 10, basketball = 5, sprint = 4, and volleyball = 1) during the competition period was to determine if the consumption of a grape extract (GE; Vitis vinifera L.) was able to improve the parameters related to (i) anti-oxidative status and oxidative stress and (ii) physical performance. Specific biomarkers of antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress, skeletal cell muscle damage, and other general biomarkers were determined in plasma and urine before (D0) and after one month (D30) of placebo or GE supplementation (400mg·d(-1)). Effort tests were conducted using the Optojump(®) system, which allows determining the total physical performance (EnRJ45), explosive power (RJ110), and fatigue (RJL5). The plasma ORAC value was not modified in the placebo group; however, GE increased the ORAC value compared to the placebo at D30 (14 966+/-335 vs 14 242+/-339 dµmol Teq·L(-1); p < 0.05). The plasma FRAP value was significantly reduced in the placebo group, but not in the GE group. Therefore, GE limited the reduction of FRAP compared to the placebo at D30 (1 053.7+/-31.5 vs 993.7+/-26.7 µmol Teq·L(-1); p < 0.05). Urinary isoprostane values were increased in the placebo group, but were not modified in the GE group. Consequently, GE limited the production of isoprostanes compared to the placebo at D30 (1.24+/-0.12 vs 1.26+/-0.13 ng·mg(-1) creatinine; p < 0.05). GE administration, compared to the placebo at D30, reduced the plasmatic creatine phosphokinase concentration (CPK, 695.7+/-177.0 vs 480.0+/-81.1 IU·L(-1), p = 0.1) and increased hemoglobin levels (Hb, 14.5+/-0.2 vs 14.8+/-0.2 vs g·dL(-1), p < 0.05), suggesting that GE administration might protect cell damage during exercise. The high variability between sport disciplines did not permit to observe the differences in the effort test. Analyzing each individual group, handball players increased their physical performance by 24% (p < 0.05) and explosive power by 6.4% (p = 0.1) after GE supplementation compared to the placebo. Further analyses showed that CPK and Hb were the only biomarkers correlated with the increase in performance. In conclusion, GE ameliorates the oxidative stress/antioxidant status balance in elite athletes in the competition period, and enhances performance in one category of sportsmen (handball). Our results suggest that the enhancement in performance might be caused by the protective action of GE during physical exercise. These findings encourage conducting further studies to confirm the efficacy and mechanisms of action of GE on elite and occasional athletes. Key pointsGrape extract consumption improves the oxidative stress/antioxidant status balance in sportsmen.Grape extract consumption enhances physical performance in one category of sportsmen (Handball).The performance enhancement might be caused by the protective action of grape extract during physical exercise.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical constituents of Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth.

Ptychopetalum olacoides is a folk medicinal plant for health care in market, especially in Brazil. Fourteen known compounds were isolated from P. olacoides and their chemical structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data, including 1D NMR, 2D NMR, UV, IR and HR-ESI-MS. The 14 known compounds were identified as N-trans-feruloyl-3,5-dihydroxyindolin-2-one (1), magnoflorine (2), menisperine (3), 4-coumaroylserotonin (4), moschamine (5), luteolin (6), 4'-methoxyluteolin (7), 3-methoxyluteolin (8), 3, 7-dimethoxyluteolin (9), caffeic acid (10), ferulic acid (11), vanillic acid (12), syringic acid (13) and ginsenoside Re (14). To our knowledge, compounds (1-6, 13-14) were isolated from the plant for the first time. Additionally, quantitative analysis results indicated that calibration equations of compounds (1-3, 6, 9, 11-13) exhibited good linear regressions within the test ranges (R2 ≥ 0.9990) and magnoflorine and menisperine were the major constituents in the barks of P. olacoides. The contents of magnoflorine and menisperine accounted for 75.96% of all analytes. However, the content of phenolic components was smaller and the highest content was no more than 1.04 mg/g. Collectively, these results suggested that alkaloids are the dominant substances in P. olacoides, which can make a difference for the quality control and further use of P. olacoides.

Rapid, cost-effective and accurate quantification of Yucca schidigera Roezl. steroidal saponins using HPLC-ELSD method.

Yucca GRAS-labelled saponins have been and are increasingly used in food/feed, pharmaceutical or cosmetic industries. Existing techniques presently used for Yucca steroidal saponin quantification remain either inaccurate and misleading or accurate but time consuming and cost prohibitive. The method reported here addresses all of the above challenges. HPLC/ELSD technique is an accurate and reliable method that yields results of appropriate repeatability and reproducibility. This method does not over- or under-estimate levels of steroidal saponins. HPLC/ELSD method does not require each and every pure standard of saponins, to quantify the group of steroidal saponins. The method is a time- and cost-effective technique that is suitable for routine industrial analyses. HPLC/ELSD methods yield a saponin fingerprints specific to the plant species. As the method is capable of distinguishing saponin profiles from taxonomically distant species, it can unravel plant adulteration issues.