A Comprehensive Overview of the Complex Role of Oxidative Stress in Aging, The Contributing Environmental Stressors and Emerging Antioxidant Therapeutic Interventions

Recent developments in the design of functional derivatives of edaravone and exploration of their antioxidant activities

Edaravone, a pyrazalone derivative, is an antioxidant and free radical scavenger used to treat oxidative stress-related diseases. It is a proven drug to mitigate conditions prevailing to oxidative stress by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, reducing inflammation, and thereby preventing endothelial cell death. In recent years, considerable interest has been given by researchers in the derivatization of edaravone by adding varieties of substituents of versatile steric and functional properties to improve its antioxidant and pharmacological activity. This review accounts all the important methods developed for the derivatization of edaravone and the impacts of the structural modifications on the antioxidant activity of the motif.

Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: The Role of Inflammation

Heart failure (HF) is a debilitating clinical syndrome affecting 64.3 million patients worldwide. More than 50% of HF cases are attributed to HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), an entity growing in prevalence and mortality. Although recent breakthroughs reveal the prognostic benefits of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in HFpEF, there is still a lack of effective pharmacological therapy available. This highlights a major gap in medical knowledge that must be addressed. Current evidence attributes HFpEF pathogenesis to an interplay between cardiometabolic comorbidities, inflammation, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) activation, leading to cardiac remodelling and diastolic dysfunction. However, conventional RAAS blockade has demonstrated limited benefits in HFpEF, which emphasises that alternative therapeutic targets should be explored. Presently, there is limited literature examining the use of anti-inflammatory HFpEF therapies despite growing evidence supporting its importance in disease progression. Hence, this review aims to explore current perspectives on HFpEF pathogenesis, including the importance of inflammation-driven cardiac remodelling and the therapeutic potential of anti-inflammatory therapies.

Trauma, adversity, and biological aging: behavioral mechanisms relevant to treatment and theory

Although stress and adversity are largely universal experiences, people exposed to greater hardship are at increased risk for negative health consequences. Recent studies identify accelerated biological aging as a mechanism that could explain how trauma and adversity gives rise to poor health, and advances in this area of study coincide with technological innovations in the measurement of biological aging, particularly epigenetic profiles consistent with accelerated aging derived from DNA methylation. In this review, we provide an overview of the current literature examining how adversity might accelerate biological aging, with a specific focus on social and health behaviors. The most extensive evidence in this area suggests that health-compromising behaviors, particularly smoking, may partially explain the association between adversity and accelerated aging. Although there is relatively less published support for the role of social behaviors, emerging evidence points to the importance of social connection as a mechanism for future study. Our review highlights the need to determine the extent to which the associations from adversity to accelerated aging are consistent with causal processes. As we consider these questions, the review emphasizes methodological approaches from the causal inference literature that can help deepen our understanding of how stress and trauma might result in poor health. The use of these methodologies will help provide evidence as to which behavioral interventions might slow aging and improve health, particularly among populations that more often experience adversity and trauma.

Aging and "Age-Related" Diseases - What Is the Relation?

The study explores the intricate relationship between aging and the development of noncommunicable diseases [NCDs], focusing on whether these diseases are inevitable consequences of aging or primarily driven by lifestyle factors. By examining epidemiological data, particularly from hunter-gatherer societies, the study highlights that many NCDs prevalent in modern populations are rare in these societies, suggesting a significant influence of lifestyle choices. It delves into the mechanisms through which poor diet, smoking, and other lifestyle factors contribute to systemic physiological imbalances, characterized by oxidative stress, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, and dysregulation of the sympathetic nervous system, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and the immune system. The interplay between this pattern and individual factors such as genetic susceptibility, biological variability, epigenetic changes and the microbiome is proposed to play a crucial role in the development of a range of age-related NCDs. Modified biomolecules such as oxysterols and advanced glycation end products also contribute to their development. Specific diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, Parkinson's disease, glaucoma and osteoarthritis are analyzed to illustrate these mechanisms. The study concludes that while aging contributes to the risk of NCDs, lifestyle factors play a crucial role, offering potential avenues for prevention and intervention through healthier living practices. One possible approach could be to try to restore the physiological balance, e.g. through dietary measures [e.g. Mediterranean diet, Okinawan diet or Paleolithic diet] in conjunction with [a combination of] pharmacological interventions and other lifestyle changes.

