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Biology Aug 2023Extracellular vesicles (EVs) include exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies. EVs are released by all cell types and are found in biological fluids including... (Review)
Review
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) include exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies. EVs are released by all cell types and are found in biological fluids including plasma and urine. Urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) are a mixed population of EVs that comprise small EVs that are filtered and excreted, EVs secreted by tubular epithelial cells, and EVs released from the bladder, urethra, and prostate. The packaged cargo within uEVs includes bioactive molecules such as metabolites, lipids, proteins, mRNAs, and miRNAs. These molecules are involved in intercellular communication, elicit changes in intracellular signaling pathways, and play a role in the pathogenesis of various diseases including diabetes-associated hypertension and diabetic nephropathy. uEVs represent a rich source of biomarkers, prognosis markers, and can be loaded with small-molecule drugs as a vehicle for delivery.
PubMed: 37627022
DOI: 10.3390/biology12081138 -
Tumour Biology : the Journal of the... 2024Tumor markers (TMs) are a heterogeneous group of molecules used in the diagnosis, prognosis and follow-up of cancer patients. During neoplastic differentiation, cells... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Tumor markers (TMs) are a heterogeneous group of molecules used in the diagnosis, prognosis and follow-up of cancer patients. During neoplastic differentiation, cells can either directly synthesize or induce the synthesis of TMs, and the release of these molecules into the bloodstream allows their quantification in biological fluids. Although very small concentrations of TMs are usually present in the serum or plasma of healthy subjects, increased concentrations may also be found in the presence of benign diseases or due to technical interference, producing false positive results.
MATERIAL AND METHODS AND RESULTS
Our review analyses the causes of false positives described between January 1970 to February 2023 for the TMs most frequently used in clinical practice: α-fetoprotein (AFP), β2-microglobulin (β2-M), cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), cancer antigen CA 19-9 (CA 19-9), cancer antigen CA 72-4 (CA 72-4), cancer antigen 125 (CA 125), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), chromogranin A (CgA), choriogonadotropin (hCG), cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), serum HER2 (sHER2), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA), protein induced by vitamin K absence-II (PIVKA-II), Pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (Pro-GRP), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Protein S-100 (S-100) and thyroglobulin (Tg). A total of 247 references were included.
CONCLUSIONS
A better understanding of pathophysiological processes and other conditions that affect the concentration of TMs might improve the interpretation of results and their clinical application.
Topics: Male; Humans; Biomarkers, Tumor; Lung Neoplasms; Antigens, Neoplasm; Keratin-19; Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Prostate-Specific Antigen; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; CA-125 Antigen
PubMed: 38517826
DOI: 10.3233/TUB-220023 -
American Journal of Translational... 2024Liquid biopsy is an innovative approach that provides a more complete understanding of treatment response and prognosis in monitoring metastatic prostate cancer. It... (Review)
Review
Liquid biopsy is an innovative approach that provides a more complete understanding of treatment response and prognosis in monitoring metastatic prostate cancer. It complements invasive tissue biopsy and involves the assessment of various biomarkers in body fluids such as blood, semen, and urine. Liquid biopsy analyzes circulating tumor cells, extracellular vesicles, circulating tumor DNA, and the secretome. This is particularly important given the heterogeneity of prostate cancer and the need for better prognostic biomarkers. Liquid biopsy can personalize the treatment of homonosensitive and castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer by acting as a predictive and prognostic tool. This review discusses various biomarkers, assay techniques, and potential applications in daily clinical practice, highlighting the exciting possibilities that this emerging field holds for improving patient outcomes.
PubMed: 38883349
DOI: 10.62347/DICU9510 -
Analytical Biochemistry Jul 2023There have been developed many kinds of methods for detecting citrate in body fluids since citrate is very important physiologically and biochemically. In particular,...
There have been developed many kinds of methods for detecting citrate in body fluids since citrate is very important physiologically and biochemically. In particular, determination of citrate concentration in prostatic or seminal fluid is useful in early diagnosis of prostate cancer. Recently, a peroxotitanium complex prepared from titanium tetrachloride and hydrogen peroxide has been shown to have peroxidase-like activity which is greatly inhibited by some hydroxyalkanoic acids. Hence, we established a method for determining citrate concentration in prostatic fluid using selective inhibition of citrate on the catalytic activity of the peroxotitanium complex.
