Clinical significance of serum total oxidant/antioxidant status in patients with operable and advanced gastric cancer

Nigella sativa oil attenuates inflammation and oxidative stress in experimental myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

A growing interest in using Nigella sativa oil (NSO) in the prevention or treatment of several cardiovascular diseases has prompted this study. The research aims to investigate the effect of NSO on cardiac damage prevention after long-term administration in induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats.

METHODS

NSO was analyzed for its fatty acids composition using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and administered in rats before and after isoproterenol (45 mg/kg body weight) induced myocardial infarction. The following parameters were assessed: electrocardiograms, histopathological examination, serum biochemical aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), serum and heart inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1b), and interleukin 6 (IL-6)), and tissue oxidative stress (total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidative stress (TOS), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and the total thiols (THIOL)).

RESULTS

Linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) and oleic acid (C18:1n-9) were approximately 89% of total fatty acids while palmitic acid (C16:0) was 6.10%. Administration of NSO for 28 days helped in preventing QT and QTc interval prolongation and reduced heart rate (HR), after MI induction. The histological assessment showed improvement in myofibrillary degeneration and necrosis and also better reduced inflammatory process in the groups treated with NSO. In serum, pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1b and IL-6 were downregulated in chronic conditions (for IL-1b, NSO vs. control was 86.09vs 150.39 pg/mL, and for IL-6 NSO vs. control was 78.00 vs. 184.98 pg/ml). In the heart tissue, the downregulation was observed only for TNF in both acute and chronic conditions (acute NSO vs. control was 132.37 vs. 207.63 pg/mL, and chronic NSO vs. control was 135.83 vs. 183.29 pg/ml). The pro-oxidant parameters TOS, NO, MDA, and OSI, were reduced in the groups treated with NSO only after 14 days of treatment, suggesting that the NSO antioxidant effect is time-dependent.

CONCLUSIONS

NSO administration might have a favourable impact on the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation processes after MI induction in rats, and it is worth considering its administration as an adjuvant treatment.

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress, Anti-Oxidant, Vitamins and Co-Factor Elements in The Sera of Gastric Cancer in Iraqi Patients

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to analyze oxidative stress markers Total Oxidant Status (TOS) and total Antioxidant Status (TAS), assess antioxidant levels (vitamin C, E), and evaluate co-factor element profiles zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) in the serum of Iraqi gastric cancer patients. By elucidating these relationships, the research aims to enhance knowledge on oxidative stress, dietary factors, and potential therapeutic approaches for managing nutritional imbalances in this cohort.

METHODS

The study included 60 gastric cancer patients and 60 matched controls. Blood samples were collected and serum was extracted for analysis of TOS, TAS, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, copper, zinc, and iron levels. Measurements were conducted using spectrophotometry and ELISA kits from various companies. Statistical analysis was performed with IBM SPSS 25.0, presenting results as means ± SD, and differences between groups were assessed via independent samples t-test at p < 0.05 and p ≤ 0.01.

RESULTS

The study results indicated statistically significant differences between gastric cancer patients and controls in various biomarkers, with all comparisons showing p-values less than 0.001. This suggests strong evidence for the observed differences between the two groups in (TOS), (TAS), vitamins C and E, Cu, Zn, and  Fe levels. These relationships underscore the intricate connections among biomarkers in gastric cancer pathophysiology.

CONCLUSION

The study underscores the intricate relationship between oxidative stress, antioxidant depletion, and micronutrient imbalances in gastric cancer. These findings offer valuable insights into the disease's pathophysiology, indicating potential diagnostic biomarkers. Further research is warranted to unravel underlying mechanisms and explore clinical applications for early gastric cancer diagnosis.

