The Anticancer Role of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles by Inducing Antioxidant Activity in Esophageal Cancer and Cancer Stem-Like ESCC Spheres

Causal association between metabolites and upper gastrointestinal tumors: A Mendelian randomization study

Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tumors, notably gastric cancer (GC) and esophageal cancer (EC), are significant global health concerns due to their high morbidity and mortality rates. However, only a limited number of metabolites have been identified as biomarkers for these cancers. To explore the association between metabolites and UGI tumors, the present study conducted a comprehensive two‑sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using publicly available genetic data. In the present study, the causal relationships were examined between 1,400 metabolites and UGI cancer using methods such as inverse variance weighting and weighted medians, along with sensitivity analyses for heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Functional experiments were conducted to validate the MR results. The analysis identified 57 metabolites associated with EC and 58 with GC. Key metabolites included fructosyllysine [EC: Odds ratio (OR)=1.450, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.087‑1.934, P=0.011; GC: OR=1.728, 95% CI=1.202‑2.483, P=0.003], 2'‑deoxyuridine to cytidine ratio (EC: OR=1.464, 95% CI=1.111‑1.929, P=0.007; GC: OR=1.464, 95% CI=1.094‑1.957, P=0.010) and carnitine to protonylcarnitine (C3) ratio (EC: OR=0.655, 95% CI=0.499‑0.861, P=0.002; GC: OR=0.664, 95% CI=0.486‑0.906, P=0.010). Notably, fructosyllysine levels and the 2'‑deoxyuridine to cytidine ratio were identified as risk factors for both EC and GC, while the C3 ratio served as a protective factor. Functional experiments demonstrated that fructosyllysine and the 2'‑deoxyuridine to cytidine ratio promoted the proliferation of EC and GC cells, whereas carnitine inhibited their proliferation. In conclusion, the present findings provide insights into the causal factors and biomarkers associated with UGI tumors, which may be instrumental in guiding targeted dietary and pharmacological interventions, thereby contributing to the prevention and treatment of UGI cancer.

Investigating the anticancer effects of chitosan-NLC-folate nanohybrid loaded with auraptene on A2780 ovarian cancer cells

The significant fatality rate associated with ovarian cancer underscores the urgent need for novel therapeutic interventions in this area. The focus of this study was to assess the cytotoxic impact of auraptene nanohybrid chitosan folate on A2780 ovarian cancer cells. A combination of liquid and solid lipids were used to create auraptene-nanostructured lipid carriers. Folic acid was conjugated to chitosan in order to modify the surface. The nanoparticles containing methylene blue were dissolved in deionized distilled water to attach the chitosan-folic acid to the nanoparticles. The resazurin cell viability assay was employed to gauge the cytotoxicity of auraptene on the cells. Real-time PCR was utilized to quantify the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and P53 genes. DLS analysis exposed a spheroidal particle with an approximate diameter of 211 nm. The auraptene nanoparticles did not revealed inhibitory effect on normal cell line (HFF-1) at the concentrations that it was toxic for cancerous cells (A2780). In vitro trials suggested that auraptene nanoparticles trigger apoptosis in A2780 cells in a dose-responsive manner by promoting the expression of pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and P53), while suppressing the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene (Bcl-2). Furthermore, auraptene nanoparticles also heightened the production of reactive oxygen species within the cancerous cells. The notable cytotoxic and lethal influence of auraptene nanoparticles on human ovarian cancer may be attributed to their capacity to generate oxidative stress conditions and induce apoptosis.

The biomedical application of inorganic metal nanoparticles in aging and aging-associated diseases

Aging and aging-associated diseases (AAD), including neurodegenerative disease, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, are inevitable process. With the gradual improvement of life style, life expectancy is gradually extended. However, the extended lifespan has not reduced the incidence of disease, and most elderly people are in ill-health state in their later years. Hence, understanding aging and AAD are significant for reducing the burden of the elderly. Inorganic metal nanoparticles (IMNPs) predominantly include gold, silver, iron, zinc, titanium, thallium, platinum, cerium, copper NPs, which has been widely used to prevent and treat aging and AAD due to their superior properties (essential metal ions for human body, easily synthesis and modification, magnetism). Therefore, a systematic review of common morphological alternations of senescent cells, altered genes and signal pathways in aging and AAD, and biomedical applications of IMNPs in aging and AAD is crucial for the further research and development of IMNPs in aging and AAD. This review focus on the existing research on cellular senescence, aging and AAD, as well as the applications of IMNPs in aging and AAD in the past decade. This review aims to provide cutting-edge knowledge involved with aging and AAD, the application of IMNPs in aging and AAD to promote the biomedical application of IMNPs in aging and AAD.

