Early-life metabolic dysfunction impairs cognition and mitochondrial function in mice.

The impact of overnutrition early in life is not restricted to the onset of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, but also affects critical brain functions related to cognition. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between peripheral metabolic and bioenergetic changes induced by a two-hit protocol and their impact on cognitive function in juvenile mice. Three-week-old male C57BL/6 mice received a high-fat diet (HFD) or control diet for 7 weeks, associated with two low doses of streptozotocin (STZ) or vehicle. Despite the absence of obesity, HFD+STZ impaired glucose metabolism and induced a trend towards cholesterol increase. The two-hit protocol impaired recognition and spatial memories in juvenile mice, without inducing a depressive-like behavior. HFD+STZ mice presented increased immunoreactivity for GFAP and a trend towards a decrease in NeuN in the hippocampus. The treatment caused a bioenergetic impairment in the hippocampus, characterized by a decrease in both O2 consumption related to ATP production and in the maximum respiratory capacity. The thermogenic capacity of brown adipose tissue was impaired by the two-hit protocol, here verified through the absence of a decrease in O2 consumption after uncoupled protein-1 inhibition and an increase in the reserve respiratory capacity. Impaired mitochondrial function was also observed in the liver of HFD+STZ juvenile mice, but not in their heart. These results indicate that exposure to HFD+STZ early in life has a detrimental impact on the bioenergetic and mitochondrial function of tissues with metabolic and thermogenic activities, which is likely related to hippocampal metabolic changes and cognitive impairment.

Induction of pyroptotic cell death as a potential tool for cancer treatment.

Cancer is a complex pathological disease and the existing strategies for introducing chemotherapeutic agents have restricted potential due to a lack of cancer cell targeting specificity, cytotoxicity, bioavailability, and induction of multi-drug resistance. As a prospective strategy in tackling cancer, regulating the inflammatory pyroptosis cell death pathway has been shown to successfully inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of various cancer cell types. Activation of inflammasomes such as the NLRP3 results in pyroptosis through cleavage of gasdermins, which forms pores in the cell membranes, inducing membrane breakage, cell rupture, and death. Furthermore, pyroptotic cells release pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ß and IL-18 along with various DAMPs that prime an auxiliary anti-tumor immune response. Thus, regulation of pyroptosis in cancer cells is a way to enhance their immunogenicity. However, immune escape involving myeloid-derived suppressor cells has limited the efficacy of most pyroptosis-based immunotherapy strategies. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis pathways in cancer cells, exploring how it could modulate the tumor microenvironment and be beneficial in anti-cancer treatments. We discuss various existing therapeutic strategies against cancer, including immunotherapy, oncolytic virus therapy, and nanoparticle-based therapies that could be guided to trigger and regulate pyroptosis cell death in cancer cells, and reduce tumor growth and spread. These pyroptosis-based cancer therapies may open up fresh avenues for targeted cancer therapy approaches in the future and their translation into the clinic.

Inflammasome-Mediated Cytokines: A Key Connection between Obesity-Associated NASH and Liver Cancer Progression.

Liver cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies and is commonly diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a tumor type that affects about 90% of patients. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and obesity are both risk factors for this disease. HCC initiation and progression are deeply linked with changes in the hepatic microenvironment, with cytokines playing key roles. The understanding of the pathogenic pathways that connect these disorders to liver cancer remains poor. However, the inflammasome-mediated cytokines associated with both diseases are central actors in liver cancer progression. The release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and IL-18 during inflammasome activation leads to several detrimental effects on the liver microenvironment. Considering the critical crosstalk between obesity, NASH, and HCC, this review will present the connections of IL-1ß and IL-18 from obesity-associated NASH with HCC and will discuss approaches to using these cytokines as therapeutic targets against HCC.