Therapeutic Potential of Chlorogenic Acid in Chemoresistance and Chemoprotection in Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapeutic drugs are indispensable in cancer treatment, but their effectiveness is often lessened because of non-selective toxicity to healthy tissues, which triggers inflammatory pathways that are harmful to vital organs. In addition, tumors' resistance to drugs causes failures in treatment. Chlorogenic acid (5-caffeoylquinic acid, CGA), found in plants and vegetables, is promising in anticancer mechanisms. In vitro and animal studies have indicated that CGA can overcome resistance to conventional chemotherapeutics and alleviate chemotherapy-induced toxicity by scavenging free radicals effectively. This review is a summary of current information about CGA, including its natural sources, biosynthesis, metabolism, toxicology, role in combatting chemoresistance, and protective effects against chemotherapy-induced toxicity. It also emphasizes the potential of CGA as a pharmacological adjuvant in cancer treatment with drugs such as 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, doxorubicin, regorafenib, and radiotherapy. By analyzing more than 140 papers from PubMed, Google Scholar, and SciFinder, we hope to find the therapeutic potential of CGA in improving cancer therapy.

Reversal of Valproate-Induced Major Salivary Gland Changes By Moringa Oleifera Extract in Rats

This study aimed to explore the potential protective impacts of Moringa oleifera extract on major alteration in salivary glands of rats exposed to sodium valproate (VA). Groups were defined as control, control+moringa extract, sodium valproate, and sodium valproate+moringa extract. Antioxidant and oxidant status, activities of digestive and metabolic enzymes were examined. VA treatment led to various biochemical changes in the salivary glands, including decreased levels of antioxidants like glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase (except for sublingual superoxide dismutase). Conversely, a decrease in alpha-amylase, alkaline and acid phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, protease, and maltase activities were observed. The study also demonstrated that VA induces oxidative stress, increases lipid peroxidation, sialic acid, and nitric oxide levels in the salivary glands. Total oxidant capacity was raised in all glands except in the sublingual gland. The electrophoretic patterns of proteins were similar. Moringa oleifera extract exhibited protective properties, reversing these VA-induced biochemical changes due to its antioxidant and therapeutic attributes. This research suggests that moringa extract might serve as an alternative treatment approach for individuals using VA and experiencing salivary gland issues, although further research is necessary to confirm these findings in human subjects.

The systemic oxidative stress score has a prognostic value on gastric cancer patients undergoing surgery

Background

Oxidative stress is strongly associated with the development, recurrence metastasis, and treatment of gastric cancer. It is yet unknown, though, how systemic oxidative stress levels relate to the surgically treated gastric cancer patients' clinical results. This research aims to investigate the prognostic effect of systemic oxidative stress score, also known as systematic oxidative stress score (SOS), on gastric cancer patients undergoing surgical treatment.

Methods

Development of the SOS Formula through Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator LASSO Cox Regression. By using optimal cut-off values, the 466 patients included in the study had been split into high SOS and low SOS groups. Utilizing Chi-square test and the Wilcoxon rank sum test, this research examined the relationship between SOS and clinical traits. With the aid of Kaplan-Meier and COX regression analysis, the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer was examined.

Results

SOS consisted of four oxidative stress-related laboratory indices. Univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses revealed that SOS, Age, CA724, Radical resection and TNM stage were crucial prognostic factors for OS, and the independent prognostic factors for PFS included Age, CA724, TNM stage and SOS. They could have their prognosis correctly predicted using a nomogram built around SOS and independent prognostic variables.

Conclusion

SOS is a practical and reasonably priced tool for determining a patient's prognosis for gastric cancer. More notably, SOS is an accurate prognostic factor for patients with advanced gastric cancer who has undergone radical surgery.

The effect of continuous positive airway pressure on total antioxidant capacity in obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep-related disorder with high prevalence, is associated with an imbalance in oxidative stress and is linked to cardiovascular disease. There are conflicting reports regarding the effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on oxidative stress/antioxidant markers in patients with OSA. This review was performed to evaluate the influence of therapy with CPAP on serum/plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in patients with OSA.

METHODS

The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and PubMed were searched through June 2022 to obtain studies evaluating CPAP treatment on TAC in patients with OSA. Overall results were tested using standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V2 software was employed to perform analyses.

