Iron and Chelation in Biochemistry and Medicine: New Approaches to Controlling Iron Metabolism and Treating Related Diseases

Sticky Polyelectrolyte Shield for Enhancing Biological Half-Life of Growth Factors

Delivery of secretomes, which includes growth factors, cytokines, and mRNA, is critical in regenerative medicine for cell-to-cell communication. However, the harsh in vivo environment presents significant challenges for secretome delivery. Proteolytic enzymes shorten secretomes' half-lives, and secretomes tend to rapidly diffuse at defect sites. Therefore, a delivery system that ensures prolonged retention and enhanced therapeutic efficacy of secretomes is required. In this study, a Coating Optimized Drug Delivery Enhancement (COD2E) system, a coacervate composed of dopamine functionalized fucoidan and poly-l-lysine, was fabricated for secretome delivery. The dopamine modification significantly enhanced adhesive strength (>7-fold) compared to that of the neat coacervates, which enabled rapid (5 min) and uniform coating ability on collagen sponges. The COD2E system was able to encapsulate fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) and prolong the half-life of FGF2. Notably, its efficacy, demonstrated through a single application of FGF2 encapsulated COD2E on collagen sponge, in a wound model demonstrated a successful tissue repair. The COD2E system is an effective growth factor delivery vehicle since it can protect growth factors, has an antioxidant ability, adheres on various material surfaces, and is hemocompatible.

Detection of Ferric Ion by Fluorescent Carbon Nano Dots Synthesized from Forsythia Residue

To fully utilize the wastes of the traditional Chinese herbs, a highly functionalized fluorescent carbon nano dots (CDs) based ferric ion sensor was prepared from forsythia residue via a one-step hydrothermal method. Under transmission electron microscope (TEM), the CDs were observed to be spherical with the diameter in the range of 5-20 nm. Comprehensive analyses documented the CDs' favorable morphology, diverse functional groups, high water solubility, remarkable optical properties, and exceptional stability under various environmental conditions. Moreover, the CDs exhibited good optical properties with vivid green photoluminescence (PL) when they were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Furthermore, the prepared CDs demonstrated selective fluorescence quenching behavior towards ferric ions with satisfactory sensitivity and a low limit of detection (LOD) of 4.3 µM. Additionally, the CDs displayed good selectivity towards Fe3+ and the least interference with several other metal ions. Consequently, this strategy could be effectively applied to real water samples, demonstrating its potential for broader applications.

Platinum Stabilises a Molten-Globule Conformation of a Small Globular Cytosolic Protein SUMO1

Proteins are generally resistant to large conformational changes under physiological conditions. Here, we show that platinum (Pt(II)), which is widely-used metal centre in cancer therapeutic drugs, binds to a cytosolic protein, small ubiquitin-like modifier 1 (SUMO1), under physiological conditions and changes its conformation to a molten globule (MG). Mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) studies confirmed stoichiometric Pt(II) binding to SUMO1. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed Tyr fluorescence quenching and increased ANS binding. Fluorescence assays on Trp-mutants indicated conformational changes and circular dichroism (CD) suggested MG formation upon Pt(II) binding. In contrast, structural homologues of SUMO1 (ubiquitin (Ubq) and SUMO2) showed no conformational changes on Pt(II) titration. Further studies compared the impact of distinct His residues in SUMO1 on Pt(II) binding and protein structure to SUMO2 and Ubq. Experiments at low pH (5.0) implicated His residues interacting with Pt(II), corroborated by the absence of conformational change in the H75L mutant of SUMO1. Pt(II)-His binding in SUMO1 unravels key molecular determinants of Pt(II)-protein interactions and their conformational consequences. SUMO1 with other SUMOylation components are shown to have enhanced expression in several cancers, hence, our study suggests a possible fate of the non-targetability of Pt(II)-based drugs on SUMOylation in cancer cells, upon interaction with SUMO1.

Photoprotective Effects of Yeast Pulcherrimin

Sunscreen products can protect the skin against the harmful effects of UV radiation, including reddening, aging, and cancer. The aim of this research was to evaluate the photoprotective effects of yeast pulcherrimin, an iron-chelating dipeptide. We first investigated the cytotoxicity of pulcherrimin produced by Metschnikowia pulcherrima yeast on the human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line, using the PrestoBlue assay. We assessed the ability of pulcherrimin to induce DNA repair after the exposure of HaCaT cells to oxidative stress. We also evaluated its protective activity against UVC radiation. The sun protective factor (SPF) was calculated using the Mansur equation. The UVA/UVB ratio values for pure pulcherrimin were evaluated using the Boots Star Rating system. The critical wavelength was determined by calculating the integrated optical density curve area. Based on the results, pulcherrimin shows strong cytoprotective effects through antioxidant and photoprotective activities on the HaCaT cell line. The calculated SPFs were 20 and 15 at pH = 7 and pH = 10, respectively. The critical wavelength above 370 nm and the UVA/UVB ratio R > 1 suggest that yeast pulcherrimin-a cyclic dipeptide containing iron-may be considered a promising photoprotective agent.

