Search Results (230)

Background and Objective: Gastric cancer (GC) is a serious public health problem in southeastern Mexico. Some cases go undiagnosed or are diagnosed at advanced stages of the tumors. Borrmann classification is the method used by endoscopists to classify gastric lesions and identify tumor stage. This study aimed to characterize GC patients treated at a specialized hospital in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, according to the Borrmann endoscopic classification, with a focus on clinicopathological characteristics and survival differences. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among patients aged 18 years or older who underwent an endoscopic procedure at the hospital to confirm a diagnosis of GC between January 2019 and December 2024. Clinical data were collected, including medical history, blood type, non-communicable diseases, tumor type, tumor location (primary or metastatic), and details of medical and/or surgical treatment. Survival curves were generated for all patients and stratified by the Borrmann classification. Results: A total of 209 cases of GC were included, with 115 men with a mean age of 59.3 years and 94 women with a mean age of 52.2 years. Acid peptic disease (70.3%), followed by wasting syndrome (66.9%), was the most common medical condition in patients with GC. Blood type O with a positive Rh factor was the most frequent (66.5%). According to the Borrmann classification, localized tumors (p = 0.001) were observed at lower Borrmann levels, whereas Helicobacter pylori (p = 0.040) was more frequent at higher levels. The overall survival time was 18 months for all patients; specifically, 18 months at higher Borrmann levels and 20 months at lower levels. Conclusions: GC is a highly prevalent malignancy in southeastern Mexico. The Borrmann classification remains a valuable and practical tool for evaluating GC. The association between Borrmann endoscopic classification and the clinicopathological and survival characteristics may contribute to accurate diagnosis assessment and improved prognostic stratification in future GC cases. Full article

Background and Objectives: Cancer cachexia is a debilitating metabolic syndrome highly prevalent in colorectal cancer (CRC), characterized by progressive skeletal muscle wasting. The myostatin–FOXO signaling pathway contributes to this process by activating the E3 ubiquitin ligases MuRF-1 and Atrogin-1. Exercise is a promising non-pharmacological strategy, but its effects on this pathway in CRC cachexia remain unclear. This review aimed to synthesize preclinical evidence on the impact of exercise on the myostatin–FOXO axis. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct from inception through August 2025. Eligible studies included murine CRC models (C26 or Apc^Min/+) exposed to aerobic, resistance, or combined exercise interventions, with outcomes assessing myostatin, FOXO, MuRF-1, or Atrogin-1. Study quality was appraised using the CAMARADES 10-item checklist. Results: eleven studies met the criteria, with quality scores ranging from 6 to 8. Aerobic exercise, particularly voluntary wheel running, most consistently reduced MuRF-1 expression and systemic inflammation, whereas resistance and eccentric training exerted stronger inhibitory effects on FOXO and Atrogin-1. Myostatin was directly measured in two studies, yielding inconsistent results. Resistance and eccentric training promoted anabolic signaling (e.g., mTORC1), whereas aerobic protocols improved oxidative capacity. Variability in exercise type, intensity, and duration contributed to heterogeneity across findings. Conclusions: Exercise attenuates skeletal muscle catabolism in CRC-induced cachexia, mainly through modulation of the myostatin–FOXO pathway and downstream ligases. However, limited direct data on myostatin and methodological heterogeneity underscore the need for standardized protocols and translational studies. This review provides the first focused synthesis of exercise-mediated regulation of this pathway in CRC cachexia. Full article

Background: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary pathogen responsible for postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and related diseases, leading to significant economic losses in the global pig industry. Methods: This study conducted a thorough epidemiological survey between 2022 and 2024, gathering 6600 samples from 24 large-scale pig farms in Hubei Province. On the basis of these findings, the immune response and economic benefits of two representative commercial PCV2 subunit vaccines, recombinant baculovirus CP08 and Ingelvac CircoFLEX^®, were assessed in a modern fattening farm in Xiangyang city. Results: The results indicated no detection of viral antigens in sows; however, weaned piglets and fattening pigs presented high positivity rates, with 8-week-old nursery pigs identified as the peak period for infection. Both vaccines significantly improved average weight gain and reduced antigen positivity, with Ingelvac CircoFLEX^® demonstrating superior viral control and economic returns. Conclusions: This study offers valuable scientific and practical guidance for PCV2 control strategies and vaccine selection in Hubei and comparable regions. Full article