Development of New Natural Lipid-Based Nanoparticles Loaded with Aluminum-Phthalocyanine for Photodynamic Therapy against Melanoma.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated by photosensitizers loaded in nanostructures as solid lipid nanoparticles has been pinpointed as an effective and safe treatment against different skin cancers. Amazon butters have an interesting lipid composition when it comes to forming solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN). In the present report, a new third-generation photosensitizing system consisting of aluminum-phthalocyanine associated with Amazon butter-based solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN-AlPc) is described. The SLN was developed using murumuru butter, and a monodisperse population of nanodroplets with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 40 nm was obtained. The study of the permeation of these AlPc did not permeate the analyzed skin, but when incorporated into the system, SLN-AlPc allowed permeation of almost 100% with 8 h of contact. It must be emphasized that SLN-AlPc was efficient for carrying aluminum-phthalocyanine photosensitizers and exhibited no toxicity in the dark. Photoactivated SLN-AlPc exhibited a 50% cytotoxicity concentration (IC50) of 19.62 nM when applied to B16-F10 monolayers, and the type of death caused by the treatment was apoptosis. The exposed phospholipid phosphatidylserine was identified, and the treatment triggered a high expression of Caspase 3. A stable Amazon butter-based SLN-AlPc formulation was developed, which exhibits strong in vitro photodynamic activity on melanoma cells.

Browning of the white adipose tissue regulation: new insights into nutritional and metabolic relevance in health and diseases.

Adipose tissues are dynamic tissues that play crucial physiological roles in maintaining health and homeostasis. Although white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue are currently considered key endocrine organs, they differ functionally and morphologically. The existence of the beige or brite adipocytes, cells displaying intermediary characteristics between white and brown adipocytes, illustrates the plastic nature of the adipose tissue. These cells are generated through white adipose tissue browning, a process associated with augmented non-shivering thermogenesis and metabolic capacity. This process involves the upregulation of the uncoupling protein 1, a molecule that uncouples the respiratory chain from Adenosine triphosphate synthesis, producing heat. ß-3 adrenergic receptor system is one important mediator of white adipose tissue browning, during cold exposure. Surprisingly, hyperthermia may also induce beige activation and white adipose tissue beiging. Physical exercising copes with increased levels of specific molecules, including Beta-Aminoisobutyric acid, irisin, and Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), which induce adipose tissue browning. FGF21 is a stress-responsive hormone that interacts with beta-klotho. The central roles played by hormones in the browning process highlight the relevance of the individual lifestyle, including circadian rhythm and diet. Circadian rhythm involves the sleep-wake cycle and is regulated by melatonin, a hormone associated with UCP1 level upregulation. In contrast to the pro-inflammatory and adipose tissue disrupting effects of the western diet, specific food items, including capsaicin and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and dietary interventions such as calorie restriction and intermittent fasting, favor white adipose tissue browning and metabolic efficiency. The intestinal microbiome has also been pictured as a key factor in regulating white tissue browning, as it modulates bile acid levels, important molecules for the thermogenic program activation. During embryogenesis, in which adipose tissue formation is affected by Bone morphogenetic proteins that regulate gene expression, the stimuli herein discussed influence an orchestra of gene expression regulators, including a plethora of transcription factors, and chromatin remodeling enzymes, and non-coding RNAs. Considering the detrimental effects of adipose tissue browning and the disparities between adipose tissue characteristics in mice and humans, further efforts will benefit a better understanding of adipose tissue plasticity biology and its applicability to managing the overwhelming burden of several chronic diseases.

Obesity and adipose tissue impact on T-cell response and cancer immune checkpoint blockade therapy.