Mitigation of Oxidative Stress in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Through Exosome-Mediated Therapies

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) poses a formidable clinical challenge, characterized by the thickening of alveolar septa and the onset of pulmonary fibrosis. The pronounced activation of oxidative stress emerges as a pivotal hallmark of inflammation. Traditional application of exogenous antioxidants proves inadequate in addressing oxidative stress, necessitating exploration into strategies to augment their antioxidant efficacy. Exosomes, nano-sized extracellular vesicles harboring a diverse array of bioactive factors, present as promising carriers with the potential to meet this challenge. Recent attention has been directed towards the clinical applications of exosomes in IPF, fueling the impetus for this comprehensive review. We have compiled fresh insights into the role of exosomes in modulating oxidative stress in IPF and delved into their potential as carriers for regulating endogenous reactive oxygen species generation. This review endeavors to bridge the divide between exosome research and IPF, traversing from bedside to bench. Through the synthesis of recent findings, we propose exosomes as a novel and promising strategy for improving the outcomes of IPF therapy.

Antioxidant and anti-ageing effects of oleuropein aglycone in canine skeletal muscle cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are normally produced in skeletal muscle. However, an imbalance in their regulatory systems can lead to their accumulation and ultimately to oxidative stress, which is one of the causes of the ageing process. Companion dogs share the same environment and lifestyle as humans, making them an excellent comparative model for the study of ageing, as well as they constitute a growing market for bioactive molecules that improve the quality of life of pets. The anti-ageing properties of oleuropein aglycone (OLE), a bioactive compound from olive leaves known for its antioxidant properties, were investigated in Myok9 canine muscle cell model. After incubation with OLE, senescence was induced in the canine cellular model by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Analyses were performed on cells after seven days of differentiation. The oxidative stress induced by H2O2 treatment on differentiated canine muscle cells led to a significant increase in ROS formation, which was reduced by OLE pretreatment alone or in combination with H2O2 by about 34% and 32%, respectively. Cells treated with H2O2 showed a 48% increase the area of senescent cells stained by SA-β-gal, while OLE significantly reduced the coloured area by 52%. OLE, alone or in combination with H2O2, showed a significant antioxidant activity, possibly through autophagy activation, as indicated by the expression of autophagic markers.

Amelioration of cisplatin-induced neurodegenerative changes in rats and restoration of mitochondrial biogenesis by 6-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime: The implication of the GSK-3β/PGC1-α axis

BACKGROUND

The cognitive deficits observed after treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs are obvious clinical problems. For treating chemotherapy-induced cognitive deficits (CICD), the treatment modalities must target its underlying mechanisms. Specifically, cisplatin may activate glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), thereby enhancing neuronal apoptosis. 6-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime (6BIO) was not investigated previously in a model of CICD. Therefore, this investigation aimed to address the impacts of GSK3 inhibition on regulating cell signaling, which contributes to neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment.

METHODS

Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into control groups, while two experimental groups were exposed to repeated cisplatin injections (2 mg/kg intraperitoneally (ip), twice weekly, nine injections), termed chemobrain groups. The rats in the two experimental groups were equally divided into the chemobrain group (untreated) and the chemobrain-6BIO group (treated with 6BIO at a dose of 8.5 μg/kg ip every two days, started after the last dose of cisplatin and continued for two weeks).

RESULTS

Repeated exposure to cisplatin led to a marked decline in cognitive functions. GSK3 inhibition exerted neuroprotection by decreasing the expression of p-tau and amyloid β, thereby improving cognition. 6BIO, the GSK-3β inhibitor, restored mitochondrial biogenesis by augmenting the protein levels of PGC1-α and increasing the number of mitochondria in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.

CONCLUSION

6BIO provided neuroprotection and exhibited anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative effects in a rat model of chemobrain.