MicroRNA-22 (miR-22) is a negative regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, as well as lipid and glucose metabolism, in metabolically active tissues. Silencing miR-22 holds promise as a potential treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome, as it restores metabolic capacity—enhancing oxidative metabolism—and reduces ectopic fat accumulation in chronic obesity, a driver of impaired metabolic flexibility and muscle mass loss. Intramuscular adipose accumulation and defective mitochondrial function are features associated with obese-mediated muscle atrophy and hallmarks of neuromuscular disorders such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Therefore, miR-22 could represent a compelling molecular target to improve muscle health across various muscle-wasting conditions. This study describes a pharmacological strategy for the inhibition of miR-22 in skeletal muscle by employing a mixmer antisense oligonucleotide (ASO, anti-miR-22). Administration of the ASO in a mouse model of obesity positively modulated myogenesis while protecting dystrophic mice from muscle function decline, enhancing fatigue resistance, and limiting pathological fibrotic remodeling. Mechanistically, we show that anti-miR-22 treatment promotes derepression of genes involved in mitochondrial homeostasis, favoring oxidative fiber content regardless of the disease model, thus promoting a more resilient phenotype. Furthermore, we suggest that miR-22 inhibition increases autophagy by transcriptional activation of multiple negative regulators of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling to decrease immune infiltration and fibrosis. These findings position miR-22 as a promising therapeutic target for muscle atrophy and support its potential to restore muscle health. Full article

Insulin resistance is a condition of impaired tissue reactivity to insulin. This state is primarily associated with obesity and the lifestyle of modern Western societies, which favors abnormalities of glucose and lipid homeostasis. As a result, more and more people suffer from illnesses that develop because of the disturbed metabolic function of insulin, including type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and polycystic ovarian syndrome. There are many studies describing the relationship between declining sensitivity to insulin and insufficient physical activity or unhealthy dietary habits. However, there is a vast number of other factors that may contribute to the development of this condition. In recent years, more attention has been paid to environmental pollutants as promoters of insulin resistance. As the overall grade of waste accumulation in the environment rises, factors like toxic metals, pesticides, dust, harmful gases and micro- or nanoplastics are starting to pose an increasingly serious threat in the context of metabolic disorder development. This review gathers data concerning the influence of the mentioned pollutants on the metabolic health of living organisms, with particular emphasis on the impact on carbohydrate processing, insulin resistance and molecular pathways associated with these processes. Full article

Background and Objectives: Nutritional status is essential for outcomes in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Incremental HD (iHD) may help preserve residual renal function, but its effect on nutrition and body composition is unclear. Nutritional ultrasound (NUS) offers a non-invasive way to assess muscle and fat, complementing methods like BIA. This study compared nutritional status using morphofunctional assessment in patients on iHD versus conventional HD (cHD). Material and Methods: This single-center observational cross-sectional study included 74 stable adult HD patients (>3 months). Patients were stratified into iHD (n = 13; 1–2 sessions/week) and cHD (n = 61; 3 sessions/week). Evaluations included clinical and biochemical parameters, BIA, handgrip strength, nutritional scores and NUS assessed mass muscle of anterior quadriceps rectus femoris (QRF), supramuscular fat (SMF), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and preperitoneal visceral fat (PPVF). Results: Patients on iHD exhibited a more favorable nutritional and inflammatory profile, with a lower risk of malnutrition and a reduced prevalence of protein-energy wasting (PEW) syndrome. Although BIA failed to clearly differentiate between groups, NUS identified better preservation of SMF in iHD patients (8.3 ± 2.5 vs. 6.6 ± 2 mm; p = 0.009), as well as higher preperitoneal visceral fat thickness (1.9 ± 4.9 vs. 0.6 ± 0.3 cm; p = 0.04). There was also a trend toward greater muscle thickness in the iHD group, such as the Y-axis (9.5 ± 2 vs. 8.5 ± 2.3 mm; p = 0.17) and cross-sectional area muscle of rectus femoris (CS-MARF in cm²) (2.9 ± 0.6 vs. 2.6 ± 0.8 mm; p = 0.1) of anterior QRF, although without reaching statistical significance. Conclusions: These results highlight the value of NUS as a sensitive method for assessing nutritional status in HD patients, particularly within individualized strategies such as iHD, where it may provide key complementary information not captured by conventional methods. Full article