Deferasirox's Anti-Chemoresistance and Anti-Metastatic Effect on Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Clinically approved iron chelators, originally designed to address iron overload disorders, have emerged as potential anticancer agents. Deferasirox (Def), a tridentate iron chelator, has demonstrated antiproliferative effects in cancer. Background/Objectives: This study aims to elucidate the mechanism of action of Def and its impact on non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Methods: NSCLC A549 cells were treated with Def to assess cytotoxicity, the effect on nuclear and mitochondrial pathways, and iron-containing proteins and genes to evaluate anti-metastasis and chemoresistance. A lung carcinoma mouse model was used for in vivo studies. Results: Our findings revealed that Def induced cytotoxicity, effectively chelated intracellular iron, and triggered apoptosis through the increase in phosphatidylserine externalization and caspase 3 activity. Additionally, Def caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest by downregulating the ribonucleotide reductase catalytic subunit. Furthermore, Def perturbed mitochondrial function by promoting the production of reactive oxygen species and the inhibition of glutathione as a measurement of ferroptosis activation. Def demonstrated inhibitory effects on cell migration in scratch assays, which was supported by the upregulation of n-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 and downregulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor protein. Also, Def downregulated one of the main markers of chemoresistance, the ABCB1 gene. In vivo experiments using a lung carcinoma mouse model showed that Def treatment did not affect the animal's body weight and showed a significant decrease in tumor growth. Conclusions: This investigation lays the groundwork for unraveling Def action's molecular targets and mechanisms in lung carcinoma, particularly within iron-related pathways, pointing out its anti-metastasis and anti-chemoresistance effect.

Beyond the Nut: Pistacia Leaves as Natural Food Preservatives

The pistachio tree (Pistacia vera) is globally renowned for its nutritious nuts, while its leaves remain an underutilized source of chemicals with significant potential value as food preservatives. Similar value may be found in the leaves of other wild Pistacia species common in Central Asia, the Levant, and around the Mediterranean. Some species' leaves have been used as natural preservatives, demonstrating their effectiveness and highlighting their rich bioactive components. This review investigates the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Pistacia leaves, comparing both cultivated and wild species. A comprehensive search was performed across several scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, utilizing a combination of keywords related to Pistacia species and their bioactive compounds. The inclusion criteria focused on articles published in English from 2017 till the end of June 2024, analyzing the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Pistacia leaves and employing relevant extraction methods. A total of 71 literature sources were included, covering species such as P. vera, P. atlantica, P. terebinthus, and others sourced from countries such as Iran, Turkey, and Italy. This review found that Pistacia leaves are rich in polyphenolic compounds and exhibit robust antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, with certain wild species outperforming P. vera, suggesting species-specific traits that enhance their preservative potential. The major findings indicate that extracts from wild species exhibit superior bioactivity, which could be harnessed for food preservation. These insights underscore the promising role of Pistacia leaves as natural food preservatives, with further research needed to address challenges in extraction and application. Exploring their synergistic effects with other preservatives could lead to innovative solutions in food preservation while fostering local economic growth.

The complex interplay between ferroptosis and atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, characterized by the accumulation of plaque within the arterial walls, is an intricate cardiovascular disease that often results in severe health issues. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of ferroptosis, a controlled type of cell death dependent on iron, as a critical factor in this disease state. Ferroptosis, distinguished by its reliance on iron and the accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides, offers a unique insight into the pathology of atherosclerotic lesions. This summary encapsulates the current knowledge of the intricate role ferroptosis plays in the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. It explores the molecular processes through which lipid peroxidation and iron metabolism contribute to the development of atheromatous plaques and evaluates the possibility of utilizing ferroptosis as a novel treatment approach for atherosclerosis. By illuminating the intricate relationship between ferroptosis-related processes and atherosclerosis, this review paves the way for future clinical applications and personalized medicine approaches aimed at alleviating the effects of atherosclerosis.

Manuka combinations with nigella sativa and hydroxyurea in treating iron overload of pediatric β-thalassemia major, randomized clinical trial

Background

β-thalassemia major is microcytic hypochromic anemia disorder inherited from parents, resulting from a mutation in the β-globin locus. As a result, a quantitative defective hemoglobin synthesis and relative excess in α-globin is occurred. As such, frequent blood transfusion is required, that leads to iron overload. Iron overload results in several pathological complications, including cell death, tissue injury, organ dysfunction, and liver fibrosis. The present study examined the effectiveness of nigella Sativa and manuka honey combination or manuka honey alone to the conventional therapy (Deferasirox + blood transfusion) used for preventing and managing iron overload in pediatric β-thalassemia major patients.

Methods

One hundred sixty-five patients participated in this randomized, double-blind, standard therapy-controlled, parallel-design multisite trial. The patients were randomly allocated into three groups, receiving either 500 mg nigella sativa oil combined with manuka honey lozenge (344 mg) daily or manuka honey alone plus the conventional therapy for ten treatment months. Ferritin level, serum iron, transferrin saturation, total iron binding capacity, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase were determined at baseline and month 10.

Results

Eventually, serum ferritin and iron were decreased significantly in the nigella sativa + manuka honey group as compared with the control group. Other clinical parameters were significantly impacted. The level of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase were significantly decreased in the nigella sativa plus manuka honey group compared with the control group.

