Effect of chrysin on changes in intestinal environment and microbiome induced by fructose-feeding in rats.

Intake of fructose-containing sugars is epidemiological and experimentally linked to metabolic syndrome (MS). We recently verified that the dietary polyphenol chrysin was able to abolish some of the metabolic changes induced by fructose-feeding in the rat. Because the role of the intestine upon fructose-induced MS is poorly understood, we decided to investigate the influence of fructose, in vivo, on the intestinal environment and the ability of chrysin to interfere with the putative observed changes.

In vivo systemic toxicity assessment of an oxidized dextrin-based hydrogel and its effectiveness as a carrier and stabilizer of granular synthetic bone substitutes.

The worldwide incidence of bone disorders is raising, mainly due to aging population. The lack of effective treatments is pushing the development of synthetic bone substitutes (SBSs). Most ceramic-based SBSs commercially available display limited handling properties.

Chronic consumption of the dietary polyphenol chrysin attenuates metabolic disease in fructose-fed rats.

Purpose: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a major public health issue worldwide and fructose consumption has been associated with MS development. Recently, we showed that the dietary polyphenol chrysin is an effective inhibitor of fructose uptake by human intestinal epithelial cells. Therefore, our aim was to investigate if chrysin interferes with the development of MS induced by fructose in an animal model.

Acute intraparenchymal cerebral haemorrhage in an Iberian golden eagle - a case report.

Background: In birds there are reports of intracranial lesions but not of the clinical, computed tomographic and histopathologic features of acute intraparenchymal cerebral haemorrhage in Iberian golden eagle.

Case Presentation: The following report describes a case of a 30-year-old Iberian golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos homeyeri) with no history of trauma, presented with acute opisthotonus, left head tilt and circling, anisocoria, positional nystagmus, and ataxia. The main differential diagnosis were hypovitaminosis B or E and intracranial disease due to trauma, infection, toxins or masses.

Adipose tissue dysfunction as a central mechanism leading to dysmetabolic obesity triggered by chronic exposure to p,p'-DDE.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), are bioaccumulated in the adipose tissue (AT) and have been implicated in the obesity and diabetes epidemic. Thus, it is hypothesized that p,p'-DDE exposure could aggravate the harm of an obesogenic context. We explored the effects of 12 weeks exposure in male Wistar rats' metabolism and AT biology, assessing a range of metabolic, biochemical and histological parameters.

Xanthohumol and 8-prenylnaringenin ameliorate diabetic-related metabolic dysfunctions in mice.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by metabolic disturbances in specific tissues. The present work aimed to analyze the effects of xanthohumol (XN) and 8-prenylnaringenin (8PN), two beer-derived polyphenols, in liver and skeletal muscle lipid and glycolytic metabolism in T2DM mice model. Thirty C57Bl/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: standard diet (control), high-fat diet (DM), high-fat diet plus ethanol (DM-Ethanol), high-fat diet plus 10 mg/L XN (DM-XN) and high-fat diet plus 10 mg/L 8PN (DM-8PN) during 20 weeks.

Exploring the in vitro and in vivo compatibility of PLA, PLA/GNP and PLA/CNT-COOH biodegradable nanocomposites: Prospects for tendon and ligament applications.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgeries are the most frequent orthopedic procedures in the knee. Currently, existing strategies fail in completely restoring tissue functionality and have a high failure rate associated, presenting a compelling argument towards the development of novel materials envisioning ACL reinforcement. Tendons and ligaments, in general, have a strong demand in terms of biomechanical features of developed constructs.

Modulation of VEGF signaling in a mouse model of diabetes by xanthohumol and 8-prenylnaringenin: Unveiling the angiogenic paradox and metabolism interplay.

Scope: Imbalance in kidney and heart neovascularization is common in type2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. Nevertheless, the mechanisms governing this angiogenic paradox have not been elucidated. Xanthohumol (XN) and 8-prenylnaringenin (8PN) beer polyphenols modulate angiogenesis, being thus targets for T2DM-related complications.

