Investigation of Serum Endocan Levels in SARS-CoV-2 Patients.

Endocan is an endothelial-cell-specific proteoglycan (ESM-1) and has emerged as an endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory marker in recent years. Endocan can be used as a marker of inflammatory endothelial dysfunction in endothelium-dependent disease: cardiovascular disease, sepsis, lung and kidney disease and malignancies. Recent data suggest that endothelial dysfunction is a key mechanism in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Endotheliitis and thrombo-inflammation are associated with severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and endocan is currently under investigation as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker. The aim of this study was to determine serum endocan levels in patients with COVID-19 to evaluate the correlation between endocan levels and clinical disease diagnosis and prognosis. This study enrolled 56 patients, divided into three groups depending on disease severity: mild (15), moderate (25) and severe (16). The biochemical, demographic, clinical and imagistic data were collected and evaluated in correlation with the endocan levels. Serum endocan levels were significantly higher in the COVID-19 patients compared to the control group; also, endocan concentration correlated with vaccination status. The results revealed significantly elevated serum endocan levels in COVID-19 patients compared to the control group, with a correlation observed between endocan concentration and vaccination status. These findings suggest that endocan may serve as a novel biomarker for detecting inflammation and endothelial dysfunction risk in COVID-19 patients. There was no significant relationship between serum endocan levels and disease severity or the presence of cardiovascular diseases. Endocan can be considered a novel biomarker for the detection of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction risk in COVID-19 patients.

Exploring the therapeutic potential of quercetin: A focus on its sirtuin-mediated benefits.

As the global population ages, preventing lifestyle- and aging-related diseases is increasing, necessitating the search for safe and affordable therapeutic interventions. Among nutraceuticals, quercetin, a flavonoid ubiquitously present in various plants, has garnered considerable interest. This review aimed to collate and analyze existing literature on the therapeutic potentials of quercetin, especially its interactions with SIRTs and its clinical applicability based on its bioavailability and safety. This narrative review was based on a literature survey spanning from 2015 to 2023 using PUBMED. The keywords and MeSH terms used were: "quercetin" AND "bioavailability" OR "metabolism" OR "metabolites" as well as "quercetin" AND "SIRTuin" OR "SIRT*" AND "cellular effects" OR "pathway" OR "signaling" OR "neuroprotective" OR "cardioprotective" OR "nephroprotective" OR "antiatherosclerosis" OR "diabetes" OR "antidiabetic" OR "dyslipidemia" AND "mice" OR "rats". Quercetin demonstrates multiple therapeutic activities, including neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and anti-atherosclerotic effects. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties are well-established. At a molecular level, it majorly interacts with SIRTs, particularly SIRT1 and SIRT6, and modulates numerous signaling pathways, contributing to its therapeutic effects. These pathways play roles in reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy regulation, mitochondrial biogenesis, glucose utilization, fatty acid oxidation, and genome stability. However, clinical trials on quercetin's effectiveness in humans are scarce. Quercetin exhibits a wide range of SIRT-mediated therapeutic effects. Despite the compelling preclinical data, more standardized clinical trials are needed to fully understand its therapeutic potential. Future research should focus on addressing its bioavailability and safety concerns.

Circadian Rhythms, Chrononutrition, Physical Training, and Redox Homeostasis-Molecular Mechanisms in Human Health.

A multitude of physiological processes, human behavioral patterns, and social interactions are intricately governed by the complex interplay between external circumstances and endogenous circadian rhythms. This multidimensional regulatory framework is susceptible to disruptions, and in contemporary society, there is a prevalent occurrence of misalignments between the circadian system and environmental cues, a phenomenon frequently associated with adverse health consequences. The onset of most prevalent current chronic diseases is intimately connected with alterations in human lifestyle practices under various facets, including the following: reduced physical activity, the exposure to artificial light, also acknowledged as light pollution, sedentary behavior coupled with consuming energy-dense nutriments, irregular eating frameworks, disruptions in sleep patterns (inadequate quality and duration), engagement in shift work, and the phenomenon known as social jetlag. The rapid evolution of contemporary life and domestic routines has significantly outpaced the rate of genetic adaptation. Consequently, the underlying circadian rhythms are exposed to multiple shifts, thereby elevating the susceptibility to disease predisposition. This comprehensive review endeavors to synthesize existing empirical evidence that substantiates the conceptual integration of the circadian clock, biochemical molecular homeostasis, oxidative stress, and the stimuli imparted by physical exercise, sleep, and nutrition.