Cancer-associated cachexia is a multifaceted wasting syndrome characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, systemic inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction and is particularly prevalent in gastrointestinal cancers. Physical activity has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological intervention capable of attenuating key drivers of cachexia. Exercise modulates inflammatory signaling (e.g., IL-6/STAT3 and TNF-α/NF-κB), enhances anabolic pathways (e.g., IGF-1/Akt/mTOR), and preserves lean body mass and functional capacity. Exercise-induced signaling molecules, known as exerkines, are key mediators of these benefits, which are released during physical activity and act in an autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine manner. However, many of these molecules also exhibit context-dependent effects. While they exert protective, anti-inflammatory, or anabolic actions when transiently elevated after exercise, the same molecules may contribute to cachexia pathogenesis when chronically secreted by tumors or in systemic disease states. The biological effects of a given factor depend on its origin, timing, concentration, and physiological milieu. This review presents recent evidence from clinical and experimental studies to elucidate how physical activity and exerkines may be harnessed to mitigate cancer cachexia, with particular emphasis on gastrointestinal malignancies and their unique metabolic challenges. Full article

Sarcopenia, characterized by progressive skeletal muscle loss and functional decline, represents a major public heath challenge in aging populations. Despite increasing awareness, current management strategies—primarily resistance exercise and nutritional support—remain limited by accessibility, adherence, and inconsistent outcomes. This underscores the urgent need for novel, effective, and scalable therapeutics. Flavonoids, a diverse class of plant-derived polyphenolic compounds, have attracted attention for their muti-targeted biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, metabolic, and myogenic effects. This review aims to evaluate the anti-sarcopenic potential of selected flavonoids—quercetin, rutin, kaempferol glycosides, baicalin, genkwanin, isoschaftoside, naringin, eriocitrin, and puerarin—based on recent preclinical findings and mechanistic insights. These compounds modulate key pathways involved in muscle homeostasis, such as NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling, AMPK and PI3K/Akt activation, mitochondrial biogenesis, proteosomal degradation, and satellite cell function. Importantly, since muscle wasting also features prominently in cancer cachexia—a distinct but overlapping syndrome—understanding flavonoid action may offer broader therapeutic relevance. By targeting shared molecular axes, flavonoids may provide a promising, biologically grounded approach to mitigating sarcopenia and the related muscle-wasting conditions. Further translational studies and clinical trials are warranted to assess their efficacy and safety in human populations. Full article

