MiRNAs that target amyloid precursor protein processing machinery in extracellular vesicles and particles derived from oral squamous cells carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Considering that microRNAs (miRNAs), extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs) and the amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing have been shown to be altered in oral squamous cells carcinoma (OSCC), it is possible that miRNAs that target APP processing pathways in EVPs are impacted in tumor cells. Our aim was to evaluate miRNAs that target APP itself or disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 10 (ADAM10), which generate a trophic compound, sAPPα, in EVPs derived from OSCC cell lines, an aggressive and non-invasive, compared to normal keratinocytes. METHODS: We used two OSCC cell lines, an aggressive human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line (SCC09) and a less aggressive cell line (CAL27) compared with a keratinocyte lineage (HaCaT). Cells were maintained in cell media, from which we isolated EVPs. EVPs were evaluated regarding their size and concentration using Nanotracking Analysis. We measured the levels of miRNAs which had as potential downstream target APP or ADAM10, specifically miR-20a-5p, miR-103a-3p, miR-424-5p, miR-92b-3p, miR-31-5p, and miR-93-5. RESULTS: There were no differences on size distributions and concentration of isolated EVPs. OSCC cell lines-derived EVPs miR-20a-5p, miR-92b-3p, and miR-93-5p were upregulated in comparison to HaCaT-derived EVPs; while miR-31-5p was reduced in EVPs obtained from CAL27 cells. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate changes in miRNAs that target APP machinery processing in EVPs derived from OSCC cell lines of different aggressiveness, which may be involved with abnormal miRNA expression in OSCC tissue and/or releasing tumor suppressor miRNA.

Achyrocline satureioides as an adjuvant therapy for the management of mild viral respiratory infections in the context of COVID-19: Preliminary results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, and open-label clinical trial.

We evaluated the impact of an Achyrocline satureioides inflorescence infusion on the clinical outcomes of viral respiratory infections, including those caused by SARS-CoV-2, in a monocentric, randomized, open-label, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Patients with symptoms of viral respiratory infection, including suspected cases of COVID-19, were included and assigned to receive either A. satureioides (n = 57) or Malus domestica (n = 67) infusions twice a day for 14 days. All participants were included before the RT-PCR results, performed using a nasopharyngeal swab. The patients were further divided into subgroups according to real-time polymerase chain reaction results: SARS-CoV-2-positive and SARS-CoV-2-negative subgroups for statistical analyses. We assessed clinical outcomes, such as the latency to resolution of cough, dyspnea, fever, sore throat, chest pain, smell and taste dysfunctions, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite; hospitalization; and mortality with questionnaires and medical records. The subjects that received early A. satureioides infusion showed a significant reduction in the average number of days with respiratory and neurological symptoms compared with the control group (M. domestica infusion). We conclude that A. satureioides is a safe agent and, in combination with standard care, improves viral respiratory infection symptoms, especially those related to COVID-19.

Circulating extracellular vesicles in the aging process: impact of aerobic exercise.

Our aim was to investigate transitory and delayed exercise effects on serum extracellular vesicles (EVs) in aging process. Male Wistar rats of 3-, 21-, and 26-month old were allocated into exercised and sedentary groups. The exercise protocol consisted in a daily moderate treadmill exercise (20 min daily during 2 weeks). Trunk blood was collected 1 and 18 h after the last exercise session, and circulating EVs were obtained. CD63 levels and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were used as markers of exosome, a subtype of EVs. In addition, the quantification of amyloid-ß (Aß) levels and the oxidative status parameters, specifically reactive species content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and SOD1 content were evaluated. Aged rats showed reduced CD63 levels and increased AChE activity in circulating exosomes compared to young ones. Moreover, higher reactive species levels were found in circulating EVs of aged rats. Delayed exercise effects were observed on peripheral EVs, since CD63, reactive species content, and AChE activity were altered 18 h after the last exercise session. Our results suggest that the healthy aging process can modify circulating EVs profile, and exercise-induced beneficial effects may be related to its modulation on EVs.

