Roles of vitamins in stem cells

Higher Vitamin E Intake Reduces Risk of All-Cause Mortality and Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease Mortality in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: NHANES (2008-2018)

Background

In human health, vitamins play a vital role in various metabolic and regulatory processes and in the proper functioning of cells. Currently, the effect of Vitamin E (VE) intake on multiple causes of death in Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is unclear. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the relationship between VE and multiple causes of death in COPD patients, to guide the rationalization of dietary structure and reduce the risk of COPD death.

Methods

This study screened patients with COPD aged ≥40 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database 2008-2018. Weighted COX regression was used to analyze the association between VE intake and multiple causes of death in COPD. The restricted cubic spline(RCS) is drawn to show their relationship. Finally, we conducted a subgroup analysis for further verification.

Results

A total of 1261 participants were included in this study. After adjustment for multiple covariates, VE intake was associated with all-cause death in COPD patients, and chronic lower respiratory disease (CLRD) deaths were linearly associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths there was no such correlation. Subgroup analyses showed no interaction between subgroups, further validating the robustness of the relationship.

Conclusion

In COPD patients, VE intake was negatively associated with all-cause mortality and CLRD death. Higher VE intake reduces the risk of all-cause mortality and CLRD death in COPD patients.

Application of 3D- printed hydrogels in wound healing and regenerative medicine

Hydrogels are three-dimensional polymer networks with hydrophilic properties. The modifiable properties of hydrogels and the structure resembling living tissue allow their versatile application. Therefore, increasing attention is focused on the use of hydrogels as bioinks for three-dimensional (3D) printing in tissue engineering. Bioprinting involves the fabrication of complex structures from several types of materials, cells, and bioactive compounds. Stem cells (SC), such as mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are frequently employed in 3D constructs. SCs have desirable biological properties such as the ability to differentiate into various types of tissue and high proliferative capacity. Encapsulating SCs in 3D hydrogel constructs enhances their reparative abilities and improves the likelihood of reaching target tissues. In addition, created constructs can simulate the tissue environment and mimic biological signals. Importantly, the immunogenicity of scaffolds is minimized through the use of patient-specific cells and the biocompatibility and biodegradability of the employed biopolymers. Regenerative medicine is taking advantage of the aforementioned capabilities in regenerating various tissues- muscle, bones, nerves, heart, skin, and cartilage.

Reproductive-dependent effects of B vitamin deficiency on lifespan and physiology

B vitamins constitute essential micronutrients in animal organisms, executing crucial roles in numerous biological processes. B vitamin deficiency can result in severe health consequences, including the impairment of reproductive functions and increased susceptibility to age-related diseases. However, the understanding of how reproduction alters the requirements of each individual B vitamins for healthy aging and lifespan remains limited. Here, utilizing Drosophila as a model organism, we revealed the substantial impacts of deficiencies in specific B vitamins on lifespan and diverse physiological functions, with the effects being significantly shaped by reproductive status. Notably, the dietary absence of VB1, VB3, VB5, VB6, or VB7 significantly decreased the lifespan of wild-type females, yet demonstrated relatively little effect on ovoD1 infertile mutant females' lifespan. B vitamin deficiencies also resulted in distinct impacts on the reproduction, starvation tolerance and fat metabolism of wild-type females, though no apparent effects were observed in the infertile mutant females. Moreover, a deficiency in VB1 reshaped the impacts of macronutrient intervention on the physiology and lifespan of fertile females in a reproductive-dependent manner. Overall, our study unravels that the reproductive status of females serves as a critical modulator of the lifespan and physiological alterations elicited by B-vitamin deficiencies.

Scurvy: A treatable forgotten fatal differential diagnosis and potential etiology of leukemia and aplastic anemia in pediatric population

