Fermented kimchi rejuvenated precancerous atrophic gastritis via mitigating Helicobacter pylori-associated endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative stress

Research on drug treatment and the novel signaling pathway of chronic atrophic gastritis

BACKGROUND

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is a global digestive system disease and one of the important causes of gastric cancer. The incidence of CAG has been increasing yearly worldwide.

PURPOSE

This article reviews the latest research on the common causes and future therapeutic targets of CAG as well as the pharmacological effects of corresponding clinical drugs. We provide a detailed theoretical basis for further research on possible methods for the treatment of CAG and reversal of the CAG process.

RESULTS

CAG often develops from chronic gastritis, and its main pathological manifestation is atrophy of the gastric mucosa, which can develop into gastric cancer. The drug treatment of CAG can be divided into agents that regulate gastric acid secretion, eradicate Helicobacter. pylori (H. pylori), protect gastric mucous membrane, or inhibit inflammatory factors according to their mechanism of action. Although there are limited specific drugs for the treatment of CAG, progress is being made in defining the pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of the disease. Growing evidence shows that NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, Wnt/ β-catenin, MAPK, Toll-like receptors (TLRs), Hedgehog, and VEGF signaling pathways play an important role in the development of CAG.

Kimchi attenuates endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced hepatic steatosis in HepG2 cells and C57BL/6N mice

Kimchi is a traditional fermented food that contains abundant nutrients and functional ingredients with various health benefits. We previously reported that kimchi active components suppress hepatic steatosis caused by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, we assessed the effect of kimchi on the inhibition of hepatic steatosis caused by ER stress in HepG2 cells and C57BL/6N mice to verify the hypothesis that kimchi may potentially inhibit nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We investigated the effect of kimchi on cell viability and triglyceride concentrations in cells and on lipid profile, lipid accumulation, and expression of related genes in cells and mice with hepatic steatosis. A mechanistic study was also performed using the liver X receptor α agonist T0901317 and the AMP-activated protein kinase agonist AICAR. Kimchi was noncytotoxic and effectively reduced triglyceride concentrations and suppressed hepatic steatosis-related gene expression in cells and mice. Additionally, kimchi recovered weight loss, lowered the serum and liver tissue lipid profiles, suppressed lipid accumulation, and reduced the effects of T0901317 and AICAR on lipogenic gene expression in tunicamycin-treated mice. Our results highlight that kimchi could prevent hepatic steatosis caused by ER stress in cells and mice.

Natural products for gastric carcinoma prevention and treatment: Focus on their antioxidant stress actions in the Correa's cascade

BACKGROUND

Correa's cascade is a pathological process beginning from gastritis to gastric precancerous lesions, and finally to gastric carcinoma (GC). While the pathogenesis of GC remains unclear, oxidative stress plays a prominent role throughout the entire Correa's cascade process. Studies have shown that some natural products (NPs) could halt and even reverse the development of the Correa's cascade by targeting oxidative stress.

METHODS

To review the effects and mechanism by which NPs inhibit the Correa's cascade through targeting oxidative stress, data were collected from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases from initial establishment to April 2023. NPs were classified and summarized by their mechanisms of action.

RESULTS

NPs, such as terpenoid, polyphenols and alkaloids, exert multistep antioxidant stress effects on the Correa's cascade. These effects include preventing gastric mucosal inflammation (stage 1), reversing gastric precancerous lesions (stage 2), and inhibiting gastric carcinoma (stage 3). NPs can directly impact the conversion of gastritis to GC by targeting oxidative stress and modulating signaling pathways involving IL-8, Nrf2, TNF-α, NF-κB, and ROS/MAPK. Among which polyphenols have been studied more and are of high research value.

CONCLUSIONS

NPs display a beneficial multi-step action on the Correa's cascade, and have potential value for clinical application in the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer by regulating the level of oxidative stress.