Membrane Lipid Replacement for reconstituting mitochondrial function and moderating cancer-related fatigue, pain and other symptoms while counteracting the adverse effects of cancer cytotoxic therapy

Cancer-related fatigue, pain, gastrointestinal and other symptoms are among the most familiar complaints in practically every type and stage of cancer, especially metastatic cancers. Such symptoms are also related to cancer oxidative stress and the damage instigated by cancer cytotoxic therapies to cellular membranes, especially mitochondrial membranes. Cancer cytotoxic therapies (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) often cause adverse symptoms and induce patients to terminate their anti-neoplastic regimens. Cancer-related fatigue, pain and other symptoms and the adverse effects of cancer cytotoxic therapies can be safely moderated with oral Membrane Lipid Replacement (MLR) glycerolphospholipids and mitochondrial cofactors, such as coenzyme Q10. MLR provides essential membrane lipids and precursors to maintain mitochondrial and other cellular membrane functions and reduces fatigue, pain, gastrointestinal, inflammation and other symptoms. In addition, patients with a variety of chronic symptoms benefit from MLR supplements, and MLR also has the ability to enhance the bioavailability of nutrients and slowly remove toxic, hydrophobic molecules from cells and tissues.

Cellular ROS and Antioxidants: Physiological and Pathological Role

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive oxygen derivatives that include free radicals such as superoxide anion radical (O2•-) and hydroxyl radical (HO•), as well as non-radical molecules hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), peroxynitrite (ONOO-), and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) [...].

NMDA Receptor Antagonist Memantine Ameliorates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Aged Rats

Aging is closely related to the main aspects of multiple sclerosis (MS). The average age of the MS population is increasing and the number of elderly MS patients is expected to increase. In addition to neurons, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are also expressed on non-neuronal cells, such as immune cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of NMDARs in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in young and aged rats. Memantine, a non-competitive NMDAR antagonist, was administered to young and aged Dark Agouti rats from day 7 after immunization. Antagonizing NMDARs had a more favourable effect on clinical disease, reactivation, and apoptosis of CD4+ T cells in the target organ of aged EAE rats. The expression of the fractalkine receptor CX3CR1 was increased in memantine-treated rats, but to a greater extent in aged rats. Additionally, memantine increased Nrf2 and Nrf2-regulated enzymes' mRNA expression in brain tissue. The concentrations of superoxide anion radicals, malondialdehyde, and advanced oxidation protein products in brain tissue were consistent with previous results. Overall, our results suggest that NMDARs play a more important role in the pathogenesis of EAE in aged than in young rats.

Impact of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Environment on the Metabolic Profile of Medicinal Plants and Their Therapeutic Potential

The paper provides a comprehensive examination of heavy metal stress on medicinal plants, focusing on its impact on antioxidant capacity and biosynthetic pathways critical to their therapeutic potential. It explores the complex relationship between heavy metals and the physiological and biochemical responses of medicinal plants, highlighting how metal stress disrupts biosynthetic pathways, altering concentrations of secondary metabolites. This disruption may compromise the overall quality and efficacy of medicinal plants, requiring a holistic understanding of its cumulative impacts. Furthermore, the study discusses the potential of targeted genetic editing to enhance plant resilience against heavy metal stress by manipulating genes associated with antioxidant defenses. This approach represents a promising frontier in safeguarding medicinal plants in metal-contaminated environments. Additionally, the research investigates the role of phytohormone signaling in plant adaptive mechanisms to heavy metal stress, revealing its influence on biochemical and physiological responses, thereby adding complexity to plant adaptation. The study underscores the importance of innovative technologies and global cooperation in protecting medicinal plants' therapeutic potential and highlights the need for mitigation strategies to address heavy metal contamination effectively.

Anti-oxidative stress treatment and current clinical trials

Oxidative stress disturbs the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the detoxification biological process. It plays an important role in the development and progression of many chronic diseases. Upon exposure to oxidative stress or the inducers of ROS, the cellular nucleus undergoes some biological processes via different signaling pathways, such as stress adaption through the forkhead box O signaling pathway, inflammatory response through the IκB kinase/nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway, hypoxic response via the hypoxia-inducible factor/prolyl hydroxylase domain proteins pathway, DNA repair or apoptosis through the p53 signaling pathway, and antioxidant response through the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 signaling pathway. These processes are involved in many diseases. Therefore, oxidative stress has gained more attraction as a targeting process for disease treatment. Meanwhile, anti-oxidative stress agents have been widely explored in pre-clinical trials. However, only limited clinical trials are performed to evaluate the efficacy of anti-oxidative stress agents or antioxidants in diseases. In this letter, we further discuss the current clinical trials related to anti-oxidative stress treatment in different diseases. More pre-clinical studies and clinical trials are expected to use anti-oxidative stress strategies as disease treatment or dietary supplementation to improve disease treatment outcomes.

