Vitamin K and its analogs: Potential avenues for prostate cancer management

The Usefulness of Vitamin K-Dependent Proteins in the Diagnosis of Colorectal Carcinoma

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common neoplasms in developed countries, with increasing incidence and mortality, even in young people. A variety of serum markers have been associated with CRC (CEA, CA 19-9), but neither should be used as a screening tool for the diagnosis or evolution staging of CRC. The sensitivity and specificity of these markers are not as good as is required, so new ones need to be found. Matrix Gla protein and PIVKA II are involved in carcinogenesis, but few studies have evaluated their usefulness in predicting the presence and severity of CRC. Two hundred patients were divided into three groups: 80 patients were included in the control group; 80 with CRC and without hepatic metastasis were included in Group 1; 40 patients with CRC and hepatic metastasis were included in Group 2. Vitamin K-dependent proteins (VKDPs) levels in plasma were determined. Patients with CRC without methastasis (Group 1) and CRC patients with methastasis (Group 2) presented significantly higher values of CEA, CA 19-9, PIVKA II (310.05 ± 38.22 vs. 430.13 ± 122.13 vs. 20.23 ± 10.90), and ucMGP (14,300.00 ± 2387.02 vs. 13,410.52 ± 2243.16 vs. 1780.31 ± 864.70) compared to control group (Group 0). Interestingly, Group 1 presented the greatest PIVKA II values. Out of all the markers, significant differences between the histological subgroups were found only for ucMGP, but only in non-metastatic CRC. Studying the discrimination capacity between the patients with CRC vs. those without, no significant differences were found between the classical tumor markers and the VKDP AUROC curves (PIVKA II and ucMGP AUROCs = 1). For the metastatic stage, the sensitivity and specificity of the VKDPs were lower in comparison with those of CA 19-9 and CEA, respectively (PIVKA II AUROC = 0.789, ucMGP AUROC = 0.608). The serum levels of these VKDPs are significantly altered in patients with colorectal carcinoma; it is possible to find additional value of these in the early stages of the disease.

Vitamin K: New insights related to senescence and cancer metastasis

Several clinical trials and experimental studies have recently shown that vitamin K (VK) supplementation benefits the human body. Specifically, VK participates in coagulation and is associated with cellular senescence and cancer. VK has a potential anticancer effect in various cancers, such as pancreatic and prostate cancers. Through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, VK can prevent senescence and inhibit cancer metastasis. Therefore, cancer prognosis can be improved by preventing cellular senescence. In addition, VK can inhibit the proliferation, growth, and differentiation of cancer cells through various mechanisms, including induction of c-myc and c-fos genes, regulation of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and p21 genes, and angiogenesis inhibition. This review aims to discuss the relationship among VK, cellular senescence, and cancer metastasis and thus may improve comprehension of the specific functions of VK in human health. The potential application of VK as an adjuvant therapy for cancer (or in combination with traditional chemotherapy drugs or other vitamins) has also been highlighted.

Vitamin K Intake and Risk of Lung Cancer: The Japan Collaborative Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Limited reports from prospective human studies investigated the possible role of vitamin K in the development of lung cancer although vitamin K's anticarcinogenic activities were verified from several in vitro and in vivo studies. We investigated the associations between total vitamin K intake from food and the development of lung cancer based on this large prospective cohort study.

METHODS

A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to examine vitamin K intake among 42,166 (16,341 men and 25,825 women) at the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study's baseline (1988-1990). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of incident lung cancer were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard regression method based on vitamin K consumption quartiles.

RESULTS

430 cases (308 males and 122 women) of lung cancer were documented during a total of 564,127 person-years of follow-up (median follow-up, 14.6 years). Vitamin K consumption was shown to be inversely related to lung cancer risk; the multivariable hazard ratio [HR] for the highest versus lowest quartiles was 0.67 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46-0.96; P for trend = 0.010). This relationship appears to be stronger in males (HR 0.62; 95% CI, 0.40-0.96; P for trend = 0.016) than in females (HR 0.82; 95% CI, 0.42-1.61; P for trend = 0.39) (P for interaction = 0.012), and in ever smokers (HR 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36-0.91; P for trend = 0.006) than in never smokers (HR 0.79; 95% CI, 0.40-1.55; P for trend = 0.37) (P for interaction = 0.30). The individuals' age, body mass index, or alcohol consumption status had no effect on the observed connection.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin K consumption reduces the risk of lung cancer. More research is needed to clarify the molecular processes behind this connection.

