Longitudinal Meta-Analysis of Peak Height Velocity in Young Female Athletes.

Growth patterns and biological milestones in youth sports are key to interpreting the development of young athletes. However, there is no analysis of longitudinal meta-analysis describing the growth of young female athletes. This longitudinal meta-analysis estimated growth curves and age at peak height velocity (PHV) in young female athletes based on anthropometric data from longitudinal studies found in the literature. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, studies with repeated measurements in young female athletes were identified from searches of four databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and SPORTDiscus) without date restrictions through August 2023. We adapted our bias assessment criteria using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized controlled trials as a reference. Bayesian multilevel modeling was used to perform a longitudinal meta-analysis to extract stature growth curves and age at PHV. Fourteen studies met our eligibility criteria. Twenty-one independent samples could be included in the analysis. Conditional on the data and models, the predicted mean age at PHV for female athletes was 11.18 years (90% CI: 8.62; 12.94). When studies were aggregated by sport in the models, the models could not capture sport-specific growth curves for stature and estimate a corresponding age at PHV. We provide the first longitudinal meta-analytic summary of pubertal growth and derive age at PHV in young female athletes. The meta-analysis predicted that age at PHV occurs at similar ages to those in the general pediatric population. The data pool was limited in sports and geographic distribution, emphasizing the need to promote longitudinal research in females across different youth sports contexts.

Is Methylglyoxal a Potential Biomarker for the Warburg Effect Induced by the Lipopolysaccharide Neuroinflammation Model?

Methylglyoxal (MG) is considered a classical biomarker of diabetes mellitus and its comorbidities. However, a role for this compound in exacerbated immune responses, such as septicemia, is being increasingly observed and requires clarification, particularly in the context of neuroinflammatory responses. Herein, we used two different approaches (in vivo and acute hippocampal slice models) to investigate MG as a biomarker of neuroinflammation and the neuroimmunometabolic shift to glycolysis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inflammation models. Our data reinforce the hypothesis that LPS-induced neuroinflammation stimulates the cerebral innate immune response by increasing IL-1ß, a classical pro-inflammatory cytokine, and the astrocyte reactive response, via elevating S100B secretion and GFAP levels. Acute neuroinflammation promotes an early neuroimmunometabolic shift to glycolysis by elevating glucose uptake, lactate release, PFK1, and PK activities. We observed high serum and cerebral MG levels, in association with a reduction in glyoxalase 1 detoxification activity, and a close correlation between serum and hippocampus MG levels with the systemic and neuroinflammatory responses to LPS. Findings strongly suggest a role for MG in immune responses.

Changes in Astroglial Water Flow in the Pre-amyloid Phase of the STZ Model of AD Dementia.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-dependent neurodegenerative disease that is typically sporadic and has a high social and economic cost. We utilized the intracerebroventricular administration of streptozotocin (STZ), an established preclinical model for sporadic AD, to investigate hippocampal astroglial changes during the first 4 weeks post-STZ, a period during which amyloid deposition has yet to occur. Astroglial proteins aquaporin 4 (AQP-4) and connexin-43 (Cx-43) were evaluated, as well as claudins, which are tight junction (TJ) proteins in brain barriers, to try to identify changes in the glymphatic system and brain barrier during the pre-amyloid phase. Glial commitment, glucose hypometabolism and cognitive impairment were characterized during this phase. Astroglial involvement was confirmed by an increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP); concurrent proteolysis was also observed, possibly mediated by calpain. Levels of AQP-4 and Cx-43 were elevated in the fourth week post-STZ, possibly accelerating the clearance of extracellular proteins, since these proteins actively participate in the glymphatic system. Moreover, although we did not see a functional disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) at this time, claudin 5 (present in the TJ of the BBB) and claudin 2 (present in the TJ of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier) were reduced. Taken together, data support a role for astrocytes in STZ brain damage, and suggest that astroglial dysfunction accompanies or precedes neuronal damage in AD.

Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictor of the Risk of Death in Severe Cases of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Identifying clinical characteristics and risk factors, comorbid conditions, and complications arising from SARS-CoV-2 infection is important to predict the progression to more severe forms of the disease among hospitalized individuals to enable timely intervention and to prevent fatal outcomes. The aim of the study is to assess the possible role of the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a biomarker of the risk of death in patients with comorbidities hospitalized with COVID-19 in a tertiary hospital in southern Brazil. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study on patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to a hospital in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre from September 2020 to March 2022. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 185 patients with associated comorbidities, namely, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal diseases, hospitalized with COVID-19. Of these, 78 died and 107 were discharged alive. The mean age was 66.5 years for the group that died and 60.1 years for the group discharged. Statistical analysis revealed that a difference greater than or equal to 1.55 in the NLR, from hospitalization to the 5th day, was associated with a relative risk of death greater than 2. CONCLUSIONS: Measuring a simple inflammatory marker such as NLR may improve the risk stratification of comorbid patients with COVID-19 and can be considered a useful biomarker.

Effect of metformin in hypothalamic astrocytes from an immunocompromised mice model.

Astrocytes are glial cells that play key roles in neuroinflammation, which is a common feature in diabetic encephalopathy and aging process. Metformin is an antidiabetic compound that shows neuroprotective properties, including in inflammatory models, but astroglial signaling pathways involved are still poorly known. Interferons α/ß are cytokines that participate in antiviral responses and the lack of their signaling increases susceptible to viral infections. Here, we investigated the effects of metformin on astrocytes from hypothalamus, a crucial brain region related to inflammatory processes. Astrocyte cultures were derived from interferon α/ß receptor knockout (IFNα/ßR-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice. Metformin did not change the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein but caused an anti-inflammatory effect by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1ß), as well as increasing gene expression of anti-inflammatory proteins interleukin-10 and Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid derived 2 like 2). However, nuclear factor κB p65 and cyclooxygenase 2 were downregulated in WT astrocytes and upregulated in IFNα/ßR-/- astrocytes. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a molecular target of metformin, was upregulated only in WT astrocytes, while sirtuin 1 increased in both mice models. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase was decreased in WT astrocytes and heme oxygenase 1 was increased in IFNα/ßR-/- astrocytes. Although loss of IFNα/ßR-mediated signaling affects some effects of metformin, our results support beneficial roles of this drug in hypothalamic astrocytes. Moreover, paradoxical response of metformin may involve AMPK. Thus, metformin can mediate glioprotection due its effects on age-related disorders in non-diabetic and diabetic encephalopathy individuals.

Determination of four aminoglycoside antibiotics and spectinomycin in feed at cross-contamination level: Development and in-house validation of a LC-MS/MS method for enforcing EU Regulation.

Combating antimicrobial resistance is a top priority worldwide involving a concerted action by several high-level institutions and organisations in the health sector. To ensure that a meaningful progress is achieved, several campaigns and political initiatives have been launched targeting the health professionals, the industry, the farmers, and the general public. The Regulation (EU) 2019/4 on medicated feed contains provisions for the limitation and control of the contamination of non-target compound feed with 24 antimicrobials. The purpose of this work was to develop a reliable and effective method for the determination of four aminoglycoside antibiotics (apramycin, paromomycin, tobramycin and neomycin) and spectinomycin in feed at cross-contamination level, where an absolute lack of suitable methods was identified. Four candidate methods described in the literature failed to provide adequate recoveries of all analytes. Therefore, an in-depth investigation was carried out to identify the bottleneck variable. The optimised method was then in-house validated and showed performance features appropriate for the intended purpose. The selected compounds could be analysed by LC-MS/MS in five animal feeds with LOQs between 2.6 and 9.2 µg kg-1 for the AGs and between 28 and 86 µg kg-1 for spectinomycin. Using isotopically labelled internal standards, the recovery rates varied from 63 % to 103 % and the intermediate precision (RSDip) varied from 1.1 % to 14 %. This work represents a step forward in the reliable determination of antibiotics in compound feed as the developed method has shown to be precise and sensitive. It is expected that this method gains wide acceptance and can supplement the legislation with effective control tools for antibiotic residues.

Semaphorins and the bone marrow microenvironment: New candidates that influence the hematopoietic system.

