Fat Induces Glucose Metabolism in Nontransformed Liver Cells and Promotes Liver Tumorigenesis

Deciphering the influence of AP1M2 in modulating hepatocellular carcinoma growth and Mobility through JNK/ErK signaling pathway control

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the most common digestive system malignancy, with unclear pathogenesis and low survival rates. AP1M2 is associated with tumor progression, but its role and molecular mechanisms in HCC remain poorly understood and require further investigation.

METHODS

We utilized the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Expression Analysis Interactive Hub (XENA) databases to assess AP1M2 mRNA expression levels in HCC patients. Additionally, we employed the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to identify pathways associated with both AP1M2 and HCC development. To evaluate the effect of AP1M2 on HCC cell proliferation and migration, we employed various techniques including EdU, CCK-8, Colony formation assay, and Transwell assays. Furthermore, Western blot analysis was conducted to examine the signaling pathways influenced by AP1M2.

RESULTS

AP1M2 expression was significantly increased at the mRNA level in HCC tissues(P<0.001). Importantly, overall survival (OS) analysis confirmed the association between higher AP1M2 expression and a poorer prognosis in HCC patients compared to those with lower AP1M2 expression (P<0.019).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that AP1M2 was an independent prognostic factor and a valid predictor for HCC patients. Furthermore, GSEA results indicated differential enrichment of lipid, metal metabolism, and coagulation processes in HCC samples demonstrating a high AP1M2 expression phenotype. In vitro experiments supported these findings by demonstrating that AP1M2 promotes HCC cell proliferation and migration, while activating the JNK/ERK pathway.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that AP1M2 expression may serve as a potential molecular marker indicating a poor prognosis for HCC patients. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that AP1M2 significantly influences HCC cell proliferation and migration, with the JNK/ERK signaling pathway playing a key role in AP1M2-mediated regulation in the context of HCC.

Glycosphingolipid synthesis mediates immune evasion in KRAS-driven cancer

Cancer cells frequently alter their lipids to grow and adapt to their environment1-3. Despite the critical functions of lipid metabolism in membrane physiology, signalling and energy production, how specific lipids contribute to tumorigenesis remains incompletely understood. Here, using functional genomics and lipidomic approaches, we identified de novo sphingolipid synthesis as an essential pathway for cancer immune evasion. Synthesis of sphingolipids is surprisingly dispensable for cancer cell proliferation in culture or in immunodeficient mice but required for tumour growth in multiple syngeneic models. Blocking sphingolipid production in cancer cells enhances the anti-proliferative effects of natural killer and CD8+ T cells partly via interferon-γ (IFNγ) signalling. Mechanistically, depletion of glycosphingolipids increases surface levels of IFNγ receptor subunit 1 (IFNGR1), which mediates IFNγ-induced growth arrest and pro-inflammatory signalling. Finally, pharmacological inhibition of glycosphingolipid synthesis synergizes with checkpoint blockade therapy to enhance anti-tumour immune response. Altogether, our work identifies glycosphingolipids as necessary and limiting metabolites for cancer immune evasion.

The crosstalk between cellular survival pressures and N6-methyladenosine modification in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Within the tumor microenvironment, survival pressures are prevalent with potent drivers of tumor progression, angiogenesis, and therapeutic resistance. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation has been recognized as a critical post-transcriptional mechanism regulating various aspects of mRNA metabolism. Understanding the intricate interplay between survival pressures and m6A modification provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and highlights the potential for targeting the survival pressures-m6A axis in HCC diagnosis and treatment.

DATA SOURCES

A literature search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science for relevant articles published up to April 2024. The keywords used for the search included hepatocellular carcinoma, cellular survival, survival pressure, N6-methyladenosine, tumor microenvironment, stress response, and hypoxia.

RESULTS

This review delves into the multifaceted roles of survival pressures and m6A RNA methylation in HCC, highlighting how survival pressures modulate the m6A landscape, the impact of m6A modification on survival pressure-responsive gene expression, and the consequent effects on HCC cell survival, proliferation, metastasis, and resistance to treatment. Furthermore, we explored the therapeutic potential of targeting this crosstalk, proposing strategies that leverage the understanding of survival pressures and m6A RNA methylation mechanisms to develop novel, and more effective treatments for HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

The interplay between survival pressures and m6A RNA methylation emerges as a complex regulatory network that influences HCC pathogenesis and progression.

The significance of lipid metabolism reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages in hepatocellular carcinoma

In the intricate landscape of the tumor microenvironment, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) emerge as a ubiquitous cellular component that profoundly affects the oncogenic process. The microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by a pronounced infiltration of TAMs, underscoring their pivotal role in modulating the trajectory of the disease. Amidst the evolving therapeutic paradigms for HCC, the strategic reprogramming of metabolic pathways presents a promising avenue for intervention, garnering escalating interest within the scientific community. Previous investigations have predominantly focused on elucidating the mechanisms of metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells without paying sufficient attention to understanding how TAM metabolic reprogramming, particularly lipid metabolism, affects the progression of HCC. In this review article, we intend to elucidate how TAMs exert their regulatory effects via diverse pathways such as E2F1-E2F2-CPT2, LKB1-AMPK, and mTORC1-SREBP, and discuss correlations of TAMs with these processes and the characteristics of relevant pathways in HCC progression by consolidating various studies on TAM lipid uptake, storage, synthesis, and catabolism. It is our hope that our summary could delineate the impact of specific mechanisms underlying TAM lipid metabolic reprogramming on HCC progression and provide useful information for future research on HCC and the development of new treatment strategies.

Effect of novel anti-tumor and anti-angiogenesis drug taurolactone on angiogenic factor AGGF1 and angiogenesis mimicry in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Our study was to investigate the impact of taurolactone, a novel anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic drug, on AGGF1, an angiogenic factor, and angiogenesis mimicry in patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

A total of 120 HCC patients were enrolled from the Department of Oncology and Hepatobiliary Surgery at our hospital between May 2021 and December 2022. HCC diagnoses were confirmed through imaging or tissue biopsy for all patients. The age of patients ranged from 37 to 72 years, with an average age of 64.29 ± 4.58 years. These participants were divided equally into two groups: the control group and the observation group, each consisting of 60 individuals. While the control group received standard drug treatment, the observation group was administered taurolactone treatment. Before being included in the study, all participants or their legal representatives provided signed informed consent. Patient demographic information was collected through a questionnaire survey. ELISA was used to measure the levels of VEGF and AGGF1 in patients following treatment. Western blot was applied to assess the protein expression of PDGF, Angiopoietin, and AGGF1. MRI imaging technology was utilized to assess the perfusion characteristics of tumor blood vessels in patients. Tumor vessel density was compared between patients using ultrasonography. We also conducted a comparison between the two groups in terms of progression-free survival and overall survival.

