Probiotics exert various effects on the body and provide different health benefits. Previous reports have demonstrated that the P8 protein (P8), isolated from Lactobacillus rhamnosus, has anticancer properties. However, its efficacy in stem cells and normal cells has not been reported. In this study, the effect of P8 on cell proliferation and wound healing was evaluated, investigating its underlying mechanism. Based on scratch assay results, we demonstrated that P8 treatment significantly increases wound healing by activating the cell cycle and promoting stem cell stemness.Cellular mechanisms were further investigated by culturing stem cells in a medium containing Lactobacillus-derived P8 protein, revealing its promotion of cell proliferation and migration. Also, it is found that P8 enhances the expression of stemness markers, such as OCT4 and SOX2, along with activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and Hippo pathways. These results indicate that P8 can promote cell growth by increasing stem cell proliferation, migration, and stemness in a manner associated with MAPK and Hippo signaling, which could contribute to the increased wound healing after P8 treatment. Furthermore, P8 could promote wound healing in keratinocytes by activating the MAPK signaling pathways. These results suggest that P8 might be a promising candidate to enhance stem cell culture efficiency by activating cell proliferation, and enhance therapeutic effects in skin diseases.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Probiotics exert various effects on the body and provide different health benefits. Previous reports have demonstrated that the P8 protein (P8), isolated from Lactobacillus rhamnosus, has anticancer properties. However, its efficacy in stem cells and normal cells has not been reported. In this study, the effect of P8 on cell proliferation and wound healing was evaluated, investigating its underlying mechanism. Based on scratch assay results, we demonstrated that P8 treatment significantly increases wound healing by activating the cell cycle and promoting stem cell stemness.Cellular mechanisms were further investigated by culturing stem cells in a medium containing Lactobacillus-derived P8 protein, revealing its promotion of cell proliferation and migration. Also, it is found that P8 enhances the expression of stemness markers, such as OCT4 and SOX2, along with activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and Hippo pathways. These results indicate that P8 can promote cell growth by increasing stem cell proliferation, migration, and stemness in a manner associated with MAPK and Hippo signaling, which could contribute to the increased wound healing after P8 treatment. Furthermore, P8 could promote wound healing in keratinocytes by activating the MAPK signaling pathways. These results suggest that P8 might be a promising candidate to enhance stem cell culture efficiency by activating cell proliferation, and enhance therapeutic effects in skin diseases.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Probiotics exert various effects on the body and provide different health benefits. Previous reports have demonstrated that the P8 protein (P8), isolated from Lactobacillus rhamnosus, has anticancer properties. However, its efficacy in stem cells and normal cells has not been reported. In this study, the effect of P8 on cell proliferation and wound healing was evaluated, investigating its underlying mechanism. Based on scratch assay results, we demonstrated that P8 treatment significantly increases wound healing by activating the cell cycle and promoting stem cell stemness.Cellular mechanisms were further investigated by culturing stem cells in a medium containing Lactobacillus-derived P8 protein, revealing its promotion of cell proliferation and migration. Also, it is found that P8 enhances the expression of stemness markers, such as OCT4 and SOX2, along with activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and Hippo pathways. These results indicate that P8 can promote cell growth by increasing stem cell proliferation, migration, and stemness in a manner associated with MAPK and Hippo signaling, which could contribute to the increased wound healing after P8 treatment. Furthermore, P8 could promote wound healing in keratinocytes by activating the MAPK signaling pathways. These results suggest that P8 might be a promising candidate to enhance stem cell culture efficiency by activating cell proliferation, and enhance therapeutic effects in skin diseases.

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory disease in which keratinocytes proliferate abnormally due to excessive immune action. Psoriasis can be associated with various comorbidities and has a significant impact on health-related quality of life. Although many systemic treatments, including biologic agents, have been developed, topical treatment remains the main option for psoriasis management. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop topical treatments with minimal side effects and high efficacy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit excellent immune regulation, anti-inflammatory activities, and therapeutic effects, and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) can serve as crucial mediators of functional transfer from MSCs. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a safe and easy-to-use emulsion cream for treating psoriasis using MSC conditioned media (CM) containing EVs. We developed an enhanced Wharton’s jelly MSC (WJ-MSC) culture method through a three-dimensional (3D) culture containing exogenous transforming growth factor-β3. Using the 3D culture system, we obtained CM from WJ-MSCs, which yielded a higher EV production compared to that of conventional WJ-MSC culture methods, and investigated the effect of EV-enriched 3D-WJMSC-CM cream on psoriasis-related inflammation. Administration of the EV-enriched 3D-WJ-MSC-CM cream significantly reduced erythema, thickness, and scaling of skin lesions, alleviated imiquimod-induced psoriasiform lesions in mice, and ameliorated histopathological changes in mouse skin. The upregulated mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-17a, IL-22, IL-23, and IL-36, decreased in the lesions. In conclusion, we present here a new topical treatment for psoriasis using an MSC EV-enriched cream.

