Relationship Between DNA Damage and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme

Combination therapy with interferon-gamma as a potential therapeutic medicine in rat's glioblastoma: A multi-mechanism evaluation

BACKGROUND

This study assessed the effects of single or combined administration of temozolomide (TMZ) and interferon-gamma (IFN-ᵞ) on anxiety-like behaviors, balance disorders, learning and memory, TNF-α, IL-10, some oxidant and antioxidants factors with investigating the toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) and p-CREB signaling pathway in C6-induced glioblastoma of rats.

METHODS

40 male Sprague-Dawley rats bearing intra-caudate nucleus (CN) culture medium or C6 inoculation were randomly divided into five groups as follows: Sham, Tumor, TMZ, IFN-ᵞ and a TMZ + IFN-ᵞ combination. The open-field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM), rotarod, and passive avoidance test (PAT) were done on days 14-17. On day 17 after tumor implantation, brain tissues were extracted for histopathological evaluation. TNF-α, IL-10, SOD, GPX, TAC, MDA, the protein level of TLR4 and p-CREB was measured.

RESULTS

Combination therapy inhibited the growth of the tumor. Treatment groups alleviated tumor-induced anxiety-like behaviors and improved imbalance and memory impairment. SOD, GPX, and TAC decreased in the tumor group. The combination group augmented GPX and TAC. MDA decreased in treatment groups. TMZ, IFN-ᵞ reduced tumor-increased TNF-α and IL-10 level. The combination group declined TNF-α level in serum and IL-10 level in serum and brain. Glioblastoma induced significant upregulation of TLR4 and p-CREB in the brain which inhibited by IFN-ᵞ and TMZ+ IFN-ᵞ.

CONCLUSION

The beneficial effects of TMZ, IFN-ᵞ, and TMZ+ IFN-ᵞ on neurocognitive functioning of rats with C6-induced glioblastoma may be mediated via modulating oxidative stress, reduced cytokines, and the downregulation of expression of TLR4 and p-CREB. Combination treatment appears to be more effective than single treatment.

Diabetic oxidative stress-induced telomere damage aggravates periodontal bone loss in periodontitis

Periodontitis, one of the most common oral complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), causes a reduction in alveolar bone height and loss of alveolar bone mass. It has been shown that DM aggravates the progression of periodontitis, but the mechanism remains inconclusive. The hyperglycemic environment of DM has been proven to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). Since telomeres, guanine-rich repeats, are highly susceptible to oxidative attack, we speculate that the excessive accumulation of ROS in DM could induce telomere damage resulting in dysfunction of periodontal ligament cells, especially periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), which reduces the ability of tissue repair and reconstruction in diabetic periodontitis. In this study, our current data revealed that oxidative telomere damage occurred in the periodontal ligaments of diabetic mice. And Micro-CT scans showed reduced alveolar bone height and impaired alveolar bone mass in a diabetic periodontitis model. Next, cultured mouse PDLSCs (mPDLSCs) were treated with the oxidant tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) in vitro, as we expected telomere damage was observed and resulted in cellular senescence and dysfunction. Taken together, oxidative stress in DM causes telomere dysfunction and PDLSCs senescence, which influences periodontal bone tissue regeneration and reconstruction and ultimately exacerbates bone loss in periodontitis.

The Therapeutic Potential of Aprepitant in Glioblastoma Cancer Cells through Redox Modification

Although there is no doubt regarding the involvement of oxidative stress in the development of glioblastoma, many questions remained unanswered about signaling cascades that regulate the redox status. Given the importance of the substance P (SP)/neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) system in different cancers, it was of particular interest to evaluate whether the stimulation of this cascade in glioblastoma-derived U87 cells is associated with the induction of oxidative stress. Our results showed that SP-mediated activation of NK1R not only increased the intracellular levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) but also reduced the concentration of thiol in U87 cells. We also found that upon SP addition, there was a significant reduction in the cells' total antioxidant capacity (TAC), revealing that the SP/NK1R axis may be involved in the regulation of oxidative stress in glioblastoma cells. The significant role of SP/NK1R in triggering oxidative stress in glioblastoma has become more evident when we found that the abrogation of the axis using aprepitant reduced cell survival, probably through exerting antioxidant effects. The results showed that both MDA and ROS concentrations were significantly reduced in the presence of aprepitant, and the number of antioxidant components of the redox system increased. Overall, these findings suggest that aprepitant might exert its anticancer effect on U87 cells through shifting the balance of oxidant and antioxidant components of the redox system.