Many different types of cancer are now well known to have increased occurrence or severity in individuals with obesity. The influence of obesity on cancer and the immune cells in the tumor microenvironment has been thought to be a pleiotropic effect. As key endocrine and immune organs, the highly plastic adipose tissues play crucial roles in obesity pathophysiology, as they show alterations according to environmental cues. Adipose tissues of lean subjects present mostly anti-inflammatory cells that are crucial in tissue remodeling, favoring uncoupling protein 1 expression and non-shivering thermogenesis. Oppositely, obese adipose tissues display massive proinflammatory immune cell infiltration, dying adipocytes, and enhanced crown-like structure formation. In this review, we discuss how obesity can lead to derangements and dysfunctions in antitumor CD8+ T lymphocytes dysfunction. Moreover, we explain how obesity can affect the efficiency of cancer immunotherapy, depicting the mechanisms involved in this process. Cancer immunotherapy management includes monoclonal antibodies targeting the immune checkpoint blockade. Exhausted CD8+ T lymphocytes show elevated programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) expression and highly glycolytic tumors tend to show a good response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. Although obesity is a risk factor for the development of several neoplasms and is linked with increased tumor growth and aggressiveness, obesity is also related to improved response to cancer immunotherapy, a phenomenon called the obesity paradox. However, patients affected by obesity present higher incidences of adverse events related to this therapy. These limitations highlight the necessity of a deeper investigation of factors that influence the obesity paradox to improve the application of these therapies.

The ambiguous role of obesity in oncology by promoting cancer but boosting antitumor immunotherapy.

Obesity is nowadays considered a pandemic which prevalence's has been steadily increasingly in western countries. It is a dynamic, complex, and multifactorial disease which propitiates the development of several metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, as well as cancer. Excessive adipose tissue has been causally related to cancer progression and is a preventable risk factor for overall and cancer-specific survival, associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients. The onset of obesity features a state of chronic low-grade inflammation and secretion of a diversity of adipocyte-derived molecules (adipokines, cytokines, hormones), responsible for altering the metabolic, inflammatory, and immune landscape. The crosstalk between adipocytes and tumor cells fuels the tumor microenvironment with pro-inflammatory factors, promoting tissue injury, mutagenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Although classically established as a risk factor for cancer and treatment toxicity, recent evidence suggests mild obesity is related to better outcomes, with obese cancer patients showing better responses to treatment when compared to lean cancer patients. This phenomenon is termed obesity paradox and has been reported in different types and stages of cancer. The mechanisms underlying this paradoxical relationship between obesity and cancer are still not fully described but point to systemic alterations in metabolic fitness and modulation of the tumor microenvironment by obesity-associated molecules. Obesity impacts the response to cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and has been reported as having a positive association with immune checkpoint therapy. In this review, we discuss obesity's association to inflammation and cancer, also highlighting potential physiological and biological mechanisms underlying this association, hoping to clarify the existence and impact of obesity paradox in cancer development and treatment.

The Use of the Anticoagulant Heparin and Corticosteroid Dexamethasone as Prominent Treatments for COVID-19.

COVID-19 is spreading worldwide at disturbing rates, overwhelming global healthcare. Mounting death cases due to disease complications highlight the necessity of describing efficient drug therapy strategies for severe patients. COVID-19 severity associates with hypercoagulation and exacerbated inflammation, both influenced by ACE2 downregulation and cytokine storm occurrence. In this review, we discuss the applicability of the anticoagulant heparin and the anti-inflammatory corticosteroid dexamethasone for managing severe COVID-19 patients. The upregulated inflammation and blood clotting may be mitigated by administrating heparin and its derivatives. Heparin enhances the anticoagulant property of anti-thrombin (AT) and may be useful in conjunction with fibrinolytic drugs for severe COVID-19 patients. Besides, heparin can also modulate immune responses, alleviating TNF-α-mediated inflammation, impairing IL-6 production and secretion, and binding to complement proteins and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). Moreover, heparin may present anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential once it can impact viral infectivity and alter SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein architecture. Another feasible approach is the administration of the glucocorticoid dexamethasone. Although glucocorticoid's administration for viral infection managing is controversial, there is increasing evidence demonstrating that dexamethasone treatment is capable of drastically diminishing the death rate of patients presenting with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) that required invasive mechanical ventilation. Importantly, dexamethasone may be detrimental by impairing viral clearance and inducing hyperglycemia and sodium retention, hence possibly being deleterious for diabetics and hypertensive patients, two major COVID-19 risk groups. Therefore, while heparin's multitarget capacity shows to be strongly beneficial for severe COVID-19 patients, dexamethasone should be carefully administered taking into consideration underlying medical conditions and COVID-19 disease severity. Therefore, we suggest that the multitarget impact of heparin as an anti-viral, antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory drug in the early stage of the COVID-19 could significantly reduce the need for dexamethasone treatment in the initial phase of this disease. If the standard treatment of heparins fails on protecting against severe illness, dexamethasone must be applied as a potent anti-inflammatory shutting-down the uncontrolled and exacerbated inflammation.