Treadmill exercise alters histone acetylation differently in rats exposed or not exposed to aversive learning context.

Epigenetic modifications have been linked to memory formation after learning context exposure and to exercise effects on memory performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of treadmill exercise (20 min/day during 2 weeks) on H3K14 acetylation and H3S10 phosphorylation levels in the hippocampi of 3-month-old Wistar rats exposed and not exposed to aversive learning context. Male Wistar rats aged 2-3 months were assigned to non-exercised (sedentary) and exercised (running daily for 20 min for 2 weeks) groups. Single-trial step-down inhibitory avoidance (IA) conditioning was employed as an aversive memory model. Epigenetic parameters were determined 30 min after the IA test. A decrease in the H3K14 acetylation in the hippocampus 24 h after IA training (30 min after test session) was observed. Exercise reversed the IA effect, and no effect was observed in the non-IA exposed group. Our data support the hypothesis that modulation of H3K14 acetylation levels in the hippocampus might be related, at least in part, to exercise effects on aversive memory.

Treadmill exercise alters histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases activities in frontal cortices from wistar rats.

Studies have pointed out the relationship between neuroprotective exercise effects and epigenetic mechanisms on the hippocampus. Considering the role of frontal cortex on brain functions, we investigated the impact of different exercise protocols on enzymatic system involved with histone acetylation status, histone acetyltransferases (HATs), and histone desacetylases (HDACs) in frontal cortices from Wistar rats. Male Wistar rats aged 3 months were submitted to a single session or a daily running protocol during 2 weeks. The single session enhanced HAT activity, while the moderate daily exercise protocol reduced the HDAC activity. Our results indicate that frontal cortex is susceptible to epigenetic modulation following exercise and that both exercise protocols seem to induce a histone hyperacetylation condition in this brain area.

Pharmacological evaluation of a traditional Brazilian medicinal plant, Monteverdia ilicifolia. Part I - Preclinical safety study.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Monteverdia ilicifolia (Maytenus ilicifolia, Celastraceae), known as "espinheira-santa", has been widely used in Brazil to manage mainly gastrointestinal diseases. This species has been listed in the Brazilian Pharmacopeia and in the National List of Essential Medicines (RENAME). Considering that clinical studies about M. ilicifolia are rare, our group has been performing a broader project designed to evaluate the efficacy of M. ilicifolia capsules in a clinical trial, for this reason, approaches to provide safety to those patients are relevant. AIM OF THE STUDY: We aimed to investigate the potential pharmacokinetic interaction and hepatotoxicity and intestinal toxicity of an aqueous extract of M. ilicifolia and its main phytocompounds, catequin, epicatequin, and quercetin. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Slices of liver and intestine of Wistar rats were incubated with different concentrations of M. ilicifolia extract or isolated compounds (catechin, epicatechin and quercetin). Commercial kits were used to evaluate enzyme activities of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 isoforms, as well as cell viability (MTT) assay and intracellular enzymes leakage, specifically lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (AP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were studied. RESULTS: Incubation with M. ilicifolia extract, catechin, epicatechin and quercetin did not affect significantly any evaluated parameter in intestines. The intracellular enzymes leakages, CYP2D6, LDH and AST, were increased with M. ilicifolia extract and quercetin in liver slices. CONCLUSIONS: Our in vitro findings highlighted, for the first time, the potential hepatotoxicity induced by an aqueous extract of M. ilicifolia, consequently this species and its products should be avoided in liver diseases, supporting that studies of safety must be performed including in the context of traditional medicinal plants.

