scholarly journals Dietary Melatonin Supplementation Could Be a Promising Preventing/Therapeutic Approach for a Variety of Liver Diseases

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Bonomini ◽  
Elisa Borsani ◽  
Gaia Favero ◽  
Luigi Rodella ◽  
Rita Rezzani

In the therapeutic strategies, the role of diet is a well-established factor that can also have an important role in liver diseases. Melatonin, identified in animals, has many antioxidant properties and it was after discovered also in plants, named phytomelatonin. These substances have a positive effect during aging and in pathological conditions too. In particular, it is important to underline that the amount of melatonin produced by pineal gland in human decreases during lifetime and its reduction in blood could be related to pathological conditions in which mitochondria and oxidative stress play a pivotal role. Moreover, it has been indicated that melatonin/phytomelatonin containing foods may provide dietary melatonin, so their ingestion through balanced diets could be sufficient to confer health benefits. In this review, the classification of liver diseases and an overview of the most important aspects of melatonin/phytomelatonin, concerning the differences among their synthesis, their presence in foods and their role in health and diseases, are summarized. The findings suggest that melatonin/phytomelatonin supplementation with diet should be considered important in preventing different disease settings, in particular in liver. Currently, more studies are needed to strengthen the potential beneficial effects of melatonin/phytomelatonin in liver diseases and to better clarify the molecular mechanisms of action.

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1227
Author(s):  
Marco B. Morelli ◽  
Jessica Gambardella ◽  
Vanessa Castellanos ◽  
Valentina Trimarco ◽  
Gaetano Santulli

The potential beneficial effects of the antioxidant properties of vitamin C have been investigated in a number of pathological conditions. In this review, we assess both clinical and preclinical studies evaluating the role of vitamin C in cardiac and vascular disorders, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, and cerebrovascular diseases. Pitfalls and controversies in investigations on vitamin C and cardiovascular disorders are also discussed.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (18) ◽  
pp. 4320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena Ciumărnean ◽  
Mircea Vasile Milaciu ◽  
Octavia Runcan ◽  
Ștefan Cristian Vesa ◽  
Andreea Liana Răchișan ◽  
...  

Flavonoids are metabolites of plants and fungus. Flavonoid research has been paid special attention to in recent times after the observation of their beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. These favorable effects are exerted by flavonoids mainly due to their antioxidant properties, which result from the ability to decrease the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, thus improving the lipid profiles. The other positive effect exerted on the cardiovascular system is the ability of flavonoids to produce vasodilation and regulate the apoptotic processes in the endothelium. Researchers suggested that these effects, including their anti-inflammatory function, are consequences of flavonoids’ potent antioxidant properties, but recent studies have shown multiple signaling pathways linked to them, thus suggesting that there are more mechanisms involved in the beneficial effect of the flavonoids on the human body. This review aims to present the latest data on the classification of these substances, their main mechanisms of action in the human body, and the beneficial effects on the physiological and pathological status of the cardiovascular system.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (6) ◽  
pp. 885-892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Mastrogiannaki ◽  
Pavle Matak ◽  
Carole Peyssonnaux

Abstract Although earlier, seminal studies demonstrated that the gut per se has the intrinsic ability to regulate the rates of iron absorption, the spotlight in the past decade has been placed on the systemic regulation of iron homeostasis by the hepatic hormone hepcidin and the molecular mechanisms that regulate its expression. Recently, however, attention has returned to the gut based on the finding that hypoxia inducible factor-2 (HIF-2α) regulates the expression of key genes that contribute to iron absorption. Here we review the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate iron homeostasis in the gut by focusing on the role of HIF-2 under physiological steady-state conditions and in the pathogenesis of iron-related diseases. We also discuss implications for adapting HIF-2–based therapeutic strategies in iron-related pathological conditions.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subhadeep Chakrabarti ◽  
Forough Jahandideh ◽  
Jianping Wu

Chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer are now the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Inflammatory processes and oxidative stress underlie the pathogenesis of these pathological conditions. Bioactive peptides derived from food proteins have been evaluated for various beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this review, we summarize the roles of various food-derived bioactive peptides in inflammation and oxidative stress and discuss the potential benefits and limitations of using these compounds against the burden of chronic diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (18) ◽  
pp. 10152
Author(s):  
Roland Gal ◽  
Laszlo Deres ◽  
Kalman Toth ◽  
Robert Halmosi ◽  
Tamas Habon