RESULTS

General patient information between the two groups showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). Of note, the observation group exhibited greatly lower levels of VEGF and AGGF1 compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the levels of PDGF, Angiopoietin, and AGGF1 protein expression were significantly reduced in the observation group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In terms of tumor perfusion, the observation group displayed lower average and maximum perfusion volumes in tumor blood vessels compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the observation group demonstrated delayed peak times and arrival times of tumor blood vessels in comparison to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the density of tumor blood vessels was notably lower in the observation group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Patients in the observation group had longer progression-free survival and overall survival than the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In HCC patients, our study highlighted the potential efficacy of taurolactone treatment as it effectively inhibited angiogenic factors and angiogenesis mimicry, ultimately leading to an improved prognosis for these patients.

Citric acid promotes SPARC release in pancreatic cancer cells and inhibits the progression of pancreatic tumors in mice on a high-fat diet

Over the years, pancreatic cancer has experienced a global surge in incidence and mortality rates, largely attributed to the influence of obesity and diabetes mellitus on disease initiation and progression. In this study, we investigated the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer in mice subjected to a high-fat diet (HFD) and observed an increase in citric acid expenditure. Notably, citrate treatment demonstrates significant efficacy in promoting tumor cell apoptosis, suppressing cell proliferation, and inhibiting tumor growth in vivo. Our investigations revealed that citrate achieved these effects by releasing secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) proteins, repolarizing M2 macrophages into M1 macrophages, and facilitating tumor cell apoptosis. Overall, our research highlights the critical role of citric acid as a pivotal metabolite in the intricate relationship between obesity and pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, we uncovered the significant metabolic and immune checkpoint function of SPARC in pancreatic cancer, suggesting its potential as both a biomarker and therapeutic target in treating this patient population.

Loss of Pip4k2c confers liver-metastatic organotropism through insulin-dependent PI3K-AKT pathway activation

Liver metastasis (LM) confers poor survival and therapy resistance across cancer types, but the mechanisms of liver-metastatic organotropism remain unknown. Here, through in vivo CRISPR-Cas9 screens, we found that Pip4k2c loss conferred LM but had no impact on lung metastasis or primary tumor growth. Pip4k2c-deficient cells were hypersensitized to insulin-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling and exploited the insulin-rich liver milieu for organ-specific metastasis. We observed concordant changes in PIP4K2C expression and distinct metabolic changes in 3,511 patient melanomas, including primary tumors, LMs and lung metastases. We found that systemic PI3K inhibition exacerbated LM burden in mice injected with Pip4k2c-deficient cancer cells through host-mediated increase in hepatic insulin levels; however, this circuit could be broken by concurrent administration of an SGLT2 inhibitor or feeding of a ketogenic diet. Thus, this work demonstrates a rare example of metastatic organotropism through co-optation of physiological metabolic cues and proposes therapeutic avenues to counteract these mechanisms.

Integration of dietary nutrition and TRIB3 action into diabetes mellitus

Despite intensive studies for decades, the common mechanistic correlations among the underlying pathology of diabetes mellitus (DM), its complications, and effective clinical treatments remain poorly characterized. High-quality diets and nutrition therapy have played an indispensable role in the management of DM. More importantly, tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3), a nutrient-sensing and glucose-responsive regulator, might be an important stress-regulatory switch, linking glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance. Therefore, this review aimed to introduce the latest research progress on the crosstalk between dietary nutrition intervention and TRIB3 in the development and treatment of DM. This study also summarized the possible mechanisms involved in the signaling pathways of TRIB3 action in DM, in order to gain an in-depth understanding of dietary nutrition intervention and TRIB3 in the pathogenesis of DM at the organism level.

Effect of Semaglutide on High-Fat-Diet-Induced Liver Cancer in Obese Mice

This study aims to investigate the impact of semaglutide on the expression of liver cancer proteins in obese mice induced by a high-fat diet. Sixteen obese mice were randomly divided into two groups: the high-fat diet group and the semaglutide group, each consisting of eight mice. Additionally, eight normal male mice were included as the control group. Serum samples were collected, and a differential expression analysis of total proteins in adipose tissue was performed using quantitative tandem mass spectrometry (TMT) in combination with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Significant differential proteins were identified and subjected to a bioinformatics analysis. The findings revealed that these differential proteins, namely, integrin αV (ITGAV), laminin γ1 (LAMC1), fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL), regulate the occurrence and development of liver cancer by participating in the extracellular matrix (ECM) signaling pathway and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway. Notably, semaglutide can decelerate the progression of liver cancer by inducing the expression of ITGAV, LAMC1, FABP5, and LPL in the adipose tissue of obese mice.

MiR-143-3p/FNDC5 axis: a novel regulator of insulin sensitivity

PURPOSE

Insulin resistance is a key hallmark in type 2 diabetes. In recent decades, there have been numerous studies of the causes of insulin resistance. microRNAs (miRNAs) participate in the regulation of multiple aspects of energy metabolism and miR-143-3p has been shown to induce insulin resistance. We aimed to predict the downstream targets of miR-143-3p and found a miR-143-3p binding site on the 3'-untranslated region of FNDC5 (Fibronectin type III domain containing 5) mRNA.

METHODS

We first confirmed that FNDC5 mRNA is a target of miR-143-3p using a double luciferase experiment, then constructed a prokaryotic expression system for the mature form of FNDC5, irisin, and expressed and purified irisin protein. We transfected a miR-143-3p mimic into HepG2-NTCP (Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide) cells using an NTCP targeting vector, then 24 h later, the glucose concentration of the culture medium, western blot analysis was analyzed. We next co-incubated the cells transfected with the miR-143-3p mimic with irisin for 12 h following by the assay of glucose uptake and AKT phosphorylation.

RESULTS

The glucose concentration of the culture medium was higher than that associated with control miRNA-transfected cells (p < 0.01). Western blot analysis showed that the miR-143-3p mimic significantly reduced the expression of FNDC5 (p < 0.05) and the phosphorylation of AKT (Protein kinase B) (p < 0.05), implying impaired insulin signaling. which increased the glucose uptake (p < 0.0001) and AKT phosphorylation in the cells (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that FNDC5 is a direct target of miR-143-3p and that miR-143-3p induces insulin resistance by reducing its expression.