The Beneficial Effects of Dietary Interventions on Gut Microbiota-An Up-to-Date Critical Review and Future Perspectives.

Different dietary interventions, especially intermittent fasting, are widely used and promoted by physicians; these regimens have been studied lately for their impact on the gut microbiota composition/function and, consequently, on the general physiopathological processes of the host. Studies are showing that dietary components modulate the microbiota, and, at the same time, the host metabolism is deeply influenced by the different products resulting from nutrient transformation in the microbiota compartment. This reciprocal relationship can potentially influence even drug metabolism for chronic drug regimens, significantly impacting human health/disease. Recently, the influence of various dietary restrictions on the gut microbiota and the differences between the effects were investigated. In this review, we explored the current knowledge of different dietary restrictions on animal and human gut microbiota and the impact of these changes on human health.

Cetirizine and Levetiracetam as Inhibitors of Monoacylglycerol Lipase: Investigating Their Repurposing Potential as Novel Osteoarthritic Pain Therapies.

Osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive articular cartilage degradation, subchondral bone changes, and synovial inflammation, and affects various joints, causing pain and disability. Current osteoarthritis therapies, primarily focused on pain management, face limitations due to limited effectiveness and high risks of adverse effects. Safer and more effective treatments are urgently needed. Considering that the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl glycerol is involved in pain processing, increasing its concentration through monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibition reduces pain in various animal models. Furthermore, drug repurposing approaches leverage established drug safety profiles, presenting a cost-effective route to accelerate clinical application. To this end, cetirizine and levetiracetam were examined for their MAGL inhibitory effects. In vitro studies revealed that cetirizine and levetiracetam inhibited MAGL with IC50 values of 9.3931 µM and 3.0095 µM, respectively. In vivo experiments demonstrated that cetirizine, and to a lesser extent levetiracetam, reduced mechanical and thermal nociception in complete Freund adjuvant (CFA)-induced osteoarthritis in rats. Cetirizine exhibited a notable anti-inflammatory effect, reducing CFA-induced inflammation, as well as the inflammatory infiltrate and granuloma formation in the affected paw. These findings suggest that cetirizine may serve as a promising starting point for the development of novel compounds for osteoarthritis treatment, addressing both pain and inflammation.

The Influence of Sildenafil-Metformin Combination on Hyperalgesia and Biochemical Markers in Diabetic Neuropathy in Mice.

Background and objectives: Worldwide, approximately 500 million people suffer from diabetes and at least 50% of these people develop neuropathy. Currently, therapeutic strategies for reducing diabetic neuropathy (DN)-associated pain are limited and have several side effects. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the antihyperalgesic action of different sildenafil (phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor) and metformin (antihyperglycemic agent) combinations in alloxan-induced DN. Methods: The study included 100 diabetic mice and 20 non-diabetic mice that were subjected to hot and cold stimulus tests. Furthermore, we determined the influence of this combination on TNF-α, IL-6 and nitrites levels in brain and liver tissues. Results: In both the hot-plate and tail withdrawal test, all sildenafil-metformin combinations administered in our study showed a significant increase in pain reaction latencies when compared to the diabetic control group. Furthermore, all combinations decreased blood glucose levels due to the hypoglycemic effect of metformin. Additionally, changes in nitrite levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) were observed after 14 days of treatment with different sildenafil-metformin combinations. Conclusions: The combination of these two substances increased the pain reaction latency of diabetic animals in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, all sildenafil-metformin combinations significantly reduced the concentration of nitrites in the brain and liver, which are final products formed under the action of iNOS.

Sirtuins, resveratrol and the intertwining cellular pathways connecting them.