Pancreatic cancer is frequently accompanied by cancer-associated cachexia, a debilitating metabolic syndrome marked by progressive skeletal muscle wasting and systemic metabolic dysfunction. This study presents a systems biology framework to simultaneously identify therapeutic targets for both pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and its associated cachexia (PDAC-CX), using cell-specific genome-scale metabolic models (GSMMs). The human metabolic network Recon3D was extended to include protein synthesis, degradation, and recycling pathways for key inflammatory and structural proteins. These enhancements enabled the reconstruction of cell-specific GSMMs for PDAC and PDAC-CX, and their respective healthy counterparts, based on transcriptomic datasets. Medium-independent metabolic biomarkers were identified through Parsimonious Metabolite Flow Variability Analysis and differential expression analysis across five nutritional conditions. A fuzzy multi-objective optimization framework was employed within the anticancer target discovery platform to evaluate cell viability and metabolic deviation as dual criteria for assessing therapeutic efficacy and potential side effects. While single-enzyme targets were found to be context-specific and medium-dependent, eight combinatorial targets demonstrated robust, medium-independent effects in both PDAC and PDAC-CX cells. These include the knockout of SLC29A2, SGMS1, CRLS1, and the RNF20–RNF40 complex, alongside upregulation of CERK and PIKFYVE. The proposed integrative strategy offers novel therapeutic avenues that address both tumor progression and cancer-associated cachexia, with improved specificity and reduced off-target effects, thereby contributing to translational oncology. Full article

Background/Objectives: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection causes porcine circovirus disease (PCVD), a global immunosuppressive disease in pigs. Its clinical manifestations include post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS), which cause significant economic losses to the swine industry. The Cap protein, which is the major protective antigen of PCV2, can self-assemble to form virus-like particles (VLPs) in the insect baculovirus expression system. Few studies have compared the expression of Cap proteins in different baculovirus expression systems. Methods: In this study, we compared two commonly commercialized baculovirus construction systems with the Cap protein expression in various insect cells. Results: The results demonstrate that the flashBAC system expressed the Cap protein at higher levels than the Bac-to-Bac system. Notably, when expressing four copies of the Cap protein, the flashBAC system achieved the highest protein yield in High Five cells, where it reached 432 μg/mL at 5 days post-infection (dpi) with 27 °C cultivation. Animal experiments confirmed that the purified Cap protein effectively induced specific antibody production in mice and swine. Conclusions: This study provides critical data for optimizing the production of the PCV2 Cap protein, which is of great significance for reducing the production cost of PCV2 vaccines and improving the industrial production efficiency. Full article

Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are two aspects of the geriatric syndrome that frequently occur together and affect one another in a condition referred to as osteosarcopenia. Preventive and treatment options for osteosarcopenia exist but are mainly focused on the treatment of osteoporosis, as there is still no FDA-approved treatment for sarcopenia. Drugs for osteoporosis include antiresorptive and anabolic drugs and hormonal replacement therapies and are prescribed based on age, BMD and other patient characteristics, which, however, do not include the possible co-existence of sarcopenia. As several studies and clinical trials have shown that the pharmacological treatment of osteoporosis can also affect muscle tissue, in either a positive or negative manner, sarcopenia should be another factor affecting the choice of treatment, especially when facing equal treatment options for osteoporosis. The aim of this review was to summarize our current knowledge on the effects of FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis on muscle quality, mass and function. A better understanding of the effects that certain drugs have on muscle tissue might in the future help us to simultaneously at least partially also address the wasting of muscle tissue and avoid further pharmacologically induced decline. Full article

The advantages of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) intake as part of a varied, healthy and balanced diet were demonstrated by many epidemiological studies. In particular, several components present in EVOO, such as tocopherols, carotenoids and phenolic compounds, play an important protective role in mitigating inflammatory diseases, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. The protective effect exerted by EVOO was proposed to be accounted for by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or anti-proliferative properties. The present review will focus on the interactions among EVOO’s components and pro-inflammatory cytokines, aiming to reveal the mechanisms potentially involved in the anticancer action of EVOO. Cancer patients very frequently develop a devastating syndrome known as cachexia, which negatively impinges on their outcome. The main features of cachexia include progressive body weight loss, fat and muscle wasting, and dysmetabolism, all of which partially result from the onset of systemic inflammation. In this regard, the possibility that EVOO could be beneficial to cancer patients by mitigating cachexia will be reviewed, focusing on the skeletal muscle. Full article

