Effect of Meditation, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and Relaxation Techniques as Mind-Body Medicine Practices to Reduce Blood Pressure in Cardiac Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Elevated blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Available evidence on mind-body medicine (MBM) techniques on blood pressure is inconclusive and provides conflicting results. The objective of the current systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effect of MBM techniques on blood pressure in patients with cardiovascular disease. Randomized control trials (RCTs) done between the years 2000 and 2020 on cardiovascular disease, using MBM techniques such as meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction and relaxation techniques were searched through electronic databases such as PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health (CINAHL), EMBASE and Cochrane Library. Three authors independently performed article selection, data extraction and validation. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effect model and standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) estimated for the effect size. Fifteen RCTs with 927 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Heterogeneity among the studies was very high for all analyses (I2>94%). For studies comparing systolic blood pressure, MBM interventions show a significant (p=0.01) effect when compared to conventional treatment, an overall estimated effect size of SMD - 0.78 (95% CI: -1.36, -0.20). For studies comparing the diastolic blood pressure, MBM intervention did not show any significant effect when compared to the conventional treatment, an overall effect size of SMD -0.26 (95% CI: -0.91, 0.39). The findings of the meta-analysis suggest that MBM interventions may improve systolic blood pressure alone in patients with cardiac diseases. With high heterogeneity and low quality of the included studies, more robust evidence is required before suggesting MBM as an effective treatment modality for reducing blood pressure in cardiovascular diseases.

Aspartame Causes Developmental Defects and Teratogenicity in Zebra Fish Embryo: Role of Impaired SIRT1/FOXO3a Axis in Neuron Cells.

Aspartame, a widely used artificial sweetener, is present in many food products and beverages worldwide. It has been linked to potential neurotoxicity and developmental defects. However, its teratogenic effect on embryonic development and the underlying potential mechanisms need to be elucidated. We investigated the concentration- and time-dependent effects of aspartame on zebrafish development and teratogenicity. We focused on the role of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and Forkhead-box transcription factor (FOXO), two proteins that play key roles in neurodevelopment. It was found that aspartame exposure reduced the formation of larvae and the development of cartilage in zebrafish. It also delayed post-fertilization development by altering the head length and locomotor behavior of zebrafish. RNA-sequencing-based DEG analysis showed that SIRT1 and FOXO3a are involved in neurodevelopment. In silico and in vitro analyses showed that aspartame could target and reduce the expression of SIRT1 and FOXO3a proteins in neuron cells. Additionally, aspartame triggered the reduction of autophagy flux by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of SIRT1 in neuronal cells. The findings suggest that aspartame can cause developmental defects and teratogenicity in zebrafish embryos and reduce autophagy by impairing the SIRT1/FOXO3a axis in neuron cells.

Molecular engineering of a theranostic molecule that detects Aß plaques, inhibits Iowa and Dutch mutation Aß self-aggregation and promotes lysosomal biogenesis for Alzheimer's disease.

Extracellular clustering of amyloid-ß (Aß) and an impaired autophagy lysosomal pathway (ALP) are the hallmark features in the early stages of incurable Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is a pressing need to find or develop new small molecules for diagnostics and therapeutics for the early stages of AD. Herein, we report a small molecule, namely F-SLCOOH, which can bind and detect Aß1-42, Iowa mutation Aß, Dutch mutation Aß fibrils and oligomers exhibiting enhanced emission with high affinity. Importantly, F-SLCOOH can readily pass through the blood-brain barrier and shows highly selective binding toward the extracellular Aß aggregates in real-time in live animal imaging of a 5XFAD mice model. In addition, a high concentration of F-SLCOOH in both brain and plasma of wildtype mice after intraperitoneal administration was found. The ex vivo confocal imaging of hippocampal brain slices indicated excellent colocalization of F-SLCOOH with Aß positive NU1, 4G8, 6E10 A11 antibodies and THS staining dye, affirming its excellent Aß specificity and targetability. The molecular docking studies have provided insight into the unique and specific binding of F-SLCOOH with various Aß species. Importantly, F-SLCOOH exhibits remarkable anti-fibrillation properties against toxic Aß aggregate formation of Aß1-42, Iowa mutation Aß, and Dutch mutation Aß. F-SLCOOH treatment also exerts high neuroprotective functions and promotes autophagy lysosomal biogenesis in neuronal AD cell models. In summary, the present results suggest that F-SLCOOH is a highly promising theranostic agent for diagnosis and therapeutics of AD.

Role of Scoparia dulcis linn on noise-induced nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and neurotransmitter assessment on motor function in Wistar albino rats.

Noise pollution is one of the most widespread and fast growing environmental and occupational menaces in the modern era. Exposure to noise above 100dB is not adaptable through the brain homeostatic mechanism. Yet, the detrimental effects of noise have often been ignored. Developing reliable animal models to understand the neurobiology of noise stress and advance our research in the field of medicine to impede this growing stressor is needed. In this study experimental animals were divided into four groups, (i) Control and (ii) S. dulcis extract (200mg/kgbw) treated control group. (iii) To mimic the influence of noise, animals in this group were exposed to noise stress (100dB/4h/day) for 15days and finally, (iv) Noise exposed treated with S. dulcis extract (200mg/kgbw) group. Rota-rod and narrow beam performance results showed impaired motor co-ordination in noise exposed group on both 1st and 15th day when compared to controls. This impaired motor function on exposure to noise could be attributed to the altered norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin levels in both the striatum and cerebellum. Moreover, the motor impaired associated changes could also be attributed to upregulated nNOS and iNOS protein expression in the cerebellum resulting in increased nitric oxide radical production. This increased reactive free radicals species can initiate lipid peroxidation mediated changes in the cerebellar Purkinje cells, which is responsible for initiating inhibitory motor response and ultimately leading to impaired motor co-ordination. Treatment with S. dulcis extract (200mg/kgbw) could control motor impairment and regulate neurotransmitter level as that of control groups when compared to noise exposed group. One key aspect of therapeutic efficacy of the plant could have resulted due to attenuated lipid peroxidation mediated damages on the cerebellar Purkinje cells thereby regulating motor impairment. Thus, targeting the antioxidant and free radicals scavenging properties of the plant could serve as a potential therapeutic to combat this environmental stressor.

Acute effect of aspartame-induced oxidative stress in Wistar albino rat brain.

The present study was carried out to investigate the acute effect of aspartame on oxidative stress in the Wistar albino rat brain. We sought to investigate whether acute administration of aspartame (75 mg/kg) could release methanol and induce oxidative stress in the rat brain 24 hours after administration. To mimic human methanol metabolism, methotrexate treated rats were used to study aspartame effects. Wistar strain male albino rats were administered with aspartame orally as a single dose and studied along with controls and methotrexate treated controls. Blood methanol and formate level were estimated after 24 hours and rats were sacrificed and free radical changes were observed in discrete regions by assessing the scavenging enzymes, reduce dglutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation and protein thiol levels. There was a significant increase in lipid peroxidation levels, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), glutathione peroxidase levels (GPx), and catalase activity (CAT) with a significant decrease in GSH and protein thiol. Aspartame exposure resulted in detectable methanol even after 24 hours. Methanol and its metabolites may be responsible for the generation of oxidative stress in brain regions. The observed alteration in aspartame fed animals may be due to its metabolite methanol and elevated formate. The elevated free radicals due to methanol induced oxidative stress.