Scurvy is a rare nutritional deficiency disease which is less likely to be suspected and it mostly lead to delayed diagnosis. It can present with features which can mislead clinicians to misdiagnose the condition as leukemia or aplastic anemia. This can subject patients to the wrong management which leads to poor outcome and increased preventable morbidity and mortality. Vitamin C deficiency is still prevalent among pediatric population even in the modern days and should no longer be considered as historical condition. Chromosomal fragility has been greatly accounted for the development of leukemia and aplastic anemia secondary to various triggers. The role of vitamin C toward DNA stability, prevention, and control of mutations have been documented. Vitamin C plays a vital role in hematopoiesis by controlling regulation and prevent dysfunction of hematopoietic stem cells. Scurvy deficiency has been a silent growing clinical problem which needs a high index of suspicion for a clinician to pick it. It should be considered as one among potential differential diagnosis of leukemia and aplastic anemia especially in the pediatric population. History of any dietary restriction should be obtained and addressed properly. Serum vitamin C should be among the essential laboratory workout in diagnosis of both leukemia and aplastic anemia. All patients suspected to have such conditions should be screened and supplemented for vitamin C deficiency irrespective of positive confirmatory test results of leukemia or aplastic anemia since the probability of co-occurrence is likely also. Moreover, studies should be conducted to explore the clinical link, if any, between vitamin C deficiency or insufficiency and development of leukemia and aplastic anemia among the pediatric population given its physiological and genomic role in hematopoiesis. Furthermore, the potential pharmacological therapeutic use of vitamin C in treatment of leukemia and aplastic anemia should be determined clinically.

Nano-engineered vitamins as a potential epigenetic modifier against environmental air pollutants

Air pollution has emerged as a serious threat to human health due to close association with spectrum of chronic ailments including cardiovascular disorders, respiratory diseases, nervous system dysfunctions, diabetes and cancer. Exposure to air-borne pollutants along with poor eating behaviours and inferior dietary quality irreversibly impacts epigenomic landscape, leading to aberrant transcriptional control of gene expression which is central to patho-physiology of non-communicable diseases. It is assumed that nutriepigenomic interventions such as vitamins can control such adverse effects through their immediate action on mitochondrial epigenomic-axis. Importantly, the exhaustive clinical utility of vitamins-interceded epigenetic synchronization is not well characterized. Therefore, improving the current limitations linked to stability and bioavailability issues in vitamin formulations is highly warranted. The present review not only sums up the available data on the role of vitamins as potential epigenetic modifiers but also discusses the importance of nano-engineered vitamins as potential epidrugs for dietary and pharmacological intervention to mitigate the long-term effects of air pollution toxicity.

Dietary Vitamin E Isoforms Intake: Development of a New Tool to Assess Tocopherols and Tocotrienols Intake in Adults

Due to the documented health benefits of tocopherols and tocotrienols as bioactive compounds, it seems important to assess their intake. The aim of this study was to develop a new tool and its application for assessment of tocopherol and tocotrienol intake in adults. Dietary data were collected by semiquantitative FFQ (VitE-FFQ) and by a 1-day dietary record in a group of 447 subjects. The database of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) was used to calculate the individual isoforms of vitamin E and develop the tool-VIT_E.CAL. The assessment of measuring agreement between the two methods was conducted by analysis of the correlations and Bland-Altman plots. The average α-tocopherol intake was 11.3 mg/day for the data obtained using the FFQ method and 12.8 mg/day for the results obtained using the 1-day dietary record. Depending on the adopted recommendation, only 40-57% of the subjects had adequate vitamin E intake. The intake of α-tocopherol did not exceed the UL value in any of the respondents. The dominant forms of vitamin E in the diet of the studied group were α- and γ- forms (55% and 38% of the total sum) among tocopherols and β- and γ- forms (49% and 24% of the total sum) among tocotrienols. VIT_E.CAL allows us to calculate not only the total amount of vitamin E but also its eight isoforms. It can be a useful tool to assess individual and group intake of various forms of vitamin E in the diet. The use of VIT_E.CAL enables the proper assessment of vitamin E (as α-tocopherol and not α-tocopherol equivalent) in the diet of Poles, and most likely also in the European diet. The obtained results indicate the need to take into account the content of individual forms of vitamin E in food/diet, which will allow for a reliable assessment of its consumption. It also seems necessary to standardize the nomenclature regarding the name of vitamin E and its use for correct nutritional assessment.