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death worldwide. The cardioprotective effects of natural polyphenols such as resveratrol (3,5,4-trihydroxystilbene) have been extensively investigated throughout recent decades. Many studies of RES have focused on its favorable effects on pathological conditions related to cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors. The aim of this review was to summarize the wide beneficial effects of resveratrol on the cardiovascular system, including signal transduction pathways of cell longevity, energy metabolism of cardiomyocytes or cardiac remodeling, and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In addition, this paper discusses the significant preclinical and human clinical trials of recent years with resveratrol on cardiovascular system. Finally, we present a short overview of antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties and possible future perspectives on RES against COVID-19 in cardiovascular diseases.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria J. Perugorria ◽  
Ibone Labiano ◽  
Aitor Esparza-Baquer ◽  
Marco Marzioni ◽  
Jose J.G. Marin ◽  
...  

Polycystic liver diseases (PLDs) are a group of genetic hereditary cholangiopathies characterized by the development and progressive growth of cysts in the liver, which are the main cause of morbidity. Current therapies are based on surgical procedures and pharmacological strategies, which show short-term and modest beneficial effects. Therefore, the determination of the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis appears to be crucial in order to find new potential targets for pharmacological therapy. Ductal plate malformation during embryogenesis and abnormal cystic cholangiocyte growth and secretion are some of the key mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of PLDs. However, the discovery of the presence of bile acids in the fluid collected from human cysts and the intrahepatic accumulation of cytotoxic bile acids in an animal model of PLD (i.e. polycystic kidney (PCK) rat) suggest a potential role of impaired bile acid homeostasis in the pathogenesis of these diseases. On the other hand, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has emerged as a new potential therapeutic tool for PLDs by promoting the inhibition of cystic cholangiocyte growth in both PCK rats and highly symptomatic patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD: most common type of PLD), and improving symptoms. Chronic treatment with UDCA normalizes the decreased intracellular calcium levels in ADPKD human cholangiocytes in vitro, which results in the reduction of their baseline-stimulated proliferation. Moreover, UDCA decreases the liver concentration of cytotoxic bile acids in PCK rats and the bile acid-dependent enhanced proliferation of cystic cholangiocytes. Here, the role of bile acids in the pathogenesis of PLDs and the potential therapeutic value of UDCA for the treatment of these diseases are reviewed and future lines of investigation in this field are proposed.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Petracci ◽  
Rosita Gabbianelli ◽  
Laura Bordoni

Physical activity represents a powerful tool to achieve optimal health. The overall activation of several molecular pathways is associated with many beneficial effects, mainly converging towards a reduced systemic inflammation. Not surprisingly, regular activity can contribute to lowering the “epigenetic age”, acting as a modulator of risk toward several diseases and enhancing longevity. Behind this, there are complex molecular mechanisms induced by exercise, which modulate gene expression, also through epigenetic modifications. The exercise-induced epigenetic imprint can be transient or permanent and contributes to the muscle memory, which allows the skeletal muscle adaptation to environmental stimuli previously encountered. Nutrition, through key macro- and micronutrients with antioxidant properties, can play an important role in supporting skeletal muscle trophism and those molecular pathways triggering the beneficial effects of physical activity. Nutrients and antioxidant food components, reversibly altering the epigenetic imprint, have a big impact on the phenotype. This assigns a role of primary importance to nutri(epi)genomics, not only in optimizing physical performance, but also in promoting long term health. The crosstalk between physical activity and nutrition represents a major environmental pressure able to shape human genotypes and phenotypes, thus, choosing the right combination of lifestyle factors ensures health and longevity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 394-401
Author(s):  
Yuanhua Wu ◽  
Yuan Huang ◽  
Jing Cai ◽  
Donglan Zhang ◽  
Shixi Liu ◽  
...  