Exploiting the damaging effects of ROS for therapeutic use by deactivating cell-free chromatin: the alchemy of resveratrol and copper

Cell-free chromatin particles (cfChPs) that circulate in blood, or those that are released locally from dying cells, have myriad pathological effects. They can horizontally transfer themselves into healthy cells to induce DNA damage and activate inflammatory and apoptotic pathways. It has been proposed that repeated and lifelong assault on healthy cells by cfChPs may be the underlying cause of ageing and multiple age related disorders including cancer. The damaging effects of cfChPs can be minimized by deactivating them via the medium of ROS generated by admixing the nutraceuticals resveratrol (R) and copper (Cu). The antioxidant R acts as a pro-oxidant in the presence of Cu by its ability to catalyse the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) with the generation of ROS via a Fenton-like reaction which can deactivate extra-cellular cfChPs. This perspective article explores the possibility of using the damaging potential of ROS for therapeutic purposes. It discusses the ability of ROS generating nutraceuticals R-Cu to deactivate the extracellular cfChPs without damaging effects on the genomic DNA. As cfChPs play a key role in activation of various disease associated pathways, R-Cu mediated deactivation of these pathways may open up multiple novel avenues for therapy. These findings have considerable translational implications which deserve further investigation by the way of well-designed randomised clinical trials.

Complex II ambiguities-FADH2 in the electron transfer system

The prevailing notion that reduced cofactors NADH and FADH2 transfer electrons from the tricarboxylic acid cycle to the mitochondrial electron transfer system creates ambiguities regarding respiratory Complex II (CII). CII is the only membrane-bound enzyme in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and is part of the electron transfer system of the mitochondrial inner membrane feeding electrons into the coenzyme Q-junction. The succinate dehydrogenase subunit SDHA of CII oxidizes succinate and reduces the covalently bound prosthetic group FAD to FADH2 in the canonical forward tricarboxylic acid cycle. However, several graphical representations of the electron transfer system depict FADH2 in the mitochondrial matrix as a substrate to be oxidized by CII. This leads to the false conclusion that FADH2 from the β-oxidation cycle in fatty acid oxidation feeds electrons into CII. In reality, dehydrogenases of fatty acid oxidation channel electrons to the Q-junction but not through CII. The ambiguities surrounding Complex II in the literature and educational resources call for quality control, to secure scientific standards in current communications of bioenergetics, and ultimately support adequate clinical applications. This review aims to raise awareness of the inherent ambiguity crisis, complementing efforts to address the well-acknowledged issues of credibility and reproducibility.

High glucose-increased miR-200c contributes to cellular senescence and DNA damage in neural stem cells

BACKGROUND

Maternal diabetes increases the risk for neural tube defects (NTDs). It is unclear if miRNAs, senescence, and DNA damage are involved in this process. In this study, we used neural stem cells as an in vitro proxy of embryonic neuroepithelium to investigate whether high glucose triggers neural stem cell senescence and DNA damage by upregulating miR-200c, which may be responsible for NTDs.

METHODS

C17.2 neural stem cells were cultured with normal glucose (5 mM) or high glucose (≥16.7 mM) at different doses and time points for detecting miR-200c levels, markers of senescence and DNA damage. Neural stem cells were exposed to antioxidant SOD1 mimetic Tempol and high glucose for 48 h to test roles of oxidative stress on the miR-200c, senescence, and DNA damage levels. An miR-200c mimic and an inhibitor were transfected into neural stem cells to increase or decrease miR-200c activities.

RESULTS

High glucose upregulated miR-200c in neural stem cells. A time course study of the effect of high glucose revealed that miR-200c initially increased at 12 h and reached its zenith at 18 h. Tempol reduced miR-200c levels caused by high glucose. High glucose induced markers of senescence and DNA damage in neural stem cells. Tempol abolished high glucose-induced markers of senescence and DNA damage. The miR-200c inhibitor suppressed high glucose-induced markers of senescence and DNA damage. Treatment with miR-200c mimic imitates high glucose-induced markers of senescence and DNA damage.

CONCLUSIONS

We show that high glucose increases miR-200c, which contributes to cellular senescence and DNA damage in neural stem cells and provides a potential pathway for maternal diabetes-induced neural tube defects.

