Originally published on www.healthimpactnews.com
Glenn Greenwald, a journalist, constitutional lawyer, commentator, and author of three New York Times best-selling books on politics and law, has been working with NBC News in publishing a series of articles on how covert government agents infiltrate the Internet to “manipulate, deceive, and destroy reputations.”
PMID:
iScience. 2019 Sep 14 ;20:168-183. Epub 2019 Sep 14. PMID: 31569050
Abstract Title:
The Ancestral Environment Shapes Antiviral CD8T cell Responses across Generations.
Abstract:
Recent studies have linked health fates of children to environmental exposures of their great grandparents. However, few studies have considered whether ancestral exposures influence immune function across generations. Here, we report transgenerational inheritance of altered T cell responses resulting from maternal (F0) exposure to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Since F0 exposure to TCDD has been linked to transgenerational transmission of reproductive problems, we asked whether maternal TCDD exposure also caused transgenerational changes in immune function. F0 exposure caused transgenerational effects on the CD8T cell response to influenza virus infection in females but not in males. Outcrosses showed changes were passed through both parental lineages. These data demonstrate that F0 exposure to an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonist causes durable changes to immune responses that can affect subsequentgenerations. This has broad implications for understanding how the environment of prior generations shapes susceptibility to pathogens and antiviral immunity in later generations.
PMID:
Int J Surg Case Rep. 2019 Sep 20 ;63:75-79. Epub 2019 Sep 20. PMID: 31569070
Abstract Title:
Spontaneous regression of occult breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis: A case report.
Abstract:
INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous regression of a malignant tumor is defined as"the partial or complete disappearance of a malignant tumor in the absence of any treatment."Herein, we report a case of occult breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis that showed spontaneous tumor regression based on the histopathological findings.PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: A 67-year-old woman presented with left armpit pain and a lump. Previous examination by another doctor revealed swelling of the left axillary lymph node, but it was difficult to identify the primary lesion. Needle biopsy of the left axillary lymph node revealed malignant tumor tissue with extensive necrosis on histological examination. On initial examination at our hospital, the left axillary lymph node was observed to have shrunk compared to previous observations. Moreover, findings indicated a suspected concentrated cyst in the left breast, with slight contrast enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging. Considering a diagnosis of occult breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis, excisional biopsy was performed for the left breast mass and axillary lymph node dissection for left axillary lymph node metastasis. Histological examination revealed a micro adenocarcinoma with lymphocyte infiltration in the left breast, and the viable tumor in the left axillary lymph node had disappeared. The histopathological findings of the primary tumor and dissected lymph nodes suggested the possibility of spontaneous regression of both the primary and metastatic lesions, because effective preoperative therapy was not performed.
PMID:
Phytomedicine. 2018 Mar 15 ;42:226-232. Epub 2018 Mar 19. PMID: 29655690
Abstract Title:
BG-4, a novel bioactive peptide from momordica charantia, inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in THP-1 human macrophages.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is a commonly used food crop for management of a variety of diseases most notably for control of diabetes, a disease associated with aberrant inflammation.PURPOSE: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory property of BG-4, a novel bioactive peptide isolated from the seed of bitter melon.METHODS: Differentiated THP-1 human macrophages were pre-treated with BG-4 and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mechanism of action involving activation of NF-κB and phosphorylation of ERK and STAT3 was measured by western blot and immunofluorescence. The production of intracellular reactive oxygen species was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy andfluorescence spectrophotometry.RESULTS: BG-4 dose dependently reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. The ability of BG-4 to reduce production of cytokines are associated with reduced phosphorylation of ERK and STAT3 accompanied by reduced nuclear translocation of p65 NF-κB subunit. The mechanism of action is reduction of LPS-induced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species.CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated the ability of BG-4, a novel peptide from the seed of bitter melon, to exert anti-inflammatory action. This could explain the traditional use of bitter melon against diseases associated with aberrant and uncontrolled inflammation.
PMID:
Carbohydr Polym. 2018 Dec 1 ;201:624-633. Epub 2018 Aug 27. PMID: 30241862
Abstract Title:
Polysaccharide from fermented Momordica charantia L. with Lactobacillus plantarum NCU116 ameliorates type 2 diabetes in rats.
