0000000000307265
AUTHOR
Elena De Falco
Epigenetics, oxidative states and diabetes
Abstract Although controlling a wide range of physiological cell functions, redox states unbalance during inflammation toward oxidative stress. Specific regions of our genome are extremely sensitive to both oxygen and reactive oxygen species, therefore modulating gene transcription in response to this specific epigenetic effect. Additional epigenetic mechanisms may include the alteration of the methylation states of DNA, protein and lipid nitration or modulation of specific microRNAs. A crucial role in finely tuning redox states is also played by mitochondria, where oxidative phosphorylation is epigenetically controlled. Diabetes, the most considerable “epigenetic” clinical disorder, exacer…
Stem cell therapy. Old challenges and new solutions
Stem cell therapy (SCT), born as therapeutic revolution to replace pharmacological treatments, remains a hope and not yet an effective solution. Accordingly, stem cells cannot be conceivable as a "canonical" drug, because of their unique biological properties. A new reorientation in this field is emerging, based on a better understanding of stem cell biology and use of cutting-edge technologies and innovative disciplines. This will permit to solve the gaps, failures, and long-term needs, such as the retention, survival and integration of stem cells, by employing pharmacology, genetic manipulation, biological or material incorporation. Consequently, the clinical applicability of SCT for chro…
Anti-ageing gene therapy: Not so far away?
Improving healthspan is the main objective of anti-ageing research. Currently, innovative gene therapy-based approaches seem to be among the most promising for preventing and treating chronic polygenic pathologies, including age-related ones. The gene-based therapy allows to modulate the genome architecture using both direct (e.g., by gene editing) and indirect (e.g., by viral or non-viral vectors) approaches. Nevertheless, considering the extraordinary complexity of processes involved in ageing and ageing-related diseases, the effectiveness of these therapeutic options is often unsatisfactory and limited by their side-effects. Thus, clinical implementation of such applications is certainly…
Diagnostic and Prognostic Relevance of Red Blood Cell Distribution Width for Vascular Aging and Cardiovascular Diseases.
Evidence suggests association of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). On the contrary, we underline that the sole RDW values cannot represent a valid CVD biomarker. High RDW values are expression of biological effects of a lot of both endogenous and exogenous factors (i.e., age, sex, genetic background, inflammation, hormones, drugs, diet, exercise, hematological analyzers, and ranges of values), modulating the biology and physiology of erythrocytes. Thus, the singular monitoring of RDW cannot be used to predict cardiovascular disorders. Accordingly, we have reviewed the evidence for potential relationship of RDW values with alterations in the cardiov…
Stem Cell Therapy
The necessity of improving the health and quality of life of subjects affected by diverse injuries and chronic diseases, has led to develop a new branch of translational medicine, called Regenerative Medicine (RegMed). RegMed has the principal objects of restoring, maintaining or enhancing structures and functions of tissues and organs. In order to achieve these goals, the RegMed researchers have proposed and tested diverse approaches. The Stem Cell Therapy represents the central focus of RegMed, even if its applications may imply the onset of adverse conditions. Here, an overview of this topic will be reported, by pointing advantages and disadvantages.