Reactive oxygen species, toxicity, oxidative stress, and antioxidants: chronic diseases and aging

A physiological level of oxygen/nitrogen free radicals and non-radical reactive species (collectively known as ROS/RNS) is termed oxidative eustress or "good stress" and is characterized by low to mild levels of oxidants involved in the regulation of various biochemical transformations such as carboxylation, hydroxylation, peroxidation, or modulation of signal transduction pathways such as Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, phosphoinositide-3-kinase, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and other processes. Increased levels of ROS/RNS, generated from both endogenous (mitochondria, NADPH oxidases) and/or exogenous sources (radiation, certain drugs, foods, cigarette smoking, pollution) result in a harmful condition termed oxidative stress ("bad stress"). Although it is widely accepted, that many chronic diseases are multifactorial in origin, they share oxidative stress as a common denominator. Here we review the importance of oxidative stress and the mechanisms through which oxidative stress contributes to the pathological states of an organism. Attention is focused on the chemistry of ROS and RNS (e.g. superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals, peroxyl radicals, nitric oxide, peroxynitrite), and their role in oxidative damage of DNA, proteins, and membrane lipids. Quantitative and qualitative assessment of oxidative stress biomarkers is also discussed. Oxidative stress contributes to the pathology of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurological disorders (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, Down syndrome), psychiatric diseases (depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder), renal disease, lung disease (chronic pulmonary obstruction, lung cancer), and aging. The concerted action of antioxidants to ameliorate the harmful effect of oxidative stress is achieved by antioxidant enzymes (Superoxide dismutases-SODs, catalase, glutathione peroxidase-GPx), and small molecular weight antioxidants (vitamins C and E, flavonoids, carotenoids, melatonin, ergothioneine, and others). Perhaps one of the most effective low molecular weight antioxidants is vitamin E, the first line of defense against the peroxidation of lipids. A promising approach appears to be the use of certain antioxidants (e.g. flavonoids), showing weak prooxidant properties that may boost cellular antioxidant systems and thus act as preventive anticancer agents. Redox metal-based enzyme mimetic compounds as potential pharmaceutical interventions and sirtuins as promising therapeutic targets for age-related diseases and anti-aging strategies are discussed.

Premature senescence and cardiovascular disease following cancer treatments: mechanistic insights

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among the aging population. The "response-to-injury" model proposed by Dr. Russell Ross in 1999 emphasizes inflammation as a critical factor in atherosclerosis development, with atherosclerotic plaques forming due to endothelial cell (EC) injury, followed by myeloid cell adhesion and invasion into the blood vessel walls. Recent evidence indicates that cancer and its treatments can lead to long-term complications, including CVD. Cellular senescence, a hallmark of aging, is implicated in CVD pathogenesis, particularly in cancer survivors. However, the precise mechanisms linking premature senescence to CVD in cancer survivors remain poorly understood. This article aims to provide mechanistic insights into this association and propose future directions to better comprehend this complex interplay.

7β-Hydroxycholesterol and 7-ketocholesterol: New oxidative stress biomarkers of sarcopenia inducing cytotoxic effects on myoblasts and myotubes

Aging is a complex biological process which can be associated with skeletal muscle degradation leading to sarcopenia. The aim of this study consisted i) to determine the oxidative and inflammatory status of sarcopenic patients and ii) to clarify the impact of oxidative stress on myoblasts and myotubes. To this end, various biomarkers of inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP), TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, leukotriene B4 (LTB4)) and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes, carbonylated proteins and antioxidant enzymes: catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) as well as oxidized derivatives of cholesterol formed by cholesterol autoxidation (7-ketocholesterol, 7β-hydroxycholesterol), were analyzed. Apelin, a myokine which contributes to muscle strength, was also quantified. To this end, a case-control study was conducted to evaluate the RedOx and inflammatory status in 45 elderly subjects (23 non-sarcopenic; 22 sarcopenic) from 65 years old and higher. SARCopenia-Formular (SARC-F) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests were used to distinguish between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic subjects. By using red blood cells, plasma and/or serum, we observed in sarcopenic patients an increased activity of major antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase) associated with lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation (increased level of malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes and carbonylated proteins). Higher levels of 7-ketocholesterol and 7β-hydroxycholesterol were also observed in the plasma of sarcopenic patients. Significant differences were only observed with 7β-hydroxycholesterol. In sarcopenic patients comparatively to non-sarcopenic subjects, significant increase of CRP, LTB4 and apelin were observed whereas similar levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 were found. The increased plasma level of 7-ketocholesterol and 7β-hydroxycholesterol in sarcopenic patients led us to study the cytotoxic effect of these oxysterols on undifferentiated (myoblasts) and differentiated (myotubes) murine C2C12 cells. With the fluorescein diacetate and sulforhodamine 101 assays, an induction of cell death was observed both on undifferentiated and differentiated cells: the cytotoxic effects were less pronounced with 7-ketocholesterol. In addition, IL-6 secretion was never detected whatever the culture conditions, TNF-α secretion was significantly increased on undifferentiated and differentiated C2C12 cells treated with 7-ketocholesterol- and 7β-hydroxycholesterol, and IL-8 secretion was increased on differentiated cells. 7-ketocholesterol- and 7β-hydroxycholesterol-induced cell death was strongly attenuated by α-tocopherol and Pistacia lentiscus L. seed oil both on myoblasts and/or myotubes. TNF-α and/or IL-8 secretions were reduced by α-tocopherol and Pistacia lentiscus L. seed oil. Our data support the hypothesis that the enhancement of oxidative stress observed in sarcopenic patients could contribute, especially via 7β-hydroxycholesterol, to skeletal muscle atrophy and inflammation via cytotoxic effects on myoblasts and myotubes. These data bring new elements to understand the pathophysiology of sarcopenia and open new perspectives for the treatment of this frequent age-related disease.

Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress in the Pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) characterized by impairments in social communication, repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, and hyperesthesia/hypesthesia caused by genetic and/or environmental factors. In recent years, inflammation and oxidative stress have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ASD. In this review, we discuss the inflammation and oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of ASD, particularly focusing on maternal immune activation (MIA). MIA is a one of the common environmental risk factors for the onset of ASD during pregnancy. It induces an immune reaction in the pregnant mother’s body, resulting in further inflammation and oxidative stress in the placenta and fetal brain. These negative factors cause neurodevelopmental impairments in the developing fetal brain and subsequently cause behavioral symptoms in the offspring. In addition, we also discuss the effects of anti-inflammatory drugs and antioxidants in basic studies on animals and clinical studies of ASD. Our review provides the latest findings and new insights into the involvements of inflammation and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of ASD.

Aging-Related Ovarian Failure and Infertility: Melatonin to the Rescue

Aging has a major detrimental effect on the optimal function of the ovary with changes in this organ preceding the age-related deterioration in other tissues, with the middle-aged shutdown leading to infertility. Reduced fertility and consequent inability to conceive by women in present-day societies who choose to have children later in life leads to increased frustration. Melatonin is known to have anti-aging properties related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Its higher follicular fluid levels relative to blood concentrations and its likely synthesis in the oocyte, granulosa, and luteal cells suggest that it is optimally positioned to interfere with age-associated deterioration of the ovary. Additionally, the end of the female reproductive span coincides with a significant reduction in endogenous melatonin levels. Thus, the aims are to review the literature indicating melatonin production in mitochondria of oocytes, granulosa cells, and luteal cells, identify the multiple processes underlying changes in the ovary, especially late in the cessation of the reproductive life span, summarize the physiological and molecular actions of melatonin in the maintenance of normal ovaries and in the aging ovaries, and integrate the acquired information into an explanation for considering melatonin in the treatment of age-related infertility. Use of supplemental melatonin may help preserve fertility later in life and alleviate frustration in women delaying childbearing age, reduce the necessity of in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer (IVF-ET) procedures, and help solve the progressively increasing problem of non-aging-related infertility in women throughout their reproductive life span. While additional research is needed to fully understand the effects of melatonin supplementation on potentially enhancing fertility, studies published to date suggest it may be a promising option for those struggling with infertility.

