Osteoarthritis in the XXIst century: risk factors and behaviours that influence disease onset and progression.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a growing public health problem across the globe, affecting more than half of the over 65 population. In the past, OA was considered a wear and tear disease, leading to the loss of articular cartilage and joint disability. Nowadays, thanks to advancements in molecular biology, OA is believed to be a very complex multifactorial disease. OA is a degenerative disease characterized by "low-grade inflammation" in cartilage and synovium, resulting in the loss of joint structure and progressive deterioration of cartilage. Although the disease can be dependent on genetic and epigenetic factors, sex, ethnicity, and age (cellular senescence, apoptosis and lubricin), it is also associated with obesity and overweight, dietary factors, sedentary lifestyle and sport injuries. The aim of this review is to highlight how certain behaviors, habits and lifestyles may be involved in the onset and progression of OA and to summarize the principal risk factors involved in the development of this complicated joint disorder.

Molecular Links Between Diabetes and Osteoarthritis: The Role of Physical Activity.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and osteoarthritis (OA) are two of the most relevant and common chronic diseases affecting older people. Both DM and OA are considered metabolic diseases due to their high correlation with the capacity of the body to metabolize some nutritive substances such as glucose, fat, vitamins and also the response to oxidative molecules. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and authors' bibliographies in order to extract articles regarding the relationship between DM and OA. OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this review is to investigate the molecules involved in the onset and progression of both DM and OA and the beneficial role of physical activity. RESULTS: The main focus is on the importance of glucose metabolism and its derivatives in the pathogenesis of OA and DM. Advanced glycation end-product (AGEs), sorbitol and diacylglycerol (DAG) are glucose derivatives which promote the activation of several pathways, most of them involved in the activation of inflammatory processes. The possible link between DM and OA is represented by the inflammatory process deriving from the increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, we investigated the biological mechanisms and the clinical findings that confirm a beneficial effect of physical activity in both DM and OA. CONCLUSION: Thus a tailored and adapted physical activity can be used in the treatment of both diseases as a part of a correct and healthy lifestyle. For this reason we strongly suggest the scientific community to introduce mild physical activity as part of our lifestyle to prevent metabolism diseases and osteoarthritis.

A journey through the pituitary gland: Development, structure and function, with emphasis on embryo-foetal and later development.

The pituitary gland and the hypothalamus are morphologically and functionally associated in the endocrine and neuroendocrine control of other endocrine glands. They therefore play a key role in a number of regulatory feedback processes that co-ordinate the whole endocrine system. Here we review the neuroendocrine system, from the discoveries that led to its identification to some recently clarified embryological, functional, and morphological aspects. In particular we review the pituitary gland and the main notions related to its development, organization, cell differentiation, and vascularization. Given the crucial importance of the factors controlling neuroendocrine system development to understand parvocellular neuron function and the aetiology of the congenital disorders related to hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysfunction, we also provide an overview of the molecular and genetic studies that have advanced our knowledge in the field. Through the action of the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland is involved in the control of a broad range of key aspects of our lives: the review focuses on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, particularly GnRH, whose abnormal secretion is associated with clinical conditions involving delayed or absent puberty and reproductive dysfunction.

Importance of serotonin (5-HT) and its precursor l-tryptophan for homeostasis and function of skeletal muscle in rats. A morphological and endocrinological study.

Serotonin (5-HT) is a neurotransmitter, synthesized in serotonergic neurons of the central nervous system and in enterochromaffin cells of the gastrointestinal tract, which is involved in the regulation of several body functions, including muscle tissue development and growth and its contractile response. l-Tryptophan (l-Trp) is an essential amino acid and precursor of 5-HT. The aim of the present study was to better understand the mechanisms that govern neuroendocrine homeostasis of muscle tissue and emphasize the importance of a diet, complete in all its elements, referring specifically to the essential amino acids such as l-Trp, crucial in several neuroendocrine functions.We analyzed the possible consequences of l-Trp-free diet on 5-HT production and on skeletal muscle morphology and function in young female rats. We also evaluated the eventual alterations of hormone production such as growth hormone (GH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) that control and regulate growth, metabolism and efficiency of the skeletal muscle. Our results showed a strong decrease of 5-HT, GH, TSH, T3 and T4 levels associated to a clear difference in body weight between experimental and control rats. Moreover, the muscle samples of experimental rats showed histological and ultrastructural alterations. These findings thus supported a strong link between l-Trp, serotonergic system, hormone secretion and morphology of skeletal muscle tissue and thus, the importance of a balanced daily diet.

Mammary gland: From embryogenesis to adult life.

The aim of this review is to focus on the molecular factors that ensure the optimal development and maintenance of the mammary gland thanks to their integration and coordination. The development of the mammary gland is supported, not only by endocrine signals, but also by regulatory molecules, which are able to integrate signals from the surrounding microenvironment. A major role is certainly played by homeotic genes, but their incorrect expression during the spatiotemporal regulation of proliferative, functional and differentiation cycles of the mammary gland, may result in the onset of neoplastic processes. Attention is directed also to the endocrine aspects and sexual dimorphism of mammary gland development, as well as the role played by ovarian steroids and their receptors in adult life.

N-Cadherin, ADAM-10 and Aquaporin 1 expression in lung tissue exposed to fluoro-edenite fibers: an immunohistochemical study.

Fluoro-edenite (FE) fibers are similar to other amphibole asbestos fibers. The scientific relevance of FE is due to its ability to lead to chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis in lung tissue shown after its inhalation. These fibers stimulate aberrant host cell proliferation and induce the release of cytokines, growth factors, reactive oxygen and nitrite species, which results in DNA damage. In previous studies, we showed that FE induces functional modifications in sheep and human lung fibroblasts and alveolar epithelial cells, where the overexpression of several molecules probably involved in pathological cellular mechanisms induced by FE exposition have been detected. However, the mechanisms of cellular and molecular toxicity and the cellular response to FE fibers are still not well known. N-cadherin, ADAM-10 and AQP1 are molecules involved in carcinogenesis and in inflammatory process. In this study we analyzed, through immunohistochemistry, their expression in the lung tissue of sheep exposed to FE. Our results showed different patterns of immunolabeling for N-cadherin, ADAM-10 and AQP1. N-cadherin and ADAM-10 were more expressed in FE exposed lung tissue, when compared with the control. On the contrary, AQP1 was more expressed in non exposed lung tissue. These results suggest that N-Cadherin, ADAM-10 and AQP1 are probably involved in different pathological processes induced by FE fiber exposition. The aim of the study was to better understand the mechanisms of cellular and molecular toxicity and of cellular response to FE fibers in order to identify, in the future, a possible therapeutic intervention in cases of FE-associated pathogenesis.