scholarly journals Growth Hormone and the Auditory Pathway: Neuromodulation and Neuroregeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 2829
Author(s):  
Joaquín Guerra Gómez ◽  
Jesús Devesa
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Auditory Pathway ◽  
Central Auditory Processing ◽  
Protective Function ◽  
Central Auditory Processing Disorders ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Growth hormone (GH) plays an important role in auditory development during the embryonic stage. Exogenous agents such as sound, noise, drugs or trauma, can induce the release of this hormone to perform a protective function and stimulate other mediators that protect the auditory pathway. In addition, GH deficiency conditions hearing loss or central auditory processing disorders. There are promising animal studies that reflect a possible regenerative role when exogenous GH is used in hearing impairments, demonstrated in in vivo and in vitro studies, and also, even a few studies show beneficial effects in humans presented and substantiated in the main text, although they should not exaggerate the main conclusions.

scholarly journals Pistachio Nuts (Pistacia vera L.): Production, Nutrients, Bioactives and Novel Health Effects

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Giuseppina Mandalari ◽  
Davide Barreca ◽  
Teresa Gervasi ◽  
Michael A. Roussell ◽  
Bob Klein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Pistacia Vera ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pistachio Nuts ◽  
Inflammatory Effect

Epidemiological and clinical studies have indicated positive outcomes related to tree nut consumption. Here, we review the production, nutrient, phytochemical composition and emerging research trends on the health benefits of pistachio nuts (Pistacia vera L.). Pistachios are a good source of protein, fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids, minerals and vitamins, as well as carotenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Polyphenols in pistachios are important contributors to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, as demonstrated in vitro and in vivo through animal studies and clinical trials. The antimicrobial and antiviral potential of pistachio polyphenols has also been assessed and could help overcome drug resistance. Pistachio consumption may play a role in cognitive function and has been associated with a positive modulation of the human gut microbiota and beneficial effects on skin health. Pistachio polyphenol extracts may affect enzymes involved in glucose regulation and so type 2 diabetes. Taken together, these data demonstrate the health benefits of including pistachios in the diet. Further studies are required to investigate the mechanisms involved.

scholarly journals Edible insects as a source of food bioactives and their potential health effects

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Lange ◽  
Yukiko Nakamura
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Oral Intake ◽  
Edible Insects ◽  
Immune Functions ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Food Ingredients ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Entomophagy (consumption of insects) is an issue of global nutritional and environmental interest. The nutritional value of insects appears to be high, since they are rich in protein and fat and provide a range of vitamins and minerals. Edible insects contain similar amounts of protein to conventional meat and higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Due to their high content of protein, micronutrients and fiber, insects could become a valuable alternative to food derived from other animals. The findings of various in vitro and in vivo animal studies suggest beneficial effects of entomophagy with respect to cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and non-communicable diseases as well as immune functions and carcinogenesis. Edible insects appear to be a promising and insufficiently explored source of macronutrients, micronutrients and food bioactives. In the course of time, some edible insects may meet the criteria of functional food ingredients. However, there is a significant lack of research investigating health outcomes in humans. The available evidence in humans, derived from randomized controlled trials, suggests a role of edible insects in the promotion of mineral status and the modulation of gut microbiota, with some prebiotic effects. High-quality clinical studies assessing efficacy, oral intake safety and allergy risk are needed.

“New perspectives in the pharmacological potential of naringin in medicine”

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Angélica Rivoira ◽  
Valeria Rodriguez ◽  
Germán Talamoni ◽  
Nori Tolosa de Talamoni
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Dental Diseases ◽  
Pharmacological Potential

Background: Naringin (NAR) is a flavonoid enriched in several medicinal plants and fruits. An increasing interest in this molecule has been emerging because it has the potential to contribute to alleviating many health problems. Objective:: This review briefly describes the NAR pharmacokinetics and it mainly focus on in vitro and in vivo animal studies showing NAR beneficial effects on cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological and pulmonary disorders and cancer. The anabolic effects of NAR on different models of bone and dental diseases are also analyzed. In addition, the evidence of the NAR action on the gastrointestinal tract is reported as well as its influence on the microbiota composition and activity. Finally, current research on NAR formulations and clinical applications are discussed. Methods: The PubMed database was searched until 2019, using the keywords NAR, naringenin, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, neurological and pulmonary disorders, cancer, bone and dental diseases, gastrointestinal tract, microbiota, NAR formulations, clinical trials. Results: The number of studies related to the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of NAR is limited. Positive effects of NAR have been reported on cardiovascular diseases, type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metabolic syndrome, pulmonary disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and gastrointestinal pathologies. Current NAR formulations seem to improve its bioavailability, which would allow its clinical application. Conclusion: NAR is endowed with broad biological effects that could improve human health. Since a scarce number of clinical studies have been performed, the use of them requires more investigation in order to know better their safety, efficacy, delivery and bioavailability in humans.

