Polyphenols and Their Role in Obesity Management: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials

Polyphenols have been suggested to reduce body weight and modify body composition through different mechanisms. These effects have been extensively studied in animals and in vitro and to a lesser extent in humans. The aim of this review is to consider the association between polyphenols and body weight status by focusing on human intervention studies. We conducted a systematic literature search in MEDLINE (via EBSCOhost), ProQuest CENTRAL, and Cochrane CENTRAL without time restrictions. Randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of polyphenols on weight and/or body composition in the overweight and/or obese population were included. Nineteen studies met our inclusion criteria. Results suggest that further research is required before supporting a potential role of polyphenols in reducing weight in overweight and obese individuals (nine studies showed a significant decrease in weight by a mean of 1.47 ± 0.58 kg). Nevertheless, several studies indicated that polyphenols might be effective in preventing small increases in weight during periods of overfeeding rather than reducing weight as such. The outcomes noted do not yet support polyphenol supplementation as a complementary approach in weight loss diets. Further larger trials with a duration of 12 months or more are needed to elucidate the effect of polyphenols on body weight status. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Peripheral and central hearing impairment and their relationship with cognition: a review

Objective: To consider the relationships between both peripheral and central hearing impairment and cognition.

Design: Narrative review.

Study sample: Numerous studies exploring the relationship between hearing impairment and cognitive function, particularly in an older population.

Results: In addition to the well-documented relationship between peripheral hearing loss and cognition highlighted in previous comprehensive reviews, there is also some evidence to suggest that there is a relationship between central hearing impairment and cognition. Further research is required to better understand this relationship and its effects on hearing aid benefit in people with both peripheral hearing loss and central hearing impairment.

Conclusions: To fully understand the relationship between hearing impairment and cognitive impairment, not only peripheral but central hearing needs to be considered. Such knowledge could be of benefit in the clinical management of people with both peripheral hearing loss and central hearing impairment.     

Cyclopeptide RA-V inhibits angiogenesis by down-regulating ERK1/2 phosphorylation in HUVEC and HMEC-1 endothelial cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Anti-angiogenic agents have recently become one of the major adjuvants for cancer therapy. A cyclopeptide, RA-V, has been shown to have anti-tumour activities. Its in vitro anti-angiogenic activities were evaluated in the present study, and the underlying mechanisms were also assessed.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Two endothelial cell lines, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), were used. The effects of RA-V on the proliferation, cell cycle phase distribution, migration, tube formation and adhesion were assessed. Western blots and real-time PCR were employed to examine the protein and mRNA expression of relevant molecules.

KEY RESULTS

RA-V inhibited HUVEC and HMEC-1 proliferation dose-dependently with IC₅₀ values of 1.42 and 4.0 nM respectively. RA-V inhibited migration and tube formation of endothelial cells as well as adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins. RA-V treatment down-regulated the protein and mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2. Regarding intracellular signal transduction, RA-V interfered with the activation of ERK1/2 in both cell lines. Furthermore, RA-V significantly decreased the phosphorylation of JNK in HUVEC whereas, in HMEC-1, p38 MAPK was decreased.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

RA-V exhibited anti-angiogenic activities in HUVEC and HMEC-1 cell lines with changes in function of these endothelial cells. The underlying mechanisms of action involved the ERK1/2 signalling pathway. However, RA-V may regulate different signalling pathways in different endothelial cells. These findings suggest that RA-V has the potential to be further developed as an anti-angiogenic agent.     

Delayed ulceration following combination pulse dye laser and topical sirolimus treatment for port wine birthmarks: A case series

Port wine birthmarks (PWB) are capillary vascular malformations within the papillary and reticular dermis, most commonly occurring on the head and neck and may darken and thicken with age. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) is the gold standard of treatment for PWB as it selectively targets involved vessels. Sirolimus is a macrolide antibiotic that selectively inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin, thereby suppressing the angiogenesis pathways that can be activated by PDL. Sirolimus and PDL may be used together to treat PWB. We present a case series describing three cases of delayed ulceration and systemic sirolimus absorption following combination therapy, highlighting a potential complication and patient safety concern.     