Exploring a novel therapeutic strategy: the interplay between gut microbiota and high-fat diet in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders

In the past two decades, the rapid increase in the incidence of metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hypertension, and hyperuricemia, has been attributed to high-fat diets (HFD) and decreased physical activity levels. Although the phenotypes and pathologies of these metabolic diseases vary, patients with these diseases exhibit disease-specific alterations in the composition and function of their gut microbiota. Studies in germ-free mice have shown that both HFD and gut microbiota can promote the development of metabolic diseases, and HFD can disrupt the balance of gut microbiota. Therefore, investigating the interaction between gut microbiota and HFD in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases is crucial for identifying novel therapeutic strategies for these diseases. This review takes HFD as the starting point, providing a detailed analysis of the pivotal role of HFD in the development of metabolic disorders. It comprehensively elucidates the impact of HFD on the balance of intestinal microbiota, analyzes the mechanisms underlying gut microbiota dysbiosis leading to metabolic disruptions, and explores the associated genetic factors. Finally, the potential of targeting the gut microbiota as a means to address metabolic disturbances induced by HFD is discussed. In summary, this review offers theoretical support and proposes new research avenues for investigating the role of nutrition-related factors in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders in the organism.

Dietary fat and lipid metabolism in the tumor microenvironment

Metabolic reprogramming has been considered a core hallmark of cancer, in which excessive accumulation of lipids promote cancer initiation, progression and metastasis. Lipid metabolism often includes the digestion and absorption of dietary fat, and the ways in which cancer cells utilize lipids are often influenced by the complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment. Among multiple cancer risk factors, obesity has a positive association with multiple cancer types, while diets like calorie restriction and fasting improve health and delay cancer. Impact of these diets on tumorigenesis or cancer prevention are generally studied on cancer cells, despite heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment. Cancer cells regularly interact with these heterogeneous microenvironmental components, including immune and stromal cells, to promote cancer progression and metastasis, and there is an intricate metabolic crosstalk between these compartments. Here, we focus on discussing fat metabolism and response to dietary fat in the tumor microenvironment, focusing on both immune and stromal components and shedding light on therapeutic strategies surrounding lipid metabolic and signaling pathways.

Mitochondrial Lipid Metabolism Genes as Diagnostic and Prognostic Indicators in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background

Due to the heterogeneity of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there is an urgent need for reliable diagnosis and prognosis. Mitochondria-mediated abnormal lipid metabolism affects the occurrence and progression of HCC.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the potential of mitochondrial lipid metabolism (MTLM) genes as diagnostic and independent prognostic biomarkers for HCC.

Methods

MTLM genes were screened from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) databases, followed by an evaluation of their diagnostic values in both The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (GXMU) cohort. The TCGA dataset was utilized to construct a gene signature and investigate the prognostic significance, immune infiltration, and copy number alterations. The validity of the prognostic signature was confirmed through GEO, International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), and GXMU cohorts.

Results

The diagnostic receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve revealed that eight MTLM genes have excellent diagnostic of HCC. A prognostic signature comprising 5 MTLM genes with robust predictive value was constructed using the lasso regression algorithm based on TCGA data. The results of the Stepwise regression model showed that the combination of signature and routine clinical parameters had a higher area under the curve (AUC) compared to a single risk score. Further, a nomogram was constructed to predict the survival probability of HCC, and the calibration curves demonstrated a perfect predictive ability. Finally, the risk score also unveiled the different immune and mutation statuses between the two different risk groups.

Conclusion

MTLT-related genes may serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for HCC as well as novel therapeutic targets, which may be beneficial for facilitating further understanding the molecular pathogenesis and providing potential therapeutic strategies for HCC.

Cholesterol reprograms glucose and lipid metabolism to promote proliferation in colon cancer cells

Hypercholesterolemia is often correlated with obesity which is considered a risk factor for various cancers. With the growing population of hypercholesterolemic individuals, there is a need to understand the role of increased circulatory cholesterol or dietary cholesterol intake towards cancer etiology and pathology. Recently, abnormality in the blood cholesterol level of colon cancer patients has been reported. In the present study, we demonstrate that alteration in cholesterol levels (through a high-cholesterol or high-fat diet) increases the incidence of chemical carcinogen-induced colon polyp occurrence and tumor progression in mice. At the cellular level, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) promote colon cancer cell proliferation by tuning the cellular glucose and lipid metabolism. Mechanistically, supplementation of LDLc or HDLc promotes cellular glucose uptake, and utilization, thereby, causing an increase in lactate production by colon cancer cells. Moreover, LDLc or HDLc upregulates aerobic glycolysis, causing an increase in total ATP production through glycolysis, and a decrease in ATP generation by OXPHOS. Interestingly, the shift in the metabolic status towards a more glycolytic phenotype upon the availability of cholesterol supports rapid cell proliferation. Additionally, an alteration in the expression of the molecules involved in cholesterol uptake along with the increase in lipid and cholesterol accumulation was observed in cells supplemented with LDLc or HDLc. These results indicate that colon cancer cells directly utilize the cholesterol associated with LDLc or HDLc. Moreover, targeting glucose metabolism through LDH inhibitor (oxamate) drastically abrogates the cellular proliferation induced by LDLc or HDLc. Collectively, we illustrate the vital role of cholesterol in regulating the cellular glucose and lipid metabolism of cancer cells and its direct effect on the colon tumorigenesis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes mellitus as growing aetiologies of hepatocellular carcinoma

Obesity-related complications such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are well-established risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This review provides insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie the role of steatosis, hyperinsulinemia and hepatic inflammation in HCC development and progression. We focus on recent findings linking intracellular pathways and transcription factors that can trigger the reprogramming of hepatic cells. In addition, we highlight the role of enzymes in dysregulated metabolic activity and consequent dysfunctional signalling. Finally, we discuss the potential uses and challenges of novel therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat NAFLD/T2D-associated HCC.

Impact of body mass index in patients receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atezo/Bev) is first line-treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Body mass index (BMI) has demonstrated predictive value for response to immunotherapy in non-HCC cancer types. Our study investigated the effect of BMI on safety and efficacy of real-life use of Atezo/Bev for unresectable HCC.