An overview of vitamins as epidrugs for colorectal cancer prevention

Gene expression altering epigenomic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and chromosome remodeling is crucial to regulating many biological processes. Several lifestyle factors, such as diet and natural, bioactive food compounds, such as vitamins, modify epigenetic patterns. However, epigenetic dysregulation can increase the risk of many diseases, including cancer. Various studies have provided supporting and contrasting evidence on the relationship between vitamins and cancer risk. Though there is a gap in knowledge about whether dietary vitamins can induce epigenetic modifications in the context of colorectal cancer (CRC), the possibility of using them as epidrugs for CRC treatment is being explored. This is promising because such studies might be informative about the most effective way to use vitamins in combination with DNA methyltransferase inhibitors and other approved therapies to prevent and treat CRC. This review summarizes the available epidemiological and observational studies involving dietary, circulating levels, and supplementation of vitamins and their relationship with CRC risk. Additionally, using available in vitro, in vivo, and human observational studies, the role of vitamins as potential epigenetic modifiers in CRC is discussed. This review is focused on the action of vitamins as modifiers of DNA methylation because aberrant DNA methylation, together with genetic alterations, can induce the initiation and progression of CRC. Although this review presents some studies with promising results, studies with better study designs are necessary. A thorough understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of vitamin-mediated epigenetic regulation of CRC genes can help identify effective therapeutic targets for CRC prevention and treatment.

Vitamin K: A novel cancer chemosensitizer

Cancer incidences are growing rapidly and causing millions of deaths globally. Cancer treatment is one of the most exigent challenges. Drug resistance is a natural phenomenon and is considered one of the major obstacles in the successful treatment of cancer by chemotherapy. Combination therapy by the amalgamation of various anticancer drugs has suggested modulating tumor response by targeting various signaling pathways in a synergistic or additive manner. Vitamin K is an essential nutrient and has recently been investigated as a potential anticancer agent. The combination of vitamin K analogs, such as vitamins K1, K2, K3, and K5, with other chemotherapeutic drugs have demonstrated a safe, cost-effective, and most efficient way to overcome drug resistance and improved the outcomes of prevailing chemotherapy. Published reports have shown that vitamin K in combination therapy improved the efficacy of clinical drugs by promoting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest and overcoming drug resistance by inhibiting P-glycoprotein. In this review, we discuss the mechanism, cellular targets, and possible ways to develop vitamin K subtypes into effective cancer chemosensitizers. Finally, this review will provide a scientific basis for exploiting vitamin K as a potential agent to improve the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs.

Evaluating Risk: Benefit Ratio of Fat-Soluble Vitamin Supplementation to SARS-CoV-2-Infected Autoimmune and Cancer Patients: Do Vitamin–Drug Interactions Exist?

Simple Summary

This review brings attention to a crucial yet under-investigated subject which is vitamin–drug interactions. Fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K have been proven to possess many beneficial effects in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Moreover, it has been reported that deficiencies of fat-soluble vitamins have been directly linked to COVID-19 infection-related morbidity and mortality, especially in high-risk populations such as cancer and autoimmune patients. However, many vitamin–drug interactions exist between most of the newly COVID-19 FDA-approved medications and fat-soluble vitamins. Hence, this mandates personalizing the COVID-19 treatment protocols, especially for patients who have any deficiency in any of these vital vitamins. Weighing the risk-to-benefit ratio of supplementing any of these fat-soluble vitamins with COVID-19 medications is considered crucial to maximize the therapeutic benefit and decrease the side effects of these drugs.

Abstract

COVID-19 is a recent pandemic that mandated the scientific society to provide effective evidence-based therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment for such a global threat, especially to those patients who hold a higher risk of infection and complications, such as patients with autoimmune diseases and cancer. Recent research has examined the role of various fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K) in reducing the severity of COVID-19 infection. Studies showed that deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins abrogates the immune system, thus rendering individuals more susceptible to COVID-19 infection. Moreover, another line of evidence showed that supplementation of fat-soluble vitamins during the course of infection enhances the viral clearance episode by promoting an adequate immune response. However, more thorough research is needed to define the adequate use of vitamin supplements in cancer and autoimmune patients infected with COVID-19. Moreover, it is crucial to highlight the vitamin–drug interactions of the COVID-19 therapeutic modalities and fat-soluble vitamins. With an emphasis on cancer and autoimmune patients, the current review aims to clarify the role of fat-soluble vitamins in SARS-CoV-2 infection and to estimate the risk-to-benefit ratio of a fat-soluble supplement administered to patients taking FDA-approved COVID-19 medications such as antivirals, anti-inflammatory, receptor blockers, and monoclonal antibodies.

Modulating the Siah2-PHD3-HIF1α axis and/or autophagy potentially retard colon cancer proliferation possibly, due to the damping of colon cancer stem cells

BACKGROUND

Hypoxic microenvironment of colon cancer is associated with HIF-1α upregulation. HIF-1α response elements are responsible for autophagy induction that promotes tumor proliferation. Moreover, HIF-1α induces tumor cell proliferation via maintaining cancer stem cells (CSCs) survival. Siah2 is E3 ubiquitin ligase that indirectly stabilizes HIF-1α. We hypothesized that dual inhibition of Siah2 as well as autophagy could be a promising approach that may inhibit CSCs growth.

