RESUMO
Aluminum salts are widely used as the active antiperspirant in underarm cosmetic. Experimental observations indicate that its long term application may correlate with breast cancer development and progression. This action is proposed to be attributed, among others, to aluminum possible estrogen-like activities. In this study we showed that aluminum, in the form of aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH), caused increase in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) protein levels, in ERα-positive MCF-7 cells. This effect was accompanied by moderate activation of Estrogen Response Elements (ERE)-driven reporter gene expression and 20%-50% increase in certain estrogen responsive, ERE-independent genes expression. Genes affected were ERα, p53, cyclin D1, and c-fos, crucial regulators of breast cancer development and progression. ACH-induced genes expression was eliminated in the presence of the estrogen antagonist: ICI 182780, in MCF-7 cells, whereas it was not observed in ERα-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, indicating aluminum interference with estrogen signaling. Moreover, ACH caused increase in the perinuclear localization of estrogen receptor alpha in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and increase in the mitochondrial Bcl-2 protein, possibly affecting receptors-mediated mitochondrial actions and mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis. ACH-induced perinuclear localization of estrogen receptor beta was also observed in MDA-MB-231. Our findings indicate that aluminum actions on estrogen receptors protein level and subcellular localization possibly affect receptors-mediated actions and thus, aluminum interference with estrogen signaling.
RESUMO
The development of chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation in the elderly (inflammaging) has been associated with increased incidence of chronic diseases, geriatric syndromes, and functional impairments. The aim of this study was to examine differences in habitual physical activity (PA), dietary intake patterns, and musculoskeletal performance among community-dwelling elderly men with low and elevated systemic inflammation. Nonsarcopenic older men free of chronic diseases were grouped as ‘low’ (LSI: n = 17; 68.2 ± 2.6 years; hs-CRP: <1 mg/L) or ‘elevated’ (ESI: n = 17; 68.7 ± 3.0 years; hs-CRP: >1 mg/L) systemic inflammation according to their serum levels of high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP). All participants were assessed for body composition via Dual Emission X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), physical performance using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and handgrip strength, daily PA using accelerometry, and daily macro- and micronutrient intake. ESI was characterized by a 2-fold greater hs-CRP value than LSI (p < 0.01). The two groups were comparable in terms of body composition, but LSI displayed higher physical performance (p < 0.05), daily PA (step count/day and time at moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were greater by 30% and 42%, respectively, p < 0.05), and daily intake of the antioxidant vitamins A (6590.7 vs. 4701.8 IU/day, p < 0.05), C (120.0 vs. 77.3 mg/day, p < 0.05), and E (10.0 vs. 7.5 mg/day, p < 0.05) compared to ESI. Moreover, daily intake of vitamin A was inversely correlated with levels of hs-CRP (r = −0.39, p = 0.035). These results provide evidence that elderly men characterized by low levels of systemic inflammation are more physically active, spend more time in MVPA, and receive higher amounts of antioxidant vitamins compared to those with increased systemic inflammation.