Nano-targeting vascular remodeling in cancer: Recent developments and future directions.

Tumor growth and progression are strictly dependent on the adequate blood supply of oxygen and nutrients. The formation of new blood vessels and vascular networks is essential to ensure this demand. Blood vessels also facilitate the invasion of cancer cells into nearby tissues and their subsequent metastasis. Tumor cells represent the main driver of the neovascularization process through the direct or indirect, by neighboring non-cancer cells, release of pro-angiogenic molecules. The mediators (e.g., growth factors and extracellular matrix components), signaling pathways, cellular components, and processes (e.g., endothelial cell proliferation and migration) activated in tumor angiogenesis are similar to those involved in normal vascular development, except they lack efficient control mechanisms. Consequently, newly formed tumor vessels are typically fragile and hyperpermeable with a reduced and erratic blood flow. Targeting the tumor vasculature has been the focus of intense research over the last 20 years. However, despite the initial interest and expectations, the systemic use of anti-angiogenic drugs has not always led to therapeutic breakthroughs and, in some cases, has been associated with the development of tumor adaptive resistance resulting in a more aggressive phenotype. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches have focused on combining anti-angiogenic agents with chemotherapy or immunotherapy and/or optimizing (normalizing) the structure and function of tumor blood vessels to ensure a more efficient drug delivery. In this context, nanomedicine offers the significant advantage of targeting and releasing anti-angiogenic drugs at specific sites, minimizing toxicity in healthy tissues. Several nanoparticles possess intrinsic modulatory effects on angiogenesis, while others have been developed to facilitate drug delivery in association with chemotherapy, thermotherapy, radiotherapy or in response to specific stimuli within the tumor environment (e.g., enzymes, ions, redox potential) or exogenous stimuli (e.g., temperature, electricity, magnetic fields, and ultrasound). Other nanoparticles can modify, under specific conditions, their physical properties (e.g., dimensions, structure, and interactions) to increase penetration in tumor cells. This review provides a comprehensive appraisal of the critical modulators of tumor vascular biology, the most promising nano-strategies that specifically target such modulators, and the directions for future research and clinical applications.

Estrogen distinctly regulates transcription and translation of lncRNAs and pseudogenes in breast cancer cells.

Estrogen drives key transcriptional changes in breast cancer and stimulates breast cancer cells' growth with multiple mechanisms to coordinate transcription and translation. In addition to protein-coding transcripts, estrogen can regulate long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) transcripts, plus diverse non-coding RNAs including antisense, enhancer, and intergenic. LncRNA genes comprise the majority of human genes. The accidental, or regulated, translation of their short open reading frames by ribosomes remains a controversial topic. Here we report for the first time an integrated analysis of RNA abundance and ribosome occupancy level, using Ribo-seq combined with RNA-Seq, in the estrogen-responsive, estrogen receptor α positive, human breast cancer cell model MCF7, before and after hormone treatment. Translational profiling can determine, in an unbiased manner, which fraction of the genome is actually translated into proteins, as well as resolving whether transcription and translation respond concurrently, or differentially, to estrogen treatment. Our data showed specific transcripts more robustly detected in RNA-Seq than in the ribosome-profiling data, and vice versa, suggesting distinct gene-specific estrogen responses at the transcriptional and the translational level, respectively. Here, we showed that estrogen stimulation affects the expression levels of numerous lncRNAs, but not their association with ribosomes, and that most lncRNAs are not ribosome-bound. For the first time, we also demonstrated the transcriptional and translational response of expressed pseudogenes to estrogen, pointing to new perspectives for drug-target development in breast cancer in the future.

Emerging cellular and molecular determinants of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common form of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, is a progressive, irreversible, and typically lethal disease characterized by an abnormal fibrotic response involving vast areas of the lungs. Given the poor knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning IPF onset and progression, a better understanding of the cellular processes and molecular pathways involved is essential for the development of effective therapies, currently lacking. Besides a number of established IPF-associated risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, environmental factors, comorbidities, and viral infections, several other processes have been linked with this devastating disease. Apoptosis, senescence, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, endothelial-mesenchymal transition, and epithelial cell migration have been shown to play a key role in IPF-associated tissue remodeling. Moreover, molecules, such as chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, adenosine, glycosaminoglycans, non-coding RNAs, and cellular processes including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, hypoxia, and alternative polyadenylation have been linked with IPF development. Importantly, strategies targeting these processes have been investigated to modulate abnormal cellular phenotypes and maintain tissue homeostasis in the lung. This review provides an update regarding the emerging cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the onset and progression of IPF.

