Myrcene: A Natural Compound Showing Anticancer Activity in HeLa Cells.

γ-terpinene, α-terpinene, p-cymene, and myrcene are monoterpenes found in many essential oils extracted from a variety of plants and spices. Myrcene also occurs naturally in plants such as hops, cannabis, lemongrass, and verbena and is used as a flavoring agent in food and beverage manufacturing. In this research, the biological efficacy of γ-terpinene, α-terpinene, p-cymene, and myrcene was studied in human cell lines (HeLa, SH-SY5Y, and HDFa). Cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, cell migration, and morphology assays were performed to obtain detailed information on the anticancer properties. Our results show that myrcene has potential biological activity, especially in HeLa cells. In this cell line, it leads to an arrest of proliferation, a decrease in motility and morphological changes with loss of sphericity and thickness, and DNA damage. In addition, the interaction of γ-terpinene, α-terpinene, p-terpinene, and myrcene with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) was studied by UV-visible spectrophotometry. DNA binding experiments show that only myrcene can interact with DNA with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 29 × 10-6 M.

Role of D(-)-Lactic Acid in Prevention of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in an In Vitro Model of HeLa Cells.

A vaginal microbiota dominated by certain Lactobacillus species may have a protective effect against Chlamydia trachomatis infection. One of the key antimicrobial compounds produced is lactic acid, which is believed to play a central role in host defense. Lactobacillus strains producing the D(-)-lactic acid isomer are known to exert stronger protection. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this antimicrobial action are not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of D(-)-lactic acid isomer in the prevention of C. trachomatis infection in an in vitro HeLa cell model. We selected two strains of lactobacilli belonging to different species: a vaginal isolate of Lactobacillus crispatus that releases both D(-) and L(+) isomers and a strain of Lactobacillus reuteri that produces only the L(+) isomer. Initially, we demonstrated that L. crispatus was significantly more effective than L. reuteri in reducing C. trachomatis infectivity. A different pattern of histone acetylation and lactylation was observed when HeLa cells were pretreated for 24 h with supernatants of Lactobacillus crispatus or L. reuteri, resulting in different transcription of genes such as CCND1, CDKN1A, ITAG5 and HER-1. Similarly, distinct transcription patterns were found in HeLa cells treated with 10 mM D(-)- or L(+)-lactic acid isomers. Our findings suggest that D(-) lactic acid significantly affects two non-exclusive mechanisms involved in C. trachomatis infection: regulation of the cell cycle and expression of EGFR and α5ß1-integrin.

Mutant SPART causes defects in mitochondrial protein import and bioenergetics reversed by Coenzyme Q.

Pathogenic variants in SPART cause Troyer syndrome, characterized by lower extremity spasticity and weakness, short stature and cognitive impairment, and a severe mitochondrial impairment. Herein, we report the identification of a role of Spartin in nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins. SPART biallelic missense variants were detected in a 5-year-old boy with short stature, developmental delay and muscle weakness with impaired walking distance. Patient-derived fibroblasts showed an altered mitochondrial network, decreased mitochondrial respiration, increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and altered Ca2+ versus control cells. We investigated the mitochondrial import of nuclear-encoded proteins in these fibroblasts and in another cell model carrying a SPART loss-of-function mutation. In both cell models the mitochondrial import was impaired, leading to a significant decrease in different proteins, including two key enzymes involved in CoQ10 (CoQ) synthesis, COQ7 and COQ9, with a severe reduction in CoQ content, versus control cells. CoQ supplementation restored cellular ATP levels to the same extent shown by the re-expression of wild-type SPART, suggesting CoQ treatment as a promising therapeutic approach for patients carrying mutations in SPART.