AIM OF THE WORK

This study investigated the possible effect of vitamin K3 as a Siah2 inhibitor and hydroxychloroquine as an autophagy inhibitor in colon cancer management. The effect (if any) of these agents on CSCs growth will be also manipulated.

METHODS

Colon cancer was induced by dimethylhydrazine. MDA and GSH were selected as oxidative stress markers, Expression of HIF-1α, Caspase-3, VEGF, MMP-9, EpCAM, SCF, and CA19.9 were assayed using immunoassay. The Western blot technique was used to assess LC3Ⅰ, CD44, and CD133 whereas RT-PCR was used to investigate PHD3 and CD44 in colon tissues. Additionally, Ki-67 and Siah2 were detected immunohistochemically.

RESULTS

vitamin K3 and hydroxychloroquine either alone or in combination downregulated the expression of Siah2 and HIF-1α through upregulating PHD3 in colon tissues. This combination significantly downregulated MDA, Ki-67, VEGF, and MMP-9 expression and upregulated the expression of GSH and caspase-3. LC3Ⅰ was also upregulated. Interestingly, these therapeutic options were correlated with down-regulation of the cancer stem cell marker such as CD44 and EpCAM.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that suppression of both Siah2-PHD3-HIF-1α axis and autophagy retard colon cancer proliferation and dampened CSCs.

Assessment of vitamin K levels in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is a disorder characterized by pruritus and elevated liver function tests and bile acids. Poor vitamin absorption and, as a result, hypovitaminosis K can occur as a result of the pathology. Given the known effects of vitamin K, the authors considered that hypovitaminosis K could increase the risk of coagulopathic hemorrhage in pregnant women. The study revealed that 59.2% of women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy were diagnosed with hypovitaminosis K; however, 98.6% of women had normal coagulogram indices. Thus, coagulogram markers are more likely to indicate vitamin K activity than its actual level.

CDC25B Inhibition by menadione: a potential new therapeutical approach

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common type of tumor and the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The evolution of gastric carcinogenesis is still poorly understood and, for this reason, preclinical research protocols were established that included the development of gastric cancer cell lines and the establishment of models of gastric carcinogenesis in non-human primate Sapajus apella. A comprehensive literature search was performed in relevant databases such as PubMed, ResearchGate and Google Scholar to identify studies related to the topic. After an in-depth study of these reports, significant data/data were collected and compiled under appropriate headings. The main result of the studies carried out by the group on GC is the demonstration of the MYC gene overexpression as a common phenomenon in stomach carcinogenesis. Furthermore, we revealed that reducing the expression of the CDC25B gene, regulated by the MYC protein, is a therapeutic strategy against stomach tumors. This review article reveals preclinical evidence that treatment with menadione in experimental models of gastric tumorigenesis, in vivo and in vitro, inhibits the action of the phosphatase CDC25B and, consequently, prevents cell proliferation, invasion and migration.

Combinations of Calcitriol with Anticancer Treatments for Breast Cancer: An Update

Preclinical, clinical, and epidemiological studies indicate that vitamin D3 (VD) deficiency is a risk factor for the development of breast cancer. Underlying mechanisms include the ability of calcitriol to induce cell differentiation, inhibit oncogenes expression, and modify different signaling pathways involved in the control of cell proliferation. In addition, calcitriol combined with different kinds of antineoplastic drugs has been demonstrated to enhance their beneficial effects in an additive or synergistic fashion. However, a recognized adjuvant regimen based on calcitriol for treating patients with breast cancer has not yet been fully established. Accordingly, in the present work, we review and discuss the preclinical and clinical studies about the combination of calcitriol with different oncological drugs, aiming to emphasize its main therapeutic benefits and opportunities for the treatment of this pathology.

ROS-Activated homodimeric podophyllotoxin nanomedicine with self-accelerating drug release for efficient cancer eradication

Although podophyllotoxin (POD) demonstrates high efficiency to inhibit various cancers, its clinic application is limited to poor bioavailability. Nanoparticles derived from homodimeric prodrugs with high drug loading potential are emerging as promising nanomedicines. However, complete intracellular drug release remains a major hindrance to the use of homodimeric prodrugs-based nanomedicine. We sought to develop a reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsive POD dimeric prodrug by incorporating vitamin K3 (VK3) and Pluronic F127 to synthesize a spheroid nanoparticle (PTV-NPs). PTV-NPs with high POD content could release drugs under the ROS enrichment microenvironment in cancer cells. The released VK3 could produce abundant ROS selectively in tumor cells catalyzed by the overexpressed NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) enzyme. In turn, the resultant high ROS concentration promoted the conversion of POD dimeric prodrug to POD monomer, thereby achieving the selective killing of cancer cells with weak system toxicity. In vitro and in vivo studies consistently confirmed that PTV-NPs exhibit high drug loading potential and upstanding bioavailability. They are also effectively internalized by tumor cells, induce abundant intracellular ROS generation, and have high tumor-specific cytotoxicity. This ROS-responsive dimeric prodrug nanoplatform characterized by selective self-amplification drug release may hold promise in the field of antitumor drug delivery.