The bone marrow is a haven for hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells, creating complex micro-anatomical regions called niches. These distinct niches all participate in an intricate orchestra of cellular interactions that regulates the hematopoietic stem cell and its progenies. In this review, we provide a detailed description of the three most well-known bone marrow niches and their participation in hematopoiesis. We use pre-clinical data, including different in vitro and in vivo studies to discuss how a group of proteins called Semaphorins could potentially modulate both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells, establishing links between the niches, semaphorins, and hematopoietic regulation. Thus, here we provide a deep dive into the inner functioning of the bone marrow and discuss the overarching implications that semaphorins might have on blood formation.

Differences between cultured astrocytes from neonatal and adult Wistar rats: focus on in vitro aging experimental models.

Astrocytes play key roles regulating brain homeostasis and accumulating evidence has suggested that glia are the first cells that undergo functional changes with aging, which can lead to a decline in brain function. In this context, in vitro models are relevant tools for studying aged astrocytes and, here, we investigated functional and molecular changes in cultured astrocytes obtained from neonatal or adult animals submitted to an in vitro model of aging by an additional period of cultivation of cells after confluence. In vitro aging induced different metabolic effects regarding glucose and glutamate uptake, as well as glutamine synthetase activity, in astrocytes obtained from adult animals compared to those obtained from neonatal animals. In vitro aging also modulated glutathione-related antioxidant defenses and increased reactive oxygen species and cytokine release especially in astrocytes from adult animals. Interestingly, in vitro aged astrocytes from adult animals exposed to pro-oxidant, inflammatory, and antioxidant stimuli showed enhanced oxidative and inflammatory responses. Moreover, these functional changes were correlated with the expression of the senescence marker p21, cytoskeleton markers, glutamate transporters, inflammatory mediators, and signaling pathways such as nuclear factor κB (NFκB)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). Alterations in these genes are remarkably associated with a potential neurotoxic astrocyte phenotype. Therefore, considering the experimental limitations due to the need for long-term maintenance of the animals for studying aging, astrocyte cultures obtained from adult animals further aged in vitro can provide an improved experimental model for understanding the mechanisms associated with aging-related astrocyte dysfunction.

In Vitro Astroglial Dysfunction Induced by Neurotoxins: Mimicking Astrocytic Metabolic Alterations of Alzheimer's Disease.

Astrocytes play fundamental roles in the maintenance of brain homeostasis. The dysfunction of these cells is widely associated with brain disorders, which are often characterized by variations in the astrocyte protein markers GFAP and S100B, in addition to alterations in some of its metabolic functions. To understand the role of astrocytes in neurodegeneration mechanisms, we induced some of these metabolic alterations, such as energy metabolism, using methylglyoxal (MG) or fluorocitrate (FC); and neuroinflammation, using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and streptozotocin (STZ), which is used for inducing Alzheimer's disease (AD) in animal models. We showed that MG, LPS, STZ and FC similarly caused astrocyte dysfunction by increasing GFAP and reducing S100B secretion. In the context of AD, STZ caused an amyloid metabolism impairment verified by increases in Aß1-40 peptide content and decreases in the amyloid degradation enzymes, IDE and NEP. Our data contribute to the understanding of the role of astrocytes in brain injury mechanisms and suggest that STZ is suitable for use in vitro models for studying the role of astrocytes in AD.

Targeting circulating labile heme as a defense strategy against malaria.

Severe presentations of malaria emerge as Plasmodium (P.) spp. parasites invade and lyse red blood cells (RBC), producing extracellular hemoglobin (HB), from which labile heme is released. Here, we tested whether scavenging of extracellular HB and/or labile heme, by haptoglobin (HP) and/or hemopexin (HPX), respectively, counter the pathogenesis of severe presentations of malaria. We found that circulating labile heme is an independent risk factor for cerebral and non-cerebral presentations of severe P. falciparum malaria in children. Labile heme was negatively correlated with circulating HP and HPX, which were, however, not risk factors for severe P. falciparum malaria. Genetic Hp and/or Hpx deletion in mice led to labile heme accumulation in plasma and kidneys, upon Plasmodium infection This was associated with higher incidence of mortality and acute kidney injury (AKI) in ageing but not adult Plasmodium-infected mice, and was corroborated by an inverse correlation between heme and HPX with serological markers of AKI in P. falciparum malaria. In conclusion, HP and HPX act in an age-dependent manner to prevent the pathogenesis of severe presentation of malaria in mice and presumably in humans.

