Zinc deficiency deteriorates ovarian follicle development and function by inhibiting mitochondrial function.

Zinc (Zn) is a crucial trace element essential for human growth and development, particularly for reproductive health. Previous research has shown a decrease in serum zinc concentration with age and individuals with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and diabetes mellitus. However, the specific effects of zinc deficiency on the female reproductive system, especially ovarian function, are not fully understood. In our study, we observed a significant reduction in the total number of follicles and mature follicles in the zinc deficiency group. This reduction correlated with decreased level of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and abnormal gene expression affecting hormone secretion regulation. Furthermore, we found that zinc deficiency disrupted mitochondrial dynamics, leading to oxidative stress in the ovaries, which further inhibited autophagy and increased ovarian apoptosis. These changes ultimately resulted in the failure of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and reduced oocyte quality. Meanwhile, administration of zinc glycine effectively alleviated the oocyte meiotic arrest caused by dietary zinc deficiency. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that dietary zinc deficiency can affect hormone secretion and follicle maturation by impairing mitochondrial function and autophagy.

O-GlcNAcylation orchestrates porcine oocyte maturation through maintaining mitochondrial dynamics and function.

O-linked ß-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification exists widely in cells, playing a crucial role in the regulation of important biological processes such as transcription, translation, metabolism, and the cell cycle. O-GlcNAc modification is an inducible reversible dynamic protein post-translational modification, which regulates complex cellular activities through transient glycosylation and deglycosylation. O-GlcNAc glycosylation is specifically regulated by O-GlcNAc glycosyltransferase (O-GlcNAc transferase, OGT) and O-GlcNAc glycoside hydrolase (O-GlcNAcase). However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of O-GlcNAc modification on the female reproductive system, especially oocyte quality, remain unclear. Here, we found that after OGT was inhibited, porcine oocytes failed to extrude the first polar body and exhibited abnormal actin and microtubule assembly. Meanwhile, the mitochondrial dynamics and function were also disrupted after inhibition of OGT function, resulting in the occurrence of oxidative stress and autophagy. Collectively, these results inform our understanding of the importance of the glycosylation process for oocyte maturation, especially for the maturation quality of porcine oocytes, and the alteration of O-GlcNAc in oocytes to regulate cellular events deserves further investigation.

Zinc deficiency compromises the maturational competence of porcine oocyte by inducing mitophagy and apoptosis.

Zinc, an essential trace mineral, plays a pivotal role in cell proliferation, maintenance of redox homeostasis, apoptosis, and aging. Serum zinc concentrations are reduced in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the underlying mechanism of the effects of zinc deficiency on the female reproductive system, especially oocyte quality, has not been fully elucidated. Thus, we established an in vitro experimental model by adding N,N,N',N'-Tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine (TPEN) into the culture medium, and to determine the potential regulatory function of zinc during porcine oocytes maturation. In the present study, we found that zinc deficiency caused aberrant meiotic progress, accompanied by the disrupted cytoskeleton structure in porcine oocytes. Zinc deficiency impaired mitochondrial function and dynamics, leading to the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and acetylation level of the antioxidative enzyme superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), eventually induced the occurrence of oxidative stress and early apoptosis. Moreover, zinc deficiency perturbed cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis, lipid droplets formation, demonstrating the aberrant mitochondrial function in porcine oocytes. Importantly, we found that zinc deficiency in porcine oocytes induced the occurrence of mitophagy by activating the PTEN-induced kinase 1/Parkin signaling pathway. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that zinc was a critical trace mineral for maintaining oocyte quality by regulating mitochondrial function and autophagy in porcine oocytes.