Sirtuins are a family of NAD+-dependent deacylases with numerous physiological and pathological implications, which lately became an attractive therapeutic target. Sirtuin-activating compounds (STACs) could be useful in disease prevention and treatment. Despite its bioavailability issues, resveratrol exerts a myriad of beneficial effects, known as the "resveratrol paradox". Modulation of sirtuins' expression and activity may, in fact, underlie many of resveratrol revered actions; however, the cellular pathways affected by modulating the activity of each sirtuin isoform, in different physio-pathological conditions, are not fully known. The purpose of this review was to summarize recent reports concerning the effects of resveratrol on the activity of sirtuins in different experimental settings, focusing on in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies. Most reports concern SIRT1, however recent studies dive into the effects initiated via other isoforms. Numerous cellular signaling pathways were reported to be modulated by resveratrol in a sirtuin-dependent manner (increased phosphorylation of MAPKs, AKT, AMPK, RhoA, BDNF, decreased activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, NF-κB, STAT3, upregulation of SIRT1/SREBP1c pathway, reduced ß-amyloid via SIRT1-NF-κB-BACE1 signaling and counteracting mitochondrial damage by deacetylating PGC-1α). Thus, resveratrol may be the ideal candidate in the search for STACs as a tool for preventing and treating inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.

Exploring the potential impact of probiotic use on drug metabolism and efficacy.

Probiotics are frequently consumed as functional food and widely used as dietary supplements, but are also recommended in treating or preventing various gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, their co-administration with other drugs is sometimes unavoidable or even compulsory. Recent technological developments in the pharmaceutical industry permitted the development of novel drug-delivery systems for probiotics, allowing their addition to the therapy of severely ill patients. Literature data regarding the changes that probiotics could impose on the efficacy or safety of chronic medication is scarce. In this context, the present paper aims to review probiotics currently recommended by the international medical community, to evaluate the relationship between gut microbiota and various pathologies with high impact worldwide and, most importantly, to assess the literature reports concerning the ability of probiotics to influence the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of some widely used drugs, especially for those with narrow therapeutic indexes. A better understanding of the potential influence of probiotics on drug metabolism, efficacy and safety could contribute to improving therapy management, facilitating individualized therapy and updating treatment guidelines.

Regulation of Gene Expression through Food-Curcumin as a Sirtuin Activity Modulator.

The sirtuin family comprises NAD+-dependent protein lysine deacylases, mammalian sirtuins being either nuclear (SIRT1, SIRT2, SIRT6, and SIRT7), mitochondrial (SIRT3, SIRT4, and SIRT5) or cytosolic enzymes (SIRT2 and SIRT5). They are able to catalyze direct metabolic reactions, thus regulating several physiological functions, such as energy metabolism, stress response, inflammation, cell survival, DNA repair, tissue regeneration, neuronal signaling, and even circadian rhythms. Based on these data, recent research was focused on finding molecules that could regulate sirtuins' expression and/or activity, natural compounds being among the most promising in the field. Curcumin (1,7-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione) can induce, through SIRT, modulation of cancer cell senescence, improve endothelial cells protection against atherosclerotic factors, enhance muscle regeneration in atrophy models, and act as a pro-longevity factor counteracting the neurotoxicity of amyloid-beta. Although a plethora of protective effects was reported (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, etc.), its therapeutical use is limited due to its bioavailability issues. However, all the reported effects may be explained via the bioactivation theory, which postulates that curcumin's observed actions are modulated via its metabolites and/or degradation products. The present article is focused on bringing together the literature data correlating the ability of curcumin and its metabolites to modulate SIRT activity and its consequent beneficial effects.

Interleukins and redox impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus: mini-review and pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a leading cause of morbidity and premature mortality, low-grade inflammation being acknowledged as a key contributor to its development and progression. A tailored therapeutic approach, based on sensitive and specific biomarkers, could allow a more accurate analysis of disease susceptibility/prognostic and of the response to treatment. OBJECTIVES: This mini-review and pilot study had two main goals: (1) reviewing the most recent literature encompassing the use of interleukins as inflammatory markers influenced by the redox imbalances in T2DM and (2) assessing parameters that conjunctly evaluate the redox impairment and inflammatory burden of T2DM patients, taking into consideration smoking status, as such group-specific biomarkers are scarcely reported in literature. METHODS: Firstly, PubMed database was surveyed to select and review the relevant studies employing interleukins as T2DM biomarkers and to assess if studies using combined inflammatory-redox indices were reported. Then, routine biochemical parameters were assessed in a pilot study -T2DM patients with 3 subgroups: non-smokers, smokers and ex-smokers, were compared to a control group of non-diabetic, apparently healthy non-smokers. Protein (AOPPs, AGEs), lipid/HDL (Amplex Red-based method) oxidative damage and inflammatory status (CRP, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10) biomarkers were assessed. Cytokine ratios and 2 oxidative-inflammatory status indices were developed (IH1 and IH2) and evaluated. RESULTS: We observed significant differences in terms of serum redox and inflammatory status (AOPPs, AGEs, CRP, CRP/HDL, CRP/IL-6, IL-10/IL-6, IH1) between T2DM patients compared to control and, moreover, between the subgroups formed considering smoking status (CRP, CRP/HDL, IH1). Glycemic control strongly influenced inflammatory status biomarkers: glycemia was positively correlated with the inflammatory parameters (CRP/IL-10) and inversely with the anti-inflammatory ones (IL-10, IL-10/IL-1ß ratio). CONCLUSIONS: Several of the assessed parameters may possess prognostic value for diabetics, especially when comparing subgroups with a different smoking history and could prove useful in clinical practice for assessing disease progress and therapeutic efficacy.