Effects of grape juice intake on the cell migration properties in overweight women: Modulation mechanisms of cell migration in vitro by delphinidin-3-O-glucoside.

Overweight and obesity are typical conditions of chronic low-intensity systemic inflammatory responses, and both have become more common in recent decades, which emphasizes the necessity for healthier diet intake. Fruits such as grapes are rich in anthocyanins, one of which is delphinidin, a promising chemopreventive agent with anti-inflammatory properties. Considering that polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) are rapidly mobilized to tissues when the inflammatory process is initiated, this study aimed to understand the impact of grape juice intake and delphinidin on the migration properties of PMNs. Overweight women ingested 500 mL of grape juice for 28 days, and then lipid and inflammatory profiles, as well as the white blood cell count (WBC), were evaluated. Additionally, the gene expression of inflammatory markers and quantified migration molecules such as CD11/CD18, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were evaluated in PMNs. The influence of delphinidin-3-O-glucoside in vitro on some migration properties was also evaluated. Grape juice intake did not influence the lipid profile or affect the WBC. However, NFκB gene expression was reduced in PMNs, also reducing the circulating values of IL-8, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1. The in vitro results demonstrated that delphinidin significantly reduced the migration potential of cells and reduced CD11-/CD18-positive cells, the gene expression of ICAM-1, and the phosphorylation and gene expression of NFκB. Additionally, delphinidin also reduced the production of IL-6, IL-8, and CCL2. Grape juice, after 28 days of intervention, influenced some properties related to cell migration, and delphinidin in vitro can modify the cell migration properties.

Calorie restriction protects against acute systemic LPS-induced inflammation.

Caloric restriction (CR) has been proposed as a nutritional strategy to combat chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, as well as to delay aging. However, despite the benefits of CR, questions remain about its underlying mechanisms and cellular and molecular targets.Objective: As inflammatory processes are the basis or accompany chronic diseases and aging, we investigated the protective role of CR in the event of an acute inflammatory stimulus.Methods: Peripheral inflammatory and metabolic parameters were evaluated in Wistar rats following CR and/or acute lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration, as well as glial changes (microglia and astrocytes), in two regions of the brain (hippocampus and hypothalamus) involved in the inflammatory response. We used a protocol of 30% CR, for 4 or 8 weeks. Serum and brain parameters were analyzed by biochemical or immunological assays.Results: Benefits of CR were observed during the inflammatory challenge, where the partial reduction of serum interleukin-6, mediated by CR, attenuated the systemic response. In the central nervous system (CNS), specifically in the hippocampus, CR attenuated the response to the LPS, as evaluated by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) levels. Furthermore, in the hippocampus, CR increased the glutathione (GSH) levels, resulting in a better antioxidant response.Discussion: This study contributes to the understanding of the effects of CR, particularly in the CNS, and expands knowledge about glial cells, emphasizing their importance in neuroprotection strategies.

Determination of urea in pet feed: assessing the suitability of different analytical techniques using proficiency test data.

The determination of urea in pet feed at contaminant levels using the spectrophotometric method described in Commission Regulation (EC) No 152/2009 has been reported by several EU laboratories to lack the required selectivity. Whilst urea is not authorised as an additive in pet feed, the control of urea in pet feed is of economic importance, because the addition of urea may unlawfully increase the apparent protein content. To investigate the capabilities of different analytical techniques, a proficiency test was organised where the participants (EU official control laboratories, laboratories from the academia and private laboratories) were free to use their method of choice for analysing three dog feed test materials, two samples of which were spiked with urea. Twenty-one laboratories submitted results using the following techniques: spectrophotometry (Implementing Regulation (EC) No 152/2009), LC-MS/MS, HPLC-UV, enzymatic-colorimetry, gravimetry and an 'in-house photometric' method. Only two laboratories that used LC-MS/MS were able to quantify urea accurately in the test material containing a mass fraction of 18.9 mg kg-1 whereas satisfactory results at the level of 258.9 mg kg-1 were obtained by one participant that used an 'in-house photometric method' and one that used the enzymatic method, in addition to the five participants using LC-MS/MS. The technique that provided the highest success rate across the three test materials was LC-MS/MS, whereas spectrophotometry, the enzymatic-based and HPLC-UV methods led to overestimated results in addition to a dispersion of results not suitable for compliance analysis. To address the determination of urea in pet feed at low levels, a better performing method than the one described in the legislation is required.