MiR-494 induces metabolic changes through G6pc targeting and modulates sorafenib response in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic reprogramming is a well-known marker of cancer, and it represents an early event during hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. The recent approval of several molecular targeted agents has revolutionized the management of advanced HCC patients. Nevertheless, the lack of circulating biomarkers still affects patient stratification to tailored treatments. In this context, there is an urgent need for biomarkers to aid treatment choice and for novel and more effective therapeutic combinations to avoid the development of drug-resistant phenotypes. This study aims to prove the involvement of miR-494 in metabolic reprogramming of HCC, to identify novel miRNA-based therapeutic combinations and to evaluate miR-494 potential as a circulating biomarker. METHODS: Bioinformatics analysis identified miR-494 metabolic targets. QPCR analysis of glucose 6-phosphatase catalytic subunit (G6pc) was performed in HCC patients and preclinical models. Functional analysis and metabolic assays assessed G6pc targeting and miR-494 involvement in metabolic changes, mitochondrial dysfunction, and ROS production in HCC cells. Live-imaging analysis evaluated the effects of miR-494/G6pc axis in cell growth of HCC cells under stressful conditions. Circulating miR-494 levels were assayed in sorafenib-treated HCC patients and DEN-HCC rats. RESULTS: MiR-494 induced the metabolic shift of HCC cells toward a glycolytic phenotype through G6pc targeting and HIF-1A pathway activation. MiR-494/G6pc axis played an active role in metabolic plasticity of cancer cells, leading to glycogen and lipid droplets accumulation that favored cell survival under harsh environmental conditions. High miR-494 serum levels associated with sorafenib resistance in preclinical models and in a preliminary cohort of HCC patients. An enhanced anticancer effect was observed for treatment combinations between antagomiR-494 and sorafenib or 2-deoxy-glucose in HCC cells. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-494/G6pc axis is critical for the metabolic rewiring of cancer cells and associates with poor prognosis. MiR-494 deserves attention as a candidate biomarker of likelihood of response to sorafenib to be tested in future validation studies. MiR-494 represents a promising therapeutic target for combination strategies with sorafenib or metabolic interference molecules for the treatment of HCC patients who are ineligible for immunotherapy.

Natural Astaxanthin Is a Green Antioxidant Able to Counteract Lipid Peroxidation and Ferroptotic Cell Death.

Astaxanthin is a red orange xanthophyll carotenoid produced mainly by microalgae but which can also be chemically synthesized. As demonstrated by several studies, this lipophilic molecule is endowed with potent antioxidant properties and is able to modulate biological functions. Unlike synthetic astaxanthin, natural astaxanthin (NAst) is considered safe for human nutrition, and its production is considered eco-friendly. The antioxidant activity of astaxanthin depends on its bioavailability, which, in turn, is related to its hydrophobicity. In this study, we analyzed the water-solubility of NAst and assessed its protective effect against oxidative stress by means of different approaches using a neuroblastoma cell model. Moreover, due to its highly lipophilic nature, astaxanthin is particularly protective against lipid peroxidation; therefore, the role of NAst in counteracting ferroptosis was investigated. This recently discovered process of programmed cell death is indeed characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and seems to be linked to the onset and development of oxidative-stress-related diseases. The promising results of this study, together with the "green sources" from which astaxanthin could derive, suggest a potential role for NAst in the prevention and co-treatment of chronic degenerative diseases by means of a sustainable approach.

Coenzyme Q10 Phytosome Formulation Improves CoQ10 Bioavailability and Mitochondrial Functionality in Cultured Cells.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a lipid-soluble molecule with a dual role: it transfers electrons in the mitochondrial transport chain by promoting the transmembrane potential exploited by the ATPase to synthesize ATP and, in its reduced form, is a membrane antioxidant. Since the high CoQ10 hydrophobicity hinders its bioavailability, several formulations have been developed to facilitate its cellular uptake. In this work, we studied the bioenergetic and antioxidant effects in I407 and H9c2 cells of a CoQ10 phytosome formulation (UBIQSOME®, UBQ). We investigated the cellular and mitochondrial content of CoQ10 and its redox state after incubation with UBQ. We studied different bioenergetic parameters, such as oxygen consumption, ATP content and mitochondrial potential. Moreover, we evaluated the effects of CoQ10 incubation on oxidative stress, membrane lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis and highlighted the connection between the intracellular concentration of CoQ10 and its antioxidant potency. Finally, we focused on the cellular mechanism that regulates UBQ internalization. We showed that the cell lines used in this work share the same uptake mechanism for UBQ, although the intestinal cell line was less efficient. Given the limitations of an in vitro model, the latter result supports that intestinal absorption is a critical step for the oral administration of Coenzyme Q10 formulations.

Biallelic variants in LIG3 cause a novel mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy.

