• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.89-98
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• 2024

This review delved into the intricate relationship between the gastrointestinal microbiome and gastric cancer, particularly focusing on post-treatment alterations, notably following gastrectomy, and the effects of anticancer therapies. Following gastrectomy, analysis of fecal samples revealed an increased presence of oral cavity aerotolerant and bile acid-transforming bacteria in the intestine. Similar changes were observed in the gastric microbiome, highlighting significant alterations in taxon abundance and emphasizing the reciprocal interaction between the oral and gastric microbiomes. In contrast, the impact of chemotherapy and immunotherapy on the gut microbiome was subtle, although discernible differences were noted between treatment responders and non-responders. Certain bacterial taxa showed promise as potential prognostic markers. Notably, probiotics emerged as a promising approach for postgastrectomy recovery, displaying the capacity to alleviate inflammation, bolster immune responses, and maintain a healthy gut microbiome. Several strains, including Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Clostridium butyricum, exhibited favorable outcomes in postoperative patients, suggesting their potential roles in comprehensive patient care. In conclusion, understanding the intricate interplay between the gastrointestinal microbiome and gastric cancer treatment offers prospects for predicting responses and enhancing postoperative recovery. Probiotics, with their positive impact on inflammation and immunity, have emerged as potential adjuncts in patient care. Continued research is imperative to fully harness the potential of microbiome-based interventions in the management of gastric cancer.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.207-217
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• 2015

Skin is the first line of defense for protecting our bodies against external perturbations, including ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, mechanical/chemical stress, and bacterial infection. Nutrition is one of many factors required for the maintenance of overall skin health. An impaired nutritional status alters the structural integrity and biological function of skin, resulting in an abnormal skin barrier. In particular, the importance of micronutrients (such as certain vitamins and minerals) for skin health has been highlighted in cell culture, animal, and clinical studies. These micronutrients are employed not only as active compounds in therapeutic agents for treating certain skin diseases, but also as ingredients in cosmetic products. Here, the author describes the barrier function of the skin and the general nutritional requirements for skin health. The goal of this review is to discuss the potential roles and current knowledge of selected micronutrients in skin health and function.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.351-362
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• 2010

Nitric oxide (NO), synthesized from L-arginine by three isoforms of NO synthase (NOS), is a gaseous signaling molecule with an astonishingly wide range of biological and pathophysiological activities, including vasorelaxation, angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, and anti-apoptosis in mammalian cells. Recent studies have shown that NO donors and inhaled NO convert to biologically active NO under biological conditions and act as a signaling molecule in pathophysiological conditions. This review will discuss the roles of NO and its potential therapeutic implication in various human diseases, such as tumor, vascular regeneration, hypertension, wound healing, and ischemia-reperfusion injury.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2015

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by progressive death of motor neurons in the cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. Until now, many treatment strategies have been tested in ALS, but so far only Riluzole has shown efficacy of slightly slowing disease progression. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying ALS are multifactorial, with a complex interaction between genetic factors and molecular pathways. Other motor neuron disease such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and spinobulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) are also progressive neurodegenerative disease with loss of motor neuron as ALS. This common thread of motor neuron loss has provided a target for the development of therapies for these motor neuron diseases. A better understanding of these pathogenic mechanisms and the potential pathological relationship between the various cellular processes have suggested novel therapeutic approaches, including stem cell and genetics-based strategies, providing hope for feasible treatment of ALS.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.420-431
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• 2016

The complement system comprises a set of essential molecules that bridge the innate and adaptive immune responses. Research has focused on how the complement system's destructive mechanism could potentially be harnessed for cancer treatment. However, cancer subverts the complement system to avoid immunosurveillance. In addition, a complement-triggered biological mechanism that contributes to cancer growth has been identified. Thus, drugs should be designed to homeostatically maintain a normal concentration of complement. This review explores three types of complement-related anti-cancer drugs: therapeutic antibodies, complement inhibitory drugs, and anti-complement regulatory drugs.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.74-77
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• 2006

A lactic acid bacterial strain resistant to several antibiotics such as oxytetracycline, tylosin, neomycin and sulfathiazole, which have been often used as a therapeutic agent in livestock, was isolated from the porcine gastrointestinal tract. The isolate YB-55 was identified as belonging to the genus Pediococcus with the highest similarity to P. pentosaceus on the basis of its 16S rRNA sequence and biochemical properties. The isolated strain showed viability of over 85% at pH 3.0 and was resistant to bile salt. The strain produced lactic acid of 12.3 g/L by jar fermentation and maintained its viability in the presence of antibiotics at dosage related therapeutic effect, suggesting P. pentosaceus YB-55 may of ffr potential as a probiotics for livestock.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.79-82
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• 2013

The demand for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing worldwide. High-technology medicine is not always effective and is often accompanied by neglected self-care and high cost. Also, conventional medicine has become dependent on expensive technological solutions to health problems. Integrated medicine is not simply a synonym for complementary medicine. It involves the understanding of the interaction of the mind, body, and spirit and how to interpret this relationship in the dynamics of health and disease. Integrative medicine shifts the orientation of the medical practice from a disease-based approach to a healing-based approach. In South Korea, CAM education was first provided 20 years ago, and integrative medicine is becoming part of the current mainstream medicine. Increasing numbers of fellowships in integrative medicine are being offered in many academic health centers in the U.S. Also, it has emerged as a potential solution to the American healthcare crisis and chronic diseases, which are bankrupting the economy. It provides care that is patient-centered, healing-oriented, emphasizes the therapeutic relationship, and uses therapeutic approaches originating from conventional and alternative medicine.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.445-453
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• 2016

Epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs/HERs) and downstream signaling pathways have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several malignancies including breast cancer and its resistance to treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs. Consequently, several monoclonal antibodies as well as small molecule inhibitors targeting these pathways have emerged as therapeutic tools in the recent past. However, studies have shown that utilizing these molecules in combination with chemotherapy has yielded only limited success. This review describes the current understanding of EGFRs/HERs and associated signaling pathways in relation to development of breast cancer and responses to various cancer treatments in the hope of pointing to improved prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Also, we review the role of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) in disease and the potential to target these cells.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.211-218
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• 2020

Autologous fat grafts are widely used in soft-tissue augmentation and reconstruction. To reduce the unpredictability of fat grafts and to improve their long-term survival, cell-assisted lipotransfer (CAL) was introduced. In this alternative method, autologous fat is mixed and grafted with stromal vascular fraction cells or adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (ASCs). In regenerative medicine, ASCs exhibit excellent therapeutic potential and are also simple to harvest. Although the efficacy of CAL has been demonstrated in experimental and clinical research, studies on its safety in terms of oncologic risk have reported inconclusive results. In order to establish CAL as a viable stem cell therapeutic approach, it will be necessary to demonstrate its oncologic safety in basic and clinical studies. Doing so could transform the paradigm of clinical strategy and practice for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.242-246
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• 2012

The use of ionizing radiation (IR) is essential for treating many human cancers. However, radioresistance markedly impairs the efficacy of tumor radiotherapy. IR enhances the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a variety of cells which are determinant components in the induction of apoptosis. Much interest has developed to augment the effect of radiation in tumors by combining it with radiosensitizers to improve the therapeutic ratio. In the current study, the radiosensitizing effects of resveratrol and piperine on cancer cells were evaluated. Cancer cell lines treated with these natural products exhibited significantly augmented IR-induced apoptosis and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, presumably through enhanced ROS generation. Applying natural products as sensitizers for IR-induced apoptotic cell death offers a promising therapeutic approach to treat cancer.