Facial soft tissue changes and volumetric analysis of upper airways in patients undergoing surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion using a transpalatal distractor.

OBJECTIVE: To verify changes in facial soft tissue using the RadiANT-DICOM-viewer and Dolphin Imaging software, through linear measurements of tomographic points in a 3D reconstruction of the face and volumetric evaluation with three-dimensional measurements of the upper airways of patients with transverse maxillary discrepancy undergoing Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion (SARME). METHODS: Retrospective, transverse, and descriptive study, through the analysis of computed tomography scans of the face of patients with transverse maxillary discrepancy, treated from July 2019 to December 2022. The sample consisted of 15 patients of both sexes, aged 21-42 years old, who underwent surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion using the transpalatal distractor. Analysis was performed through linear, angular, and three-dimensional measurements in millimeters, in the preoperative and late four-month postoperative period, in frontal 3D tomographic images of the face, in the region of the width of the nose and alar base and also angular measurement in the lateral tomography for the angle nasolabial and upper airways of rhinopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx. RESULTS: There was an increase in nasal width with an average of 1.3467mm and an increase in the alar base with an average of 1.7333mm. A significant difference was found in the pre- and postoperative assessments of the measurements of nasal width, alar base and nasolabial angle, as well as the upper airways in all their extension. The results favour a better understanding of the professional and the patient regarding the diagnosis and management of patients with transverse maxillary width discrepancies. CONCLUSION: Although our study shows an increase in soft tissues after SARME, no aesthetic changes are observed clinically, and all patients report significant respiratory improvement. SARME may therefore contribute to the improvement of professionals working in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.

Diversity and distribution of iron-oxidising bacteria belonging to Gallionellaceae in different sites of a hydroelectric power plant.

Iron (Fe) is the fourth most abundant element on the planet, and iron-oxidising bacteria (FeOB) play an important role in the biogeochemical cycle of this metal in nature. FeOB stands out as Fe oxidisers in microaerophilic environments, and new members of this group have been increasingly discussed in the literature, even though their isolation can still be challenging. Among these bacteria is the Gallionellaceae family, mainly composed of neutrophilic FeOB, highlighting Gallionella ferruginea, and nitrite-oxidiser genera. In the previous metagenomic study of the biofilm and sediments of the cooling system from the Irapé hydroelectric power plant (HPP-Irapé), 5% of the total bacteria sequences were related to Gallionellaceae, being 99% unclassified at genus level. Thus, in the present study, a phylogenetic tree based on this family was constructed, in order to search for shared and unique Gallionellaceae signatures in a deep phylogenetic level affiliation and correlated them with geomorphologic characteristics. The results revealed that Gallionella and Ferrigenium were ubiquitous reflecting their ability to adapt to various locations in the power plant. The cave was considered a hotspot for neutrophilic FeOB since it harboured most of the Gallionellaceae diversity. Microscopic biosignatures were detected only in the CS1 sample, which presented abundance of the stalk-forming Ferriphaselus and of the sheath-forming Crenothrix. Further studies are required to provide more detailed insights on Gallionellaceae distribution and diversity patterns in hydroelectric power plants, particularly its biotechnological potential in this industry.

Sulfonium Rearrangements Enable the Direct Preparation of Sulfenyl Imidinium Salts.

Sulfenyl imidinium salts are a virtually unexplored class of intermediates in organic chemistry. Herein, we demonstrate how sulfonium rearrangements can be deployed to access these versatile synthetic intermediates, bearing three contiguous (and congested) stereogenic centers, with high levels of selectivity. The synthetic value of the scaffold was unraveled by selective transformations into a range of building blocks, including 1,4-dicarbonyl derivatives and sulfonolactones.

Palmitic acid, but not other long-chain saturated fatty acids, increases S100B protein and TNF-α secretion by astrocytes.

