A major objective of the emerging field of exercise-oncology research is to determine the efficacy of, and biological mechanisms by which, aerobic exercise affects cancer incidence, progression and/or metastasis. There is a strong inverse association between self-reported exercise and the primary incidence of several forms of cancer; similarly, emerging data suggest that exercise exposure following a cancer diagnosis may improve outcomes for early-stage breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer. Arguably, critical next steps in the development of exercise as a candidate treatment in cancer control require preclinical studies to validate the biological efficacy of exercise, identify the optimal “dose”, and pinpoint mechanisms of action. To evaluate the current evidence base, we conducted a critical systematic review of in vivo studies investigating the effects of exercise in cancer prevention and progression. Studies were evaluated on the basis of tumor outcomes (e.g., incidence, growth, latency, metastasis), dose-response, and mechanisms of action, when available. A total of 53 studies were identified and evaluated on tumor incidence (n=24), tumor growth (n=33) or metastasis (n=10). We report that the current evidence base is plagued by considerable methodological heterogeneity in all aspects of study design, end points, and efficacy. Such heterogeneity precludes meaningful comparisons and conclusions at present. To this end, we provide a framework of methodological and data reporting standards to strengthen the field to guide the conduct of high-quality studies required to inform translational, mechanism-driven clinical trials.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion levels of spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) on postweaning (PW) intestinal barrier function, mucosal inflammation, and clinical indices of gut health in pigs. Ex vivo Ussing chamber studies were conducted to measure Ileal and colonic barrier function in terms of transepithelial electrical resistance and paracellular flux of (3)H-mannitol and (14)C-inulin. Intestinal inflammation was assessed by histological analysis and mucosal levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Dietary inclusion of 2.5 and 5% SDPP reduced colonic paracellular permeability of (14)C-inulin compared with controls (0% SDPP) on d 7 PW. Both 2.5 and 5% dietary SDPP reduced ileal (3)H-mannitol and (14)C-inulin permeability on d 14 PW. The 5% SDPP diet reduced colonic short-circuit current, an index of net electrogenic ion transport, and fecal scores when measured on d 7 and 14 PW compared with the control and 2.5% SDPP groups (P < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed fewer lamina propria cells in ileum and colon from pigs fed diets containing 2.5 and 5% SDPP on d 7 and 14 PW. Levels of the proinflammatory cytokine TNFα were reduced in the colon but not ileum from pigs fed the 5% SDPP on d 7 and 14 PW compared with controls (P < 0.05). IFNγ levels were lower than in controls in both of the SDPP-fed groups in the ileum and colon on d 7 but not on d 14 PW. Overall, this study demonstrated that dietary inclusion of SDPP had beneficial effects on intestinal barrier function, inflammation, and diarrhea in weaned pigs.

Background and Aims MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs, which regulate gene expression and are thus of interest as diagnostic markers, and as clues to etiology and targets of intervention. This pilot study examined whether circulating miRNAs are differentially expressed in patients with IBS. Methods miRNA microarrays (Nanostring) were run on the whole blood of 43 participants. Results hsa-miR-150 and hsa-miR-342-3p were found to be significantly elevated (FDR adjusted p ≤ 0.05, ≥1.6 fold change) in IBS patients compared to healthy controls. Neither of these miRNAs showed any relationship to race or sex. hsa-miR-150 is associated with inflammatory bowel disorders and pain, and interacts with a protein kinase (AKT2) through which it may affect inflammatory pathways. hsa-miR-342-3p is predicted to interact with mRNAs involved in pain signaling, colonic motility, and smooth muscle function. Conclusions This preliminary study reports the association of two miRNAs, detected in whole blood, with IBS. These miRNAs link to pain and inflammatory pathways both of which are thought to be dysregulated in IBS. Larger samples sizes are needed to confirm their importance and potential as biomarkers.