Topics: Male; Humans; Citric Acid; Early Detection of Cancer; Citrates; Prostatic Neoplasms; Body Fluids; Peroxidases
PubMed: 37121535
DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2023.115152 -
Critical Reviews in Oncology/hematology May 2024Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common health threat to men worldwide, and castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) is the leading cause of PCa-related deaths. Extracellular vesicles... (Review)
Review
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common health threat to men worldwide, and castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) is the leading cause of PCa-related deaths. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer compartments secreted by living cells that are important mediators of intercellular communication. EVs regulate the biological processes of recipient cells by transmitting heterogeneous cargoes, contributing to CRPC occurrence, progression, and drug resistance. These EVs originate not only from malignant cells, but also from various cell types within the tumor microenvironment. EVs are widely dispersed throughout diverse biological fluids and are attractive biomarkers derived from noninvasive liquid biopsy techniques. EV quantities and cargoes have been tested as potential biomarkers for CRPC diagnosis, progression, drug resistance, and prognosis; however, technical barriers to their clinical application continue to exist. Furthermore, exogenous EVs may provide tools for new therapies for CRPC. This review summarizes the current evidence on the role of EVs in CRPC.
Topics: Humans; Extracellular Vesicles; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant; Male; Biomarkers, Tumor; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Tumor Microenvironment; Animals
PubMed: 38588967
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104348 -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... Mar 2024Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) can lead to amenorrhea, infertility, and even the development of premature ovarian insufficiency, severely affecting the quality of life...
BACKGROUND
Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) can lead to amenorrhea, infertility, and even the development of premature ovarian insufficiency, severely affecting the quality of life for women. Therefore, it is important to determine the main components of Tonifying Yang Formula, analyze the active substances and effective targets for treating DOR using Tonifying Yang Formula, and explore its potential mechanisms of action.
OBJECTIVE
The study is aim to determine the main components of Tonifying Yang Formula, analyze the active substances and effective targets for treating DOR using Tonifying Yang Formula, and explore its potential molecular mechanisms of action, providing important theoretical basis for clinical application.
METHODS
The main active components of Tonifying Yang Formula and their potential therapeutic targets for DOR were searched using the Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, BATMAN-TCM, GeneCards, OMIM, and Uniprot databases. The protein-protein interaction network of shared targets between drugs and diseases was constructed using the STRING database. The shared targets of drugs and diseases were subjected to GO analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis using the DAVID database. AutoDock Vina was used to perform molecular docking between the active substances and key targets of the drug to validate their interaction activities.
RESULTS
The key chemical components in the Tonifying Yang Formula for DOR treatment include quercetin, luteolin, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and kaempferol. The 164 key targets for treating DOR with Tonifying Yang Formula included AKT1, TNF, JUN, TP53, IL6, IL1B, EGFR, VEGFA, INS, and CASP3, among others. GO enrichment analysis revealed that the Tonifying Yang Formula mainly regulates gene expression positively, negatively regulates the apoptotic process, and affects signal transduction. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that Tonifying Yang Formula is mainly involved in cancer-related pathways, the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, prostate cancer, lipid and atherosclerosis, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and the IL-17 signaling pathway. Molecular docking results indicated that the core components of the Tonifying Yang Formula had higher docking energies and stable binding with targets such as AKT1, IL6, JUN, TNF, and TP53. This study selected the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway for validation. Through experimental research, we found that Tonifying Yang Formula could improve ovarian reserve function by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
CONCLUSIONS
The potential mechanism of Tonifying Yang Formula therapy for DOR may be related to the influence of Chinese herbal compounds on pathways such as AKT1, IL6, JUN, TNF, and TP53, regulating the proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells, maintaining the function of the ovarian corpus luteum, regulating the secretion of related hormones, and alleviating ovarian tissue inflammation.
Topics: Female; Humans; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Network Pharmacology; Ovarian Reserve; Molecular Docking Simulation; Protein Interaction Maps
PubMed: 37883761
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Surgical... Sep 2023Histopathologic benign mimickers of prostate cancer have mostly focused on glandular mimics, with non-glandular mimics mainly limited to inflammatory conditions. While...
Histopathologic benign mimickers of prostate cancer have mostly focused on glandular mimics, with non-glandular mimics mainly limited to inflammatory conditions. While there is a paucity of literature recognizing small cystic (presumably artifactual) spaces in transurethral resection specimens, in some instances they can become florid enough to mimic vascular or epithelial neoplasms. Herein, we detailed histologic, immunophenotypic, and clinicopathologic findings in a large series of specimens showing prominent diagnostically confounding cystic spaces. . Sixty specimens were obtained (50 transurethral resections, 7 aquablations, 3 laser enucleations), from 17 different surgeons. Seven specimens had concurrent genitourinary pathology (4 prostatic adenocarcinoma, 1 solitary fibrous tumor, 1 prostatic atypia, 1 urothelial carcinoma in situ). The extent of cystic change among overall tissue examined ranged from 1 mm-8 mm (mean 3.4 mm), with luminal content of cystic spaces characterized as empty (72%), both empty and fluid-like (17%), and both empty and mucin-like (11%; mucin histochemical stain was negative on all specimens). Notable differences in degree of tissue cautery artifact or inflammation was not found. Immunohistochemistry performed on 30 specimens showed cystic spaces negative for S100, ERG, pankeratin, and CD45. . Although artifactual in nature, in some instances small cystic spaces encountered in prostatic transurethral resections and more novel related procedures can become florid enough to warrant recognition as a potential diagnostic confounder of vascular or epithelial neoplasms.
