Ganoderma lucidum dry extract supplementation modulates T lymphocyte function in older women.

Ganoderma lucidum (a mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine) compounds may attenuate ageing-related physiological changes and restore normal immunity. However, studies on the physiological effects of Ganoderma lucidum dry extract food supplements are few. Therefore, here, we aimed to investigate the effects of Ganoderma lucidum dry extract food supplement on the lymphocyte function of older women. This was a double-blind clinical trial (n 60) with a final 39 older volunteers, divided into two groups Ganoderma lucidum (n 23) and placebo (n 16). The Ganoderma lucidum group received 2000 mg/d of Ganoderma lucidum dry extract for 8 weeks. We used flow cytometry to determine the lymphocyte profile. CD4+ lymphocyte gene expression was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. We observed that in the Ganoderma lucidum group, concanavalin A stimulation increased lymphocyte proliferation. Further, we observed an increase in expression of Forkhead box P3, transforming growth factor-beta, IL-10, IL-6, retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma, GATA-binding protein 3 and interferon gamma genes in the Ganoderma lucidum group. Furthermore, in the Ganoderma lucidum group, ionomycin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate stimulation led to decrease in Th17+ cells and increase in Th2+ cells. Thus, in older women, Ganoderma lucidum regulates T lymphocyte function leading to a predominant anti-inflammatory action but does not induce T lymphocyte proliferation through CD28 signalling pathway.

Recreational Dance Practice Modulates Lymphocyte Profile and Function in Diabetic Women.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of a 16-week dance-based aerobic exercise program on lymphocyte function in healthy and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) women. We enrolled 23 women: 11 with T2DM and 12 non-diabetic controls. Initially, we performed anthropometry and body composition measurements, afterwards, plasma levels of C-reactive protein, lipids, and glucose were determined. We used flow cytometry to measure the CD25 and CD28 expression in circulating lymphocytes, T-regulatory (Treg) cell percentage, lymphocyte proliferation, and cytokines released by cultured lymphocytes. The T2DM group had a lower proportion of CD28+ cells and a higher percentage of Treg lymphocytes and proliferative capacity at the baseline compared with the control group. After 16 weeks of the program, differences in lymphocytes between the T2DM and the control groups disappeared. The dance program promoted IL-10 increase in both groups. We found decreased IL-4, IL-2, and IL-6 secretion in lymphocytes from the control group and increased IL-17 secretion and IL-10/IL-17 ratio in the T2DM group after the program. The program promoted marked changes in lymphocytes in diabetic women, leading to a balance between the different profiles.

Molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in tissue-specific metabolic modulation by SARS-CoV-2.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is triggered by the SARS-CoV-2, which is able to infect and cause dysfunction not only in lungs, but also in multiple organs, including central nervous system, skeletal muscle, kidneys, heart, liver, and intestine. Several metabolic disturbances are associated with cell damage or tissue injury, but the mechanisms involved are not yet fully elucidated. Some potential mechanisms involved in the COVID-19-induced tissue dysfunction are proposed, such as: (a) High expression and levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α IL-6, IL-1ß, INF-α and INF-ß, increasing the systemic and tissue inflammatory state; (b) Induction of oxidative stress due to redox imbalance, resulting in cell injury or death induced by elevated production of reactive oxygen species; and (c) Deregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, exacerbating the inflammatory and oxidative stress responses. In this review, we discuss the main metabolic disturbances observed in different target tissues of SARS-CoV-2 and the potential mechanisms involved in these changes associated with the tissue dysfunction.