Aerobic Exercise in the Aquatic Environment Suppresses the Plasma Renin Activity in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

To compare the acute effects of aquatic walking/running versus dry-land walking/running on blood glucose and plasma renin activity (PRA) in individuals with type 2 diabetes, participants with type 2 diabetes performed deep-water or dry-land walking and/or running sessions in a swimming pool or on an athletics track, respectively. Both sessions comprised seven blocks of 3 min at 85-90% of the heart rate deflection point (HRDP), interspersed with 2 min at <85% HRDP, totaling 35 min, with a 48 h interval between sessions. PRA and blood glucose were assessed before and immediately after the sessions. Generalized estimation equations were used to verify the session effects, with the Bonferroni post hoc test, considering the significance level as 0.05. Twelve individuals (53.2 ± 8.9 years) diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for 6.3 ± 6.34 years participated in the study. A reduction in PRA was found only after the aquatic session (-7.75 ng/mL/h; -69%; p: 0.034), while both aquatic and dry-land sessions similarly reduced the blood glucose levels (aquatic: -38 mg/dL, -21%; dry-land: -26 mg/dL, -14%; time effect, p = 0.007). Despite yielding similar glycemic reductions as dry-land walking/running, aquatic walking/running led to an expressive decrease in PRA among individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Treadmill exercise induces age-related changes in aversive memory, neuroinflammatory and epigenetic processes in the rat hippocampus.

It has been described that exercise can modulate both inflammatory response and epigenetic modifications, although the effect of exercise on these parameters during the normal brain aging process yet remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effect of aging and treadmill exercise on inflammatory and epigenetic parameters specifically pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels, activation of NF-kB and histone H4 acetylation levels in hippocampus from Wistar rats. Additionally, we evaluated aversive memory through inhibitory avoidance task. Rats of 3 and 20 months of age were assigned to non-exercised (sedentary) and exercised (running daily for 20 min for 2 weeks) groups. The effect of daily forced exercise in the treadmill was assessed. The levels of inflammatory and epigenetic parameters were determined 1h, 18 h, 3 days or 7 days after the last training session of exercise. It was observed an age-related decline on aversive memory, as well as aged rats showed increased hippocampal levels of inflammatory markers, such as TNFα, IL1-ß and NF-kB and decreased IL-4 levels, an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Moreover, lower levels of global histone H4 acetylation were also observed in hippocampi from aged rats. Interestingly, there was a significant correlation between the biochemical markers and the inhibitory avoidance test performance. The forced exercise protocol ameliorated aging-related memory decline, decreased pro-inflammatory markers and increased histone H4 acetylation levels in hippocampi 20-months-old rats, while increased acutely IL-4 levels in hippocampi from young adult rats. Together, these results suggest that an imbalance of inflammatory markers might be involved to the aging-related aversive memory impairment. Additionally, our exercise protocol may reverse aging-related memory decline through improving cytokine profile.

Potential involvement of circulating extracellular vesicles and particles on exercise effects in malignancies.

Physical activity and exercise have been widely related to prevention, treatment, and control for several non-communicable diseases. In this context, there are innumerous pre-clinical and clinical evidence indicating the potential role of exercise, beyond cancer prevention and survival, improved quality of life, including on psychological components, bone health and cachexia, from cancer survivors is described as well. This mini-review raises the potential role of circulating extracellular and particles vesicles (EVPs) cargo, as exerkines, conducting several positive effects on adjacent and/or distant tissues such as tumor, immune, bone and muscle cells. We highlighted new perspectives about microRNAs into EVPs changes induced by exercise and its benefits on malignancies, since microRNAs can be implicated with intricated physiopathological processes. Potential microRNAs into EVPs were pointed out here as players spreading beneficial effects of exercise, such as miR-150-5p, miR-124, miR-486, and miRNA-320a, which have previous findings on involvement with clinical outcomes and as well as tumor microenvironment, regulating intercellular communication and tumor growth. For example, high-intensity interval aerobic exercise program seems to increase miR-150 contents in circulating EVPs obtained from women with normal weight or overweight. In accordance circulating EVPs miR-150-5p content is correlated with prognosis colorectal cancer, and ectopic expression of miR-150 may reduce cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Beyond the involvement of bioactive miRNAs into circulating EVPs and their pathways related to clinical and preclinical findings, this mini review intends to support further studies on EVPs cargo and exercise effects in oncology.