Redox ticklers and beyond: Naphthoquinone repository in the spotlight against inflammation and associated maladies

Cellular redox status has been considered as a focal point for the pathogenesis of multiple disorders. High and persistent levels of free radicals kick off inflammation and associated disorders. Though oxidative stress at high levels is harmful but at low levels it has been shown to exert cytoprotective effects. Therefore, cytoprotection by perturbation in cellular redox balance is a leading strategy for therapeutic interventions. Prooxidants are potent redox modifiers that generate mild oxidative stress leading to a spectrum of bioactivities. Naphthoquinones are a group of highly reactive organic chemical species that interact with biological systems owing to their prooxidants nature. Owing to the ability of naphthoquinones and its derivatives to perturb redox balance in a cell and modulate redox signaling, they have been in epicenter of drug development for plausible utilization in multiple clinical settings. The present review highlights the potential of 1,4-naphthoquinone and its natural derivatives (plumbagin, juglone, lawsone, menadione, lapachol and β-lapachone) as redox modifiers with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-microbial activities for implication in therapeutic settings.

Microbiome and oral squamous cell carcinoma: a possible interplay on iron metabolism and its impact on tumor microenvironment

There is increasing evidence showing positive association between changes in oral microbiome and the occurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Alcohol- and nicotine-related products can induce microbial changes but are still unknown if these changes are related to cancerous lesion sites. In an attempt to understand how these changes can influence the OSCC development and maintenance, the aim of this study was to investigate the oral microbiome linked with OSCC as well as to identify functional signatures and associate them with healthy or precancerous and cancerous sites. Our group used data of oral microbiomes available in public repositories. The analysis included data of oral microbiomes from electronic cigarette users, alcohol consumers, and precancerous and OSCC samples. An R-based pipeline was used for taxonomic and functional prediction analysis. The Streptococcus spp. genus was the main class identified in the healthy group. Haemophilus spp. predominated in precancerous lesions. OSCC samples revealed a higher relative abundance compared with the other groups, represented by an increased proportion of Fusobacterium spp., Prevotella spp., Haemophilus spp., and Campylobacter spp. Venn diagram analysis showed 52 genera exclusive of OSCC samples. Both precancerous and OSCC samples seemed to present a specific associated functional pattern. They were menaquinone-dependent protoporphyrinogen oxidase pattern enhanced in the former and both 3',5'-cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase (purine metabolism) and iron(III) transport system ATP-binding protein enhanced in the latter. We conclude that although precancerous and OSCC samples present some differences on microbial profile, both microbiomes act as "iron chelators-like" potentially contributing to tumor growth.

Anticancer Activity of Cell-Penetrating Redox Phospholipid Polymers

Redox-active molecules are promising anticancer compounds because cancer cells are vulnerable to oxidative stress. Anticancer drugs are often incorporated into synthetic polymers to improve water solubility, stability, and retention in the body. Most conventional redox-active polymers are regarded as stimuli-responsive polymers, which induce the release of anticancer drugs in response to the surrounding redox environment. Here, we prepared redox phospholipid polymers composed of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine units and ferrocene or quinone units as anticancer redox polymers. Redox phospholipid polymers can disturb the intracellular redox state owing to their redox activity and cell membrane permeability. We observed that the redox potential of the polymers affected the reactivity with intracellular redox species and O₂, resulting in a different impact on the viability of human cancer and normal cells. Notably, the polymer with moderate reactivity with the intracellular redox species and O₂ was shown to suppress the viability of the cancer cells selectively.

PPM-18, an Analog of Vitamin K, Induces Autophagy and Apoptosis in Bladder Cancer Cells Through ROS and AMPK Signaling Pathways

PPM-18, identified as a novel analog of vitamin K, has been reported to play a critical role in the suppression of seizures. However, the concerns that whether PPM-18, like vitamin K, exerts anticancer activity remain to be further investigated. Here, we found that PPM-18 remarkably suppressed the proliferation and induced apoptosis in bladder cancer cells. Furthermore, a significant autophagic effect of PPM-18 on bladder cancer cells was also demonstrated, which profoundly promoted apoptotic cell death. Mechanistically, PPM-18 activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), whereas it repressed PI3K/AKT and mTORC1 pathways in bladder cancer cells. Inhibition of AMPK markedly relieved PPM-18–induced autophagy and apoptosis, indicating that PPM-18 is able to induce autophagy and apoptosis in bladder cancer cells via AMPK activation. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were notably accumulated in PPM-18–treated bladder cancer cells, and treatment with ROS scavengers not only eliminated ROS production but also abrogated AMPK activation, which eventually rescued bladder cancer cells from PPM-18–triggered autophagy and apoptotic cell death. In bladder cancer xenografts, the anticancer activities of PPM-18, including suppressing the growth of tumors and inducing autophagy and apoptosis in tumor cells, were also established. Collectively, this study was the first to demonstrate the anticancer effect of PPM-18 on bladder cancer cells in vitro and in vivo through eliciting autophagy and apoptosis via ROS and AMPK pathways, which might provide new insights into the potential utilization of PPM-18 for future bladder cancer treatment.

