Palmitoylethanolamide in Postmenopausal Metabolic Syndrome: Current Evidence and Clinical Perspectives.

Menopause leads to a decline in estrogen levels, resulting in significant metabolic alterations that increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome-a cluster of conditions including central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Traditional interventions such as hormone replacement therapy carry potential adverse effects, and lifestyle modifications alone may not suffice for all women. This review explores the potential role of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), an endogenous fatty acid amide, in managing metabolic syndrome during the postmenopausal period.

Carotenoid Interactions with PCSK9: Exploring Novel Cholesterol-Lowering Strategies.

: This study investigated the potential of green algae-derived carotenoids as natural inhibitors of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a key regulator of cholesterol metabolism. PCSK9 promotes the degradation of low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR), thereby increasing blood cholesterol levels and elevating the risk of cardiovascular diseases. /: We screened the pharmacophore fit score of 27 carotenoids with PCSK9 and identified 14 that were analyzed for binding affinity and molecular interactions.

Computational Assessment of Carotenoids as Keap1-Nrf2 Protein-Protein Interaction Inhibitors: Implications for Antioxidant Strategies.

The Keap1-Nrf2 pathway is an essential system that maintains redox homeostasis and modulates key metabolic processes, including metabolism of amino acids to promote the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes. Inhibitors of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between Keap1 and Nrf2 have emerged as a promising strategy for developing novel classes of antioxidant agents that selectively activate this pathway without off-target effects. Carotenoids, a large family of lipophilic isoprenoids synthesized by all photosynthetic organisms, are well-known for their antioxidant activities.

Effects of Maltodextrin-Fructose Supplementation on Inflammatory Biomarkers and Lipidomic Profile Following Endurance Running: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Cross-Over Trial.

Background: Managing metabolism for optimal training, performance, and recovery in medium-to-high-level endurance runners involves enhancing energy systems through strategic nutrient intake. Optimal carbohydrate intake before, during, and after endurance running can enhance glycogen stores and maintain optimal blood glucose levels, influencing various physiological responses and adaptations, including transitory post-endurance inflammation. This randomized trial investigates the impact of a high-dose 2:1 maltodextrin-fructose supplementation to medium-to-high-level endurance runners immediately before, during, and after a 15 km run at 90% VO intensity on post-exercise inflammatory stress.

Kaempferol as a novel inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has quickly become a global health pandemic. Among the viral proteins, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is responsible for viral genome replication and has emerged as a promising target against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Dietary bioactive compounds represent an important source of evolutionarily optimized molecules with antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2 RdRp.

Polyunsaturated fatty acid status and markers of oxidative stress and inflammation across the lifespan: A cross-sectional study in a cohort with long-lived individuals.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are known to have a regulatory effect on oxidative and inflammatory processes. This study aimed to identify the relationship between blood PUFA status and circulatory markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in a cohort of 172 subjects. The population was divided by sex and into three age groups: adults (18-64 years old, n = 69), older adults (65-89 years old, n = 54), and long-lived individuals (LLIs, 90-111 years old, n = 49).

Targeting Extracellular Vesicles: A New Putative Strategy to Counteract Their Pathogenic Potential.

Long-term inflammatory skin disease atopic dermatitis is characterized by dry skin, itching, and eczematous lesions. During inflammation skin barrier protein impairment promotes colonisation in the inflamed skin, worsening AD patient's clinical condition. Proteomic analysis revealed the presence of several immune evasion proteins and virulence factors in extracellular vesicles (EVs), suggesting a possible role for these proteins in the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis.

Sleep and Oxidative Stress: Current Perspectives on the Role of NRF2.

Sleep is a fundamental conserved physiological state across evolution, suggesting vital biological functions that are yet to be fully clarified. However, our understanding of the neural and molecular basis of sleep regulation has increased rapidly in recent years. Among various processes implicated in controlling sleep homeostasis, a bidirectional relationship between sleep and oxidative stress has recently emerged.