TOSO interacts with SYK and enhances BCR pathway activation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: TOSO, also named Fas inhibitory molecule 3 (FAIM3), has recently been identified as an immunoglobulin M (IgM) Fc receptor (FcµR). Previous studies have shown that TOSO is specifically over-expressed in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, the functions of TOSO in CLL remain unknown. The B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway has been reported to be constitutively activated in CLL. Here, we aimed to investigate the functions of TOSO in the BCR signaling pathway and the pathogenesis of CLL. METHODS: We over-expressed TOSO in B-cell lymphoma cell lines (Granta-519 and Z138) by lentiviral transduction and knocked down TOSO by siRNA in primary CLL cells. The over-expression and knockdown of TOSO were confirmed at the RNA level by polymerase chain reaction and protein level by Western blotting. Co-immunoprecipitation with TOSO antibody followed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (IP/LCMS) was used to identify TOSO interacting proteins. Western blotting was performed to detect the activation status of BCR signaling pathways as well as B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2). Flow cytometry was used to examine the apoptosis of TOSO-over-expressing B lymphoma cell lines and TOSO-down-regulated CLL cells via the staining of Annexin V and 7-AAD. One-way analyses of variance were used for intergroup comparisons, while independent samples t tests were used for two-sample comparisons. RESULTS: From IP/LCMS, we identified spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) as a crucial candidate of TOSO-interacting protein and confirmed it by co-immunoprecipitation. After stimulation with anti-IgM, TOSO over-expression increased the phosphorylation of SYK, and subsequently activated the BCR signaling pathway, which could be reversed by a SYK inhibitor. TOSO knockdown in primary CLL cells resulted in reduced SYK phosphorylation as well as attenuated BCR signaling pathway. The apoptosis rates of the Granta-519 and Z138 cells expressing TOSO were (8.46 ±â€Š2.90)% and (4.20 ±â€Š1.21)%, respectively, significantly lower than the rates of the control groups, which were (25.20 ±â€Š4.60)% and (19.72 ±â€Š1.10)%, respectively (P < 0.05 for both). The apoptosis rate was reduced after knocking down TOSO in the primary CLL cells. In addition, we also found that TOSO down-regulation in primary cells from CLL patients led to decreased expression of BCL-2 as well as lower apoptosis, and vice versa in the cell line. CONCLUSIONS: TOSO might be involved in the pathogenesis of CLL by interacting with SYK, enhancing the BCR signaling pathway, and inducing apoptosis resistance.

[Effect of Myeloma-Derived Exosomes on Surface Activating Receptors of NK Cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of myeloma-derived exosomes on surface activating receptors of NK cells, and to explore the mechanism of the function defect of NK cells. METHODS: The exosomes from the supernatant of multiple myeloma cell lines RPMI8226 and U266 were extracted by ultracentrifugation, and the size of them was identified under electron microscope; the human primary NK cells were extracted, and were co-cultured with the myeloma-derived exosomes (40 µg/ml), then the expression levels of surface activating receptors NKp46, NKp30 and NKG2D of NK cells at 0,1,4 and 24 hours were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The exosomes showed small vesicular, sized 30-100 nm under electron microscope. The expression of surface activating receptors of NK cells declined at different degree after co-cultured with myeloma-derived exosomes. CONCLUSION: Myeloma-derived exosomes can inhibit the expression of surface activating receptors of NK cells.

Effects of Prebiotics and Synbiotics on Functional Constipation.

