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Coppola C, Greco M, Munir A, Musarò D, Quarta S, Massaro M, Lionetto MG, Maffia M. Osteoarthritis: Insights into Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, Therapeutic Avenues, and the Potential of Natural Extracts. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:4063-4105. [PMID: 38785519 PMCID: PMC11119992 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46050251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) stands as a prevalent and progressively debilitating clinical condition globally, impacting joint structures and leading to their gradual deterioration through inflammatory mechanisms. While both non-modifiable and modifiable factors contribute to its onset, numerous aspects of OA pathophysiology remain elusive despite considerable research strides. Presently, diagnosis heavily relies on clinician expertise and meticulous differential diagnosis to exclude other joint-affecting conditions. Therapeutic approaches for OA predominantly focus on patient education for self-management alongside tailored exercise regimens, often complemented by various pharmacological interventions primarily targeting pain alleviation. However, pharmacological treatments typically exhibit short-term efficacy and local and/or systemic side effects, with prosthetic surgery being the ultimate resolution in severe cases. Thus, exploring the potential integration or substitution of conventional drug therapies with natural compounds and extracts emerges as a promising frontier in enhancing OA management. These alternatives offer improved safety profiles and possess the potential to target specific dysregulated pathways implicated in OA pathogenesis, thereby presenting a holistic approach to address the condition's complexities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Coppola
- Department of Mathematics and Physics “E. De Giorgi”, University of Salento, Via Lecce-Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (C.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Marco Greco
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of Salento, Via Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (M.G.); (D.M.); (S.Q.); (M.G.L.)
| | - Anas Munir
- Department of Mathematics and Physics “E. De Giorgi”, University of Salento, Via Lecce-Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (C.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Debora Musarò
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of Salento, Via Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (M.G.); (D.M.); (S.Q.); (M.G.L.)
| | - Stefano Quarta
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of Salento, Via Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (M.G.); (D.M.); (S.Q.); (M.G.L.)
| | - Marika Massaro
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council (CNR), 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Maria Giulia Lionetto
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of Salento, Via Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (M.G.); (D.M.); (S.Q.); (M.G.L.)
| | - Michele Maffia
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, Via Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
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Bell V, Varzakas T, Psaltopoulou T, Fernandes T. Sickle Cell Disease Update: New Treatments and Challenging Nutritional Interventions. Nutrients 2024; 16:258. [PMID: 38257151 PMCID: PMC10820494 DOI: 10.3390/nu16020258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD), a distinctive and often overlooked illness in the 21st century, is a congenital blood disorder characterized by considerable phenotypic diversity. It comprises a group of disorders, with sickle cell anemia (SCA) being the most prevalent and serious genotype. Although there have been some systematic reviews of global data, worldwide statistics regarding SCD prevalence, morbidity, and mortality remain scarce. In developed countries with a lower number of sickle cell patients, cutting-edge technologies have led to the development of new treatments. However, in developing settings where sickle cell disease (SCD) is more prevalent, medical management, rather than a cure, still relies on the use of hydroxyurea, blood transfusions, and analgesics. This is a disease that affects red blood cells, consequently affecting most organs in diverse manners. We discuss its etiology and the advent of new technologies, but the aim of this study is to understand the various types of nutrition-related studies involving individuals suffering from SCD, particularly in Africa. The interplay of the environment, food, gut microbiota, along with their respective genomes collectively known as the gut microbiome, and host metabolism is responsible for mediating host metabolic phenotypes and modulating gut microbiota. In addition, it serves the purpose of providing essential nutrients. Moreover, it engages in direct interactions with host homeostasis and the immune system, as well as indirect interactions via metabolites. Nutrition interventions and nutritional care are mechanisms for addressing increased nutrient expenditures and are important aspects of supportive management for patients with SCD. Underprivileged areas in Sub-Saharan Africa should be accompanied by efforts to define and promote of the nutritional aspects of SCD. Their importance is key to maintaining well-being and quality of life, especially because new technologies and products remain limited, while the use of native medicinal plant resources is acknowledged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Bell