Effects of In Vitro Digestion on the Antioxidant Activity of Three Phenolic Extracts from Olive Mill Wastewaters

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of in vitro digestion on the antioxidant activity of three extracts rich in phenols (two purified organic extracts (A20, A21) and one powdered extract stabilized with maltodextrins (SP)) obtained from olive mill wastewaters (OMWW). The content and composition of phenols and antioxidant activity was determined before and after in vitro digestion. The phenol content of the A20 and A21 samples were higher (>75%) than that of the SP sample before in vitro digestion. After the entire in vitro digestion, 89.3, 76.9, and 50% loss of phenols was found in A20, A21 and SP, respectively. ABTS•+ and ORAC values decreased during in vitro digestion of A20 and A21 samples, while they remained almost constant in SP. IC50 increased during digestion of A20 and A21, evidencing a loss of antioxidant capacity after the intestinal phase; an opposite IC50 trend was noted in SP, confirming the protective role of maltodextrins. For these reasons, SP represents a promising formulation to be used in the food field.

Grounding - The universal anti-inflammatory remedy

Grounding or earthing could be the anti-inflammatory antidote for modern man. It is one of the greatest kept secrets when it comes to our health and aliveness and only a small part of the scientific community really understands the concept. Once health professionals and others realize that grounding is especially important in preventing inflammatory illness, an incredible effect on public health will be realized. The breath of validation from previous published data and real-life testimonials is a testimony of the earth's dramatic impact on healing the human body. Health information is constantly changing as a result of new research in various approaches to treating a multitude of inflammatory conditions. Sometimes, even with the most relevant published data, it is difficult to choose which advice is most conducive for healing. For example, it has been noted that perhaps one-third of the medical literature could be fraudulent.. Understanding absolute versus relative risk can also be confusing even for health professionals. And when data is reported in relative risk, only a fraction of the real science is revealed. However, one small established fact that conveys universal agreement is the simple correlation that inflammation is the root cause of almost all diseases!

Endothelial Dysfunction and Chronic Inflammation: The Cornerstones of Vascular Alterations in Age-Related Diseases

Vascular diseases of the elderly are a topic of enormous interest in clinical practice, as they have great epidemiological significance and lead to ever-increasing healthcare expenditures. The mechanisms underlying these pathologies have been increasingly characterized over the years. It has emerged that endothelial dysfunction and chronic inflammation play a diriment role among the most relevant pathophysiological mechanisms. As one can easily imagine, various processes occur during aging, and several pathways undergo irreversible alterations that can promote the decline and aberrations that trigger the diseases above. Endothelial dysfunction and aging of circulating and resident cells are the main characteristics of the aged organism; they represent the framework within which an enormous array of molecular abnormalities occur and contribute to accelerating and perpetuating the decline of organs and tissues. Recognizing and detailing each of these dysfunctional pathways is helpful for therapeutic purposes, as it allows one to hypothesize the possibility of tailoring interventions to the damaged mechanism and hypothetically limiting the cascade of events that drive the onset of these diseases. With this paper, we have reviewed the scientific literature, analysing the pathophysiological basis of the vascular diseases of the elderly and pausing to reflect on attempts to interrupt the vicious cycle that connotes the diseases of aging, laying the groundwork for therapeutic reasoning and expanding the field of scientific research by moving from a solid foundation.

Apple Polyphenol Diet Extends Lifespan, Slows down Mitotic Rate and Reduces Morphometric Parameters in Drosophila Melanogaster: A Comparison between Three Different Apple Cultivars

Plant-derived polyphenols exhibit beneficial effects on physiological and pathological processes, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, mainly because of their antioxidant activity. Apples are highly enriched in these compounds, mainly in their peel. The Tuscia Red (TR) apple variety exhibits the peculiar characteristic of depositing high quantities of polyphenols in the pulp, the edible part of the fruit. Since polyphenols, as any natural product, cannot be considered a panacea per se, in this paper, we propose to assess the biological effects of TR flesh extracts, in comparison with two commercial varieties, in a model system, the insect Drosophila melanogaster, largely recognized as a reliable system to test the in vivo effects of natural and synthetic compounds. We performed a comparative, qualitative and quantitative analysis of the polyphenol compositions of the three cultivars and found that TR flesh shows the highest content of polyphenols, and markedly, anthocyanins. Then, we focused on their effects on a panel of physiological, morphometrical, cellular and behavioral phenotypes in wild-type D. melanogaster. We found that all the apple polyphenol extracts showed dose-dependent effects on most of the phenotypes we considered. Remarkably, all the varieties induced a strong relenting of the cell division rate.