Nutritional supplementation of the pharmacotherapy of prostate diseases

Introduction: Nutritional supplementation is an integral part of modern pharmacotherapeutic strategies for prostate diseases with different levels of evidence for specific nutrients.

Provitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin A (retinol) and prostate diseases. Their effects have not been sufficiently studied, and the available data are conflicting to recommend them as a nutritional supplement.

Vitamin E (tocopherol) and prostate diseases. Its effects have not been sufficiently studied, and the available data are conflicting to recommend it as a nutritional supplement.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and prostate diseases. Its effects have not been sufficiently studied, and the available data are conflicted to recommend it as a nutritional supplement.

Vitamin K and prostate diseases. Its effects have not been sufficiently studied, and the available data are conflicted to recommend it as a nutritional supplement.

Vitamin D and prostate diseases. The evidence base of the vitamin D prostatotropic effects has been accumulated, which allows us to consider its deficiency replacement as an effective nutritional supplement in prostate diseases.

Omega-3 PUFAs and prostate diseases. They have universal physiological effects; however, the evidence base for their recommendation as a nutritional supplement for prostate diseases is still insufficient.

Zinc and prostate diseases. Positive effects of zinc on the prostate gland are known for a fact and allow us to recommend it as a nutritional supplement for prostate diseases.

Selenium and prostate diseases. The reliably proven positive effects of selenium on the prostate gland allow us to recommend it as a nutritional supplement for prostate diseases.

Magnesium and prostate diseases. Its effects have not been sufficiently studied, and the available data are conflicting to recommend it as a nutritional supplement.

Novel antiadipogenic effect of menadione in 3T3-L1 cells

Inhibition of adipocyte differentiation can be used as a strategy for preventing adipose tissue expansion and, consequently, for obesity management. Since reactive oxygen species (ROS) have emerged as key modulators of adipogenesis, the effect of menadione (a synthetic form of vitamin K known to induce the increase of intracellular ROS) on 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation was studied. Menadione (15 μM) increased ROS and lipid peroxidation, generating mild oxidative stress without affecting cell viability. Menadione drastically inhibited adipogenesis, accompanied by decreased intracellular lipid accumulation and diminished expression of the lipo/adipogenic markers peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ, fatty acid synthase (FAS), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) α, fatty acid binding protein (FABP) 4, and perilipin. Menadione treatment also increased lipolysis, as indicated by augmented glycerol release and reinforced by the increased expression of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). Additionally, menadione increased the inhibitory phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA-carboxylase (ACC), which results in the inhibition of fatty acid synthesis. As a consequence, triglyceride content was decreased. Menadione also inhibited the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Further, treatment with increased concentration of insulin, a potent physiological activator of the PI3K/Akt pathway, rescued the normal level of expression of PPARγ, the master regulator of adipogenesis, and overcame the restraining effect of menadione on the differentiation capacity of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Our study reveals novel antiadipogenic action for menadione, which is, at least in part, mediated by the PI3K/Akt pathway signaling and raises its potential as a therapeutic agent in the treatment or prevention of adiposity.

The Role of Vitamin K in Humans: Implication in Aging and Age-Associated Diseases

As human life expectancy is rising, the incidence of age-associated diseases will also increase. Scientific evidence has revealed that healthy diets, including good fats, vitamins, minerals, or polyphenolics, could have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, with antiaging effects. Recent studies demonstrated that vitamin K is a vital cofactor in activating several proteins, which act against age-related syndromes. Thus, vitamin K can carboxylate osteocalcin (a protein capable of transporting and fixing calcium in bone), activate matrix Gla protein (an inhibitor of vascular calcification and cardiovascular events) and carboxylate Gas6 protein (involved in brain physiology and a cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease inhibitor). By improving insulin sensitivity, vitamin K lowers diabetes risk. It also exerts antiproliferative, proapoptotic, autophagic effects and has been associated with a reduced risk of cancer. Recent research shows that protein S, another vitamin K-dependent protein, can prevent the cytokine storm observed in COVID-19 cases. The reduced activation of protein S due to the pneumonia-induced vitamin K depletion was correlated with higher thrombogenicity and possibly fatal outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Our review aimed to present the latest scientific evidence about vitamin K and its role in preventing age-associated diseases and/or improving the effectiveness of medical treatments in mature adults ˃50 years old.