METHODS

191 consecutive patients from seven centres receiving Atezo/Bev were included in the retrospective study. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) defined by RECIST v1.1 were measured in overweight (BMI ≥ 25) and non-overweight (BMI < 25) patients. Treatment-related adverse events (trAEs) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Patients in the overweight cohort (n = 94) had higher rates of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and lower rates of Hepatitis B compared to non-overweight cohort (n = 97). Baseline Child-Pugh class and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage were similar between cohorts, with lower rates of extrahepatic spread in the overweight group. Overweight patients had similar OS compared to non-overweight (median OS 15.1 vs. 14.9 months; p = 0.99). BMI did not influence median PFS (7.1 vs. 6.1 months; p = 0.42), ORR (27.2% vs. 22.0%; p = 0.44) and DCR (74.1% vs. 71.9%; p = 0.46). There were higher rates of atezolizumab-related fatigue (22.3% vs. 10.3%; p = 0.02) and bevacizumab-related thrombosis (8.5% vs. 2.1%; p = 0.045) in the overweight patients, but overall trAEs and treatment discontinuation were comparable between cohorts.

CONCLUSION

Atezo/Bev has comparable efficacy in overweight HCC patients, with an increase in treatment-related fatigue and thrombosis. Combination therapy is safe and efficacious to use in overweight patients, including those with underlying NAFLD.

Advances in experimental animal models of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with insidious early symptoms, easy metastasis, postoperative recurrence, poor drug efficacy, and a high drug resistance rate when surgery is missed, leading to a low 5-year survival rate. Research on the pathogenesis and drugs is particularly important for clinical treatment. Animal models are crucial for basic research, which is conducive to studying pathogenesis and drug screening more conveniently and effectively. An appropriate animal model can better reflect disease occurrence and development, and the process of anti-tumor immune response in the human body. This review summarizes the classification, characteristics, and advances in experimental animal models of HCC to provide a reference for researchers on model selection.

GepLiver: an integrative liver expression atlas spanning developmental stages and liver disease phases

Chronic liver diseases usually developed through stepwise pathological transitions under the persistent risk factors. The molecular changes during liver transitions are pivotal to improve liver diagnostics and therapeutics yet still remain elusive. Cumulative large-scale liver transcriptomic studies have been revealing molecular landscape of various liver conditions at bulk and single-cell resolution, however, neither single experiment nor databases enabled thorough investigations of transcriptomic dynamics along the progression of liver diseases. Here we establish GepLiver, a longitudinal and multidimensional liver expression atlas integrating expression profiles of 2469 human bulk tissues, 492 mouse samples, 409,775 single cells from 347 human samples and 27 liver cell lines spanning 16 liver phenotypes with uniformed processing and annotating methods. Using GepLiver, we have demonstrated dynamic changes of gene expression, cell abundance and crosstalk harboring meaningful biological associations. GepLiver can be applied to explore the evolving expression patterns and transcriptomic features for genes and cell types respectively among liver phenotypes, assisting the investigation of liver transcriptomic dynamics and informing biomarkers and targets for liver diseases.

Oxidative Stress Linking Obesity and Cancer: Is Obesity a 'Radical Trigger' to Cancer?

Obesity is on the rise worldwide, and consequently, obesity-related non-communicable diseases are as well. Nutritional overload induces metabolic adaptations in an attempt to restore the disturbed balance, and the byproducts of the mechanisms at hand include an increased generation of reactive species. Obesity-related oxidative stress causes damage to vulnerable systems and ultimately contributes to neoplastic transformation. Dysfunctional obese adipose tissue releases cytokines and induces changes in the cell microenvironment, promoting cell survival and progression of the transformed cancer cells. Other than the increased risk of cancer development, obese cancer patients experience higher mortality rates and reduced therapy efficiency as well. The fact that obesity is considered the second leading preventable cause of cancer prioritizes the research on the mechanisms connecting obesity to cancerogenesis and finding the solutions to break the link. Oxidative stress is integral at different stages of cancer development and advancement in obese patients. Hypocaloric, balanced nutrition, and structured physical activity are some tools for relieving this burden. However, the sensitivity of simultaneously treating cancer and obesity poses a challenge. Further research on the obesity-cancer liaison would offer new perspectives on prevention programs and treatment development.

Glucose induced-AKT/mTOR activation accelerates glycolysis and promotes cell survival in acute myeloid leukemia

Multiple studies have demonstrated that excessive glucose utilization is a common feature of cancer cells to support malignant phenotype. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is recognized as a heterogeneous disorder of hematopoietic stem cells characterized by altered glucose metabolism. However, the role of glucose metabolic dysfunction in AML development remains obscure. In this study, glucose and 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) treatment were applied to analyze the relationship between glucose metabolism and cell survival. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry (FCM) assays were used to examine the cell viability and apoptosis rate. Glucose consumption and lactate production were measured to assess the glucose metabolism pathway. The results demonstrated that abnormally increased glucose effectively promoted proliferation of leukemic cells and inhibited cell apoptosis, while 2-DG ameliorated leukemic phenotypes. Importantly, glucose exposure induced active glycolysis by increasing glucose consumption and lactate production. Furthermore, the levels of key glycolysis-related genes glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) were upregulated. Mechanistic investigations revealed that AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was activated in glucose condition. In conclusion, our findings indicate that glucose induced-AKT/mTOR activation plays a growth-promoting role in AML, highlighting that inhibition of glycolysis would be a vital adjuvant therapy strategy for AML.

Hepatic lipid overload triggers biliary epithelial cell activation via E2Fs

During severe or chronic hepatic injury, biliary epithelial cells (BECs) undergo rapid activation into proliferating progenitors, a crucial step required to establish a regenerative process known as ductular reaction (DR). While DR is a hallmark of chronic liver diseases, including advanced stages of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the early events underlying BEC activation are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that BECs readily accumulate lipids during high-fat diet feeding in mice and upon fatty acid treatment in BEC-derived organoids. Lipid overload induces metabolic rewiring to support the conversion of adult cholangiocytes into reactive BECs. Mechanistically, we found that lipid overload activates the E2F transcription factors in BECs, which drive cell cycle progression while promoting glycolytic metabolism. These findings demonstrate that fat overload is sufficient to reprogram BECs into progenitor cells in the early stages of NAFLD and provide new insights into the mechanistic basis of this process, revealing unexpected connections between lipid metabolism, stemness, and regeneration.

