Propofol induces ferroptosis and inhibits malignant phenotypes of gastric cancer cells by regulating miR-125b-5p/STAT3 axis

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is a common malignancy with poor prognosis,in which ferroptosis plays a crucial function in its development.Propofol is a widely used anesthetic and has antitumor potential in gastric cancer.However,the effect of propofol on ferroptosis during gastric cancer progression remains unreported.AIM To explore the function of propofol in the regulation of ferroptosis and malignant phenotypes of gastric cancer cells.METHODS MTT assays,colony formation assays,Transwell assays,wound healing assay,analysis of apoptosis,ferroptosis measurement,luciferase reporter gene assay,and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were used in this study.RESULTS Our data showed that propofol was able to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.Meanwhile,propofol markedly repressed the invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells.Importantly,propofol enhanced the erastin-induced inhibition of growth of gastric cancer cells.Consistently,propofol increased the levels of reactive oxygen species,iron,and Fe2+in gastric cancer cells.Moreover,propofol suppressed signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)3 expression by upregulating miR-125b-5p and propofol induced ferroptosis by targeting STAT3 in gastric cancer cells.The miR-125b-5p inhibitor or STAT3 overexpression reversed propofol-attenuated malignant phenotypes of gastric cancer cells.CONCLUSION Propofol induced ferroptosis and inhibited malignant phenotypes of gastric cancer cells by regulating the miR-125b-5p/STAT3 axis.Propofol may serve as a potential therapeutic candidate for gastric cancer.

Metabonomics fingerprint of volatile organic compounds in serum and urine of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)is a metabolic disease with an increasing annual incidence rate.Our previous observational study found that pregnant women with GDM had mild cognitive decline.AIM To analyze the changes in metabonomics in pregnant women with GDM and explore the mechanism of cognitive function decline.METHODS Thirty GDM patients and 30 healthy pregnant women were analyzed.Solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to detect organic matter in plasma and urine samples.Statistical analyses were conducted using principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis.RESULTS Differential volatile metabolites in the serum of pregnant women with GDM included hexanal,2-octen-1-ol,and 2-propanol.Differential volatile metabolites in the urine of these women included benzene,cyclohexanone,1-hexanol,and phenol.Among the differential metabolites,the conversion of 2-propanol to acetone may further produce methylglyoxal.Therefore,2-propanol may be a potential marker for serum methylglyoxal.CONCLUSION 2-propanol may be a potential volatile marker to evaluate cognitive impairment in pregnant women with GDM.

Association between plasma dipeptidyl peptidase-4 levels and cognitive function in perinatal pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Dipeptidyl peptidase-4(DPP4)is associated with cognitive dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes.AIM To assess a possible relationship between serum DPP4 and cognitive function in perinatal pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM).METHODS The study subjects were divided into three groups:GDM group(n=81),healthy pregnant(HP)group(n=85),and control group(n=51).The Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)was used to assess the cognitive status of each group.Venous blood samples were collected to measure blood lipids,glycated hemoglobin,and glucose levels.For each participant,a 3-mL blood sample was collected and centrifuged,and the serum was collected.Blood samples were stored at-80℃,and DPP4,interleukin-6(IL-6),and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α(8-iso-PGF2α),and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)were detected using ELISA.RESULTS The MoCA scores in the GDM and HP groups were significantly different from those in the control group in terms of visuospatial/executive function and attention(P<0.05);however,the scores were not significantly different between the GDM and HP groups(P>0.05).In terms of language,the GDM group had significantly different scores from those in the other two groups(P<0.05).In terms of memory,a significant difference was found between the HP and control groups(P<0.05),as well as between the GDM and HP groups.The levels of DPP4,IL-6,and 8-iso-PGF2αin the GDM group were significantly higher than those in the HP and control groups(P<0.05);however,the differences between these levels in the HP and control groups were not significant(P>0.05).The level of BDNF in the GDM group was significantly lower than that in the HP and control groups(P<0.05),although the difference in this level between the HP and control groups was not significant(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Cognitive dysfunction in perinatal pregnant women with GDM mainly manifested as memory loss,which might be associated with elevated DPP4 levels.