Sol-gel synthesis and cytotoxicity evaluation of selenium-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Over the past few years, ovarian cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. Despite the widespread knowledge of its prevalence, the curative measures and survival rates for ovarian cancer have not improved significantly, making it a challenging condition. Nanotechnology has become increasingly prominent in the field of cancer treatment. Previous studies showed both cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) and selenium (Se) had anti-cancer. Therefore, doping selenium into CONPs may exhibit a more significant anti-cancer effect on ovarian cancer cells. Cerium nitrate hexahydrate, sodium selenite, and gelatin were employed for the production of CONPs and Se-doped CONPs. The EDX, XRD, and TEM/PSA imaging were employed to investigate the structural characteristics and morphology of the synthesized Se-doped CONPs. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and TNF, IL-6, and IL-1B gene expression were evaluated after inoculating A2780 human epithelial ovarian carcinoma (HEOC) with Se-doped CONP. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni's t-test for multiple group comparisons. Se-doped CONPs had IC50 of 113 and 49 PPM after 24 and 48 h, respectively. In addition, Se-doped CONPs with concentrations of 50 and 100 PPM significantly reduced to ROS levels in the HEOC cell line. Also, 50 and 100 PPM Se-doped CONPs lead to significantly reduced TNF, IL-6, and IL-1B gene expression compared to the control group in the HEOC cell line. Our study showed the potential anti-cancer effects of Se-doped CONPs on ovarian cancer cell lines.

Cuproptosis/OXPHOS tendency prediction of prognosis and immune microenvironment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation

BACKGROUND

Cuproptosis is a newly discovered cell death mechanism that relies on mitochondrial respiration, for which oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is an essential part. However, the detailed mechanisms of cuproptosis associated with OXPHOS in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and how this correlation affects prognosis still remains unclear.

METHODS

scRNA-seq data of ESCC were downloaded from SRA (Sequence Read Archive) database. "AUCell" algorithm was used to grouping epithelial cells according to cuproptosis and OXPHOS score. Cell-cell communication, Pseudo-time Trajectory and transcription factor enrichment analysis were repectively conducted by "CellChat", "monocle3" package and "pySCENIC" algorithm. Univariate and LASSO cox regression analysis were used to construct the prognostic cuproptosis-OXPHOS signature. Finally, CCK-8 assay and DCFH-DA staining assay were respectively validated the sensitive and ROS production of elesclomol.

RESULTS

scRNA-seq data were analyzed to identify 10 core cell types. According to the median scores for cuproptosis and OXPHOS, malignant epithelial cells were divided into double high, double low, and mixed groups. The double high group distributed at the end of the pseudo-time trajectory and harbored HMGA1(+) as specific transcriptional regulons. Knockdown of HMGA1 partly reversed the inhibition of cell viability visualized by CCK-8 assay, while reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by elesclomol was enhanced after HMGA1 silencing. Furthermore, the immunosuppressive signal was significantly increased in the double high group detected by 'CellChat' in single-cell data and 'ssGSEA' in bulk data followed by 'CIBERSORTx' algorithm. Finally, a new cuproptosis-OXPHOS prognostic signature (CNN2, ATP6V0E1, PSMD6, CCDC25, IGFBP2, MT1E, and RPS4Y1) was constructed for the prediction of the prognosis, and a high-risk group corresponding to a more sensitive tendency to erlotinib, dasatinib, and bosutinib treatment was identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed the relationship between OXPHOS and tendency of cuproptosis in ESCC, and malignant cells with this characteristic exerted immunosuppressive signals and indicated poor prognosis. Furthermore, we constructed the regulatory network in high cuproptosis-OXPHOS ESCC and identified HMGA1 as a potential regulator molecule of cuproptosis mediated by elesclomol.

Targeted cancer treatment using folate-conjugated sponge-like ZIF-8 nanoparticles: a review

ZIF-8 (zeolitic imidazolate framework-8) is a potential drug delivery system because of its unique properties, which include a large surface area, a large pore capacity, a large loading capacity, and outstanding stability under physiological conditions. ZIF-8 nanoparticles may be readily functionalized with targeting ligands for the identification and absorption of particular cancer cells, enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapeutic medicines and reducing adverse effects. ZIF-8 is also pH-responsive, allowing medication release in the acidic milieu of cancer cells. Because of its tunable structure, it can be easily functionalized to design cancer-specific targeted medicines. The delivery of ZIF-8 to cancer cells can be facilitated by folic acid-conjugation. Hence, it can bind to overexpressed folate receptors on the surface of cancer cells, which holds the promise of reducing unwanted deliveries. As a result of its importance in cancer treatment, the folate-conjugated ZIF-8 was the major focus of this review.