Metabolic and Metabolomic Insights Regarding the Omega-3 PUFAs Intake in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is currently considered an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of pancreatic ß-cells, insulin deficiency, and dysglycemia. Dietary factors, including omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs), were reported to influence T1DM. Therefore, a better understanding of the potential role of ω-3 PUFAs in the development and progression of T1DM will help to improve the clinical management of the disease. In this review, we explored the current understanding of molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways induced by ω-3 PUFAs and the beneficial effects of ω-3 PUFAs intake in the prevention and treatment of T1DM, as well as the underlying possible metabolomic (lipidomics) changes.

Identification of Novel Antistaphylococcal Hit Compounds Targeting Sortase A.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a causative agent of many hospital- and community-acquired infections with the tendency to develop resistance to all known antibiotics. Therefore, the development of novel antistaphylococcal agents is of urgent need. Sortase A is considered a promising molecular target for the development of antistaphylococcal agents. The main aim of this study was to identify novel sortase A inhibitors. In order to find novel antistaphylococcal agents, we performed phenotypic screening of a library containing 15512 compounds against S. aureus ATCC43300. The molecular docking of hits was performed using the DOCK program and 10 compounds were selected for in vitro enzymatic activity inhibition assay. Two inhibitors were identified, N,N-diethyl-N'-(5-nitro-2-(quinazolin-2-yl)phenyl)propane-1,3-diamine (1) and acridin-9-yl-(1H-benzoimidazol-5-yl)-amine (2), which decrease sortase A activity with IC50 values of 160.3 µM and 207.01 µM, respectively. It was found that compounds 1 and 2 possess antibacterial activity toward 29 tested multidrug resistant S. aureus strains with MIC values ranging from 78.12 to 312.5 mg/L. These compounds can be used for further structural optimization and biological research.

Zinc status, insulin resistance and glycoxidative stress in elderly subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Zinc deficiencies have been reported in numerous pathologies, such as diabetes mellitus, but also in the physiological process of ageing. Similarly, the end products of glycoxidation processes, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), are damaging compounds, a myriad of reports linking them to the development and progression of several age-associated chronic diseases. The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationships between zinc status, glycoxidative stress and insulin resistance (IR) in elderly subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A group of 52 non-smoking subjects (9 men and 43 women, aged 65-83 years) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study: 27 patients with T2DM, and 25 apparently healthy control subjects. Serum zinc (Zn) levels were assessed using a commercial kit based on an end-point colorimetric method, and serum AGEs were evaluated with a fluorimetric analytic procedure. The calculated glucose-to-zinc ratio (Gly/Zn), insulin-to-zinc ratio (Ins/Zn) and insulin-zinc resistance index (HOMA-IR/Zn) were further used to study the associations between serum Zn levels, secretory function of ß-pancreatic cells and AGEs. T2DM patients presented significantly higher serum insulin and Zn levels, as compared to the controls. We found a significant inverse correlation between Zn and AGEs, and a strong positive correlation between AGEs and the Gly/Zn ratio, suggesting that both Zn and AGEs are biomarkers that could reflect the persistence of hyperglycemia. We identified new surrogate biomarkers useful for the assessment of glycemic control with great potential for the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for elderly diabetics, based on the evaluation of serum Zn levels.