Acetyl-CoA metabolism in cancer

Few metabolites can claim a more central and versatile role in cell metabolism than acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA). Acetyl-CoA is produced during nutrient catabolism to fuel the tricarboxylic acid cycle and is the essential building block for fatty acid and isoprenoid biosynthesis. It also functions as a signalling metabolite as the substrate for lysine acetylation reactions, enabling the modulation of protein functions in response to acetyl-CoA availability. Recent years have seen exciting advances in our understanding of acetyl-CoA metabolism in normal physiology and in cancer, buoyed by new mouse models, in vivo stable-isotope tracing approaches and improved methods for measuring acetyl-CoA, including in specific subcellular compartments. Efforts to target acetyl-CoA metabolic enzymes are also advancing, with one therapeutic agent targeting acetyl-CoA synthesis receiving approval from the US Food and Drug Administration. In this Review, we give an overview of the regulation and cancer relevance of major metabolic pathways in which acetyl-CoA participates. We further discuss recent advances in understanding acetyl-CoA metabolism in normal tissues and tumours and the potential for targeting these pathways therapeutically. We conclude with a commentary on emerging nodes of acetyl-CoA metabolism that may impact cancer biology.

A palmitate-rich metastatic niche enables metastasis growth via p65 acetylation resulting in pro-metastatic NF-κB signaling

Metabolic rewiring is often considered an adaptive pressure limiting metastasis formation; however, some nutrients available at distant organs may inherently promote metastatic growth. We find that the lung and liver are lipid-rich environments. Moreover, we observe that pre-metastatic niche formation increases palmitate availability only in the lung, whereas a high-fat diet increases it in both organs. In line with this, targeting palmitate processing inhibits breast cancer-derived lung metastasis formation. Mechanistically, breast cancer cells use palmitate to synthesize acetyl-CoA in a carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a-dependent manner. Concomitantly, lysine acetyltransferase 2a expression is promoted by palmitate, linking the available acetyl-CoA to the acetylation of the nuclear factor-kappaB subunit p65. Deletion of lysine acetyltransferase 2a or carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a reduces metastasis formation in lean and high-fat diet mice, and lung and liver metastases from patients with breast cancer show coexpression of both proteins. In conclusion, palmitate-rich environments foster metastases growth by increasing p65 acetylation, resulting in a pro-metastatic nuclear factor-kappaB signaling.

Systematic diet composition swap in a mouse genome-scale metabolic model reveals determinants of obesogenic diet metabolism in liver cancer

Dietary nutrient availability and gene expression, together, influence tissue metabolic activity. Here, we explore whether altering dietary nutrient composition in the context of mouse liver cancer suffices to overcome chronic gene expression changes that arise from tumorigenesis and western-style diet (WD). We construct a mouse genome-scale metabolic model and estimate metabolic fluxes in liver tumors and non-tumoral tissue after computationally varying the composition of input diet. This approach, called Systematic Diet Composition Swap (SyDiCoS), revealed that, compared to a control diet, WD increases production of glycerol and succinate irrespective of specific tissue gene expression patterns. Conversely, differences in fatty acid utilization pathways between tumor and non-tumor liver are amplified with WD by both dietary carbohydrates and lipids together. Our data suggest that combined dietary component modifications may be required to normalize the distinctive metabolic patterns that underlie selective targeting of tumor metabolism.

Metabolism-related signatures is correlated with poor prognosis and immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma via multi-omics analysis and basic experiments

Background

Metabolism is an ordered series of biological processes that occur in an organism. Altered cellular metabolism is often closely associated with the development of cancer. The aim of this research was to construct a model by multiple metabolism-related molecules to diagnose and assess the prognosis of patients.

Method

WGCNA analysis was used to screen out differential genes. GO, KEGG are used to explore potential pathways and mechanisms. The lasso regression model was used to filter out the best indicators to construct the model. Single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) assess immune cells abundance, immune terms in different Metabolism Index (MBI) groups. Human tissues and cells were used to verify the expression of key genes.

Result

WGCNA clustering grouped genes into 5 modules, of which 90 genes from the MEbrown module were selected for subsequent analysis. GO analysis was found that BP mainly has mitotic nuclear division, while KEGG pathway is enriched to Cell cycle, Cellular senescence. Mutation analysis revealed that the frequency of TP53 mutations was much higher in samples from the high MBI group than in the low MBI group. Immunoassay revealed that patients with higher MBI have higher macrophage and Regulatory T cells (Treg) abundance, while NK cells were lowly expressed in the high MBI group. RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed that the hub genes expression is higher in cancer tissues. The expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells was also much higher than that in normal hepatocytes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a metabolism-related model was constructed that can be used to estimate the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, and the clinical treatment of different hepatocellular carcinoma patients with medications was guided.

Imaging glucose metabolism to reveal tumor progression

Purpose: To analyze and review the progress of glucose metabolism-based molecular imaging in detecting tumors to guide clinicians for new management strategies. Summary: When metabolic abnormalities occur, termed the Warburg effect, it simultaneously enables excessive cell proliferation and inhibits cell apoptosis. Molecular imaging technology combines molecular biology and cell probe technology to visualize, characterize, and quantify processes at cellular and subcellular levels in vivo. Modern instruments, including molecular biochemistry, data processing, nanotechnology, and image processing, use molecular probes to perform real-time, non-invasive imaging of molecular and cellular events in living organisms. Conclusion: Molecular imaging is a non-invasive method for live detection, dynamic observation, and quantitative assessment of tumor glucose metabolism. It enables in-depth examination of the connection between the tumor microenvironment and tumor growth, providing a reliable assessment technique for scientific and clinical research. This new technique will facilitate the translation of fundamental research into clinical practice.

Multi-omics analysis of the effects of dietary changes and probiotics on diet-induced obesity

The consumption of a healthy diet is critical for maintaining and promoting human health. In the context of the rapid transformation from a high-fat diet (HFD) to a Mediterranean diet (MD) leading to major systemic changes, we explored the necessity of a transitional standard diet (TSD) between these two varied diets and the adjuvant effect of probiotics. HFD-fed mice were used for studying the changes and benefits of a dietary intervention and probiotic treatment. By measuring multiple systemic alterations such as weight (group B vs. group E, P < 0.05), liver function (AST, group C vs. group E, P < 0.001), and histopathology, we found that an MD, TSD and Bifidobacterium longum all contribute to alleviating lipid deposition and liver injury. The downregulation of IL-17 (group B vs. group E, P < 0.01) and MIP-1α (group B vs. group E, P < 0.001) also demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of the TSD. Moreover, we performed multi-omics analysis combined with the 16S sequencing, transcriptome and metabolome results and found that the TSD increased the abundance of the Lactobacillus genus (group C vs. group E, P < 0.01) and effectively lowered lipid accumulation and systemic inflammation. Furthermore, B. longum played an important role in the synergistic effect. The results showed that a TSD might be useful for HFD-induced obesity before drastic dietary changes, and probiotics were also beneficial.