An overview of vitamins as epidrugs for colorectal cancer prevention

Gene expression altering epigenomic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and chromosome remodeling is crucial to regulating many biological processes. Several lifestyle factors, such as diet and natural, bioactive food compounds, such as vitamins, modify epigenetic patterns. However, epigenetic dysregulation can increase the risk of many diseases, including cancer. Various studies have provided supporting and contrasting evidence on the relationship between vitamins and cancer risk. Though there is a gap in knowledge about whether dietary vitamins can induce epigenetic modifications in the context of colorectal cancer (CRC), the possibility of using them as epidrugs for CRC treatment is being explored. This is promising because such studies might be informative about the most effective way to use vitamins in combination with DNA methyltransferase inhibitors and other approved therapies to prevent and treat CRC. This review summarizes the available epidemiological and observational studies involving dietary, circulating levels, and supplementation of vitamins and their relationship with CRC risk. Additionally, using available in vitro, in vivo, and human observational studies, the role of vitamins as potential epigenetic modifiers in CRC is discussed. This review is focused on the action of vitamins as modifiers of DNA methylation because aberrant DNA methylation, together with genetic alterations, can induce the initiation and progression of CRC. Although this review presents some studies with promising results, studies with better study designs are necessary. A thorough understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of vitamin-mediated epigenetic regulation of CRC genes can help identify effective therapeutic targets for CRC prevention and treatment.

PROSPECTIVE SINGLE CENTER ANALYSIS OF OUTCOME STEM CELLS TRANSPLANTS IN PATIENTS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

OBJECTIVE

Aim: To evaluate efficacy and safety of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear stem cell transplantation intrathecal in children with cerebral palsy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and Methods: 35 children have levels I-V cerebral palsy aged 8-months to 8-years-old were enrolled from September (2021-2022) at Iraqi private hospital. Gross Motor Function was assessed by a pediatrician and neurologist specialist, 5 mcg/kg/day of G-CSF subcutaneous single injection daily for three consecutive days. Bone marrow harvested from posterior iliac crest under light general anesthesia. Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) separation was performed using density gradient centrifugation with Ficoll, the cell viability checked by propidium iodide dye in a TALI machine (Invitrogen) in average 98%. The viable BMMNCs injected intrathecal in L4-L5 over a period of 5-10 min.

RESULTS

Results: Males accounted for 57.14% (20/35) while female 42.86% (15/35), and main neurological symptoms included spastic disorder spastic disorder (quadriplegia 24 (68.6), tetraplegia 2 (5.7), diplegia 5 (14.28), hemiplegia4 (11.42)). Gross Motor Function Classification System and Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) showed II 10 (28.58), III 11(31.42) and IV 14 (40). On mean follow-up of 3 months post-stem cell transplant improvement was observed in 80% cases. The improvement showed in gross motor function (6/8) p=0.01, and speech (2/4) p=0.04, neck holding (5/5) p=0.0003, sitting balance (4/4) p=0.04, postural tone (5/5) p=0.0003, as well as significant reduction in seizure frequency (2/3) p=0.04 and improvement in cognition (6/7) p=0.01 were observed.

CONCLUSION

Conclusion: Stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy shows a significant positive effect on the gross motor function, without long adverse effects.

Retinol-Loaded Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Based Hydrogels as Suitable Biomaterials with Antimicrobial Properties for the Proliferation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels are well-known biomimetic 3D systems for mammalian cell cultures to mimic native tissues. Recently, several biomolecules were intended for use in PVA hydrogels to improve their biological properties. However, retinol, an important biomolecule, has not been combined with a PVA hydrogel for culturing bone marrow mesenchymal stem (BMMS) cells. Thus, for the first time, the effect of retinol on the physicochemical, antimicrobial, and cell proliferative properties of a PVA hydrogel was investigated. The ability of protein (3.15 nm) and mineral adsorption (4.8 mg/mL) of a PVA hydrogel was improved by 0.5 wt.% retinol. The antimicrobial effect of hydrogel was more significant in S. aureus (39.3 mm) than in E. coli (14.6 mm), and the effect was improved by increasing the retinol concentration. The BMMS cell proliferation was more upregulated in retinol-loaded PVA hydrogel than in the control at 7 days. We demonstrate that the respective in vitro degradation rate of retinol-loaded PVA hydrogels (RPH) (75-78% degradation) may promote both antibacterial and cellular proliferation. Interestingly, the incorporation of retinol did not affect the cell-loading capacity of PVA hydrogel. Accordingly, the fabricated PVA retinol hydrogel proved its compatibility in a stem cell culture and could be a potential biomaterial for tissue regeneration.