Vasculogenesis and Diabetic Erectile Dysfunction: How Relevant Is Glycemic Control?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a complication of diabetes, condition responsible for causing endothelial dysfunction (EDys) and hampering repair mechanisms. However, scarce information is available linking vasculogenesis mediated by Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) and diabetes-associated ED. Furthermore, it remains to be elucidated if glycemic control plays a role on EPCs functions, EPCs modulators, and penile vascular health.

In vitro ACE-inhibitory peptide KGYGGVSLPEW facilitates noradrenaline release from sympathetic nerve terminals: Relationship with the lack of antihypertensive effect on spontaneous hypertensive rats.

This study aimed to validate the antihypertensive activity of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitor whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) obtained through the action of proteolytic enzymes from Cynara Cardunculus. The antihypertensive activity of WPH fractions containing peptides with molecular weight below 3kDa (Whey<3kDa) and 1kDa (Whey<1kDa) along with the antihypertensive activity of three potent ACE-inhibitory peptide sequences (DKVGINYW, DAQSAPLRVY and KGYGGVSLPEW), previously identified in WPH, were also investigated. In parallel, the influence of KGYGGVSLPEW (the most potent ACE-inhibitory peptide sequence) on AT1 receptors (a common pharmacological target of antihypertensive therapies beyond ACE), was evaluated.

Excess perigestational folic acid exposure induces metabolic dysfunction in post-natal life.

The aim of this study was to understand whether high folic acid (HFA) exposure during the perigestational period induces metabolic dysfunction in the offspring, later in life. To do this, female Sprague-Dawley rats (G0) were administered a dose of folic acid (FA) recommended for pregnancy (control, C, 2 mg FA/kg of diet, n=5) or a high dose of FA (HFA, 40 mg FA/kg of diet, n=5). Supplementation began at mating and lasted throughout pregnancy and lactation.

Xanthohumol modulates inflammation, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis in type 1 diabetic rat skin wound healing.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is responsible for metabolic dysfunction, accompanied by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelium dysfunction, and is often associated with impaired wound healing. Phenol-rich food improves vascular function, contributing to diabetes prevention. This study has evaluated the effect of phenol-rich beverage consumption in diabetic rats on wound healing, through angiogenesis, inflammation, and oxidative stress modulation.

Neurokinin-1 receptor, a new modulator of lymphangiogenesis in obese-asthma phenotype.

Aims: Obesity and asthma are widely prevalent and associated disorders. Recent studies of our group revealed that Substance P (SP) is involved in pathophysiology of obese-asthma phenotype in mice through its selective NK1 receptor (NK1-R). Lymphangiogenesis is impaired in asthma and obesity, and SP activates contractile and inflammatory pathways in lymphatics.

Neurogenic inflammation in allergen-challenged obese mice: A missing link in the obesity-asthma association?

Aim: A number of studies have shown an association between obesity and asthma. Controversy remains on the mechanisms supporting this association. In this study we aimed to assess neurogenic inflammation in a model of diet-induced obesity and allergen-challenged mice.

Xanthohumol-supplemented beer modulates angiogenesis and inflammation in a skin wound healing model. Involvement of local adipocytes.

Angiogenesis and inflammation are two intermingled processes that play a role in wound healing. Nevertheless, whenever exacerbated, these processes result in nonhealing wounds. Xanthohumol (XN), a beer-derived polyphenol, inhibits these processes in many physiopathological situations.

Bacterial cellulose: long-term biocompatibility studies.

The bacterial cellulose (BC) secreted by Gluconacetobacter xylinus is a network of pure cellulose nanofibres which has high crystallinity, wettability and mechanical strength. These characteristics make BC an excellent material for tissue-engineering constructs, noteworthy for artificial vascular grafts. In this work, the in vivo biocompatibility of BC membranes produced by two G.

Wound healing activity of the human antimicrobial peptide LL37.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are part of the innate immune system and are generally defined as cationic, amphipathic peptides, with less than 50 amino acids, including multiple arginine and lysine residues. The human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide LL37 can be found at different concentrations in many different cells, tissues and body fluids and has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. The healing of wound is a complex process that involves different steps: hemostasis, inflammation, remodeling/granulation tissue formation and re-epithelialization.