Omega-3 Index as a Sport Biomarker: Implications for Cardiovascular Health, Injury Prevention, and Athletic Performance.

The composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the cell membrane plays a crucial role in cell signaling and function. Physical activity can induce shifts in PUFA metabolism, potentially altering their membrane composition. Given the multifaceted regulatory and structural roles of PUFA, training-related fluctuations in PUFA concentrations may impact health and athletic performance in both elite and non-elite athletes, highlighting the critical role of these fatty acids' nutritional intake.

A pilot study on the efficacy of a seaweed mud application in the treatment of cellulite.

Background: Cellulite represents a common multi-factorial condition that affects nearly all women and is now recognized as a clinical condition associated with systemic factors and negative psychological effects. Several noninvasive and minimally invasive treatments were developed during the last few years, but limited evidence supports many of them due to lack of evidence, insufficient participants, and potential adverse effects.

Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a seaweed mud application in improving both the structure and function of tissues affected by cellulite.

Dietary Astaxanthin: A Promising Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Agent for Brain Aging and Adult Neurogenesis.

Decreased adult neurogenesis, or the gradual depletion of neural stem cells in adult neurogenic niches, is considered a hallmark of brain aging. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the intricate relationship between aging, adult neurogenesis, and the potential neuroregenerative properties of astaxanthin, a carotenoid principally extracted from the microalga The unique chemical structure of astaxanthin enables it to cross the blood-brain barrier and easily reach the brain, where it may positively influence adult neurogenesis. Astaxanthin can affect molecular pathways involved in the homeostasis, through the activation of FOXO3-related genetic pathways, growth, and regeneration of adult brain neurons, enhancing cell proliferation and the potency of stem cells in neural progenitor cells.

NRF2 signaling pathway and telomere length in aging and age-related diseases.

The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is well recognized as a critical regulator of redox, metabolic, and protein homeostasis, as well as the regulation of inflammation. An age-associated decline in NRF2 activity may allow oxidative stress to remain unmitigated and affect key features associated with the aging phenotype, including telomere shortening. Telomeres, the protective caps of eukaryotic chromosomes, are highly susceptible to oxidative DNA damage, which can accelerate telomere shortening and, consequently, lead to premature senescence and genomic instability.

Ozonated Oil in Liposome Eyedrops Reduces the Formation of Biofilm, Selection of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, and Adhesion of Bacteria to Human Corneal Cells.

The recent attention to the risk of potential permanent eye damage triggered by ocular infections has been leading to a deeper investigation of the current antimicrobials. An antimicrobial agent used in ophthalmology should possess the following characteristics: a broad antimicrobial spectrum, prompt action even in the presence of organic matter, and nontoxicity. The objective of this study is to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of widely used ophthalmic antiseptics containing povidone-iodine, chlorhexidine, and liposomes containing ozonated sunflower oil.

Equol and Resveratrol Improve Bone Turnover Biomarkers in Postmenopausal Women: A Clinical Trial.

Estrogen deficiency is a major cause of loss of postmenopausal bone mineral density (BMD). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of equol and resveratrol on bone turnover biomarkers in postmenopausal women. Sixty healthy postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to receive 200 mg fermented soy containing 10 mg equol and 25 mg resveratrol or a placebo for 12 months.

Nutraceuticals as Modulators of Immune Function: A Review of Potential Therapeutic Effects.

Dietary supplementation with nutraceuticals can promote optimal immune system activation, modulating different pathways that enhance immune defenses. Therefore, the immunity-boosting effects of nutraceuticals encompass not only immunomodulatory but also antioxidant, antitumor, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, with therapeutic effects against diverse pathological conditions. However, the complexity of the pathways that regulate the immune system, numerous mechanisms of action, and heterogeneity of the immunodeficiencies, and subjects treated make their application in the clinical field difficult.

