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Recent Longevity News for the week ending 1/11/23

My pancreatic cancer has spread. I'm going to give up this newsletter shortly. It takes way too much time and no one supports it. I think of all the Christmas shopping that I could have received commission on if everyone had used my Amazon link but there was almost nothing. Also, clicking on the Google ads. Some of them clicks are worth 80 cents each. It would not have cost them a penny. If anyone wants to buy the website, email me.

Screen All Patients for Cannabis Use Before Surgery: Guideline - Medscape, 1/9/23 - "Patients who regularly use cannabis may experience worse pain and nausea after surgery and may require more opioid analgesia"

Is pain relief from cannabis all in your head? - National Geographic, 1/6/23 - "The JAMA Network Open analysis found that positive articles appeared in the media even when the research conclusions being reported were neutral or negative … The media seem to be fact-resistant in this case, because no matter what a trial says the media will report with a positive angle. So it’s a no-brainer why people keep asking for these medications … People with this pain might be especially prone to having a placebo response … It may please patients in the short term for doctors to recommend cannabis … but at the moment the scientific evidence does not support the treatment for pain"

Small Study Finds High-Dose Vitamin D Relieved Toxic Erythema of Chemotherapy - Medscape, 1/6/23 - "Onset of TEC in the six patients occurred a mean of 8.5 days after chemotherapy. Vitamin D – 50,000 IU for one patient and 100,000 IU for the others – was administered a mean of 4.3 days from rash onset and again in 7 days. Triamcinolone, 0.1%, or clobetasol, 0.05%, ointments were also prescribed ... All patients experienced symptomatic improvement in pain, pruritus, or swelling within a day of the first vitamin D treatment, and improvement in redness within 1 to 4 days, the authors said. The second treatment was administered for residual symptoms" - See vitamin D at Amazon.com.

Poor Hydration May Be Linked to Early Aging and Chronic Disease, a 25-Year Study Finds - NBC, 1/2/23 - "The researchers looked at levels of sodium in the participants' blood as a proxy for hydration, because higher concentrations are a sign that they most likely weren't consuming enough fluids. The researchers found that the participants with high blood-sodium levels aged faster physiologically than those with lower levels, which was reflected in health markers associated with aging, like high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar ... The study participants all had blood-sodium concentrations considered to be within the normal range: 135 to 146 millimoles per liter. But the findings suggested that people with levels at the higher end of that normal range — above 144 millimoles per liter — were 50% more likely to show signs of physical aging beyond what would be expected for their years compared to people with lower blood-sodium levels. They also had a roughly 20% increased risk of premature death"

Abstracts from this week:

Metformin in SARS-CoV-2 infection: A hidden path - from altered inflammation to reduced mortality. A review from the literature - J Diabetes Complications 2023 Jan 2 - "Metformin remains on the first line of the management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. Through its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanisms, metformin appears as an opportunity to control the dysregulated cytokine storm secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Recent studies point towards a potential protective role of metformin in the course of COVID-19, showing that current or previous treatment with metformin associates with better outcomes" - See metformin at ReliableRX.

Effects of Resveratrol on Muscle Inflammation, Energy Utilisation, and Exercise Performance in an Eccentric Contraction Exercise Mouse Model - Nutrients 2023 Jan 3 - "Eccentric contraction can easily cause muscle damage and an inflammatory response, which reduces the efficiency of muscle contraction. Resveratrol causes anti-inflammatory effects in muscles, accelerates muscle repair, and promotes exercise performance after contusion recovery ... These results revealed that high-dose resveratrol supplementation can reduce inflammation and oxidation and improve energy utilisation during short-duration high-intensity exercise" - See resveratrol products at Amazon.com.

Structure-specific antitumor effects and potential gut microbiota-involved mechanisms of ginseng polysaccharides on B16F10 melanoma-bearing mice - Food Funct 2023 Jan 6 - "Ginseng polysaccharides (GPs) have shown gut microbiota-related antitumor effects. However, the relation between their structures and antitumor functions remains unknown. Here, crude polysaccharide (GP-c) and its fractions neutral polysaccharide (GP-n) and pectin (GP-a) were prepared for structure characterization and anti-B16F10 melanoma effect evaluation, and their influence on gut microbiota diversities and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were also analyzed ... GP-n is essential for the anti-melanoma effects of GP, and the potential mechanisms might be related with its specific regulation of Allobaculum and Bifidobacterium abundance, and tumor-associated SCFAs levels. The outcomes highlighted here enable a deeper insight into the structure-function relationship of GP and propose new opinions on its antitumor effect" - See ginseng at Amazon.com.