Metabolic regulation of somatic stem cells in vivo

Metabolism has been studied mainly in cultured cells or at the level of whole tissues or whole organisms in vivo. Consequently, our understanding of metabolic heterogeneity among cells within tissues is limited, particularly when it comes to rare cells with biologically distinct properties, such as stem cells. Stem cell function, tissue regeneration and cancer suppression are all metabolically regulated, although it is not yet clear whether there are metabolic mechanisms unique to stem cells that regulate their activity and function. Recent work has, however, provided evidence that stem cells do have a metabolic signature that is distinct from that of restricted progenitors and that metabolic changes influence tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Stem cell maintenance throughout life in many tissues depends upon minimizing anabolic pathway activation and cell division. Consequently, stem cell activation by tissue injury is associated with changes in mitochondrial function, lysosome activity and lipid metabolism, potentially at the cost of eroding self-renewal potential. Stem cell metabolism is also regulated by the environment: stem cells metabolically interact with other cells in their niches and are able to sense and adapt to dietary changes. The accelerating understanding of stem cell metabolism is revealing new aspects of tissue homeostasis with the potential to promote tissue regeneration and cancer suppression.

Regulation of energy metabolism in human pluripotent stem cells

All living organisms need energy to carry out their essential functions. The importance of energy metabolism is increasingly recognized in human pluripotent stem cells. Energy production is not only essential for cell survival and proliferation, but also critical for pluripotency and cell fate determination. Thus, energy metabolism is an important target in cellular regulation and stem cell applications. In this review, we will discuss key factors that influence energy metabolism and their association with stem cell functions.

Preeclampsia: From Cellular Wellness to Inappropriate Cell Death, and the Roles of Nutrition

Preeclampsia is one of the most common obstetrical complications worldwide. The pathomechanism of this disease begins with abnormal placentation in early pregnancy, which is associated with inappropriate decidualization, vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, and spiral artery remodeling, leading to endothelial dysfunction. In these processes, appropriate cellular deaths have been proposed to play a pivotal role, including apoptosis and autophagy. The proper functioning of these physiological cell deaths for placentation depends on the wellbeing of the trophoblasts, affected by the structural and functional integrity of each cellular component including the cell membrane, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, genetics, and epigenetics. This cellular wellness, which includes optimal cellular integrity and function, is heavily influenced by nutritional adequacy. In contrast, nutritional deficiencies may result in the alteration of plasma membrane, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and changes in gene expression, DNA methylation, and miRNA expression, as well as weakened defense against environmental contaminants, hence inducing a series of inappropriate cellular deaths such as abnormal apoptosis and necrosis, and autophagy dysfunction and resulting in abnormal trophoblast invasion. Despite their inherent connection, the currently available studies examined the functions of each organelle, the cellular death mechanisms and the nutrition involved, both physiologically in the placenta and in preeclampsia, separately. Therefore, this review aims to comprehensively discuss the relationship between each organelle in maintaining the physiological cell death mechanisms and the nutrition involved, and the interconnection between the disruptions in the cellular organelles and inappropriate cell death mechanisms, resulting in poor trophoblast invasion and differentiation, as seen in preeclampsia.

New perspectives in regenerative medicine and surgery: the bioactive composite therapies (BACTs)

Regenerative medicine and surgery is a rapidly expanding branch of translational research in tissue engineering, cellular and molecular biology. To date, the methods to improve cell intake, survival, and isolation need to comply with a complex and still unclear regulatory frame, becoming everyday more restrictive and often limiting the effectiveness and outcome of the therapeutic choices. Thus, the authors developed a novel 360° regenerative strategy based on the synergic action of several new components called the bioactive composite therapies (BACTs) to improve grafted cells intake, and survival in total compliance with the legal and ethical limits of the current regulatory frame. The rationale at the origin of this new technology is based on the evidence that cells need supportive substrate to survive in vitro and this observation, applying the concept of translational medicine, is true also in vivo. Bioactive composite mixtures (BACMs) are tailor-made bioactive mixtures containing several bioactive components that support cells' survival and induce a regenerative response in vivo by stimulating the recipient site to act as an in situ real bioreactor. Many different tissues have been used in the past for the isolation of cells, molecules, and growth factors, but the adipose tissue and its stromal vascular fraction (SVF) remains the most valuable, abundant, safe, and reliable source of regenerative components and particularly of adipose-derived stems cells (ADSCs). The role of plastic surgeons as the historical experts in all the most advanced techniques for harvesting, manipulating, and grafting adipose tissue is fundamental in this constant process of expansion of regenerative procedures. In this article, we analyze the main causes of cell death and the strategies for preventing it, and we present all the technical steps for preparing the main components of BACMs and the different mixing modalities to obtain the most efficient regenerative action on different clinical and pathological conditions. The second section of this work is dedicated to the logical and sequential evolution from simple bioactive composite grafts (BACGs) that distinguished our initial approach to regenerative medicine, to BACTs where many other fundamental technical steps are analyzed and integrated for supporting and enhancing the most efficient regenerative activity. Level of Evidence: Not gradable.

