scholarly journals Vitamin K as a Powerful Micronutrient in Aging and Age-Related Diseases: Pros and Cons from Clinical Studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (17) ◽  
pp. 4150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina C. Simes ◽  
Carla S. B. Viegas ◽  
Nuna Araújo ◽  
Catarina Marreiros

Vitamin K is a multifunctional micronutrient implicated in age-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Although vitamin K-dependent proteins (VKDPs) are described to have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of these diseases, novel roles have emerged for vitamin K, independently of its role in VKDPs carboxylation. Vitamin K has been shown to act as an anti-inflammatory by suppressing nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signal transduction and to exert a protective effect against oxidative stress by blocking the generation of reactive oxygen species. Available clinical evidences indicate that a high vitamin K status can exert a protective role in the inflammatory and mineralization processes associated with the onset and progression of age-related diseases. Also, vitamin K involvement as a protective super-micronutrient in aging and ‘inflammaging’ is arising, highlighting its future use in clinical practice. In this review we summarize current knowledge regarding clinical data on vitamin K in skeletal and cardiovascular health, and discuss the potential of vitamin K supplementation as a health benefit. We describe the clinical evidence and explore molecular aspects of vitamin K protective role in aging and age-related diseases, and its involvement as a modulator in the interplay between pathological calcification and inflammation processes.

2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (5) ◽  
pp. C1404-C1411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryoko Minekawa ◽  
Takashi Takeda ◽  
Masahiro Sakata ◽  
Masami Hayashi ◽  
Aki Isobe ◽  
...  

Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which is a disease with a poor prognosis, is considered to be caused by the coincidence of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury and systemic inflammation due to the colonization of pathogenic bacteria. Interleukin (IL)-8, a proinflammatory cytokine, plays an important role in the pathophysiology of NEC. It was recently reported that IL-1β activates the IL-8 gene by regulating the transcriptional nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways in intestinal cells. The protective role of maternal milk in NEC pathogenesis has been reported in both human and animal studies. In this study, we show that human breast milk dramatically suppressed the IL-1β-induced activation of the IL-8 gene promoter by inhibiting the activation pathway of NF-κB. Moreover, we also show that human breast milk induced the production of IκBα. These results suggest that human breast milk could be protective and therapeutic in neonates with NEC by inhibiting the activation pathway of NF-κB.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Melania Guerrero-Hue ◽  
Sandra Rayego-Mateos ◽  
Cristina Vázquez-Carballo ◽  
Alejandra Palomino-Antolín ◽  
Cristina García-Caballero ◽  
...  

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the fastest-growing causes of death and is predicted to become by 2040 the fifth global cause of death. CKD is characterized by increased oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. However, therapies to slow or prevent CKD progression remain an unmet need. Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) is a transcription factor that plays a key role in protection against oxidative stress and regulation of the inflammatory response. Consequently, the use of compounds targeting Nrf2 has generated growing interest for nephrologists. Pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that Nrf2-inducing strategies prevent CKD progression and protect from acute kidney injury (AKI). In this article, we review current knowledge on the protective mechanisms mediated by Nrf2 against kidney injury, novel therapeutic strategies to induce Nrf2 activation, and the status of ongoing clinical trials targeting Nrf2 in renal diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1429-1436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rawaa A. Z. Al-Faresi ◽  
Robert. N. Lightowlers ◽  
Zofia M. A. Chrzanowska-Lightowlers

Abstract Mitochondria are ubiquitous organelles present in the cytoplasm of all nucleated eukaryotic cells. These organelles are described as arising from a common ancestor but a comparison of numerous aspects of mitochondria between different organisms provides remarkable examples of divergent evolution. In humans, these organelles are of dual genetic origin, comprising ∼1500 nuclear-encoded proteins and thirteen that are encoded by the mitochondrial genome. Of the various functions that these organelles perform, it is only oxidative phosphorylation, which provides ATP as a source of chemical energy, that is dependent on synthesis of these thirteen mitochondrially encoded proteins. A prerequisite for this process of translation are the mitoribosomes. The recent revolution in cryo-electron microscopy has generated high-resolution mitoribosome structures and has undoubtedly revealed some of the most distinctive molecular aspects of the mitoribosomes from different organisms. However, we still lack a complete understanding of the mechanistic aspects of this process and many of the factors involved in post-transcriptional gene expression in mitochondria. This review reflects on the current knowledge and illustrates some of the striking differences that have been identified between mitochondria from a range of organisms.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1200
Author(s):  
Yoshimi Kishimoto ◽  
Kazuo Kondo ◽  
Yukihiko Momiyama