The Positive Impact of Resistance Training on Muscle Mass and Serum Leptin Levels in Patients 2-7 Years Post-Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: A Controlled Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: Resistance training program (RTP) assist the maintenance of optimal body composition and inflammatory response modulation in individuals in late Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). This study aimed to investigate the effect of RTP on body composition and serum inflammatory profile in individuals 2-7 years post-RYGB. METHODS: Volunteers were matched on body mass index (BMI), age, sex, and years after surgery, and they were allocated as control or RTP group. Body composition, visceral fat area (VFA), and inflammatory serum markers were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of RTP. RESULTS: The sample baseline characteristics (n = 63; BMI = 29.7 ± 5.3 kg/m2) were similar between the groups. After intervention, the RTP group presented higher fat-free mass (Δ 1.17 ± 1.12 kg, p = 0.003) and skeletal muscle mass (Δ 0.77 ± 0.66 kg, p = 0.002) and decreased leptin levels (Δ -0.15 ± 0.60 pg/mL, p = 0.028). Ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (CRPus), interleukin-6, adiponectin, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 showed no significant time-by-group interaction. After the categorization of RTP group individuals by VFA median values (129.8 cm2, IQR 90.9; 152.5), participants with VFA values above the median presented a significant decrease in CRPus (Δ -0.20 mg/L, IQR -7.59; -0.03, p = 0.022) when compared to the participants with VFA values below the median. CONCLUSION: The RTP improved individuals' body composition by a modest but significant enhancing muscle mass and decreasing serum leptin and CRPus levels, especially in individuals with VFA values above the median. RTPs assist in maintaining the adequate body composition as they contribute to a decrease in proinflammatory markers in long-term RYGB.

NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated cytokine production and pyroptosis cell death in breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed malignancy in women. Increasing evidence has highlighted the importance of chronic inflammation at the local and/or systemic level in breast cancer pathobiology, influencing its progression, metastatic potential and therapeutic outcome by altering the tumor immune microenvironment. These processes are mediated by a variety of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors that exert their biological functions either locally or distantly. Inflammasomes are protein signaling complexes that form in response to damage- and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (DAMPS and PAMPS), triggering the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The dysregulation of inflammasome activation can lead to the development of inflammatory diseases, neurodegeneration, and cancer. A crucial signaling pathway leading to acute and chronic inflammation occurs through the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome followed by caspase 1-dependent release of IL-1ß and IL-18 pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as, by gasdermin D-mediated pyroptotic cell death. In this review we focus on the role of NLRP3 inflammasome and its components in breast cancer signaling, highlighting that a more detailed understanding of the clinical relevance of these pathways could significantly contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.

Gut microbiota modulation induced by Zika virus infection in immunocompetent mice.

Gut microbiota composition can modulate neuroendocrine function, inflammation, and cellular and immunological responses against different pathogens, including viruses. Zika virus (ZIKV) can infect adult immunocompetent individuals and trigger brain damage and antiviral responses. However, it is not known whether ZIKV infection could impact the gut microbiome from adult immunocompetent mice. Here, we investigated modifications induced by ZIKV infection in the gut microbiome of immunocompetent C57BL/6J mice. Adult C57BL/6J mice were infected with ZIKV and the gut microbiota composition was analyzed by next-generation sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region present in the bacterial 16S rDNA gene. Our data showed that ZIKV infection triggered a significant decrease in the bacteria belonging to Actinobacteria and Firmicutes phyla, and increased Deferribacteres and Spirochaetes phyla components compared to uninfected mice. Interestingly, ZIKV infection triggered a significant increase in the abundance of bacteria from the Spirochaetaceae family in the gut microbiota. Lastly, we demonstrated that modulation of microbiota induced by ZIKV infection may lead to intestinal epithelium damage and intense leukocyte recruitment to the intestinal mucosa. Taken together, our data demonstrate that ZIKV infection can impact the gut microbiota composition and colon tissue homeostasis in adult immunocompetent mice.

