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Background: In the present work, we investigated the effects of aqueous extract of Maca (AEM) on energy metabolism and immunoregulation in spleen-deficient mice. Method: We established a cyclophosphamide-induced spleen-deficiency model with ginseng, a herb that strengthens splenic function, as a control. Sixty male Kunming mice were randomly divided among 5 groups: normal, model, ginseng control (1.5 g/kg), AEM high dose (1.5 g/kg), and AEM low dose (0.75 g/kg). All animals, except those in the normal group, were injected with cyclophosphamide to induce spleen deficiency. Furthermore, we investigated differences in the thermotropic behaviors of mice using the Animal Thermotropism Behavior Surveillance System to detect energy metabolism-related assays and immune regulation assays. Results: Mice given AEM exhibited tropism in response to hot plate exposure. AEM inhibited loss of body weight and immune organ atrophy caused by cyclophosphamide, increased the cAMP/cGMP ratio in blood, and enhanced the activities of Na +-K +-ATPase, Ca 2+-Mg 2+-ATPase, lactate dehydrogenase, and hepatic glycogen. AEM significantly reversed declining white blood cells and platelet counts, and increased the hemoglobin content within peripheral blood cells. AEM improved the protein levels of IFN-γ, TNF-β, IL-2, and IL-4 in the spleen. Conclusions: Maca possesses the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) property of warm and appears to strengthen spleen function.

ObjectiveResearch data suggest that patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may increase the risk of cancer. However, existing research is inconsistent with this view. Therefore, to investigate the effect of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis on the risk of developing cancer, we conducted this study.MethodsWe searched the PubMed and Embase databases from database establishment until March 2022. After rigorous literature screening by two authors, 23 studies that met the inclusion criteria were identified, and the required data were independently extracted.ResultsWe retrieved 3591 records, and after the screening, 11 case-control studies and 12 cohort studies were included in the analysis. Data analysis suggested that patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis had an increased risk of developing breast cancer, urogenital cancer, digestive organs cancer, hematologic cancer, and a low risk of respiratory cancers.ConclusionsThis systematic review and meta-analysis showed that patients with HT may have a significantly increased risk of thyroid cancer, breast cancers, lung cancer, digestive system cancer, urogenital cancers, blood cancers, and prolactinoma people without HT.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD 42022320741.

Lepidium meyenii Walp. (Maca), as a natural food supplement, has strong antioxidant and energy metabolism-improving characteristics, and Maca polysaccharide (MP) is its effective component. MP has been shown to mitigate liver damage in previous research, and Cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced hepatotoxicity is also a major concern in clinical practice. We investigated the possible cytoprotective effect of MP on CYP-induced liver injury, and explored its underlying mechanism by analyzing the resulting liver metabolic profiles. MP significantly inhibited increases in serum transaminase, improved pathological changes, reduced oxidative stress, and increased the levels of energy metabolism-related enzymes. Metabolomic analysis showed that MP corrected lipid metabolic problems and regulated the pentose phosphate pathway and acid metabolism, thereby protecting against apoptosis of hepatocytes. The Pearson correlation analysis indicated that antioxidant enzymes and energy metabolism-related enzymes are closely correlated with these differential metabolites. In addition, the upstream Keap1-Nrf2 antioxidant signal transduction pathway was explored to validate the possible mechanism of the cytoprotective effect of MP. In conclusion, MP plays a protective role in CYP-induced hepatotoxicity through these potential metabolic means, where it ameliorates oxidative stress, improves energy metabolism, and restores mitochondrial respiration by regulating the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway, thereby preventing liver damage.