Background: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury involves complex biological processes and molecular mechanisms such as autophagy. Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of I/R injury. LncRNAs are the regulatory factor of cerebral I/R injury. Methods: This study constructs cerebral I/R model to investigate role of autophagy and oxidative stress in cerebral I/R injury and the underline regulatory mechanism of SIRT1/ FOXO3a pathway. In this study, lncRNA SNHG12 and FOXO3a expression was up-regulated and SIRT1 expression was down-regulated in HT22 cells of I/R model. Results: Overexpression of lncRNA SNHG12 significantly increased the cell viability and inhibited cerebral ischemicreperfusion injury induced by I/Rthrough inhibition of autophagy. In addition, the transfected p-SIRT1 significantly suppressed the release of LDH and SOD compared with cells co-transfected with SIRT1 and FOXO3a group and cells induced by I/R and transfected with p-SNHG12 group and overexpression of cells co-transfected with SIRT1 and FOXO3 further decreased the I/R induced release of ROS and MDA. Conclusion: In conclusion, lncRNA SNHG12 increased cell activity and inhibited oxidative stress through inhibition of SIRT1/FOXO3a signaling-mediated autophagy in HT22 cells of I/R model. This study might provide new potential therapeutic targets for further investigating the mechanisms in cerebral I/R injury and provide.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 846-853
Author(s):  
Raghunandan Purohith ◽  
Nagendra P.M. Nagalingaswamy ◽  
Nanjunda S. Shivananju

Metabolic syndrome is a collective term that denotes disorder in metabolism, symptoms of which include hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and endothelial dysfunction. Diet is a major predisposing factor in the development of metabolic syndrome, and dietary intervention is necessary for both prevention and management. The bioactive constituents of food play a key role in this process. Micronutrients such as vitamins, carotenoids, amino acids, flavonoids, minerals, and aromatic pigment molecules found in fruits, vegetables, spices, and condiments are known to have beneficial effects in preventing and managing metabolic syndrome. There exists a well-established relationship between oxidative stress and major pathological conditions such as inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. Consequently, dietary antioxidants are implicated in the remediation of these complications. The mechanism of action and targets of dietary antioxidants as well as their effects on related pathways are being extensively studied and elucidated in recent times. This review attempts a comprehensive study of the role of dietary carotenoids in alleviating metabolic syndromewith an emphasis on molecular mechanism-in the light of recent advances.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1002
Author(s):  
Fabiola Marino ◽  
Mariangela Scalise ◽  
Eleonora Cianflone ◽  
Luca Salerno ◽  
Donato Cappetta ◽  
...  

Over the years strong evidence has been accumulated showing that aerobic physical exercise exerts beneficial effects on the prevention and reduction of cardiovascular risk. Exercise in healthy subjects fosters physiological remodeling of the adult heart. Concurrently, physical training can significantly slow-down or even reverse the maladaptive pathologic cardiac remodeling in cardiac diseases, improving heart function. The underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of the beneficial effects of physical exercise on the heart are still a subject of intensive study. Aerobic activity increases cardiovascular nitric oxide (NO) released mainly through nitric oxidase synthase 3 activity, promoting endothelium-dependent vasodilation, reducing vascular resistance, and lowering blood pressure. On the reverse, an imbalance between increasing free radical production and decreased NO generation characterizes pathologic remodeling, which has been termed the “nitroso-redox imbalance”. Besides these classical evidence on the role of NO in cardiac physiology and pathology, accumulating data show that NO regulate different aspects of stem cell biology, including survival, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and secretion of pro-regenerative factors. Concurrently, it has been shown that physical exercise generates physiological remodeling while antagonizes pathologic remodeling also by fostering cardiac regeneration, including new cardiomyocyte formation. This review is therefore focused on the possible link between physical exercise, NO, and stem cell biology in the cardiac regenerative/reparative response to physiological or pathological load. Cellular and molecular mechanisms that generate an exercise-induced cardioprotective phenotype are discussed in regards with myocardial repair and regeneration. Aerobic training can benefit cells implicated in cardiovascular homeostasis and response to damage by NO-mediated pathways that protect stem cells in the hostile environment, enhance their activation and differentiation and, in turn, translate to more efficient myocardial tissue regeneration. Moreover, stem cell preconditioning by and/or local potentiation of NO signaling can be envisioned as promising approaches to improve the post-transplantation stem cell survival and the efficacy of cardiac stem cell therapy.


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