Animal models of kidney iron overload and ferroptosis: a review of the literature.

In recent years, it has been identified that excess iron contributes to the development of various pathologies and their complications. Kidney diseases do not escape the toxic effects of iron, and ferroptosis is identified as a pathophysiological mechanism that could be a therapeutic target to avoid damage or progression of kidney disease. Ferroptosis is cell death associated with iron-dependent oxidative stress. To study the effects of iron overload (IOL) in the kidney, numerous animal models have been developed. The methodological differences between these models should reflect the IOL-generating mechanisms associated with human IOL diseases. A careful choice of animal model should be considered for translational purposes.

Sistema de Cribado Primario para la Sarcopenia en Personas Adultas Mayores Basado en Inteligencia Artificial / Primary Screening System for Sarcopenia in Elderly People Based on Artificial Intelligence

Resumen Este estudio propone un sistema de cribado primario para diagnosticar la sarcopenia en adultos mayores a través de medidas antropométricas. Esta investigación exploratoria involucró inicialmente a 150 personas de edad avanzada, de las cuales 122 fueron seleccionadas después de un proceso de depuración de datos. Empleando técnicas de aprendizaje automático como el agrupamiento jerárquico y los árboles de decisión, se redujeron las 13 medidas antropométricas originales a cinco características clave. Se crearon tres sistemas de clasificación: el primero basado en parámetros previamente establecidos (masa muscular apendicular, velocidad de marcha y fuerza de agarre); el segundo consideró medidas de las extremidades superiores (masa muscular promedio de ambos brazos, fuerza de agarre, velocidad de marcha y porcentaje de grasa corporal); y el tercero se centró en las medidas de las extremidades inferiores (masa muscular promedio de ambas piernas, fuerza de agarre, velocidad de marcha y porcentaje de grasa corporal). Estos sistemas de clasificación se validaron clínicamente en un grupo de 57 pacientes previamente diagnosticados por especialistas, de los cuales 10 recibieron un diagnóstico positivo de sarcopenia. Los resultados mostraron eficiencias similares en los tres sistemas, con ocho de los diez diagnósticos positivos conocidos clasificados en el mismo grupo. Además, el estudio proporciona puntos de corte específicos para cada sistema, facilitando así el diagnóstico clínico de la sarcopenia por parte de profesionales médicos.

Abstract This study proposes a primary screening system for diagnosing sarcopenia in older adults through anthropometric measures. This exploratory research initially involved 150 elderly individuals, of whom 122 were selected after a data purification process. Using machine learning techniques such as hierarchical clustering and decision trees, the original set of 13 anthropometric measures was reduced to five key features. Three classification systems were created: the first based on previously established parameters (appendicular muscle mass, walking speed, and grip strength); the second considered upper limb measures (average muscle mass of both arms, grip strength, walking speed, and body fat percentage); and the third focused on lower limb measures (average muscle mass of both legs, grip strength, walking speed, and body fat percentage). These classification systems were clinically validated in a group of 57 patients previously diagnosed by specialists, of which 10 received a positive sarcopenia diagnosis. The results showed similar efficiencies in all three systems, with eight of the ten known positive diagnoses classified in the same group. Additionally, the study provides specific cut-off points for each system, thus facilitating the clinical diagnosis of sarcopenia by medical professionals.

Insight into the Burden of Malignant Respiratory Tumors and their Relationship with Smoking Rates and Lead Contamination in Mexico.

We aimed to report the results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 related to respiratory malignant tumors (tracheal, bronchial, and lung) in Mexico. We also evaluated the relationship between the burden of these neoplasms and the proportion of daily smokers and total lead emissions in 2019. A cross-sectional analysis of ecological data was performed. The burden of these tumors was 152,189 disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and years of life lost (YLL) contributed to 99% of them. The highest DALYs rates (per 100,000) were observed in the states of Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Baja California Sur, Sonora, and Nayarit. We documented a linear relationship between the DALYs rates and the prevalence of daily smokers (ß = 8.50, 95% CI 1.58-15.38) and the total lead emissions (tons/year: ß = 4.04, 95% CI 0.07-8.01). If later replicated, our study would provide insight into the major relevance of regulating tobacco use and the activities associated with the production of lead dust and other hazardous contaminants.

Capsaicin Decreases Kidney Iron Deposits and Increases Hepcidin Levels in Diabetic Rats with Iron Overload: A Preliminary Study.

Iron overload (IOL) increases the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM). Capsaicin (CAP), an agonist of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1), reduces the effects of IOL. We evaluated the effects of chronic CAP administration on hepcidin expression, kidney iron deposits, and urinary biomarkers in a male Wistar rat model with IOL and DM (DM-IOL). IOL was induced with oral administration of iron for 12 weeks and DM was induced with streptozotocin. Four groups were studied: Healthy, DM, DM-IOL, and DM-IOL + CAP (1 mg·kg-1·day-1 for 12 weeks). Iron deposits were visualized with Perls tissue staining and a colorimetric assay. Serum hepcidin levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Kidney biomarkers were assayed in 24 h urine samples. In the DM-IOL + CAP group, the total area of iron deposits and the total iron content in kidneys were smaller than those observed in both untreated DM groups. CAP administration significantly increased hepcidin levels in the DM-IOL group. Urinary levels of albumin, cystatin C, and beta-2-microglobulin were similar in all three experimental groups. In conclusion, we showed that in a DM-IOL animal model, CAP reduced renal iron deposits and increased the level of circulating hepcidin.

Effects of Chronic Administration of Capsaicin on Biomarkers of Kidney Injury in Male Wistar Rats with Experimental Diabetes.

Capsaicin is an agonist of the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel, which has been related to the pathophysiology of kidney disease secondary to diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the chronic effect of capsaicin administration on biomarkers of kidney injury in an experimental rat model of diabetes. Male Wistar rats were assigned to four groups: (1) healthy controls without diabetes (CON), (2) healthy controls plus capsaicin at 1 mg/kg/day (CON + CAPS), (3) experimental diabetes without capsaicin (DM), and (4) experimental diabetes plus capsaicin at 1 mg/kg/day (DM + CAPS). For each group, 24-h urine samples were collected to determine diuresis, albumin, cystatin C, ß2 microglobulin, epidermal growth factor (EGF), alpha (1)-acid glycoprotein, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NAG-L). Blood samples were drawn to measure fasting glucose. After 8 weeks, the CON + CAPS and DM + CAPS groups showed increased diuresis compared to the CON and DM groups, but the difference was significant only in the DM + CAPS group. The two-way ANOVA only showed a statistically significant effect of CAPS on the urinary EGF levels, as well as a tendency to have a significant effect in the urinary NAG-L levels. The EGF levels decreased in both CAPS-treated groups, but the change was only significant in the CON + CAPS group vs. CON group; and the NAG-L levels were lower in both CAPS-treated groups. These results show that capsaicin had a diuretic effect in healthy and diabetic rats; additionally, it increased the urinary EGF levels and tended to decrease the urinary NAG-L levels.