Atherosclerotic disease, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), is known to be a chronic inflammatory disease, as well as an age-related disease. Excessive oxidative stress produced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Sestrin2 is an anti-oxidant protein that is induced by various stresses such as hypoxia, DNA damage, and oxidative stress. Sestrin2 is also suggested to be associated with aging. Sestrin2 is expressed and secreted mainly by macrophages, endothelial cells, and cardiomyocytes. Sestrin2 plays an important role in suppressing the production and accumulation of ROS, thus protecting cells from oxidative damage. Since sestrin2 is reported to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it may play a protective role against the progression of atherosclerosis and may be a potential therapeutic target for the amelioration of atherosclerosis. Regarding the association between blood sestrin2 levels and atherosclerotic disease, the blood sestrin2 levels in patients with CAD or carotid atherosclerosis were reported to be high. High blood sestrin2 levels in patients with such atherosclerotic disease may reflect a compensatory response to increased oxidative stress and may help protect against the progression of atherosclerosis. This review describes the protective role of sestrin2 against the progression of atherosclerotic and cardiac diseases.


2021 ◽  
pp. 101543
Author(s):  
Alyson L. Sujkowski ◽  
Luke Hong ◽  
R.J. Wessells ◽  
Sokol V. Todi
Keyword(s):  

1985 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.J. Mcconville ◽  
R.T. Bruce

Considerable progress has been made in our understanding of depressive illnesses in childhood and adolescence, especially over the last several years. A number of major books on the subject have now appeared, along with a large number of individual papers. This paper attempts to summarize current knowledge, and indicates developmental, age-related and other issues which still require further study.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 2075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Islas ◽  
Jorge Moreno-Cuevas

In this review, we summarize the latest research pertaining to MicroRNAs (miRs) related to cardiovascular diseases. In today’s molecular age, the key clinical aspects of diagnosing and treating these type of diseases are crucial, and miRs play an important role. Therefore, we have made a thorough analysis discussing the most important candidate protagonists of many pathways relating to such conditions as atherosclerosis, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and congenital heart disorders. We approach miRs initially from the fundamental molecular aspects and look at their role in developmental pathways, as well as regulatory mechanisms dysregulated under specific cardiovascular conditions. By doing so, we can better understand their functional roles. Next, we look at therapeutic aspects, including delivery and inhibition techniques. We conclude that a personal approach for treatment is paramount, and so understanding miRs is strategic for cardiovascular health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (20) ◽  
pp. 11202
Author(s):  
Kirim Hong ◽  
Soo Hyun Kim ◽  
Dong Hyun Cha ◽  
Hee Jin Park

Preeclampsia is a complex hypertensive disorder in pregnancy which can be lethal and is responsible for more than 70,000 maternal deaths worldwide every year. Besides the higher risk of unfavorable obstetric outcomes in women with preeclampsia, another crucial aspect that needs to be considered is the association between preeclampsia and the postpartum cardiovascular health of the mother. Currently, preeclampsia is classified as one of the major risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women, which doubles the risk of venous thromboembolic events, stroke, and ischemic heart disease. In order to comprehend the pathophysiology behind the linkage between preeclampsia and the development of postpartum CVD, a thorough understanding of the abnormal uteroplacental vascular remodeling in preeclampsia is essential. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the current knowledge of the defective process of spiral artery remodeling in preeclampsia and how the resulting placental damage leads to excessive angiogenic imbalance and systemic inflammation in long term CVD. Key molecular factors in the pathway—including novel findings of microRNAs—will be discussed with suggestions of future management strategies of preventing CVD in women with a history of preeclampsia.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Wang ◽  
Cristina Jaen ◽  
Keiichi Yoshikawa ◽  
Mai Haneoka ◽  
Naoko Saito ◽  
...  

AbstractMultiple factors, including physical changes of the nasal mucosa and epithelium and exposure to air-borne environmental agents, appear to contribute to age-related olfactory loss. However, the molecular aspects of aging-associated olfactory loss in humans are not well understood. Although inflammation can be a significant underlying cause for olfactory impairment, whether aging increases the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the human olfactory mucosa and whether any inflammatory markers are associated with age-related olfactory loss remain unclear. Using a noninvasive method for collecting human olfactory mucus, we characterized and compared inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and some growth factors, in the mucus collected from the olfactory cleft or the anterior nasal cavity from 12 healthy, young (18-40 years old) and 12 elderly (60-85 years old) individuals. We also hoped to identify candidate molecular biomarkers associated with age-associated olfactory loss in humans. Olfactory thresholds were obtained for two odorants and individual mucus samples were analyzed using multiplex assays for the levels of 30 cytokines. Results indicated elevated levels of certain inflammatory cytokines (IL-12, MCP-1) in olfactory mucus of the elderly, and high levels of some inflammatory factors (MCP-1, IL-8, IL-13 and VEGF) were associated with reduced olfactory sensitivity, suggesting that inflammation may play a role in olfactory decline associated with aging.


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