The objective was to determine the effects of prebiotics and synbiotics on adults with functional constipation (FC). Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched for literature published up to February 2015. We selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported administration of prebiotics or synbiotics to adults with FC. The end points included stool frequency, stool consistency and other symptoms related to constipation. Mean differences (MD) or standard mean differences (SMD) were used for continuous outcomes and risk ratios for discontinuous outcomes using a random-effects model. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was used to determine the quality of the trials. Funnel plots and Egger's test were used to analyze for publication bias. We included 5 RCTs involving 199 patients who were administered prebiotics and 8 RCTs involving 825 patients who were administered synbiotics. Prebiotics increased weekly stool frequency (MD: 1.01bowel movements/week, 95% CI: 0.04-1.99) and improved stool consistency (SMD: -0.59, 95% CI: -1.16 to -0.02). Subgroup analysis showed specific effects for galacto-oligosaccharides on stool frequency, consistency, ease of defecation and abdominal pain. Synbiotics significantly improved stool frequency (MD: 1.15bowel movements/week, 95% CI: 0.58-1.71), consistency (SMD: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.33-0.92) and reduced whole-gut transit time (MD: 13.52, 95% CI: -26.56 to -0.49) in patients with FC. Subgroup analysis showed specific effects for fructo-oligosaccharides and probiotic combinations on stool frequency, consistency, straining defecation and bloating. Galacto-oligosaccharides and synbiotics made up of fructo-oligosaccharides with probiotic combinations may improve stool frequency, consistency and some other symptoms related to constipation.

Influence of sleep disorders on somatic symptoms, mental health, and quality of life in patients with chronic constipation.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbance is a common symptom in CC patients, and it is positively related to greater somatic and psychiatric symptoms. METHODS: The participants were 126 adult outpatients with CC. The measures were: constipation-Constipation Scoring System (CSS) and Patient Assessment of Constipation-Symptoms (PAC-SYM); sleep-Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); anxiety-General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7); depression-Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); and QOL-Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) and SF-36. Patients were divided into sleep-disorder and normal-sleep groups by their PSQI scores. RESULTS: The sleep-disorder group had significantly higher rates of incomplete defecation and blockage and higher CSS scores, PAC-SYM total scores, and PAC-SYM rectal-item scores than the normal-sleep group. GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores were significantly higher in patients with poor sleep. Furthermore, sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety were all positively correlated with constipation severity. "Worry/anxiety" score of PAC-QOL scale was significantly higher and scores for seven SF-36 subscales were significantly lower in patients with poor sleep. In addition, correlation analyses showed significant negative relations between QOL and constipation, sleep disturbance, anxiety as well as depression. However, multiple regression revealed that PAC-QOL was positively associated with severe constipation and SF-36 was negatively associated with anxiety and depression. But sleep disturbance was not the independent risk factor for QOL of CC patients. CONCLUSION: Sleep disorders may worsen the physical- and mental health of CC patients. Sleep disturbance may lower CC patients' QOL indirectly through the combined effects of anxiety, depression, and constipation.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Prognostic Index: A New Integrated Scoring System to Predict the Time to First Treatment in Chinese Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

BACKGROUND: The established clinical staging systems (Rai/Binet) of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cannot accurately predict the appropriate treatment of patients in the earlier stages. In the past two decades, several prognostic factors have been identified to predict the outcome of patients with CLL, but only a few studies investigated more markers together. To predict the time to first treatment (TTFT) in patients of early stages, we evaluated the prognostic role of conventional markers as well as cytogenetic abnormalities and combined them together in a new prognostic scoring system, the CLL prognostic index (CLL-PI). METHODS: Taking advantage of a population of 406 untreated Chinese patients with CLL at early and advanced stage of disease, we identified the strongest prognostic markers of TTFT and, subsequently, in a cohort of 173 patients who had complete data for all 3 variables, we integrated the data of traditional staging system, cytogenetic aberrations, and mutational status of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IGHV) in CLL-PI. The median follow-up time was 45 months and the end point was TTFT. RESULTS: The median TTFT was 38 months and the 5-year overall survival was 80%. According to univariate analysis, patients of advanced Rai stages (P < 0.001) or with 11q- (P = 0.002), 17p- (P < 0.001), unmutated IGHV (P < 0.001), negative 13q- (P = 0.007) and elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels (P = 0.001) tended to have a significantly shorter TTFT. And subsequently, based on multivariate Cox regression analysis, three independent factors for TTFT were identified: advanced clinical stage (P = 0.002), 17p- (P = 0.050) and unmutated IGHV (P = 0.049). Applying weighted grading of these independent factors, a CLL-PI was constructed based on regression parameters, which could categorize four different risk groups (low risk [score 0], intermediate low [score 1], intermediate high [score 2] and high risk [score 3-6]) with significantly different TTFT (median TTFT of not reached (NR), 65.0 months, 36.0 months and 19.0 months, respectively, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study developed a weighted, integrated CLL-PI prognostic system of CLL patients which combines the critical genetic prognostic markers with traditional clinical stage. This novel modified PI system could be used to discriminate among groups and may help predict the TTFT and prognosis of patients with CLL.

