Although the epidemiology and symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) have been well-documented, the etiology and pathophysiology of the disease have not yet been fully explained. Depression arises from intricate interplay among social, psychological, and biological factors. Recently, there has been growing focus on the involvement of miRNAs in depression, with suggestions that abnormal miRNA processing locally at the synapse contributes to MDD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by immune-mediated inflammation and neurodegeneration in the central nervous system (CNS). In this study; we aimed to investigate the gene expression and plasma protein levels of three neuroprotective genes-heat shock proteins (HSP90 and HSP60) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)-in MS patients compared to healthy controls. Forty patients with relapsing-remitting MS and 40 healthy volunteers participated in this study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The causes of functional constipation (FC) in adults are unclear, but changes in the gut microbiome may play an important role. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between urinary metabolites of dopamine and serotonin and some dysbiosis indicators in patients with FC. The study included 40 healthy women and 40 women with FC aged 21-46 years.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF(1) Background: The elderly suffer from functional constipation (FC), whose causes are not fully known, but nutritional factors may play a role. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of a low FODMAP diet supplemented with L-tryptophan (TRP) on its metabolism and symptoms of functional constipation in elderly patients. (2) Methods: This study included 40 people without abdominal complaints (Group I, controls) and 60 patients with FC, diagnosed according to the Rome IV Criteria (Group II).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMachine learning (ML) algorithms can handle complex genomic data and identify predictive patterns that may not be apparent through traditional statistical methods. They become popular tools for medical applications including prediction, diagnosis or treatment of complex diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is an autoimmune disease in which genetic factors play a major role.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation affecting up to 2.0% of adults around the world. The molecular background of RA has not yet been fully elucidated, but RA is classified as a disease in which the genetic background is one of the most significant risk factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFConstipation belongs to conditions commonly reported by postmenopausal women, but the mechanism behind this association is not fully known. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between some metabolites of tryptophan (TRP) and the occurrence and severity of abdominal symptoms (Rome IV) in postmenopausal women with functional constipation (FC, n = 40) as compared with age-adjusted postmenopausal women without FC. All women controlled their TRP intake in their daily diet.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe conjugate N-adducts of thio-1,3,4-diazole and 2-thiazoline with levoglucosenone were synthesized via a stereoselective, base-catalyzed conjugate N-Michael addition to levoglucosenone at C-4. Structural assignments were established using 1H and 13C NMR analysis, and X-ray single-crystal analysis for one of the compounds. The biological properties of the novel compounds were tested on a cell model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCisplatin (CDDP) is the cornerstone of standard treatment for ovarian cancer. However, the resistance of ovarian cancer cells to CDDP leads to an inevitable recurrence. One of the strategies to overcome resistance to CDDP is the combined treatment of ovarian cancer with CDDP and etoposide (VP-16), although this strategy is not always effective.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOchratoxin A (OTA) is considered as the most toxic of the other ochratoxins synthesized by various fungal species belonging to the and families. OTA commonly contaminates food and beverages, resulting in animal and human health issues. The toxicity of OTA is known to cause liver damage and is still being researched.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThio sugars are carbohydrate derivatives in which one or more oxygen atoms have been replaced with sulfur. Thio sugars are effective inhibitors of glycosylases, have considerable therapeutic potential, and are used as drugs in the treatment of diabetes and infectious diseases. The development of this branch of carbohydrate chemistry would not be possible without the development of novel methods for its synthesis and the analysis of their biochemical properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF(1) Background: A low-FODMAP diet is often recommended in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, but it does not improve abdominal symptoms in all patients, and an alternative diet is desirable. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a low-FODMAP diet with a concomitant reduction in tryptophan (TRP) intake in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea predominance (IBS-D) in relation to its metabolism via the serotonin and kynurenine pathways. (2) Methods: 40 healthy people (Group I, Controls) and 80 patients with IBS-D were included in the study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSingle nucleotide polymorphisms in non- genes are involved in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). SNPS in genes: (), (), (), (), and () have been described as risk factors for the development of autoimmune diseases, including RA. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of polymorphisms of these genes in the Polish population of patients with rheumatoid arthritis as compared to healthy controls.