Roles of selenoprotein K in oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress under selenium deficiency in chicken liver

Selenoprotein K (SELENOK) is a major part of selenoprotein family. Selenoproteins have been proven playing vital roles in a variety of physiological processes. However, as a necessary supplement to the body of trace elements, how SELENOK regulates necroptosis in chicken liver has none clear claim. The purpose of this study was to cover the mechanism of SELENOK act in necroptosis of chicken liver. By feeding Se-deficiency diet for 1-day-old hyline chickens, we successfully built SELENOK-deficiency and discussed the regulation SELENOK have done. The test of liver function showed there has dysfunction appeared in the -Se groups. Results of TEM showed necroptosis occurred in the 35-Se group. After that western blot and qRT-PCR results prompted us SELENOK-deficiency caused large accumulation of ROS, enhanced endoplasmic reticulum stress, abnormally elevated HSPs family expression, and activated RIPK1-RIPK3 complex. In order to show the regulation of SELENOK in chicken liver, we artificially knocked off SELENOK gene in LMH cells. Through AO/EB staining we also found necroptosis in the siRNA-Se group. Furthermore, the results in LMH cells were coincided with those in chicken (Gallus gallus) liver. Our experiment clarified the molecular mechanism of SELENOK in the regulation and liver necroptosis, and provided reference for the healthy feeding mode of broilers.

Pharmacological and molecular analysis of the effects of Huangqi Jianzhong decoction on proliferation and apoptosis in GES-1 cells infected with H. pylori

Background: Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) can cause chronic gastritis and other digestive tract diseases, and represents a public health concern. Current anti-H. pylori treatment can result in antibiotic resistance and other adverse reactions. Huangqi Jianzhong decoction (HQJZD) is a prescription form of traditional Chinese medicine for chronic gastritis that increases probiotics and inhibits H. pylori. In this study, its anti-bacterial activity against H. pylori receives a preliminary evaluation, and a pharmacology analysis is performed to predict its underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Human GES-1 cells are divided into a blank control group, a model group, a HQJZD low-dose (2.08 mg·mL⁻¹), a high-dose group (4.16 mg·mL⁻¹), and a positive control group (amoxicillin, 5 μg·mL⁻¹). After culture, the CCK-8 method is used to detect cell viability; flow cytometry is used to detect cell apoptosis rate; and RT-qPCR is used to detect the expression of mRNA virulence factors, including HpPrtC, OPiA, IceA1, and BabA2. Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking were performed to explore the mechanisms of HQJZD in treating H. pylori gastritis, based on its anti-H. pylori infection effect.

Results: We noted lower cell survival rates in the model group, but higher apoptosis rates and mRNA expressions of HpPrtC, OPiA, IceA1, and BabA2 than in the control group (p < 0.05). Compared to the model group, the cell survival rate of each dosage group of Huangqi Jianzhong decoction and the positive control group increased significantly, while the apoptosis rate and the mRNA expressions of HpPrtC, OPiA, IceA1, and BabA2 were decreased significantly. The effect in each HQJZD group was dose-dependent (p < 0.05). Network pharmacological analysis involving 159 signaling pathways was used to screen 6 key active components of HQJZD and 102 potential target proteins for the treatment of H. pylori-related gastritis. The molecular docking results revealed that the 6 active compounds had a strong binding ability with the target proteins of ALB, IL-6, AKT1, IL-1B, and JUN.

Conclusion: HQJZD effectively increases the proliferation rate of human GES-1 cells after infection, while reducing the level of apoptosis. The mechanism may be related to multiple components, multiple targets and pathways, which provides a scientific basis for further elucidating the mechanism of action, the pharmacodynamic material basis, and the clinical application of HQJZD against H. pylori infection.

The decrease of selenoprotein K induced by selenium deficiency in diet improves apoptosis and cell progression block in chicken liver via the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway

Selenoprotein K (SELK) is imperative for normal development of chicken. It does regulate to chicken's physiological function. However, the injury of SELK-deficiency done on chicken liver and its underlying mechanism involved has not yet been covered. Therefore, we built SELK- deficiency model by feeding diet which contained low concentration of selenium (Se) to discuss SELK's regulation mechanism. Through using TUNEL, TEM, western blot and qRT-PCR we found apoptosis occurred in chicken liver in the SELK-deficiency groups. In the meanwhile, our study showed there were differentially expressed of the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway, calcium homeostasis, endoplasmic reticulum healthy and cell cycle progression in SELK-deficiency chicken liver tissues. In order to claim the regulation mechanism of SELK, we set SELK-knock down model in the LMH. The results in vitro were coincided with those in vivo. In the SELK-deficiency groups, the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway was activated and then induced ERS which eventually resulted in apoptosis in chicken liver. As the same time, the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway also regulated the combined effective of MDM2-p53, which leaned liver cells to G1/S blocking. Our findings support the potential of SELK in maintain the health of chicken liver, and indicate that adding proper amount of Se on the daily dietary may alleviate the deficiency of selenium.