Medicinal Prospects of Antioxidants From Algal Sources in Cancer Therapy

Though cancer therapeutics can successfully eradicate cancerous cells, the effectiveness of these medications is mostly restricted to several deleterious side effects. Therefore, to alleviate these side effects, antioxidant supplementation is often warranted, reducing reactive species levels and mitigating persistent oxidative damage. Thus, it can impede the growth of cancer cells while protecting the normal cells simultaneously. Moreover, antioxidant supplementation alone or in combination with chemotherapeutics hinders further tumor development, prevents chemoresistance by improving the response to chemotherapy drugs, and enhances cancer patients' quality of life by alleviating side effects. Preclinical and clinical studies have been revealed the efficacy of using phytochemical and dietary antioxidants from different sources in treating chemo and radiation therapy-induced toxicities and enhancing treatment effectiveness. In this context, algae, both micro and macro, can be considered as alternative natural sources of antioxidants. Algae possess antioxidants from diverse groups, which can be exploited in the pharmaceutical industry. Despite having nutritional benefits, investigation and utilization of algal antioxidants are still in their infancy. This review article summarizes the prospective anticancer effect of twenty-three antioxidants from microalgae and their potential mechanism of action in cancer cells, as well as usage in cancer therapy. In addition, antioxidants from seaweeds, especially from edible species, are outlined, as well.

Vitamin K2 Alleviates Insulin Resistance in Skeletal Muscle by Improving Mitochondrial Function Via SIRT1 Signaling

Aims: High-fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance (IR) impairs skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis and functions, adversely affecting human health and lifespan. Vitamin K2 (VK2) has a beneficial role in improving insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of VK2 on insulin sensitivity have not been well established. We investigated VK2's modulation of mitochondrial function to protect against IR in mice and cell models. Results: VK2 supplementation could effectively ameliorate the development of IR by improving mitochondrial function in both HFD-fed mice and palmitate acid-exposed cells. We revealed for the first time that HFD-caused mitochondrial dysfunction could be reversed by VK2 treatment. VK2 enhanced the mitochondrial function by improving mitochondrial respiratory capacity, increasing mitochondrial biogenesis and the enzymatic activities of mitochondrial complexes through SIRT1 signaling. The benefits of VK2 were abrogated in C₂C₁₂ transfected with SIRT1 siRNA but not in C₂C₁₂ transfected with AMPK siRNA. VK2 and SRT1720, a specific agonist of SIRT1, had the same effect on improving mitochondrial function via SIRT1 signaling. Thus, SIRT1 is required for VK2 improvement in skeletal muscle. Further, the beneficial effects of both VK2 and geranylgeraniol contribute to inhibited IR in skeletal muscle via SIRT1. Innovation and Conclusion: These studies demonstrated a previously undiscovered mechanism by which VK2 alleviates IR in skeletal muscle by improving mitochondrial function via SIRT1. Naturally occurring VK2 prevents IR by improving mitochondrial function through SIRT1 signaling. These results could provide a foundation to identify new VK2-based preventive and therapeutic strategies for IR.

PTML Model of ChEMBL Compounds Assays for Vitamin Derivatives

Determining the biological activity of vitamin derivatives is needed given that organic synthesis of analogs of vitamins is an active field of interest for medicinal chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and food additives. Accordingly, scientists from different disciplines perform preclinical assays (n_ij) with a considerable combination of assay conditions (c_j). Indeed, the ChEMBL platform contains a database that includes results from 36 220 different biological activity bioassays of 21 240 different vitamins and vitamin derivatives. These assays present are heterogeneous in terms of assay combinations of c_j. They are focused on >500 different biological activity parameters (c₀), >340 different targets (c₁), >6200 types of cell (c₂), >120 organisms of assay (c₃), and >60 assay strains (c₄). It includes a total of >1850 niacin assays, >1580 tretinoin assays, >1580 retinol assays, 857 ascorbic acid assays, etc. Given the complexity of this combinatorial data in terms of being assimilated by researchers, we propose to build a model by combining perturbation theory (PT) and machine learning (ML). Through this study, we propose a PTML (PT + ML) combinatorial model for ChEMBL results on biological activity of vitamins and vitamins derivatives. The linear discriminant analysis (LDA) model presented the following results for training subset a: specificity (%) = 90.38, sensitivity (%) = 87.51, and accuracy (%) = 89.89. The model showed the following results for the external validation subset: specificity (%) = 90.58, sensitivity (%) = 87.72, and accuracy (%) = 90.09. Different types of linear and nonlinear PTML models, such as logistic regression (LR), classification tree (CT), näive Bayes (NB), and random Forest (RF), were applied to contrast the capacity of prediction. The PTML-LDA model predicts with more accuracy by applying combinatorial descriptors. In addition, a PCA experiment with chemical structure descriptors allowed us to characterize the high structural diversity of the chemical space studied. In any case, PTML models using chemical structure descriptors do not improve the performance of the PTML-LDA model based on ALOGP and PSA. We can conclude that the three variable PTML-LDA model is a simplified and adaptable tool for the prediction, for different experiment combinations, the biological activity of derivative vitamins.

