1,721,521 research outputs found
Protective effects of curcumin against aflatoxicosis: A comprehensive review.
No full textAflatoxicosis is a deleterious medical condition that results from aflatoxins (AFs) or ochratoxins (OTs). Contamination with these toxins exerts detrimental effects on the liver, kidneys, reproductive organs, and also on immunological and cardiovascular systems. Aflatoxicosis is closely associated with overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as key contributors to oxidative and nitrosative stress responses, and subsequent damages to lipids, proteins, RNA, and DNA. The main target organ for AF toxicity is the liver, where DNA adducts, degranulation of endoplasmic reticulum, increased hepatic lipid peroxide, GSH depletion, mitochondrial dysfunction, and reduction of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants are manifestations of aflatoxicosis. Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) is a medicinal plant widely utilized all over the world for culinary and phytomedical purposes. Considering the antioxidant characteristic of curcumin, the main active component of turmeric, this review is intended to critically summarize the available evidence supporting possible effectiveness of curcumin against aflatoxicosis. Curcumin can serve as a promising candidate for attenuation of the adverse consequences of aflatoxicosis, acting mainly through intrinsic antioxidant effects aroused from its structure, modulation of the immune system as reflected by interleukin-1 and transforming growth factor-, and interfering with AF's biotransformation by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes CYP1A, CYP3A, CYP2A, CYP2B, and CYP2C
The role of phosphatidylserine recognition receptors in multiple biological functions
No full textApoptotic cells are rapidly engulfed and degraded by phagocytes through efferocytosis. Efferocytosis is a highly regulated process. It is triggered upon the activation of caspase-dependent apoptosis, which in turn promotes the expression of "eat me" signals on the surface of dying cells and the release of soluble "find me" signals for the recruitment of phagocytes. To date, many "eat me" signals have been recognized, including phosphatidylserine (PS), intercellular adhesion molecule-3, carbohydrates (e.g., amino sugars, mannose) and calreticulin. Among them, PS is the most studied one. PS recognition receptors are different functionally active receptors expressed by phagocytes. Various PS recognition receptors with different structure, cell type expression, and ability to bind to PS have been recognized. Although PS recognition receptors do not fall into a single classification or family of proteins due to their structural differences, they all share the common ability to activate downstream signaling pathways leading to the production of anti-inflammatory mediators. In this review, available evidence regarding molecular mechanisms underlying PS recognition receptor-regulated clearance of apoptotic cells is discussed. In addition, some efferocytosis-independent biological functions of PS recognition receptors are reviewed
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
HDL and cancer - causality still needs to be confirmed? Update 2020
No full textAn inverse correlation between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and cancer risk has been shown by several epidemiological studies. Some studies have even suggested that HDL-C can be used as a prognostic marker in patients with certain types of cancer. However, whether reduced HDL-C level is a consequential or causal factor in the development and progression of cancer remains a controversial issue. In this review, we update and summarize recent advances that highlight the role of HDL and some of its components in prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of cancer
Stealth functionalization of biomaterials and nanoparticles by CD47 mimicry
No full textPolymeric biomaterials and nanoparticles (NPs) have shown a potential to be widely used for medical purposes. Functional limits of their biocompatibility depend on cellular and molecular responses between host and their artificial surfaces. Accordingly, medical devices of polymer biomaterials like endovascular stents, cardiopulmonary bypass circuits, and prostheses, may trigger inflammation or can be rejected by host due to the induction of immune responses. Furthermore, the main restriction to the use of NPs for medical purposes is their short in vivo circulation time because of their rapid clearance via the reticuloendothelial system. Various methods are under investigation to produce bioinert biomaterials and NPs. Currently, PEGylation and camouflaging are the most common approaches to enhance their biocompatibility. However, the disadvantages and limitations of these methods are leading to research new strategies. The CD47 molecule is well known as a widely expressed cellular surface receptor activating the transudction of the ''don't-eat-me'' signal. This review elaborates on the role of CD47 in the immune system and the application of CD47 mimicry peptides to produce bioinert biomaterials and NPs
Effects of Plant and Animal Natural Products on Mitophagy
No full textMitophagy is a protected cellular process that is essential for autophagic removal of damaged mitochondria and for preservation of a healthy mitochondrial population. In the last years, a particular interest has been devoted in studying the effects of natural compounds on mitophagy. Different natural compounds may modulate mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, the expression of mitophagy- and autophagy-related genes, and the activities of transcription factors which regulate the expression of mitochondrial proteins, thereby controlling mitochondrial damage and mitophagy. Remarkably, since mitochondrial function has a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various diseases (e.g., cancer, atherosclerosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, diabetes complications, Alzheimer's disease, and hepatic steatosis), these effects might have important therapeutic implications. In this review, preclinical studies investigating the role of different natural compounds in the modulation of mitophagy will be discussed
Statin impact on disease activity and C-reactive protein concentrations in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials.
No full textEffects of phytochemicals on macrophage cholesterol efflux capacity: impact on atherosclerosis
No full textHigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) is the major promoter of reverse cholesterol transport and efflux of excess cellular cholesterol. The functions of HDL, such as cholesterol efflux, are associated with cardiovascular disease rather than HDL levels. We have reviewed the evidence base on the major classes of phytochemicals, including polyphenols, alkaloids, carotenoids, phytosterols, and fatty acids, and their effects on macrophage cholesterol efflux and its major pathways. Phytochemicals show the potential to improve the efficiency of each of these pathways. The findings are mainly in preclinical studies, and more clinical research is warranted in this area to develop novel clinical applications
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