The clinical and biochemical effectiveness and safety of cholic acid treatment for bile acid synthesis defects: a systematic review.

Background: Bile acid synthesis defects (BASDs) can be severely disabling involving the liver and nervous system, potentially due to elevated levels of toxic C-bile acid intermediates. Cholic acid (CA) supplementation is hypothesized to decrease bile acid production, stimulate bile secretion and -flow, and slowing down disease progression. This systematic review assesses the clinical and biochemical effectiveness, and safety of CA in BASDs patients.

A physical crosslinked pH-sensitive hydrogel based on hemicellulose/graphene oxide for controlled oral drug delivery.

The design of innovative pH-sensitive hydrogels for oral drug delivery is particularly promising for the treatment of intestinal diseases. The traditional pH-responsive hydrogels still have some problems such as low biocompatibility, complex preparation process and poor therapeutic effect, so a new method needs to be developed to solve these problems. Here, a pH-sensitive hemicellulose/graphene oxide (HC/GO) composite hydrogel (HGCH) was prepared through a one-step strategy.

Amygdalin in antineoplastic medicine and the relevance of nanotechnology.

Amygdalin is a plant-based cyanogenic glycoside that has been the subject of both scientific interest and controversy for decades. Traditionally used in alternative medicine for its diverse biological activities, including anticancer, where amygdalin has been explored in complementary therapy. However, clinical utilization of amygdalin remains contentious due to concerns about its safety, primarily the release of hydrogen cyanide during its metabolism.

Pyridoxine supplementation before puberty ameliorates MAM-induced cognitive and sensorimotor gating impairments.

Schizophrenia is a kind of neurodevelopmental mental disorder in which patients begin to experience changes early in their development, typically manifesting around or after puberty and has a fluctuating course. Environmental disturbances during adolescence may be a risk factor for schizophrenia-like deficits. As a better treatment option, preventive intervention prior to schizophrenia may be more beneficial than direct treatment.

Ascorbic Acid Ameliorates Molecular and Developmental Defects in Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell and Cerebral Organoid Models of Fragile X Syndrome.

Fragile X Syndrome (FX) is the most common form of inherited cognitive impairment and falls under the broader category of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). FX is caused by a CGG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the non-coding region of the X-linked () gene, leading to its hypermethylation and epigenetic silencing. Animal models of FX rely on the deletion of the gene, which fails to replicate the epigenetic silencing mechanism of the gene observed in human patients.

Is There a Need for Vitamin D Supplements During Summer Time in Northern Germany? A Study of Hospitalised Fracture Patients.

Background/objectives: Vitamin D is a key factor in bone metabolism, especially in patients who have suffered fractures, a group in need of a healthy bone metabolism. In Germany, a 70-year-old person requires 20 min of sun exposure daily for sufficient endogenous production in April. While this appears to be a sufficient period on paper, it raises the question of whether sufficient synthesis is achieved, given the time and the implementation of skin cancer prevention.

Human Cytochrome P450 Cancer-Related Metabolic Activities and Gene Polymorphisms: A Review.

Background: Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) are heme-containing oxidoreductase enzymes with mono-oxygenase activity. Human CYPs catalyze the oxidation of a great variety of chemicals, including xenobiotics, steroid hormones, vitamins, bile acids, procarcinogens, and drugs.

Findings: In our review article, we discuss recent data evidencing that the same CYP isoform can be involved in both bioactivation and detoxification reactions and convert the same substrate to different products.

Calcitriol ameliorates cisplatin-induced hepatorenal toxicity via regulation of Nrf2-Mrp2/p38 MAPK signaling in mice.

Despite being one of the most frequently used chemotherapy agents, cisplatin exhibits substantial hepatorenal injury by triggering oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis pathways. The current investigation studied the possible protective effects of calcitriol on cisplatin-induced hepatorenal toxicity. Mice were divided randomly as follows: control group, calcitriol group (received calcitriol 5 µg/kg, p.

Mushroom Poisoning and Acute Liver Injury: A Case-Based Review.

Mushrooms have always found their way into our dining plates due to their exotic looks and edibility. It is also one of the food items that can lead to fatal hepatotoxicity if the wrong species is picked up. Mushroom poisoning is frequently seen in forest adventure seekers and presents with variable time frames, mainly with acute gastrointestinal symptoms.

Recent advances in biotin-based therapeutic agents for cancer therapy.

Biotin receptors, as biomarkers for cancer cells, are overexpressed in various tumor types. Compared to other vitamin receptors, such as folate receptors and vitamin B12 receptors, biotin receptor-based targeting strategies exhibit superior specificity and broader potential in treating aggressive cancers, including ovarian cancer, leukemia, colon cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, and lung cancer. These strategies promote biotin transport receptor-mediated endocytosis, which is triggered upon ligand binding.

Unlocking the potential: integrating phytoconstituents and nanotechnology in skin cancer therapy - A comprehensive review.

Skin carcinoma, which includes basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma, is influenced by various factors such as genetic predisposition, chemical exposures, immune system imbalances, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This review delves into the mechanisms behind the development of these cancers, exploring the therapeutic potential of microbial, plant derived compounds and nanoparticles in advancing skin cancer treatments. Special attention is given to the cytotoxic effects of anti-neoplastic agents from microbial sources on different cancer cell lines, particularly melanoma.

