RESUMO
(1) Background: Their unique structure and electron deficiency have brought fullerenes into the focus of research in many fields, including medicine. The hyper-harmonized hydroxylated fullerene water complex (3HFWC) formulation has solved the limitations of the poor solubility and bioavailability of fullerenes. To achieve better antitumor activity, 3HFWC was combined with short-term irradiation of cells with hyperpolarized light (HPL) generated by the application of a nanophotonic fullerene filter in a Bioptron® device. The benefits of HPL were confirmed in the microcirculation, wound healing and immunological function. (2) Methods: B16, B16-F10 and A375 melanoma cells were exposed to a wide spectrum of 3HFWC doses and to a single short-term HPL irradiation. (3) Results: Apart from the differences in the redox status and level of invasiveness, the effects of the treatments were quite similar. Decreased viability, morphological alteration, signs of melanocytic differentiation and cellular senescence were observed upon the successful internalization of the nanoquantum substance. (4) Conclusions: Overall, 3HFWC/HPL promoted melanoma cell reprogramming toward a normal phenotype.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIM: Vitamin D deficiency is a well-established risk factor for bone disease, but emerging data suggest that altered vitamin D homeostasis may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), dyslipidemia hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with T2DM with/without CVD, to correlate it with anthropometric and metabolic parameters and to determine the predictors of vitamin D deficiency. METHODS: A total of 88 patients with T2DM (49 male/39 female, aged 61.0 +/- 0.9 yrs, body mass index (BMI) 29.9 +/- 0.4 kg/m2) and 67 patients (44 male/23 female, aged 63.6 +/- 1.0 yrs, BMI 29.2 +/- 0.5 kg/m2) with T2DM and CVD (myocardial infarction in 57 patients and angina pectoris in 10 patients) were included in this study. These patients were compared with 87 healthy subjects (35 male/52 female, aged 52.8 +/- 1.4 yrs, BMI 27.2 +/- 0.5 kg/m2). Weight, height, waist circumference and BMI were recorded in all patients. Also, total cholesterol, triglycerides, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured in all. According to 25(OH)D level, all subjects were divided into three categories: severe vitamin D deficiency (< or = 15 ng/mL), vitamin D insufficiency (15-20 ng/mL) and vitamin D sufficiency (?20 ng/mL). We correlated vitamin D levels with anthropometric and metabolic status and determined the predictors of vitamin D deficiency. RESULTS: Severe vitamin D deficiency was registered in 16.1% healthy subjects, in 21.6% patients with T2DM and in 26.9% patients with T2DM and CVD. Patients with T2DM who were vitamin D deficient had increased weight, waist circumference, cholesterol and triglyceride levels when compared with patients with T2DM who had sufficient vitamin D level. 25(OH)D levels correlated with BMI and waist circumference in all subjects, but did not correlate with metabolic parameters (lipids, HbA1c). The best predictors of vitamin D level in all subjects were weight, waist circumference and BMI. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with T2DM and particularly in patients with T2DM and CVD suggests that supplementation with vitamin D may be beneficial although there is still not sufficient evidence for recommending prescribing vitamin D.