Abstract:
The influence of Lactobacillus plantarum-fermentation on the structure and anti-diabetic effects of Momordica charantia polysaccharides were evaluated. High-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats were administrated with polysaccharides from fermented and non-fermented Momordica charantia (FP and NFP) for 4 weeks. Fermentation affected the physicochemical characterization, monosaccharide composition, molecular weight, and viscosity of Momordica charantia polysaccharides. Treatment with FP significantly ameliorated hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress in diabetic rats compared with NFP. Moreover, the diversity and abundance of gut microbiota (Lactococcus laudensis and Prevotella loescheii) in diabetic rats were notably increased by treatment with FP in comparison to NFP. Meanwhile, FP-treated diabetic rats exhibited more colonic short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and lower pH values than that in NFP-treated rats. Overall, Lactobacillus plantarum-fermentation could enhance the anti-diabetes effects of Momordica charantia polysaccharides in rats by modifying the structure of polysaccharides to optimize gut microbiota and heighten the production of SCFAs.
PMID:
Phytochemistry. 2019 Jan ;157:21-27. Epub 2018 Oct 22. PMID: 30352327
Abstract Title:
Cucurbitane triterpenoids from the fruit of Momordica charantia L. and their anti-hepatic fibrosis and anti-hepatoma activities.
Abstract:
Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) is a popular vegetable and traditional folk medicine, that has been used for hundreds of years. In this study, three undescribed cucurbitane-type triterpene glycosides furpyronecucurbitane A, goyaglycoside I and charantagenin F along with nine known compounds were isolated from the immature fruit of Momordica charantia L. Their structures were identified on the basis of extensive 1D, 2D NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopy analysis. All isolated compounds were examined for their anti-hepatic fibrosis activity against murine hepatic stellate cells (t-HSC/Cl-6) and anti-hepatoma activity against two kinds of liver cancer cell lines (HepG2 and Hep3B). Among them, karaviloside III exhibited excellent inhibitory activity against activated t-HSC/Cl-6 cells and cytotoxic activity against Hep3B and HepG2 cell lines with ICvalues of 3.74 ± 0.13, 16.68 ± 2.07 and 4.12 ± 0.36 μM, respectively, which may potential to be developed as a chemotherapy agent for treatment hepatic fibrosis or carcinoma and protection against both diseases.
PMID:
J Ethnopharmacol. 2019 Mar 1 ;231:311-324. Epub 2018 Oct 30. PMID: 30385422
Abstract Title:
Momordica charantia L. lowers elevated glycaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Abstract:
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Momordica charantia Linnaeus (Cucurbitaceae) has been extensively used traditionally as food and herbal medicine for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Asia, Brazil, and east Africa. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest its glycemic control potential; however, clinical studies produced conflicting results.AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the efficacy of M. charantia preparations in lowering elevated plasma glucose level in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.METHODS: Electronic search of the Cochrane library, PubMed®, CINAHL, and SCOPUS databases was done from 1st January 1960-30th April 2018 without language restriction. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias of articles. Revman var. 5.3 software was used for data synthesis in meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using Chi-square and Itests. Treatment effect was estimated using mean difference at follow up in outcome measures between M. charantia preparations and placebo or oral hypoglycemic agents control group. The protocol of this study has a registration number PROSPERO CRD42018083653.RESULTS: Ten studies of type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 1045) were included in the meta-analysis. They had 4-16 weeks follow up and overall moderate to high risk of bias. Compared to placebo, M. charantia monoherbal formulation significantly reduces FPG, PPG and HBAwith mean difference of - 0.72 mmol/L, (95% CI: -1.33, -0.12), I= 14%, - 1.43 mmol/L, (95% CI: -2.18, -0.67), I= 0, - 0.26%, (95% CI: -0.49, -0.03), I= 0 respectively. M. charantia also lowered FPG in prediabetes (mean difference -0.31 mmol/L, n = 52); the evidence was downgraded to low quality because the study had unclear risk of bias and inadequate sample size. No serious adverse effects were reported.CONCLUSION: M. charantia adjunct preparations improved glycemic control in T2DM patients. However, this conclusion is based on low to very low quality evidences for the primary outcomes and sparse data for several safety outcomes, thus, warrant further research. Particularly needed are the researches that focus on standardizing M. charantia formulation and determine its efficacy and safety in clinical trials with adequate sample size, designed with random sequence generation, allocation concealment of intervention and blinding of both research personnel and participants.
PMID:
Int J Biol Macromol. 2019 Feb 1 ;122:619-627. Epub 2018 Nov 2. PMID: 30391593
Abstract Title:
Preparation of a Momordica charantia L. polysaccharide‑chromium (III) complex and its anti-hyperglycemic activity in mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.
Abstract:
Polysaccharides comprise the major bioactive components in Momordica charantia L. We here synthesized and characterized a novel M. charantia polysaccharide‑chromium (III) complex (MCPIIaC) and assessed its anti-diabetic effects in mice with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) and its mechanism underlying hypoglycemia. MCPIIaC is a novel polysaccharide‑chromium (III) complex containing 14.68% elemental chromium. A Fourier transforminfrared (FTIR) spectrogram experiment showed that the chromium ions are linked to the polysaccharide's hydroxyl groups. Combined circular dichroism (CD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses indicated that after linking with chromium ions, the flexibility of the three-dimensional structure ofthe polysaccharide increased. After the treatment of MCPIIaC for four weeks, the mice with STZ-induced DM exhibited significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels and body weight, whereas higher insulin levels and antioxidant enzyme activity than in the diabetic group. Optimal effects were obtained with a dosage of 30 mg MCPIIaC/kg body weight. Histological analysis indicated that MCPIIaC alleviated the oxidative tissue damage in STZ-lesioned mice. An acute toxicity experiment indicated that MCPIIaC was safe at a dose of 1500 mg/kg. These results suggest that MCPIIaC might be an excellent candidate hypoglycemic agent for the prevention of diabetes.
PMID:
Lipids Health Dis. 2018 Nov 6 ;17(1):251. Epub 2018 Nov 6. PMID: 30400958
Abstract Title:
Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) attenuates atherosclerosis in apo-E knock-out mice possibly through reducing triglyceride and anti-inflammation.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Bitter melon (BM, Momordica charantia) has been accepted as an effective complementary treatment of metabolic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and etc. However it is unclear whether BM can prevent the progression of atherosclerosis. To confirm the effects of BM on atherosclerosis and explore its underlying mechanisms, we design this study.METHODS: Twenty four male apolipoprotein E knock-out (ApoE-/-) mice aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into control group fed with high fat diet (HFD) only and BM group fed with HFD mixed with 1.2%w/w BM. After 16 weeks, body weight, food intake, blood glucose, serum lipids were measured and the atherosclerotic plaque area and its histological composition were analyzed. The expression of vascular cell adhesive molecules and inflammatory cytokines in the aortas were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS: Body weight gain and serum triglycerides (TG) significantly decreased in BM group. BM reduced not only the atherosclerotic plaque area and the contents of collagen fibers in atherosclerotic plaques but also the serum soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and P-selectin levels, as well as the expressions of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and interleukin (IL)-6 in aortas.CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that dietary BM can attenuate the development of atherosclerosis in ApoeE-/- mice possibly through reducing triglyceride and anti-inflammation mechanism.
PMID:
Nat Prod Res. 2019 Jul 2:1-3. Epub 2019 Jul 2. PMID: 31264459
Abstract Title:
Isolation, characterisation and investigation ofantidiabetic and antioxidant activity of phytoconstituents from fruit ofLinn.
Abstract:
The dry powder of MC fruits was extracted by maceration, ultrasonication, liquid-liquid partition and soxhlation. Theantidiabetic and antioxidant assays were used to screen extracts and fractions. Refluxed and liquid partitioned extracts were fractionated using petroleum ether and ethyl acetate and purified with the help of preparative HPLC to give 2 phytoconstituents M1 and M2 respectively. Compound M1 (1) was identified as charantin and Compound M2 (2) was identified as momordicinin using spectral studies. Momordicinin showed potentα-amylase inhibitory activity with IC15.86μg/ml which was reported for the first time.
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