Interplay of oxidative stress, cellular communication and signaling pathways in cancer

Cancer remains a significant global public health concern, with increasing incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Oxidative stress, characterized by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cells, plays a critical role in the development of cancer by affecting genomic stability and signaling pathways within the cellular microenvironment. Elevated levels of ROS disrupt cellular homeostasis and contribute to the loss of normal cellular functions, which are associated with the initiation and progression of various types of cancer. In this review, we have focused on elucidating the downstream signaling pathways that are influenced by oxidative stress and contribute to carcinogenesis. These pathways include p53, Keap1-NRF2, RB1, p21, APC, tumor suppressor genes, and cell type transitions. Dysregulation of these pathways can lead to uncontrolled cell growth, impaired DNA repair mechanisms, and evasion of cell death, all of which are hallmark features of cancer development. Therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting oxidative stress have emerged as a critical area of investigation for molecular biologists. The objective is to limit the response time of various types of cancer, including liver, breast, prostate, ovarian, and lung cancers. By modulating the redox balance and restoring cellular homeostasis, it may be possible to mitigate the damaging effects of oxidative stress and enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments. The development of targeted therapies and interventions that specifically address the impact of oxidative stress on cancer initiation and progression holds great promise in improving patient outcomes. These approaches may include antioxidant-based treatments, redox-modulating agents, and interventions that restore normal cellular function and signaling pathways affected by oxidative stress. In summary, understanding the role of oxidative stress in carcinogenesis and targeting this process through therapeutic interventions are of utmost importance in combating various types of cancer. Further research is needed to unravel the complex mechanisms underlying oxidative stress-related pathways and to develop effective strategies that can be translated into clinical applications for the management and treatment of cancer. Video Abstract.

The cardioprotective effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles against the poisoning generated by aluminum phosphide pesticide: Controlling oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage

BACKGROUND

Aluminum phosphide (AlP) is a well-known toxic compound used as an agricultural pesticide to prevent insect damage to stored crops. However, even if just a small amount was consumed, it caused lasting harm to the human body and, in acute concentrations, death. The current study employed cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) to reduce oxidative stress and various harmful outcomes of AlP poisoning.

METHODS

Following finding effective concentrations of CeO2 NPs via MTT assay, Human Cardiac Myocyte (HCM) cells were pre-treated with CeO2 NPs for 24 h. After that, they were exposed to 2.36 μM AlP. The activity of oxidative stress and mitochondrial biomarkers, including mitochondrial swelling, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cytochrome c release, were evaluated in HCM cells. Finally, the population of apoptotic and necrotic cells was assessed via flow cytometry.

RESULTS

After 24 h, data revealed that all tested concentrations of CeO2 NPs were safe, and 25 and 50 μM of that were selected as effective concentrations. Oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) showed that CeO2 NPs could successfully decrease AlP poisoning due to their antioxidant characteristics. Mitochondrial markers were also recovered by pre-treatment of HCM cells with CeO2 NPs. Furthermore, pre-treating with CeO2 NPs could compensate for the reduction of live cells with AlP and cause a diminishing in the population of early and late apoptotic cells.

CONCLUSION

As a result, it is evident that CeO2 NPs, through the recovery of oxidative stress and mitochondrial damages caused by AlP, reduce apoptosis and have therapeutic potentials on HCM cells.

Zinc/Cerium-Substituted Magnetite Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

Numerous studies have reported the possibility of enhancing the properties of materials by incorporating foreign elements within their crystal lattice. In this context, while magnetite has widely known properties that have been used for various biomedical applications, the introduction of other metals within its structure could prospectively enhance its effectiveness. Specifically, zinc and cerium have demonstrated their biomedical potential through significant antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial features. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to develop a series of zinc and/or cerium-substituted magnetite nanoparticles that could further be used in the medical sector. The nanostructures were synthesized through the co-precipitation method and their morpho-structural characteristics were evaluated through X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses. Furthermore, the nanostructures were subjected to a ROS-Glo H2O2 assay for assessing their antioxidant potential, MTT assay for determining their anticancer effects, and antimicrobial testing against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans strains. Results have proven promising for future biomedical applications, as the nanostructures inhibit oxidative stress in normal cells, with between two- and three-fold reduction and cell proliferation in tumor cells; a two-fold decrease in cell viability and microbial growth; an inhibition zone diameter of 4–6 mm and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1–2 mg/mL.