Obesity is a health problem that involves fat accumulation in adipose and other tissues and causes cell dysfunction. Long-chain saturated fatty acids can induce and propagate inflammation, which may also contribute to the brain alterations found in individuals with obesity. Fatty acids accumulate in astrocytes in situations of blood‒brain barrier disruption, such as inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, the increase in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) secretion is considered an essential component of the inflammatory response. We hypothesize that through their action on astrocytes, long-chain saturated fatty acids mediate some of the brain alterations observed in individuals with obesity. Here, we investigate the direct effect of long-chain fatty acids on astrocytes. Primary astrocyte cultures were incubated for 24 hours with myristic, palmitic, stearic, linoleic, or α-linolenic acids (25-100 µM). All saturated fatty acids tested led to an increase in TNF-α secretion, but only palmitic acid, one of the most common fatty acids, increased S100B secretion, indicating that S100B secretion is probably not caused in response to TNF-α release. Palmitic acid also caused nuclear migration of nuclear factor kappa B. Long-chain saturated fatty acids did not alter cell viability or redox status. In conclusion, long-chain saturated fatty acids can alter astrocytic homeostasis and may contribute to brain disorders associated with obesity, such as neuroinflammation.

Simvastatin Differentially Modulates Glial Functions in Cultured Cortical and Hypothalamic Astrocytes Derived from Interferon α/ß Receptor Knockout mice.

Astrocytes have key regulatory roles in central nervous system (CNS), integrating metabolic, inflammatory and synaptic responses. In this regard, type I interferon (IFN) receptor signaling in astrocytes can regulate synaptic plasticity. Simvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering drug that has shown anti-inflammatory properties, but its effects on astrocytes, a main source of cholesterol for neurons, remain to be elucidated. Herein, we investigated the effects of simvastatin in inflammatory and functional parameters of primary cortical and hypothalamic astrocyte cultures obtained from IFNα/ß receptor knockout (IFNα/ßR-/-) mice. Overall, simvastatin decreased extracellular levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), which were related to a downregulation in gene expression in hypothalamic, but not in cortical astrocytes. Moreover, there was an increase in anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) in both structures. Effects of simvastatin in inflammatory signaling also involved a downregulation of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) gene expression as well as an upregulation of nuclear factor κB subunit p65 (NFκB p65). The expression of cytoprotective genes sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and nuclear factor erythroid derived 2 like 2 (Nrf2) was also increased by simvastatin. In addition, simvastatin increased glutamine synthetase (GS) activity and glutathione (GSH) levels only in cortical astrocytes. Our findings provide evidence that astrocytes from different regions are important cellular targets of simvastatin in the CNS, even in the absence of IFNα/ßR, which was showed by the modulation of cytokine production and release, as well as the expression of cytoprotective genes and functional parameters.

Reduced protein intake and aging affects the sustainment of hematopoiesis by impairing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Protein malnourishment (PM) is common among the elderly, but how aging and PM impact hematopoiesis is not fully understood. This study aimed to assess how aging and PM affect the hematopoietic regulatory function of bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Young and aged male C57BL/6J mice were fed with normoproteic or hypoproteic diets and had their nutritional, biochemical, and hematological parameters evaluated. BM MSCs were characterized and had their secretome, gene expression, autophagy, reactive oxygen species production (ROS), and DNA double-stranded breaks evaluated. The modulation of hematopoiesis by MSCs was assayed using in vitro and in vivo models. Lastly, BM invasiveness and mice survival were evaluated after being challenged with leukemic cells of the C1498 cell line. Aging and PM alter biochemical parameters, changing the peripheral blood and BM immunophenotype. MSC autophagy was affected by aging and the frequencies for ROS and DNA double-stranded breaks. Regarding the MSCs' secretome, PM and aging affected CXCL12, IL-6, and IL-11 production. Aging and PM up-regulated Akt1 and PPAR-γ while down-regulating Cdh2 and Angpt-1 in MSCs. Aged MSCs increased C1498 cell proliferation while reducing their colony-forming potential. PM and aging lowered mice survival, and malnourishment accumulated C1498 cells at the BM. Finally, aged and/or PM MSCs up-regulated Sox2, Nanog, Pou5f1, and Akt1 expression while down-regulating Cdkn1a in C1498 cells. Together, aging and PM can induce cell-intrinsic shifts in BM MSCs, creating an environment that alters the regulation of hematopoietic populations and favoring the development of malignant cells.