Circulating Total Extracellular Vesicles Cargo Are Associated with Age-Related Oxidative Stress and Susceptibility to Cardiovascular Diseases: Exploratory Results from Microarray Data.

Aging is a risk factor for many non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Extracellular vesicles and particles (EVP) carry microRNAs that may play a role in age-related diseases and may induce oxidative stress. We hypothesized that aging could impact EVP miRNA and impair redox homeostasis, contributing to chronic age-related diseases. Our aims were to investigate the microRNA profiles of circulating total EVPs from aged and young adult animals and to evaluate the pro- and antioxidant machinery in circulating total EVPs. Plasma from 3- and 21-month-old male Wistar rats were collected, and total EVPs were isolated. MicroRNA isolation and microarray expression analysis were performed on EVPs to determine the predicted regulation of targeted mRNAs. Thirty-one mature microRNAs in circulating EVPs were impacted by age and were predicted to target molecules in canonical pathways directly related to cardiovascular diseases and oxidative status. Circulating total EVPs from aged rats had significantly higher NADPH oxidase levels and myeloperoxidase activity, whereas catalase activity was significantly reduced in EVPs from aged animals. Our data shows that circulating total EVP cargo-specifically microRNAs and oxidative enzymes-are involved in redox imbalance in the aging process and can potentially drive cardiovascular aging and, consequently, cardiac disease.

Forced treadmill exercise prevents oxidative stress and memory deficits following chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in the rat.

Physical activity impacts functional recovery following stroke in humans, however its effects in experimental animals submitted to chronic cerebral hypoperfusion have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of exercise, as assessed by cognitive activity in the Morris water maze and the brain oxidative status, through measurement of macromolecules damage, TBARS levels and total cellular thiols, as well as antioxidant enzymes in hippocampus, striatum and cerebral cortex. Adult male Wistar rats were submitted to the modified permanent bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries (2VO) method, with right common carotid artery being first occluded, and tested 3 months after the ischemic event. The effects of three different exercise protocols were examined: pre-ischemia, post-ischemia and pre+post-ischemia. Physical exercise consisted of sessions of 20-min, 3 times per week during 12 weeks (moderate intensity). Rats were submitted to cognitive assessment, in both reference and working spatial memory and after the last testing session were sacrificed to have oxidative stress parameters determined. Hypoperfusion caused a significant cognitive deficit in both spatial water maze tasks and this effect was reversed in rats receiving exercise protocol post and pre+post the ischemic event. Moreover, forced regular treadmill exercise regulated oxidative damage and antioxidant enzyme activity in the hippocampus. These results suggest that physical exercise protects against cognitive and biochemical impairments caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Time-dependent effects of treadmill exercise on aversive memory and cyclooxygenase pathway function.

Exercise induces brain function adaptations and improves learning and memory; however the time window of exercise effects has been poorly investigated. Studies demonstrate an important role for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathway function in the mechanisms underlying memory formation. The aim of present work was to investigate the effects of treadmill exercise on aversive memory and COX-2, PGE(2) and E-prostanoid receptors contents in the rat hippocampus at different time points after exercise has ended. Adult male Wistar rats were assigned to non-exercised (sedentary) and exercised (running daily for 20min, for 2weeks) groups. The inhibitory avoidance task was used to assess aversive memory and the COX-2, PGE(2) and E-prostanoid receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4) levels were determined 1h, 18h, 3days or 7days after the last training session of treadmill exercise. The step down latency in the inhibitory avoidance, COX-2 and EP4 receptors levels were acutely increased by exercise, with a significant positive correlation between aversive memory performance and COX-2 levels. Increased EP2 content decreased PGE(2) levels were observed 7days after the last running session. The treadmill exercise protocol facilitates inhibitory avoidance memory and induces time-dependent changes on COX-2 pathways function (COX-2, PGE(2) and EP receptors).

