A randomised crossover study investigating the effects of galacto-oligosaccharides on the faecal microbiota in men and women over 50 years of age

Faecal microbial changes associated with ageing include reduced bifidobacteria numbers. These changes coincide with an increased risk of disease development. Prebiotics have been observed to increase bifidobacteria numbers within humans. The present study aimed to determine if prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) could benefit a population of men and women of 50 years and above, through modulation of faecal microbiota, fermentation characteristics and faecal water genotoxicity. A total of thirty-seven volunteers completed this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. The treatments – juice containing 4 g GOS and placebo – were consumed twice daily for 3 weeks, preceded by 3-week washout periods. To study the effect of GOS on different large bowel regions, three-stage continuous culture systems were conducted in parallel using faecal inocula from three volunteers. Faecal samples were microbially enumerated by quantitative PCR.In vivo, following GOS intervention, bifidobacteria were significantly more compared to post-placebo (P = 0·02). Accordingly, GOS supplementation had a bifidogenic effect in allin vitrosystem vessels. Furthermore, in vessel 1 (similar to the proximal colon), GOS fermentation led to more lactobacilli and increased butyrate. No changes in faecal water genotoxicity were observed. To conclude, GOS supplementation significantly increased bifidobacteria numbersin vivoandin vitro. Increased butyrate production and elevated bifidobacteria numbers may constitute beneficial modulation of the gut microbiota in a maturing population.

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Uremic Toxins and Their Relation with Oxidative Stress Induced in Patients with CKD

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22126196 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (12) ◽

pp. 6196

Author(s):

Anna Pieniazek ◽

Joanna Bernasinska-Slomczewska ◽

Lukasz Gwozdzinski

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Uremic Toxins ◽

Water Medium ◽

Induce Insulin Resistance ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Stage Renal Disease ◽

End Stage

The presence of toxins is believed to be a major factor in the development of uremia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Uremic toxins have been divided into 3 groups: small substances dissolved in water, medium molecules: peptides and low molecular weight proteins, and protein-bound toxins. One of the earliest known toxins is urea, the concentration of which was considered negligible in CKD patients. However, subsequent studies have shown that it can lead to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and induce insulin resistance in vitro and in vivo, as well as cause carbamylation of proteins, peptides, and amino acids. Other uremic toxins and their participation in the damage caused by oxidative stress to biological material are also presented. Macromolecules and molecules modified as a result of carbamylation, oxidative stress, and their adducts with uremic toxins, may lead to cardiovascular diseases, and increased risk of mortality in patients with CKD.

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Application of the EYTEX™ System to the Evaluation of Cosmetic Products and their Ingredients

Alternatives to Laboratory Animals ◽

10.1177/026119299202000120 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 146-163

Author(s):

Francis H. Kruszewski ◽

Laura H. Hearn ◽

Kyle T. Smith ◽

Janice J. Teal ◽

Virginia C. Gordon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Double Blind ◽

Eye Irritation ◽

Ocular Irritation ◽

Rabbit Eye ◽

Wide Range ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Alkaline Membrane ◽