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory disease in which keratinocytes proliferate abnormally due to excessive immune action. Psoriasis can be associated with various comorbidities and has a significant impact on health-related quality of life. Although many systemic treatments, including biologic agents, have been developed, topical treatment remains the main option for psoriasis management. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop topical treatments with minimal side effects and high efficacy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit excellent immune regulation, anti-inflammatory activities, and therapeutic effects, and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) can serve as crucial mediators of functional transfer from MSCs. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a safe and easy-to-use emulsion cream for treating psoriasis using MSC conditioned media (CM) containing EVs. We developed an enhanced Wharton’s jelly MSC (WJ-MSC) culture method through a three-dimensional (3D) culture containing exogenous transforming growth factor-β3. Using the 3D culture system, we obtained CM from WJ-MSCs, which yielded a higher EV production compared to that of conventional WJ-MSC culture methods, and investigated the effect of EV-enriched 3D-WJMSC-CM cream on psoriasis-related inflammation. Administration of the EV-enriched 3D-WJ-MSC-CM cream significantly reduced erythema, thickness, and scaling of skin lesions, alleviated imiquimod-induced psoriasiform lesions in mice, and ameliorated histopathological changes in mouse skin. The upregulated mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-17a, IL-22, IL-23, and IL-36, decreased in the lesions. In conclusion, we present here a new topical treatment for psoriasis using an MSC EV-enriched cream.

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory disease in which keratinocytes proliferate abnormally due to excessive immune action. Psoriasis can be associated with various comorbidities and has a significant impact on health-related quality of life. Although many systemic treatments, including biologic agents, have been developed, topical treatment remains the main option for psoriasis management. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop topical treatments with minimal side effects and high efficacy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit excellent immune regulation, anti-inflammatory activities, and therapeutic effects, and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) can serve as crucial mediators of functional transfer from MSCs. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a safe and easy-to-use emulsion cream for treating psoriasis using MSC conditioned media (CM) containing EVs. We developed an enhanced Wharton’s jelly MSC (WJ-MSC) culture method through a three-dimensional (3D) culture containing exogenous transforming growth factor-β3. Using the 3D culture system, we obtained CM from WJ-MSCs, which yielded a higher EV production compared to that of conventional WJ-MSC culture methods, and investigated the effect of EV-enriched 3D-WJMSC-CM cream on psoriasis-related inflammation. Administration of the EV-enriched 3D-WJ-MSC-CM cream significantly reduced erythema, thickness, and scaling of skin lesions, alleviated imiquimod-induced psoriasiform lesions in mice, and ameliorated histopathological changes in mouse skin. The upregulated mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-17a, IL-22, IL-23, and IL-36, decreased in the lesions. In conclusion, we present here a new topical treatment for psoriasis using an MSC EV-enriched cream.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is caused by reactive oxygen species and free radicals that accelerate inflammatory responses and exacerbate fatigue. Tormentic acid (TA) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, the aim of present study is to determine the fatigue-regulatory effects of TA in H2O2 -stimulated myoblast cell line, C2C12 cells and treadmill stress test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST) animal models.MATERIALS/METHODS: In the in vitro study, C2C12 cells were pretreated with TA before stimulation with H2O2 . Then, malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) activity, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glycogen, and cell viability were analyzed. In the in vivo study, the ICR male mice were administered TA or distilled water orally daily for 28 days. FST and TST were then performed on the last day. In addition, biochemical analysis of the serum, muscle, and liver was performed. RESULTS: TA dose-dependently alleviated the levels of MDA, LDH, CK activity, TNF-α, and IL-6 in H2O2 -stimulated C2C12 cells without affecting the cytotoxicity. TA increased the SOD and CAT activities and the glycogen levels in H2O2 -stimulated C2C12 cells. In TST and FST animal models, TA decreased the FST immobility time significantly while increasing the TST exhaustion time without weight fluctuations. The in vivo studies showed that the levels of SOD, CAT, citrate synthase, glycogen, and free fatty acid were increased by TA administration, whereas TA significantly reduced the levels of glucose, MDA, LDH, lactate, CK, inflammatory cytokines, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, and cortisol compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS TA improves fatigue by modulating oxidative stress and energy metabolism in C2C12 cells and animal models. Therefore, we suggest that TA can be a powerful substance in healthy functional foods and therapeutics to improve fatigue.