Therapeutic Potential of Resveratrol in COVID-19-Associated Hemostatic Disorders.

Coagulation disorders, endotheliopathy and inflammation are the most common hallmarks in SARS-CoV-2 infection, largely determining COVID-19's outcome and severity. Dysfunctions of endothelial cells and platelets are tightly linked in contributing to the systemic inflammatory response that appears to be both a cause and a consequence of COVID-19-associated coagulation disorders and thrombotic events. Indeed, elevated levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines are often associated with abnormal coagulation parameters in COVID-19 patients. Although treatments with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) have shown beneficial effects in decreasing patient mortality with severe COVID-19, additional therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Utilizing the anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic properties of natural compounds may provide alternative therapeutic approaches to prevent or reduce the risk factors associated with pre-existing conditions and comorbidities that can worsen COVID-19 patients' outcomes. In this regard, resveratrol, a natural compound found in several plants and fruits such as grapes, blueberries and cranberries, may represent a promising coadjuvant for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. By virtue of its anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory properties, resveratrol would be expected to lower COVID-19-associated mortality, which is well known to be increased by thrombosis and inflammation. This review analyzes and discusses resveratrol's ability to modulate vascular hemostasis at different levels targeting both primary hemostasis (interfering with platelet activation and aggregation) and secondary hemostasis (modulating factors involved in coagulation cascade).

Iloprost Attenuates Oxidative Stress-Dependent Activation of Collagen Synthesis Induced by Sera from Scleroderma Patients in Human Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cells.

Endothelial cell injury is an early event in systemic sclerosis (SSc) pathogenesis and several studies indicate oxidative stress as the trigger of SSc-associated vasculopathy. Here, we show that circulating factors present in sera of SSc patients increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and collagen synthesis in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs). In addition, the possibility that iloprost, a drug commonly used in SSc therapy, might modulate the above-mentioned biological phenomena has been also investigated. In this regard, as compared to sera of SSc patients, sera of iloprost-treated SSc patients failed to increased ROS levels and collagen synthesis in HPMEC, suggesting a potential antioxidant mechanism of this drug.

Resveratrol Inhibits Oxidative Stress and Prevents Mitochondrial Damage Induced by Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Despite their wide industrial use, Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit a high toxic potential while concerns of their health-related risks are still present, urging additional in vivo clarification studies. Oxidative stress is recognized as the primary trigger of NP-associated toxicity, suggesting antioxidants as a promising counteractive approach. Here, we investigated the protective effect of the natural antioxidant resveratrol against ZnO NP-induced toxicity in vivo using the zebrafish model. Our findings demonstrate that resveratrol counteracts ZnO NP-induced zebrafish lethality preventing cardiac morphological and functional damage. NP-induced vascular structural abnormalities during embryonic fish development were significantly counteracted by resveratrol treatment. Mechanistically, we further showed that resveratrol inhibits ROS increase, prevents mitochondrial membrane potential dysfunction, and counteracts cell apoptosis/necrosis elicited by ZnO NP. Overall, our data provide further evidence demonstrating the primary role of oxidative stress in NP-induced damage, and highlight new insights concerning the protective mechanism of antioxidants against nanomaterial toxicity.

Protective Effect of Cyclically Pressurized Solid⁻Liquid Extraction Polyphenols from Cagnulari Grape Pomace on Oxidative Endothelial Cell Death.

The aim of this work is the evaluation of a green extraction technology to exploit winery waste byproducts. Specifically, a solid⁻liquid extraction technology (Naviglio Extractor®) was used to obtain polyphenolic antioxidants from the Cagnulari grape marc. The extract was then chemically characterized by spectrophotometric analysis, high-performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry, revealing a total polyphenol content of 4.00 g/L ± 0.05, and the presence of anthocyanins, one of the most representative groups among the total polyphenols in grapes. To investigate potential biological activities of the extract, its ability to counteract hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and cell death was assessed in primary human endothelial cells. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test, used to assess potential extract cytotoxicity, failed to show any deleterious effect on cultured cells. Fluorescence measurements, attained with the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) probe 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCF-DA), revealed a strong antioxidant potential of the marc extract on the used cells, as indicated by the inhibition of the hydrogen peroxide-induced ROS generation and the counteraction of the oxidative-induced cell death. Our results indicate the Naviglio extraction, as a green technology process, can be used to exploit wine waste to obtain antioxidants which can be used to produce enriched foods and nutraceuticals high in antioxidants.