Abnormal gut motility is a feature of several mitochondrial encephalomyopathies, and mutations in genes such as TYMP and POLG, have been linked to these rare diseases. The human genome encodes three DNA ligases, of which only one, ligase III (LIG3), has a mitochondrial splice variant and is crucial for mitochondrial health. We investigated the effect of reduced LIG3 activity and resulting mitochondrial dysfunction in seven patients from three independent families, who showed the common occurrence of gut dysmotility and neurological manifestations reminiscent of mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy. DNA from these patients was subjected to whole exome sequencing. In all patients, compound heterozygous variants in a new disease gene, LIG3, were identified. All variants were predicted to have a damaging effect on the protein. The LIG3 gene encodes the only mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) ligase and therefore plays a pivotal role in mtDNA repair and replication. In vitro assays in patient-derived cells showed a decrease in LIG3 protein levels and ligase activity. We demonstrated that the LIG3 gene defects affect mtDNA maintenance, leading to mtDNA depletion without the accumulation of multiple deletions as observed in other mitochondrial disorders. This mitochondrial dysfunction is likely to cause the phenotypes observed in these patients. The most prominent and consistent clinical signs were severe gut dysmotility and neurological abnormalities, including leukoencephalopathy, epilepsy, migraine, stroke-like episodes, and neurogenic bladder. A decrease in the number of myenteric neurons, and increased fibrosis and elastin levels were the most prominent changes in the gut. Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) deficient fibres in skeletal muscle were also observed. Disruption of lig3 in zebrafish reproduced the brain alterations and impaired gut transit in vivo. In conclusion, we identified variants in the LIG3 gene that result in a mitochondrial disease characterized by predominant gut dysmotility, encephalopathy, and neuromuscular abnormalities.

Turning Donepezil into a Multi-Target-Directed Ligand through a Merging Strategy.

Thanks to the widespread use and safety profile of donepezil (1) in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), one of the most widely adopted multi-target-directed ligand (MTDL) design strategies is to modify its molecular structure by linking a second fragment carrying an additional AD-relevant biological property. Herein, supported by a proposed combination therapy of 1 and the quinone drug idebenone, we rationally designed novel 1-based MTDLs targeting Aß and oxidative pathways. By exploiting a bioisosteric replacement of the indanone core of 1 with a 1,4-naphthoquinone, we ended up with a series of highly merged derivatives, in principle devoid of the "physicochemical challenge" typical of large hybrid-based MTDLs. A preliminary investigation of their multi-target profile identified 9, which showed a potent and selective butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, together with antioxidant and antiaggregating properties. In addition, it displayed a promising drug-like profile.

Coenzyme Q biosynthesis inhibition induces HIF-1α stabilization and metabolic switch toward glycolysis.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ, ubiquinone) is a redox-active lipid endogenously synthesized by the cells. The final stage of CoQ biosynthesis is performed at the mitochondrial level by the 'complex Q', where coq2 is responsible for the prenylation of the benzoquinone ring of the molecule. We report that the competitive coq2 inhibitor 4-nitrobenzoate (4-NB) decreased the cellular CoQ content and caused severe impairment of mitochondrial function in the T67 human glioma cell line. In parallel with the reduction in CoQ biosynthesis, the cholesterol level increased, leading to significant perturbation of the plasma membrane physicochemical properties. We show that 4-NB treatment did not significantly affect the cell viability, because of an adaptive metabolic rewiring toward glycolysis. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) stabilization was detected in 4-NB-treated cells, possibly due to the contribution of both reduction in intracellular oxygen tension and ROS overproduction. Exogenous CoQ supplementation partially recovered cholesterol content, HIF-1α degradation, and ROS production, whereas only weakly improved the bioenergetic impairment induced by the CoQ depletion. Our data provide new insights on the effect of CoQ depletion and contribute to shed light on the pathogenic mechanisms of ubiquinone deficiency syndrome.

The Roles of Coenzyme Q in Disease: Direct and Indirect Involvement in Cellular Functions.

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is a key component of the respiratory chain of all eukaryotic cells. Its function is closely related to mitochondrial respiration, where it acts as an electron transporter. However, the cellular functions of coenzyme Q are multiple: it is present in all cell membranes, limiting the toxic effect of free radicals, it is a component of LDL, it is involved in the aging process, and its deficiency is linked to several diseases. Recently, it has been proposed that coenzyme Q contributes to suppressing ferroptosis, a type of iron-dependent programmed cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation. In this review, we report the latest hypotheses and theories analyzing the multiple functions of coenzyme Q. The complete knowledge of the various cellular CoQ functions is essential to provide a rational basis for its possible therapeutic use, not only in diseases characterized by primary CoQ deficiency, but also in large number of diseases in which its secondary deficiency has been found.

Castanea sativa Mill. bark extract cardiovascular effects in a rat model of high-fat diet.