Current Perspective on the Natural Compounds and Drug Delivery Techniques in Glioblastoma Multiforme

Simple Summary

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the belligerent neoplasia that metastasize to other brain regions and invade nearby healthy tissues. However, the treatments available are associated with some limitations, such as high variations in solid tumors and deregulation of multiple cellular pathways. The heterogeneity of the GBM tumor and its aggressive infiltration into the nearby tissues makes it difficult to treat. Hence, the development of multimodality therapy that can be more effective, novel, with fewer side effects, improving the prognosis for GBM is highly desired. This review evaluated the use of natural phytoconstituents as an alternative for the development of a new therapeutic strategy. The key aspects of GBM and the potential of drug delivery techniques were also assessed, for tumor site delivery with limited side-effects. These efforts will help to provide better therapeutic options to combat GBM in future.

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the debilitating brain tumors, being associated with extremely poor prognosis and short median patient survival. GBM is associated with complex pathogenesis with alterations in various cellular signaling events, that participate in cell proliferation and survival. The impairment in cellular redox pathways leads to tumorigenesis. The current standard pharmacological regimen available for glioblastomas, such as radiotherapy and surgical resection following treatment with chemotherapeutic drug temozolomide, remains fatal, due to drug resistance, metastasis and tumor recurrence. Thus, the demand for an effective therapeutic strategy for GBM remains elusive. Hopefully, novel products from natural compounds are suggested as possible solutions. They protect glial cells by reducing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting pro-oncogene events and intensifying the potent anti-tumor therapies. Targeting aberrant cellular pathways in the amelioration of GBM could promote the development of new therapeutic options that improve patient quality of life and extend survival. Consequently, our review emphasizes several natural compounds in GBM treatment. We also assessed the potential of drug delivery techniques such as nanoparticles, Gliadel wafers and drug delivery using cellular carriers which could lead to a novel path for the obliteration of GBM.

Targeting NRF2, Regulator of Antioxidant System, to Sensitize Glioblastoma Neurosphere Cells to Radiation-Induced Oxidative Stress

The presence of glioma stem cells (GSCs), which are enriched in neurospheres, may be connected to the radioresistance of glioblastoma (GBM) due to their enhanced antioxidant defense and elevated DNA repair capacity. The aim was to evaluate the responses to different radiation qualities and to reduce radioresistance of U87MG cells, a GBM cell line. U87MG cells were cultured in a 3D model and irradiated with low (24 mGy/h) and high (0.39 Gy/min) dose rates of low LET gamma and high LET carbon ions (1-2 Gy/min). Thereafter, expression of proteins related to oxidative stress response, extracellular 8-oxo-dG, and neurospheres were determined. LD50 for carbon ions was significantly lower compared to LD50 of high and low dose rate gamma radiation. A significantly higher level of 8-oxo-dG was detected in the media of cells exposed to a low dose rate as compared to a high dose rate of gamma or carbon ions. A downregulation of oxidative stress proteins was also observed (NRF2, hMTH1, and SOD1). The NRF2 gene was knocked down by CRISPR/Cas9 in neurosphere cells, resulting in less self-renewal, more differentiated cells, and less proliferation capacity after irradiation with low and high dose rate gamma rays. Overall, U87MG glioma neurospheres presented differential responses to distinct radiation qualities and NRF2 plays an important role in cellular sensitivity to radiation.