RESULTS

Ten studies with 12 effect sizes were eligible for inclusion in this analysis. The overall SMD revealed that CPAP therapy significantly increased TAC [SMD 0.497; 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.77; p: 0.00] in OSA. Analyses based on subgroups showed that the effect of CPAP therapy was significant in all subgroups according to therapy duration, age, BMI, and AHI. Whereas the meta-regression results indicated that the impact of therapy with CPAP on TAC is associated with AHI, BMI, and age in patients with OSA.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding of this meta-analysis demonstrated a favorable impact of CPAP therapy on TAC levels in patients suffering from OSA.

An oxidative stress biomarkers predict prognosis in gastric cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor

Objective

The development and advance of gastric cancer are inextricably linked to oxidative and antioxidant imbalance. Although immunotherapy has been shown to be clinically effective, the link between oxidative stress and gastric cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICIs) remains unknown. This study aims at looking into the prognostic value of oxidative stress scores in gastric cancer patients treated with ICIs.

Methods

By taking the propagation to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) we got the best cut-off values, and divided 265 patients receiving ICIs and chemotherapy into high and low GC-Integrated Oxidative Stress Score (GIOSS) groups. We also used Kaplan-Meier and COX regression models to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress biomarkers and prognosis.

Results

Through both univariate and multivariate analyses, it's shown that GIOSS severs as an independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival (PFS) and Overall survival (OS). Based on GIOSS cutoff values, patients with high GIOSS levels, compared to those with low levels exhibited shorter PFS and OS, both in the high GIOSS group, which performed poorly in the ICIs subgroup and other subgroup analyses.

Conclusion

GIOSS is a biomarker that responds to systemic oxidative stress in the body and can predict prognosis in patients with gastric cancer who are taking ICIs. Additionally, it might come to medical professionals' aid in making more effective or more suitable treatment plans for gastric cancer.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Root Capsules Enhance Analgesic and Antioxidant Efficacy of Diclofenac Sodium in Experimental Acute Inflammation

Our study aimed to evaluate the analgesic and antioxidant effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) root capsule extract (GRCE) in addition to diclofenac (D) sodium treatment in carrageenan-induced acute inflammation (AI). Seven groups of eight Wistar-Bratislava white rats were included in the study. One group was the control (C), and AI was induced in the other six groups. The following treatments were applied: saline solution for C and AI groups, D for the AID group, GRCE for two groups and GRCE and D for another two groups. The GRCE was administered by gavage in two doses (100 mg/Kg b.w. or 200 mg/kg b.w.), while D was administered intraperitoneally in a dose of 5 mg/kg b.w. The association of GRCE with this low dose of diclofenac reduced pain threshold and improved mobility with the best results for the dose of 200 mg/kg b.w. Moreover, this combination reduced, better than D alone, the serum levels of the evaluated pro-oxidant parameters (malondialdehyde, the indirect assessment of NO synthesis, total oxidative status and oxidative stress index) up to 78%, especially oxidative stress index (p < 0.0001). GRCE alone slightly improved the antioxidant parameters (total antioxidant capacity and total thiols), but when associated with, D the results were better, especially for total thiols as their plasma levels increased up to 50% (p < 0.0010), with the best results obtained for the 200 mg/kg b.w. dose of GRCE. In conclusion, ginger root capsules associated with diclofenac might offer additional antioxidant and analgesic effects in a dose-dependent manner in acute inflammation.

