Undenatured type II collagen protects against collagen-induced arthritis by restoring gut-joint homeostasis and immunity.

Oral administration of harmless antigens can induce suppression of reactive immune responses, a process that capitalises on the ability of the gastrointestinal tract to tolerate exposure to food and commensal microbiome without triggering inflammatory responses. Repeating exposure to type II collagen induces oral tolerance and inhibits induction of arthritis, a chronic inflammatory joint condition. Although some mechanisms underlying oral tolerance are described, how dysregulation of gut immune networks impacts on inflammation of distant tissues like the joints is unclear.

A randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of L-carnitine L-tartrate to modulate the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Introduction: L-carnitine (LC) has been associated with inflammatory mediator reduction and with downregulating the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptor, which is the target of SARS-CoV-2 attachment.

Methods: This pilot phase 2 randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial contained two cohorts. Cohort 1 comprised 101 individuals with negative RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 test results who cohabitated with an individual diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

UC-II® undenatured type II collagen data show retention during functional food and beverage prototype processing.

Nowadays, collagen is widely used in food and beverage industries to enhance the nutritional and health value of the products. While many see this as an ideal way to incorporate more collagen into their diets, the exposure of these proteins to high temperature or acidic and alkaline solutions may negatively affect the quality and activity of these supplements. In general, the manufacturing of functional food and beverages often largely depends on the stability of the active ingredients during processing.

The effect of oral administration of undenatured type II collagen on monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in young and old rats.

We investigated whether different doses of undenatured type II collagen (undenatured collagen, UC-II) help improve monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced (osteoarthritis) OA in young and old rats. A total of 70 rats were divided into five groups: (1) control; (2) MIA (a single intra-articular injection of MIA); (3)-(5) MIA+ Undenatured Collagen with various oral doses (0.66, 1.

UC-II Undenatured Type II Collagen for Knee Joint Flexibility: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study.

Joint-related stress models have been used in the past to induce a standardized load on physical structures, allowing researchers to observe changes in perceived stress on joints as accurately as possible in healthy individuals. Previous studies support the efficacy of UC-II undenatured type II collagen ("undenatured collagen") supplementation in maintaining joint health. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of undenatured collagen on knee flexibility in healthy subjects who experience activity-related joint discomfort (ArJD).

Marine phytoplankton improves recovery and sustains immune function in humans and lowers proinflammatory immunoregulatory cytokines in a rat model.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of marine phytoplankton supplementation (Oceanix®, Tetraselmis chuii) on 1) maximal isometric strength and immune function in healthy humans following a oneweek high-intensity resistance-training program and 2) the proinflammatory cytokine response to exercise in a rat model.

Methods: In the human trial, 22 healthy male and female participants were randomly divided into marine phytoplankton and placebo groups. Following baseline testing, participants underwent a 14-day supplement loading phase before completing five consecutive days of intense resistance training.

Impact of chromium dinicocysteinate supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic subjects: an exploratory analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Chromium dinicocysteinate (CDNC) is a unique chromium complex consisting of chromium, niacin, and L-cysteine. Previous preclinical and clinical studies support the safety and efficacy of CDNC in modulating oxidative stress, vascular inflammation, and glycemia in type 2 diabetes.

Objective: Herein, we report the results of several exploratory analyses conducted on type 2 diabetic subjects who previously participated in a 3-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial and were treated with only metformin as standard diabetic care in addition to receiving the test supplementations.

Efficacy and tolerability of an undenatured type II collagen supplement in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) is a nutritional supplement derived from chicken sternum cartilage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of UC-II for knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain and associated symptoms compared to placebo and to glucosamine hydrochloride plus chondroitin sulfate (GC).

Methods: One hundred ninety one volunteers were randomized into three groups receiving a daily dose of UC-II (40 mg), GC (1500 mg G & 1200 mg C), or placebo for a 180-day period.

Safety and toxicological evaluation of Meratrim®: an herbal formulation for weight management.

Meratrim is a unique dietary ingredient consisting of extracts from Sphaeranthus indicus flower heads and Garcinia mangostana fruit rind. Clinical studies have demonstrated that Meratrim is effective and well-tolerated in weight management. Herein we assessed the broad spectrum safety of Meratrim in a battery of in vitro and animal toxicological studies including a sub-chronic repeated-dose 13-week oral toxicity study to determine the no-observable-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL).

Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II®) for joint support: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers.

Background: UC-II contains a patented form of undenatured type II collagen derived from chicken sternum. Previous preclinical and clinical studies support the safety and efficacy of UC-II in modulating joint discomfort in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of UC-II in moderating joint function and joint pain due to strenuous exercise in healthy subjects.

Combinatorial cytotoxic effects of Curcuma longa and Zingiber officinale on the PC-3M prostate cancer cell line.

Background: Many plant-derived products exhibit potent chemopreventive activity against animal tumor models as well as rodent and human cancer cell lines. They have low side effects and toxicity and presumably modulate the factors that are critical for cell proliferation, differentiation, senescence and apoptosis. The present study investigates the effects of some medicinal plant extracts from generally recognized as safe plants that may be useful in the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Silicone nanoparticles do not induce immune responses by naïve human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: implications in breast implants.

Background: Several studies have reported adverse immunological effects of silicone due to their ability to induce proinflammatory molecules, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In recent years, use of nanoparticles has been under fast development for therapeutic drug targeting, diagnostic imaging, and immune response in various fields of nanomedicine. The authors hypothesize that immune responses induced by in vivo use of silicone materials can be reduced or eliminated by the use of nanosilicone.