Phytanoyl-CoA 2-Hydroxylase-Interacting Protein-Like Gene Is a Therapeutic Target Gene for Glioblastoma Multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary CNS cancer and has a poor prognosis. This study searched for significant genes and the mechanisms involved in GBM. We used the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to test the WHO normal and IV glioma database, used R tool to identify the significant gene, and finally, combined these with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to verify the significant genes. Subsequently, we explored the biological mechanisms involved. Phytanoyl-CoA 2-hydroxylase-interacting protein-like gene (PHYHIPL) is downregulated in grade IV glioma (GBM). The downregulation of PHYHIPL in GBM is accompanied by poor overall survival in the TCGA database, which indicates that PHYHIPL is a protection gene in GBM development. Bioinformatics analysis shows that the poor prognosis with downregulated PHYHIPL may be the result of the TNF signaling pathway and the IL-17 signaling pathway, but good prognosis accompanied by upregulated PHYHIPL may be the result of retrograde endocannabinoid signaling and the cAMP signaling pathway. Protein-protein interactions (PPI) net indicated that PHYHIPL may play a vital role in cell metabolism, and we hypothesize that the downregulation mechanism may be the result of mutations of the ß-catenin gene and the endogenous siRNA, as shown in previous studies. PHYHIPL may be a target gene for the treatment and prognosis of GBM.

The Delicate Equilibrium between Oxidants and Antioxidants in Brain Glioma

Gliomas are the most frequent brain tumors in the adult population and unfortunately the adjuvant therapies are not effective. Brain tumorigenesis has been related both to the increased levels of free radicals as inductors of severe damages in healthy cells, but also with the reduced response of endogenous enzyme and non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses. In turn, both processes induce the change to malignant cells. In this review, we analyzed the role of the imbalance between free radicals production and antioxidant mechanism in the development and progression of gliomas but also the influence of redox status on the two major distinctive forms of programmed cell death related to cancer: apoptosis and autophagy. These data may be the reference to the development of new pharmacological options based on redox microenvironment for glioma treatment.

Muscadine Grape Skin Extract (MPX) in Men with Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer: A Randomized, Multicenter, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Purpose: MuscadinePlus (MPX), a commercial preparation of pulverized muscadine grape skin, was evaluated as a therapeutic option for men with biochemically recurrent (BCR) prostate cancer wishing to defer androgen deprivation therapy.Experimental Design: This was a 12-month, multicenter, placebo-controlled, two-dose, double-blinded trial of MPX in 125 men with BCR prostate cancer, powered to detect a PSA doubling time (PSADT) difference of 6 months (low dose) and 12 months (high dose) relative to placebo. Participants were stratified (baseline PSADT, Gleason score) and randomly assigned 1:2:2 to receive placebo, 500 mg MPX (low), or 4,000 mg MPX (high) daily. Correlates included superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD2) genotype, lipid peroxidation, and polyphenol pharmacokinetics.Results: The evaluable population included 112 patients, all treated for at least 6 months and 62% treated for 12 months. No significant difference was found in PSADT change between control and treatment arms (P = 0.81): control 0.9 months (n = 20; range, 6.7-83.1), low dose 1.5 months (n = 52; range, 10.3-87.2), high dose 0.9 months (n = 40; range, 27.3-88.1). One high-dose patient experienced objective response. No drug-related CTCAE grade 3-4 adverse events were seen. In a preplanned exploratory analysis, PSADT pre-to-post increase was significant in the 27 (26%) genotyped patients with SOD2 Alanine/Alanine genotype (rs4880 T>C polymorphism) on MPX (pooled treatment arms; 6.4 months, P = 0.02), but not in control (1.8 months, P = 0.25).Conclusions: Compared with placebo, MPX did not significantly prolong PSADT in BCR patients over two different doses. Exploratory analysis revealed a patient population with potential benefit that would require further study. Clin Cancer Res; 24(2); 306-15. ©2017 AACR.

Dynamic thiol-disulphide homeostasis in low-grade gliomas: Preliminary results in serum

OBJECTIVE

Maintaining of precise balance between oxidation and anti-oxidation is important in both physiological and pathological states. Knowledge about this balance may give an idea about the process of the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis in patients with low-grade gliomas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Serial serum samples were collected in 13 patients operated on low-grade gliomas before and after surgery. Control serum samples were obtained from venous cord blood from 13 healthy women during cesarean section. Total thiol, native thiol, and disulfide bond formation were measured and compared with the controls.

RESULTS

Total thiols, native thiols, and disulfide bond formation were significantly elevated in patients before the surgery compared to the controls (p<0.05). Even after the surgery, these three parameters were still high in patients, and the differences were significant (p<0.05). Although no significant difference was found between patients and controls regarding the ratios of disulfide/total thiol, disulfide/native thiol, and native thiol/total thiol (p>0.05), the balance seemed to shift to oxidative side.

CONCLUSIONS

Thiol-disulfide homeostasis was disrupted in patients with low-grade gliomas, and oxidation may play a role in the process of this disease. Supplementation with antioxidants before and after surgery may be taken into consideration.

Antimutagenic and antioxidant effects of a South African traditional formulation used as an immune booster

Abstract The traditional medicines sector in South Africa is still largely unregulated despite legislation aimed at regulating the practice being in place. The HIV and AIDS epidemic has fuelled demand for traditional medicines, with many patients consulting traditional health practitioners who offer different treatments, including herbal immune boosters. This study investigated the mutagenic and antioxidant effects of the widely sold herbal immune booster, uMakhonya®. The Ames test was used for analysis of the genototoxic effects while the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assay was used to evaluate cell cytotoxicity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and THP-1 monocytes. To evaluate the antioxidant effects the malondialdehyde (MDA) quantification, the nitric oxide and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assays were used. UMakhonya® doses of up to 5000 μg/mL were not genotoxic in the Ames test. UMakhonya® was shown to induce dose-dependent cytotoxicity in both PBMCs and THP-1 cells with doses ranging from 500 μg/ mL to 1000 μg/mL, showing significant (p less than 0.05) toxicity. UMakhonya® was able to significantly (p less than 0.05) reduce nitrite radicals at 100 μg/mL while lower doses were not effective when compared to samples stimulated by lipopolysaccharide only. Non-cytotoxic doses of uMakhonya® showed significant (p less than 0.05) lipid peroxide scavenging ability in supernatants while this scavenging ability was considerably reduced intracellularly. In the DPPH assay, when both uMakhonya® and ascorbic acid were reconstituted in buffered saline, the traditional herbal remedy showed better radical scavenging abilities. Therefore further studies on the genotoxicity of uMakhonya®, when metabolically activated, and its antioxidant effects in in-vivo models are warranted

Protective effect of allicin on high glucose/hypoxia-induced aortic endothelial cells via reduction of oxidative stress

This study was designed to explore the protective effect of allicin on aortic endothelial cell injury induced by high glucose/hypoxia and to investigate the corresponding mechanisms. The primary-cultured murine aortic endothelial cells were subcultured. The third passage of cells was adopted and randomly divided into five groups: The normal group (NG), the mannitol group (MG), the high-glucose/hypoxia group (HG), the allicin group (AG) and the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor group (GG). The general morphology was observed under an inverted phase-contrast microscope and cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the endothelial cells were quantified using dihydroethidium staining. The levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and the activity of PKC were measured using ELISA. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was adopted to evaluate the mRNA expression of Nox4, HIF-1α and NF-κB. The altered cell morphology observed in HG was notably ameliorated in the AG and GG. The protein levels of 8-OHdG, NF-κB, Nox4, HIF-1α and PKC in the HG were higher than those in the other groups. Furthermore, the cell viability in the AG was significantly increased and the protein levels of 8-OHdG, NF-κB, Nox4, HIF-1α and PKC were significantly decreased compared with those in the HG. The ROS production was found to be increased in the HG cells, while there was a significant decrease in the AG cells. These data indicate that allicin exerts a protective effect against high glucose/hypoxia-induced injury in aortic endothelial cells through its antioxidative action, which may involve the inhibition of the PKC pathway and regulation of HIF-1α.

Protective effects of spironolactone against anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy

AIMS

The protective effect of beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs on anthracycline cardiotoxicity has already been demonstrated, but the effect of aldosterone antagonism, which inhibits the last step of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), was questioned. This study sought to investigate whether spironolactone protects the heart against anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Eighty-three female patients who were diagnosed with breast cancer were included in the study. The study population was randomized into spironolactone and control groups. A dose of 25 mg/day spironolactone was administered to the patients in the spironolactone group. There were 43 patients (mean age 50 ± 11 years) in the spironolactone group and 40 patients (mean age 51 ± 10 years) in the control group. LVEF decreased from 67.0 ± 6.1 to 65.7 ± 7.4 (P = 0.094) in the spironolactone group, and from 67.7 ± 6.3 to 53.6 ± 6.8 in the control group (P < 0.001). When the general linear model was applied, the interaction of LVEF decrease between groups was significantly lower in the spironolactone group than in the control group (P < 0.001). The diastolic functional grade of subjects in the spironolactone group was protected (P = 0.096), whereas it deteriorated in the control group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We showed that spironolactone administration used simultaneously with anthracycline group chemotherapeutics protects both myocardial systolic and diastolic functions. Spironolactone can be used to protect against anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02053974.