Polyphenols from Dichrostachys cinerea Fruits Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic, and Antioxidant Capacity in Freund’s Adjuvant-Induced Arthritic Rat Model

Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wigth & Arn. (DC) is widely used in traditional medicine against several inflammatory diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis, because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to characterize the polyphenol-rich DC fruit extracts and investigate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects in a rat inflammation model induced by complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). Water and ethanolic extracts were characterized using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The polyphenol-rich extracts were administered in three different concentrations for 30 days. Pain threshold, thermal hyperalgesia, edema, and serum biomarkers specific to inflammatory processes or oxidative stress were evaluated. Both extracts were rich in polyphenolic compounds, mainly flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins, and flavone glycosides, which had important in vitro antioxidant capacity. DC fruit extracts administration had the maximum antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects after one day since the CFA injection and showed promising results for long-term use as well. The measurement of pro-inflammatory cytokines, cortisol, and oxidative stress parameters showed that DC extracts significantly reduced these parameters, being dose and extract-type dependent. These results showed potential anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidative properties and revealed the necessity of using a standardized polyphenolic DC extract to avoid result variability.

The influence of the dietary intake of vitamin C and vitamin E on the risk of gastric intestinal metaplasia in a cohort of Koreans

OBJECTIVES

Studies have suggested that the dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, has a potential role in inhibiting gastric carcinogenesis. The present study investigated the effect of antioxidant vitamins on the incidence of gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM).

METHODS

This study included 67,657 Koreans free of GIM who periodically underwent health check-ups. Dietary intake was assessed by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants were categorized into 4 groups by quartiles of dietary vitamin C and vitamin E intake. The Cox proportional hazard assumption was used to determine the multivariable hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for GIM.

RESULTS

The third and fourth quartiles of vitamin C intake had a lower risk of GIM than the first quartile (multivariable-adjusted HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.03 in the second quartile, HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81 to 0.97 in the third quartile, and HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76 to 0.95 in the fourth quartile). Vitamin E intake greater than the second quartile level was significantly associated with a lower risk of GIM than the first quartile (multivariable-adjusted HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82 to 0.97 in the second quartile, HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82 to 0.99 in the third quartile, and HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.94 in the fourth quartile). This association was observed only in the subgroup analysis for men.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher dietary intake of vitamin C and vitamin E was associated with a lower risk of GIM.

Curcumin Nanoparticles Enhance Antioxidant Efficacy of Diclofenac Sodium in Experimental Acute Inflammation

We investigated the in vivo effect of curcumin nanoparticles (nC) in addition to diclofenac sodium on local edema and oxidative stress parameters in carrageenan-induced paw edema on rats. Seven groups were investigated: control group (C), the acute inflammation (AI) group, an AI group treated with Diclofenac (AID, 5 mg/kg b.w. Diclofenac sodium), two AI groups treated with cC (conventional Curcumin)—AIC200 and AIcC200D (D = Diclofenac, 200 represent the concentration of active substance expressed in mg/kg b.w.), and two AI groups with nC (Curcumin nanoparticles)—AIC200 and AIcC200D. Serum and tissue oxidative stress was assessed by measuring five parameters. Curcumin nanoparticles alone and in combination with D better reduced the paw edema than D alone (p < 0.027). The rats treated with D and nC (AIcC200D) had the highest inhibition percentage on edema, reaching the maximum level of inhibition (81%) after 24 h. Conventional curcumin and nC presented antioxidant effects in acute inflammation, with significantly better results obtained for nC. The pro-oxidant markers were reduced up to 0.3 by the cC and up to 0.4 times by the nC and both solutions increased the antioxidant markers up to 0.3 times. The nC enhanced the antioxidative efficacy of D, as this combination reduced the pro-oxidant markers up to 1.3 times. Curcumin nanoparticles could represent a therapeutic option in association with classical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication in acute inflammation, as they might offer a reduction of drug dose and possible limitation of their associated side effects.

