1,720,982 research outputs found
Commentary: Fish and the thyroid: A Janus Bifrons relationship caused by pollutants and the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
Full text linkWe read with interest the paper published in the journal by Benvenga S, et al. about the complex interplay between thyroid disorders and the intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), whose main dietary source is represented by fish.
In their review, Benvenga et al. put a specific warning on the potential heavy metal content in fish and the risks deriving from its consumption, suggesting that there would be the place for the use of nutraceuticals containing omega-3 PUFAs to prevent or contrast autoimmune thyroiditis, overcoming the risk of contaminants in fish. Although pharmacological supplementation would be sometimes useful, also limiting dietary consumption to fishes containing low levels of pollutants and including fish within the framework of a healthy diet represent a good choice
Agri-Food Wastes as Natural Source of Bioactive Antioxidants—Third Edition
Full text linkThe current food systems are now unsustainable due to population growth, globalization, and climate change, contributing to environmental degradation and social inequalities [...
Agri-Food Wastes as Natural Source of Bioactive Antioxidants
Full text linkNowadays, the health of the ecosystem and quality of life are jeopardized by the growing quantities of waste that are released into the environment [...
The Influence of Food Regimes on Oxidative Stress: A Permutation-Based Approach Using the NPC Test
Full text link(1) Background: This paper aims to assess the existence of significant differences between two dietary regimes (omnivorous vs. semi-vegetarian) with reference to some oxidative stress markers (SOD, GPx, TRxR, GR, AGEs, and AOPPs) using non-parametric combination methodology based on a permutation test. (2) Methods: At the endocrinology unit of Messina University Hospital, two hundred subjects were asked to fill out a questionnaire about their dietary habits. None were under any pharmacological treatment. Using the NPC test, all comparisons were performed stratifying patients according to gender, age (≤40 or >40 years), BMI (normal weight vs. overweight), physical activity (sedentary vs. active lifestyle), TSH, FT4 levels in quartiles, and diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. We evaluated differences in oxidative stress parameters in relation to two examined dietary regimes (omnivorous vs. semi-vegetarian). (3) Results: The antioxidant parameters GPx and TRxR were significantly lower in subjects with an omnivorous diet than in semi-vegetarians, particularly in females, both age groups, subjects with normal weight, those not affected by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and both the sedentary and active lifestyle groups. Finally, the AGE and AOPP markers were significantly lower in semi-vegetarians. (4) Conclusion: Thanks to the NPC methodology, we can state that dietary patterns exert a significant influence on some oxidative stress parameters
Newly synthetized A2AAR antagonists as anti-inflammatory strategy in Parkinson's disease
No full textParkinson’s disease (PD) represents the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. So far, available treat- ments possess mere symptomatic action and severe long-term side effects, so the development of neuroprotective strategies is highly needed. It is now widely recognized that neuroinflammation is crucial in PD, especially in the disease progression. Therefore, pharmacological treatments able to modulate the pathological immune response may reveal effective in slowing disease progression. The microglial cells are the key component of the brain immune system and can be activated by adenosine through the interaction with A2AARs (A2A adenosine receptors). Indeed, the modulation of purinergic receptors has been associated with a slower degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic cells in PD. Since previous findings demonstrating the ability of A2AAR antagonist 8-ethoxy-9-ethyladenine (ANR94) to protect nigrostriatal neurons from neuroinflammation in an animal model of PD (1), several ad hoc-designed A2AAR antagonists (ANR94 ana- logues) have been synthetized and tested in activated BV-2 microglial cells. To mimic neuroinflammation BV-2 cells were exposed to 100 ng/mL LPS or 0.5 mM MPP+ for 24 h. The potential anti-inflammatory activity of ANR94 analogues were evaluated by MTT assay and measuring the reactive oxygen spe- cies (ROS) levels by DCF-DA probe, while gene expression anal- yses of inflammatory cytokines such as TNFa, IL-1b and the pro-inflammatory enzymes iNOS and COX-2 were performed by RT-PCR. Interestingly, the newly synthetized compounds were more effective than the lead compound ANR94 in counteracting inflammatory damage suggesting their potential use as therapeu- tic agent to prevent/counteract PD. Of course, animal and clini- cal studies are needed to investigate their in vivo activity. This work was supported by MIUR-PRIN n. 20152HKF3Z and University of Camerino n. FPI000065. 1. Pinna A et al. (2005) Eur J Pharmacol 512, 157–164
Mechanisms Underlying Neurodegenerative Disorders and Potential Neuroprotective Activity of Agrifood By-Products
Full text linkNeurodegenerative diseases, characterized by progressive loss in selected areas of the nervous system, are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide due to an aging population. Despite their diverse clinical manifestations, neurodegenerative diseases are multifactorial disorders with standard features and mechanisms such as abnormal protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation. As there are no effective treatments to counteract neurodegenerative diseases, increasing interest has been directed to the potential neuroprotective activities of plant-derived compounds found abundantly in food and in agrifood by-products. Food waste has an extremely negative impact on the environment, and recycling is needed to promote their disposal and overcome this problem. Many studies have been carried out to develop green and effective strategies to extract bioactive compounds from food by-products, such as peel, leaves, seeds, bran, kernel, pomace, and oil cake, and to investigate their biological activity. In this review, we focused on the potential neuroprotective activity of agrifood wastes obtained by common products widely produced and consumed in Italy, such as grapes, coffee, tomatoes, olives, chestnuts, onions, apples, and pomegranates
The Role of Antioxidant Compounds from Citrus Waste in Modulating Neuroinflammation: A Sustainable Solution.
Full text linkIn normal conditions, neuroinflammation induces microglia and astrocyte activation to maintain brain homeostasis. However, excessive or prolonged neuroinflammation can inflict harmful damage on brain tissue. Numerous factors can trigger chronic neuroinflammation, ultimately leading to neurodegeneration. In this context, considering the pressing need for novel, natural approaches to mitigate neuroinflammatory damage, attention has turned to unconventional sources such as agricultural by-products. Citrus fruits are widely consumed globally, producing substantial waste, including peels, seeds, and pulp. Traditionally regarded as agricultural waste, these by-products are now recognized as valuable reservoirs of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, carotenoids, terpenoids, and limonoids. Among these, citrus polyphenols-particularly flavanones like hesperidin, naringenin, and eriocitrin-have emerged as potent modulators of neuroinflammatory pathways through their multifaceted interactions with cellular antioxidant systems, pro-inflammatory signaling cascades, neurovascular integrity, and gut-brain axis dynamics. This review aims to characterize the key molecules present in citrus waste and synthesizes preclinical and clinical evidence to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative disorder
Neuroprotective effects of sulforaphane on methylglyoxal-induced glycation in SH-SY5Y cell line
No full textGlycation, an endogenous process that leads to the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), plays a role in the etiopathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methylglyoxal (MG) is the most potent precursor of AGEs. It has been demonstrated that AGEs cause a reduction in brain derived neurotrophic factor protein (BDNF), whose dysregulation is related to AD development. Sulforaphane (SF), an isothiocyanate found in Cruciferous vegetables, is known for its chemopreventive, cardioprotective and neuroprotective actions. Aim of this study was to investigate the role of SF in counteracting MG induced damage in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. SF counteracted MG- induced neuronal death and apoptosis as measured by MTT assay, LDH release and caspase 3 activity. SF significantly reduced intracellular ROS and increased GSH levels in MG treated cells. SF inhibited the phosphorylation of the pro-apoptotic MAPK kinases induced by MG, increased the expression and the activity of the detoxifying glyoxalase enzymes GLO1 and GLO2 and increased BDNF expression of BDNF, demonstrating a pleiotropic role in counteracting AD. This work was supported by MIUR-FIRB (project RBAP11HSZS
Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders: The Mediterranean Diet as a Protective Choice.
Full text linkAutoimmune thyroid diseases are on the rise worldwide, and such a rapid increase is mainly driven by environmental factors related to changed lifestyles in “modern” societies. In this context, diet seems to play a crucial role. An unhealthy high-energy diet, rich in animal fat and proteins, salt and refined sugars (the so-called “Western diet”) negatively influences the risk of autoimmunity by altering the immune balance and the gut microbiota composition, enhancing oxidative stress and promoting inflammation. In contrast, the Mediterranean diet represents a unique model of healthy eating, characterized by a high intake of food from vegetable sources, a low consumption of saturated fats in favor of unsaturated fats (mainly, olive oil), a moderate consumption of fish (typically, the small oily fishes) and dairy products, as well as a moderate consumption of wine at meals, and a low intake of meat. Thanks to its nutritional components, the Mediterranean Diet positively influences immune system function, gut microbiota composition, and redox homeostasis, exerting anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. The present review was aimed at exploring the existing knowledge on the correlations between dietary habits and thyroid autoimmunity, to evaluate the role of the Mediterranean diet as a protective model
Spilanthol-rich essential oil from Acmella oleracea and its nanoemulsion: anti-inflammatory strategy for the prevention of neurodegeneration
No full textNeurodegenerative diseases have grown as a major health and societal challenge nowadays. These diseases share common pathological features like accumulation of misfolded proteins, mitochondrial disfunction, excitotoxicity, oxidative stress and inflammation. In the last years, neuroinflammation, caused by over-acting microglia, has emerged as a key element of the pathogenesis of these diseases. Therefore, the modulation of pro- inflammatory molecules from microglia could be a promising strategy to counteract neurodegeneration. Acmella oleracea (L.) is a medicinal plant whose wide use as traditional remedy is linked to its pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflamma- tory, antioxidant, analgesic and hepatoprotective1. These effects have been mostly related to its main secondary metabolite the alkylamide spilanthol. In this study, we investigated the anti-in- flammatory activities of a spilanthol-rich essential oil from A. oleracea (AO) in BV-2 microglial cells. Cells were treated with AO, pure spilanthol(S) or a nanoemulsion (NE), (composed by AO, ethyl oleate, and polysorbate 80) for 24 h, then exposed to LPS. All the treatments significantly increased cell viability (MTT assay) in respect to cells only exposed to LPS. Interestingly, AO and NE also reduced ROS levels (DCFH-DA assay), while S had no effect on this parameter. To verify if this protec- tion could be ascribed to an anti-inflammatory mechanism, the expression of IL-1b and TNF-a, COX-2 and iNOS was evaluated by RT-PCR. Interestingly, all the treatments reduced the expression of these inflammatory mediators. These results suggest AO as a potential therapeutic agent in neurodegenerative diseases thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Of note, this work also evidences a promising application of NE as a new technological formulation to further increase the potential of this essential oil
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