Ellagitannins may have a beneficial impact in cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of high-fat diet (HFD) and the efficacy of Castanea sativa Mill. bark extract (ENC) on cardiac and vascular parameters. Rats were fed with regular diet, (RD, n = 15), HFD (n = 15), RD + ENC (20 mg/kg/day by gavage, n = 15), and HFD + ENC (same dose, n = 15) and the effects on body weight, biochemical serum parameters, and inflammatory cytokines determined. Cardiac functional parameters and aorta contractility were also assessed on isolated atria and aorta. Results showed that ENC reduced weight gain and serum lipids induced by HFD. In in vitro assays, HFD decreased the contraction force of left atrium, increased right atrium chronotropy, and decreased aorta K+ -induced contraction; ENC induced transient positive inotropic and negative chronotropic effects on isolated atria from RD and HFD rats and a spasmolytic effect on aorta. In ex vivo experiments, ENC reverted inotropic and chronotropic changes induced by HFD and enhanced Nifedipine effect more on aorta than on heart. In conclusion, ENC restores metabolic dysfunction and cardiac cholinergic muscarinic receptor function, and exerts spasmolytic effect on aorta in HFD rats, highlighting its potential as nutraceutical tool in obesity.

Coenzyme Q Depletion Reshapes MCF-7 Cells Metabolism.

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a significant role in the metabolic flexibility of cancer cells. This study aimed to investigate the metabolic alterations due to Coenzyme Q depletion in MCF-7 cells. METHOD: The Coenzyme Q depletion was induced by competitively inhibiting with 4-nitrobenzoate the coq2 enzyme, which catalyzes one of the final reactions in the biosynthetic pathway of CoQ. The bioenergetic and metabolic characteristics of control and coenzyme Q depleted cells were investigated using polarographic and spectroscopic assays. The effect of CoQ depletion on cell growth was analyzed in different metabolic conditions. RESULTS: we showed that cancer cells could cope from energetic and oxidative stress due to mitochondrial dysfunction by reshaping their metabolism. In CoQ depleted cells, the glycolysis was upregulated together with increased glucose consumption, overexpression of GLUT1 and GLUT3, as well as activation of pyruvate kinase (PK). Moreover, the lactate secretion rate was reduced, suggesting that the pyruvate flux was redirected, toward anabolic pathways. Finally, we found a different expression pattern in enzymes involved in glutamine metabolism, and TCA cycle in CoQ depleted cells in comparison to controls. CONCLUSION: This work elucidated the metabolic alterations in CoQ-depleted cells and provided an insightful understanding of cancer metabolism targeting.

Low-dose doxycycline induces Chlamydia trachomatis persistence in HeLa cells.

Chlamydia persistence is a viable but non-replicative stage, induced by several sub-lethal stressor agents, including beta-lactam antibiotics. So far, no data about the connection between doxycycline and chlamydial persistence has been described in literature. We investigated the ability of doxycycline to induce C. trachomatis (CT) persistence in an in vitro model of epithelial cell infection (HeLa cells), comparing the results with the well-established model of penicillin-induced persistence. The effect of doxycycline was explored on 10 different CT strains by analysing (i) the presence of aberrant inclusions, (ii) chlamydial recovery, (iii) the expression of different chlamydial genes (omcB, euo, Ct110, Ct604, Ct755, HtrA) and (iv) the effects on epithelial cell viability. For each strain, the presence of foreign genomic islands responsible of tetracycline resistance was excluded. We found that low doses of doxycycline can induce a condition of CT persistence. For concentrations of doxycycline equal to 0.03-0.015 mg/L, CT inclusions are smaller and aberrant and CT cycle is characterized by the presence of viable but non-dividing RBs with the complete abolishment of chlamydial cytotoxic effect. Infectious EBs can be recovered after removal of the drug. During doxycycline-induced persistence, the expression of the late gene omcB is decreased, indicating the blocking of RB-to-EB conversion. Conversely, as for penicillin G, a significant up-regulation of the stress response HtrA gene is found in doxycycline-treated cells. This study provides a novel in vitro cell model to examine the characteristics of doxycycline-induced persistent CT infection.

Isolation of mitochondria from cells and tissues.

