Anticancer Activity of Plant Tocotrienols, Fucoxanthin, Fucoidan, and Polyphenols in Dietary Supplements.

Plants and algae harbor diverse molecules with antioxidant activity and have been demonstrated to directly inhibit cancer cell growth and mitigate the oxidative damage associated with certain antitumor therapies. While antioxidant supplementation, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy, has shown promise in improving quality of life, further research is needed to explore the effects of antioxidant combinations on specific cancer cell lines. In this study, the in vitro cytotoxic and apoptotic properties of natural compounds derived from plants and algae, as well as certain dietary supplements, were investigated against various human cancer cell lines, including bone, leukemia, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers.

Modulation of Brain Kynurenic Acid by N-Acetylcysteine Prevents Cognitive Impairment and Muscular Weakness Induced by Cisplatin in Female Rats.

Cisplatin (CIS) is a potent chemotherapeutic agent primarily used to treat hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, including lymphomas, sarcomas, and some carcinomas. Patients receiving this treatment for tumors outside the nervous system develop cognitive impairment. Alterations in the kynurenine pathway (KP) following CIS treatment suggest that certain KP metabolites may cross the blood-brain barrier, leading to increased production of the neuromodulator kynurenic acid (KYNA), which is associated with cognitive impairment.

Kynurenines and Inflammation: A Remarkable Axis for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune neurological disease characterized by the recurrent appearance of demyelinating lesions and progressive disability. Currently, there are multiple disease-modifying treatments, however, there is a significant need to develop new therapeutic targets, especially for the progressive forms of the disease. This review article provides an overview of the most recent studies aimed at understanding the inflammatory processes that are activated in response to the accumulation of kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolites, which exacerbate an imbalance between immune system cells (e.

Pharmacological Treatments and Therapeutic Targets in Muscle Dystrophies Generated by Alterations in Dystrophin-Associated Proteins.

Muscular dystrophies (MDs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases of genetic origin characterized by progressive skeletal muscle degeneration and weakness. There are several types of MDs, varying in terms of age of onset, severity, and pattern of the affected muscles. However, all of them worsen over time, and many patients will eventually lose their ability to walk.

Modulation of Kynurenic Acid Production by N-acetylcysteine Prevents Cognitive Impairment in Adulthood Induced by Lead Exposure during Lactation in Mice.

Lead (Pb) exposure during early life induces cognitive impairment, which was recently associated with an increase in brain kynurenic acid (KYNA), an antagonist of NMDA and alpha-7 nicotinic receptors. It has been described that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) favors an antioxidant environment and inhibits kynurenine aminotransferase II activity (KAT II, the main enzyme of KYNA production), leading to brain KYNA levels decrease and cognitive improvement. This study aimed to investigate whether the NAC modulation of the brain KYNA levels in mice ameliorated Pb-induced cognitive impairment.

Antidepressant-like effects of the and citalopram combination are associated with structural changes in dendritic spines of granule cells in the dentate gyrus of rats.

Natural products such as phytoestrogens-enriched foods or supplements have been considered as an alternative therapy to reduce depressive symptoms associated with menopause. It is known that the aqueous extract of (AE-PG) exerts antidepressant-like effects by activating β-estrogen receptors and facilitates the antidepressant response of the clinical drug citalopram (CIT). However, the effects on neuroplasticity are unknown.

Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Pteropodine in Rodents.

Pteropodine (PT) is a component of some plants with potentially useful pharmacological activities for humans. This compound has biomedical properties related to the modulation of the immune system, nervous system, and inflammatory processes. This study addresses the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity of pteropodin in a murine model of arthritis and induced edema of the mouse ear.

Detection and expression of SapS, a class C nonspecific acid phosphatase with O-phospho-Ltyrosine- phosphatase activity, in Staphylococcus aureus isolates from patients with chronic osteomyelitis.

Introduction: The identity of Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors involved in chronic osteomyelitis remains unresolved. SapS is a class C non-specific acid phosphatase and a well-known virulence factor that has been identified in S. aureus strain 154 but in protein extracts from rotting vegetables.

