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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2022In recent years, research has demonstrated the efficacy propolis as a potential raw material for pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. There is limited report detailing... (Review)
Review
In recent years, research has demonstrated the efficacy propolis as a potential raw material for pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. There is limited report detailing the mechanisms of action of propolis and its bioactive compounds in relation to their anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, the aim of the present review is to examine the latest experimental evidence (2017-2022) regarding the anti-inflammatory properties of propolis. A systematic scoping review methodology was implemented. After applying the exclusion criteria, a total of 166 research publications were identified and retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, and Pubmed. Several key themes related to the anti-inflammatory properties of propolis were subsequently identified, namely in relation to cancers, oral health, metabolic syndrome, organ toxicity and inflammation, immune system, wound healing, and pathogenic infections. Based on the latest experimental evidence, propolis is demonstrated to possess various mechanisms of action in modulating inflammation towards the regulatory balance and anti-inflammatory environment. In general, we summarize that propolis acts as an anti-inflammatory substance by inhibiting and downregulating TLR4, MyD88, IRAK4, TRIF, NLRP inflammasomes, NF-κB, and their associated pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. Propolis also reduces the migration of immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils, possibly by downregulating the chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10.
Topics: Humans; Propolis; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Cytokines; Inflammation; Macrophages
PubMed: 36500579
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238473 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022Lung cancer is a disease with remarkable heterogeneity. A deep understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) offers potential therapeutic strategies against this... (Review)
Review
Lung cancer is a disease with remarkable heterogeneity. A deep understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) offers potential therapeutic strategies against this malignant disease. More and more attention has been paid to the roles of macrophages in the TME. This article briefly summarizes the origin of macrophages, the mutual regulation between anti-tumoral immunity and pro-tumoral statuses derived from macrophage polarization, and the therapeutic opportunities targeting alternately activated macrophages (AAM)-type macrophage polarization. Among them, cellular components including T cells, as well as acellular components represented by IL-4 and IL-13 are key regulators driving the polarization of AAM macrophages. Novel treatments targeting macrophage-associated mechanisms are mainly divided into small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and other therapies to re-acclimate AMM macrophages. Finally, we paid special attention to an immunosuppressive subgroup of macrophages with T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 (TIM-3) expression. Based on cellular interactions with cancer cells, TIM3+ macrophages facilitate the proliferation and progression of cancer cells, yet this process exposes targets blocking the ligand-receptor recognition. To sum up, this is a systematic review on the mechanism of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) polarization, therapeutic strategies and the biological functions of Tim-3 positive macrophages that aims to provide new insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of lung cancer.
Topics: Humans; Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2; Lung Neoplasms; Macrophages; Tumor Microenvironment; Tumor-Associated Macrophages
PubMed: 36439090
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1007812 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2022Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with a so far unknown etiology. Increasing evidence suggests that a state of systemic low-grade... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Activation of the Monocyte/Macrophage System and Abnormal Blood Levels of Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with a so far unknown etiology. Increasing evidence suggests that a state of systemic low-grade inflammation may be involved in the pathophysiology of this condition. However, studies investigating peripheral blood levels of immune cells, and/or of immune cell activation markers such as neopterin are lacking and have provided mixed findings. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts, blood levels of lymphocyte subpopulations and of neopterin between individuals with ASD and typically developing (TD) controls (PROSPERO registration number: CRD CRD42019146472). Online searches covered publications from 1 January 1994 until 1 March 2022. Out of 1170 publication records identified, 25 studies were finally included. Random-effects meta-analyses were carried out, and sensitivity analyses were performed to control for potential moderators. Results: Individuals with ASD showed a significantly higher WBC count (k = 10, g = 0.29, p = 0.001, I2 = 34%), significantly higher levels of neutrophils (k = 6, g = 0.29, p = 0.005, I2 = 31%), monocytes (k = 11, g = 0.35, p < 0.001, I2 = 54%), NK cells (k = 7, g = 0.36, p = 0.037, I2 = 67%), Tc cells (k = 4, g = 0.73, p = 0.021, I2 = 82%), and a significantly lower Th/Tc cells ratio (k = 3, g = −0.42, p = 0.008, I2 = 0%), compared to TD controls. Subjects with ASD were also characterized by a significantly higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (k = 4, g = 0.69, p = 0.040, I2 = 90%), and significantly higher neopterin levels (k = 3, g = 1.16, p = 0.001, I2 = 97%) compared to TD controls. No significant differences were found with respect to the levels of lymphocytes, B cells, Th cells, Treg cells, and Th17 cells. Sensitivity analysis suggested that the findings for monocyte and neutrophil levels were robust, and independent of other factors, such as medication status, diagnostic criteria applied, and/or the difference in age or sex between subjects with ASD and TD controls. Taken together, our findings suggest the existence of a chronically (and systemically) activated inflammatory response system in, at least, a subgroup of individuals with ASD. This might have not only diagnostic, but also, therapeutic implications. However, larger longitudinal studies including more homogeneous samples and laboratory assessment methods and recording potential confounding factors such as body mass index, or the presence of comorbid psychiatric and/or medical conditions are urgently needed to confirm the findings.
Topics: Humans; Monocytes; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Neopterin; Leukocytes; Lymphocyte Subsets; Th17 Cells; Macrophages
PubMed: 36430805
DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214329 -
Mediators of Inflammation 2022The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to consolidate the available data on the role of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in predicting adnexal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to consolidate the available data on the role of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in predicting adnexal torsion (AT), to help guide clinical decision-making and outcomes.
METHODS
We used Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus to conduct a systematic search for relevant publications published before June 26, 2022. We reported standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Because a significant level of heterogeneity was found, we used the random-effects model to calculate pooled effects. We used the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) too for quality assessment.
RESULTS
Overall, 15 articles were included in the analysis. A random-effects model revealed that patients with AT had elevated levels of NLR compared to those with other adnexal masses (SMD = 1.06, 95%CI = 0.67 to 1.45, < 0.001). So, NLR had diagnostic value. In the subgroup analysis according to ethnicity, we found that Caucasian patients with AT had elevated levels of NLR compared to patients who were operated due to adnexal mass and reported as having a benign ovarian cyst, without torsion (SMD = 1.12, 95%CI = 0.71 to 1.54, < 0.001). However, in the case of East Asian patients, there was no difference between cases and controls (SMD = 0.86, 95%CI = -0.21 to 1.94, = 0.11). The pooled sensitivity of NLR was 0.79 (95%CI = 0.72-0.85), and the pooled specificity was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.74-0.91).
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, there has been an interest in the use of NLR as a diagnostic marker for AT.
Topics: Female; Humans; Neutrophils; Ovarian Torsion; Lymphocytes
PubMed: 36387932
DOI: 10.1155/2022/9680591 -
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Feb 2023Patients undergoing cardiac surgery are at significant risk of developing postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a widely... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Patients undergoing cardiac surgery are at significant risk of developing postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a widely available inflammatory biomarker which may be of prognostic value in this setting.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting associations between perioperative NLR with postoperative AKI. We searched Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library, without language restriction, from inception to May 2022 for relevant studies. We meta-analysed the reported odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for both elevated preoperative and postoperative NLR with risk of postoperative AKI and need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). We conducted a meta-regression to explore inter-study statistical heterogeneity.
RESULTS
Twelve studies involving 10,724 participants undergoing cardiac surgery were included, with eight studies being deemed at high risk of bias using PROBAST modelling. We found statistically significant associations between elevated preoperative NLR and postoperative AKI (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.18-1.77), as well as postoperative need for RRT (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.50-3.72). Postoperative NLR measurements were not of prognostic significance.
