Nutrition
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Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is viral skin infection that is most commonly observed in children. Zinc homeostasis is essential for proper immune function, especially in host-virus interactions. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of oral zinc sulfate treatment in children with MC. ⋯ Our findings support the use of oral zinc sulfate as a therapy for children with MC.
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Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a severe complication of rhabdomyolysis that significantly increases mortality. Unfortunately, the therapeutic approach is limited. Inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI, which is a potential therapeutic target. Nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3 and a precursor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, has been shown to have potent antiinflammation effects. Klotho is a tubular highly expressed renoprotective protein. Therefore, we explored the effect of nicotinamide on rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI and the underlying mechanisms. ⋯ Our study demonstrated that Klotho preservation is essential for the renoprotection effect of nicotinamide, and provides a new preventive strategy for rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI.
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The aim of this study was to verify the effects of consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) combined with fructose-rich beverages (FRT) in promoting metabolic and physiologic changes associated with insulin resistance. ⋯ Consumption of an HFD + FRT promotes insulin resistance, increases inflammatory cytokines, and modulates histomorphometric parameters of the liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue, typical of insulin resistance in humans.
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Chronic low-grade inflammation in obesity is partly driven by inflammatory cross talk between adipocytes and interferon-γ-secreting CD4+ T-helper (Th)1 cells, a process we have shown may be mitigated by long-chain (LC) ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Our objective was to study pivotal mediators of interactions between Th1 cells and adipocytes as potential mechanisms underlying the antiinflammatory effects of LC ω-3 PUFAs. ⋯ Inflammatory interactions between CD4+ T cells and adipocytes may provide a target for LC ω-3 PUFAs to mitigate obesity-associated inflammation.
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Vitamin D deficiency was found to be associated with increased risk for gastric cancer (GC). We previously found that vitamin D inhibited GC cell growth in vitro. However, the in vivo antitumor effect of vitamin D in GC as well as the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer effect of vitamin D on GC both in vitro and in vivo. ⋯ To our knowledge, this study provided the first evidence that vitamin D suppressed GC cell growth both in vitro and in vivo through downregulating CD44. The present study sheds light on repurposing vitamin D as a potential therapeutic agent for GC prevention and treatment.