Effects of Terpenes on the Osteoarthritis Cytokine Profile by Modulation of IL-6: Double Face versus Dark Knight?

BACKGROUND: Hemp seed oil and terpenes are emerging as a dietary supplement and complementary therapy for patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis (KOA). However, the mechanisms and effects induced by these molecules on inflammatory cytokines are not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the cytokine IL-1ß, IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α levels from two oral hemp seed oil-based dietary supplements, of which only one included the addition of terpenes, in a population of KOA patients. METHODS: Sera from venous blood samples were collected from thirty-eight patients who were divided into two subgroups. The control group underwent a 45-day treatment with a dietary supplement containing only hemp seed oil, while the treatment group assumed a hemp seed oil and terpene-based dietary supplement for the same number of days. A Bio-Plex Human Cytokine assay was performed by a customized human cytokine five-plex panel for IL-1ß, IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α. Patients were evaluated before the beginning of the treatment (T0) and soon after it (T1). RESULTS: No measurable levels of IL-2 and TNF-α were found in any of the subjects. Low levels of IL-1ß were found, which were significantly decreased in the treatment group. No change in IL-1α levels was observed, while treated patients had a significant increase in IL-6 levels. CONCLUSIONS: Hemp seed oil and terpene treatment modified the IL-1ß and IL-6 levels, counteracting KOA inflammation in this way. In this study, IL-6 revealed its new and alternative action, since it is traditionally known as a pro-inflammatory factor, but it recently has been found to have anti-inflammatory activity in the muscle-derived form, which is the one it assumes as a myokine when activated by terpenes.

Another Look at Dietary Polyphenols: Challenges in Cancer Prevention and Treatment.

Cancer is a pathology that impacts in a profound manner all over the world. The election strategy against cancer often uses chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which, more often than not, can present many side effects and are not always considered reliable efficacy. By contrast, it is widely known that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables has a protective effect against cancer insurgence and development. Polyphenols are generally believed to be responsible for those beneficial actions, at least partially. In this review, we highlight the metabolic interaction between polyphenols and our metabolism and discuss their potential for anticancer prevention and therapy.

Evaluation of a Nutraceutical Product with Probiotics, Vitamin D, Plus Banaba Leaf Extracts (Lagerstroemia speciosa) in Glycemic Control.

BACKGROUND: Dysbiosis is related to changes in the composition and behaviour of intestinal microbiota, which may contribute to an age-related decline in metabolic and immune system functioning (immune-senescence). OBJECTIVE: The microbiota-targeted dietary and probiotic interventions have been shown to favorably affect the host health by an enhancement of antioxidant activity, improving immune homeostasis, suppression of chronic inflammation, regulation of metabolism and prevention of insulin resistance. RESULTS: In our study, the use of specific probiotics strains improved the serum concentration of glycemic markers, thereby promoting better overall health. CONCLUSION: Probiotics may help correct defects in the gut microbial environment improving metabolic parameters, such as blood sugar levels, glycosylated hemoglobin and a decrease in body weight.

Identification of a mitochondrial transporter for basic amino acids in Arabidopsis thaliana by functional reconstitution into liposomes and complementation in yeast.

We describe the identification and functional characterization of two Arabidopsis mitochondrial basic amino acid carriers (BAC), AtmBAC1 and AtmBAC2, which are related to the yeast ornithine (Orn) carrier Ort1p, also known as Arg11p. The arg11 mutant requires arginine (Arg) supplementation because it fails to export sufficient ornithine from the mitochondrion to the cytosol where it is converted to arginine. AtmBAC1 and, to a lesser extent, AtmBAC2 partially replaced the function of Ort1p in yeast arg11. The more efficient putative carrier, AtmBAC1, was expressed in E. coli, purified, and reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles, where it transported the basic l-amino acids arginine, lysine, ornithine and histidine (in order of decreasing affinity). AtmBAC1 recognized l-histidine whereas both yeast Ort1p and the mammalian ortholog ORNT1p do not. Also different from ORNT1p, AtmBAC1 did not transport citrulline. AtmBAC1 appeared to be more stereospecific than the yeast and mammalian ornithine carriers, exhibiting greater preference for the l-forms of arginine, lysine and ornithine. By RT-PCR, both AtmBAC1 and AtmBAC2 transcripts were detected in stems, leaves, flowers, siliques, and seedlings. Expression of AtmBAC1 in seedlings is consistent with its involvement in Arg breakdown in early seedling development, i.e. delivery of Arg to mitochondrial arginase. The Km (0.19 mm) for Arg uptake by AtmBAC1 was close to the value we previously determined for the saturable component of Arg uptake into intact mitochondria from soybean seedling cotyledons.