248 research outputs found
Editorial [Hot Topic:Cell Metabolism as Therapeutic Target in Human Disease (Executive Guest Editors: Walter Malorni and Rosa Vona)]
No full textDynamics of lipid raft components during lymphocyte apoptosis: The paradigmatic role of GD3
No full textSeveral investigations have been carried out since many years in order to precisely address the function of lipid rafts in cell life and death. On the basis of the biochemical nature of lipid rafts, composed by sphingolipids, including gangliosides, sphingomyelin, cholesterol and signaling proteins, a plethora of possible interactions with various subcellular structures has been suggested. Their structural and functional role at the plasma membrane as well as in cell organelles such as endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus has been analyzed in detail in several studies. In particular, a specific activity of lipid rafts has been hypothesized to contribute to cell death by apoptosis. Although detected in various cell types, the role of lipid rafts in apoptosis has however been mostly studied in lymphocytes where the physiological apoptotic program occurs after CD95/Fas triggering. In this review, the possible contribution of lipid rafts to the cascade of events leading to T cell apoptosis after CD95/Fas ligation are summarized. Particular attention has been given to the mitochondrial raft-like microdomains, which may represent preferential sites where some key reactions can take place and can be catalyzed, leading to either survival or death of T cells. © 2007 Springer Science + Business Media, LLC
The Role of Sex Differences in Bone Health and Healing
No full textSimple Summary Fracture healing is a complex process that includes a framework of events triggered by tissue injury. Clinical experience with bone healing revealed a series of cellular and biochemical actors encompassing the repair mechanisms in human beings. However, the different responses of individuals in this scenario are still a matter of debate. We analyze herein in some detail the disparity between men and women in this process. Based on the literature, we suggest that different mechanisms could underlie bone healing in men and women and that the role of estrogen could be pivotal in delayed fracture repair observed in women. Fracture healing is a long-term and complex process influenced by a huge variety of factors. Among these, there is a sex/gender disparity. Based on significant differences observed in the outcome of bone healing in males and females, in the present review, we report the main findings, hypotheses and pitfalls that could lead to these differences. In particular, the role of sex hormones and inflammation has been reported to have a role in the observed less efficient bone healing in females in comparison with that observed in males. In addition, estrogen-induced cellular processes such as autophagic cell cycle impairment and molecular signals suppressing cell cycle progression seem also to play a role in female fracture healing delay. In conclusion, it seems conceivable that a complex framework of events could contribute to the female bias in bone healing, and we suggest that a reappraisal of the compelling factors could contribute to the mitigation of sex/gender disparity and improve bone healing outcomes
Cardiolipin-enriched raft-like microdomains are essential activating platforms for apoptotic signals on mitochondria
No full textCardiolipin (CL) has recently been shown to provide an anchor and an essential activating platform for caspase-8 on mitochondria. We hypothesize that these platforms may correspond to "raft-like" microdomains, which have demonstrated to be detectable on mitochondrial membrane of cells undergoing apoptosis. The role for CL in "raft-like" microdomains could be to anchor caspase-8 at contact sites between inner and outer membranes, facilitating its self-activation, Bid cleavage and apoptosis execution. The role played by "raft-like" microdomains in the apoptotic program could introduce a new task in the pathogenetic studies on human diseases associated with cardiolipin dismetabolism. (c) 2009 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved
Red Blood Cells as a Model to Differentiate between Direct and Indirect Oxidation Pathways of Peroxynitrite
No full textOxidative stress in the pathogenesis of systemic scleroderma: An overview
No full textSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare disorder of the connective tissue characterized by fibrosis of the skin, skeletal muscles and visceral organs. Additional manifestations include activation of the immune system and vascular injury. SSc causes disability and death as the result of end-stage organ failure. Two clinical subsets of the SSc are accepted: limited cutaneous SSc (lc-SSc) and diffuse cutaneous SSc (dc-SSc). At present, the aetiology and pathogenesis of SSc remain obscure, and consequently, disease outcome is unpredictable. Numerous studies suggest that reactive oxidizing species (ROS) play an important role in the pathogenesis of scleroderma. Over the years, several reports have supported this hypothesis for both lc-SSc and dc-SSc, although the specific role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of vascular injury and fibrosis remains to be clarified. The aim of the present review was to report and comment the recent findings regarding the involvement and role of oxidative stress in SSc pathogenesis. Biomarkers proving the link between ROS and the main pathological features of SSc have been summarized
Efficacy of trimetazidine on functional capacity in symptomatic patients with stable exertional angina ? The VASCO-angina study
No full textThe Red Blood Cell as a Gender-Associated Biomarker in Metabolic Syndrome: A Pilot Study
No full textIn the present pilot study (56 patients), some red blood cell parameters in samples from patients with metabolic syndrome and subclinical atherosclerosis, but without any sign of coronary artery disease, have been analyzed. The main goal of this work was to determine, in this preclinical state, new peripheral gender-associated bioindicators of possible diagnostic or prognostic value. In particular, three different “indicators” of red blood cell injury and aging have been evaluated: glycophorin A, CD47, and phosphatidylserine externalization. Interestingly, all these determinants appeared significantly modified and displayed gender differences. These findings could provide novel and useful hints in the research for gender-based real-time bioindicators in the progression of metabolic syndrome towards coronary artery disease. Further, more extensive studies are, however, necessary in order to validate these findings
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