CONCLUSIONS
Elevated preoperative NLR is a reliable inflammatory biomarker for predicting AKI following cardiac surgery.
Topics: Humans; Prognosis; Neutrophils; Lymphocytes; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Biomarkers; Acute Kidney Injury
PubMed: 36367845
DOI: 10.1111/aas.14170 -
Medicine Nov 2022High monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) values may be associated with the risk of active tuberculosis (TB) infection in adults, infants, and postpartum women with HIV... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
High monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) values may be associated with the risk of active tuberculosis (TB) infection in adults, infants, and postpartum women with HIV infection. It may also serve as an indicator of the effectiveness of anti-TB treatment. Thus, the main aim of this study is to ascertain the accuracy of MLR for the diagnosis of TB and its role in monitoring the effectiveness of anti-TB therapy.
METHODS
This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. All statistical analyses were performed using STATA 11 and Meta-DiSc software. The Quality assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. The area under the hierarchical summary receiver-operating characteristic hierarchical summary ROC curve [(HSROC) curve (AUC)] was also calculated as an indicator of diagnostic accuracy.
RESULTS
A total of 15 articles were included in this study. Accordingly, the result showed that elevated MLR is associated with increased risks of TB disease [odd ratio = 3.11 (95% CI: 1.40-6.93)]. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of MLR for identifying TB were 79.5% (95% CI: 68.5-87.3) and 80.2% (95% CI: 67.3-88.9), respectively. The AUC of HSROC was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.857-0.903), indicating the excellent diagnostic performance of MLR for TB. This study also showed that there is a significant reduction in the MLR value after anti-TB treatment in TB patients (standardized mean difference = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.007, 1.43).
CONCLUSIONS
Generally, MLR can be considered as a crucial biomarker to identify TB and monitor the effectiveness of anti-TB therapy.
Topics: Infant; Adult; Humans; Female; Monocytes; HIV Infections; Tuberculosis; Lymphocytes; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 36343023
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000031539 -
Oral Oncology Dec 2022Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an immunogenic cancer type, and tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are a major component of the tumor microenvironment... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an immunogenic cancer type, and tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are a major component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, studies assessing tumor infiltration with CD68+, iNOS+, HLA-DR+, CD11b+, CD163+, CD206+, and CD204+TAMs were included, and correlation to survival hazard was studied. A low number of CD68+TAMs correlated to better overall survival (OS) in multivariate analysis (HR 1.36 95 %CI (1.07-1.72) P = .01). CD68+TAMs did not correlate to disease free survival (DFS), disease specific survival (DSS), progression free survival (PFS), or recurrence free survival (RFS). A low number of CD163+TAMs correlated to better OS in uni- and multivariate analysis (resp. HR 2.65 95 %CI (1.57-4.46) P = .01 and HR 2.42 95 %CI (1.72-3.41) P < .001). A low number of CD163+TAMs also correlated to better DFS and PFS, whereas a low number of CD204+TAMs only correlated to PFS. While IHC analysis of pan macrophage marker CD68 and M2-like marker CD163 both show prognostic utility in OS, CD163 is a stronger prognosticator, as indicated by multivariate meta-analysis. CD163+TAMs also correlate to DFS and PFS; outcomes that are more relevant to patients, thus showing promising results for future clinical implementation.