Relationship between monounsaturated fatty acids and sarcopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Accumulating evidence suggests that fatty acids (FAs) play an essential role in regulating skeletal muscle mass and function throughout life. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the relationship between dietary or circulatory levels of monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs) and sarcopenia in observational studies. A comprehensive literature search was performed in three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) from inception until August 2022.

The Emerging Role of Flavonoids in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifaceted neurodevelopmental syndrome, accumulating evidence indicates that oxidative stress and inflammation are common features of ASD. Flavonoids, one of the largest and best-investigated classes of plant-derived compounds, are known to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. This review used a systematic search process to assess the available evidence on the effect of flavonoids on ASD.

A Wall Fragment of Preserves Junctional Integrity Altered by in an Ex Vivo Porcine Skin Model.

(1) Background alteration of the skin microbiota, dysbiosis, causes skin barrier impairment resulting in disease development. , the main pathogen associated with dysbiosis, secretes several virulence factors, including α-toxin that damages tight junctions and compromises the integrity of the skin barrier. The use of members of the resident microbiota to restore the skin barrier, bacteriotherapy, represents a safe treatment for skin conditions among innovative options.

In silico evaluation of geroprotective phytochemicals as potential sirtuin 1 interactors.

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) belongs to the histone deacetylase enzyme family and its activity regulates various signaling networks associated with aging. SIRT1 is widely involved in a large number of biological processes, including senescence, autophagy, inflammation, and oxidative stress. In addition, SIRT1 activation may improve lifespan and health in numerous experimental models.

Targeting NRF2-KEAP1 axis by Omega-3 fatty acids and their derivatives: Emerging opportunities against aging and diseases.

The transcription factor NRF2 and its endogenous inhibitor KEAP1 play a crucial role in the maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis by regulating the gene expression of diverse networks of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification enzymes. Therefore, activation of NRF2 provides cytoprotection against numerous pathologies, including age-related diseases. An age-associated loss of NRF2 function may be a key driving force behind the aging phenotype.

Dietary Flavonoids and Adult Neurogenesis: Potential Implications for Brain Aging.

Adult neurogenesis deficiency has been proposed to be a common hallmark in different age-related neurodegenerative diseases. The administration of flavonoids is currently reported as a potentially beneficial strategy for preventing brain aging alterations, including adult neurogenesis decline. Flavonoids are a class of plant-derived dietary polyphenols that have drawn attention for their neuroprotective and pro-cognitive effects.

Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein 8 at the Crossroad between Cancer and Neurodegeneration.

The low-density-lipoprotein receptors represent a family of pleiotropic cell surface receptors involved in lipid homeostasis, cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. The family shares common structural features but also has significant differences mainly due to tissue-specific interactors and to peculiar proteolytic processing. Among the receptors in the family, recent studies place low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 8 (LRP8) at the center of both neurodegenerative and cancer-related pathways.

Cutaneous Ulcer Caused by Apixaban Treatment Is Resolved after Replacement with Dabigatran.

Nowadays, novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have shown improved safety profile and efficacy compared to vitamin K antagonists in the prevention of thromboembolic events occurring during different pathological conditions. However, there are concerns and safety issues, mostly related to adverse events following interactions with other drugs, in real-world practice. We report the case of an 83-year-old woman who developed a non-bleeding leg ulcer not caused by trauma or other evident pathological conditions after 10 days of treatment with apixaban 5 mg/q.

Assessment of the Diagnostic Performance of a Novel SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Sealing Tube Test Strip (Colloidal Gold) as Point-of-Care Surveillance Test.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant outbreaks have highlighted the need of antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) that can be used at the point-of-care (POC). Although many Ag-RDTs have been approved for SARS-CoV-2 detection, studies demonstrating the clinical performance of Ag-RDTs against variants of concern, especially the new Omicron variant, are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the AMAZING COVID-19 Antigen Sealing Tube Test Strip (Colloidal Gold) in 584 early symptomatic and asymptomatic participants (age range 0-90 years).