Isolated mitochondria are useful to study fundamental processes including mitochondrial respiration, metabolic activity, protein import, membrane fusion, protein complex assembly, as well as interactions of mitochondria with the cytoskeleton, nuclear encoded mRNAs, and other organelles. In addition, studies of the mitochondrial proteome, phosphoproteome, and lipidome are dependent on preparation of highly purified mitochondria (Boldogh, Vojtov, Karmon, & Pon, 1998; Cui, Conte, Fox, Zara, & Winge, 2014; Marc et al., 2002; Meeusen, McCaffery, & Nunnari, 2004; Reinders et al., 2007; Schneiter et al., 1999; Stuart & Koehler, 2007). Most methods to isolate mitochondria rely on differential centrifugation, a two-step centrifugation carried out at low speed to remove intact cells, cell and tissue debris, and nuclei from whole cell extracts followed by high speed centrifugation to concentrate mitochondria and separate them from other organelles. However, methods to disrupt cells and tissue vary. Moreover, density gradient centrifugation or affinity purification of the organelle are used to further purify mitochondria or to separate different populations of the organelle. Here, we describe protocols to isolate mitochondria from different cells and tissues as well as approaches to assess the purity and integrity of isolated organelles.

Insights into penicillin-induced Chlamydia trachomatis persistence.

Chlamydia persistence is a viable, but non-cultivable, growth stage, resulting in a long-term relationship with the infected host cell. In vitro, this condition can be induced by different stressor agents, including beta-lactam antibiotics, as penicillin. The aim of this study was to get new insights into the interactions between Chlamydia trachomatis (serovars D and L2) and the epithelial host cells (HeLa) during persistence condition. In particular, we evaluated the following aspects, by comparing the normal chlamydial development cycle with penicillin-induced persistence: (i) cell survival/death, (ii) externalization of phosphatidylserine, (iii) caspase 1 and caspase 3/7 activation, and (iv) reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by the infected cells. At 72 h post-infection, the cytotoxic effect displayed by CT was completely abolished for both serovars and for all levels of multiplicity of infection only in the cells with aberrant CT inclusions. At the same time, CT was able to switch off the exposure of the lipid phosphatidylserine on the surface of epithelial cells and to strongly inhibit the activation of caspase 1 and caspase 3/7 only in penicillin-treated cells. Forty-eight hours post-infection, CT elicited a significant ROS expression both in case of a normal cycle and in case of persistence. However, serovar L and penicillin-free infection activated a higher ROS production compared to serovar D and to penicillin-induced persistence, respectively. In conclusion, we added knowledge to the cellular dynamics taking place during chlamydial persistence, demonstrating that CT creates a suitable niche to survive, switching off signals able to activate phagocytes/leukocytes recruitment. Nevertheless, persistent CT elicits ROS production by the infected cells, potentially contributing to the onset of chronic inflammation and tissue damages.

A novel mutation in SPART gene causes a severe neurodevelopmental delay due to mitochondrial dysfunction with complex I impairments and altered pyruvate metabolism.

Loss-of-function mutations in the SPART gene cause Troyer syndrome, a recessive form of spastic paraplegia resulting in muscle weakness, short stature, and cognitive defects. SPART encodes for Spartin, a protein linked to endosomal trafficking and mitochondrial membrane potential maintenance. Here, we identified with whole exome sequencing (WES) a novel frameshift mutation in the SPART gene in 2 brothers presenting an uncharacterized developmental delay and short stature. Functional characterization in an SH-SY5Y cell model shows that this mutation is associated with increased neurite outgrowth. These cells also show a marked decrease in mitochondrial complex I (NADH dehydrogenase) activity, coupled to decreased ATP synthesis and defective mitochondrial membrane potential. The cells also presented an increase in reactive oxygen species, extracellular pyruvate, and NADH levels, consistent with impaired complex I activity. In concordance with a severe mitochondrial failure, Spartin loss also led to an altered intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis that was restored after transient expression of wild-type Spartin. Our data provide for the first time a thorough assessment of Spartin loss effects, including impaired complex I activity coupled to increased extracellular pyruvate. In summary, through a WES study we assign a diagnosis of Troyer syndrome to otherwise undiagnosed patients, and by functional characterization we show that the novel mutation in SPART leads to a profound bioenergetic imbalance.-Diquigiovanni, C., Bergamini, C., Diaz, R., Liparulo, I., Bianco, F., Masin, L., Baldassarro, V. A., Rizzardi, N., Tranchina, A., Buscherini, F., Wischmeijer, A., Pippucci, T., Scarano, E., Cordelli, D. M., Fato, R., Seri, M., Paracchini, S., Bonora, E. A novel mutation in SPART gene causes a severe neurodevelopmental delay due to mitochondrial dysfunction with complex I impairments and altered pyruvate metabolism.

