Role of in vitamin D in irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)is a common chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting 10%-22%of adults.Its development is closely related to the gut microbiota,and the inflammatory and immune responses triggered by the gut microbiota can lead to IBS.Vitamin D(VD)effectively treats IBS with fewer side effects by improving gut microbiota,immune regulation,and anti-inflammatory effects.In the future,it is necessary to carry out epidemiological studies on the relationship between VD and IBS,clinical studies on the efficacy of supplementing VD to improve IBS,and animal studies on the mechanism of VD improving IBS.Therefore,this paper discussed the relationship between VD and IBS.

Colitis and colorectal tumors should be further explored and differentiated

The original article by Yuichi et al explored whether the Japan Narrow-Band Imaging Expert Team classification and the pit pattern classification are suitable for diagnosing neoplastic lesions in patients with ulcerative colitis.In this letter,we offer some other perspectives.Risk factors for colorectal tumors include type 2 diabetes.Among genetic factors,the deletion or mutation of some genes,such as the p53 gene,can lead to colorectal tumors.There are significant gender differences in the occurrence and development of colorectal tumors.Some nongenetic factors,such as smoking,are also associated with the development of colorectal tumors.These all suggest that colorectal tumors are not only caused by ulcerative colitis,and we suggest further exploration and differentiation between colitis and colorectal tumors.

Underlying disease may increase mortality risk in users of atypical antipsychotics

Schizophrenia is a group of the most common types of mental illness.Commonly used antischizophrenia drugs all increase mortality to some extent.The increased risk of death in older individuals and patients with dementia using atypical antips-ychotics may be due to myocardial damage,increased mobility and increased risk of stroke.

Fuzhuan brick tea affects obesity process by modulating gut microbiota

The effect of Fuzhuan brick tea(FBT)on metabolism in obese mice is mediated by regulation of N-methyltransferase by aryl hydrocarbon receptor.The expression of the phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase gene is regulated by many transcription factors,and those specific to this effect need further investigation.Experimental animal studies have been designed to observe the effects of a single drug or the sequential effects of drugs.A washout period should be included if different drugs(e.g.,antibiotics and FBT)are given to avoid or reduce additive effects or synergy.Currently,most experimental studies performed in mice used only male animals.However,experience has revealed that the results of using only male mice are very likely to have sex differences.

Skinny people serum factors promote the differentiation of multipotent stem cells into brown adipose tissue

The original study by Alessio et al reported that skinny people (SP) serum canpromote the formation of brown adipocytes, but not the differentiation of whiteadipocytes. This finding may explain why SP do not often become obese, despiteconsuming more calories than the body needs. More importantly, theydemonstrated that circulating factors in SP serum can promote the expression ofUCP-1 protein, thereby reducing fat accumulation. In this study, only male serumsamples were evaluated to avoid the interference of sex hormones in experiments,but adult males also synthesize estrogen, which is produced by the cells of thetestes. At the same time, adult females secrete androgens, and females synthesizeandrogens that are mainly produced by the adrenal cortex. We believe that theapproach of excluding sex hormone interference by sex selection alone may beflawed, so we comment on the article and debate the statistical analysis of thearticle.

Inhibition of glutathione metabolism can limit the development of pancreatic cancer

Pharmacological inhibitors of glutathione synthesis and circulation,such as buthionine-sulfoximine,inhibit glutathione metabolism.These drugs decrease the aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer,inhibit tumor stem cell survival,and reduce chemotherapy resistance.Nevertheless,buthionine-sulfoximine also decreases the content of glutathione in normal cells,disrupts the balance between reactive oxygen species and glutathione,and eventually induces cell apoptosis.Pancreatic cancer is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage and has a poor prognosis.Consequently,the use of biomarkers to screen high-risk patients can be an effective method.

Baseline differences may impact on relationship between dietary tryptophan and risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes

Recently,we read with great interest an article reporting a relationship between dietary tryptophan and the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes(T2D).However,baseline characteristics differed among tertiles of cumulative dietary tryptophan intake in that study,which may be a confounding factor for the relationship between dietary tryptophan and the risk of obesity and T2D.

Electroconvulsive therapy plays an irreplaceable role in treatment of major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder is a serious and common neuropsychiatric disorder that affects more than 350 million people worldwide.Electroconvulsive therapy is the oldest and most effective treatment available for the treatment of severe major depressive disorder.Electroconvulsive therapy modifies structural network changes in patients with major depressive disorder and schizophrenia.And it can also affect neuroinflammatory responses and may have neuroprotective effects.Electroconvulsive therapy plays an irreplaceable role in the treatment of major depressive disorder.

Obesity is associated with colitis in women but not necessarily causal relationship

The relationship between obesity and female risk of microscopic colitis remains to be discussed.

Loss of skeletal muscle mass is not specific to type 2 diabetes

Skeletal muscle is a massive insulin-sensitive tissue in the body.Loss of muscle mass is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction,and is often a result of diabetes.Insulin deficiency or insulin resistance can only be seen as reduced skeletal muscle mass.Diabetes is caused by insulin deficiency or insulin resistance;however,insulin resistance is not unique to diabetics.Insulin resistance also exists in many diseases.

Sodium selenite may be not the optimal speciation as an effective therapy for arsenic-induced anxiety-/depression-like behavior

Major depressive disorder is a serious and prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder,affecting more than 350 million people worldwide.Here,sodium selenite(SS)was selected as the selenite supplement to improve the behavior in a mouse model of depression induced by As.SS may be not the optimal speciation for selenite supplementation and the source of the SS used in the study was not disclosed.There are many mouse models of depression and anxiety;however,in the current study,a classical mouse model of depression was not used.Thus,several questions still need to be further discussed.Taken together,the results indicate that SS may be not the optimal speciation as an effective therapy for As-induced anxiety-/depression-like behavior.

Underlying reasons for the decline in physical activity during COVID-19

The article not only successfully evaluated regular physical activities can improve mental well-being during self-isolation and social distancing policies related to the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),but also concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to augmented levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2.By reading the article of Walid Kamal Abdelbasset,we have some questions and put forward some suggestions on the content of the article.

More studies are necessary to establish the effectiveness of Jinhuang powder in the treatment of diabetic foot

Diabetes mellitus is a common global public health problem that can cause serious illness and premature death.Diabetic foot ulcer,one of the complications of diabetes,is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and is associated with many other devastating complications.Previous study found that a group of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)can be used for treating diabetic foot ulcers.More and more attention is being paid to the use of Chinese medicine to heal diabetic feet.Under the guidance of relevant theories of traditional Chinese medicine,more studies are needed to reveal the key active components and related signal pathways of TCM in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer.One clinical study explored the treatment of diabetic foot with infection combined moist exposed burn ointment with Jinhuang powder.However,large-scale multi-center,double blind,randomized,placebo-controlled clinical trials and animal studies are necessary to establish the effectiveness of Jinhuang powder in the treatment of diabetic foot.

Different nutrient compositions in diet and taking hypoglycemic drugs can modulate gut microbial flora

The diet structure of diabetic patients is different from that of normal people.Diabetic patients also need to take hypoglycemic drugs to regulate blood sugar.Both dieting and drugs affect the gut microbiota of diabetic patients.In this letter,we discuss that different dietary patterns and the use of hypoglycemic agents may have an impact on changes in gut microbiota in diabetic patients.