Efficacy of Rituximab for Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of rituximab in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Methods The clinical data of CLL patients receiving fludarabine,cyclophosphamide±rituximab (with or without rituximab) regimen or cyclophosphamide,vincristine,and prednisone±doxorubicin±rituximab regimen in our hospital from March 2000 to February 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Therapeutic efficacies and survivals of patients treated with different regimens were evaluated and compared. Results The complete response (CR) rate and the overall response rate (ORR) in 72 patients (43.6%) treated with rituximab were significantly higher than those treated without rituximab (38.9% vs. 21.5%,P=0.015;83.3% vs. 60.2%,P=0.001). The median PFS and OS for patients treated with rituximab were 53.0 (27.0-79.0) months and 112.0 (81.1-142.9) months,and the median PFS and OS for patients treated without rituximab were 28.0 (18.3-37.7) months and 89.0(72.0-106.0),but the results were not statistically significant (P=0.094,P=0.109). According to the cytogenetic features,patients were further divided into high-risk subgroup (with chromosome 17p deletion or 11q deletion) and non-high-risk subgroup. And in the high-risk subgroup,the ORR of patients treated with rituximab was 86.4%,which was significantly higher than that in patients treated without rituximab (53.3%)(P=0.012);in the non-high-risk subgroup,the PFS was marginally prolonged in patients treated with rituximab,but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.050). Conclusions Compared with traditional chemotherapy,the chemoimmunotherapies with rituximab result in higher CR rate and ORR in CLL patients. In patients without 17p deletion or 11q deletion,the use of rituximab can marginally prolong PFS.

[Divergence Analysis of Hepatitis Virus Infection between Aggressive and Indolent B Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence rate of hepatitis B virus(HBV)and hepatitis C virus(HCV)between aggressive and indolent B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL), and to compare the different infection rate of Hepatifis Virus between the 2 groups. METHODS: Integrated clinical information of 733 newly diagnosed indolent B-NHL patients and 148 aggressive B-NHL patients from January 1994 to January 2014 was retrospectively analyzed. The difference of hepatitis virus infection was compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The positive rate of HCV-Ab was 1.8% in 881 newly diagnosed B-NHL patients. The HCV prevalence was 1.9% and 1.35% in the indolent and aggressive B-NHL group respecitvely. Compared with general population, the HCV positive rate was significantly higher in the whole B-NHL group and the indolent group(1.8% vs 0.4%,1.9% vs 1.4%)(P<0.01), while it was not significantly different in the aggressive group (1.35% vs 0.4%)(P=0.068). The positive rate of HCV-Ab was not significantly different between the indolent and the aggressive group (1.9% vs 1.35%)(P=0.639). The HBs-Ag positive rate in the whole B-NHL group was 9.0%, which was significantly higher than that in the general population (9.0% vs 7.2%)(P<0.05). The positive rate of HBs-Ag in the indolent and aggressive B-NHL group was 7.9% and 14.2%, respectively. It was significantly higher in the aggressive group than that in the indolent one (14.2% vs 7.2%)(P<0.01). Compared with the general population, the aggressive group had significantly higher prevalence rate of HBV. However, it was not significantly different between the indolent group and the general population (7.9% vs 7.2%)(P>0.05).In the aggressive B-NHL group,the co-expression of HBs-Ag,HBe-Ag and anti-HBc-Ab was 4.4%, which was higher than that in the indolent one (4.7% vs 1.2%)(P<0.01). However, compared with the indolent group, the co-expression of HBs-Ag, anti-HBe-Ab and anti-HBc-Ab was not significantly different in the aggressive group (5.5% vs 6.1%)(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The HCV is more relevant with indolent B-NHL, the HBV has more relevance with the aggressive patients.