Role of vitamins in the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease has increased and continues to be the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The etiology of these diseases includes a complex phenotype derived from interactions between genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors. In this regard, it is common to observe vitamin deficiencies in the general population and even more in patients with cardiometabolic diseases due to different factors. Vitamins are essential micronutrients for cellular metabolism and their deficiencies result in diseases. In addition to its role in nutritional functions, increasingly, vitamins are being recognized as modulators of genetics expression and signals transduction, when consumed at pharmacological concentrations. Numerous randomized preclinical and clinical trials have evaluated the use of vitamin supplementation in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. However, it is controversy regarding its efficacy in the treatment and prevention of these diseases. In this review, we investigated chemical basics, physiological effect and recommended daily intake, problems with deficiency and overdose, preclinical and clinical studies, and mechanisms of action of vitamin supplementation in the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

Tocopherols and Tocotrienols-Bioactive Dietary Compounds; What Is Certain, What Is Doubt?

Tocopherols and tocotrienols are natural compounds of plant origin, available in the nature. They are supplied in various amounts in a diet, mainly from vegetable oils, some oilseeds, and nuts. The main forms in the diet are α- and γ-tocopherol, due to the highest content in food products. Nevertheless, α-tocopherol is the main form of vitamin E with the highest tissue concentration. The α- forms of both tocopherols and tocotrienols are considered as the most metabolically active. Currently, research results indicate also a greater antioxidant potential of tocotrienols than tocopherols. Moreover, the biological role of vitamin E metabolites have received increasing interest. The aim of this review is to update the knowledge of tocopherol and tocotrienol bioactivity, with a particular focus on their bioavailability, distribution, and metabolism determinants in humans. Almost one hundred years after the start of research on α-tocopherol, its biological properties are still under investigation. For several decades, researchers' interest in the biological importance of other forms of vitamin E has also been growing. Some of the functions, for instance the antioxidant functions of α- and γ-tocopherols, have been confirmed in humans, while others, such as the relationship with metabolic disorders, are still under investigation. Some studies, which analyzed the biological role and mechanisms of tocopherols and tocotrienols over the past few years described new and even unexpected cellular and molecular properties that will be the subject of future research.

Micronutrient therapy and effective immune response: a promising approach for management of COVID-19

The escalating prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide, with an increased rate of morbidity and mortality, highlights an urgent need to develop more effective therapeutic interventions. Despite the authorized treatment against COVID-19 by the European Union (EU), the safety and effectiveness of this therapeutic strategy for a wide variety of patients have remained a significant challenge. In this respect, micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, as essential factors, can be considered for improving the function of the immune system and accelerating the treatment procedure. Dietary supplements can attenuate vascular and inflammatory manifestations related to infectious diseases in large part due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Recently, it has been revealed that poor nutritional status may be one of the notable risk factors in severe COVID-19 infections. In the current review, we focus on the micronutrient therapy of COVID-19 patients and provide a comprehensive insight into the essential vitamins/minerals and their role in controlling the severity of the COVID-19 infection. We also discuss the recent advancements, challenges, negative and positive outcomes in relevance to this approach.

Cytoprotective effects of antioxidant supplementation on mesenchymal stem cell therapy

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are earmarked as perfect candidates for cell therapy and tissue engineering due to their capacity to differentiate into different cell types. However, their potential for application in regenerative medicine declines when the levels of the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) increase from the physiological levels, a phenomenon which is at least inevitable in ex vivo cultures and air-exposed damaged tissues. Increased levels of RONS can alter the patterns of osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation and inhibit proliferation, as well. Besides, oxidative stress enhances senescence and cell death, thus lowering the success rates of the MSC engraftment. Hence, in this review, we have selected some representatives of antioxidants and newly emerged nano antioxidants in three main categories, including chemical compounds, biometabolites, and protein precursors/proteins, which are proved to be effective in the treatment of MSCs. We will focus on how antioxidants can be applied to optimize the clinical usage of the MSCs and their associated signaling pathways. We have also reviewed several paralleled properties of some antioxidants and nano antioxidants which can be simultaneously used in real-time imaging, scaffolding techniques, and other applications in addition to their primary antioxidative function.