Understanding the Contribution of Lactate Metabolism in Cancer Progress: A Perspective from Isomers

Lactate mediates multiple cell-intrinsic effects in cancer metabolism in terms of development, maintenance, and metastasis and is often correlated with poor prognosis. Its functions are undertaken as an energy source for neighboring carcinoma cells and serve as a lactormone for oncogenic signaling pathways. Indeed, two isomers of lactate are produced in the Warburg effect: L-lactate and D-lactate. L-lactate is the main end-production of glycolytic fermentation which catalyzes glucose, and tiny D-lactate is fabricated through the glyoxalase system. Their production inevitably affects cancer development and therapy. Here, we systematically review the mechanisms of lactate isomers production, and highlight emerging evidence of the carcinogenic biological effects of lactate and its isomers in cancer. Accordingly, therapy that targets lactate and its metabolism is a promising approach for anticancer treatment.

The role of lipids in cancer progression and metastasis

Lipids have essential biological functions in the body (e.g., providing energy storage, acting as a signaling molecule, and being a structural component of membranes); however, an excess of lipids can promote tumorigenesis, colonization, and metastatic capacity of tumor cells. To metastasize, a tumor cell goes through different stages that require lipid-related metabolic and structural adaptations. These adaptations include altering the lipid membrane composition for invading other niches and overcoming cell death mechanisms and promoting lipid catabolism and anabolism for energy and oxidative stress protective purposes. Cancer cells also harness lipid metabolism to modulate the activity of stromal and immune cells to their advantage and to resist therapy and promote relapse. All this is especially worrying given the high fat intake in Western diets. Thus, metabolic interventions aiming to reduce lipid availability to cancer cells or to exacerbate their metabolic vulnerabilities provide promising therapeutic opportunities to prevent cancer progression and treat metastasis.

The Intratumoral Bacterial Metataxonomic Signature of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Microbiota is implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The spectrum of intratumoral microbiota associated with HCC progression remains elusive. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that microbial DNAs were distributed in the cytosol of liver hepatocytes and erythrocytes. Viable anaerobic or aerobic bacteria were recovered in HCC tissues by fresh tissue culture. We performed a comprehensive DNA sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes in 156 samples from 28 normal liver, 64 peritumoral, and 64 HCC tissues, and the DNA sequencing yielded 4.2 million high-quality reads. Both alpha and beta diversity in peritumor and HCC microbiota were increased compared to normal controls. The most predominant phyla in HCC were Patescibacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteriota. phyla of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteriota, and classes of Bacilli and Actinobacteria, were consistently enriched in peritumor and HCC tissues, while Gammaproteobacteria was especially abundant in HCC tissues compared to normal controls. Streptococcaceae and Lactococcus were the marker taxa of HCC cirrhosis. The Staphylococcus branch and Caulobacter branch were selectively enriched in HBV-negative HCCs. The abundance of Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, and Saccharimonadia were associated with the clinicopathological features of HCC patients. The inferred functions of different taxa were changed between the microbiota of normal liver and peritumor/HCC. Random forest machine learning achieved great discriminative performance in HCC prediction (area under the curve [AUC] = 1.00 in the training cohort, AUC = 0.950 for top five class signature, and AUC = 0.943 for the top 50 operational taxonomy units [OTUs] in the validation cohort). Our analysis highlights the complexity and diversity of the liver and HCC microbiota and established a specific intratumoral microbial signature for the potential prediction of HCC. IMPORTANCE Gut microbiome is an important regulator of hepatic inflammation, detoxification, and immunity, and contributes to the carcinogenesis of liver cancer. Intratumoral bacteria are supposed to be closer to the tumor cells, forming a microenvironment that may be relevant to the pathological process of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the presence of viable intratumoral bacteria remains unclear. It is worth exploring whether the metataxonomic characteristics of intratumoral bacteria can be used as a potential marker for HCC prediction. Here, we present the first evidence of the existence of viable intratumoral bacteria in HCC using the tissue culture method. We revealed that microbial DNAs were distributed in the cytosol of liver hepatocytes and erythrocytes. We analyzed the diversity, structure, and abundance of normal liver and HCC microbiota. We built a machine learning model for HCC prediction using intratumoral bacterial features. We show that specific taxa represent potential targets for both therapeutic and diagnostic interventions.

Combined analysis of differentially expressed lncRNAs and miRNAs in liver tissues of high-fat fed rabbits by transcriptome sequencing

High-fat diet could lead to a series of metabolic diseases, including obesity, and its mechanism is not clear. In this study, the rabbit individuals were fed with high-fat diet, the liver tissues were collected, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to reveal the expression of lncRNA and miRNA difference, and the molecular regulation mechanism of lncRNA-miRNA. A total of 24,615 DE lncRNAs and 52 DE miRNAs were identified, including 15 novel discovered DE miRNAs (5 upregulated and 10 downregulated). Furthermore, five miRNAs and three mRNAs were verified by qRT-PCR, and the results showed that the expression of the DE miRNAs and DE lncRNAs in the two groups was consistent with our sequencing results. GO and KEGG analyzed 7,57,139 target genes respectively, enriching the pathways related to lipid metabolism, including mucin O-glycan biosynthesis pathway, insulin resistance and glucagon signaling pathway. Moreover, 65 targeting relationships were obtained. Among them, LOC103348122/miR-450a-5p, LOC103350359/miR-450a-3p and LOC103350429/miR-148a-5p were proposed the first time. Significantly, LOC103348122/miR-450a-5p and LOC103350429/miR-148a-5p were related to lipid metabolism in the liver. This study is of great significance to the CeRNA regulatory network related to lipid metabolism in the liver of rabbits, and provides a basis for understanding hepatic steatosis in rabbits.