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common vascular disorder in the elderly, often accompanied by frailty syndrome, which is associated with increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and functional decline. Nutritional strategies, particularly those involving bioactive compounds like flavonoids and omega-3 fatty acids, have been suggested as potential approaches to modulate these pathological processes. This narrative review summarizes current evidence regarding the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of flavonoids and omega-3 fatty acids, and their possible roles in mitigating frailty syndrome in patients with PAD. We examine mechanistic pathways including NF-κB, AMPK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and Nrf2, which are implicated in chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and muscle wasting. Although studies in general and aging populations suggest beneficial effects of these compounds on vascular and muscle health, specific evidence in PAD patients remains limited. Flavonoids may reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production and enhance antioxidant responses, while omega-3 fatty acids have shown potential in modulating inflammatory signaling and supporting vascular repair. Current data provide a basis for further investigation into the dietary modulation of frailty syndrome in PAD. Understanding the impact of these nutrients may offer insights into adjunctive strategies for improving patient outcomes. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) comprise a diverse array of synthetic chemicals that resist environmental degradation. They are increasingly recognised as endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). These chemicals, found in non-stick cookware, food packaging, and industrial waste, accumulate in human tissues and fluids, raising substantial concerns regarding their impact on female reproductive health. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated associations between PFAS exposure and reduced fertility; nevertheless, the underlying molecular pathways remain inadequately understood. This narrative review investigates the multifaceted effects of PFASs on ovarian physiology, including its disruption of the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis, alteration of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, folliculogenesis, and gonadotropin receptor signalling. Significant attention is directed towards the emerging association between PFASs and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), wherein PFAS-induced hormonal disruption may exacerbate metabolic issues and elevated androgen levels. Furthermore, we analyse the current data regarding PFAS exposure in women undergoing treatment based on assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), specifically in vitro fertilisation (IVF), highlighting possible associations with diminished oocyte quality, suboptimal embryo development, and implantation failure. We examine potential epigenetic and transgenerational alterations that may influence women’s reproductive capabilities over time. This study underscores the urgent need for further research and regulatory actions to tackle PFAS-related reproductive toxicity, particularly in vulnerable populations, such as women of reproductive age and those receiving fertility treatments. Full article

Thyroid hormones (THs) play a central role in cardiovascular and metabolic regulation, influencing lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity and resting energy expenditure. Inherited disorders of impaired sensitivity to THs—including resistance to thyroid hormone alpha (RTHα) and beta (RTHβ), monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) deficiency and selenoprotein deficiency—lead to complex, multisystemic clinical features. Although these conditions are rare, with RTHβ being the most common and affecting about 1 in 20,000 newborns, they share clinical features with more prevalent thyroid disorders, such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, as well as neurological manifestations including muscle wasting and spasticity. These conditions present abnormal patterns of thyroid function and are associated with tissue-specific comorbidities such as arrhythmias, heart failure, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. To date, no targeted or controlled studies have evaluated the impact of lifestyle modifications in these patient populations. Therefore, this narrative review proposes plausible management strategies based on pathophysiological insights into the effects of thyroid hormones on target organs, combined with clinical reasoning and evidence extrapolated from related disorders. Physical exercise and diet may complement pharmacological treatments (e.g., levothyroxine or TRIAC) to improve cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes. In RTHβ, aerobic exercise enhances cardiovascular health, while a Mediterranean diet supports lipid control and glycemic parameters. In RTHα, physical exercise may aid neuromotor development, and a fluid-rich, fiber-moderated diet can alleviate constipation. In MCT8 deficiency, physiotherapy may improve mobility and relieve contractures, while nutritional support (e.g., feeding tube, gastrostomy) can be necessary to tackle feeding difficulties and reduce pulmonary complications. In selenoprotein deficiency, low-to-moderate physical exercise and an antioxidant-rich diet may protect against oxidative stress at several tissue levels. Although quantitative evidence is limited, this narrative review synthesizes current insights, providing a meaningful basis for future validation and research. Full article