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLymphocytic colitis (LC) is a gastrointestinal (GI) tract disease with poorly known pathogenesis, but some environmental and lifestyle factors, including certain dietary components, may play a role. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, which plays important structural and functional roles as a component of many proteins. It is important in the development and maintenance of the body, in which it is metabolized in two main pathways: kynurenine (KYN) and serotonin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF(1) Background: L-tryptophan is a substrate for the synthesis of many biological compounds through the serotonin and kynurenine pathways. These compounds have a significant influence on gastrointestinal functions and mental processes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the urinary excretion of selected tryptophan metabolites in patients with constipation-predominant and diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C and IBS-D, respectively), related to somatic and mental symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe elderly often suffer from sleep disorders and depression, which contribute to mood disorders. In our previous work, we showed that elderly individuals with mood disorders had a lower intake of TRP and recommended a TRP-based dietary intervention to improve the mental state of such individuals. In this work, we assessed the impact of a TRP-rich diet on the mental state of, and TRP metabolism in, elderly individuals with mood disorders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, multifactorial autoimmune disease characterized by chronic arthritis, a tendency to develop joint deformities, and involvement of extra-articular tissues. The risk of malignant neoplasms among patients with RA is the subject of ongoing research due to the autoimmune pathogenesis that underlies RA, the common etiology of rheumatic disease and malignancies, and the use of immunomodulatory therapy, which can alter immune system function and thus increase the risk of malignant neoplasms. This risk can also be increased by impaired DNA repair efficiency in individuals with RA, as reported in our recent study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF(1). An essential component of any treatment for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an adequate diet. Currently, a low FODMAP diet is recommended as a first-line therapy, but it does not relieve abdominal discomfort in all patients, and alternative nutritional treatment is required.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The role of miRNA in depression is widely described by many researchers. miRNA is a final product of many genes involved in its formation (maturation). One of the final steps in the formation of miRNAs is the formation of the RISC complex, called the RNA-induced silencing complex, which includes, among others, GEMIN proteins.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Optimal composition of intestinal bacteria is an essential condition for good health. Excessive growth of these bacteria can cause various ailments. The aim of this study was to assess the mental state and gastrointestinal complaints of patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in relation to tryptophan metabolism and rifaximin treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArgonaute (AGO) proteins, through their key role in the regulation of gene expression, participate in many biological processes, including cell differentiation, proliferation, death and DNA repair. Accurate regulation of gene expression appears to be important for the proper development of complex neural circuits. Loss of AGO proteins is known to lead to early embryonic mortality in mice with various malformations, including anomalies of the central nervous system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe causes of depression are diverse and are still not fully understood. Recently, an increasing role is attributed to nutritional and inflammatory factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate selected metabolites of the tryptophan kynurenine pathway in depressive patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPerioperative blood transfusion in colorectal and some other cancer patients has been linked to the increased risk for recurrence, but a causal mechanism remains unclear. During the preparation and storage of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) bio-active substances accumulate in the acellular fraction (supernatant). Viability, proliferation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and DNA damage of colon (LoVo) and breast (MCF7) adenocarcinoma cells and non-tumorigenic MCF-10A cell line were determined in response to the supernatants of fresh and long-stored (day 42) PRBCs, leukoreduced (LR) or non-leukoreduced (NLR).
View Article and Find Full Text PDF<br><b>Aim:</b> Gem-associated protein 4 (GEMIN4), a member of the GEMIN gene family, is a key compound of the regulating factors responsible for miRNA biogenesis. Genetic variability within this gene can alter the risk for development of colorectal cancer (CRC) as was shown for other genes involved in miRNA biogenesis. Therefore, presented study was intended to identify genetic variants of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GEMIN4 gene (rs1062923, rs2740348 and rs910925) and their relationship with CRC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: A decreased immune surveillance as a consequence of packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions has been linked to cancer recurrence and progression, but a causal mechanism remains unclear. During processing and storage of PRBC, numerous bioactive substances accumulate in the acellular fraction (supernatant) of PRBC.
Aim: The study aimed to determine whether the supernatant of leukocyte-reduced (LR) and non-leukocyte-reduced (NLR) long-stored PRBC can modulate the survival and proliferation of myeloid leukemia K-562 cells, and the influence of cisplatin (cisPt) on these processes.