Nitric oxide synthase promotes distension-induced tracheal venular leukocyte adherence

Emerging therapeutic opportunities of novel thiol-amides, NAC-amide (AD4/NACA) and thioredoxin mimetics (TXM-Peptides) for neurodegenerative-related disorders

Understanding neurodegenerative diseases have challenged scientists for decades. It has become apparent that a decrease in life span is often correlated with the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Oxidative stress and the subsequent inflammatory damages appear to contribute to the different molecular and biochemical mechanisms associated with neurodegeneration. In this review, I examine the protective properties of novel amino acid based compounds, comprising the AD series (AD1-AD7) in particular N-acetylcysteine amide, AD4, also called NACA, and the series of thioredoxin mimetic (TXM) peptides, TXM-CB3-TXM-CB16. Designed to cross the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) and permeate the cell membrane, these antioxidant/anti-inflammatory compounds may enable effective treatment of neurodegenerative related disorders. The review addresses the molecular mechanism of cellular protection exhibited by these new reagents, focusing on the reversal of oxidative stress, mitochondrial stress, inflammatory damages, and prevention of premature cell death. In addition, it will cover the outlook of the clinical prospects of AD4/NACA and the thioredoxin-mimetic peptides, which are currently in development.

The genetic association between iNOS and eNOS polymorphisms and gastric cancer risk: a meta-analysis

Objective

There are a number of susceptible factors for an increased risk of gastric cancer. Nitric oxide (NO) is considered to be associated with the development of a range of cancers. In particular, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) are known to play a central role in the production of NO. Published studies relating to the association between eNOS rs1799983, rs2070744, and iNOS rs2297518 polymorphisms and the risk of gastric cancer risk are conflicting and inconclusive and require further analysis.

Materials and methods

This study involved a meta-analysis of case–control studies relating to eNOS rs1799983, rs2070744, and iNOS rs2297518 polymorphisms published prior to January 2018. Literature searches were carried out in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library databases, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of association based on genotype data.

Results

A total of 1,356 cases and 1,791 controls were included from nine case–control studies involving eNOS rs1799983 (G894T), rs2070744 (T-786C), and iNOS rs2297518 (C150T) polymorphisms. Data analysis indicated that iNOS rs2297518 was a risk factor for Helicobacter pylorus-positive gastric cancer when compared with H. pylorus-negative gastric cancer (p=0.003, OR [95% CI] =2.19 [1.31–3.66]). In addition, the allelic, dominant, and recessive models of eNOS rs2070744 were significantly associated with a risk of gastric cancer (allelic model: p<0.00001, OR [95% CI] =0.23 [0.16–0.34]; dominant model: p<0.00001, OR [95% CI] =0.25 [0.15–0.42]; recessive model: p<0.00001, OR [95% CI] =0.16 [0.08–0.30]). No association was identified between eNOS rs1799983 and the risk of gastric cancer (p>0.05).

Conclusion

iNOS rs2297518 and eNOS rs2070744 polymorphisms may represent susceptible factors for gastric cancer.