Ex Vivo Tools and Models in MASLD Research.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) presents a growing global health challenge with limited therapeutic choices. This review delves into the array of ex vivo tools and models utilized in MASLD research, encompassing liver-on-a-chip (LoC) systems, organoid-derived tissue-like structures, and human precision-cut liver slice (PCLS) systems. Given the urgent need to comprehend MASLD pathophysiology and identify novel therapeutic targets, this paper aims to shed light on the pivotal role of advanced ex vivo models in enhancing disease understanding and facilitating the development of potential therapies.

The effect of antidiabetic drugs on bone metabolism: a concise review.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, which derives from either insufficient insulin production [type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)] or both impaired insulin sensitivity along with inadequate insulin production [type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)] and affects millions of people worldwide. In addition to the adverse effects of DM on classical target organs and tissues, skeletal health can also be adversely affected. There is considerable evidence linking DM with osteoporosis.

Stress-Related Roles of Exosomes and Exosomal miRNAs in Common Neuropsychiatric Disorders.

Exosomes, natural nanovesicles that contain a cargo of biologically active molecules such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, are released from cells to the extracellular environment. They then act as autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine mediators of communication between cells by delivering their cargo into recipient cells and causing downstream effects. Exosomes are greatly enriched in miRNAs, which are small non-coding RNAs that act both as cytoplasmic post-transcriptional repression agents, modulating the translation of mRNAs into proteins, as well as nuclear transcriptional gene activators.

Current and experimental pharmacotherapy for the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease, with its incidence increasing in parallel with the global prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite our steadily increasing knowledge of its pathogenesis, there is as yet no available pharmacotherapy specifically tailored for NAFLD. To define the appropriate management, it is important to clarify the context in which the disease appears.

Female-specific risk factors for cardiovascular disease: an update.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While it was previously believed that men have greater susceptibility to CVD, recent research suggests that women face an increased risk of CVD after the onset of menopause, primarily due to the loss of the protective effects of estrogens. Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and gestational factors, such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), recurrent pregnancy loss, preterm delivery, and preeclampsia, are specific reproductive disorders that may contribute to an elevated risk of CVD at earlier ages, i.

Maternal obesity and metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease in pregnancy: a comprehensive narrative review.

Introduction: Obesity and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) during pregnancy constitute significant problems for routine antenatal care, with increasing prevalence globally. Similar to obesity, MAFLD is associated with a higher risk for maternal complications (e.g.

Non-invasive Scores and Serum Biomarkers for Fatty Liver in the Era of Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD): A Comprehensive Review From NAFLD to MAFLD and MASLD.

Purpose Of Review: The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly increasing worldwide, making it the leading cause of liver related morbidity and mortality. Currently, liver biopsy is the gold standard for assessing individuals with steatohepatitis and fibrosis. However, its invasiveness, sampling variability, and impracticality for large-scale screening has driven the search for non-invasive methods for early diagnosis and staging.

Anti-osteoporotic treatments in the era of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: friend or foe.

Over the last years non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has grown into the most common chronic liver disease globally, affecting 17-38% of the general population and 50-75% of patients with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). NAFLD encompasses a spectrum of chronic liver diseases, ranging from simple steatosis (non-alcoholic fatty liver, NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH; or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, MASH) to fibrosis and cirrhosis with liver failure or/and hepatocellular carcinoma. Due to its increasing prevalence and associated morbidity and mortality, the disease-related and broader socioeconomic burden of NAFLD is substantial.

Nocebo-associated treatment discontinuation with subcutaneous anti-osteoporotic drugs. A systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-arm dropouts in randomized-controlled trials.

Objective: Nocebo is a concept of therapeutics referring to unpleasant symptoms attributed by a patient to a drug, due to negative anticipation. Patients receiving oral anti-osteoporotic drugs in randomized controlled trials (RCT) can experience adverse events leading to dropout, implying that nocebo contributes to treatment discontinuation for these drugs. In this study we aim to investigate the nocebo effect of subcutaneous anti-osteoporotic drugs with a higher compliance rate than orally administered drugs.

The role of anti-diabetic drugs in NAFLD. Have we found the Holy Grail? A narrative review.

Purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a leading cause of liver disease, affecting 30% of the global population. NAFLD prevalence is particularly high in obese individuals and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). NAFLD ranges from simple fat deposition in the liver to necroinflammation and fibrosis (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)), NASH-cirrhosis, and/or hepatocellular carcinoma.

Reverse transcription loop‑mediated isothermal amplification has a high performance in the detection of SARS‑CoV‑2 in saliva samples and nasal swabs from asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals.

The detection of coronavirus disease 2019 cases represents a significant challenge at the epidemiological level. Limitations exist in effectively detecting asymptomatic cases, achieving good follow-up in hospitals without the infrastructure for reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) or in difficult-to-access areas and developing methods with the need for less invasive sampling procedures. Therefore, the present study evaluated the performance of the direct reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) test for detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the saliva and nasal samples of asymptomatic individuals belonging to the university population.

Structural Speciation of Ti(IV)-(α-Hydroxycarboxylic Acid) Complexes in Metabolism-Related (Patho)Physiology-In Vitro Approaches to (Pre)Adipocyte Differentiation and Mineralization.

The prospect of developing soluble and bioavailable Ti(IV) complex forms with physiological substrates, capable of influencing (patho)physiological aberrations, emerges as a challenge in the case of metabolism-related pathologies (e.g., diabetes mellitus 1 and 2).

Atherosclerotic and Cardio-Metabolic Diseases: From Molecular Basis to Therapeutic Advances.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) still remain the major cause of death worldwide; however, CVD-related mortality has been reduced due to lifestyle modification interventions, as well as novel pharmacological therapies and advances in cardiovascular surgery [...

What is the role of CHCHD2 in adrenal tumourigenesis?

Purpose: CHCHD2 is an antiapoptotic mitochondrial protein acting through the BCL2/BAX pathway in various cancers. However, data on the regulatory role of CHCHD2 in adrenal tumourigenesis are scarce.

Methods: We studied the expression of CHCHD2, BCL2, and BAX in human adrenocortical tissues and SW13 cells.

High frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis in euthyroid girls with premature adrenarche.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) among euthyroid prepubertal girls presenting with premature adrenarche (PA). We also aimed to identify the clinical, metabolic, and endocrine profile of girls with AT and concurrent PA and compare them to girls with AT without PA, PA alone and healthy controls.

Methods: Ninety-one prepubertal girls aged 5-10 years, who attended our department for AT, PA and normal variants of growth and puberty were recruited for the study: 73 girls had PA, 6 AT without PA and 12 were referred for investigation of growth.

Integrated omics analysis for characterization of the contribution of high fructose corn syrup to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obesity.

Background: High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), a sweetener rich in glucose and fructose, is nowadays widely used in beverages and processed foods; its consumption has been correlated to the emergence and progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms by which HFCS impacts hepatic metabolism remain scarce, especially in the context of obesity. Besides, the majority of current studies focuses either on the detrimental role of fructose in hepatic steatosis or compare separately the additive impact of fructose versus glucose in high fat diet-induced NAFLD.

Genetic and Diet-Induced Animal Models for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Research.

A rapidly increasing incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is noted worldwide due to the adoption of western-type lifestyles and eating habits. This makes the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive the pathogenesis of this chronic disease and the development of newly approved treatments of utmost necessity. Animal models are indispensable tools for achieving these ends.