Search results for "HORMONES"
showing 10 items of 1169 documents
DNA-BINDING and DNA-protecting activities of small natural organic molecules and food extracts
2020
The review summarizes literature data on the DNA-binding, DNA-protecting and DNA-damaging activities of a range of natural human endogenous and exogenous compounds. Small natural organic molecules bind DNA in a site-specific mode, by arranging tight touch with the structure of the major and minor grooves, as well as individual bases in the local duplex DNA. Polyphenols are the best-studied exogenous compounds from this point of view. Many of them demonstrate hormetic effects, producing both beneficial and damaging effects. An attempt to establish the dependence of DNA damage or DNA protection on the concentration of the compound turned out to be successful for some polyphenols, daidzein, ge…
How biological sex of the host shapes its gut microbiota.
2021
The gut microbiota is a complex system, consisting of a dynamic population of microorganisms, involved in the regulation of the host's homeostasis. A vast number of factors are driving the gut microbiota composition including diet, antibiotics, environment, and lifestyle. However, in the past decade, a growing number of studies also focused on the role of sex in relationship to changes in the gut microbiota composition in animal experiments as well as in human beings. Despite the progress in investigation techniques, still little is known about the mechanism behind the observed sex-related differences. In this review, we summarized current knowledge on the sex-dependent differences of the i…
Circadian Rhythm and Concentration of Melatonin in Breast Cancer Patients
2020
Background: Melatonin is a biomarker of the central circadian clock and its chronobiotic actions entraining circadian rhythms to the light-dark cycle are well known. Reduction in melatonin levels and altered circadian rhythms have been associated with a high risk of breast cancer. Melatonin has also shown to display anti-proliferative effects on breast cancer growth and proliferation. Evaluation of melatonin circadian rhythm alterations in patients bearing breast cancer may have interesting prognostic and therapeutic applications. Objective: To review studies evaluating the circadian rhythm of melatonin in breast cancer patients. The effects of surgery and chemotherapy on melatonin secreti…
Melatonin Treatment Alters Biological and Immunomodulatory Properties of Human Dental Pulp Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Augmented Transforming Growth F…
2020
Melatonin is an endogenous neurohormone with well-reported anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but the direct biological and immunomodulatory effects of melatonin on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of melatonin on the cytocompatibility, proliferation, cell migration, odontogenic differentiation, mineralized nodule formation, and immunomodulatory properties of hDPSCs.To address the melatonin biological effects on hDPSCs, the cytocompatibility, proliferation, cell migration, odontogenic differentiation, mineralized nodule formation, and immunomodulatory properties of hDPSCs after melatonin treat…
miRNA as New Regulatory Mechanism of Estrogen Vascular Action
2018
The beneficial effects of estrogen on the cardiovascular system have been reported extensively. In fact, the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in women is lower than in age-matched men during their fertile stage of life, a benefit that disappears after menopause. These sex-related differences point to sexual hormones, mainly estrogen, as possible cardiovascular protective factors. The regulation of vascular function by estrogen is mainly related to the maintenance of normal endothelial function and is mediated by both direct and indirect gene transcription through the activity of specific estrogen receptors. Some of these mechanisms are known, but many remain to be elucidated. In recent …
Melanin-concentrating hormone axons, but not orexin or tyrosine hydroxylase axons, innervate the claustrum in the rat: An immunohistochemical study
2016
The claustrum is a small, elongated nucleus close to the external capsule and deep in the insular cortex. In rodents, this nucleus is characterized by a dense cluster of parvalbumin labeling. The claustrum is connected with the cerebral cortex. It does not project to the brainstem, but brainstem structures can influence this nucleus. To identify some specific projections from the lateral hypothalamus and midbrain, we analyzed the distribution of projections labeled with antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), and hypocretin (Hcrt) in the region of the claustrum. The claustrum contains a significant projection by MCH axons, whereas it is devoid of T…
NOX2ko Mice Show Largely Increased Expression of a Mutated NOX2 mRNA Encoding an Inactive NOX2 Protein
2020
Background: The superoxide-generating enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX2 or gp91phox, the phagocytic isoform) was reported as a major source of oxidative stress in various human diseases. Genetic deletion is widely used to study the impact of NOX2-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) on disease development and progression in various animal models. Here, we investigate why NOX2 knockout mice show no NOX2 activity but express NOX2 mRNA and protein. Methods and Results: Oxidative burst (NOX2-dependent formation of ROS) was measured by L-012-based chemiluminescence and was largely absent in whole blood of NOX2 knockout mice. Protein expression was still de…
Adipocytes as a Link Between Gut Microbiota-Derived Flagellin and Hepatocyte Fat Accumulation
2016
While the role of both elevated levels of circulating bacterial cell wall components and adipose tissue in hepatic fat accumulation has been recognized, it has not been considered that the bacterial components-recognizing adipose tissue receptors contribute to the hepatic fat content. In this study we found that the expression of adipose tissue bacterial flagellin (FLG)-recognizing Toll-like receptor (TLR) 5 associated with liver fat content (r = 0.699, p = 0.003) and insulin sensitivity (r = -0.529, p = 0.016) in humans (n = 23). No such associations were found for lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-recognizing TLR4. To study the underlying molecular mechanisms of these associations, human HepG2 he…
Fibres as functional foods and the effects on gut hormones: The example of β-glucans in a single arm pilot study
2018
Abstract Nutritional styles as Mediterranean and DASH diets are associated with lower incidences of certain chronic diseases and long life expectancy. The reason lays on their different contribution in fibers, polyphenols (from vegetables and fruit) and proteins. Barley is high fiber cereal that contains high amount of β-glucans and insoluble fibers that it was recognized having healthy benefits. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of β-glucans intake on glycaemic response, cholesterol and intestinal hormones levels. A single arm pilot study was performed with ten healthy individual which, consumed pasta enriched with 6% β-glucans for 30 days. Blood was collected at fasting and…
Pathophysiology of non alcoholic fatty liver disease
2016
The physiopathology of fatty liver and metabolic syndrome are influenced by diet, life style and inflammation, which have a major impact on the severity of the clinicopathologic outcome of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A short comprehensive review is provided on current knowledge of the pathophysiological interplay among major circulating effectors/mediators of fatty liver, such as circulating lipids, mediators released by adipose, muscle and liver tissues and pancreatic and gut hormones in relation to diet, exercise and inflammation.