Conclusion

Results showed that nigella sativa plus manuka honey was more effective than manuka alone or the conventional treatment alone in managing iron overload of β-thalassemia major patients.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and epigenetic potential of curcumin in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) constitutes a multifactorial neurodegenerative pathology characterized by cognitive deterioration, personality alterations, and behavioral shifts. The ongoing brain impairment process poses significant challenges for therapeutic interventions due to activating multiple neurotoxic pathways. Current pharmacological interventions have shown limited efficacy and are associated with significant side effects. Approaches focusing on the early interference with disease pathways, before activation of broad neurotoxic processes, could be promising to slow down symptomatic progression of the disease. Curcumin-an integral component of traditional medicine in numerous cultures worldwide-has garnered interest as a promising AD treatment. Current research indicates that curcumin may exhibit therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative pathologies, attributed to its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Additionally, curcumin and its derivatives have demonstrated an ability to modulate cellular pathways via epigenetic mechanisms. This article aims to raise awareness of the neuroprotective properties of curcuminoids that could provide therapeutic benefits in AD. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of the neuroprotective efficacy of curcumin against signaling pathways that could be involved in AD and summarizes recent evidence of the biological efficiency of curcumins in vivo.

A guide to ferroptosis, the biological rust of cellular membranes

Unprotected iron can rust due to oxygen exposure. Similarly, in our body, oxidative stress can kill cells in an iron-dependent manner, which can give rise to devastating diseases. This type of cell death is referred to as ferroptosis. Generally, ferroptosis is defined as an iron-catalyzed form of regulated necrosis that occurs through excessive peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids within cellular membranes. This review summarizes how ferroptosis is executed by a rather primitive biochemical process, under tight regulation of lipid, iron, and redox metabolic processes. An overview is given of major classes of ferroptosis inducers and inhibitors, and how to detect ferroptosis. Finally, its detrimental role in disease is briefly discussed.

Tetracalcium phosphate/porous iron synergistically improved the mechanical, degradation and biological properties of polylactic acid scaffolds

Synergistically improving the mechanical and degradable properties of polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds and endowing them with bioactivity are urgent problems to be solved in deepening their application in tissue engineering. In this work, tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) and porous iron (pFe) were compounded by stirring and vacuum negative pressure, and then they were blended with polylactic acid and a porous scaffold (named TTCP@pFe/PLA) was prepared by selective laser sintering. On the one hand, molten polylactic acid penetrates the pores of porous iron to form an interlocking network, thereby achieving mechanical strengthening. On the other hand, the alkaline environment generated by the dissolution of tetracalcium phosphate can effectively catalyze the hydrolysis of polylactic acid to accelerate the degradation. Meanwhile, the dissolution of tetracalcium phosphate forms a local calcium-rich microenvironment, which rapidly induces apatite formation, that is, confers bioactivity on scaffolds. As a result, the TTCP@pFe/PLA scaffold exhibited a notable enhancement in mechanical strength, being 2.2 times stronger compared to the polylactic acid scaffold. More importantly, MC3T3E1 cells exhibit good adhesion, stretching, and proliferation on the composite scaffold, demonstrating good cytocompatibility. All these good properties of the TTCP@pFe/PLA scaffold indicate that it has potential applications as a novel alternative in bone tissue regeneration.

Current biomarkers and treatment strategies in Alzheimer disease: An overview and future perspectives

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive degenerative disorder first identified by Alois Alzheimer in 1907, poses a significant public health challenge. Despite its prevalence and impact, there is currently no definitive ante mortem diagnosis for AD pathogenesis. By 2050, the United States may face a staggering 13.8 million AD patients. This review provides a concise summary of current AD biomarkers, available treatments, and potential future therapeutic approaches. The review begins by outlining existing drug targets and mechanisms in AD, along with a discussion of current treatment options. We explore various approaches targeting Amyloid β (Aβ), Tau Protein aggregation, Tau Kinases, Glycogen Synthase kinase-3β, CDK-5 inhibitors, Heat Shock Proteins (HSP), oxidative stress, inflammation, metals, Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) modulators, and Notch signaling. Additionally, we examine the historical use of Estradiol (E2) as an AD therapy, as well as the outcomes of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) that evaluated antioxidants (e.g., vitamin E) and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as alternative treatment options. Notably, positive effects of docosahexaenoic acid nutriment in older adults with cognitive impairment or AD are highlighted. Furthermore, this review offers insights into ongoing clinical trials and potential therapies, shedding light on the dynamic research landscape in AD treatment.

Anticancer efficacy triggered by synergistically modulating the homeostasis of anions and iron: Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of dual-functional squaramide-hydroxamic acid conjugates

Targeting the homeostasis of anions and iron has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of cancers. However, single-targeted agents often fall short of achieving optimal treatment efficacy. Herein we designed and synthesized a series of novel dual-functional squaramide-hydroxamic acid conjugates that are capable of synergistically modulating the homeostasis of anions and iron. Among them, compound 16 exhibited the most potent antiproliferative activity against a panel of selected cancer cell lines, and strong in vivo anti-tumor efficacy. This compound effectively elevated lysosomal pH through anion transport, and reduced the levels of intracellular iron. Compound 16 could disturb autophagy in A549 cells and trigger robust apoptosis. This compound caused cell cycle arrest at the G1/S phase, altered the mitochondrial function and elevated ROS levels. The present findings clearly demonstrated that synergistic modulation of anion and iron homeostasis has high potentials in the development of promising chemotherapeutic agents with dual action against cancers.