A Novel Metabolism-Related Gene Signature for Predicting the Prognosis of HBV-Infected Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Metabolic reprogramming is one of the crucial hallmarks of cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) resulting from hepatitis B has various altered metabolic features. However, the impact of such alterations on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and immunotherapy efficacy is still unclear. Here, a prognostic signature of metabolism-related gene (MRG) composition was constructed, and the immune profile of different subgroups and potential response to immunotherapy were described. Based on the HCC gene dataset, we used weighted gene coexpression network analysis for identifying MRGs linked to hepatitis B. An MRG prognostic index (MRGPI) with two genes, ATIC and KIF2C, was constructed using Cox regression analysis, an independent prognostic factor. In addition, the model was validated using the GEO dataset. The immune profile and prediction of HCC response to immunotherapy in different subgroups were analyzed using CIBERSORT and TIDE. Based on the outcomes, the distributions of memory B cells, monocytes, resting mast cells, and M0 macrophages in TME were different with a greater benefit of immunotherapy in the low MRGPI risk group. In addition, the MRGPI risk groups showed substantial differences in sensitivity to conventional drug therapy. This study concludes that MRGPI is an effective biomarker for predicting the prognoses of patients with HCC resulting from hepatitis B virus infections and determining the efficacy of immunotherapy and conventional medical therapy.

Black phosphorous nanomaterials as a new paradigm for postoperative tumor treatment regimens

Surgery is currently a mainstream treatment modality for various solid tumor indications. However, aggressive resection of tumor tissues frequently causes postoperative complications, which severely undermine the well-being of patients. Moreover, the residue tumor cells may substantially increase the risk of local and distant tumor relapse. The recent development in black phosphorus (BP)-based nanomaterials offers a promising opportunity to address these clinical challenges. BP is an emerging nanomaterial with excellent biocompatibility and versatile functionality, which has already demonstrated great potential for a variety of biomedical applications including tumor therapy and tissue engineering. In this review, the recent advances in BP-based nanobiomaterials for the post-surgery treatment of solid tumor have been summarized, while specific emphasis was placed on their capability to continuously inhibit residue tumor growth at the surgery site as well as stimulating various healing mechanisms, aiming to preventing tumor relapse while promoting the healing of surgery-induced traumatic soft/hard tissue injuries. It is anticipated that the nanoengineered BP-based materials may open new avenues to tackle those clinical challenges in surgical treatment of solid tumors.

Sortilin 1 Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Proliferation and Migration by Regulating Immune Cell Infiltration

Objectives

Recent evidence suggests that Sort1 promotes carcinogenesis and tumor progression in multiple types of cancers. This study investigates the role of Sort1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

The differentially expressed gene was screened through GEO and TCGA databases. The Sort1 gene was identified and its expression was then verified by TCGA and HCCDB (a database of hepatocellular carcinoma expression atlas) databases. The Human Protein Atlas database was used to assess the gene expression in tissues. The TCGA and KM-plotter databases were used to study the relationship between Sort1 and HCC. The correlation between Sort1 and immune cells was evaluated through the TIMER database. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis was used to investigate the possible mechanism. The role of Sort1 in cell proliferation and invasion of HCC was further explored through in vitro experiments.

Result

The differentially expressed molecule obtained from database screening was Sort1. Its expression was higher in cancer tissues than in paracancerous ones, and it was mainly located in the cytoplasm. The TCGA, KM-plotter databases, and our study data showed that low expression of Sort1 in HCC patients had better overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFI), and disease-specific survival (DSS). Further analysis indicated a significant correlation between Sort1 expression and immune cell infiltration. The gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) analysis showed that Sort1 affected the biological events of HCC by participating in the WNT, TGF-BETA, JAK, STAT, and CALCIUM signaling pathways. In vitro, cytological experiments demonstrated reduced expression of PCNA, Ki-67, Vimentin, N-cadherin, and MMP-9 mRNA after knocking down Sort1, although E-cadherin expression was promoted. Overall, these processes reduced the ability of proliferation and invasion of HCC cells.

Conclusion

Downregulation of Sort1 can prolong the OS, PFI, and DSS of HCC patients. Furthermore, due to its link with immune cell infiltration, the Sort1 gene represents a potentially novel predictive biomarker of HCC. The growth of HCC can be significantly inhibited by interfering with Sort1; therefore, these results provide a potential target for developing anticancer strategies for HCC.

A Single Nucleotide Mixture Enhances the Antitumor Activity of Molecular-Targeted Drugs Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

New strategies for molecular-targeted drug therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ignore the contribution of the nutritional status of patients and nutritional support to improve physical status and immunity. We aimed to elucidate the role of a single nucleotide mixture (SNM) in the anti-tumor therapy of HCC, and to explore the importance of a SNM as adjuvant therapy for HCC. Compared with a lipid emulsion (commonly used nutritional supplement for HCC patients), the SNM could not induce metabolic abnormalities in HCC cells (Warburg effect), and did not affect expression of metabolic abnormality-related factors in HCC cells. The SNM could also attenuate the lymphocyte injury induced by antitumor drugs in vitro and in vivo, and promote the recruitment and survival of lymphocytes in HCC tissues. Using HCC models in SCID (server combined immune-deficiency) mice or BalB/c mice, the SNM had anti-tumor activity, and could significantly upregulate the antitumor activity of molecular-targeted drugs (tyrosine-kinase inhibitors [TKI] and immune-checkpoint inhibitors [ICI]) against HCC. We employed research models in vivo and in vitro to reveal the anti-tumor activity of the SNM on HCC. Our findings expand understanding of the SNM and contribute to HCC (especially nutritional support) therapy.

Gut Microbiome Differences in Rescued Common Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) Before and After Captivity

Gut microbes significantly impact animal health, yet research on the gut microbiota of most birds, especially raptors, is lacking. This study investigated the effects of dietary and environmental changes on the composition and abundance of gut microbiota in 17 rescued common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) through 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing of microorganisms in the feces of the birds. Firmicutes (relative abundance, 43.63%), Proteobacteria (37.26%), Actinobacteria (7.31%), and Bacteroidetes (5.48%) were the dominant phyla in the gut microbiota of the common kestrels. A comparison of the gut microbiota before and after captivity revealed that community composition and abundance of the common kestrel gut microbiota differed among different living conditions including diet and environment. At the phylum level, the abundance of Firmicutes was higher (P < 0.05), and that of Proteobacteria was lower (P < 0.05), after captivity (54.62 and 27.16%, respectively) compared with before captivity (33.67 and 46.41%, respectively), but no significant differences were found among other phyla. At the genus level, the abundance of Lactobacillus was higher (P < 0.05) after captivity (15.77%) compared with the abundance before captivity (5.02%). Hierarchical clustering and principal component analyses showed that common kestrels in different living conditions exhibited differences (P < 0.05) in gut microbiota at phylum and genus levels. Functional prediction of gene sequences using PICRUSt2 further revealed that pathways related to glucose metabolism and amino acid metabolism were enhanced (P < 0.05) after captivity. Collectively, the findings from this study demonstrated that the relative abundance of specific microbes in the gut of the rescued common kestrels either increased or decreased, and that dietary and environment changes might be the predominant factors affecting the gut microbiota of these birds during rescue or captivity.