Increased 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in high-grade gliomas is associated with activation of autophagy

AIM OF THE STUDY

To understand the interaction between oxidative stress and autophagy in gliomas of different grades.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present study, we analyzed levels of oxidative stress in 45 human glioma tumors, using the DNA oxidation marker 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). In addition, we determined activation of autophagy in gliomas samples by assessing expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain-3B (LC3B). To confirm our in vivo findings, in vitro studies using U87 cells were conducted.

RESULTS

It was determined that the grade of gliomas, that is, different malignant degrees according to WHO classification, significantly affected level of 8-OHdG. High levels of 8-OHdG were present in high-grade gliomas. This trend was significant in male patients and in young adult patients (<50 years old). Further study showed increased expression of LC3B in high-grade gliomas. In addition, levels of 8-OHdG and expression of LC3B were positively correlated. Reducing autophagic activity by 3-methyladenine resulted in significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in U87 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides evidence that high levels of oxidative stress in high-grade gliomas are associated with autophagy activation that may play a protective role promoting the survival of high-grade gliomas under severe oxidative stress.

The role of inflammation in brain cancer

Malignant brain tumors are among the most lethal of human tumors, with limited treatment options currently available. A complex array of recurrent genetic and epigenetic changes has been observed in gliomas that collectively result in derangements of common cell signaling pathways controlling cell survival, proliferation, and invasion. One important determinant of gene expression is DNA methylation status, and emerging studies have revealed the importance of a recently identified demethylation pathway involving 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). Diminished levels of the modified base 5hmC is a uniform finding in glioma cell lines and patient samples, suggesting a common defect in epigenetic reprogramming. Within the tumor microenvironment, infiltrating immune cells increase oxidative DNA damage, likely promoting both genetic and epigenetic changes that occur during glioma evolution. In this environment, glioma cells are selected that utilize multiple metabolic changes, including changes in the metabolism of the amino acids glutamate, tryptophan, and arginine. Whereas altered metabolism can promote the destruction of normal tissues, glioma cells exploit these changes to promote tumor cell survival and to suppress adaptive immune responses. Further understanding of these metabolic changes could reveal new strategies that would selectively disadvantage tumor cells and redirect host antitumor responses toward eradication of these lethal tumors.

The tumor microenvironment: characterization, redox considerations, and novel approaches for reactive oxygen species-targeted gene therapy

The tumor microenvironment is a complex system that involves the interaction between malignant and neighbor stromal cells embedded in a mesh of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Stromal cells (fibroblasts, endothelial, and inflammatory cells) are co-opted at different stages to help malignant cells invade the surrounding ECM and disseminate. Malignant cells have developed adaptive mechanisms to survive under the extreme conditions of the tumor microenvironment such as restricted oxygen supply (hypoxia), nutrient deprivation, and a prooxidant state among others. These conditions could be eventually used to target drugs that will be activated specifically in this microenvironment. Preclinical studies have shown that modulating cellular/tissue redox state by different gene therapy (GT) approaches was able to control tumor growth. In this review, we describe the most relevant features of the tumor microenvironment, addressing reactive oxygen species-generating sources that promote a prooxidative microenvironment inside the tumor mass. We describe different GT approaches that promote either a decreased or exacerbated prooxidative microenvironment, and those that make use of the differential levels of ROS between cancer and normal cells to achieve tumor growth inhibition.

Oxidative damage and carcinogenesis

Oxygen is an essential element to conduct life processes but some of the metabolic byproducts e.g. reactive oxygen species (ROS), are toxic for living organisms. Endogenous ROS are produced e.g. reduction of dioxygen; some exogenous sources of radicals also exist, including nicotine and ionizing radiation. Reactive oxygen species include superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen, hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid.