Thallium-induced DNA damage, genetic, and epigenetic alterations.

Thallium (Tl) is a toxic heavy metal responsible for noxious effects in living organisms. As a pollutant, Tl can be found in the environment at high concentrations, especially in industrial areas. Systemic toxicity induced by this toxic metal can affect cell metabolism, including redox alterations, mitochondrial dysfunction, and activation of apoptotic signaling pathways.

Modulatory Activity of the Endocannabinoid System in the Development and Proliferation of Cells in the CNS.

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS, also known as Endocannabinoidome) plays a key role in the function of the Central Nervous System, though the participation of this system on the early development - specifically in neuroprotection and proliferation of nerve cells - has been poorly studied. Here, we collect and describe evidence regarding how cannabinoid receptors CB1R and CB2R regulate several cell markers related to proliferation. While CB1R participates in the modulation of neuronal and glial proliferation, CB2R is involved in the proliferation of glial cells.

The impact of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria of the gut microbiota in hyperuricemia and gout diagnosis.

Introduction/objectives: Persistent hyperuricemia is a key factor in gout; however, only 13.5% of hyperuricemic individuals manifest the disease. The gut microbiota could be one of the many factors underlying this phenomenon.

Characterization of Redox Environment and Tryptophan Catabolism through Kynurenine Pathway in Military Divers' and Swimmers' Serum Samples.

Endurance and resistance exercises, alone or in combination, induce metabolic changes that affect tryptophan (Trp) catabolism. The kynurenine pathway (KP) is the main route of Trp degradation, and it is modulated by the inflammatory and redox environments. Previous studies have shown that KP metabolites work as myokines that mediate the positive systemic effects related to exercise.

Differential gene expression of ABCG2, SLC22A12, IL-1β, and ALPK1 in peripheral blood leukocytes of primary gout patients with hyperuricemia and their comorbidities: a case-control study.

Background: The ABCG2, SLC22A12, and ALPK1 genes have been strongly associated with dysfunction of urate metabolism in patients with gout, but it is unknown how these transporters are expressed in patients with acute or chronic gout. Our objectives were to: (a) analyze the gene expression of urate transporters and of inflammation genes in peripheral blood from gout patients and controls; (b) determine whether the metabolic profile of gout patients can influence the gene expression profile and the expression of urate transporters, ABCG2 and SLC22A12, and inflammation molecules, ALPK1 and IL-1β, in peripheral blood leukocytes from gout patients; (c) compare them with their metabolic profile and the gene expression of people without gout and without hyperuricemia.

Methods: A total of 36 chronic and acute patients and 52 controls were recruited, and ABCG2, SLC22A12, IL-1β, and ALPK1 gene expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR.

On the Antioxidant Properties of L-Kynurenine: An Efficient ROS Scavenger and Enhancer of Rat Brain Antioxidant Defense.

L-kynurenine (L-KYN) is an endogenous metabolite, that has been used as a neuroprotective strategy in experimental models. The protective effects of L-KYN have been attributed mainly to kynurenic acid (KYNA). However, considering that L-KYN is prone to oxidation, this redox property may play a substantial role in its protective effects.

Genetic analysis of muscular dystrophies: our experience in Mexico.

Muscular dystrophies are a group of well-defined genetic disorders characterized by the variable distribution of muscle wasting and progressive weakness. The diagnosis and treatment of these diseases remain challenging due to genetic heterogeneity and clinical overlapping. Herein, we describe our 10 years' experience with the diagnosis and management of muscular dystrophy patients.

Serum Kynurenines Correlate With Depressive Symptoms and Disability in Poststroke Patients: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Poststroke depression (PSD) is related to adverse functional and cognitive prognosis in stroke patients. The participation of kynurenine pathway metabolites in depression has been previously proposed; however, there are few studies on its role in PSD and disability in stroke.

Objective: To investigate if there is a correlation between serum kynurenines levels with poststroke anxiety and depression symptoms and disability scales.