Effect of landfill leachate on oxidative stress of brain structures and liver from rodents: modulation by photoelectrooxidation process.

The decomposition of solid waste in landfill is responsible for the formation of leachate, a dark liquid with an unpleasant odor; studies investigating its toxicity on mammals are rare. Oxidative stress has been considered as an important biochemical mechanism of the toxicity of several xenobiotics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of landfill leachate on oxidative parameters in striatum, hippocampus and liver homogenates of mice and rats. In order to propose a clean technology for the treatment of leachate, we also investigated the effects of landfill leachate submitted to photoelectrooxidation process (PEO). The homogenates of cerebral structures and liver of Swiss albino mice and Wistar rats were incubated with different concentrations of non-PEO landfill leachate and PEO-treated landfill leachate. After the incubation, the levels of free radicals, determined by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate probe, and the lipoperoxidation, quantified by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, were evaluated. There was an increase on the levels of free radicals in striatum of both mice and rats when exposed to non-PEO leachate. Moreover, PEO-treated leachate increased the lipoperoxidation in striatum homogenates from rodents. However, both leachates did not alter any of the parameters evaluated in the hippocampus. In the liver, the incubation with leachates induced an augment on levels of free radicals only in samples of mice. In addition, PEO-treated leachate increased the lipoperoxidation indexes in the liver of mice and rats. These results suggest that the landfill leachate can induce an oxidative stress state in the liver and the striatum of rodents. Additionally, the PEO process was unable to efficiently alter the toxic compounds of landfill leachate.

Antidepressant-like effects of methanol extract of Hibiscus tiliaceus flowers in mice.

BACKGROUND: Hibiscus tiliaceus L. (Malvaceae) is used in postpartum disorders. Our purpose was to examine the antidepressant, anxiolytic and sedative actions of the methanol extract of H. tiliaceus flowers using animal models. METHODS: Adult male Swiss albino mice were treated with saline, standard drugs or methanol extract of H. tiliaceus and then subjected to behavioral tests. The forced swimming and tail suspension tests were used as predictive animal models of antidepressant activity, where the time of immobility was considered. The animals were submitted to the elevated plus-maze and ketamine-induced sleeping time to assess anxiolytic and sedative activities, respectively. RESULTS: Methanol extract of H. tiliaceus significantly decreased the duration of immobility in both animal models of antidepressant activity, forced swimming and tail suspension tests. This extract did not potentiate the effect of ketamine-induced hypnosis, as determined by the time to onset and duration of sleeping time. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate an antidepressant-like profile of action for the extract of Hibiscus tiliaceus without sedative side effect.

Correlation Between Inflammatory and Epigenetic Marks With Aerobic Performance in 10-km Runners.

Purpose: Our goals were to evaluate the effect of a 10-km running trial on inflammatory and epigenetic markers of 10-km runners and correlate the biochemical findings with anthropometric variables and performance. Methods: Twenty trained 10-km runners and seven sedentary male volunteers were recruited. Venous blood samples were collected at different times: under resting conditions, before the 10 Km race, and immediately after the finish. Inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-10, and IL-ß) and cortisol levels were evaluated in plasma, while DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1 and DNMT3b) contents were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Results: Higher levels of plasma IL-6 levels were observed in 10-km runners compared to the sedentary group. After the trial, the runners had a significant increase on IL-6, IL-10, and cortisol plasma levels compared to baseline. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that inflammatory profile, but not DNMT content, influences aerobic performance in 10-km runners.

Circulating Extracellular Vesicles and Particles Derived From Adipocytes: The Potential Role in Spreading MicroRNAs Associated With Cellular Senescence.