Therapeutic Potential of Selected Medicinal Plants Against Carrageenan Induced Inflammation in Rats

The current study was aimed to analyze the therapeutic effect of selected medicinal plants, that is, Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Trigonella graceum-foenum, Nigella sativa, and Syzygium aromaticum against carrageenan-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in rats. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of diverse range of bioactives. IC₅₀ values for antioxidant assays including DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), metal chelating, ABTS scavenging (2, 2^′-Azino-Bis-3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonic Acid), β-carotene bleaching, and H₂O₂ (hydrogen peroxide) scavenging ranged from 37-294, 71-243.4, 69.66-191.8, 98.92-228.5, and 82-234.9 μg/mL, respectively. All tested plants extract were found active against tested pathogenic microorganisms with lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations. Oral administration of tested plants extracts in different doses (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg b. w) did not exhibit any toxicological effects on hemato-biochemical profile of treated rats in comparison to control group rats. Further, plants extract exhibited considerable anti-inflammatory activity in rats paw inflammation and decreased cellular infiltration to inflammatory site in dose dependent manner. Pretreatment of animals with tested plants extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg b. w.) caused significant alteration in total antioxidants, oxidants, and enzymes activities in paw tissue homogenate and the effect was more pronounced at higher concentration (400 mg/kg b. w.). Results showed that tested plants extract are rich source of diverse classes of phenolics and have therapeutic potential against oxidative stress and inflammation.

The importance of antioxidant status in gastric intestinal metaplasia

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress status in different cancer types was investigated before, but not studied in gastric intestinal metaplasia to the best of our knowledge. Purpose of this study is to examine whether there is a difference between oxidative stress status in patients with intestinal metaplasia (IM) compared to individuals without IM, we compared the serum levels of disulfide (SS), total thiol (TT) and native thiol (NT).

METHODS

This was a prospective, non-randomized casecontrol study including 67 patients with histopathologically confirmed IM and 60 individuals demographically matched in terms of age, gender, BMI, smoking status, and chronic diseases as control group.

RESULTS

The mean NT, TT and NT to TT (NT/TT) ratios were statistically significantly higher in IM group compared to controls ((351.71 ± 81.9 mol/L vs. 271.82 ± 54.13 mol/L, p=0.000), (391.5 ± 92.69 mol/L vs. 308.59 ± 55.53 mol/L, p=0.000) and (0.89 ± 0.6 vs. 0.87 ± 0.29, p=0.022), respectively). The mean SS to TT (SS/TT) ratio was significantly lower in IM group than control group (0.050 ± 0.31 vs. 0.060 ± 0.014, P=0.022). Median SS and mean SS/NT ratio was similar in both groups (16.3 (3.3-78) vs. 18.3 (10-32.7), p=0.271 and 0.055 ± 0.041 vs. 0.070 ± 0.019, p=0.068, respectively). In ROC analysis, cut off value of SS/NT for IM was found 0.062, in regression analysis, SS/NT <0.062 was found as an independently prognostic marker for IM (OR, 2.38; 95%CI: 1.168-4.865, P=0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

SS/NT ratio lower than 0.062 was found as an independently prognostic marker for IM. This ratio could help to distinguish which patients should be followed closely for gastric cancer.

Evaluation of Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis in Lung Cancer

OBJECTIVES

Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of mortality all around the world. The increased production of reactive oxygen species occurs with cell damage, and cysteine is an important factor in preventing oxidative damage by its functional thiol group. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between thiol/disulfide homeostasis (TDH) and the risk factors, disease severity, and physical condition of patients with lung cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a prospective, controlled, nonblinded study, which included healthy volunteers and patients diagnosed with lung cancer who had not yet started any treatment.

RESULTS

There were 45 male (90%) and five female (5%) patients (mean age 64±9 years), and 41 male (82%) and nine female (18%) healthy volunteers (mean age 65±17 years) were included in this research. Overall, the thiol levels were lower in patients than the control group (p<0.001). The native thiol level means were 275±72 μmol/l in the patient group and 414±80 μmol/l in the control group, and the total thiol level means were 309±74 and 451±79 μmol/l, respectively. However, the disulfide parameter was not statistically significantly different between the two groups. There were no correlations between the tumor size and overall survival and the total thiol, native thiol, and disulfide levels.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that there is a significant relationship between lung cancer and TDH, but there were no correlations with the disease stage and the clinical performance status.