Decellularized bone extracellular matrix in skeletal tissue engineering

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 755-764
Author(s):  
Benjamin B. Rothrauff ◽  
Rocky S. Tuan
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Bone Regeneration ◽  
Tissue Regeneration ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Regenerative Capacity ◽  
Skeletal Tissue ◽  
Large Bone

Bone possesses an intrinsic regenerative capacity, which can be compromised by aging, disease, trauma, and iatrogenesis (e.g. tumor resection, pharmacological). At present, autografts and allografts are the principal biological treatments available to replace large bone segments, but both entail several limitations that reduce wider use and consistent success. The use of decellularized extracellular matrices (ECM), often derived from xenogeneic sources, has been shown to favorably influence the immune response to injury and promote site-appropriate tissue regeneration. Decellularized bone ECM (dbECM), utilized in several forms — whole organ, particles, hydrogels — has shown promise in both in vitro and in vivo animal studies to promote osteogenic differentiation of stem/progenitor cells and enhance bone regeneration. However, dbECM has yet to be investigated in clinical studies, which are needed to determine the relative efficacy of this emerging biomaterial as compared with established treatments. This mini-review highlights the recent exploration of dbECM as a biomaterial for skeletal tissue engineering and considers modifications on its future use to more consistently promote bone regeneration.

Phenolic Acids Exert Anticholinesterase and Cognition-Improving Effects

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 531-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Szwajgier ◽  
Ewa Baranowska-Wojcik ◽  
Kamila Borowiec
Keyword(s):  
Phenolic Acids ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Amyloid Β Peptide ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Aβ Fibrils

Numerous authors have provided evidence regarding the beneficial effects of phenolic acids and their derivatives against Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this review, the role of phenolic acids as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is discussed, including the structure-activity relationship. In addition, the inhibitory effect of phenolic acids on the formation of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) fibrils is presented. We also cover the in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies concerning the prevention and treatment of the cognitive enhancement.

Modulation of Matrix Metalloproteinases by Plant-Derived Products

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Najmi Mohamad Anuar ◽  
Nurul Iman Natasya Zulkafali ◽  
Azizah Ugusman
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Natural Products ◽  
Matrix Metalloproteinases ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Extracellular Matrix Components

: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of zinc-dependent metallo-endopeptidase that are responsible towards the degradation, repair and remodelling of extracellular matrix components. MMPs play an important role in maintaining a normal physiological function and preventing diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Natural products derived from plants have been used as traditional medicine for centuries. Its active compounds, such as catechin, resveratrol and quercetin, are suggested to play an important role as MMPs inhibitors, thereby opening new insights into their applications in many fields, such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. This review summarises the current knowledge on plant-derived natural products with MMP-modulating activities. Most of the reviewed plant-derived products exhibit an inhibitory activity on MMPs. Amongst MMPs, MMP-2 and MMP-9 are the most studied. The expression of MMPs is inhibited through respective signalling pathways, such as MAPK, NF-κB and PI3 kinase pathways, which contribute to the reduction in cancer cell behaviours, such as proliferation and migration. Most studies have employed in vitro models, but a limited number of animal studies and clinical trials have been conducted. Even though plant-derived products show promising results in modulating MMPs, more in vivo studies and clinical trials are needed to support their therapeutic applications in the future.

scholarly journals Occupational Exposure to Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon Nanofibres: More Than a Cobweb

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 745
Author(s):  
Enrico Bergamaschi ◽  
Giacomo Garzaro ◽  
Georgia Wilson Jones ◽  
Martina Buglisi ◽  
Michele Caniglia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Biological Behavior ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Carbon Nanofibres ◽  
Material Entity ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are erroneously considered as singular material entities. Instead, they should be regarded as a heterogeneous class of materials bearing different properties eliciting peculiar biological outcomes both in vitro and in vivo. Given the pace at which the industrial production of CNTs/CNFs is increasing, it is becoming of utmost importance to acquire comprehensive knowledge regarding their biological activity and their hazardous effects in humans. Animal studies carried out by inhalation showed that some CNTs/CNFs species can cause deleterious effects such as inflammation and lung tissue remodeling. Their physico-chemical properties, biological behavior and biopersistence make them similar to asbestos fibers. Human studies suggest some mild effects in workers handling CNT/CNF. However, owing to their cross-sectional design, researchers have been as yet unable to firmly demonstrate a causal relationship between such an exposure and the observed effects. Estimation of acceptable exposure levels should warrant a proper risk management. The aim of this review is to challenge the conception of CNTs/CNFs as a single, unified material entity and prompt the establishment of standardized hazard and exposure assessment methodologies able to properly feeding risk assessment and management frameworks.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document