Antioxidant Power on Dermal Cells by Textiles Dyed with an Onion (Allium cepa L.) Skin Extract

Phenolic Compounds from By-Products for Functional Textiles

Textile dyeing is known to have major environmental concerns, especially with the high use of toxic chemicals. The use of alternatives such as natural dyes rich in phenolic compounds has become extremely appealing in order to move towards a more sustainable circular economy. Phenolic dyes have the potential to functionalize textile fabrics with properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and UV protection. Wastes/residues from the agri-food industries stand out as highly attractive sources of these compounds, with several by-products showing promising results in textile dyeing through the implementation of more sustainable and eco-friendly processes. This review presents an up-to-date exploration of the sources of phenolic compounds used in the textile industry over the past two decades, with a primary focus on the functional properties they provide to different fabrics. The research highlights a surge in interest in this theme since 2017, accentuating a noticeable upward trend. Throughout this review, emphasis is given to by-products from the agri-food industry as the sources of these compounds. The reviewed papers lay the foundation for future research, paving the way for exploring the potential of raw materials and by-products in the creation of functional and smart textiles.

Wheat germ oil vitamin E cytoprotective effect and its nutrigenomics signature in human hepatocyte lipotoxicity

Wheat germ oil (WGO) is rich in α-tocopherol (vitamin E, VE), a vitamin that has long been suggested to exert hepatoprotective effects. In this study, this function of WGO-VE and its transcriptomics fingerprint were investigated in comparison with RRR-α-tocopherol and all-rac-α-tocopherol (nVE and sVE, respectively), in human liver cells treated with oleic acid (OA) to develop steatosis and lipotoxicity. Used in chemoprevention mode, all the VE formulations afforded significant reduction of the OA-induced steatosis and its consequent impact on lipotoxicity indicators, including ROS production and efflux (as H₂O₂), and apoptotic and necrotic cell death. A trend toward a better control of lipotoxicity was observed for WGO-VE and nVE compared to sVE. Gene microarray data demonstrated that these effects of VE formulations were associated with significantly different responses of the cellular transcriptome to compensate for the modifications of OA treatment, including the downregulation of cellular homeostasis genes and the induction of genes associated with defects of liver cell metabolism, fibrosis and inflammation, liver disease and cancer. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis data showed that WGO-VE modulated genes associated with liver carcinogenesis and steatosis, whereas nVE modulated genes involved in liver cell metabolism and viability biofunctions; sVE did not significantly modulate any gene dataset relevant to such biofunctions. In conclusion, WGO-VE prevents lipotoxicity in human liver cells modulating genes that differ from those affected by the natural or synthetic forms of pure VE. These differences can be captured by precision nutrition tools, reflecting the molecular complexity of this VE-rich extract and its potential in preventing specific cues of hepatocellular lipotoxicity.

Melatonin modulates Nrf2 activity to protect porcine pre-pubertal Sertoli cells from the abnormal H2 O2 generation and reductive stress effects of cadmium

Melatonin (MLT) is a cytoprotective agent holding potential to prevent cadmium (Cd) toxicity and its impact in testicular function and fertility. In this study, we explored such potential in porcine pre-pubertal Sertoli cells (SCs). Cd toxicity resulted in impaired SC viability and function, abnormal cellular H₂ O₂ generation and efflux, and induction of reductive stress by the upregulation of Nrf2 expression and activity, cystine uptake and glutathione biosynthesis, glutathione-S-transferase P (GSTP) expression, and protein glutathionylation inhibition. Cd toxicity also stimulated the activity of cellular kinases (MAPK-ERK1/2 and Akt) and NFkB transcription factor, and cJun expression was increased. MLT produced a potent cytoprotective effect when co-administered with Cd to SCs; its efficacy and the molecular mechanism behind its cytoprotective function varied according to Cd concentrations. However, a significant restoration of cell viability and function, and of H₂ O₂ levels, was observed both at 5 and 10 μM Cd. Mechanistically, these effects of MLT were associated with a significant reduction of the Cd-induced activation of Nrf2 and GSTP expression at all Cd concentrations. CAT and MAPK-ERK1/2 activity upregulation was associated with these effects at 5 μM Cd, whereas glutathione biosynthesis and efflux were involved at 10 μM Cd together with an increased expression of the cystine transporter xCT, of cJun and Akt and NFkB activity. MLT protects SCs from Cd toxicity reducing its H₂ O₂ generation and reductive stress effects. A reduced activity of Nrf2 and the modulation of other molecular players of MLT signaling, provide a mechanistic rational for the cytoprotective effect of this molecule in SCs.