Targeting Monoacylglycerol Lipase in Pursuit of Therapies for Neurological and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Neurological and neurodegenerative diseases are debilitating conditions, and frequently lack an effective treatment. Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is a key enzyme involved in the metabolism of 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol), a neuroprotective endocannabinoid intimately linked to the generation of pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules. Consequently, synthesizing selective MAGL inhibitors has become a focus point in drug design and development. The purpose of this review was to summarize the diverse synthetic scaffolds of MAGL inhibitors concerning their potency, mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications, focusing on the results of studies published in the past five years. The main irreversible inhibitors identified were derivatives of hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol carbamates, glycol carbamates, azetidone triazole ureas and benzisothiazolinone, whereas the most promising reversible inhibitors were derivatives of salicylketoxime, piperidine, pyrrolidone and azetidinyl amides. We reviewed the results of in-depth chemical, mechanistic and computational studies on MAGL inhibitors, in addition to the results of in vitro findings concerning selectivity and potency of inhibitors, using the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) as an indicator of their effect on MAGL. Further, for highlighting the potential usefulness of highly selective and effective inhibitors, we examined the preclinical in vivo reports regarding the promising therapeutic applications of MAGL pharmacological inhibition.

Procaine-The Controversial Geroprotector Candidate: New Insights Regarding Its Molecular and Cellular Effects.

Since its discovery in 1905 and its employment in everyday medical practice as a local anesthetic, to its highly controversial endorsement as an "anti-aging" molecule in the sixties and seventies, procaine is part of the history of medicine and gerontoprophylaxis. Procaine can be considered a "veteran" drug due to its long-time use in clinical practice, but is also a molecule which continues to incite interest, revealing new biological and pharmacological effects within novel experimental approaches. Therefore, this review is aimed at exploring and systematizing recent data on the biochemical, cellular, and molecular mechanisms involved in the antioxidant and potential geroprotective effects of procaine, focusing on the following aspects: (1) the research state-of-the-art, through an objective examination of scientific literature within the last 30 years, describing the positive, as well as the negative reports; (2) the experimental data supporting the beneficial effects of procaine in preventing or alleviating age-related pathology; and (3) the multifactorial pathways procaine impacts oxidative stress, inflammation, atherogenesis, cerebral age-related pathology, DNA damage, and methylation. According to reviewed data, procaine displayed antioxidant and cytoprotective actions in experimental models of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, lipoprotein oxidation, endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation, inflammation, sepsis, intoxication, ionizing irradiation, cancer, and neurodegeneration. This analysis painted a complex pharmacological profile of procaine: a molecule that has not yet fully expressed its therapeutic potential in the treatment and prevention of aging-associated diseases. The numerous recent reports found demonstrate the rising interest in researching the multiple actions of procaine regulating key processes involved in cellular senescence. Its beneficial effects on cell/tissue functions and metabolism could designate procaine as a valuable candidate for the well-established Geroprotectors database.

Effects of Venlafaxine, Risperidone and Febuxostat on Cuprizone-Induced Demyelination, Behavioral Deficits and Oxidative Stress.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating, autoimmune disease that affects a large number of young adults. Novel therapies for MS are needed considering the efficiency and safety limitations of current treatments. In our study, we investigated the effects of venlafaxine (antidepressant, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), risperidone (atypical antipsychotic) and febuxostat (gout medication, xanthine oxidase inhibitor) in the cuprizone mouse model of acute demyelination, hypothesizing an antagonistic effect on TRPA1 calcium channels. Cuprizone and drugs were administered to C57BL6/J mice for five weeks and locomotor activity, motor performance and cold sensitivity were assessed. Mice brains were harvested for histological staining and assessment of oxidative stress markers. Febuxostat and metabolites of venlafaxine (desvenlafaxine) and risperidone (paliperidone) were tested for TRPA1 antagonistic activity. Following treatment, venlafaxine and risperidone significantly improved motor performance and sensitivity to a cold stimulus. All administered drugs ameliorated the cuprizone-induced deficit of superoxide dismutase activity. Desvenlafaxine and paliperidone showed no activity on TRPA1, while febuxostat exhibited agonistic activity at high concentrations. Our findings indicated that all three drugs offered some protection against the effects of cuprizone-induced demyelination. The agonistic activity of febuxostat can be of potential use for discovering novel TRPA1 ligands.

Vitamin E beyond Its Antioxidant Label.

