The Different Artificial Sweeteners and Their Effects on Endothelial Cell/Blood Vessel Health: Possible Implications for Ringing in the Ear

Abstract: Background: Tinnitus, a condition whose remarkable symptom is ringing in the ear (RIE), is a problem plaguing people all around the world in varying degrees of severity, though it is most common and severe in older populations. Literature is lacking on its etiology. Therefore, it is difficult to diagnose and treat. Several possible components could play a role in the development of tinnitus including neurological, physiological, traumatic, dietary and vascular factors. No factor has yet been definitively linked to the development of tinnitus. Vascular health can be significantly impacted by diet- especially in regard to sugars. As artificial sweeteners are used widely in the American diet, they may play a significant role in vascular health. Objective: This project aims to investigate a possible connection between artificial sugars’ impact on vascular health and complaints of RIE among age groups through a patient survey and laboratory experiments. Methods: A survey assessing individuals’ demographic information, subjective severity of RIE and reported artificial sweetener consumption will be distributed to audiologists’ offices in major Ohio cities, via Qualtrics, where patients will complete them. Data collected will be analyzed for interrelationships among sugar intake, age and severity of RIE. In the laboratory, an ELISA assay will evaluate the effects of artificial sweeteners on endothelial cells- the same cells that comprise blood vessels- through quantifying stimulation of the Tie-2 survival and angiogenesis pathway via the cellular messenger pAKT

Luteolin Decreases EGFR-Mediated Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Glioblastoma Cell Lines.

Glioblastomas are a subtype of gliomas, which are the most aggressive and deadly form of brain tumours. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is over-expressed and amplified in glioblastomas. Luteolin is a common bioflavonoid found in a variety of fruits and vegetables. The aim of the present study was to explore the molecular and biological effects of luteolin on EGF-induced cell proliferation and the potential of luteolin to induce apoptosis in glioblastoma cells. In vitro cell viability assays demonstrated that luteolin decreased cell proliferation in the presence or absence of EGF. Immunoblots revealed that luteolin decreased the protein expression levels of phosphorylated Akt, mTOR, p70S6K, and MAPK in the presence of EGF. Furthermore, our results revealed the ability of luteolin to induce caspase and PARP cleavages in glioblastoma cells in addition to promoting cell cycle arrest. Our results demonstrated that luteolin has an inhibitory effect on downstream signalling molecules activated by EGFR, particularly the Akt and MAPK signalling pathways, and provided a rationale for further clinical investigation into the use of luteolin as a therapeutic molecule in the management of glioblastoma. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Evaluation of the Anticancer Activity of Bioactive Fraction G Extracted from \u3cem\u3ePavetta crassipes\u3c/em\u3e in Malignant Brain Tumor Cell Lines

Objective: Natural products have served as sources of lead compounds that are commonly used in the treatment of human diseases including cancer. Pavetta crassipes has been widely demonstrated to have ethnopharmacological potential in the management of malaria, gastrointestinal conditions, central nervous system behavioral disorders, hypertension, and cancer. The goal of our study was to evaluate the biological and molecular effects of Fraction G, obtained from the plant Pavetta crassipes, on glioblastoma invasive growth and survival. Methodology: The antiproliferative effects of Fraction G, obtained from Pavetta crassipes, was evaluated using the trypan blue exclusion, (3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol- 2yl)-2, 5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide; MTT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Flow cytometry and Western blotting analyses were carried out to examine the effects of Fraction G on cell cycle check-points and its effects on epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated signaling of AKT and MAPK pathways. Results: In this paper, we report that the Fraction G obtained from the plant Pavetta crassipes induced a reduction in glioma cell viability and proliferation as well as induced an increase in apoptosis as evidenced by cleaved PARP, increased caspase 3/7 activity, and cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 check point. Furthermore, we report that Fraction G inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and MAPK following EGF treatment. Conclusion: Taken together, our results demonstrate that Fraction G has potent inhibitory effects on pathways involved in glioblastoma proliferation and survival