The Mechanism of Quercetin in the Treatment of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma Based on a Protein-Protein Interaction Network - Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2022 Dec 27 - "Our study demonstrates that QR not only inhibits the proliferation of LUSC but also affects the invasion and metastasis of LUSC. After downloading and analyzing the TCGA database, 2150 differentially expressed genes were identified. PLK1, CDC20, and BUB1B were identified using enrichment analysis, topological network analysis, cluster analysis, and molecular docking screening. Subsequent experiments showed that QR could interfere with the cell cycle and downregulate the expression of the target gene PLK1 at the protein level ... We found that QR not only inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion but also blocks the cell cycle progression of LUSC. QR downregulated the expression of the LUSC target gene PLK1 at the protein level" - See quercetin at Amazon.com.

The phenolic components extracted from mulberry fruits as bioactive compounds against cancer: A review - Phytother Res 2023 Jan 2 - "There is growing evidence that mulberry fruits can potentially prevent cancer and other aging-related disorders due to their high concentration of bioactive polyphenolic-rich compounds and macro and micronutrients" - See mulberry leaf extract at Amazon.com.

A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled add-on trial to assess the efficacy, safety, and anti-atherogenic effect of spirulina platensis in patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus - Phytother Res 2023 Jan 4 - "The efficacy of spirulina platensis (S. platensis) as an add-on therapy to metformin and its effect on atherogenic keys in patients with uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) was evaluated ... During the three-month intervention period, supplementation with S. platensis resulted in a significant lowering of HbA1c (↓1.43, p < 0.001) and FBS (↓ 24.94 mg/dL, p < 001) levels. Mean TG in the intervention group was found to be significantly lower in the intervention group than in controls (p < 0.001). Total cholesterol (TC) and its fraction, LDL-C, exhibited a fall (↓41.36 mg/dL and ↓38.4 mg/dL, respectively; p < 0.001) coupled with a marginal increase in the level of HDL-C (↑3 mg/dL; p < 0.001). Add-on therapy with S. platensis was superior to metformin regarding long-term glucose regulation and controlling blood glucose levels of subjects with T2DM. Also, as a functional supplement, S. platensis has a beneficial effect on atherogenic keys (TG and HDL-C) with no adverse events" - See spirulina at Amazon.com.

Effects of probiotics supplementation on blood pressure: An umbrella meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials - Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2022 Oct 12 - "The present umbrella meta-analysis suggests probiotics supplementation to improve BP and claims that probiotics could be used as a complementary therapy for controlling high BP" - See probiotic supplements at Amazon.com.

The effects of N-acetylcysteine on ovulation and sex hormones profile in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis - Br J Nutr 2023 Jan 4 - "Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine diseases characterized by unusual levels of sex hormones and dysfunction of the ovaries. The infertility rate is high among patients with PCOS. Unusual hormonal status can lead to the inability of ovaries to release functional and mature follicles. Clinical trials on the effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) supplementation on ovulation and sex hormones profile in women with PCOS have been controversial ... Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects approach in case of significant between-study heterogeneity. Eighteen studies, including 2,185 participants, were included in the present meta-analysis. NAC significantly reduced total testosterone levels (SMD: -0.25 ng/mL; 95% CI: -0.39, -0.10; "P<0.001", I2 =53.9%, p= 0.034), and increased FSH levels (SMD: 0.39 IU/ml; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.71; p= 0.01, I2 = 70.9%, p= 0.002). Estrogen levels also increased after correcting publication bias. However, no significant effect was observed on the number of follicles, endometrial thickness, progesterone, serum LH levels, and SHBG. The results indicated that NAC supplementation decreased total testosterone levels and increased FSH levels. Overall, NAC supplementation might be effective in the improvement of reproductive system function in patients with PCOS" - See n-acetyl cysteine at Amazon.com.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIABETES MELLITUS AND PANCREATIC CANCER - DIABETES MELLITUS AS A RED FLAG FOR PANCREATIC CANCER - Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023 Jan 3 - "The relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM) and pancreatic cancer is complex- DM is both a risk factor and early sign of pancreatic cancer. DM is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer because it increases insulin resistance, intrapancreatic concentrations of insulin, and the bioavailability of IGF, subsequently promoting ductal cell proliferation. Accordingly, treatment targeting the insulin/IGF pathway is the focus of many researchers. Antidiabetic drugs modify the risk for pancreatic cancer- metformin's antineoplastic effect being most notable and indicating potential clinical use in pancreatic cancer. New-onset DM can also be the first manifestation of pancreatic cancer. There are several theories for the pathogenesis of DM in pancreatic cancer, the most important being that DM is a paraneoplastic syndrome caused by diabetogenic factors. As a consequence of this intricate relationship, new-onset DM after the age of 50 is considered a red flag for pancreatic cancer, prompting the need for screening in this patient population. Multiple clinical studies are currently underway exploring this matter. A better understanding of the relationship between DM and pancreatic cancer could aid in developing novel screening and treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer. This could ultimately improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients with pancreatic cancer"