The Impact of Adipose Tissue-Derived miRNAs in Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity, and Cancer.

Obesity is a multifactorial and complex condition that is characterized by abnormal and excessive white adipose tissue accumulation, which can lead to the development of metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular diseases, and several types of cancer. Obesity is characterized by excessive adipose tissue accumulation and associated with alterations in immunity, displaying a chronic low-grade inflammation profile. Adipose tissue is a dynamic and complex endocrine organ composed not only by adipocytes, but several immunological cells, which can secrete hormones, cytokines and many other factors capable of regulating metabolic homeostasis and several critical biological pathways. Remarkably, adipose tissue is a major source of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs), recently described as a novel form of adipokines. Several adipose tissue-derived miRNAs are deeply associated with adipocytes differentiation and have been identified with an essential role in obesity-associated inflammation, insulin resistance, and tumor microenvironment. During obesity, adipose tissue can completely change the profile of the secreted miRNAs, influencing circulating miRNAs and impacting the development of different pathological conditions, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. In this review, we discuss how miRNAs can act as epigenetic regulators affecting adipogenesis, adipocyte differentiation, lipid metabolism, browning of the white adipose tissue, glucose homeostasis, and insulin resistance, impacting deeply obesity and metabolic diseases. Moreover, we characterize how miRNAs can often act as oncogenic and tumor suppressor molecules, significantly modulating cancer establishment and progression. Furthermore, we highlight in this manuscript how adipose tissue-derived miRNAs can function as important new therapeutic targets.

Hypercoagulopathy and Adipose Tissue Exacerbated Inflammation May Explain Higher Mortality in COVID-19 Patients With Obesity.

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is characterized by pneumonia, lymphopenia, exhausted lymphocytes and a cytokine storm. Several reports from around the world have identified obesity and severe obesity as one of the strongest risk factors for COVID-19 hospitalization and mechanical ventilation. Moreover, countries with greater obesity prevalence have a higher morbidity and mortality risk of developing serious outcomes from COVID-19. The understanding of how this increased susceptibility of the people with obesity to develop severe forms of the SARS-CoV-2 infection occurs is crucial for implementing appropriate public health and therapeutic strategies to avoid COVID-19 severe symptoms and complications in people living with obesity. We hypothesize here that increased ACE2 expression in adipose tissue displayed by people with obesity may increase SARS-CoV-2 infection and accessibility to this tissue. Individuals with obesity have increased white adipose tissue, which may act as a reservoir for a more extensive viral spread with increased shedding, immune activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine amplification. Here we discuss how obesity is related to a pro-inflammatory and metabolic dysregulation, increased SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry in adipose tissue and induction of hypercoagulopathy, leading people with obesity to develop severe forms of COVID-19 and also death. Taken together, it may be crucial to better explore the role of visceral adipose tissue in the inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and investigate the potential therapeutic effect of using specific target anti-inflammatories (canakinumab or anakinra for IL-1ß inhibition; anti-IL-6 antibodies for IL-6 inhibition), anticoagulant or anti-diabetic drugs in COVID-19 treatment of people with obesity. Defining the immunopathological changes in COVID-19 patients with obesity can provide prominent targets for drug discovery and clinical management improvement.

Obesity and Breast Cancer: The Role of Crown-Like Structures in Breast Adipose Tissue in Tumor Progression, Prognosis, and Therapy.