Eating Fermented: Health Benefits of LAB-Fermented Foods

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are involved in producing a considerable number of fermented products consumed worldwide. Many of those LAB fermented foods are recognized as beneficial for human health due to probiotic LAB or their metabolites produced during food fermentation or after food digestion. In this review, we aim to gather and discuss available information on the health-related effects of LAB-fermented foods. In particular, we focused on the most widely consumed LAB-fermented foods such as yoghurt, kefir, cheese, and plant-based products such as sauerkrauts and kimchi.

Transcriptome profiling implicated in beneficiary actions of kimchi extracts against Helicobacter pylori infection

Dietary intervention to prevent Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-gastric cancer might be ideal because of no risk of bacterial resistance, safety, and rejuvenating action of atrophic gastritis. We have published data about the potential of fermented kimchi as nutritional approach for H. pylori. Hence recent advances in RNAseq analysis lead us to investigate the transcriptome analysis to explain these beneficiary actions of kimchi. gastric cells were infected with either H. pylori or H. pylori plus kimchi. 943 genes were identified as significantly increased or decreased genes according to H. pylori infection and 68 genes as significantly changed between H. pylori infection and H. pylori plus kimchi (p<0.05). Gene classification and Medline database showed DLL4, FGF18, PTPRN, SLC7A11, CHAC1, FGF21, ASAN, CTH, and CREBRF were identified as significantly increased after H. pylori, but significantly decreased with kimchi and NEO1, CLDN8, KLRG1, and IGFBP1 were identified as significantly decreased after H. pylori, but increased with kimchi. After KEGG and STRING-GO analysis, oxidative stress, ER stress, cell adhesion, and apoptosis genes were up-regulated with H. pylori infection but down-regulated with kimchi, whereas tissue regeneration, cellular anti-oxidative response, and anti-inflammation genes were reversely regulated with kimchi (p<0.01). Conclusively, transcriptomes of H. pylori plus kimchi showed significant biological actions.

Microbiota changes with fermented kimchi contributed to either the amelioration or rejuvenation of Helicobacter pylori-associated chronic atrophic gastritis

Korean fermented kimchi is probiotic food preventing Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated atrophic gastritis in both animal and human trial. In order to reveal the effect of fermented kimchi against H. pylori infection, we performed clinical trial to document the changes of fecal microbiota in 32 volunteers (H. pylori (-) chronic superficial gastritis (CSG), H. pylori (+) CSG, and H. pylori (+) chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) with 10 weeks kimchi. Each amplicon is sequenced on MiSeq of Illumina and the sequence reads were clustered into operational taxonomic units using VSEARCH and the Chao, Simpson, and Shannon Indices. Though significant difference in α- or β-diversity was not seen in three groups, kimchi intake led to significant diversity of fecal microbiome. As results, Klebsiella, Enterococcus, Ruminococcaceae, Streptococcus, Roseburia, and Clostirdiumsensu were significantly increased in H. pylori (+) CAG, while Akkermansia, Citrobacter, and Lactobacillus were significantly decreased in H. pylori (+) CAG. With 10 weeks of kimchi administration, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Ruminococcus were significantly increased in H. pylori (+) CAG, whereas Bacteroides, Subdoligranulum, and Eubacterium coprostanolines were significantly decreased in H. pylori (-) CAG. 10 weeks of kimchi intake significantly improved pepsinogen I/II ratio (p<0.01) with significant decreases in interleukin-1β. Conclusively, fermented kimchi significantly changed fecal microbiota to mitigate H. pylori-associated atrophic gastritis.