Topics: Humans; Prognosis; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Tumor-Associated Macrophages; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; Tumor Microenvironment; Head and Neck Neoplasms
PubMed: 36335818
DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2022.106227 -
BioMed Research International 2022The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) reflects a dynamic relationship between the innate (neutrophils) and adaptive (lymphocytes) cellular immune response. This... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) reflects a dynamic relationship between the innate (neutrophils) and adaptive (lymphocytes) cellular immune response. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to critically evaluate the literature regarding the use of the NLR as a reliable means to detect several ocular disorders. Our study was registered with the PROSPERO (ID: CRD42022314850). Three databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Web of Science, were searched on September 9, 2022, with no restrictions on the article's language. Finally, 32 articles were recognized as eligible for our meta-analysis. We found that patients with eye diseases had significantly elevated levels of NLR in comparison to healthy controls (SMD =0.53, 95% CI =0.35-0.71, < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, patients with keratoconus (SMD =0.69; 95% CI =0.33-1.05, < 0.001), glaucoma (SMD =0.56, 95% CI =0.25-0.87, < 0.001), pterygium (SMD =0.14; 95% CI =0.01-0.26, < 0.001), and idiopathic epiretinal membrane (SMD =0.14; 95% CI =0.01-0.26, < 0.001) had higher levels of NLR compared to healthy controls. However, NLR levels of patients with dry eye disease were similar to healthy controls (SMD =0.32, 95% CI = -0.49-1.13, = 0.435). It can be said that NLR is a valuable marker of systemic inflammation, which is significantly increased in many eye disorders, suggesting that inflammation plays a key role in the pathophysiology of these diseases.
Topics: Humans; Neutrophils; Lymphocytes; Biomarkers; Eye Diseases; Inflammation; Lymphocyte Count
PubMed: 36281463
DOI: 10.1155/2022/5744008 -
BioMed Research International 2022This meta-analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and febrile seizure (FS). Our study was registered with the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This meta-analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and febrile seizure (FS). Our study was registered with the PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021259944). Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest Central were searched, and finally, 17 studies were included. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was reported with a 95% confidence interval (CI) for the NLR levels. Compared with the febrile control group, the FS patients' NLR levels were significantly higher (SMD = 0.49; 95%CI = 0.26 to 0.72, < 0.001). Furthermore, we conducted a comparison of NLR levels between febrile controls against simple and complex FS cases separately and found that NLR levels of children with either simple or complex FS were higher compared with those of febrile controls (SMD = 0.42, 95%CI = 0.14 to 0.69, = 0.003 and SMD = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.71 to 1.09, < 0.001, respectively). Also, in comparison with the NLR levels of the simple FS group, the complex FS patients' NLR levels were significantly higher (SMD = 0.59, 95%CI = 0.34 to 0.85, < 0.001). Our study indicated that NLR could be recommended as an inexpensive diagnostic biomarker for FS. In addition, it can be useful when distinguishing between simple FS and complex FS.
Topics: Humans; Child; Neutrophils; Seizures, Febrile; Lymphocytes; Fever; Biomarkers
PubMed: 36267837
DOI: 10.1155/2022/8472795 -
Disease Markers 2022We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship between the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and coronary artery abnormalities (CAA) in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship between the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and coronary artery abnormalities (CAA) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD), according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statements. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, TRIP, Google Scholar, and ProQuest up to the 8th of August 2022. This was done to retrieve eligible studies. No date or language limitations were considered in this study. Methodology quality assessment was conducted according to the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). Standard mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to depict the pooled continuous variables. Finally, 17 articles with 6334 KD patients, of whom 1328 developed CAA, were enrolled in this meta-analysis. NLR level was significantly higher in KD patients with CAA compared to those without CAA (SMD =0.81; 95% CI =0.05-1.57, = 0.03). In addition, NLR level was significantly higher in patients with coronary artery aneurysms than those without coronary artery aneurysms (SMD =2.29; 95% CI =0.18-4.41, = 0.03). However, no significant association between NLR and coronary artery dilation was observed in this meta-analysis (SMD =0.56; 95% CI = -0.86-1.99). There was no publication bias for the pooled SMD of NLR for coronary artery abnormality in KD (Egger's test = 0.82; Begg's test = 0.32). The NLR may be useful in monitoring CAA development in these patients and may further imply a mechanistic role in potential inflammation that mediates this process.
Topics: Humans; Neutrophils; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome; Lymphocytes; Coronary Artery Disease; Biomarkers; Aneurysm
PubMed: 36267460
DOI: 10.1155/2022/6421543