Interference with mitochondrial function as part of the antifibrogenic effect of Rilpivirine: A step towards novel targets in hepatic stellate cell activation.

Activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs), the main perpetrators of liver fibrosis, are a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of chronic liver disease. During liver injury, HSCs transcend from a quiescent to a fibrotic phenotype, a process which involves major metabolic reprogramming with altered mitochondrial function. The antiretroviral drug Rilpivirine (RPV) has demonstrated a hepatoprotective and specifically antifibrotic effect in several animal models of chronic liver injury, as well as in vitro.

Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects of rilpivirine: Relevance for the therapeutics of chronic liver disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease (CLD) worldwide and inflammation is key to its progression/resolution. As we have previously described that rilpivirine (RPV) is hepatoprotective in murine models of CLD, here we determine the molecular mechanisms involved, focusing on its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties. They were evaluated in vitro (human hepatic cell lines of the major hepatic cell types), in vivo (liver samples from a murine nutritional model of NAFLD) and ex vivo (peripheral blood mononuclear cells -PBMC- from patients with CLD).

Implication of autophagy in the antifibrogenic effect of Rilpivirine: when more is less.

As the main extracellular matrix-producing cells, activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are fundamental mediators of liver fibrosis (LF), and understanding their activation/inactivation mechanisms is paramount to the search for novel therapeutics. The antiretroviral drug Rilpivirine (RPV) has demonstrated a hepatoprotective effect in several animal models of chronic liver injury that is related to its antifibrogenic and apoptotic action in HSC. In the present study, we evaluated whether autophagy is implicated in the hepatoprotective action of RPV, as autophagy plays an important role in HSC transdifferentiation.

NNRTI and Liver Damage: Evidence of Their Association and the Mechanisms Involved.

Due to the improved effectiveness and safety of combined antiretroviral therapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has become a manageable, chronic condition rather than a mortal disease. However, HIV patients are at increased risk of experiencing non-AIDS-defining illnesses, with liver-related injury standing out as one of the leading causes of death among these patients. In addition to more HIV-specific processes, such as antiretroviral drug-related toxicity and direct injury to the liver by the virus itself, its pathogenesis is related to conditions that are also common in the general population, such as alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, and ageing.

EDTA Shuttle Effect vs. Lignosulfonate Direct Effect Providing Zn to Navy Bean Plants ( 'Negro Polo') in a Calcareous Soil.

Zn-Lignosulfonates (LS) fertilizers are used as an eco-friendly alternative to chelate formulations. The mechanisms of Zn release in the rhizosphere by both types of products are compared. The ability to provide Zn to of non-modified and chemically modified ZnLS and ZnEDTA is compared in a hydroponic assay.

Interlayer collapse affects on cesium adsorption onto illite.

Cesium adsorption onto Illite has been widely studied, because this clay is especially relevant for Cs migration-retention in the environment. The objective of this study is to analyze how Cs adsorption onto Illite is affected by structural changes produced by the presence of different exchangeable cations--and specifically interlayer collapse. Cs sorption isotherms were carried out with Illite previously exchanged with Na, K, or Ca, at a broad enough range of ionic strength, for the determination of the possible affect of the electrolyte on the structure of Illite.

Predictions of TiO2-driven migration of Se(IV) based on an integrated study of TiO2 colloid stability and Se(IV) surface adsorption.

Colloids (ex. nanoparticles) may be relevant in contaminant migration in groundwater if the contaminant is strongly adsorbed onto colloids and they are stable in the environment. An integrated study of Se(IV) sorption and TiO2 colloid stability was performed in this work.

Determination of 67Zn distribution in navy bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) after foliar application of 67Zn-lignosulfonates using isotope pattern deconvolution.

The improvement of Zn fertilizers requires new techniques to evaluate their efficacy. In this paper, the (67)Zn stable isotope was used as tracer of several Zn-lignosulfonate complexes to study the foliar-applied Zn uptake and distribution behavior in the plant, compared with ZnEDTA. Navy bean plants ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Use of the stable isotope (57) Fe to track the efficacy of the foliar application of lignosulfonate/Fe(3+) complexes to correct Fe deficiencies in cucumber plants.

Background: During the last decade, environmental concerns regarding the use of recalcitrant synthetic chelates to overcome iron chlorosis has increased and new ligands such as lignosulfonates (LS) have been evaluated. However, the efficacy of these products is variable. In this work a hardwood (eucalyptus) and softwood (spruce) LS were compared to try to relate their physico-chemical characteristics and their efficacy.