Exercise-Induced Browning of White Adipose Tissue and Improving Skeletal Muscle Insulin Sensitivity in Obese/Non-obese Growing Mice: Do Not Neglect Exosomal miR-27a

Exercise is considered as a favorable measure to prevent and treat childhood obesity. However, the underlying mechanisms of exercise-induced beneficial effects and the difference between obese and non-obese individuals are largely unclear. Recently, miR-27a is recognized as a central upstream regulator of proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) in contributing to various physiological and pathological processes. This study aims to explore the possible cause of exercise affecting white adipose tissue (WAT) browning and reversing skeletal muscle insulin resistance in obese/non-obese immature bodies. For simulating the process of childhood obesity, juvenile mice were fed with a basal diet or high-fat diet (HFD) and took 1 or 2 h swimming exercise simultaneously for 10 weeks. The obese animal model was induced by the HFD. We found that exercise hindered HFD-induced body fat development in growing mice. Exercise modified glucolipid metabolism parameters differently in the obese/non-obese groups, and the changes of the 2 h exercise mice were not consistent with the 1 h exercise mice. The level of serum exosomal miR-27a in the non-exercise obese group was increased obviously, which was reduced in the exercise obese groups. Results from bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-27a targeted PPAR-γ. Exercise stimulated WAT browning; however, the response of obese WAT lagged behind normal WAT. In the HFD-fed mice, 2 h exercise activated the IRS-1/Akt/GLUT-4 signaling pathway in the skeletal muscles. In summary, our findings confirmed that exercise-induced beneficial effects are associated with exercise duration, and the response of obese and non-obese bodies is different. Exosomal miR-27a might be a crucial node for the process of exercise-induced browning of WAT and improving skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity.

Cancer metabolism and dietary interventions

Metabolic remodeling is a key feature of cancer development. Knowledge of cancer metabolism has greatly expanded since the first observation of abnormal metabolism in cancer cells, the so-called Warburg effect. Malignant cells tend to modify cellular metabolism to favor specialized fermentation over the aerobic respiration usually used by most normal cells. Thus, targeted cancer therapies based on reprogramming nutrient or metabolite metabolism have received substantial attention both conceptually and in clinical practice. In particular, the management of nutrient availability is becoming more attractive in cancer treatment. In this review, we discuss recent findings on tumor metabolism and potential dietary interventions based on the specific characteristics of tumor metabolism. First, we present a comprehensive overview of changes in macronutrient metabolism. Carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids, are rewired in the cancer microenvironment individually or systematically. Second, we summarize recent progress in cancer interventions applying different types of diets and specific nutrient restrictions in pre-clinical research or clinical trials.

Tumour fatty acid metabolism in the context of therapy resistance and obesity

Fatty acid metabolism is known to support tumorigenesis and disease progression as well as treatment resistance through enhanced lipid synthesis, storage and catabolism. More recently, the role of membrane fatty acid composition, for example, ratios of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, in promoting cell survival while limiting lipotoxicity and ferroptosis has been increasingly appreciated. Alongside these insights, it has become clear that tumour cells exhibit plasticity with respect to fatty acid metabolism, responding to extratumoural and systemic metabolic signals, such as obesity and cancer therapeutics, to promote the development of aggressive, treatment-resistant disease. Here, we describe cellular fatty acid metabolic changes that are connected to therapy resistance and contextualize obesity-associated changes in host fatty acid metabolism that likely influence the local tumour microenvironment to further modify cancer cell behaviour while simultaneously creating potential new vulnerabilities.

Oxidative stress in obesity-associated hepatocellular carcinoma: sources, signaling and therapeutic challenges

Obesity affects more than 650 million individuals worldwide and is a well-established risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Oxidative stress can be considered as a bona fide tumor promoter, contributing to the initiation and progression of liver cancer. Indeed, one of the key events involved in HCC progression is excessive levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting from the fatty acid influx and chronic inflammation. This review provides insights into the different intracellular sources of obesity-induced ROS and molecular mechanisms responsible for hepatic tumorigenesis. In addition, we highlight recent findings pointing to the role of the dysregulated activity of BCL-2 proteins and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) in the generation of hepatic oxidative stress and ROS-mediated dysfunctional signaling, respectively. Finally, we discuss the potential and challenges of novel nanotechnology strategies to prevent ROS formation in obesity-associated HCC.

Lipid metabolism in cancer: New perspectives and emerging mechanisms

Tumors undergo metabolic transformations to sustain uncontrolled proliferation, avoid cell death, and seed in secondary organs. An increased focus on cancer lipid metabolism has unveiled a number of mechanisms that promote tumor growth and survival, many of which are independent of classical cellular bioenergetics. These mechanisms include modulation of ferroptotic-mediated cell death, support during tumor metastasis, and interactions with the cells of the tumor microenvironment. As such, targeting lipid metabolism for anti-cancer therapies is attractive, with recent work on small-molecule inhibitors identifying compounds to target lipid metabolism. Here, we discuss these topics and identify open questions.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Cardiovascular Disease: Causing Factors, Molecular Links, and Treatment Options

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, which will affect more than a million people by the year 2025. However, current treatment options have limited benefits. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the fastest growing factor that causes HCC in western countries, including the United States. In addition, NAFLD co-morbidities including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) promote HCC development. Alteration of metabolites and inflammation in the tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in HCC progression. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not totally clear. Herein, in this review, we explored the latest molecules that are involved in obesity, T2DM, and CVDs-mediated progression of HCC, as they share some common pathologic features. Meanwhile, several therapeutic options by targeting these key factors and molecules were discussed for HCC treatment. Overall, obesity, T2DM, and CVDs as chronic metabolic disease factors are tightly implicated in the development of HCC and its progression. Molecules and factors involved in these NAFLD comorbidities are potential therapeutic targets for HCC treatment.