[Analysis of Clinical Curative Efficacy for 91 Cases of Splenic Marginal Lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of splenic marginal zone lymploma (SMZL). METHODS: A total of 91 cases of SMZL admitted in our hospital from January 2002 to March 2013 were enrolled in this study. The clinical characteristics and immunophenotypes were summarized, and the clinical therapeute response and prognostic factors were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The median age of 91 patients was 56 (28-79); all the patients displayed splenomegaly with 73.6% of large spleen, hepatomegaly (14.6%) and lymphadenophathy (28.2%); the bone marrow involvement was observed in 98.9% patients, the B symptom was found in 47.1% patients. The positive expression of CD20 was observed in 100% patients, the positive expression of CD5 was in 8.3% patients, the positive expression of CD23 was found in 47.6% patients, no specific antigen was observed by now for SMZL. The clinical treatment showed that total ORR was 87.7%, CRR was 53.8% in chemotherapy group, chemotherapy combined with rituximab showed a better response than that of chemotherapy alone, which ORR was 100%, CRR was 72.4%, the difference between them was statistically significant. The Hb < 120 g/L, elevated LDH level and treatment without rituximab were the poor prognostic factors for PFS, while the elevated LDH level was related with OS of patients. CONCLUSION: The patients with SMZL often display splenomegaly, involvement in bone marrow and absence of specific immunophenotypes. Chemotherapy combined with rituximab can definitely improve the outcome of SMZL. The Hb level, LDH level and treatment combined with or without rituximab seem to be related to the prognosis of the disease.

[Combination of thalidomide and rituximab in suppressing myeloma cells in vitro].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The efficiency of rituximab (Mabthera) is related to CD20 expression density on cell membrane. It is not yet to be solved how to heighten expression level of CD20 on multiple myeloma (MM) cell membrane and to increase the efficacy of Mabthera to MM. This study was designed to observe whether thalidomide could promote the effect of Mabthera on suppressing myeloma cells in vitro and its possible mechanism. METHODS: Colony growth of 18 untreated and 20 relapsed or refractory MM patients' myeloma cells were observed in the methylcellulose semisolid medium adding thalidomide (10, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 300 micrograms/ml) or Mabthera (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 micrograms/ml) or thalidomide above 7 doses in combination with Mabthera of 16 micrograms/ml or Mabthera above 7 doses in combination with thalidomide of 75 micrograms/ml. Change of CD20 expression on the myeloma cells were measured by flow cytometer after and before myeloma cells were treated with thalidomide. RESULTS: The inhibition of the colony formation of untreated MM patients' myeloma cells occurred in 1. use only of thalidomide at more than or equal to 75 micrograms/ml or use only of Mabthera at 16 micrograms/ml, 2. use of thalidomide at 75 micrograms/ml with or without Mabthera at 16 micrograms/ml, 3. use of thalidomide at more than or equal to 75 micrograms/ml with or without Mabthera at 16 micrograms/ml; The inhibition of the colony formation of relapsed or refractory MM patients' myeloma cells occurred in 1. use of thalidomide at 75 micrograms/ml with Mabthera at 16 micrograms/ml, 2. use of thalidomide at more than or equal to 100 micrograms/ml with or without Mabthera at 16 micrograms/ml; Thalidomide at more than 75 micrograms/ml enhanced the expression of CD20 antigen in untreated and relapsed or refractory MM patients' myeloma cells. CONCLUSION: Thalidomide could enhance the inhibition of Mabthera on colony formation of MM patients' myeloma cells, which is related to that thalidomide enhances CD20 antigen expression of myeloma cells.