MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small (about 22 nucleotides),endogenous,noncoding RNAs that direct mRNA degradation and translational inhibition post-transcriptionally by binding to complementary sequences in the 3' untranslated regions of specific target mRNAs.miRNAs play multiple important roles in the intestinal epithelium,influencing a number of intestinal disease processes.This review summarizes the regulatory roles of miRNA in intestinal epithelial differentiation,architecture,membrane permeability,immunological function,and more importantly,the intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction-associated diseases.

Objective To investigate the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or EPA plus carboplatin on the proliferation and apoptosis of human lung cancer cell line A-549.Methods A-549 cells were cultured by 100 μg/ml carboplatin,80 μg/ml EPA,and their combination for 48 hours.MTT assay was used to determine the effect of EPA,carboplatin,or their combination on the proliferation of human lung cancer cell line A-549.The morphological changes of human lung cancer cell line A-549 were observed using HE staining,and apoptosis of A-549 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry.Results MTT assay showed that the proliferation inhibition rate of A-549 cells cultured with EPA plus carboplatin was 85.20％ ± 5.00％,which was significantly higher than that of cells cultured with 80 μg/ml EPA (32.85％ ± 3.00％,P =0.0001 ) or 100 μg/ml carboplatin (53.25％ ±3.00％,P =0.0013 ).HE staining showed apoptosis in all three groups,whereas the apoptosis rate reached 17.05％ ± 4.00％ in the combination group,which was significantly higher than that in carboplatin group (9.49％ ± 1.00％,P =0.0252).Conclusion EPA may enhance the effects of carboplatin in inhibiting the proliferation and promoting the apoptosis of human lung cancer cell line A-549.

Objective To investigate the effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) on systemic inflammatory response and intestinal mucosa barrier in rats with traumatic brain injury and hemorrhagic shock (TBIS).Methods A total of 36 male Wistar rats were equally randomized into 3 groups:sham operation group,TBIS model group,and ω-3 PUFA pretreatment group.The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),8-iso-prostaglandin F2 a (8-iso-PGF2 a),interleukin (IL)-1 β,and IL-10 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).HE staining was performed for morphological assessment of the intestinal tissue and evaluation of the intestinal mucosa damage index (IMDI).The marked bacilli of the mesenteric lymph nodes,lung,liver,spleen,and kidney tissue were counted under a fluorescent microscope.Results Compared with those in the sham group [ (38.15 ± 6.37) ng/ml,(84.91 ± 17.22) pg/ml,(2.52 ± 0.83 ) μg/L,(2.86 ± 0.82) μg/L,0.36 ±0.14,and 8.33％ ],the serum levels of TNF-α [ (328.11 ±20.09) and (244.37 ±21.82) ng/rrl],8-iso-PGF2a [ (263.47±55.19) and (176.35±41.63) pg/ml],IL-1β [ (27.06±2.61) and (18.91 ±1.78) μg/L],IL-10 [ (7.63 ± 1.29) and (9.52 ± 4.66) μg/L],the IMDI (4.18 ±0.39 and 3.31 ±0.40),and the positive rates of bacterial translocation (56.67％ and 35.00％ ) were significantly higher in both the TBIS model group and ω-3 PUFA group ( all P ＜ 0.01 ).Compared with TBIS model group,the levels of TNF-α,8-iso-PGF2 a,and IL-1 β,the IMDI,and the positive rate of bacterial translocation were significantly lower ( all P ＜ 0.05 ) and the levels of IL-10 were significantly higher in the ω-3 PUFA group (P ＜0.01 ).Conclusion The supplementation of ω-3 PUFA can remarkably inhibit the systemic inflammatory response and protect the integrity of intestinal mucosa in rat with TBIS.

Objective To explore the association of arachidonic acid (AA) level in gastric cancer (GC) tissue with tumor differentiation and patients' gender.Methods The contents of AA in GC tissue and adjacent matched normal mucosa were measured using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.The relationships of AA with GC differentiation and patients' gender were analyzed.Results The level of AA significantly decreased in GC tissue (0.190％ ± 0.255 ％) compared with normal tissue (0.274％ ± 0.254％,n =30,P =0.011 ),while the level of AA had no significant difference in the tissues of matched normal mucosa and different TNM stages or among different TNM stages ( all P ＞ 0.05).The AA levels in well and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (0.173％ ±0.244％ ) and in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (0.195％ ±0.264％) were significantly decreased when compared with those in the paired normal mucosa (0.334％ ± 0.170％,P =0.018; 0.256％ ± 0.275％,P =0.043,respectively),while no significant difference was observed between the different differentiated grades (P =0.895).The level of AA significantly decreased in male patients (0.137％ ± 0.209％ ) as compared with paired normal mucosa (0.275％:± 0.238％,P =0.010),while no positive correlation was observed in female patients as compared with normal group (P=0.477) or in the comparison between male and female groups (P =0.139).Conclusions The AA level remarkably decreases in GC tissue,which may be associated with differentiated grades and patients'gender.In addition,more AA is utilized in male GC patients than female patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate a reasonable perioperative nutrition support therapy for combined ‘en bloc’ liver/pancreas transplants (CLPT).MethodThe clinical data of 10 patients,5 with gastrointestinal malignancy and liver metastasis and the other 5 with end-stage liver cirrhosis complicated with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2DM),who had undergone CLPT in our center from May 2004 to September 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.All these patients received preioperative nutrition support,including normal food combined with nutrient solution before surgery,and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) to parenteral nutrition (PN) +enteral nutrition ( EN ) and to EN after surgery.The intestinal absorption,nutritional status,laboratory test results,and complications were recorded.ResultsAll recipients experienced a smooth recovery from the procedure,with normal or almost normal liver,pancreas,and duodenum graft functions.Three patients suffered from intestinal fistula,and all of them received TPN therapy; two patients died of multiple organ failure and one recovered from the complication.The remaining seven patients had smooth transition from TPN to EN.Of the 5 patients with malignancies,three died of multiple organ failure and 2 died of cancer recurrence.Of the 5 patients with liver cirrhosis and T2DM,four patients survived and 1 patient died of graft-verse-host disease.ConclusionRational perioperative nutrition support is important for the successful recovery after CLPT.

