Hormesis as an adaptive response to infection.

Hormesis is a phenomenon whereby low-level stress can improve cellular, organ, or organismal fitness in response to a subsequent similar or other stress insult. Whereas hormesis is thought to contribute to the fitness benefits arising from symbiotic host-microbe interactions, the putative benefits of hormesis in host-pathogen interactions have yet to be explored. Hormetic responses have nonetheless been reported in experimental models of infection, a common feature of which is regulation of host mitochondrial function.

Sodium thiosulfate refuels the hepatic antioxidant pool reducing ischemia-reperfusion-induced liver injury.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury is a critical liver condition during hepatic transplantation, trauma, or shock. An ischemic deprivation of antioxidants and energy characterizes liver injury in such cases. In the face of increased reactive oxygen production, hepatocytes are vulnerable to the reperfusion driving ROS generation and multiple cell-death mechanisms.

Prostaglandin EP3 receptor activation is antinociceptive in sensory neurons via PI3Kγ, AMPK and GRK2.

Background And Purpose: Prostaglandin E is considered a major mediator of inflammatory pain, by acting on neuronal G protein-coupled EP2 and EP4 receptors. However, the neuronal EP3 receptor, colocalized with EP2 and EP4 receptor, is G protein-coupled and antagonizes the pronociceptive prostaglandin E effect. Here, we investigated the cellular signalling mechanisms by which the EP3 receptor reduces EP2 and EP4 receptor-evoked pronociceptive effects in sensory neurons.

Hormesis Meetings at the Royal Palace.

This commentary describes the origin and the main results of experimental work on adaptive stress responses at the university town Jena in Germany. These cooperative research activities exemplify the heuristic power of the hormesis phenomenon.