D-allose: Molecular Pathways and Therapeutic Capacity in Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Despite the implementation of various cancer therapies, adequate therapeutic efficacy has not been achieved. A growing number of studies have been dedicated to the discovery of new molecules to combat refractory cancer cells efficiently. Recently, the use of a rare type of sugar, D-allose, has attracted the attention of research communities. In combination with the first-line treatment of cancers, including different types of radiotherapies and chemotherapies, D-allose has been detected with favorable complementary effects. Understanding the mechanism of therapeutic target molecules will enable us to develop new strategies for cancer patients that do not currently respond to the present therapies. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to provide a review of the effects of D-allose in cancer treatment, its mechanisms of action, and gaps in this field that require more investigations. DISCUSSION: With rare exceptions, in many cancer types, including head and neck, lung, liver, bladder, blood, and breast, D-allose consistently has exhibited anticancer activity in vitro and/or in vivo. Most of the D-allose functions are mediated through thioredoxin-interacting protein molecules. D-allose exerts its effects via reactive oxygen species regulation, cell cycle arrest, metabolic reprogramming, autophagy, apoptosis induction, and sensitizing tumors to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: D-allose has shown great promise for combating tumor cells with no side effects, especially in combination with first-line drugs; however, its potential for cancer therapy has not been comprehensively investigated in vitro or in vivo.

Experimental Study on Protective Role of NSAID on Articular Cartilage Destruction in Septic Arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy are the cornerstones of treatment protocols in septic arthritis; however, in some circumstances, the diagnosis and initiation of treatment may be retarded by slow disease progression or the time when the patient's condition precludes early surgery. Therefore, it is beneficial to find ways to reduce the amount of articular injury. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the prevention of articular cartilage damage in an animal model of staphylococcal septic arthritis. METHODS: Knee joints of 40 rabbits were infected by the intra-articular injection of 105 colony-forming units of Staphylococcus aureus. Subsequently, they were categorized into four groups. The first (i.e., control group) and second groups were treated with a placebo and intramuscular injection of Ceftriaxone, respectively. Moreover, the third and fourth groups were treated with Naproxen alone and a combination of Ceftriaxone and Naproxen, respectively. All medications were started 24 h after the inoculation of microorganisms into the knee joint and continued for 3 days. Following that, the cartilage was evaluated using the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) Visual Histological Assessment Scale. RESULTS: The group treated with the combination of Ceftriaxone and Naproxen obtained better results in terms of cell viability in tibial side cartilage and surface in both tibial and femoral cartilages (P<0.0125), compared to the group treated with antibiotics alone. CONCLUSION: According to the results, in case of septic arthritis, the early administration of NSAID in conjunction with an appropriate systemic antibiotic may decrease further articular cartilage damage that is evoked by an infection.

Outcome of ACL Reconstruction and Concomitant Articular Injury Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Articular cartilage injuries are a common clinical problem at the time of ACL reconstruction with an incidence rate of 16-46%. Good results of ACL reconstruction combined with the treatment of chondral lesions have been published in some studies. METHOD: After statistical analysis 30 patients were selected and divided in 2 groups. The first group consisted of 15 patients with isolated ACL tear without any other concomitant injuries and the second group consisted of 15 patients with ACL tear and concomitant high grade (grade 3 or 4 of outerbridge classification) contained articular cartilage injuries during arthroscopy. Group 1 underwent ACL reconstruction and group 2 underwent ACL reconstruction combined with chondroplasty via the drilling or microfracture technique. For each patient the Lysholm knee score questionnaire was completed before surgery, 6 months and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: The mean Lysholm knee score in both groups improves: 9.6 points after 6 months and 16.06 points after 1 year in group 1, 23.26 points after 6 months, 30.66 after 1 year in group 2, which was statistically significant (Pvalue<0.05). CONCLUSION: Improvement in the Lysholm knee score in both groups shows that ACL reconstruction with concomitant chondroplasty in high grade chondral injuries has good results with patient satisfaction and improvement in their quality of life.