Comparing the Effects of Chlorogenic Acid and Ilex paraguariensis Extracts on Different Markers of Brain Alterations in Rats Subjected to Chronic Restraint Stress.

Positive influence of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) on human health issues has been attributed to its frequent consumption in South American countries and is assumed to be due to its high content of antioxidant compounds, including chlorogenic acid (CGA); however, hard evidence about its positive effects under chronic stress conditions is still required. In this study, the effects of yerba mate extracts (IpE), and its main compound chlorogenic acid (CGA), on behavioral and morphological endpoints of brain damage induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) to rats were evaluated and compared. CRS sessions were performed during 21 days.

Pharmacogenetics of response to neoadjuvant paclitaxel treatment for locally advanced breast cancer.

Locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) cases have a varying five-year survival rate, mainly influenced by the tumor response to chemotherapy. Paclitaxel activity (response rate) varies across populations from 21.5% to 84%.

URB597 reduces biochemical, behavioral and morphological alterations in two neurotoxic models in rats.

Background: URB597 is a compound largely linked to the inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an enzyme responsible for the metabolic degradation of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA). Despite this pharmacological property accounts for its modulatory profile demonstrated in some neurotoxic paradigms, the possible protective properties of this agent have been poorly investigated, and deserve exploration in different neurotoxic models. In this study, we explored the effects of URB597 on oxidative damage to lipids and other major endpoints of toxicity in two neurotoxic models in vivo in rats (the first one produced by the mitochondrial neurotoxin 3-nitropropionic acid [3-NP], and the other generated by the striatal injection of the pro-oxidant toxin 6-hydroxidopamine [6-OHDA]) in order to provide further supporting evidence of its modulatory profile.

Dysferlin quantification in monocytes for rapid screening for dysferlinopathies.

Introduction: In this study, we determined normal levels of dysferlin expression in CD14 monocytes by flow cytometry (FC) as a screening tool for dysferlinopathies.

Methods: Monocytes from 183 healthy individuals and 29 patients were immunolabeled, run on an FACScalibur flow cytometer, and analyzed by FlowJo software.

Results: The relative quantity of dysferlin was expressed as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI).

Antioxidant properties of xanthones from Calophyllum brasiliense: prevention of oxidative damage induced by FeSO₄.

Background: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important mediators in a number of degenerative diseases. Oxidative stress refers to the imbalance between the production of ROS and the ability to scavenge these species through endogenous antioxidant systems. Since antioxidants can inhibit oxidative processes, it becomes relevant to describe natural compounds with antioxidant properties which may be designed as therapies to decrease oxidative damage and stimulate endogenous cytoprotective systems.

Bell's palsy. A prospective, longitudinal, descriptive, and observational analysis of prognosis factors for recovery in Mexican patients.

Objective: To determine the prognosis factors in Mexican patients with Bell's palsy.

Design: We designed a prospective, longitudinal, descriptive, and observational analysis. Two hundred and fifty one patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy at the National Institute of Rehabilitation were included.

Immunodetection analysis of muscular dystrophies in Mexico.

Introduction: The muscular dystrophies (MDs) result from perturbations in the myofibers. These alterations are induced in part by mechanical stress due to membrane cell fragility, disturbances in mechanotransduction pathways, muscle cell physiology, and metabolism.

Methods: We analyzed 290 biopsies of patients with a clinical diagnosis of muscular dystrophy.

Antigenotoxic, antioxidant and lymphocyte induction effects produced by pteropodine.

Pteropodine is a heterohimbine-type oxindole alkaloid specifically isolated from 'Cat's claw' (Uncaria tomentosa), a plant that has shown cytostatic, anti-inflammatory and antimutagenic properties and is used in traditional medicine to cure a number of diseases. In this report, we studied the ability of pteropodine to decrease the rate of sister-chromatid exchanges and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in mice administered doxorubicin. We also determined its capacity to induce lymphocyte production in mice as well as its free radical scavenging potential by applying the DPPH assay.