Orally administered octacosanol improves liver insulin resistance in high-fat diet-fed mice through the reconstruction of the gut microbiota structure and inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory pathway - Food Funct 2023 Jan 3 - "Octa improved the fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin resistance (IR), plasma lipids, and inflammatory response in HFD-fed mice in a dose-dependent manner. This study also suggested that a high-dose of Octa effectively decreased the levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the plasma of HFD-fed mice. Octa improved the oxidative stress induced by a HFD and increased the expression of the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. Importantly, Octa reshaped gut microbiota through decreasing Firmicutes content and increasing Bacteroidota and Verrucomicrobiota contents at the phylum level, and the changes of intestinal flora structure caused by Octa were significantly correlated with the changes of inflammatory biomarkers. In conclusion, the effects of Octa on insulin resistance might be attributed to the reconstruction of the gut microbiota structure and inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory pathway in HFD-induced obese individuals" - See octacosanol at Amazon.com.

Berberine hydrochloride alleviates imatinib mesylate - induced cardiotoxicity through the inhibition of Nrf2-dependent ferroptosis - Food Funct 2023 Jan 3 - "Imatinib mesylate (IMA) belonging to the selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor family has been proven to induce cardiotoxic effects along with therapeutic strategies. Nrf2-dependent ferroptosis has been implicated in the cardiotoxicity induced by IMA. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of berberine hydrochloride (Ber) on cardiac injuries induced by IMA and to explore its potential mechanisms ... Our results indicated that Ber increased cell viability and MMP and decreased cellular ROS and iron levels in comparison to the IMA group of H9c2 cells. In mice, Ber significantly improved cardiac status and attenuated the level of ferroptosis biomarkers including malonaldehyde (MDA) and iron content. Additionally, Ber downregulated the expression of transferrin receptor (TfR) and P53 and upregulated the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1), ferritin heavy chain-1 (FTH1), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in H9c2 cells and mice. The present data indicated that Ber has the potential to protect against IMA-induced cardiotoxicity, partly via inhibiting Nrf2-dependent ferroptosis" - See berberine at Amazon.com.

Polysaccharides from natural Cordyceps sinensis attenuated dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in C57BL/6J mice - Food Funct 2023 Jan 4 - "As potential candidates for treating ulcerative colitis (UC), polysaccharides have been attracting extensive interest in recent years. Cordyceps sinensis (C. sinensis) is a kind of traditional Chinese edible food, and its polysaccharide fractions have been found to be effective in regulating immunity and protecting the kidneys ... Results showed that the polysaccharides significantly alleviated colitis by increasing the colon length, alleviating colon tissue damage, and inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB pathway. In addition, polysaccharides reduced the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the serum, increased the number of goblet cells, and improved the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins (Occludin and Claudin-1). They also evidently enhanced the formation of IgA-secretory cells and sIgA contents. Furthermore, the polysaccharides modulated the gut microbiota by decreasing the relative abundance of Bilophila and increasing the relative abundance of Dehalobacterium, Coprococcus, Oscillospira, and Desulfovibrio, which is accompanied by an increase in the short chain fatty acids' (SCFAs) concentrations in cecal contents. These results suggested that C. sinensis polysaccharides possessed promising intervening effects on experimental acute UC in mice" - See cordyceps at Amazon.com.

Cardiovascular and renal effects of SGLT2 inhibitor initiation in acute heart failure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials - Clin Res Cardiol 2023 Jan 2 - "The addition of SGLT2i to conventional therapy for AHF reduced all-cause death (odds ratio [OR] 0.75; 95% CI 0.56-0.99; p = 0.049), readmissions for heart failure (HF) (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.44-0.66; p < 0.001), and the composite of cardiovascular death and readmissions for HF (hazard ratio 0.71; 95% CI 0.60-0.84; p < 0.001). Furthermore, SGLT2i increased mean daily urinary output in liters (mean difference [MD] 0.45; 95% CI 0.03-0.87; p = 0.035) and decreased mean daily doses of loop diuretics in mg of furosemide equivalent (MD -34.90; 95% CI [- 52.58, - 17.21]; p < 0.001) without increasing the incidence worsening renal function (OR 0.75" - See empagliflozin inhousepharmacy.vu.

Neat Tech Stuff / "How To's":

Update on my AeroPress: It does have less bitterness than my Touch with the pods but that bitterness gives it its taste. Both the AeroPress and Touch get around the problem with most cheap coffee makers, that being that they only brew at 170 degrees Fahrenheit when it should be 200 to 205. I use Starbuck French roast in both. I still prefer the coffee brewed from the Touch coffee maker. After I go through one bag of coffee using the AeroPress, I will have recouped my money and I’m switching back to the Touch.

Health Focus (Dangers of Fructose):