Unveiling the Chemistry of Citrus Peel: Insights into Nutraceutical Potential and Therapeutic Applications

The recent millennium has witnessed a notable shift in consumer focus towards natural products for addressing lifestyle-related disorders, driven by their safety and cost-effectiveness. Nutraceuticals and functional foods play an imperative role by meeting nutritional needs and offering medicinal benefits. With increased scientific knowledge and awareness, the significance of a healthy lifestyle, including diet, in reducing disease risk is widely acknowledged, facilitating access to a diverse and safer diet for longevity. Plant-based foods rich in phytochemicals are increasingly popular and effectively utilized in disease management. Agricultural waste from plant-based foods is being recognized as a valuable source of nutraceuticals for dietary interventions. Citrus peels, known for their diverse flavonoids, are emerging as a promising health-promoting ingredient. Globally, citrus production yields approximately 15 million tons of by-products annually, highlighting the substantial potential for utilizing citrus waste in phyto-therapeutic and nutraceutical applications. Citrus peels are a rich source of flavonoids, with concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 5.5 g/100 g dry weight, depending on the citrus variety. The most abundant flavonoids in citrus peel include hesperidin and naringin, as well as essential oils rich in monoterpenes like limonene. The peel extracts exhibit high antioxidant capacity, with DPPH radical scavenging activities ranging from 70 to 90%, comparable to synthetic antioxidants like BHA and BHT. Additionally, the flavonoids present in citrus peel have been found to have antioxidant properties, which can help reduce oxidative stress by 30% and cardiovascular disease by 25%. Potent anti-inflammatory effects have also been demonstrated, reducing inflammatory markers such as IL-6 and TNF-α by up to 40% in cell culture studies. These findings highlight the potential of citrus peel as a valuable source of nutraceuticals in diet-based therapies.

The Puzzle of Aspirin and Iron Deficiency: The Vital Missing Link of the Iron-Chelating Metabolites

Acetylsalicylic acid or aspirin is the most commonly used drug in the world and is taken daily by millions of people. There is increasing evidence that chronic administration of low-dose aspirin of about 75-100 mg/day can cause iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in the absence of major gastric bleeding; this is found in a large number of about 20% otherwise healthy elderly (>65 years) individuals. The mechanisms of the cause of IDA in this category of individuals are still largely unknown. Evidence is presented suggesting that a likely cause of IDA in this category of aspirin users is the chelation activity and increased excretion of iron caused by aspirin chelating metabolites (ACMs). It is estimated that 90% of oral aspirin is metabolized into about 70% of the ACMs salicyluric acid, salicylic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid. All ACMs have a high affinity for binding iron and ability to mobilize iron from different iron pools, causing an overall net increase in iron excretion and altering iron balance. Interestingly, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid has been previously tested in iron-loaded thalassaemia patients, leading to substantial increases in iron excretion. The daily administration of low-dose aspirin for long-term periods is likely to enhance the overall iron excretion in small increments each time due to the combined iron mobilization effect of the ACM. In particular, IDA is likely to occur mainly in populations such as elderly vegetarian adults with meals low in iron content. Furthermore, IDA may be exacerbated by the combinations of ACM with other dietary components, which can prevent iron absorption and enhance iron excretion. Overall, aspirin is acting as a chelating pro-drug similar to dexrazoxane, and the ACM as combination chelation therapy. Iron balance, pharmacological, and other studies on the interaction of iron and aspirin, as well as ACM, are likely to shed more light on the mechanism of IDA. Similar mechanisms of iron chelation through ACM may also be implicated in patient improvements observed in cancer, neurodegenerative, and other disease categories when treated long-term with daily aspirin. In particular, the role of aspirin and ACM in iron metabolism and free radical pathology includes ferroptosis, and may identify other missing links in the therapeutic effects of aspirin in many more diseases. It is suggested that aspirin is the first non-chelating drug described to cause IDA through its ACM metabolites. The therapeutic, pharmacological, toxicological and other implications of aspirin are incomplete without taking into consideration the iron binding and other effects of the ACM.

The Importance and Essentiality of Natural and Synthetic Chelators in Medicine: Increased Prospects for the Effective Treatment of Iron Overload and Iron Deficiency

The supply and control of iron is essential for all cells and vital for many physiological processes. All functions and activities of iron are expressed in conjunction with iron-binding molecules. For example, natural chelators such as transferrin and chelator-iron complexes such as haem play major roles in iron metabolism and human physiology. Similarly, the mainstay treatments of the most common diseases of iron metabolism, namely iron deficiency anaemia and iron overload, involve many iron-chelator complexes and the iron-chelating drugs deferiprone (L1), deferoxamine (DF) and deferasirox. Endogenous chelators such as citric acid and glutathione and exogenous chelators such as ascorbic acid also play important roles in iron metabolism and iron homeostasis. Recent advances in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia with effective iron complexes such as the ferric iron tri-maltol complex (feraccru or accrufer) and the effective treatment of transfusional iron overload using L1 and L1/DF combinations have decreased associated mortality and morbidity and also improved the quality of life of millions of patients. Many other chelating drugs such as ciclopirox, dexrazoxane and EDTA are used daily by millions of patients in other diseases. Similarly, many other drugs or their metabolites with iron-chelation capacity such as hydroxyurea, tetracyclines, anthracyclines and aspirin, as well as dietary molecules such as gallic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, ellagic acid, maltol and many other phytochelators, are known to interact with iron and affect iron metabolism and related diseases. Different interactions are also observed in the presence of essential, xenobiotic, diagnostic and theranostic metal ions competing with iron. Clinical trials using L1 in Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases, as well as HIV and other infections, cancer, diabetic nephropathy and anaemia of inflammation, highlight the importance of chelation therapy in many other clinical conditions. The proposed use of iron chelators for modulating ferroptosis signifies a new era in the design of new therapeutic chelation strategies in many other diseases. The introduction of artificial intelligence guidance for optimal chelation therapeutic outcomes in personalised medicine is expected to increase further the impact of chelation in medicine, as well as the survival and quality of life of millions of patients with iron metabolic disorders and also other diseases.