Positive Agreement

465 cosmetic product formulations and raw ingredients were evaluated with the EYTEX™ system to determine the potential of this in vitro alternative for identifying eye irritation potential. The EYTEX™ system is a non-animal, biochemical procedure developed by Ropak Laboratories, Irvine, CA, that was designed to approximate the Draize rabbit eye irritation assay for the evaluation of ocular irritation. Avon Products Inc. provided all the test samples, which included over 30 different product types and represented a wide range of eye irritancy. All the EYTEX™ protocols available at the time of this study were used. Samples were evaluated double-blind with both the membrane partition assay (MPA) and the rapid membrane assay (RMA). When appropriate, the standard assay (STD) and the alkaline membrane assay (AMA) were used, as well as specific, documented protocol modifications. EYTEX™ results were correlated with rabbit eye irritation data which was obtained from the historical records of Avon Products Inc. A positive agreement of EYTEX™ results with the in vivo assay was demonstrated by an overall concordance of 80%. The assay error was 20%, of which 18% was due to an overestimation of sample irritancy (false positives) and 2% was attributed to underestimation (false negatives). Overestimation error in this study was due in part to the inability of the protocols to accurately classify test samples with very low irritation potential. Underestimation of sample irritancy was generally associated with ethoxylated materials and high concentrations of specific types of surfactants. 100% sensitivity and 85% predictability were described by the data, indicating the efficiency of EYTEX™ in identifying known irritants. A specificity rate of 39% showed the EYTEX™ assay to be weak in discerning non-irritants. However, the EYTEX™ protocols used in this study were not designed to identify non-irritants. A compatibility rate of 99% proved the effectiveness of the EYTEX™ assay in accommodating a diversity of product types. The EYTEX™ system protocols, when used appropriately, can provide a conservative means of assessing the irritant potential of most cosmetic formulations and their ingredients.

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The Novel Role of PGC1α in Bone Metabolism

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22094670 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (9) ◽

pp. 4670

Author(s):

Cinzia Buccoliero ◽

Manuela Dicarlo ◽

Patrizia Pignataro ◽

Francesco Gaccione ◽

Silvia Colucci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Metabolism ◽

Osteoblastic Differentiation ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Peroxisome Proliferator ◽

Sirtuin 3 ◽

Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽

Increased Risk

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α) is a protein that promotes transcription of numerous genes, particularly those responsible for the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis. Evidence for a key role of PGC1α in bone metabolism is very recent. In vivo studies showed that PGC1α deletion negatively affects cortical thickness, trabecular organization and resistance to flexion, resulting in increased risk of fracture. Furthermore, in a mouse model of bone disease, PGC1α activation stimulates osteoblastic gene expression and inhibits atrogene transcription. PGC1α overexpression positively affects the activity of Sirtuin 3, a mitochondrial nicotinammide adenina dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent deacetylase, on osteoblastic differentiation. In vitro, PGC1α overexpression prevents the reduction of mitochondrial density, membrane potential and alkaline phosphatase activity caused by Sirtuin 3 knockdown in osteoblasts. Moreover, PGC1α influences the commitment of skeletal stem cells towards an osteogenic lineage, while negatively affects marrow adipose tissue accumulation. In this review, we will focus on recent findings about PGC1α action on bone metabolism, in vivo and in vitro, and in pathologies that cause bone loss, such as osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes.

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Sulfated poly-amido-saccharides (sulPASs) are anticoagulants in vitro and in vivo

Chemical Science ◽

10.1039/d1sc02302k ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (38) ◽

pp. 12719-12725

Author(s):

Maria Varghese ◽

Rae S. Rokosh ◽

Carolyn A. Haller ◽

Stacy L. Chin ◽

Jiaxuan Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Murine Model ◽

Protamine Sulfate ◽

Clotting Time ◽

Risk Of Bleeding ◽

Increased Risk

Heparin mimicking sulfated poly-amido-saccharides (sulPASs) are anticoagulants resistant to heparanases and reversed by protamine sulfate. In an in vivo murine model, sulPASs extend clotting time without the increased risk of bleeding.

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Pomegranate, its Components and Modern Deliverable Formulations as Potential Botanicals in the Prevention and Treatment of Various Cancers

Current Drug Delivery ◽

10.2174/1567201818666210203180853 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

Author(s):

Laila Hussein ◽

Mostafa Gouda ◽

Harpal S. Buttar

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Biological Tissues ◽

Pomegranate Juice ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Lifestyle Modifications ◽