Carcinogenesis is a multistep process. The exact reasons for the development of cancer are still unknown. Many factors contribute to the development of carcinogenesis, one of which is oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is defined as an imbalance between oxidizing agents (pro-oxidants) and antioxidants, agents that protect biomolecules against injury by pro-oxidants. When reactive oxygen species are overproduced it can damage nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. ROS are considered as a significant class of carcinogens participating in cancer initiation, promotion and progression.

8-Hydroxy-2-deoxy-guanosine identifies oxidative DNA damage in a rural prediabetes cohort

BACKGROUND

Rising levels of oxidative stress play an important role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, we investigated the serum level of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy-guanosine (8-OHdG) as an early oxidative stress marker in patients with prediabetes and with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Convenience sampling from people attending a diabetes screening clinic. Participants at the rural diabetes screening clinic had their medical history recorded as well as body mass index, blood glucose, cholesterol, glutathione, malondialdehyde, fasting blood glucose and 8-OHdG measured. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA followed by Sheffe posthoc test for between-group differences.

RESULTS

The 8-OHdG level was significantly greater in the prediabetes (516.5 +/- 260 pg/ml) compared to control group (177.8 +/- 91 pg/ml; P < 0.01). The diabetes group (1926.9 +/- 1197 pg/ml) had the highest level of 8-OHdG, being approximately four times greater compared to the prediabetes group (P < 0.001). No significant change in the cholesterol profile, MDA level indicative of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activity as measured by erythrocyte reduced glutathione was observed in the prediabetes group compared to the control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

8-OHdG levels in both the prediabetes and diabetes group were increased from control values suggesting a role for 8-OHdG as an early disease marker that may be more sensitive compared to cholesterol, MDA and erythrocyte reduced glutathione levels, which were within normal limits. This is of clinical significance as 8-OHdG is a strong indicator of oxidative stress related DNA damage within blood vessel walls and other tissue that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Antioxidative and immunoprotective effects of Pyracantha fortuneana (Maxim.) Li polysaccharides in mice

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of Pyracantha fortuneana (Maxim.) Li polysaccharides (PFP) on antioxidant and immune functions in mice. Results from this study showed that PFP administration significantly increased thymus and spleen indices, promoted splenocyte proliferation and natural killer (NK) cell activity, and elevated CD4 T cell numbers as well as CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratios. PFP also increased interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels, and decreased the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in splenocytes. In addition, PFP treatment led to remarkable increases in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and dramatic decreases in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in splenocytes. Moreover, PFP increased mRNA and protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) in splenocytes. Taken together, these results suggest that PFP treatment enhances the immune function and decreases the oxidative stress in mice.

Salivary analysis of oral cancer biomarkers

BACKGROUND

Oral cancer is a common and lethal malignancy. Direct contact between saliva and the oral cancer lesion makes measurement of tumour markers in saliva an attractive alternative to serum testing.

METHODS

We tested 19 tongue cancer patients, measuring the levels of 8 salivary markers related to oxidative stress, DNA repair, carcinogenesis, metastasis and cellular proliferation and death.

RESULTS

Five markers increased in cancer patients by 39-246%: carbonyls, lactate dehydrogenase, metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), Ki67 and Cyclin D1 (CycD1) (P< or =0.01). Three markers decreased by 16-29%: 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase, phosphorylated-Src and mammary serine protease inhibitor (Maspin) (P< or =0.01). Increase in salivary carbonyls was profound (by 246%, P=0.012); alterations in CycD1 (87% increase, P=0.000006) and Maspin (29% decrease, P=0.007) were especially significant. Sensitivity values of these eight analysed markers ranged from 58% to 100%; specificity values ranged from 42% to 100%. Both values were especially high for the CycD1 and Maspin markers, 100% for each value of each marker. These were also high for carbonyls, 90% and 80%, respectively, and for MMP-9, 100% and 79%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The significance of each salivary alteration is discussed. As all alterations correlated with each other, they may belong to a single carcinogenetic network. Cancer-related changes in salivary tumour markers may be used as a diagnostic tool for diagnosis, prognosis and post-operative monitoring.