Mushroom Consumption and Cardiovascular Health: A Systematic Review

IntroductionEdible mushrooms have a great nutritional value including high protein, essential amino acids, fiber, vitamins (B₁, B₂, B₁₂, C, and D), minerals (calcium [Ca], potassium [K], magnesium [Mg], sodium [Na], phosphorus [P], copper [Cu], iron [Fe], manganese [Mn], and selenium [Se]), low fatty foods, and sodium. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the relationship between edible mushroom consumption and overall cardiovascular risk.MethodsWe systematically searched Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Ovid Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, and Web of Science from database inception from 1966 through August 2020 for observational studies that reported the association between edible mushroom consumption and cardiovascular risk. Two investigators independently reviewed data. Conflicts were resolved through consensus discussion.ResultsOf 1479 studies, we identified 7 prospective studies. Edible mushroom consumption may have favorable effects on lipid profiles by changing some metabolic markers such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Moreover, edible mushroom consumption is probably associated with reduced mean blood pressure. The beneficial overall cardiovascular risk, stroke risk, and coronary artery disease of edible mushroom consumption are not consistent.ConclusionsEdible mushroom consumption has not been shown to conclusively affect cardiovascular risk factors to date. However, potential health benefits may exist, including a favorable alteration of lipid profiles and blood pressure reduction.     

Hepatoprotective effects of kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside and kaempferol 3-O-glucoside from Carthamus tinctorius L. on CCl4-induced oxidative liver injury in mice

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a traditional medicinal and edible herb with a long history of use in China. In this study, a model of hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in mice was used to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside (K-3-R) and kaempferol 3-O-glucoside (K-3-G), two kaempferol glycosides isolated from C. tinctorius L. K-3-R and K-3-G, at doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, were given orally to male mice once/d for 7 days before they received CCl₄ intraperitoneally. Our results showed that K-3-R and K-3-G treatment increased the level of total protein (TP) and prevented the CCl₄-induced increases in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Additionally, mice treated with K-3-R and K-3-G had significantly restored glutathione (GSH) levels and showed normal catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, compared to CCl₄-treated mice. K-3-R and K-3-G also mitigated the CCl₄-induced liver histological alteration, as indicated by histopathological evaluation. These findings demonstrate that K-3-R and K-3-G have protective effects against acute CCl₄-induced oxidative liver damage.     

Arginine-stabilized mPEG-PDLLA (50/50) polymeric micelles of docetaxel by electrostatic mechanism for tumor-targeted delivery

Abstract

Arginine-stabilized, docetaxel-loaded polymeric micelles (AR-DTX-PM) were prepared to enhance the physical stability of micelles and control the degradation of docetaxel (DTX). Amphiphilic diblock copolymers, methoxy-(Polyethylene Glycol)-block-Poly (D, L-lactide) (mPEG-PDLLA) were synthesized and used for the formulation of lyophilized DTX-PM powders. The micelles were found to have diameters of 20–30?nm with narrow polydispersity, and the entrapment efficiency was 90–100%. The accumulative release of AR-DTX-PM was higher than that of glucose-dispersed DTX-PM (Glu-DTX-PM). The results of both physical and chemical stability studies showed that the concentration of arginine required for optimum stability was 2.0?mg/ml. Preliminary investigation of the mechanisms of stabilization by arginine suggested that it is due to the electrostatic interaction as well as hydrogen bonds between DTX and arginine. The acute toxicity studies demonstrated that AR-DTX-PM was better tolerated in beagle dogs than DTX injection. However, the pharmacokinetic studies revealed no significant difference in C_max and AUC of AR-DTX-PM compared to DTX injection. When AR-DTX-PM was administrated at a dose of 30?mg/kg, the antitumor effect was stronger than that of commercial DTX injection at 10?mg/kg, and the increase of administration dose did not cause higher toxicity. The in vivo imaging test showed that the residence time of AR-DTX-PM at tumor sites was longer than its commercial formulation. In a word, it is expected that AR-DTX-PM can reduce systemic toxicity while retaining antitumor efficacy in cancer patients.     

The clinical effects of sodium hyaluronate,polyethylene glycol,and dextran-70 eye drops in relieving dry eye after phacoemulsification

To compare the clinical efficacy of sodium hyaluronate eye drops, polyethylene glycol eye drops, and compound dextran eye drops in the treatment of dry eye after phacoemulsification of cataract.A total of 99 patients with dry eye after cataract phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation were treated in our hospital. Patients were divided into group A (sodium hyaluronate eye drops), group B (polyethylene glycol eye drops), and group C (dextran-70 eye drops). The clinical effect, tear film breakup time, basic tear secretion, corneal staining score, dry eye symptom score, and the incidence of ocular irritation were assessed.On the 3rd, 15th, 30th, and 60th day after operation, the tear film breakup time, corneal staining score, Schirmer I test, and dry eye symptom score in group A and group B were better than those in group C (P < .05). In addition, there were no significant differences in tear breakdown time, corneal staining score, Schirmer I test, and dry eye symptom score between group A and group B (P > .05). At 3 days to 60 days after operation, the incidence of dry eye in group A (12.12%) and group B (18.18%) was lower than that in group C (39.39%), and the incidence of dry eye in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (P < .05).The effect of sodium hyaluronate eye drops elicited a greater beneficial impact as compared to polyethylene glycol eye drops and dextran-70 eye drops.     

Operative treatments for osteochondral lesions of the talus in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose:This systematic review aimed to identify the available evidence regarding the comparative effectiveness and safety of various operative treatments in adult patients with osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT).Materials and methods:The PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Knowledge, and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register of Controlled Trials were searched from their inception date to September 2019. Two reviewers selected the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs assessing the comparative effectiveness and safety of various operative treatments for OLT. The meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.3.Results:Eight studies (1 RCT and 7 non-RCTs) with 375 patients were included in this review. The difference in the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score between the cartilage repair and replacement was not significant. The cartilage regeneration with or without cartilage repair had significant superiority in improving the AOFAS score compared with the cartilage repair. The difference in the magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue score between the cartilage repair and replacement and between cartilage repair and cartilage repair plus regeneration was significant.Conclusions:Cartilage regeneration and cartilage repair plus regeneration had significant superiority in improving the ankle function and radiological evaluation of OLT, although the trials included did not have high-level evidence. Moreover, which treatment between the 2 was safer could not be addressed in this review as most of the trials did not report the safety outcome. Further studies are needed to define the best surgical option for treating OLT.