Cellular Mechanisms ◽

Double Blind ◽

Prevention And Treatment

Abstract: Cancer is a global multifactorial disease consisting of over 200 types of cancers. It is well recognized that primary prevention is an effective way to fight cancers by using natural polyphenolic anticancer foods, vegetables and fruits, avoiding exposure to carcinogenic environment, smoking cessation, and through lifestyle modifications. The present review provides up to date information on the effects and functions of pomegranate juice and its bioactive components on the most widespread six cancer types. Pomegranate contains important polyphenolic compounds such as ellagitannins and punicalagin, with strong antioxidant ability for scavenging free radicals and producing metal-chelates in the biological tissues. The in vitro and in vivo studies suggests that antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties of pomegranate constitute have major antimutagenic and antiproliferative activities for regulating gene expression, modulating cellular mechanisms, and limiting the ability of cancers to metastasize. A limited number of clinical studies have suggested that pomegranate ingredients have the potential for the prevention and treatment of cancer, especially colorectal and prostate cancer. In cancer therapy, it remains a clinical dilemma to hit the right target without inducing side effects. The costly anticancer chemotherapies are often associated with drug resistance and serious side effects in vital organs, and noncancerous neighboring cells. It appears that the pomegranate based phytotherapies would be affordable and cost-effective for next generation non-pharmacologic anticancer remedies with lesser side effects. However, well-designed, randomized, double-blind, and multi-center studies are needed to establish the long-term safety, efficacy and dose schedules for orally deliverable pomegranate formulations.

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TAMI-73. GLIOBLASTOMA CELL POPULATIONS WITH DISTINCT ONCOGENIC PROGRAMS RELEASE PODOPLANIN AS PROCOAGULANT EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES

Neuro-Oncology ◽

10.1093/neuonc/noab196.855 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (Supplement_6) ◽

pp. vi213-vi213

Author(s):

Nadim Tawil ◽

Rayhaan Bassawon ◽

Brian Meehan ◽

Laura Montermini ◽

Ali Nehme ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Cells ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Glioblastoma Cell ◽

Activation Markers ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Gradient Fractionation ◽

D Dimer

Abstract BACKGROUND Vascular anomalies, including thrombosis, are a hallmark of glioblastoma (GBM) and an aftermath of dysregulated cancer cell genome and epigenome. Up-regulation of podoplanin (PDPN) by cancer cells has recently been linked to an increased risk of venous thromboembolism in glioblastoma patients. Thus, regulation of this platelet activating protein by transforming events and release from cancer cells is of considerable interest. AIMS I. Investigate the pattern of PDPN expression and characterize PDPN-expressing cellular populations in GBM. II. Evaluate the contribution of oncogenic drivers to PDPN expression in GBM models. III. Investigate the potential involvement of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as a mechanism for systemic dissemination of PDPN and tissue factor (TF). IV. Examine the role of PDPN in intratumoral and systemic thrombosis. METHODS Bioinformatics (single-cell and bulk transcriptome data mining), GBM cell lines and stem cell lines, xenograft models in mice, ELISA assays for PDPN and TF, platelet (PF4) and clotting activation markers (D-dimer), EV electron microscopy, density gradient fractionation, and nano-flow cytometry. RESULTS PDPN is expressed by distinct glioblastoma cell subpopulations (mesenchymal) and downregulated by oncogenic mutations of EGFR and IDH1 genes, via changes in chromatin modifications (EZH2) and DNA methylation, respectively. GBM cells exteriorize PDPN and/or TF as cargo of exosome-like EVs shed both in vitro and in vivo. Injection of glioma PDPN-EVs activates platelets. Increase of platelet activation (PF4) or coagulation markers (D-dimer) occurs in mice harboring the corresponding glioma xenografts expressing PDPN or TF, respectively. Co-expression of PDPN and TF by GBM cells cooperatively increases tumor microthrombosis. CONCLUSION Distinct cellular subsets drive multiple facets of GBM-associated thrombosis and may represent targets for diagnosis and intervention. We suggest that the preponderance of PDPN expression as a risk factor in glioblastoma and the involvement of platelets may merit investigating anti-platelets for potential inclusion in thrombosis management in GBM.