Investigations of Ni(II)Cysteine-Tyrosine Dithiocarbamate Complex: Synthesis, Characterization, Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamic, and Anticancer Activity on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line

OBJECTIVE

Breast cancer ranks second in terms of the highest number of cancer deaths for women worldwide and is one of the leading causes of death from cancer in women. The drug that is often used for chemotherapy is cisplatin. However, cisplatin drugs have a number of problems, including lack of selectivity, unwanted side effects, resistance, and toxicity in the body. In this work, we investigated Ni(II) cysteine-tyrosine dithiocarbamate complex against breast cancer.

METHODS

Research on the new complex compound Ni(II) cysteine-tyrosine dithiocarbamate have several stages including synthesis, characterization, in-silico and in-vitro testing of MCF-7 cells for anticancer drugs. The synthesis involved reacting cysteine, CS2, KOH and tyrosine with Mn metal. The new complex compound Ni(II) cysteine-tyrosine dithiocarbamate has been synthesized, characterized, and tested in vitro MCF-7 cells for anticancer drugs. Characterization tests such as melting point, conductivity, SEM-EDS, UV Vis, XRD, and FT-IR spectroscopy have been carried out.

RESULT

The synthesis yielded a 60,16%, conversion with a melting point of 216-218 oC and a conductivity value of 0.4 mS/cm. In vitro test results showed morphological changes (apoptosis) in MCF-7 cancer cells starting at a sample concentration of 250 µg/mL and an IC50 value of 618.40 µg/mL. Molecular docking study of Ni(II) cysteine-tyrosine dithiocarbamate complex identified with 4,4',4''-[(2R)-butane-1,1,2-triyl]triphenol - Estrogen α showing active site with acidic residue amino E323, M388, L387, G390 and I389. Hydrophobic and hydrophobic bonds are seen in Ni(II) cysteine-tyrosine dithiocarbamate - Estrogen α has a binding energy of -80.9429 kJ /mol.

CONCLUSION

there were 5 residues responsible for maintaining the ligand binding stable. The compound had significant Hbond contact intensity, however, it was not strong enough to make a significant anticancer effect. Though the synthesized compound shows low bioactivity, this research is expected to give valuable insight into the effect of molecular structure on anticancer activity.

Effect of different iron ratios on interaction and thermodynamic stability of bound whey protein isolate

Whey protein isolates (WPI) are known to have mineral-binding capacity to promote iron absorption. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of iron ratio on the conformational structure of iron-bound whey protein isolate (WPI-Fe) and its thermodynamic stability. It was shown that the iron to protein ratio affects both the iron binding capacity of WPI and the iron valence state on the surface of WPI-Fe complexes. As the iron content increases, aggregation between protein molecules occurs. In addition, WPI-Fe nanoparticles have thermodynamic stability and Fe2+ has a high affinity with WPI for spontaneous exothermic reactions. This study demonstrates that WPI-Fe complexes can be used to efficiently deliver high-quality iron source (Fe2+) for future iron supplements.

Hepcidin and inflammation associated with iron deficiency in childhood obesity - A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

This paper aims to review data on the association of obesity and iron deficiency in children and adolescents, exposing the possible involvement of hepcidin and interleukin-6 (IL-6), obesity's inflammation biomarkers.

DATA SOURCE

Articles from PUBMED and WEB OF SCIENCE database with no chronological limit were reviewed to write this systematic review. Keywords such as children, obesity, iron deficiency, and hepcidin were used. After deleting duplicated and review articles, 91 were screened, and 39 were selected as eligible. Sixteen articles were included because they involved serum hepcidin levels in obese children and adolescents as outcomes.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

Finally, those 16 articles were organized in two tables: one includes therapeutic interventions, and the other does not. As hepcidin was discovered in 2000, the first articles that presented serum hepcidin's quantification in obese children and adolescents, homeostasis iron markers, and their possible association with obesity's inflammatory environment began to be published in 2008.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity's chronic inflammation state leads to the production of IL-6, which acts as a signaling molecule for hepcidin synthesis, resulting in iron deficiency, which is common in obese children and adolescents who respond inadequately to iron supplementation. On the other hand, that population responds adequately to therapeutic intervention programs that lead to weight loss, guaranteeing iron homeostasis improvement. Therefore, perhaps it is time to discuss serum hepcidin level quantification as part of evaluating children and adolescents with iron deficiency, which could guide clinical choices that might lead to better therapeutic outcomes.

