Against Colitis And Cancer

Chronic inflammation of the colon can increase risk for cancer; an antibody to a pro-inflammatory mediator can reduce inflammation in a mouse model, reducing cancer risk through the modulation of important cancer- related signaling pathways that can be affected by inflammation.  This is a promising therapeutic approach.  Abstract:

The association between chronic inflammation and cancer has long been recognized. The inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis frequently progresses to colon cancer; however, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. S100a9 has been emerged as an important pro-inflammatory mediator in acute and chronic inflammation, and the aberrant expression of S100a9 also contributes to tumorigenic processes such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and immune evasion. We previously revealed that S100a8 and S100a9 are highly activated and play an important role in the process of colitis-associated carcinogenesis, which suggests an attractive therapeutic target for ulcerative colitis and related colon cancer. Here, we report that administration of a neutralizing anti-S100a9 antibody significantly ameliorated dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and accompanied by diminished cellular infiltrate of innate immunity cells (macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells) and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Tnfα, Il1β, Ifnγ, Il6, Il17a, Il23a, Il4, and Il12a). The protective effect of anti-S100a9 antibody treatment was also observed in azoxymethane (AOM)/DSS-induced colitis-associated cancer (CAC) mouse model. The inflammatory response, tumor cell proliferation, and immune cells infiltration in the colon tissues were suppressed by anti-S100a9 antibody. Gene expression profiling showed that key pathways known to be involved in CAC development, such as Wnt signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and ECM-receptor interaction pathway, were suppressed after treatment with anti-S100a9 antibody in CAC mice. In view of the protective effect of neutralizing anti-S100a9 antibody against DSS-induced colitis and AOM/DSS-induced CAC in mouse model, this study suggests that anti-S100a9 antibody may provide a novel therapeutic approach to treat ulcerative colitis and may decrease the risk for developing CAC.

Facial anti-inflammatory mask

Hello dear readers, 

This recipe for an anti-inflammatory mask has way too many ingredients; however, I do not want to subtract any of them since they all have proven inflammation-quenching qualities. 

If you a missing an ingredient or two, you can still go ahead and try it.

Here it is:
1 tsp of plain yogurt (any type, any fat content)
1/2 tsp raw honey
1 tsp or less of apple cider vinegar (with the mother)
3 drops of tea tree oil
3 crushed aspirin pills (uncoated)
a pinch of turmeric powder

Mix all in a plastic cup. Be careful to apply only on your face (turmeric stains everything). I keep the mask on my face until the mixture dries out and tightens the skin. Wash with water. If you are afraid that your skin will acquire yellow glow from the turmeric powder, then shorten the treatment. 

I routinely leave the mask for an hour on my face and if there is any residual color, I wipe off the skin with my recipe cleanser.

Reducing Inflammation To Combat Cardiovascular Disease

By Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2816579

Typically, cardiovascular disease is approached by reducing lipid levels (doctors usually prescribe medication, although dietary changes, and exercise, in our opinion should be focused more on). However, reducing inflammation can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease independent of lowering lipid levels.  This is an important approach that expands the therapeutic toolkit against cardiovascular disease and underscores the importance of inflammation for cardiovascular problems (and many other diseases as well). The full paper is here; read the abstract below:

Background Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. Results At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P=0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P=0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P=0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P=0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P=0.31). Conclusions Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846 .).

Forever young, part I

How do you maintain your youthful good looks? 

Do you spend big bucks on cosmetics, surgeries, or spas? 


If you watch The Truth About Looking Young, a BBC documentary, you will find out that the choice to look young is in your hands, or rather - on your table. A well-known truth is being recited, "...sugar can make you look older..." Not to mention the health benefits of NOT eating sugar.
 
Other than keeping diet rich in fresh fruit and veggies, and void of sugar, you could prepare your own beauty remedies at home. These recipes do not include a hefty list of chemicals and will save you money.  Below are some of my tested recipes.
 
Skin cleanser
Mix 1/3 cup of Witch Hazel (sold in all pharmacies), 1/3 cup of water (I use tap water), 1/3 cup of organic apple cider vinegar with the mother (this vinegar is usually found in specialized food stores, but you can buy it from Amazon), and 5 - 6 drops of tea tree oil (I was able to find this in the local RiteAid; however, it is also available from Amazon). Mix all ingredients in a bottle (I use an empty old bottle from Witch Hazel). 

I keep the cleanser at room temperature, and clean my face in the morning and in the evening. If you are allergy-prone, always check for allergy by spotting some of the homemade remedies on the skin inside of your elbow and watch for skin reaction within 48 hours.

Anti-inflammatory facial mask

I found a similar recipe on Internet and decided to give it a try. I have been using the mask for over a month now and I believe that it reduces inflammation, but it does not dramatically improve severe acne.  I use four aspirins without coating (I found these in a Dollar store), 1/2 spoon of raw honey, and a few drops of apple cider vinegar (or tap water). 

Preparation:
Crush the four aspirins with a mortar and pestle, add the honey and a few drops of water (or apple cider vinegar, if you prefer). Mix until smooth. Keep the mask on your face for at least 20 minutes. I keep mine for an hour and repeat it 3 - 4 times a week. To remove the mask, wet your hands and rub the material with gentle circular movements.  The aspirin powder exfoliates when one applies this "massage" to remove the mask. If you have severe acne, gently wash off the material, do not rub the skin.

Check Forever Young Part II and this video if you have a pimple problem!

The following video is on skin improvement after acne scaring and pigmentation: