45 research outputs found
Exploring Tumor Cell–Platelet Biochemical Interactions by Dielectric Measurements of Blood: A Potential Target for Tumor Detection and Staging
No full textThis paper aims to investigate the dielectric properties of blood for tumor detection and staging. The application of complex thermodynamic models and the study of the trend over time of some thermodynamic functions have allowed us to highlight the generation of displacement currents caused by changes in charge, i.e., by the activation and consequent accumulation of platelets on migrating tumor cells. Although few studies exist to date in this regard, the technique used has provided promising results, especially in terms of building a database. In this context, the evaluation of the dielectric parameters of healthy and cancerous blood can be exploited for the staging of cancer. The main advantages of this method include easy application, non-invasiveness, low cost, and online monitoring
NO Metabolites Levels in Human Red Blood Cells are Affected by Palytoxin, an Inhibitor of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase Pump.
No full textPalytoxin (PTX), a marine toxin, represents an increasing hazard for human health. Despite its high toxicity for biological systems, the mechanisms triggered by PTX, are not well understood. The high affinity of PTX for erythrocyte Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase pump is largely known, and it indicates PTX as a sensitive tool to characterize the signal transducer role for Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase pump. Previously, it has been reported that in red blood cells (RBC), probably via a signal transduction generated by the formation of a PTX-Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase complex, PTX alters band 3 functions and glucose metabolism. The present study addresses the question of which other signaling pathways are regulated by Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in RBC. Here it has been evidenced that PTX following its interaction with Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase pump, alters RBC morphology and this event is correlated to decreases by 30% in nitrites and nitrates levels, known as markers of plasma membrane eNOS activity. Orthovanadate (OV), an antagonist of PTX binding to Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase pump, was able to reverse the effects elicited by PTX. Finally, current investigation firstly suggests that Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase pump, following its interaction with PTX, triggers a signal transduction involved in NO metabolism regulatio
Effect of oxygenation-deoxygenation cycle on the band-3 protein function in human erythrocytes
No full textAbstractSulfate transport by band-3 protein in adult human erythrocytes was shown to be modulated by oxygen pressure. In particular, a higher transport activity was measured under high oxygen pressure than at low one (0.0242±0.0073 vs. 0.0074±0.0010 min−1). Other factors, such as magnesium ions and orthovanadate, which can indirectly affect the binding properties of the cytoplasmic domain of band 3 (cdb3), influence significantly the anion exchanger activity. No effect of oxygen pressure on sulfate transport was found in chicken erythrocytes, which may be related to their lacking the cdb3 binding site. These findings are fully consistent with a molecular mechanism where the oxygen-linked transition of hemoglobin (T→R) could play a key role in the regulation of anion exchanger activity
Is a dangerous blood clot formation a reversible process? Introduction of new characteristic parameter for thermodynamic clot blood characterization: Possible molecular mechanisms and pathophysiologic applications
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Implication of COVID-19 on Erythrocytes Functionality: Red Blood Cell Biochemical Implications and Morpho-Functional Aspects
No full textSeveral diseases (such as diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders) affect the morpho-functional aspects of red blood cells, sometimes altering their normal metabolism. In this review, the hematological changes are evaluated, with particular focus on the morphology and metabolic aspects of erythrocytes. Changes in the functionality of such cells may, in fact, help provide important information about disease severity and progression. The viral infection causes significant damage to the blood cells that are altered in size, rigidity, and distribution width. Lower levels of hemoglobin and anemia have been reported in several studies, and an alteration in the concentration of antioxidant enzymes has been shown to promote a dangerous state of oxidative stress in red blood cells. Patients with severe COVID-19 showed an increase in hematological changes, indicating a progressive worsening as COVID-19 severity progressed. Therefore, monitored hematological alterations in patients with COVID-19 may play an important role in the management of the disease and prevent the risk of a severe course of the disease. Finally, monitored changes in erythrocytes and blood, in general, may be one of the causes of the condition known as Long COVID
Protective Effects of the Caffeine Against Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Background:
Recent studies and increased interest of the scientific community helped to
clarify the neurological health property of caffeine, one of the pharmacologically active substances
most consumed in the world.
Methods:
This article is a review search to provide an overview on the current state of understanding
neurobiochemical impact of caffeine, focusing on the ability of the drug to effectively counteract several
neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s diseases, Multiple
sclerosis and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Results:
Data collection shown in this review provide a significant therapeutic and prophylactic potentiality
of caffeine which acts on human brain through several pathways because of its antioxidant activity
combined with multiple molecular targets. However, the need to adjust the CF dosage to individuals,
because some people are more sensitive to drugs than others, may constituted a limit to the CF effectiveness.
Conclusion:
What emerges from the complex of clinical and epidemiological studies is a significant CF
potential impact against all neurological disorders. Although, further studies are needed to fully elucidate
the several mechanisms of drug action which in part are still elusive.
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A New Model for Thermodynamic Characterization of Hemoglobin
No full textIn this paper, we formulate a thermodynamic model of hemoglobin that describes, by a physical point of view, phenomena favoring the binding of oxygen to the protein. Our study is based on theoretical methods extrapolated by experimental data. After some remarks on the non-equilibrium thermodynamic theory with internal variables, some thermodynamic functions are determined by the value of the complex dielectric constant. In previous papers, we determined the explicit expression of a dielectric constant as a function of a complex dielectric modulus and frequency. The knowledge of these functions allows a new characterization of the material and leads to the study of new phenomena that has yet to be studied. In detail, we introduce the concept of “hemoglobe”, a model that considers the hemoglobin molecule as a plane capacitor, the dielectric of which is almost entirely constituted by the quaternary structure of the protein. This model is suggested by considering a phenomenological coefficient of the non-equilibrium thermodynamic theory related to the displacement polarization current. The comparison of the capacity determined by the mean of this coefficient, and determined by geometrical considerations, gives similar results; although more thermodynamic information is derived by the capacity determined considering the aforementioned coefficient. This was applied to the normal human hemoglobin, homozygous sickle hemoglobin, and sickle cell hemoglobin C disease. Moreover, the energy of the capacitor of the three hemoglobin was determined. Through the identification of displacement currents, the introduction of this model presents new perspectives and helps to explain hemoglobin functionality through a physical point of view