Bartonella spp. Infections Identified by Molecular Methods,United States

Molecular methods can enable rapid identification of Bartonella spp. infections, which are difficult to diagnose by using culture or serology. We analyzed clinical test results of PCR that targeted bacterial 16S rRNA hypervariable V1–V2 regions only or in parallel with PCR of Bartonella-specific ribC gene. We identified 430 clinical specimens infected with Bartonella spp. from 420 patients in the United States. Median patient age was 37 (range 1–79) years; 62% were male. We identified B. henselae in 77%, B. quintana in 13%, B. clarridgeiae in 1%, B. vinsonii in 1%, and B. washoensis in 1% of specimens. B. quintana was detected in 83% of cardiac specimens; B. henselae was detected in 34% of lymph node specimens. We detected novel or uncommon Bartonella spp. in 9 patients. Molecular diagnostic testing can identify Bartonella spp. infections, including uncommon and undescribed species, and might be particularly useful for patients who have culture-negative endocarditis or lymphadenitis.     

Randomised controlled trial of intermittent vs continuous energy restriction during chemotherapy for early breast cancer

Background Excess adiposity at diagnosis and weight gain during chemotherapy is associated with tumour recurrence and chemotherapy toxicity. We assessed the efficacy of intermittent energy restriction (IER) vs continuous energy restriction (CER) for weight control and toxicity reduction during chemotherapy.Methods One hundred and seventy-two women were randomised to follow IER or CER throughout adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Primary endpoints were weight and body fat change. Secondary endpoints included chemotherapy toxicity, cardiovascular risk markers, and correlative markers of metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress.Results Primary analyses showed non-significant reductions in weight (−1.1 (−2.4 to +0.2) kg, p = 0.11) and body fat (−1.0 (−2.1 to +0.1) kg, p = 0.086) in IER compared with CER. Predefined secondary analyses adjusted for body water showed significantly greater reductions in weight (−1.4 (−2.5 to −0.2) kg, p = 0.024) and body fat (−1.1 (−2.1 to −0.2) kg, p = 0.046) in IER compared with CER. Incidence of grade 3/4 toxicities were comparable overall (IER 31.0 vs CER 36.5%, p = 0.45) with a trend to fewer grade 3/4 toxicities with IER (18%) vs CER (31%) during cycles 4–6 of primarily taxane therapy (p = 0.063).Conclusions IER is feasible during chemotherapy. The potential efficacy for weight control and reducing toxicity needs to be tested in future larger trials.Clinical trial registration ISRCTN04156504.Subject terms: Randomized controlled trials, Breast cancer, Nutrition, Weight management, Breast cancer     

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells induce NK cell-dependent, tumor antigen-specific T cell cross-priming and tumor regression in mice

A prerequisite for strong adaptive antiviral immunity is the robust initial activation of the innate immune system, which is frequently mediated by TLR-activated plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs). Natural antitumor immunity is often comparatively weak, potentially due to the lack of TLR-mediated activation signals within the tumor microenvironment. To assess whether pDCs are capable of directly facilitating effective antitumor immune responses, mice bearing established subcutaneous B16 melanoma tumors were administered TLR9-activated pDCs directly into the tumor. We found that TLR9-activated pDCs induced robust, spontaneous CTL cross-priming against multiple B16 tumor antigens, leading to the regression of both treated tumors and untreated tumors at distant contralateral sites. This T cell cross-priming was mediated by conventional DCs (cDCs) and was completely dependent upon the early recruitment and activation of NK cells at the tumor site. NK cell recruitment was mediated by CCR5 via chemokines secreted by pDCs, and optimal IFN-gamma production by NK cells was mediated by OX40L expressed by pDCs. Our data thus demonstrated that activated pDCs are capable of initiating effective and systemic antitumor immunity through the orchestration of an immune cascade involving the sequential activation of NK cells, cDCs, and CD8(+) T cells.