A reconstructed genome-scale metabolic model of Helicobacter pylori for predicting putative drug targets in clarithromycin and rifampicin resistance conditions

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori is considered a true human pathogen for which rising drug resistance constitutes a drastic concern globally. The present study aimed to reconstruct a genome-scale metabolic model (GSMM) to decipher the metabolic capability of H. pylori strains in response to clarithromycin and rifampicin along with identification of novel drug targets.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The iIT341 model of H. pylori was updated based on genome annotation data, and biochemical knowledge from literature and databases. Context-specific models were generated by integrating the transcriptomic data of clarithromycin and rifampicin resistance into the model. Flux balance analysis was employed for identifying essential genes in each strain, which were further prioritized upon being nonhomologs to humans, virulence factor analysis, druggability, and broad-spectrum analysis. Additionally, metabolic differences between sensitive and resistant strains were also investigated based on flux variability analysis and pathway enrichment analysis of transcriptomic data.

RESULTS

The reconstructed GSMM was named as HpM485 model. Pathway enrichment and flux variability analyses demonstrated reduced activity in the ribosomal pathway in both clarithromycin- and rifampicin-resistant strains. Also, a significant decrease was detected in the activity of metabolic pathways of clarithromycin-resistant strain. Moreover, 23 and 16 essential genes were exclusively detected in clarithromycin- and rifampicin-resistant strains, respectively. Based on prioritization analysis, cyclopropane fatty acid synthase and phosphoenolpyruvate synthase were identified as putative drug targets in clarithromycin- and rifampicin-resistant strains, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We present a robust and reliable metabolic model of H. pylori. This model can predict novel drug targets to combat drug resistance and explore the metabolic capability of H. pylori in various conditions.

Phytochemical Profiles and Biological Activities of Frankenia Species: A Review

The relatively small Frankeniaceae family is represented by halophyte plants, growing in arid and semi-arid climates in saline, alkaline or calcareous soils. Due to their living conditions, they usually produce a large diversity of compounds, which often exhibit bioactivities. Some species of this genus have long been used as traditional herbal medicines to treat dysentery, diarrhea, gonorrhea, vaginal leucorrhea, respiratory diseases and wounds. To date, several studies on either phytochemical or pharmacological aspects, or both, have revealed that this genus is a rich source of diverse and novel bioactive chemicals, including phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids and fatty acids. This review describes all the reported chemical profiles of Frankenia species, as well as the corresponding biological properties, when available. The aim of this review is to show the potential of these plants for various applications, especially therapeutic ones.

A Comparative Study on the Complexation of the Anticancer Iron Chelator VLX600 with Essential Metal Ions

As cancer cells exhibit an increased uptake of iron, targeting the interaction with iron has become a straightforward strategy in the fight against cancer. This work comprehensively characterizes the chemical properties of 6-methyl-3-{(2E)-2-[1-(2-pyridinyl)ethylidene]hydrazino}-5H-[1,2,4]triazino[5,6-b]indole (VLX600), a clinically investigated iron chelator, in solution. Its protonation processes, lipophilicity, and membrane permeability as well as its complexation with essential metal ions were investigated using UV-visible, electron paramagnetic resonance, and NMR spectroscopic and computational methods. Formation constants revealed the following order of metal binding affinity at pH 7.4: Cu(II) > Fe(II) > Zn(II). The structures of VLX600 (denoted as HL) and the coordination modes in its metal complexes [Cu(II)(LH)Cl2], [Cu(II)(L)(CH3OH)Cl], [Zn(II)(LH)Cl2], and [Fe(II)(LH)2](NO3)2 were elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Redox properties of the iron complexes characterized by cyclic voltammetry showed strong preference of VLX600 toward Fe(II) over Fe(III). In vitro cytotoxicity of VLX600 was determined in six different human cancer cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 0.039 to 0.51 μM. Premixing VLX600 with Fe(III), Zn(II), and Cu(II) salts in stoichiometric ratios had a rather little effect overall, thus neither potentiating nor abolishing cytotoxicity. Together, although clinically investigated as an iron chelator, this is the first comprehensive solution study of VLX600 and its interaction with physiologically essential metal ions.

Targeting ferroptosis in the maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis in the realm of septic cardiomyopathy

Septic cardiomyopathy is one of the predominant culprit factors contributing to the rising mortality in patients with severe sepsis. Among various mechanisms responsible for the etiology of septic heart anomalies, disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis has gained much recent attention, resulting in myocardial inflammation and even cell death. Ferroptosis is a novel category of regulated cell death (RCD) provoked by iron-dependent phospholipid peroxidation through iron-mediated phospholipid (PL) peroxidation, enroute to the rupture of plasma membranes and eventually cell death. This review summarizes the recent progress of ferroptosis in mitochondrial homeostasis during septic cardiomyopathy. We will emphasize the role of mitochondrial iron transport channels and the antioxidant system in ferroptosis. Finally, we will summarize and discuss future research, which should help guide disease treatment.

Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Deferoxamine, Deferasirox, and Deferiprone in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease or Transfusion-Dependent Anemia: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials

This network meta-analysis was conducted with the aim of comparing the efficacy and safety of deferiprone (DFP), deferasirox (DFX), and deferoxamine (DFO) in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) or transfusion-dependent anemia. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)" guidelines. The search was conducted on electronic databases, including PubMed, CINAHIL, and EMBASE, from the inception of databases to January 10, 2024. Outcomes assessed in this study included a change in liver iron concentration (LIC) and a change in ferritin from baseline. For safety analysis, adverse events were compared among three treatment groups. A total of five studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis showed that the change in LIC and serum ferritin from baseline was not significantly different in patients with SCD or other anemias. In terms of adverse events, deferiprone was the safest among all. In conclusion, deferiprone demonstrated noninferiority to deferoxamine and deferasirox in measures of iron load, presenting a viable treatment option. Safety outcomes revealed deferasirox carried a higher risk of adverse events compared to deferiprone, supporting its favorable safety profile.

End-organ damage due to iron overload related to blood transfusion in an 11-year-old male

Introduction and importance

Iron overload is an abnormal accumulation of iron in parenchymal organs that leads to end-organ damage which could be either primary or secondary to repeated blood cell transfusion, its manifestations usually start in middle age and rarely in childhood.

Case presentation

The authors present a rare case of an 11-year-old male with iron overload secondary to repeated packed blood transfusion for autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. He developed type 1 diabetes, pituitary atrophy, and hepatic injury. It was difficult to maintain good control of his diabetes. He had a fatal acute circulatory collapse due to multiple organ failure.

Clinical discussion

Iron overload is a clinical consequence of repeated blood transfusion that could result in end-organ damage, usually occurring in adolescence and is less likely at a young age as in our case. The accumulation of iron in the tissues causes diabetes mellitus due to the destruction of β cells in the pancreas, and the increase in insulin resistance in the peripheral tissues.

Conclusion

Iron overload is a serious complication of repeated blood transfusion, which could be prevented by early treatment with iron chelators at maximum tolerated doses.

Drug Selection and Posology, Optimal Therapies and Risk/Benefit Assessment in Medicine: The Paradigm of Iron-Chelating Drugs

The design of clinical protocols and the selection of drugs with appropriate posology are critical parameters for therapeutic outcomes. Optimal therapeutic protocols could ideally be designed in all diseases including for millions of patients affected by excess iron deposition (EID) toxicity based on personalised medicine parameters, as well as many variations and limitations. EID is an adverse prognostic factor for all diseases and especially for millions of chronically red-blood-cell-transfused patients. Differences in iron chelation therapy posology cause disappointing results in neurodegenerative diseases at low doses, but lifesaving outcomes in thalassemia major (TM) when using higher doses. In particular, the transformation of TM from a fatal to a chronic disease has been achieved using effective doses of oral deferiprone (L1), which improved compliance and cleared excess toxic iron from the heart associated with increased mortality in TM. Furthermore, effective L1 and L1/deferoxamine combination posology resulted in the complete elimination of EID and the maintenance of normal iron store levels in TM. The selection of effective chelation protocols has been monitored by MRI T2* diagnosis for EID levels in different organs. Millions of other iron-loaded patients with sickle cell anemia, myelodysplasia and haemopoietic stem cell transplantation, or non-iron-loaded categories with EID in different organs could also benefit from such chelation therapy advances. Drawbacks of chelation therapy include drug toxicity in some patients and also the wide use of suboptimal chelation protocols, resulting in ineffective therapies. Drug metabolic effects, and interactions with other metals, drugs and dietary molecules also affected iron chelation therapy. Drug selection and the identification of effective or optimal dose protocols are essential for positive therapeutic outcomes in the use of chelating drugs in TM and other iron-loaded and non-iron-loaded conditions, as well as general iron toxicity.

Development of a Holistic In Vitro Cell-Free Approach to Determine the Redox Bioactivity of Agricultural Products

In recent years, there has been a strong consumer demand for food products that provide nutritional benefits to human health. Therefore, the assessment of the biological activity is considered as an important parameter for the promotion of high-quality food products. Herein, we introduce a novel methodology comprising a complete set of in vitro cell-free screening techniques for the evaluation of the bioactivity of various food products on the basis of their antioxidant capacity. These assays examine the free radical scavenging activities, the reducing properties, and the protective ability against oxidative damage to biomolecules. The adoption of the proposed battery of antioxidant assays is anticipated to contribute to the holistic characterization of the bioactivity of the food product under examination. Consumer motivations and expectations with respect to nutritious food products with bio-functional properties drive the global food market toward food certification. Therefore, the development and application of scientific methodologies that examine the quality characteristics of food products could increase consumers' trust and promote their beneficial properties for human health.

Polyphenols and polyphenols-based biopolymer materials: Regulating iron absorption and availability from spontaneous to controllable

Iron is an important trace element in the body, and it will seriously affect the body's normal operation if it is taken too much or too little. A large number of patients around the world are suffering from iron disorders. However, there are many problems using drugs to treat iron overload and causing prolonged and unbearable suffering for patients. Controlling iron absorption and utilization through diet is becoming the acceptable, safe and healthy method. At present, many literatures have reported that polyphenols can interact with iron ions and can be expected to chelate iron ions, depending on their types and structures. Besides, polyphenols often interact with other macromolecules in the diet, which may complicate this phenols-Fe behavior and give rise to the necessity of building phenolic based biopolymer materials. The biopolymer materials, constructed by self-assembly (non-covalent) or chemical modification (covalent), show excellent properties such as good permeability, targeting, biocompatibility, and high chelation ability. It is believed that this review can greatly facilitate the development of polyphenols-based biopolymer materials construction for regulating iron and improving the well-being of patients.