Mitochondrial Dysregulation and Impaired Autophagy in iPSC-Derived Dopaminergic Neurons of Multiple System Atrophy.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects several areas of the CNS, whose pathogenesis is still widely unclear and for which an effective treatment is lacking. We have generated induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons from four MSA patients and four healthy controls and from two monozygotic twins discordant for the disease. In this model, we have demonstrated an aberrant autophagic flow and a mitochondrial dysregulation involving respiratory chain activity, mitochondrial content, and CoQ10 biosynthesis. These defective mechanisms may contribute to the onset of the disease, representing potential therapeutic targets.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in fibroblasts of Multiple System Atrophy.

Multiple System Atrophy is a severe neurodegenerative disorder which is characterized by a variable clinical presentation and a broad neuropathological spectrum. The pathogenic mechanisms are almost completely unknown. In the present study, we established a cellular model of MSA by using fibroblasts' primary cultures and performed several experiments to investigate the causative mechanisms of the disease, with a particular focus on mitochondrial functioning. Fibroblasts' analyses (7 MSA-P, 7 MSA-C and 6 healthy controls) displayed several anomalies in patients: an impairment of respiratory chain activity, in particular for succinate Coenzyme Q reductase (p < 0.05), and a reduction of complex II steady-state level (p < 0.01); a reduction of Coenzyme Q10 level (p < 0.001) and an up-regulation of some CoQ10 biosynthesis enzymes, namely COQ5 and COQ7; an impairment of mitophagy, demonstrated by a decreased reduction of mitochondrial markers after mitochondrial inner membrane depolarization (p < 0.05); a reduced basal autophagic activity, shown by a decreased level of LC3 II (p < 0.05); an increased mitochondrial mass in MSA-C, demonstrated by higher TOMM20 levels (p < 0.05) and suggested by a wide analysis of mitochondrial DNA content in blood of large cohorts of patients. The present study contributes to understand the causative mechanisms of Multiple System Atrophy. In particular, the observed impairment of respiratory chain activity, mitophagy and Coenzyme Q10 biosynthesis suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Furthermore, these findings will hopefully contribute to identify novel therapeutic targets for this still incurable disorder.

Liver and intestinal protective effects of Castanea sativa Mill. bark extract in high-fat diet rats.

The effects of Castanea sativa Mill. have been studied in high fat diet (HFD) overweight rats. Natural Extract of Chestnut bark (Castanea sativa Mill.) (ENC®), rich in ellagitannins, has been studied in 120 male Sprague-Dawley rats, divided in four groups. Two groups were controls: regular (RD) and HDF diet. Two groups received ENC® (20 mg/kg/day): RD + ENC® and HFD + ENC®. At baseline and at 7, 14 and 21 days, weight gain, serum lipids, plasma cytokines, liver histology, microsomial enzymes and oxidation, intestinal oxidative stress and contractility were studied. HFD increased body weight, increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, induced hepatocytes microvescicular steatosis, altered microsomial, increased liver and intestinal oxidative stress, deranged intestinal contractility. In HFD-fed rats, ENC® exerted antiadipose and antioxidative activities and normalized intestinal contractility, suggesting a potential approach to overweight management associated diseases.

Mutant MYO1F alters the mitochondrial network and induces tumor proliferation in thyroid cancer.

Familial aggregation is a significant risk factor for the development of thyroid cancer and familial non-medullary thyroid cancer (FNMTC) accounts for 5-7% of all NMTC. Whole exome sequencing analysis in the family affected by FNMTC with oncocytic features where our group previously identified a predisposing locus on chromosome 19p13.2, revealed a novel heterozygous mutation (c.400G > A, NM_012335; p.Gly134Ser) in exon 5 of MYO1F, mapping to the linkage locus. In the thyroid FRTL-5 cell model stably expressing the mutant MYO1F p.Gly134Ser protein, we observed an altered mitochondrial network, with increased mitochondrial mass and a significant increase in both intracellular and extracellular reactive oxygen species, compared to cells expressing the wild-type (wt) protein or carrying the empty vector. The mutation conferred a significant advantage in colony formation, invasion and anchorage-independent growth. These data were corroborated by in vivo studies in zebrafish, since we demonstrated that the mutant MYO1F p.Gly134Ser, when overexpressed, can induce proliferation in whole vertebrate embryos, compared to the wt one. MYO1F screening in additional 192 FNMTC families identified another variant in exon 7, which leads to exon skipping, and is predicted to alter the ATP-binding domain in MYO1F. Our study identified for the first time a role for MYO1F in NMTC.