Heme Oxygenase-1 Polymorphism Is Associated With the Development of Necrotic Acute Pancreatitis Via Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 and the E-Selectin Expression Regulation Pathway

The Mechanism of Lung and Intestinal Injury in Acute Pancreatitis: A Review

Acute pancreatitis (AP), as a common cause of clinical acute abdomen, often leads to multi-organ damage. In the process of severe AP, the lungs and intestines are the most easily affected organs aside the pancreas. These organ damages occur in succession. Notably, lung and intestinal injuries are closely linked. Damage to ML, which transports immune cells, intestinal fluid, chyle, and toxic components (including toxins, trypsin, and activated cytokines to the systemic circulation in AP) may be connected to AP. This process can lead to the pathological changes of hyperosmotic edema of the lung, an increase in alveolar fluid level, destruction of the intestinal mucosal structure, and impairment of intestinal mucosal permeability. The underlying mechanisms of the correlation between lung and intestinal injuries are inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and endocrine hormone secretion disorders. The main signaling pathways of lung and intestinal injuries are TNF-α, HMGB1-mediated inflammation amplification effect of NF-κB signal pathway, Nrf2/ARE oxidative stress response signaling pathway, and IL-6-mediated JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. These pathways exert anti-inflammatory response and anti-oxidative stress, inhibit cell proliferation, and promote apoptosis. The interaction is consistent with the traditional Chinese medicine theory of the lung being connected with the large intestine (fei yu da chang xiang biao li in Chinese). This review sought to explore intersecting mechanisms of lung and intestinal injuries in AP to develop new treatment strategies.

Modulatory Role of Carbon Monoxide on the Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress Linked to Gastrointestinal Disorders

Significance: Carbon monoxide (CO) is an endogenous gaseous mediator that plays an important role in maintaining gastrointestinal (GI) tract homeostasis, acting in mucosal defense, and providing negative modulation of pathophysiological markers of clinical conditions. Recent Advances: Preclinical studies using animal models and/or cell culture show that CO can modulate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in GI mucosal injuries and pathological conditions, reducing proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species, while increasing antioxidant defense mechanisms. Critical Issues: CO has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The defense mechanisms of the GI tract are subject to aggression by different chemical agents (e.g., drugs and ethanol) as well as complex and multifactorial diseases, with inflammation and oxidative stress as strong triggers for the deleterious effects. Thus, it is possible that CO acts on a variety of molecules involved in the inflammatory and oxidative signaling cascades, as well as reinforcing several defense mechanisms that maintain GI homeostasis. Future Directions: CO-based therapies are promising tools for the treatment of GI disorders, such as gastric and intestinal injuries, inflammatory bowel disease, and pancreatitis. Therefore, it is necessary to develop safe and selective CO-releasing agents and/or donor drugs to facilitate effective treatments and methods for analysis of CO levels that are simple and inexpensive. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 98-114.

Genetic polymorphisms and protein levels in vocal fold leukoplakia: a systematic review

Vocal fold leukoplakia (VFL) has a risk of malignant transformation. Therefore, patients can have symptoms such as dysphonia, vocal strain, difficulty breathing, and dysphagia. Additionally, there is a genetic predisposition that can be associated with genetic polymorphisms. We aimed to evaluate the influence of genetic polymorphisms and protein levels in the etiology of VFL. Our study followed the PRISMA checklist and was registered on PROSPERO database. The questions were: "Are genetic polymorphisms involved in the etiology of VFL? Are protein levels altered in patients with VFL?". Eligibility criteria were case control studies that compared the presence of polymorphisms or/and protein levels of subjects diagnosed with VFL and healthy controls. Of the 905 articles retrieved, five articles with a total of 1038 participants were included in this study. The C allele of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)-819 T/C IL-10, A allele of the SNP -592 A/C IL-10, CT genotype of the SNP rs11886868 C/T BCL11A, GG genotype of the SNP rs4671393 A/G BCL11A, LL genotype, and L allele of (GT)n repeat polymorphisms of the HO-1 were risk factors for VFL development. Nevertheless, there was a lack of association between VFL and the -1082 A/G IL-10, rs14024 CK-1, and -309 T/G Mdm2 SNPs. The concentrations of the MDM2, BCL11A, and HO-1 proteins were modified, while IL-10 levels were normally expressed in these subjects. In conclusion, most markers evaluated in this review could be potential indicators to develop effective therapies, avoiding a malignant transformation of the lesion.

Association between HO‑1 gene promoter polymorphisms and diseases (Review)

Heme oxygenase‑1 (HO‑1) is an inducible cytoprotective enzyme that degrades heme into free iron, carbon monoxide and biliverdin, which is then rapidly converted into bilirubin. These degradation products serve an important role in the regulation of inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. While the expression level of HO‑1 is typically low in most cells, it may be highly expressed when induced by a variety of stimulating factors, a process that contributes to the regulation of cell homeostasis. In the 5'‑non‑coding region of the HO‑1 gene, there are two polymorphic sites, namely the (GT)n dinucleotide and T(‑413)A single nucleotide polymorphism sites, which regulate the transcriptional activity of HO‑1. These polymorphisms have been shown to be closely associated with the occurrence and progression of numerous diseases, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, liver and kidney, various types of cancer and viral diseases. The present article reviews the progress that has been made in research on the association between the two types of polymorphisms and these diseases, which is expected to provide novel strategies for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of various diseases.