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Theodoros Varzakas
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of the Peloponnese, 24100 Kalamata, Greece
| | - Theodora Psaltopoulou
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Tito Fernandes
- CIISA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisbon, Portugal
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Bellia F, Lanza V, Naletova I, Tomasello B, Ciaffaglione V, Greco V, Sciuto S, Amico P, Inturri R, Vaccaro S, Campagna T, Attanasio F, Tabbì G, Rizzarelli E. Copper(II) Complexes with Carnosine Conjugates of Hyaluronic Acids at Different Dipeptide Loading Percentages Behave as Multiple SOD Mimics and Stimulate Nrf2 Translocation and Antioxidant Response in In Vitro Inflammatory Model. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1632. [PMID: 37627627 PMCID: PMC10452038 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12081632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A series of copper(II) complexes with the formula [Cu2+Hy(x)Car%] varying the molecular weight (MW) of Hyaluronic acid (Hy, x = 200 or 700 kDa) conjugated with carnosine (Car) present at different loading were synthesized and characterized via different spectroscopic techniques. The metal complexes behaved as Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) mimics and showed some of the most efficient reaction rate values produced using a synthetic and water-soluble copper(II)-based SOD mimic reported to date. The increase in the percentage of Car moieties parallels the enhancement of the I50 value determined via the indirect method of Fridovich. The presence of the non-functionalized Hy OH groups favors the scavenger activity of the copper(II) complexes with HyCar, recalling similar behavior previously found for the copper(II) complexes with Car conjugated using β-cyclodextrin or trehalose. In keeping with the new abilities of SOD1 to activate protective agents against oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis diseases, Cu2+ interaction with HyCar promotes the nuclear translocation of erythroid 2-related factor that regulates the expressions of target genes, including Heme-Oxigenase-1, thus stimulating an antioxidant response in osteoblasts subjected to an inflammatory/oxidative insult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Bellia
- Institute of Crystallography, National Council of Research (CNR), P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (F.B.); (V.L.); (I.N.); (V.C.); (T.C.); (F.A.); (E.R.)
| | - Valeria Lanza
- Institute of Crystallography, National Council of Research (CNR), P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (F.B.); (V.L.); (I.N.); (V.C.); (T.C.); (F.A.); (E.R.)
| | - Irina Naletova
- Institute of Crystallography, National Council of Research (CNR), P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (F.B.); (V.L.); (I.N.); (V.C.); (T.C.); (F.A.); (E.R.)
| | - Barbara Tomasello
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy;
| | - Valeria Ciaffaglione
- Institute of Crystallography, National Council of Research (CNR), P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (F.B.); (V.L.); (I.N.); (V.C.); (T.C.); (F.A.); (E.R.)
| | - Valentina Greco
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (V.G.); (S.S.)
| | - Sebastiano Sciuto
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (V.G.); (S.S.)
| | - Pietro Amico
- Fidia Farmaceutici SpA, Contrada Pizzuta, 96017 Noto, Italy; (P.A.); (R.I.); (S.V.)
| | - Rosanna Inturri
- Fidia Farmaceutici SpA, Contrada Pizzuta, 96017 Noto, Italy; (P.A.); (R.I.); (S.V.)
| | - Susanna Vaccaro
- Fidia Farmaceutici SpA, Contrada Pizzuta, 96017 Noto, Italy; (P.A.); (R.I.); (S.V.)
| | - Tiziana Campagna
- Institute of Crystallography, National Council of Research (CNR), P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (F.B.); (V.L.); (I.N.); (V.C.); (T.C.); (F.A.); (E.R.)
| | - Francesco Attanasio
- Institute of Crystallography, National Council of Research (CNR), P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (F.B.); (V.L.); (I.N.); (V.C.); (T.C.); (F.A.); (E.R.)
| | - Giovanni Tabbì
- Institute of Crystallography, National Council of Research (CNR), P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (F.B.); (V.L.); (I.N.); (V.C.); (T.C.); (F.A.); (E.R.)
| | - Enrico Rizzarelli
- Institute of Crystallography, National Council of Research (CNR), P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (F.B.); (V.L.); (I.N.); (V.C.); (T.C.); (F.A.); (E.R.)
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (V.G.); (S.S.)
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