Aging is associated with adipose tissue dysfunction and is recognized as a risk factor for shortened life span. Considering that in vitro findings have shown the involvement of microRNA in extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs) on senescence, we hypothesized that circulating EVPs derived from adipocytes can be involved in the aging process via their microRNA cargo. We aimed to determine the microRNA profiles of circulating EVPs derived from adipocytes (FABP4+) from aged and young adult animals and to perform in silico prediction of their downstream signaling effects. Plasma was obtained from Wistar rats (3 and 21 months old), and adipocyte-derived EVPs were isolated using the commercially available kit. Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) was used for adipocyte-derived EVPs isolation; microRNA isolation and microarray expression analysis were performed. The analysis revealed 728 miRNAs, 32 were differentially between groups (p < 0.05; fold change ≥ |1.1|), of which 15 miRNAs were upregulated and 17 were downregulated in circulating EVPs from aged animals compared to young adults. A conservative filter was applied, and 18 microRNAs had experimentally validated and highly conserved predicted mRNA targets, with a total of 2,228 mRNAs. Canonical pathways, disease and functions, and upstream regulator analyses were performed using IPA-QIAGEN, allowing a global and interconnected evaluation. IPA categories impacted negatively were cell cycle, cellular development, cellular growth and proliferation, and tissue development, while those impacted positively were "digestive system cancer" and "endocrine gland tumor." Interestingly, the upregulated miR-15-5p targets several cyclins, such as CCND1 and CCND2, and miR-24-3p seems to target CDK4 (cyclin-dependent kinase 4); then potentially inhibiting their expression, both miRNAs can induce a negative regulation of cell cycle progression. In contrast, silencing of negative cell cycle checkpoint regulators, such as p21 and p16, can be predicted, which can induce impairment in response to genotoxic stressors. In addition, predicted targets, such as SMAD family members, seem to be involved in the positive control of digestive and endocrine tumors. Taken together, this exploratory study indicates that miRNA signature in circulating adipocyte-derived EVPs may be involved with the double-edged sword of cellular senescence, including irreversible proliferation arrest and tissue-dependent cancer, and seems to be suitable for further validation and confirmatory studies.

Aerobic exercise, alone or combined with an anti-inflammatory drug, reduces the severity of epileptic seizures and levels of central pro-inflammatory cytokines in an animal model of epileptic seizures.

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder and there is increasing evidence about the role of inflammation in epileptogenesis. These findings have spurred the search for new immunomodulatory approaches that can improve prognosis. Using an animal model of chemically-induced epileptic seizures, we tested exercise alone as non-pharmacological therapy, and exercise combined with an anti-inflammatory drug. Five groups were used: sedentary, diazepam, aerobic exercise alone, aerobic exercise combined with an anti-inflammatory drug, and naive control. Our goal was to compare the severity of the epileptic seizures between groups as well as seizure latency in a pentylenetetrazole-induced paradigm. Cytokine levels (IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-10) were measured. Both exercise groups showed a reduction in seizure severity and lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the cortex, while the levels of cytokines in the hippocampus remained unaffected.

Circulating extracellular vesicles delivering beneficial cargo as key players in exercise effects.

Exercise has been recognized as an effective preventive and therapeutic approach for numerous diseases. This review addresses the potential role of circulating extracellular vesicles (EV) cargo that is modulated by physical activity. EV transport and deliver beneficial molecules to adjacent and distant tissues as a whole-body phenomenon, resulting in a healthier global status. Several candidate EV molecules, especially miRNAs, are summarized here as mediators of the beneficial effects of exercise, using different modalities, frequencies, volumes, and intensities. The following are among the candidate miRNAs: miR-21, miR-146, miR-486, miR-148a-3p, miR-223-3p, miR-142-3p, and miR-191a-5p. We highlight the relationship between EV cargo modifications, their targets and pathway interactions, in clinical outcomes, for example, on cardiovascular or immune diseases. This review brings an innovative perspective providing evidence for an intricate biological basis of the relationship between EV cargo and exercise-induced benefits on several diseases. Moreover, specific changes on circulating EV content might potentially be used as biomarkers of exercise efficacy.