Obesity is associated with increased risk and aggressiveness of many types of cancer. Women with obesity and breast cancer are more likely to be diagnosed with larger and higher-grade tumors and have higher incidence of metastases than lean individuals. Increasing evidence indicates that obesity includes systemic, chronic low-grade inflammation, and that adipose tissue can act as an important endocrine site, secreting a variety of substances that may regulate inflammation, immune response, and cancer predisposition. Obesity-associated inflammation appears to be initially mediated by macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue. Macrophages can surround damaged or necrotic adipocytes, forming "crown-like" structures (CLS). CLS are increased in breast adipose tissue from breast cancer patients and are more abundant in patients with obesity conditions. Moreover, the CLS index-ratio from individuals with obesity seems to influence breast cancer recurrence rates and survival. In this review, we discuss the most recent cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in CLS establishment in the white adipose tissue of women with obesity and their implications for breast cancer biology. We also explain how CLS influence the tumor microenvironment and affect breast cancer behavior. Targeting breast adipose tissue CLS can be a crucial therapeutic tool in cancer treatment, especially in patients with obesity.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR as a Technique to Analyze Inflammation.

Inflammation is part of a defense reaction of live tissues that is triggered by pathogens, chemical reagents, trauma, and radiation. Understanding the inflammatory process triggered by Zika virus (ZIKV) is important to better understand the pathogen-host interaction. The evaluation of this process can be done using tools such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). Both techniques have been an indispensable tool not just for immunologists but for all interested in understanding the inflammatory process.

The Cellular Impact of the ZIKA Virus on Male Reproductive Tract Immunology and Physiology.

Zika virus (ZIKV) has been reported by several groups as an important virus causing pathological damage in the male reproductive tract. ZIKV can infect and persist in testicular somatic and germ cells, as well as spermatozoa, leading to cell death and testicular atrophy. ZIKV has also been detected in semen samples from ZIKV-infected patients. This has huge implications for human reproduction. Global scientific efforts are being applied to understand the mechanisms related to arboviruses persistency, pathogenesis, and host cellular response to suggest a potential target to develop robust antiviral therapeutics and vaccines. Here, we discuss the cellular modulation of the immunologic and physiologic properties of the male reproductive tract environment caused by arboviruses infection, focusing on ZIKV. We also present an overview of the current vaccine effects and therapeutic targets against ZIKV infection that may impact the testis and male fertility.

Potential neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects provided by omega-3 (DHA) against Zika virus infection in human SH-SY5Y cells.

Zika virus (ZIKV) has a strong tropism for the nervous system and has been related to post-infection neurological syndromes. Once neuronal cells are infected, the virus is capable of modulating cell metabolism, leading to neurotoxicity and cellular death. The negative effect of ZIKV in neuron cells has been characterized. However, the description of molecules capable of reversing these cytotoxic effects is still under investigation. In this context, it has been largely demonstrated that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, is highly neuroprotective. Here, we hypothesized that DHA's neuroprotective proprieties could have an influence on ZIKV-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. Our data showed that pre-treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with DHA increased the cell viability and proliferation in ZIKV-infected cells. Moreover, DHA triggered an anti-inflammatory response in those infected cells. Besides, DHA was capable of restoring mitochondria function and number in ZIKV-infected SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, cells pre-treated with DHA prior to ZIKV infection presented a lower viral load at different times of infection. Taking together, these results demonstrated that DHA has a potential anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect against ZIKV infection in these neuron-like cells and could be a useful tool in the treatment against this virus.

The Impact of the Adipose Organ Plasticity on Inflammation and Cancer Progression.

Obesity is characterized by chronic and low-grade systemic inflammation, an increase of adipose tissue, hypertrophy, and hyperplasia of adipocytes. Adipose tissues can be classified into white, brown, beige and pink adipose tissues, which display different regulatory, morphological and functional characteristics of their adipocyte and immune cells. Brown and white adipocytes can play a key role not only in the control of energy homeostasis, or through the balance between energy storage and expenditure, but also by the modulation of immune and inflammatory responses. Therefore, brown and white adipocytes can orchestrate important immunological crosstalk that may deeply impact the tumor microenvironment and be crucial for cancer establishment and progression. Recent works have indicated that white adipose tissues can undergo a process called browning, in which an inducible brown adipocyte develops. In this review, we depict the mechanisms involved in the differential role of brown, white and pink adipocytes, highlighting their structural, morphological, regulatory and functional characteristics and correlation with cancer predisposition, establishment, and progression. We also discuss the impact of the increased adiposity in the inflammatory and immunological modulation. Moreover, we focused on the plasticity of adipocytes, describing the molecules produced and secreted by those cells, the modulation of the signaling pathways involved in the browning phenomena of white adipose tissue and its impact on inflammation and cancer.

The influence of female mice age on biodistribution and biocompatibility of citrate-coated magnetic nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been successfully tested for several purposes in medical applications. However, knowledge concerning the effects of nanostructures on elderly organisms is remarkably scarce. PURPOSE: To fill part of this gap, this work aimed to investigate biocompatibility and bio-distribution aspects of magnetic nanoparticles coated with citrate (NpCit) in both elderly and young healthy mice. METHODS: NpCit (2.4 mg iron) was administered intraperitoneally, and its toxicity was evaluated for 28 days through clinical, biochemical, hematological, and histopathological examinations. In addition, its biodistribution was evaluated by spectrometric (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry) and histological methods. RESULTS: NpCit presented age-dependent effects, inducing very slight and temporary biochemical and hematological changes in young animals. These changes were even weaker than the effects of the aging process, especially those related to the hematological data, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and nitric oxide levels. On the other hand, NpCit showed a distinct set of results in the elderly group, sometimes reinforcing (decrease of lymphocytes and increase of monocytes) and sometimes opposing (erythrocyte parameters and cytokine levels) the aging changes. Leukocyte changes were still observed on the 28th day after treatment in the elderly group. Slight evidence of a decrease in liver and immune functions was detected in elderly mice treated or not treated with NpCit. It was noted that tissue damage or clinical changes related to aging or to the NpCit treatment were not observed. As detected for aging, the pattern of iron biodistribution was significantly different after NpCit administration: extra iron was detected until the 28th day, but in different organs of elderly (liver and kidneys) and young (spleen, liver, and lungs) mice. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the data show NpCit to be a stable and reasonably biocompatible sample, especially for young mice, and thus appropriate for biomedical applications. The data showed important differences after NpCit treatment related to the animals' age, and this emphasizes the need for further studies in older animals to appropriately extend the benefits of nanotechnology to the elderly population.

Omega 3-DHA and Delta-Tocotrienol Modulate Lipid Droplet Biogenesis and Lipophagy in Breast Cancer Cells: the Impact in Cancer Aggressiveness.

Omega 3-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and vitamin E Delta-tocotrienol (Delta-T3) are extensively studied as protective nutrients against cancer development. Little is known about the biological mechanisms targeted by these bioactive molecules on lipid droplet (LD) biogenesis, an important breast cancer aggressiveness marker, and the occurrence of lipophagy in breast cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of DHA, Delta-T3 and DHA plus Delta-T3 co-treatment in LD biogenesis and lipophagy process in triple negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. Cells were treated with 50 µM DHA and/or 5 µM Delta-T3. Our results demonstrated that DHA can trigger an increase in LD biogenesis and co-treatment with Delta-T3 was able to reduce this LD biogenesis. In addition, we showed that a higher cytoplasmic LD content is associated with a higher breast cancer cells malignance and proliferation. Reduction of cytoplasmic LD content by silencing ADRP (adipose differentiation-related protein), a structural LD protein, also decreased cell proliferation in MDA-MB-231 cells. Treatment with DHA and Delta-T3 alone or co-treatment did not reduce cell viability. Moreover, we showed here that DHA can trigger lipophagy in MDA-MB-231 cells and DHA plus Delta-T3 co-treatment was able to enhance this lipophagy process. Our findings demonstrated that co-treatment with DHA plus Delta-T3 in MDA-MB-231 cells could reduce LD biogenesis and potentiate lipophagy in these cells, possibly having a positive impact to inhibit breast cancer malignancy. Therefore, suitable doses of DHA and Delta-T3 vitamin E isoform supplementation can be a prominent tool in therapeutic treatments against breast cancer.