Fruits

Fruits come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and flavors. This chapter will cover selected fruits that are known to be healthy and highly nutritious. These fruits were chosen due to their common usage and availability. Since it is not possible to cover all health benefits or essential nutrients and important phytochemicals of the fruit composition, this chapter will focus on the key valuable constituents and their potential health effects.

Vitamin K as a Diet Supplement with Impact in Human Health: Current Evidence in Age-Related Diseases

Vitamin K health benefits have been recently widely shown to extend beyond blood homeostasis and implicated in chronic low-grade inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, dementia, cognitive impairment, mobility disability, and frailty. Novel and more efficient nutritional and therapeutic options are urgently needed to lower the burden and the associated health care costs of these age-related diseases. Naturally occurring vitamin K comprise the phylloquinone (vitamin K1), and a series of menaquinones broadly designated as vitamin K2 that differ in source, absorption rates, tissue distribution, bioavailability, and target activity. Although vitamin K1 and K2 sources are mainly dietary, consumer preference for diet supplements is growing, especially when derived from marine resources. The aim of this review is to update the reader regarding the specific contribution and effect of each K1 and K2 vitamers in human health, identify potential methods for its sustainable and cost-efficient production, and novel natural sources of vitamin K and formulations to improve absorption and bioavailability. This new information will contribute to foster the use of vitamin K as a health-promoting supplement, which meets the increasing consumer demand. Simultaneously, relevant information on the clinical context and direct health consequences of vitamin K deficiency focusing in aging and age-related diseases will be discussed.

p62 Suppressed VK3-induced Oxidative Damage Through Keap1/Nrf2 Pathway In Human Ovarian Cancer Cells

Imbalance of redox homeostasis may be responsible for the resistance of cancer to chemotherapy. Currently, increasing studies demonstrated that vitamin K3 (VK3), which promoted the production of ROS, had potential to be developed as an anti-tumor agent. We found SKOV3/DDP cells with high levels of p62 were insensitive to VK3 compared with SKOV3 cells. Furthermore, Nrf2 downstream antioxidant genes such as HO-1(heme oxygenase 1) and NQO1 (NAD (P) H: quinone oxidoreductase 1) were upregulated in SKOV3/DDP cells with VK3 treatment, which indicated VK3 activated Nrf2 signaling in SKOV3/DDP cells. Moreover, co-localization of p62 and Keap1 was also observed. Suppression of p62 expression increased the apoptosis induced by VK3, and the expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 were all downregulated in SKOV3/DDP cells. Our results suggested that overexpressed p62 may protect cells from oxidative damage caused by VK3 through activating Keap1/Nrf2 signaling in ovarian cancer.

Nuts

Nuts are fruits composed of two parts: an inedible hard shell and an edible seed. Nuts are known as an energy-dense and nutrient-rich food source. In general, nuts are recognized as a good source of fat, fiber, and protein. Nuts are extremely beneficial parts of any diet since their consumption may lower risk for some diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. They are acknowledged for their low glycemic index owning to high unsaturated fat and protein content and relatively low carbohydrate content. They have been shown to increase cognitive function as well.

Dietary Nutrient Patterns and Prostate Cancer Risk: A Case-Control Study from Iran

Background:

Prostate cancer is the second common cancer in the world. Although some associations between dietary intakes and prostate cancer have been found, the effects of dietary nutrients interactions have not yet evaluated. The aim of this study is to assess the association between nutrient patterns and risk of prostate cancer.

Methods and Materials:

Ninety-seven patients with prostate cancer and 205 controls were asked about their demographic and dietary intakes using validated questionnaires. To extract nutrient patterns, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based on the 35 nutrient items were applied. Varimax rotation was used for improving interpretation and minimizing correlation between the factors. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of prostate cancer by higher scores on the nutrient patterns.

Results:

High adherence to the “plant source” pattern was negatively associated with prostate cancer risk (OR 0.29 for the highest vs. the lowest score tertile; 95% CI= 0.13 – 0.65; P value for trend: <0.003). Similarly, the “antioxidant and fiber” pattern was associated with decreasing risk of prostate cancer (OR 0.06 for the highest vs. the lowest score tertile;95% CI=0.02 – 0.19; P value for trend: <0.001). There was no significant association for the “mixed” and “vitamin and minerals” pattern with risk of prostate cancer.

Conclusion:

This study confirms the potential and important role of nutrients on prostate cancer risk. Our finding revealed that “antioxidant and fiber” and “plant source” pattern is inversely associated with prostate cancer risk; however, further longitudinal and trial studies are needed to make a firm conclusion.

