Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) serve an important role in prostate cancer (PCa). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the levels of VEGF and PEDF in serum are associated with the severity of PCa, and whether they can differentiate from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Two groups of patients were recruited, patients with PCa or BPH that were newly diagnosed without other comorbidities, and were compared with healthy individuals. The levels of VEGF and PEDF were measured by ELISA in serum, and by immunohistochemistry in biopsies. A correlation analysis was performed for the values in biopsies and serum, comparing the VEGF/PEDF ratio, total-prostate-specific antigen (t-PSA) levels and the status of each sample as acinar Ad (Gleason score) or as benign hyperplasia. The results demonstrated that serum levels of VEGF, PEDF, and t-PSA between PCa and BPH were similar to each other, but different to healthy individuals (P<0.05). The VEGF/PEDF ratio in serum had a significant difference between acinar Ad with Gleason score 8–10 and BPH groups (P<0.05). The VEGF and PEDF immunostaining intensities were correlated with its circulating levels in all cases of PCa, but not in BPH. These preliminary results suggest that VEGF and PEDF levels by themselves or in combination with t-PSA did not differentiate between malignant, and benign prostate diseases. However, there was a significant difference observed in the VEGF/PEDF ratio in serum between the groups, suggesting that it may be used as an index for diagnosis and prognosis in a personalized manner, although more studies are necessary.
Spirulina (formerly Arthrospira) maxima (SP) is a cyanobacterium reported to have great nutritional and pharmacological potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective properties of SP against ethanol-induced toxicity. Male Wistar rats were used in the study and subjected to a 70% partial hepatectomy (PH); they were then divided into five groups. During the experiment, animals in two groups drank an aqueous solution of ethanol (EtOH) (40%, v/v). Additionally, they were administered an SP extract daily at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight intragastrically. To explore possible mechanisms of action, we examined antioxidant defense enzymes, as well as serum biochemical parameters and histopathological changes in the liver. SP administration normalized elevated glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, in addition to increased catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) enzymes. Alterations in biochemical parameters were observed in the groups with PH treated with EtOH associated with a reduction in cholesterol and albumin levels, while glucose and triglyceride levels increased. The histological study supported the protective activity of SP, reducing apoptosis, necrosis, and congestion in the liver. Our findings demonstrated a protective effect of SP against EtOH that is related to less inflammation, a lesser antioxidant effect, and less free radical scavenging activity.
Hyperlipidemia due to a high-fat diet (HFD) is a risk factor for inducing insulin resistance (IR) and adverse effects onpancreatic β-cells in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This relationship may be due to activation of the hexosaminebiosynthesis pathway. Administration of exogenous glucosamine (GlcN) can increase the end product of this pathway(uridine-5′-diphosphate-N-acetyl-glucosamine), which can mediate IR and protein glycosylation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral GlcN and HFD on IR and pancreatic histologic damage in a 22 wk study of 4 groups of male Wistar rats: control group with normal chow diet, HFD group (24%. g/g lard), GlcN group (500 mg/kg−1 per day of glucosamine hydrochloride in drinking water) and HFD plus oral GlcN. Metabolic variables related to IR that were measured included triglycerides (TG), free fatty acids (FFAs) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Histopathologic evaluation of the pancreas was also performed. The results showed IR in the HFD group, which had increased pancreatic nuclear pyknosis and vacuolization, with fatty infiltration and structural alteration of the islets of Langerhans. TG, FFAs and MDA were higher in serum and pancreatic tissue as compared with the control group. The GlcN group did not develop IR and had only mild nuclear pyknosis with no significant change in the pancreatic content of TG, FFAs and MDA. However, the combined administration of GlcN and HFD attenuated IR and improved TG, FFAs and MDA levels in serum and pancreatic tissue and the pancreatic histopathologic changes, with no significant differences as compared with the control group. These findings suggest that the oral GlcN at a dose of 500 mg/kg−1 is protective against IR and the pancreatic histologic damage caused by HFD.
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