Topics: Male; Humans; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell; Adenocarcinoma; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Transurethral Resection of Prostate; Prostatic Neoplasms
PubMed: 36314458
DOI: 10.1177/10668969221133349 -
Acta Biomaterialia Sep 2023Radical prostatectomy is a highly successful treatment for prostate cancer, among the most prevalent manifestations of the illness. Damage of the cavernous nerve (CN)...
Radical prostatectomy is a highly successful treatment for prostate cancer, among the most prevalent manifestations of the illness. Damage of the cavernous nerve (CN) during prostatectomy is the main cause of postoperative erectile dysfunction (ED). In this study, the capability of a personalized bioactive fibrous membrane to regenerate injured CN was investigated. The fibrous membrane bioactivity is conferred by the selectively bound nerve growth factor (NGF) present in the rat urine. In a rat model of bilateral CN crush, the implanted bioactive fibrous membrane induces CN regeneration and restoration of erectile function, showing a significantly increased number of smooth muscle cells and content of endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthases (eNOS; nNOS). In addition, the bioactive fibrous membrane promotes nerve regeneration by increasing the number of myelinated axons and nNOS-positive cells, therefore reversing the CN fibrosis found in untreated rats or rats treated with a bare fibrous membrane. Therefore, this personalized regenerative strategy could overcome the recognized drawbacks of currently available treatments for CN injuries. It may constitute an effective treatment for prostate cancer patients suffering from ED after being subject to radical prostatectomy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The present work introduces a unique strategy to address post-surgical ED resulting from CN injury during pelvic surgery (e.g., radical prostatectomy, radical cystoprostatectomy, abdominoperineal resection). It comprises a bioactive and cell-free fibrous implant, customized to enhance CN recovery. Pre-clinical results in a rat model of bilateral CN crush demonstrated that the bioactive fibrous implant can effectively heal injured CN, and restore penile structure and function. This implant selectively binds NGF from patient fluids (i.e. urine) due to its functionalized surface and high surface area. Moreover, its local implantation reduces adverse side effects. This tailored regenerative approach has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of ED in prostate cancer patients following radical prostatectomy, overcoming current treatment limitations.
Topics: Male; Humans; Rats; Animals; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Nerve Growth Factor; Penile Erection; Erectile Dysfunction; Penis; Prostatectomy; Prostatic Neoplasms; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 37467838
DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.07.015 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023Coffee has been a common ingredient in many traditional hair loss remedies, but limited scientific evidence supports its use, particularly in coffee pulp. Androgenetic...
Coffee has been a common ingredient in many traditional hair loss remedies, but limited scientific evidence supports its use, particularly in coffee pulp. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is caused by androgens, inflammation, and oxidative stress. In the present study, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was used under various conditions to obtain six coffee pulp extracts. The SFE-4 extract, using 50% (/v) ethanol as a co-solvent at conditions of 100 °C and 500 bars for 30 min, exhibited the highest phenolic, flavonoid, and caffeine contents. Additionally, the SFE-4 extract increased the migration and cell proliferation of HFDPCs (human hair follicle dermal papilla cells), which control hair cycle regulation, and had scavenging effects on ABTS and DPPH radicals. Additionally, the SFE-4 extract showed potassium ion channel opener activity in HFDPCs, as well as a stimulation effect on the enzyme matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) (28.53 ± 1.08% of control), which may be related to the vascular endothelial growth factor () gene upregulation. In human prostate cancer cells (DU-145) and HFDPC cells, the SFE-4 extract significantly decreased the expression of , , and , an essential pathway involved in AGA. Hair growth factor genes in the Wnt/-catenin () and Sonic Hedgehog (, , and ) pathways could be significantly activated by the SFE-4 extract. These results imply that employing SFE in coffee pulp extraction could help AGA treatment by preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth pathways. This would help small coffee producers gain economic empowerment and ensure the long-term sustainability of agricultural waste utilization.
PubMed: 38002174
DOI: 10.3390/foods12224116