Operable cancer patients should receive nutritional risk screening or/and nutritional assessment before surgery.Perioperative nutrition support therapy should be planned and implemented for the patients with nutritional risk or malnutrition,but not necessarily following special nutritional formula.Reducing the time of preoperative fasting,providing reasonable preoperative nutrition support,and early postoperative feeding in combination may be the preferred strategy for perioperative nutritional intervention and management.Because the disease of cancer patients is complicated and changeable,perioperative nutrition support is not only a technology,but also an “art”.The guidelines,disease information,and clinical experience should be “cleverly tailored and combined” to promote the outcome-improving effect of nutrition support therapy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of fast track surgery (FTS) on insulin resistance indexes in esophageal cancer patients.MethodsA total of 68 esophageal cancer patients receiving radical operation in our hospital from November 2009 to March 2011 were randomly divided into 2 groups by envelope method:FTS group ( n =34) and control group ( n =34 ).The postoperative first passage of gas by annus and defecation,postoperative hospital stay,hospitalization expenditure,and postoperative complications were recorded.Insulin resistance indexes were measured before operation as well as on the 1st,3rd,and 7th postoperative days,including fasting blood-glucose (FBG),fasting insulin (FINS),serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6),and C-reactive protein (CRP).The insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated at the same time points.ResultsThe postoperative time of first passage of gas [ ( 1.91 ± 1.13 ) d vs.(2.95 ± 1.25 ) d,P =0.000 ] and defecation [ ( 3.75 ± 1.54 ) d vs.(4.84 ± 1.76) d,P =0.007] in FTS group were significantly shorter compared with control group,and the total hospitalization expenditure was significantly lower in FTS group [ (3.19±0.42) ten-thousand yuan vs.(3.98 ±0.36) ten-thousand yuan,P =0.000 ].The preoperative insulin resistance indexes showed no signifcant differences between the two groups ( all P ＞ 0.05 ).One day after operation,the levels of log-HOMA-IR (0.97 ± 0.52vs.1.54±0.57,P=0.000),FINS [ (11.87±4.55) μU/ml vs.(17.16±6.90) μU/ml,P=0.000],IL-6[ (124.15±21.39) ng/Lvs.(138.78±23.60) ng/L,P.=0.009],and CRP [ (62.92±14.78) mg/L vs.(71.07 ± 14.51 ) mg/L,P =0.025 ] in FTS group were significantly lower than those in control group.Three days after operation,the levels of log-HOMA-IR (0.86 ± 0.47 vs.1.27 ± 0.58,P =0.002),FINS [ ( 9.56 ± 4.37 )μU/mlvs.(14.91±6.54) μU/ml,P=0.000],IL-6 [ (140.94±25.12) ng/Lvs.(153.89±24.06) ng/L,P=0.035],and CRP [ (138.59 ±21.61) mg/L vs.(153.17 ±25.20) mg/L,P=0.019] in FTS group were significantly lower than those in control group.Seven days after operation,the level of CRP in FTS group was significantly lower than that in control group [ (53.07 ± 15.84 ) mg/L vs.( 61.59 ± 16.28 ) mg/L,P =0.032 ].ConclusionFTS may promote the early recovery of gastrointestinal function,reduce stress reaction and postoperative insulin,thus being conducive to fast rehabilitation of esophageal cancer patients.

Recent clinical studies have shown that collagen peptides may reduce joint pain and the dependence on analgesics,and enhance sport ability in athletes.Therefore,collagen peptides may be a safe nutrient supplement for prevention and mitigation of joint pain in athletes.

Probiotics modulate the biological functions (and even cell apoptosis) of intestinal epithelial cells,intestinal macrophages,intestinal dendritic cells,and T cells via cell signaling pathways including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways.Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and heat shock protein (hsp) are targets for probiotics or their products.

ObjectiveTo investigate the dietary intake of phytosterols in middle-aged and elderly residents in Guangzhou.Methods The dietary data were collected from 599 middle-aged and elderly residents (222 men and 377 women) recruited by stratified cluster random sampling in Guangzhou.All the subjects were surveyed using Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ).The dietary intake of phytosterols was estimated using Chinese data of phytosterol composition of a range of foods.ResultsThe dietary intake of total phytosterols was 336.36 ±142.88 mg/d,which included β-sitosterol 218.53 ± 95.20 mg/d,campesterol 48.33 ± 23.69 mg/d,stigmasterol 36.40 ± 14.38 mg/d,β-sitostanol 30.65 ± 13.62 mg/d,and campestanol 4.67 ±2.77 mg/d.Women had a significantly higher intake of phytosterols than men [ (345.45 ±141.06) mg/d vs.(320.93 ±144.95) mg/d,P=0.0425].Edible oil,vegetable,cereal,and fruit were the four major food sources of phytosterols,representing 37.2％,19.8％,18.5％,and 12.5％ of the total phytosterols intake respectively.Energy-adjusted intake of phytosterols was (42.94 ± 15.66) mg/1000 kJ,and women had a significantly higher intake than men [ (46.04 ±15.90) mg/1000 kJ vs.(37.69 ± 13.76) mg/1000 kJ,P =0.0000 ].ConclusionAmong the middle-aged and elderly residents in Guangzhou,women have higher phytosterols intake than men.