Interactive Effects of Morphine on HIV Infection: Role in HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder.

HIV epidemic continues to be a severe public health problem and concern within USA and across the globe with about 33 million people infected with HIV. The frequency of drug abuse among HIV infected patients is rapidly increasing and is another major issue since injection drug users are at a greater risk of developing HIV associated neurocognitive dysfunctions compared to non-drug users infected with HIV. Brain is a major target for many of the recreational drugs and HIV.

MicroRNA: implications in HIV, a brief overview.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 20-22 nucleotide length noncoding RNA molecules that represent key regulators of many normal cellular functions. miRNAs undergo two processing steps which transform a long primary transcript into the mature miRNA. Available literatures demonstrate the association between alterations in the expression of miRNAs and the progression of numerous human disorders.

HIV-1 gp120 induces antioxidant response element-mediated expression in primary astrocytes: role in HIV associated neurocognitive disorder.

HIV infection affects the central nervous system resulting in HIV associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), which is characterized by depression, behavioral and motor dysfunctions. The HIV-1 viral envelope protein gp120 is known to induce the release of neurotoxic factors which lead to apoptotic cell death. Although the exact mechanisms involved in HIV-1 gp120-induced neurotoxicity are not completely understood, oxidative stress is suggested to play a vital role in the neuropathogenesis of HAND.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 clade B and C gp120 differentially induce neurotoxin arachidonic acid in human astrocytes: implications for neuroAIDS.

HIV-1 clades (subtypes) differentially contribute to the neuropathogenesis of HIV-associated dementia (HAD) in neuroAIDS. HIV-1 envelop protein, gp120, plays a major role in neuronal function. It is not well understood how these HIV-1 clades exert these neuropathogenic differences.

Effects of alcohol on histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) and the neuroprotective role of trichostatin A (TSA).

Background: Previous studies have implicated histone deacetylases (HDACs) and HDAC inhibitors (HDIs) such as trichostatin A (TSA) in the regulation of gene expression during drug addiction. Furthermore, an increase in HDAC activity has been linked to neurodegeneration. Alcohol has also been shown to promote abundant generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting in oxidative stress.

HIV-1 Tat upregulates expression of histone deacetylase-2 (HDAC2) in human neurons: implication for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND).

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a pivotal role in epigenetic regulation of transcription and homeostasis of protein acetylation in histones and other proteins involved in chromatin remodeling. Histone hypoacetylation and transcriptional dysfunction have been shown to be associated with a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. More recently, neuron specific overexpression of HDAC2 has been shown to modulate synaptic plasticity and learning behavior in mice.

Effect of methamphetamine on expression of HIV coreceptors and CC-chemokines by dendritic cells.

Unlabelled: The United States is currently experiencing an entangled epidemic of HIV infection and use of different drugs of abuse, especially of methamphetamine (Meth). Blood monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) are the first line of defense against HIV-1 infection, and are the initial target of HIV-1 infection in injection drug users. DC-SIGN present on dendritic cells is the first molecule that facilitates HIV-1 infection independent of CD4 or HIV coreceptors.

Implications of ER stress, the unfolded protein response, and pro- and anti-apoptotic protein fingerprints in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells treated with alcohol.

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) are responsible for the activation of T cells and B cells. There is accumulating evidence that psychoactive substances such as alcohol can affect immune responses. We hypothesize that this occurs by modulating changes in proteins triggering a process known as unfolded protein response (UPR).

Interactive role of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) clade-specific Tat protein and cocaine in blood-brain barrier dysfunction: implications for HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorder.

In recent years, increasing interest has emerged to assess the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) clade C viral pathogenesis due to its anticipated spread in the United States and other western countries. Previous studies suggest that clade C is less neuropathogenic than clade B; however, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Additionally, the interactive role of drugs of abuse such as cocaine on clade C-associated neuropathogenesis has not been reported.

Magnetic nanoformulation of azidothymidine 5'-triphosphate for targeted delivery across the blood-brain barrier.

Despite significant advances in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the prevalence of neuroAIDS remains high. This is mainly attributed to inability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), thus resulting in insufficient drug concentration within the brain. Therefore, development of an active drug targeting system is an attractive strategy to increase the efficacy and delivery of ART to the brain.

Differential effects of HIV type 1 clade B and clade C Tat protein on expression of proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines by primary monocytes.

The existence of multiple subtypes of HIV-1 worldwide has created new challenges to control HIV-1 infection and associated neuropathogenesis. Previous studies indicate a difference in neuropathogenic manifestations of HIV-1-associated neuroAIDS between clade B- and clade C-infected subjects with clade B being more neuropathogenic than clade C. However, the exact mechanism underlying the differences in the neuropathogenesis by both the subtypes remains elusive.

AZT 5'-triphosphate nanoformulation suppresses human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Inefficient cellular phosphorylation of nucleoside and nucleotide analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) to their active nucleoside 5'-triphosphate (NTPs) form is one of the limitations for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) therapy. We report herein direct binding of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine-5'-triphosphate (AZTTP) onto magnetic nanoparticles (Fe(3)O(4); magnetite) due to ionic interaction. This magnetic nanoparticle bound AZTTP (MP-AZTTP) completely retained its biological activity as assessed by suppression of HIV-1 replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Upregulation of serotonin transporter by alcohol in human dendritic cells: possible implication in neuroimmune deregulation.

Background: Alcohol is the most widely abused substance and its chronic consumption causes neurobehavioral disorders. It has been shown that alcohol affects the function of immune cells. Dendritic cells (DC) serve as the first line of defense against infections and are known to accumulate neurotransmitters such as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT).