Exploring the Link Between Telomeres and Mitochondria: Mechanisms and Implications in Different Cell Types.

Telomeres protect chromosome ends from damage, but they shorten with each cell division due to the limitations of DNA replication and are further affected by oxidative stress. This shortening is a key feature of aging, and telomerase, an enzyme that extends telomeres, helps mitigate this process. Aging is also associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) that exacerbate cellular damage and promote apoptosis.

Advanced Wearable Devices for Monitoring Sweat Biochemical Markers in Athletic Performance: A Comprehensive Review.

Wearable technology has advanced significantly, offering real-time monitoring of athletes' physiological parameters and optimizing training and recovery strategies. Recent developments focus on biosensor devices capable of monitoring biochemical parameters in addition to physiological ones. These devices employ noninvasive methods such as sweat analysis, which reveals critical biomarkers like glucose, lactate, electrolytes, pH, and cortisol.

In Vivo Antioxidant Activity of Common Dietary Flavonoids: Insights from the Yeast Model .

Background: Oxidative stress, associated with diseases and aging, underscores the therapeutic potential of natural antioxidants. Flavonoids, known for scavenging free radicals and modulating cell signaling, offer significant health benefits and contribute to longevity. To explore their in vivo effects, we investigated the antioxidant activity of quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, naringenin, and genistein, using as a model organism.

Innovative Approach for Human Semen Quality Assessment Based on Volatilomics.

The volatilome profile of some biofluids (blood, urine, and human semen) identified by Solid-Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) and collected from young men living in two high-pollution areas in Italy, i.e., Land of Fires and Valley of Sacco River, have been coupled to sperm parameters obtained by spermiogram analysis to build general multiple regression models.

Ctp1 and Yhm2: Two Mitochondrial Citrate Transporters to Support Metabolic Flexibility of .

Differently from higher eukaryotic cells, in the yeast there are two mitochondrial carrier proteins involved in the transport of citrate: Ctp1 and Yhm2. Very little is known about the physiological role of these proteins. Wild-type and mutant yeast strains deleted in and were grown in media supplemented with a fermentable (glucose) or a nonfermentable (ethanol) carbon source.

Evaluation of Genistein as a Mitochondrial Modulator and Its Effects on Sperm Quality.

Phytoestrogens, such as isoflavones, are bioactive compounds found in plants with defense and protection functions. In the human body, they simulate the behavior of the hormone estradiol and can modulate the function of the male hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This study aims to describe the effects of genistein on sperm quality of Wistar rats (male/adult) after a short oral administration protocol (50 mg/day, for 5 days), focusing on mitochondrial function.

Insights into the malfunctioning of the mitochondrial citrate carrier: Implications for cell pathology.

The mitochondrial citrate carrier (CIC) is a member of the mitochondrial carrier family and is responsible for the transit of tricarboxylates and dicarboxylates across the inner membrane. By modulating the flux of these molecules, it represents the molecular link between catabolic and anabolic reactions that take place in distinct cellular sub-compartments. Therefore, this transport protein represents an important element of investigation both in physiology and in pathology.

Diet and Male Fertility: The Impact of Nutrients and Antioxidants on Sperm Energetic Metabolism.

Diet might affect male reproductive potential, but the biochemical mechanisms involved in the modulation of sperm quality remain poorly understood. While a Western diet is considered a risk factor for male infertility, the Mediterranean diet seems to protect against male infertility; moreover, the role of a vegetarian habitus in the preservation of sperm quality is controversial. The aim of this review is to analyze the molecular effects of single nutrients on sperm quality, focusing on their involvement in biochemical mechanisms related to sperm bioenergetics.

Blood, urine and semen Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) pattern analysis for assessing health environmental impact in highly polluted areas in Italy.

Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) analysis is usually applied in pollution assessment by checking for toxic or harmful volatile compounds in air, water and soil samples. In this study, exogenous VOCs and their derivatives, metabolized by cells, were valued into specific body fluids. In particular, the VOC profiles of blood, urine and human semen samples collected from young men living in two high pollution areas in Italy, i.

Physical Activity and Male Reproductive Function: A New Role for Gamete Mitochondria.

Several studies demonstrated that some types of physical exercise might affect male reproductive potential, even though the potential mechanisms involved in the modulation of sperm quality remain poorly understood. Therefore, we propose a new role for gamete mitochondria as a key hub that coordinates molecular events related to the effects induced by physical exercise.

Modulation of Human Sperm Mitochondrial Respiration Efficiency by Plant Polyphenols.

Plant bioactives, such as polyphenols, can differentially affect (positively or negatively) sperm quality, depending on their concentration. These molecules have been proposed as natural scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for male infertility treatment. However, few data are available about their effects on the molecular mechanisms related to sperm quality and, in particular, to sperm mitochondrial function.

The mitochondrial aspartate/glutamate carrier (AGC or Aralar1) isoforms in D. melanogaster: biochemical characterization, gene structure, and evolutionary analysis.

Background: In man two mitochondrial aspartate/glutamate carrier (AGC) isoforms, known as aralar and citrin, are required to accomplish several metabolic pathways. In order to fill the existing gap of knowledge in Drosophila melanogaster, we have studied aralar1 gene, orthologue of human AGC-encoding genes in this organism.

Methods: The blastp algorithm and the "reciprocal best hit" approach have been used to identify the human orthologue of AGCs in Drosophilidae and non-Drosophilidae.

Mitochondrial Protein Network: From Biogenesis to Bioenergetics in Health and Disease.

Mitochondria are double membrane-bound organelles which are essential for the viability of eukaryotic cells, because they play a crucial role in bioenergetics, metabolism and signaling [...

Herbicides glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium negatively affect human sperm mitochondria respiration efficiency.

The widespread cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) led to a widespread use of selective herbicides to which GMOs are resistant, thus increasing the concern about human exposure to them. Glyphosate (GLY) and glufosinate ammonium (GA), the active principles of the main formulations, have been investigated for their effects on human health, mainly cancer and reproductive toxicity. However, little is known about their effects on the molecular mechanisms related to sperm quality.

Brief daily access to cafeteria-style diet impairs hepatic metabolism even in the absence of excessive body weight gain in rats.

Numerous nutritional approaches aimed at reducing body weight have been developed as a strategy to reduce obesity. Most of these interventions rely on reducing caloric intake or limiting calories access to a few hours per day. In this work, we analyzed the effects of the extended (24 hours/day) or restricted (1 hour/day) access to a cafeteria-style (CAF) diet, on rat body weight and hepatic lipid metabolism, with respect to control rats (CTR) fed with a standard chow diet.

Centrifugation Force and Time Alter CASA Parameters and Oxidative Status of Cryopreserved Stallion Sperm.

Conventional sperm selection techniques used in ARTs rely on centrifugation steps. To date, the different studies reported on the effects of centrifugation on stallion sperm motility provided contrasting results and do not include effects on mitochondrial functionality and different oxidative parameters. The effects of different centrifugation protocols (300 ×g for 5', 300 ×g for 10', 1500 ×g for 5' and 1500 ×g for 10' vs no centrifugation) on motility and oxidative status in cryopreserved stallion sperm, were analyzed.

Sperm selection in assisted reproduction: A review of established methods and cutting-edge possibilities.

Male infertility often involves idiopathic or unknown causes, leading to an increasing demand for assisted reproduction technologies (ART). Conventional sperm sorting techniques rely on centrifugation steps that are known to cause oxidative stress and consequently damage cells. Alternative novel techniques have been introduced but offer disadvantages that need to be overcome.

Crosstalk between mitochondrial metabolism and oxidoreductive homeostasis: a new perspective for understanding the effects of bioactive dietary compounds.

Mitochondria play an important role in a number of fundamental cellular processes, including energy production, biosynthetic pathways and cellular oxidoreductive homeostasis (redox status), and their dysfunction can lead to numerous pathophysiological consequences. As the biochemical mechanisms orchestrating mitochondrial metabolism and redox homeostasis are functionally linked, mitochondria have been identified as a potential therapeutic target. Consequently, considerable effort has been made to evaluate the efficacy of natural compounds that modulate mitochondrial function.

Prunus Mahaleb Fruit Extract Prevents Chemically Induced Colitis and Enhances Mitochondrial Oxidative Metabolism via the Activation of the Nrf2 Pathway.

Scope: Polyphenols exhibit their antioxidant activity downstream the activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathway (Nrf2), but the connection between lipid metabolism and the Nrf2 pathway is still unknown. Flavonoid-rich concentrated extract from Prunus mahaleb (mahaleb concentrated fruit extract; MCFE) may act on oxido-reductive homeostasis and hepatic lipid metabolism via Nrf2.

Methods & Results: MCFE ability to enhance the activity of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant/detoxifying enzymes is investigated in liver and colon of BALB/c mice.

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Proteins Involved in Bioenergetics Pathways Associated with Human Sperm Motility.

Sperm motility is the most important parameter involved in the fertilization process and it is strictly required for reproductive success. Although sperm movements are essential for the physiologic fertilization process, the data, deriving from studies focused on the research of altered cell pathways involved in asthenozoospermia, offer only limited information about the molecular mechanism underlying sperm motility. The aim of this study was to identify proteins involved in human sperm motility deficiency by using label-free mass-spectrometry liquid chromatography (LC-MS/MS).