Cancer-specific chemotherapeutic strategy based on the vitamin K3 mediated ROS regenerative feedback and visualized drug release in vivo

A promising theranostic nanosystem VK3-CPT@Ru-CD is designed and fabricated by the host-guest driven self-assembly between the fluorescent adamantine-functionalized Ru(II) complexes and the ROS-labile-cyclodextrin modified thioketal linkers, in which anticancer drug camptothecin (CPT) and vitamin K3 (VK3) are effectively co-encapsulated. On account of the generative feedback between the intracellular redox cycling of VK3 and the high degree of ROS-triggered collapse of nanoparticles, VK3-CPT@Ru-CD can facilitate cancer-specific ROS amplification and drug release selectively in cancer cells, thus realizing the selective killing of tumor with minimal side-effects both in vitro and in vivo, the therapeutic effect of which is more prominent than the free anti-cancer drugs. More interestingly, the menadione structure of encapsulated VK3 can effectively quench the inherent fluorescence of Ru-CD, and a fluorescence lightening up phenomenon is observed accompanied with the ROS-triggered drug release, which can be utilized for real-time tracking of drug release in vitro and in vivo.

Nintedanib inhibits growth of human prostate carcinoma cells by modulating both cell cycle and angiogenesis regulators

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignancy and second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in American men. Proliferating cells have higher need for nutrients and oxygen, triggering angiogenesis that plays a critical role in tumor growth, progression and metastasis. Consequently, immense focus has converged onto inhibitors of angiogenesis in cancer treatment, such as Nintedanib, which has shown exceptional antitumor activity via inhibiting cell proliferation and the resulting tumor growth, primarily due to its combined action on tumor cells, endothelial cells and pericytes. Accordingly, here we assessed both in vitro and in vivo efficacy of Nintedanib in PCa. The results showed that Nintedanib decreased cell viability in both androgen dependent- and -independent PCa cells, together with a decrease in cell motility and invasiveness. Nintedanib also reduced the expression of significant genes responsible for cell cycle progression. PCa PC3 xenograft-carrying nude mice treated with Nintedanib showed significantly decreased tumor volume and cell proliferation alongside diminished levels of pro-angiogenic molecules and blood vessel densities. In conclusion, we report that Nintedanib has strong efficacy against PCa in pre-clinical models via modulation of various pathways, and that it could be employed as a promising new strategy to manage PCa clinically.

Trimethyl Lock: A Multifunctional Molecular Tool for Drug Delivery, Cellular Imaging, and Stimuli-Responsive Materials

Trimethyl lock (TML) systems are based on ortho-hydroxydihydrocinnamic acid derivatives displaying increased lactonization reactivity owing to unfavorable steric interactions of three pendant methyl groups, and this leads to the formation of hydrocoumarins. Protection of the phenolic hydroxy function or masking of the reactivity as benzoquinone derivatives prevents lactonization and provides a trigger for controlled release of molecules attached to the carboxylic acid function through amides, esters, or thioesters. Their easy synthesis and possible chemical adaption to several different triggers make TML a highly versatile module for the development of drug-delivery systems, prodrug approaches, cell-imaging tools, molecular tools for supramolecular chemistry, as well as smart stimuliresponsive materials.

Vitamin K: Redox-modulation, prevention of mitochondrial dysfunction and anticancer effect

This review is directed to the redox-modulating properties and anticancer effect of vitamin K. The concept is focused on two aspects: (i) redox-cycle of vitamin K and its effect on the calcium homeostasis, “oncogenic” and “onco-suppressive” reactive oxygen species and the specific induction of oxidative stress in cancer; (ii) vitamin K plus C as a powerful redox-system, which forms a bypass between mitochondrial complexes II and III and thus prevents mitochondrial dysfunction, restores oxidative phosphorylation and aerobic glycolysis, modulates the redox-state of endogenous redox-pairs, eliminates the hypoxic environment of cancer cells and induces cell death. The analyzed data suggest that vitamin C&K can sensitize cancer cells to conventional chemotherapy, which allows achievement of a lower effective dose of the drug and minimizing the harmful side-effects. The review is intended for a wide audience of readers - from students to specialists in the field.

Vitamin K2, a menaquinone present in dairy products targets castration-resistant prostate cancer cell-line by activating apoptosis signaling

The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of vitamin K2 (VK2) on castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and its anti-cancer mechanisms in a pre-clinical study using a VCaP cell line (ATCC^® CRL-2876™) which was established from a vertebral bone metastasis from a patient with hormone refractory prostate cancer. Our data showed that VK2 significantly inhibited CRPC VCaP cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner at 48 h treatment in vitro. In addition, VK2 reduced the migration potential of VCaP cells and inhibited anchorage-independent growth of these cells. Our results also showed that VK2 induces apoptosis in VCaP cells. Furthermore, VK2 enforced growth arrest in VCaP cells by activating cellular senescence. Notably, VK2 treatment elevated the levels of reactive oxygen species in VCaP cells. Western blot analysis revealed that VK2 downregulated the expression of androgen receptor, BiP, survivin, while activating caspase-3 and -7, PARP-1 cleavage, p21 and DNA damage response marker, phospho-H2AX in VCaP cells. In conclusion, our study suggests that VK2 might be a potential anti-cancer agent for CRPC by specifically targeting key anti-apoptotic, cell cycle progression and metastasis-promoting signaling molecules.