Biotin functionalization of 8-hydroxyquinoline anticancer organometallics: low toxicity but potent activity.

[M(arene)(HQ)Cl] complexes (M = Ru/Os/Rh/Ir; HQ = 8-hydroxyquinoline) have shown promise as anticancer agents. To assess the effect of conjugating biotin (vitamin B7) to such compounds and improve their tumor-targeting ability through interaction with the sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT), the chlorido co-ligand was exchanged with biotinylated 6-aminoindazole. The complexes were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and purity was determined by elemental analysis.

Vitamin D status of patients visiting a private endocrinology clinic: a retrospective analysis from Karachi, Pakistan.

Objective: To estimate the burden of vitamin D deficiency and its association with chronic diseases in patients visiting a private endocrinology clinic in an urban setting.

Methods: The retrospective study was conducted at the Medicell Institute of Diabetes Endocrinology & Metabolism, Karachi, and comprised medical records of adult patients of either gender between January 2000 and December 2019.Vitamin D status of the patients and its association with various chronic disorders were investigated.

Associations of co-exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and vitamin D with early lung dysfunction: Mediating roles of metabolic score-visceral adiposity index.

Background: Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) and airflow obstruction are recognized as critical early signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While these conditions arise from concurrent exposure to toxicants and essential nutrients, how vitamin D modifies the pulmonary toxicity induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the metabolic mechanisms involved is still unclear.

Methods: Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2012, data on urinary PAH metabolites (ΣOH-PAHs), serum vitamin D metabolite levels [Σ25(OH)D], and pulmonary function tests [forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC] from 2189 participants, including 369 subjects with early lung dysfunction, defined as PRISm or airflow obstruction.

Preparation and Properties of the Sodium Hyaluronate Composite Hydrogel for Medical Cosmetology.

As society advances, an increasing number of people are focusing on the antiaging process of the body and seeking ways to maintain youthful facial features. Intradermal injection has been used to effectively improve the rough and wrinkled skin, playing a role in skin rejuvenation. However, the main component of intradermal injection products is cross-linked sodium hyaluronate (SHA), which has biological toxicity and potential carcinogenicity.

The Preventive Effect of Zinc Sulfate against Olanzapine-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Male Rats.

Male infertility is a complex and multifactorial clinical condition affecting a large population attributed to several factors, including perturbation in oxidative stress and the level of essential trace elements. Oxidative stress exerts multiple issues related to reproductive health, including male infertility, decreased sperm motility, sperm DNA damage, and an increased susceptibility to genetic disorders. Besides chemical toxins and food allergens in junk food items, many drugs can also lead to male infertility.

Effects of nanopolystyrene and/or phoxim exposure on digestive function of Eriocheir sinensis.

Nanopolystyrene (NP) and phoxim (PHO) are pervasive environmental contaminants that pose a significant threat to the health of aquatic organisms, prompting widespread concern among researchers and the public alike. The hepatopancreas play important roles in the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), such as digestion, absorption and detoxification. This study assessed the hepatopancreatic toxicity caused by the exposure of Eriocheir sinensis to environmentally relevant concentrations of NP and/or PHO.

Neuroprotective Effects of Folic Acid: A Review.

Folic acid also known as folate and vitamin B9 is of the class of B complex vitamins. It is crucial for homeostatic function of the biological system and is not endogenously produced. It is medically approved for the treatment of megaloblastic anemia.

In vitro model of reconstructed human corneal epithelium for the evaluation of ocular surface desiccation and protection with vitamin A enriched ophthalmic ointment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a paraffin ointment enriched with vitamin A in the protection against severe desiccation using 2D and 3D corneal epithelial in vitro models. We used immortalized human corneal epithelial cell cultures to evaluate the efficacy of four compounds -a paraffin ointment enriched with vitamin A (vA-PFF) and its vehicle; an aqueous gel containing hydroxypropyl guar (HPG); and an aqueous gel containing sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)- to preserve cell viability in an in vitro model of desiccation. WST-1 and Live/Dead assays were used to study cell viability.

Preparation and characterization of mangiferin-loaded polylactic acid nanofiber mat with antioxidant and anti-browning properties for the development of food packaging products.

In this study, antioxidant nanofiber-based food packaging material composed of polylactic acid (PLA) and mangiferin (MG) was produced to reduce food spoilage. To this end, MG was extracted from Mangifera indica and chemically characterized. In vitro assays for scavenging several radical ions showed excellent antioxidant properties of MG.

A Perspective on Frailty and its Predisposing Factors among People Living with HIV.

People Living with HIV (PLHIV) experience accelerated aging, yet strategies for healthy aging in this group are not well studied. Although survival rates have improved, non-infectious comorbidities, like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers, are increasing and tend to appear earlier and more severely in PLHIV frailty, defined as increased vulnerability to stressors, which is a growing concern among aging PLHIV, driven by factors, like chronic inflammation, antiretroviral therapy toxicity, and traditional risk factors. Key areas of focus include inactivity, sarcopenia, vitamin D deficiency, and polypharmacy.