N- and S-homocysteinylation reduce the binding of human serum albumin to catechins.

PURPOSE: The dietary flavonoids epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have been shown to interact with circulating albumin for transport in blood to different body tissues. This interaction may modulate their bioavailability and effectiveness. METHODS: Using affinity capillary electrophoresis to assess binding constants (K b), we investigated whether posttranslational modification of human serum albumin (HSA) through N- and S-homocysteinylation, commonly observed in hyperhomocysteinemia, may modify its interaction with catechins. RESULTS: S-Hcy HSA had lower Kb values toward EC (14 %), EGC (18 %), ECG (24 %) and EGCG (30 %). Similarly, N-Hcy HSA had lower Kb values toward EC (17 %), EGC (22 %), ECG (23 %) and EGCG (32 %). No differences were observed in the affinity between catechins, albumin and mercaptalbumin. CONCLUSION: Therefore, HSA posttranslational modifications typical of hyperhomocysteinemia reduce its affinity to catechins, potentially affecting their pharmacokinetics and availability at the active sites.

Tracing vitamins on the long non-coding lane of the transcriptome: vitamin regulation of LncRNAs.

A major revelation of genome-scale biological studies in the post-genomic era has been that two-thirds of human genes do not encode proteins. The majority of non-coding RNA transcripts in humans are long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) molecules, non-protein-coding regulatory transcripts with sizes greater than 500 nucleotides. LncRNAs are involved in nearly every aspect of cellular physiology, playing fundamental regulatory roles both in normal cells and in disease. As result, they are functionally linked to multiple human diseases, from cancer to autoimmune, inflammatory, and neurological disorders. Numerous human conditions and diseases stem from gene-environment interactions; in this regard, a wealth of reports demonstrate that the intake of specific and essential nutrients, including vitamins, shapes our transcriptome, with corresponding impacts on health. Vitamins command a vast array of biological activities, acting as coenzymes, antioxidants, hormones, and regulating cellular proliferation and coagulation. Emerging evidence suggests that vitamins and lncRNAs are interconnected through several regulatory axes. This type of interaction is expected, since lncRNA has been implicated in sensing the environment in eukaryotes, conceptually similar to riboswitches and other RNAs that act as molecular sensors in prokaryotes. In this review, we summarize the peer-reviewed literature to date that has reported specific functional linkages between vitamins and lncRNAs, with an emphasis on mammalian models and humans, while providing a brief overview of the source, metabolism, and function of the vitamins most frequently investigated within the context of lncRNA molecular mechanisms, and discussing the published research findings that document specific connections between vitamins and lncRNAs.

Protective Effect of Knee Postoperative Fluid on Oxidative-Induced Damage in Human Knee Articular Chondrocytes.

The oxidative-stress-elicited deterioration of chondrocyte function is the initial stage of changes leading to the disruption of cartilage homeostasis. These changes entail a series of catabolic damages mediated by proinflammatory cytokines, MMPs, and aggrecanases, which increase ROS generation. Such uncontrolled ROS production, inadequately balanced by the cellular antioxidant capacity, eventually contributes to the development and progression of chondropathies. Several pieces of evidence show that different growth factors, single or combined, as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, can stimulate chondrogenesis and improve cartilage repair and regeneration. In this view, hypothesizing a potential growth-factor-associated action, we investigate the possible protective effect of post-operation knee fluid from patients undergoing prosthesis replacement surgery against ROS-induced damage on normal human knee articular chondrocytes (HKACs). To this end, HKACs were pre-treated with post-operation knee fluid and then exposed to H2O2 to mimic oxidative stress. Intracellular ROS levels were measured by using the molecular probe H2DCFDA; cytosolic and mitochondrial oxidative status were assessed by using HKACs infected with lentiviral particles harboring the redox-sensing green fluorescent protein (roGFP); and cell proliferation was determined by measuring the rate of DNA synthesis with BrdU incorporation. Moreover, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione levels from the cell lysates of treated cells were also measured. Postoperative peripheral blood sera from the same patients were used as controls. Our study shows that post-operation knee fluid can counteract H2O2-elicited oxidative stress by decreasing the intracellular ROS levels, preserving the cytosolic and mitochondrial redox status, maintaining the proliferation of oxidatively stressed HKACs, and upregulating chondrocyte antioxidant defense. Overall, our results support and propose an important effect of post-operation knee fluid substances in maintaining HKAC function by mediating cell antioxidative system upregulation and protecting cells from oxidative stress.

