Search

Background: The diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) at early ages has become a challenging trend for oncology due to high rates of mortality worldwide. The correlation of clinical features with young-age prognosis in CRC remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to describe the clinicopathological features and their impact on the overall survival of young Mexican adults diagnosed with CRC treated in the National Cancer Institute. Methods: This was a retrospective, observational study. The included patients were treated at the National Cancer Institute between 2004 and 2020. The statistical analyses comprised the X2 and t tests, Kaplan–Meier, log rank, and Cox regression. Statistical significances were assessed when p was bilaterally < 0.05. Results: A total of 3652 patients diagnosed with CRC attended the National Cancer Institute. Cases of early onset of CRC increased over the 16 years under study, with significant differences between the median age, from 57 in 2004 to 55 years old in 2020 (F = 5.49; gl: 12 p = 0.019). For this analysis, the population was divided in three groups: young (≤30 years), adults (31–70), and elderly (>70). The young population was mostly composed of men (62%; (n = 63), (p = 0.020), with high rates of metastatic disease (44%) (p = 0.001) and right-side tumors (57%), (p = 0.046), and with 44% with a moderate grade (p = 0.750). According to the overall survival (OS) analysis, the median OS was 29 months for young, versus 170 months for adult and 56 months for elderly patients (p <0.001, HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.11–2.10). A sub-analysis was performed considering only patients with metastatic disease. The median OS was 12 months for young, versus 17 and 9 months for adults and elderly (p = 0.08, HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.02–1.46). Conclusions: CRC diagnosis in the young population is increasing due unhealthy lifestyle habits and lack of screening. This population have clinical features of bad prognosis, such as left side, poor grade differentiation, and metastatic disease, precluding prognosis and OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic inflammation and immunodeficiency are important components of cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction (CAID), the severity of which is dynamic, progressive, and associated with the greater deterioration of liver function. Two inflammation phenotypes have been described: low-grade and high-grade systemic inflammation. Both of these phenotypes are related to liver cirrhosis function; thus, high-grade inflammation is correlated with the severity of hepatic insufficiency, bacterial translocation, and organic insufficiency, with which the risk of infections increases and the prognosis worsens. Bacterial translocation (BT) plays a relevant role in persistent systemic inflammation in patients with cirrhosis, and the prophylactic employment of antibiotics is useful for reducing events of infection and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Icariin (ICA), one of the main active components of Herba Epimedii, is a natural prenylated flavonol glycoside that possesses a wide range of pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, antiosteoporotic, anti-aging, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, antitumor, and aphrodisiac effects, and prevents numerous health disorders, such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, cancer, sexual dysfunction, menstrual disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, asthma, chronic inflammation, and diabetes. In the reproductive system, it has been observed that ICA may play a role in preserving fertility by regulating different signalling pathways, such as PI3K/AKT, which improves ovarian function, and ERα/Nrf2, which enhances testicular function and prevents ROS generation. In contrast, regulating the NF/kB signalling pathway causes anti-inflammatory effects, reducing spontaneous abortions. In this study, we review and examine the relevant literature on the therapeutic potential of ICA in reproduction, highlight the various mechanisms of action and limitations for the therapeutic applications of ICA, and summarise and highlight the existing preclinical research on its effects on male and female reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research on the well-known environmental pollutant fluoride has demonstrated that fluoride exposure can lead to oxidative stress-related male infertility. Obesity is another public health issue that has a detrimental impact on male fertility. Previously, findings on fluoride toxicity in high-fat diet (HFD) conditions associated with oxidative stress have been evidenced. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of subchronic fluoride exposure (5 mg/kg) plus a HFD on testicular alteration in Wistar rats. Animals were divided into four groups (control, HFD, fluoride, and fluoride 5 mg/kg plus HFD). The HFD contained a 50% kcal increase in fat (saturated fat), after 90 days of co-exposure to fluoride plus HFD, the animals showed a significant decrease in the adiposity index. The co-exposed group showed oxidative damage assessed through decreased glutathione (GSH) concentration (p < 0.0001), increased concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.0001), and the oxidation of proteins (p < 0.0001) vs the control group. Finally, testicular histology exhibited a reduction in spermatogonia and spermatocytes. The results of the study indicate that under these conditions, subchronic co-exposure to fluoride under HFD conditions could protect against the accumulation of epididymal fat, however, oxidative alteration at the testicular level is maintained.

The practice of physical exercise induces a series of physiological changes in the body at different levels, either acutely or chronically. During exercise, the increase in oxygen consumption promotes the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), which are necessary to maintain homeostasis. ROS/RNS activate cellular signaling pathways, such as the antioxidant cytoprotective systems, inflammation, and cell proliferation, which are crucial for cell survival. However, in exhaustive-extended physical exercise, workloads can exceed the endogenous antioxidant defenses, which may be related to impairment of muscle contraction, fatigue, and a decrease in athletic performance. This review addresses the role of some antioxidants from plant-derived extracts called phytochemicals that can mediate the response to oxidative stress induced by physical exercise by activating signaling pathways, such as Nrf2/Keap1/ARE, responsible for the endogenous antioxidant response and possibly having an impact on sports performance., Competing Interests: None., (AJTR Copyright © 2022.)