Background Rapid diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) could reduce the risk of amputation and death in patients with diabetic foot infection (DFI). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is considered the most useful serum inflammatory marker for the diagnosis of DFO. However, whether severe renal impairment (SRI) affects its diagnostic accuracy has not been reported previously. Objective To investigate the accuracy of ESR in diagnosing DFO in DFI patients with and without SRI. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. From the inpatient electronic medical record system, the investigators extracted demographic information, diagnostic information, and laboratory test results of patients with DFI who had been hospitalized in Longhua Hospital from January 1, 2016 to September 30, 2021. Logistic regression was performed to analyze the interaction between ESR and SRI with adjustment for potential confounders. The area under the curve (AUC), cutoff point, sensitivity, specificity, prevalence, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (LR+), and negative likelihood ratio (LR−) were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and VassarStats. Results A total of 364 DFI patients were included in the analysis. The logistic regression analysis results showed that elevated ESR increased the probability of diagnosing DFO (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75–3.28; adjusted P < 0.001); SRI was not associated with the diagnosis of DFO (adjusted OR, 3.20; 95% CI, 0.40–25.32; adjusted P = 0.271), but it had an obstructive effect on the diagnosis of DFO by ESR (adjusted OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.23–0.99; adjusted P = 0.048). ROC analysis in DFI patients without SRI revealed that the AUC of ESR to diagnose DFO was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.71–0.81), with the cutoff value of 45 mm/h (sensitivity, 67.8%; specificity, 78.0%; prevalence, 44.7%; PPV, 71.3%; NPV, 75.0%; LR+, 3.08; LR−, 0.41). In contrast, in patients with SRI, the AUC of ESR to diagnose DFO was 0.57 (95% CI, 0.40–0.75), with the cutoff value of 42 mm/h (sensitivity, 95.0%; specificity, 29.2%; prevalence, 45.5%; PPV, 52.8%; NPV, 87.5%; LR+, 1.34; LR−, 0.17). Conclusions The accuracy of ESR in diagnosing DFO in DFI patients with SRI is reduced, and it may not have clinical diagnostic value in these patients.

Background. Lepidium meyenii Walp. (Maca) has emerged as a functional plant food and traditional herb owing to its biological activities; Maca polysaccharides as an important active component of Maca have good immunomodulatory effect; however, studies on the immunomodulatory effect of Maca polysaccharides are mainly focused on macrophages; little attention has been devoted to the mechanisms and other immune cells. This study is aimed at investigating the immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms of Maca polysaccharides. Methods. Sixty mice were divided into five groups, and the mice were injected with cyclophosphamide to establish an immunosuppression model except for those in the common group. The body weights were measured, as well as immune-related indices, such as organ indices, haematological parameters, lymphocyte cycle, and proliferation, cytokine, and protein expression levels. Results. The weight loss and immune organ index decline caused by cyclophosphamide could be reversed by MP. Furthermore, MP increased WBC and HGB counts and reduced the ratio of G0/G1 phase obviously, increased the proportion of S phase and G2/M phase in peripheral blood lymphocytes, increased the counts of CD4+ T cells and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+, and reduced the inhibition rate of splenic lymphocytes. MP affected the production of cytokines by increasing IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 levels and by decreasing IL-4 levels. MP increased the mRNA expression of T-bet and the protein expression of Bcl-2 in the spleen and decreased the protein expression of caspase-3 and Bax. Conclusions. Maca polysaccharides might be the basic material for Maca’s immunomodulatory effect. The mechanism was perhaps related to inhibiting lymphocyte apoptosis and promoting the balance of Th1/Th2 cell subsets.

ObjectiveA growing body of research suggests that patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may be at increased risk of developing Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), and having both conditions can make the condition worse. However, current research views are not uniform. Therefore, to explore the link between PCOS and HT, we conducted this study.MethodsFrom the establishment of the database to August 2022, we searched 2 databases to study the correlation between Hashimoto’s and polycystic ovary syndrome. Two authors independently screened the articles for eligibility, and three authors extracted relevant data. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA16.0 software.ResultsA total of 20 studies were included, including 7 case-control studies and 13 cross-sectional studies. A total of 13 countries and 7857 participants were embraced. Studies have demonstrated that both PCOS patients have an increased risk of HT, and meanwhile, HT patients also have an increased risk of PCOS compared with controls. The study also incorporated that the prevalence of HT in PCOS patients in India and Turkey was higher than in other countries, and the prevalence of HT in PCOS patients in South America was higher than in Asia and Europe.ConclusionsIn conclusion, our study illustrates that there is a correlation between PCOS and HT, and it is necessary to further study the underlying mechanism between PCOS and HT. At the same time, it is of great significance to regularly screen PCOS patients for HT risk and HT patients for PCOS risk.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD 42022351168.