Enhanced vasorin signaling mitigates adverse cardiovascular remodeling.

Arterial stiffening is a critical risk factor contributing to the exponential rise in age-associated cardiovascular disease incidence. This process involves age-induced arterial proinflammation, collagen deposition, and calcification, which collectively contribute to arterial stiffening. The primary driver of proinflammatory processes leading to collagen deposition in the arterial wall is the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-ß1) signaling. Activation of this signaling is pivotal in driving vascular extracellular remodeling, eventually leading to arterial fibrosis and calcification. Interestingly, the glycosylated protein vasorin (VASN) physically interacts with TGF-ß1, and functionally restraining its proinflammatory fibrotic signaling in arterial walls and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Notably, as age advances, matrix metalloproteinase type II (MMP-2) is activated, which effectively cleaves VASN protein in both arterial walls and VSMCs. This age-associated/MMP-2-mediated decrease in VASN levels exacerbates TGF-ß1 activation, amplifying arterial fibrosis and calcification in the arterial wall. Importantly, TGF-ß1 is a downstream molecule of the angiotensin II (Ang II) signaling pathway in the arterial wall and VSMCs, which is modulated by VASN. Indeed, chronic administration of Ang II to young rats significantly activates MMP-2 and diminishes the VASN expression to levels comparable to untreated older control rats. This review highlights and discusses the role played by VASN in mitigating fibrosis and calcification by alleviating TGF-ß1 activation and signaling in arterial walls and VSMCs. Understanding these molecular physical and functional interactions may pave the way for establishing VASN-based therapeutic strategies to counteract adverse age-associated cardiovascular remodeling, eventually reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Association between ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) and peripheral endothelial dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

The identification of circulating biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction (ED), a precursor to atherosclerosis, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) would facilitate early risk stratification and prevention strategies. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) has emerged as a potential biomarker of oxidative stress, ischemia, and ED. However, studies examining the relationship between IMA and ED in RA patients are lacking. We measured serum IMA concentrations by using an albumin cobalt binding test and peripheral vasodilatory capacity by EndoPAT in 113 RA patients without previous cardiovascular events enrolled in the EDRA study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02341066). The mean peripheral vasodilatory capacity, expressed by the log of reactive hyperemia index (logRHI), was 0.82, corresponding to 27% RA patients having ED. The mean plasma concentrations of IMA were 0.478 absorbance units. We observed a significant and inverse association between peripheral vasodilatory capacity and serum IMA concentrations (rho = - 0.22, p = 0.02). In univariate logistic regression, ED was significantly associated with serum IMA concentrations [OR 1173 (95% CI 1.3568 to 101,364), p = 0.040) and higher disease activity. In multivariate logistic regression, the independent association between ED and IMA remained significant after correction for disease activity and other RA-confounders [OR 2252 (95% CI 1.0596 to 4,787,505), p = 0.048 in Model 1; OR 7221 (95% CI 4.1539 to 12,552,859), p = 0.02 in Model 2]. Conclusions: This study suggests that IMA is a promising biomarker of ED in RA. Further research is needed to confirm our findings and determine the clinical utility of IMA in detecting and managing early atherosclerosis in RA patients.

microRNA 21 and long non-coding RNAs interplays underlie cancer pathophysiology: A narrative review.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a diverse group of functional RNA molecules that lack the ability to code for proteins. Despite missing this traditional role, ncRNAs have emerged as crucial regulators of various biological processes and have been implicated in the development and progression of many diseases, including cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are two prominent classes of ncRNAs that have emerged as key players in cancer pathophysiology. In particular, miR-21 has been reported to exhibit oncogenic roles in various forms of human cancer, including prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. In this context, miR-21 overexpression is closely associated with tumor proliferation, growth, invasion, angiogenesis, and chemoresistance, whereas miR-21 inactivation is linked to the regression of most tumor-related processes. Accordingly, miR-21 is a crucial modulator of various canonical oncogenic pathways such as PTEN/PI3K/Akt, Wnt/ß-catenin, STAT, p53, MMP2, and MMP9. Moreover, interplays between lncRNA and miRNA further complicate the regulatory mechanisms underlying tumor development and progression. In this regard, several lncRNAs have been found to interact with miR-21 and, by functioning as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) or miRNA sponges, can modulate cancer tumorigenesis. This work presents and discusses recent findings highlighting the roles and pathophysiological implications of the miR-21-lncRNA regulatory axis in cancer occurrence, development, and progression. The data collected indicate that specific lncRNAs, such as MEG3, CASC2, and GAS5, are strongly associated with miR-21 in various types of cancer, including gastric, cervical, lung, and glioma. Indeed, these lncRNAs are well-known tumor suppressors and are commonly downregulated in different types of tumors. Conversely, by modulating various mechanisms and oncogenic signaling pathways, their overexpression has been linked with preventing tumor formation and development. This review highlights the significance of these regulatory pathways in cancer and their potential for use in cancer therapy as diagnostic and prognostic markers.

Non-coding RNAs as biomarkers of myocardial infarction.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) encompass a family of ubiquitous RNA molecules that lack protein-coding potential and have tissue-specific expression. A significant body of evidence indicates that ncRNA's aberrant expression plays a critical role in disease onset and development. NcRNAs' biochemical characteristics such as disease-associated concentration changes, structural stability, and high abundance in body fluids make them promising prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers. Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the term in use to describe MI's early phase, is generally diagnosed by physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), and the presence of specific biomarkers. In this regard, compared to standard MI biomarkers, such as the cardiac troponin isoforms (cTnT & cTnI) and the Creatinine Kinase (CK), ncRNAs appears to provide better sensitivity and specificity, ensuring a rapid and correct diagnosis, an earlier treatment, and consequently a good prognosis for the patients. This review aims to summarize and discuss the most promising and recent data on the potential clinical use of circulating ncRNAs as MI biomarkers. Specifically, we focused primarily on miRNAs and lncRNAs, highlighting their significant specificity and sensitivity, discussing their limitations, and suggesting possible overcoming approaches.

Metformin-mediated epigenetic modifications in diabetes and associated conditions: Biological and clinical relevance.

An intricate interplay between genetic and environmental factors contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its complications. Therefore, it is not surprising that the epigenome also plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of T2D. Hyperglycemia can indeed trigger epigenetic modifications, thereby regulating different gene expression patterns. Such epigenetic changes can persist after normalizing serum glucose concentrations, suggesting the presence of a 'metabolic memory' of previous hyperglycemia which may also be epigenetically regulated. Metformin, a derivative of biguanide known to reduce serum glucose concentrations in patients with T2D, appears to exert additional pleiotropic effects that are mediated by multiple epigenetic modifications. Such modifications have been reported in various organs, tissues, and cellular compartments and appear to account for the effects of metformin on glycemic control as well as local and systemic inflammation, oxidant stress, and fibrosis. This review discusses the emerging evidence regarding the reported metformin-mediated epigenetic modifications, particularly on short and long non-coding RNAs, DNA methylation, and histone proteins post-translational modifications, their biological and clinical significance, potential therapeutic applications, and future research directions.

Potential Therapeutic Targets of Resveratrol in the Prevention and Treatment of Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a feared component in over 200 interstitial pulmonary diseases, which are characterized by increased alveolar wall thickness, excessive scarring, and aberrant extracellular matrix restructuring that, ultimately, affect lung compliance and capacity. As a result of its broad range of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and many others, resveratrol has been shown to be an effective treatment for respiratory system diseases, including interstitial lung disease, infectious diseases, and lung cancer. This work reviews the known molecular therapeutic targets of resveratrol and its potential mechanisms of action in attenuating PF in respiratory diseases, including cancer, COVID-19, interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) of known etiologies, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and ILDs associated with systemic disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, Schrödinger's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and pulmonary hypertension. The current issues and controversies related to the possible use of resveratrol as a pharmaceutical drug or supplement are also discussed.

Cytoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-migratory activity of Pistacia lentiscus L. supercritical carbon dioxide extract on primary human endothelial cells.