Vitamin E, comprising tocopherols and tocotrienols, is mainly known as an antioxidant. The aim of this review is to summarize the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways linked to inflammation and malignancy modulated by its vitamers. Preclinical reports highlighted a myriad of cellular effects like modulating the synthesis of pro-inflammatory molecules and oxidative stress response, inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, regulating cell cycle, and apoptosis. Furthermore, animal-based models have shown that these molecules affect the activity of various enzymes and signaling pathways, such as MAPK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, JAK/STAT, and NF-κB, acting as the underlying mechanisms of their reported anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-cancer effects. In clinical settings, not all of these were proven, with reports varying considerably. Nonetheless, vitamin E was shown to improve redox and inflammatory status in healthy, diabetic, and metabolic syndrome subjects. The anti-cancer effects were inconsistent, with both pro- and anti-malignant being reported. Regarding its neuroprotective properties, several studies have shown protective effects suggesting vitamin E as a potential prevention and therapeutic (as adjuvant) tool. However, source and dosage greatly influence the observed effects, with bioavailability seemingly a key factor in obtaining the preferred outcome. We conclude that this group of molecules presents exciting potential for the prevention and treatment of diseases with an inflammatory, redox, or malignant component.

Analysis of the intricate effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols on inflammatory pathways in health and disease.

Prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, arthritis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and various infectious diseases; lately most notably COVID-19 have been in the front line of research worldwide. Although targeting different organs, these pathologies have common biochemical impairments - redox disparity and, prominently, dysregulation of the inflammatory pathways. Research data have shown that diet components like polyphenols, poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), fibres as well as lifestyle (fasting, physical exercise) are important factors influencing signalling pathways with a significant potential to improve metabolic homeostasis and immune cells' functions. In the present manuscript we have reviewed scientific data from recent publications regarding the beneficial cellular and molecular effects induced by dietary plant products, mainly polyphenolic compounds and PUFAs, and summarize the clinical outcomes expected from these types of interventions, in a search for effective long-term approaches to improve the immune system response.

The Radioprotective Effect of Procaine and Procaine-Derived Product Gerovital H3 in Lymphocytes from Young and Aged Individuals.

Ionizing radiation induces genomic instability in living organisms, and several studies reported an ageing-dependent radiosensitivity. Chemical compounds, such as scavengers, radioprotectors, and modifiers, contribute to reducing the radiation-associated toxicity. These compounds are often antioxidants, and therefore, in order to be effective, they must be present before or during exposure to radiation. However, not all antioxidants provide radioprotection. In this study, we investigated the effects of procaine and of a procaine-based product Gerovital H3 (GH3) on the formation of endogenous and X-ray-induced DNA strand breaks in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from young and elderly individuals. Interestingly, GH3 showed the strongest radioprotective effects in PBMCs from young subjects, while procaine reduced the endogenous amount of DNA strand breaks more pronounced in aged individuals. Both procaine and GH3 inhibited lipid peroxidation, but procaine was more effective in inhibiting mitochondria free radicals' generation, while GH3 showed a higher antioxidant action on macrophage-induced low-density lipoprotein oxidation. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the distinct effects of procaine and GH3 on DNA damage.

Chronic Inflammation in the Context of Everyday Life: Dietary Changes as Mitigating Factors.

The lifestyle adopted by most people in Western societies has an important impact on the propensity to metabolic disorders (e.g., diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases). This is often accompanied by chronic low-grade inflammation, driven by the activation of various molecular pathways such as STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), IKK (IκB kinase), MMP9 (matrix metallopeptidase 9), MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinases), COX2 (cyclooxigenase 2), and NF-Kß (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells). Multiple intervention studies have demonstrated that lifestyle changes can lead to reduced inflammation and improved health. This can be linked to the concept of real-life risk simulation, since humans are continuously exposed to dietary factors in small doses and complex combinations (e.g., polyphenols, fibers, polyunsaturated fatty acids, etc.). Inflammation biomarkers improve in patients who consume a certain amount of fiber per day; some even losing weight. Fasting in combination with calorie restriction modulates molecular mechanisms such as m-TOR, FOXO, NRF2, AMPK, and sirtuins, ultimately leads to significantly reduced inflammatory marker levels, as well as improved metabolic markers. Moving toward healthier dietary habits at the individual level and in publicly-funded institutions, such as schools or hospitals, could help improving public health, reducing healthcare costs and improving community resilience to epidemics (such as COVID-19), which predominantly affects individuals with metabolic diseases.