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Abstract 531: Tie-2/Cre--Mediated Conditional Deletion of Lipid Phosphate Phosphatase-3 Reveals Its Role in Endothelial Cell Apoptosis

Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology ◽

10.1161/atvb.32.suppl_1.a531 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 32 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Ishita Chatterjee ◽

Kishore K Wary

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Endothelial Cell ◽

Genome Wide Association Study ◽

Vascular Endothelial Cell ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Conditional Deletion ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Increased Risk

Rationale: A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) has linked a frequently occurring variation in the LPP3 (also known as PPAP2b) loci to increased risk of coronary heart disease (CAD). However, the in vivo function of LPP3 in vascular endothelial cell is incompletely understood. Goal: To address the endothelial cell (EC) specific function of Lpp3 in mice. Results: Tie-2/Cre mediated Lpp3 deletion did not affect normal vasculogenesis in early embryonic development, in contrast, in late embryonic stages it led to impaired angiogenesis associated with hemorrhage, edema and late embryonic lethal phenotype. Immunohistochemical staining followed by microscopic analyses of mutant embryos revealed reduced fibronectin and VE-cadherin expression throughout different vascular bed, and increased apoptosis in CD31+ vascular structures. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the presence of apoptotic endothelial cells and disruption of adherens junctions in mutant embryos. LPP3-knockdown in vitro showed an increase in p53 and p21 protein levels, with concomitant decrease in cell proliferation. LPP3-knockdown also decreased transendothelial electrical resistance (TER), interestingly re-expression of ß-catenin cDNA into LPP3-depleted endothelial cells partially restored the effect of loss of LPP3. Conclusion: These results suggest the ability of LPP3 to regulate survival and apoptotic activities of endothelial cells during patho/physiological angiogenesis.

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A randomised pilot trial of the anti-von Willebrand factor aptamer ARC1779 in patients with type 2b von Willebrand disease

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1160/th10-01-0027 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 104 (09) ◽

pp. 563-570 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Petra Paulinska ◽

Petra Jilma-Stohlawetz ◽

James Gilbert ◽

Renta Hutabarat ◽

Paul Knöbl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Trial ◽

Coagulation Factor ◽

Von Willebrand Disease ◽

Double Blind ◽

Clinical Trial Registration ◽

Maximal Increase ◽

Double Blind Design ◽

Von Willebrand

SummaryDesmopressin aggravates thrombocytopenia in type 2B von Willebrand disease (VWF type 2B) by release of large and hyper-adhesive von Wille-brand Factor (VWF) multimers. This pilot study investigated whether the anti-VWF aptamer ARC1779 can prevent desmopressin-induced thrombocytopenia and interferes with the excessive VWF turnover in patients with VWF type 2B. Concentration effect curves of ARC1779 were established for five patients in vitro and two patients with VWF type 2B were treated by infusion of ARC1779, desmopressin, or their combination in a randomised, controlled, double-blind design. ARC1779 concentrations in the range of 1–3 μg/ml blocked free A1 domain binding sites by 90% in vitro. In vivo, desmopressin alone induced a profound (-90%) drop in platelet counts in one of the patients. ARC1779 (4–5 μg/ml) completely inhibited VWF A1 domains and prevented this desmopress-in-induced platelet drop. Desmopressin alone increased VWF antigen two- to three-fold, accompanied by concordant changes in VWF Ristocetin cofactor activity (RCo) and coagulation factor VIII activity. ARC1779 substantially enhanced the desmopressin-induced maximal increase in these parameters, and improved multimer patterns. No treatment related adverse events were observed and no bleeding occurred despite marked thrombocytopenia. These data provide first proof of concept in humans and evidence that ARC1779 is a potent inhibitor of VWF. ARC1779 prevented the rapid consumption of VWF multimers together with agglutinated platelets that occurred in response to desmopressin challenge in patients with VWD type 2B.Clinical Trial registration number: NCT00632242.