Green chemistry is a useful tool for producing valuable chemicals from biomass. However, extracted compounds need to be tested for safety and efficacy before their use in humans. Here we investigate the chemical composition and biological effects of a leaves Pistacia lentiscus L. supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) extract. Terpenes represented the main extract fraction, with Germacrene D (11.18%), delta-cadinene (10.54%), and alpha-pinene (8.7%) the most abundant molecules. Challenged with endothelial cells (ECs), increasing extract concentrations failed to affect cell proliferation or promote cell toxicity. ROS assessment in unstressed and H2O2-treated ECs revealed an extract dose-dependent antioxidant activity. Exposition of H2O2-treated ECs to increasing extract concentrations dose-dependently counteracted H2O2-induced cell impairments. The extract significantly counteracted fetal calf serum-induced ECs migration. For the first time, we report that a SCCO2 extract obtained from PL leaves is safe on ECs and may be a useful source of valuable compounds with vasculoprotective properties.

Resveratrol-Mediated Regulation of Mitochondria Biogenesis-associated Pathways in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Molecular Insights and Potential Therapeutic Applications.

Neurodegenerative disorders include different neurological conditions that affect nerve cells, causing the progressive loss of their functions and ultimately leading to loss of mobility, coordination, and mental functioning. The molecular mechanisms underpinning neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis are still unclear. Nonetheless, there is experimental evidence to demonstrate that the perturbation of mitochondrial function and dynamics play an essential role. In this context, mitochondrial biogenesis, the growth, and division of preexisting mitochondria, by controlling mitochondria number, plays a vital role in maintaining proper mitochondrial mass and function, thus ensuring efficient synaptic activity and brain function. Mitochondrial biogenesis is tightly associated with the control of cell division and variations in energy demand in response to extracellular stimuli; therefore, it may represent a promising therapeutic target for developing new curative approaches to prevent or counteract neurodegenerative disorders. Accordingly, several inducers of mitochondrial biogenesis have been proposed as pharmacological targets for treating diverse central nervous system conditions. The naturally occurring polyphenol resveratrol has been shown to promote mitochondrial biogenesis in various tissues, including the nervous tissue, and an ever-growing number of studies highlight its neurotherapeutic potential. Besides preventing cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, resveratrol has been shown to be able to enhance mitochondria biogenesis by acting on its main effectors, including PGC-1α, SIRT1, AMPK, ERRs, TERT, TFAM, NRF-1 and NRF-2. This review aims to present and discuss the current findings concerning the impact of resveratrol on the machinery and main effectors modulating mitochondrial biogenesis in the context of neurodegenerative diseases.

Effect of Resveratrol on Pregnancy, Prenatal Complications and Pregnancy-Associated Structure Alterations.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes are considered significant health risks for pregnant women and their offspring during pregnancy and throughout their lifespan. These outcomes lead to a perturbated in-utero environment that impacts critical phases of the fetus's life and correlates to an increased risk of chronic pathological conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases, in both the mother's and adult offspring's life. The dietary intake of naturally occurring antioxidants promotes health benefits and disease prevention. In this regard, maternal dietary intake of polyphenolic antioxidants is linked to a reduced risk of maternal obesity and cardio-metabolic disorders, positively affecting both the fetus and offspring. In this work, we will gather and critically appraise the current literature highlighting the effect/s of the naturally occurring polyphenol antioxidant resveratrol on oxidative stress, inflammation, and other molecular and physiological phenomena associated with pregnancy and pregnancy conditions, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm labor. The resveratrol impact on prenatal complications and pregnancy-associated structures, such as the fetus and placenta, will also be discussed. Finally, we will draw conclusions from the current knowledge and provide future perspectives on potentially exploiting resveratrol as a therapeutic tool in pregnancy-associated conditions.

Implications and theragnostic potentials of circular RNAs in rheumatic diseases.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), are highly stable and ubiquitous molecules that exhibit tissue-specific expression. Accumulating evidence has shown that aberrant expression of circRNAs can play a role in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Rheumatic diseases are a varied group of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders affecting mainly the musculoskeletal system. Notably, circRNAs, which are essential immune system gene modulators, are strongly linked to the occurrence and progression of autoimmune disorders. Here, we present and discuss the current findings concerning the roles, implications and theragnostic potentials of circRNAs in common rheumatic diseases, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), osteoarthritis (OA), osteoporosis (OP), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Crohn's disease (CD), and gout. This review aims to provide new insights to support the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these disabling diseases.