Dietary caloric input and tumor growth accelerate senescence and modulate liver and adipose tissue crosstalk.

Metabolic alterations are related to tumorigenesis and other age-related diseases that are accelerated by "Westernized" diets. In fact, hypercaloric nutrition is associated with an increased incidence of cancers and faster aging. Conversely, lifespan-extending strategies, such as caloric restriction, impose beneficial effects on both processes.

Serotonin activates glycolysis and mitochondria biogenesis in human breast cancer cells through activation of the Jak1/STAT3/ERK1/2 and adenylate cyclase/PKA, respectively.

Background: Although produced by several types of tumours, the role of serotonin on cancer biology is yet to be understood.

Methods: The effects of serotonin (5-HT) on human breast cancer cells proliferation, signalling pathways and metabolic profile were evaluated by cytometry, western blotting, qPCR, enzymology and confocal microscopy.

Results: Our results revealed that incubation of MCF-7 cells with 10 µM 5-HT increased cell growth rate by 28%, an effect that was prevented by the 5-HTR antagonist, ketanserin.

Antidiabetic activity of Sedum dendroideum: metabolic enzymes as putative targets for the bioactive flavonoid kaempferitrin.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of a leaf extract and flavonoids from Sedum dendroideum (SD). Additionally, our goals were to establish a possible structure/activity relationship between these flavonoids and to assess the most active flavonoid on the glycolytic enzyme 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (PFK). SD juice (LJ), a flavonoid-rich fraction (BF), and separately five flavonoids were evaluated intraperitoneally for their acute hypoglycemic activity in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.