Chronic Restraint Stress Induces Gastric Mucosal Inflammation with Enhanced Oxidative Stress in a Murine Model

Sepsis as a Potential Risk Factor for Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Critically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Purpose: Sepsis is a common and critical condition in intensive care units (ICUs) known to complicate patient outcomes. Previous studies have indicated an association between sepsis and various ICU morbidities, including upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). However, the extent of this relationship and its implications in ICU settings remain inadequately quantified. This study aims to elucidate the association between sepsis and the risk of UGIB in ICU patients. Methods: A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted, encompassing nine studies with a total of nearly 9000 participants. These studies reported events for both sepsis and nonsepsis patients separately. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to assess the risk of UGIB in septic versus nonseptic ICU patients. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on age and study design, and both unadjusted and adjusted ORs were examined. Results: The pooled OR indicated a significant association between sepsis and UGIB (OR = 3.276, 95% CI: 1.931 to 5.557). Moderate heterogeneity was observed (I² = 43.9%). The association was significant in adults (pooled OR = 4.083) but not in children. No difference in association was found based on the study design. Unadjusted and adjusted ORs differed slightly, indicating the influence of confounding factors. Conclusion: This meta-analysis reveals a significant association between sepsis and an increased risk of UGIB in ICU patients, particularly in adults. These findings highlight the need for vigilant monitoring and proactive management of septic ICU patients to mitigate the risk of UGIB. Future research should focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms and developing tailored preventive strategies.

Applications of cold atmospheric plasma in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases via redox homeostasis: evidence and prospects

As a representative technology in plasma medicine, cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has beneficial outcomes in surface disinfection, wound repair, tissue regeneration, solid tumor therapy. Impact on immune response and inflammatory conditions was also observed in the process of CAP treatment. Relevant literatures were collected to assess efficacy and summarize possible mechanisms of the innovation. CAP mediates alteration in local immune microenvironment mainly through two ways. One is to down-regulate the expression level of several cytokines, impeding further conduction of immune or inflammatory signals. Intervening the functional phenotype of cells through different degree of oxidative stress is the other approach to manage the immune-mediated inflammatory disorders. A series of preclinical and clinical studies confirmed the therapeutic effect and side effects free of CAP. Moreover, several suggestions proposed in this manuscript might help to find directions for future investigation.

Tibetan medicine Liuwei Muxiang pills (LWMX pills) effectively protects mice from chronic non-atrophic gastritis

BACKGROUND

Chronic non-atrophic gastritis (CNG) is the most common type of chronic gastritis. If not actively treated, it may induce gastric cancer (GC). Western medicine is effective in CNG, but there are more adverse reactions after long-term medication, and it is easy to relapse after treatment, which affects patients' health and life. Tibetan medicine Liuwei Muxiang Pills (LWMX pills) is a traditional Tibetan medicine compound, which has a unique curative effect in the treatment of gastric inflammation, especially chronic non-atrophic gastritis. However, the mechanisms of LWMX pills for treatment CNG still remain poor known.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic intervention potential of Tibetan medicine LWMX pills on CNG and explore its potential mechanisms in mice models.

METHODS

The mice models was established to evaluate the therapeutic effect of LWMX pills on CNG. The main components of LWMX pills were analyzed by GC-MS. HE staining, immunohistochemistry, proteomics and Western Blot were used to analyze the potential mechanism of LWMX pills for CNG treatment.

RESULTS

In the present study, LWMX pills containing costunolide, dehydrocostuslactone and antioxidants were found. IF results showed that the expression of ALDH1B1 in the control group was significantly lower than that in the model group in the gastric mucosa tissue, and the expression of ALDH1B1 was significantly lower in the 25 mg/ml LWMX Pills group (one month) and 25 mg/ml LWMX Pills group (two months) than in the model group. IHC revealed that model group samples expressed higher levels of Furin than 25 mg/ml LWMX Pills group samples, as evidenced by very strong staining of Furin in gastric mucosal cells. However, AMY2 staining in gastric mucosal cells did not differ significantly between the treated and control groups. the protein expression levels of these proteins were decreased in 25 mg/mL LWMX pills. Meanwhile, we found that the CAM1 protein expression in the in 25 mg/ml LWMX pills group (two mouths) was increased compared to the in 25 mg/ml LWMX pills group (one mouths).Western blotting showed that the protein expression levels of Furin, AMY2A, CPA3, ALDH1B1, Cam1, COXII, IL-6, IL-1β were decreased in 25 mg/mL LWMX pills. Meanwhile, that the CAM1 protein expression in the in 25 mg/ml LWMX pills group (two mouths) was increased compared to the in 25 mg/ml LWMX pills group (one mouths).

CONCLUSION

25mg/ml LWMX pill treatment for one month had better therapeutic effect on mice CNG. Further proteomic results showed that LWMX pills maintain gastric function by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress, and we also found that LWMX pills regulate the expression of proteins associated with cancer development (Amy2, Furin).

Influence of diet and sport on the risk of sleep apnea in patients with metabolic syndrome associated with hypothyroidism - a 4-year survey

Apnea is a common problem observed among obese individuals, affecting the quality of sleep and increasing cardiovascular risk and mortality. The current study monitored the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) following diet therapy and sports-associated diet therapy in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and hypothyroidism. The subjects included in the study were divided into 3 groups: control group (CG) (n=36), diet therapy group (DG) (including patients following a personalized diet therapy program) (n=76), and diet therapy and sports group (DSG) (which considered patients doing sports in addition to following a personalized diet therapy program) (n=80). The evaluation methods included body analysis (body mass index, fat mass, and visceral fat), paraclinical analysis (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance), assessment of difficulty in breathing, stress monitoring, hypothyroidism, and risk of OSA. The OSA index was assessed using the Berlin Questionnaire of Sleep Apnea and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. The correlation between OSA with body mass index (BMI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, fat mass, and visceral fat showed a statistically significant positive ratio (p<0.05; F=3.871). The obtained results indicated that diet therapy and physical activity reduced the OSA risk by 78.72%.

Effects of His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pro-Gly-Pro peptide on free-radical oxidation processes in conditions of chronic restraint stress

Studying the effects of regulatory peptides on the stress-induced shifts in the bodily processes is of great fundamental and applied significance. Currently, a wide range of peptide neurotropic drugs, affecting the stress response development, are used in medicine, and new promising molecules are being studied. The study was aimed to assess the effects of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) synthetic analog, ACTH(6-9)-Pro-Gly-Pro, administered at a dose of 5, 50 and 500 μg/kg, on the free-radical oxidation processes in Wistar rats, subjected to chronic restraint stress (CRS) during two weeks. Serum levels of 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) were assessed by enzyme immunoassay, and the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were assessed by fluorimetric method. CRS lead to the significant increase in the 8-OHdG levels by 18.4% (p = 0.01) and the decrease in the SOD3 levels by 14.3% (p = 0.01), however, it had no effect on the levels of TBARS. ACTH(6-9)-Pro-Gly-Pro, administered at a dose of 5 and 50 μg/kg, significantly decreased the levels of 8-OHdG by 19.8% (p = 0.03) and 30% (p = 0.001), respectively. Thus, it was found that CRS resulted in oxidative stress in animals. ACTH(6-9)-Pro-Gly-Pro administration at a dose of 5 and 50 μg/kg inhibits the stress-induced free-radical oxidation processes.