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Increased tissue factor expression on circulating monocytes in chronic HIV infection: relationship to in vivo coagulation and immune activation

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2009-03-210179 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 115 (2) ◽

pp. 161-167 ◽

Cited By ~ 166

Author(s):

Nicholas T. Funderburg ◽

Elizabeth Mayne ◽

Scott F. Sieg ◽

Robert Asaad ◽

Wei Jiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

Tissue Factor ◽

Immune Activation ◽

Interleukin 6 ◽

Plasma Levels ◽

Thrombus Formation ◽

Hiv Replication ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract HIV infection is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis; and as antiretroviral therapy has increased the lifespan of HIV-infected patients, their risk for cardiovascular events is expected to increase. A large clinical study found recently that all-cause mortality for HIV+ patients was related to plasma levels of interleukin-6 and to D-dimer products of fibrinolysis. We provide evidence that this elevated risk for coagulation may be related to increased proportions of monocytes expressing cell surface tissue factor (TF, thromboplastin) in persons with HIV infection. Monocyte TF expression could be induced in vitro by lipopolysaccharide and flagellin, but not by interleukin-6. Monocyte expression of TF was correlated with HIV levels in plasma, with indices of immune activation, and with plasma levels of soluble CD14, a marker of in vivo lipopolysaccharide exposure. TF levels also correlated with plasma levels of D-dimers, reflective of in vivo clot formation and fibrinolysis. Thus, drivers of immune activation in HIV disease, such as HIV replication, and potentially, microbial translocation, may activate clotting cascades and contribute to thrombus formation and cardiovascular morbidities in HIV infection.

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Studies of insulin resistance in patients with clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje-08-0797 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 160 (5) ◽

pp. 785-790 ◽

Cited By ~ 165

Author(s):

Eirini Maratou ◽

Dimitrios J Hadjidakis ◽

Anastasios Kollias ◽

Katerina Tsegka ◽

Melpomeni Peppa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Plasma Membrane ◽

Glucose Transport ◽

Subclinical Hypothyroidism ◽

Tolerance Test ◽

Oral Glucose ◽

Model Assessment ◽

Increased Risk

ObjectiveAlthough clinical hypothyroidism (HO) is associated with insulin resistance, there is no information on insulin action in subclinical hypothyroidism (SHO).Design and methodsTo investigate this, we assessed the sensitivity of glucose metabolism to insulin both in vivo (by an oral glucose tolerance test) and in vitro (by measuring insulin-stimulated rates of glucose transport in isolated monocytes with flow cytometry) in 21 euthyroid subjects (EU), 12 patients with HO, and 13 patients with SHO.ResultsAll three groups had comparable plasma glucose levels, with the HO and SHO having higher plasma insulin than the EU (P<0.05). Homeostasis model assessment index was increased in HO (1.97±0.22) and SHO (1.99±0.13) versus EU (1.27±0.16, P<0.05), while Matsuda index was decreased in HO (3.89±0.36) and SHO (4.26±0.48) versus EU (7.76±0.87, P<0.001), suggesting insulin resistance in both fasting and post-glucose state. At 100 μU/ml insulin: i) GLUT4 levels on the monocyte plasma membrane were decreased in both HO (215±19 mean fluorescence intensity, MFI) and SHO (218±24 MFI) versus EU (270±25 MFI, P=0.03 and 0.04 respectively), and ii) glucose transport rates in monocytes from HO (481±30 MFI) and SHO (462±19 MFI) were decreased versus EU (571±15 MFI, P=0.04 and 0.004 respectively).ConclusionsIn patients with HO and SHO: i) insulin resistance was comparable; ii) insulin-stimulated rates of glucose transport in isolated monocytes were decreased due to impaired translocation of GLUT4 glucose transporters on the plasma membrane; iii) these findings could justify the increased risk for insulin resistance-associated disorders, such as cardiovascular disease, observed in patients with HO or SHO.

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