The Potential Effect of General Anesthetics in Cancer Surgery: Meta-Analysis of Postoperative Metastasis and Inflammatory Cytokines.

Metastasis or recurrence following curative surgery is the main indicator of tumor progress and is the main cause of patient death. For more than three decades, the potential for general anesthesia to affect cancer outcomes has been a subject of concern with considerable research interest. Here, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the effect of inhalational anesthesia (IHNA) vs. propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) on metastasis and recurrence after cancer surgery from clinical and pre-clinical studies. The relative risk for metastasis/recurrence in TIVA is 0.61 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.46 to 0.82, p = 0.0009) compared to IHNA. Inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in cancer metastasis following cancer surgery, thus we analyzed inflammatory cytokines levels after surgery under IHNA or TIVA. Based on pooled analysis, a lower IL-6 level was noticed in TIVA in comparison to IHNA (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.097 to 1.44, I2 = 92%, p = 0.02) but not TNF-α or IL-10. Preclinical animal model studies show that inhalational anesthetics increase the risk of breast cancer metastasis compared to propofol. In conclusion, the current evidence suggests intravenous anesthetic propofol is associated with less metastasis/recurrence and lower postoperative IL-6 level over inhaled anesthetics in the oncological surgery. We urge more well-designed clinical and preclinical studies in this field.

Coordinated Regulation of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells by Cytokines and Chemokines.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immature myeloid cells that impair immune cell functions and promote tumor progression. Mounting evidence indicates that cytokines and chemokines in the tumor microenvironment alter MDSCs. Various cytokines and chemokines are involved in MDSC production, their infiltration into tumors, and their exertion of suppressive functions. Here, we consider those cytokines, chemokines, and MDSCs as an intricately connected, complex system and we focus on how tumors manipulate the MDSCs through various cytokines and chemokines. We also discuss treatment capitalizing on cytokines/chemokine signaling aimed at combating the potent immunosuppressive activities of MDSCs to improve disease outcomes.

Fabrication of chitosan nanoparticles with phosphatidylcholine for improved sustain release, basolateral secretion, and transport of lutein in Caco-2 cells.

Biopolymers-based nanoparticles delivery emerged alternatively to improve nutraceuticals and drug bioavailability. The intestinal physiology suggested a prerequisite of lipid moiety for carotenoid absorption. This study aimed to fabricate chitosan-based nanoparticles with phosphatidylcholine (PC) to enhance lutein bioavailability. Lutein encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles with PC (LCNPC) or without PC (LCN) were assessed for bioaccessibility, sustain release, cellular uptake/internalization, and basolateral secretion of lutein in Caco-2 cells. Standard lutein mixed micelles (LMM), and micelles derived through in vitro digestion of green leafy vegetables (GMM) treated as controls. The LCNPC showed reduced particle size, higher colloidal stability, homogeneous dispersion, and suitable for oral administration compared to LCN. The cellular uptake of lutein (20 h) in LCNPC was higher than LCN, LMM, and GMM, respectively. Interestingly, lutein uptake was maximum at 8 h in LMM and gradually decreased against sustain-release response in LCNPC and LCN, whereas considerably low lutein uptake from GMM at all time points. Further, LCNPC significantly increased basolateral secretion of triglyceride (TG) and positively correlated enhanced lutein uptake/internalization process than LCN and micelles. Also, LCNPC demonstrated the upregulation of endocytosis, paracellular, scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SRB-1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) mediated lutein transport mechanism. These results suggested that fabrication of biopolymer-based nanoparticles with PC could provide greater insight to improve lutein bioavailability at enterocyte levels, to avoid age-related macular degeneration and other chronic diseases.

Galactose Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles As Delivery Vehicle in the Treatment of Hepatitis C Infection.

DNA and RNA based antiviral strategies using nonviral vectors have shown better potential over the viral pathway due to the fewer chances of gene recombination and immunogenicity. In this work a mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) based carrier system has been used for targeted delivery of shDNA molecule against the conserved 5'-untranslated region (UTR) in the RNA of a hepatitis C virus to inhibit its replication. The MSNs coated with amine and galactose could specifically target liver cells. Significant reduction (about 94%) of viral RNA level was achieved in HCV-JFH1 infectious cell culture compared to the control RNA levels directed the successful delivery and action of the shDNA. This study showed that Gal-AMSN can be used as a synthetic delivery vector to deliver the shDNA effectively for the treatment of HCV infection.