Oxidative stress following spinal cord injury: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic targets

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a medical condition that results from severe trauma to the central nervous system; it imposes great psychological and economic burdens on affected patients and their families. The dynamic balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants is essential for maintaining normal cellular physiological functions. As important intracellular signaling molecules, ROS regulate numerous physiological activities, including vascular reactivity and neuronal function. However, excessive ROS can cause damage to cellular macromolecules, including DNA, lipids, and proteins; this damage eventually leads to cell death. This review discusses the mechanisms of oxidative stress in SCI and describes some signaling pathways that regulate oxidative injury after injury, with the aim of providing guidance for the development of novel SCI treatment strategies.

In Vitro Antioxidant and Inhibitory Study of Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutki), Syzygium aromaticum (Loung), Lawsonia inermis (Henna), Rheum emodi (Revand Chini), Curcuma longa (Haldi) Against Lipid Per-Oxidation in Mice Brain and Liver

The aerobic organisms not only need oxygen for survival, but oxygen is also fundamentally malignant to the aerobic organism on the grounds of free radical generation and their affiliation with free oxidative stress. This study was done to evaluate the antioxidant and protective properties of P kurroa, S aromaticum, L inermis, R emodi, and C longa against lipid peroxidation induced by different pro-oxidants. The aqueous extracts of these medicinal plants showed inhibition against thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) induced by different pro-oxidants (10 mM FeSO4 and 5 mM sodium nitroprusside) in the brain and liver of mice. Moreover, the free radical scavenging activities of the extracts were evaluated by the scavenging of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. L inermis, S aromaticum, and R emodi showed higher inhibitory effects, which could be attributed to their significantly reduced ability and free radical scavenging activities. Therefore, the oxidative stress in the brain and liver could be potentially managed or prevented by the dietary intake of L inermis, S aromaticum, and R emodi plants, which justifies the use of these plants in various degenerative diseases. C longa and P kurroa showed relatively weak antioxidant activities.

Spongin as a Unique 3D Template for the Development of Functional Iron-Based Composites Using Biomimetic Approach In Vitro

Marine sponges of the subclass Keratosa originated on our planet about 900 million years ago and represent evolutionarily ancient and hierarchically structured biological materials. One of them, proteinaceous spongin, is responsible for the formation of 3D structured fibrous skeletons and remains enigmatic with complex chemistry. The objective of this study was to investigate the interaction of spongin with iron ions in a marine environment due to biocorrosion, leading to the occurrence of lepidocrocite. For this purpose, a biomimetic approach for the development of a new lepidocrocite-containing 3D spongin scaffold under laboratory conditions at 24 °C using artificial seawater and iron is described for the first time. This method helps to obtain a new composite as "Iron-Spongin", which was characterized by infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. Furthermore, sophisticated techniques such as X-ray fluorescence, microscope technique, and X-Ray diffraction were used to determine the structure. This research proposed a corresponding mechanism of lepidocrocite formation, which may be connected with the spongin amino acids functional groups. Moreover, the potential application of the biocomposite as an electrochemical dopamine sensor is proposed. The conducted research not only shows the mechanism or sensor properties of "Iron-spongin" but also opens the door to other applications of these multifunctional materials.

Iron Load Toxicity in Medicine: From Molecular and Cellular Aspects to Clinical Implications

Iron is essential for all organisms and cells. Diseases of iron imbalance affect billions of patients, including those with iron overload and other forms of iron toxicity. Excess iron load is an adverse prognostic factor for all diseases and can cause serious organ damage and fatalities following chronic red blood cell transfusions in patients of many conditions, including hemoglobinopathies, myelodyspasia, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Similar toxicity of excess body iron load but at a slower rate of disease progression is found in idiopathic haemochromatosis patients. Excess iron deposition in different regions of the brain with suspected toxicity has been identified by MRI T2* and similar methods in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Based on its role as the major biological catalyst of free radical reactions and the Fenton reaction, iron has also been implicated in all diseases associated with free radical pathology and tissue damage. Furthermore, the recent discovery of ferroptosis, which is a cell death program based on free radical generation by iron and cell membrane lipid oxidation, sparked thousands of investigations and the association of iron with cardiac, kidney, liver, and many other diseases, including cancer and infections. The toxicity implications of iron in a labile, non-protein bound form and its complexes with dietary molecules such as vitamin C and drugs such as doxorubicin and other xenobiotic molecules in relation to carcinogenesis and other forms of toxicity are also discussed. In each case and form of iron toxicity, the mechanistic insights, diagnostic criteria, and molecular interactions are essential for the design of new and effective therapeutic interventions and of future targeted therapeutic strategies. In particular, this approach has been successful for the treatment of most iron loading conditions and especially for the transition of thalassemia from a fatal to a chronic disease due to new therapeutic protocols resulting in the complete elimination of iron overload and of iron toxicity.

Increased Free Radical Generation during the Interaction of a Quinone-Quinoline Chelator with Metal Ions and the Enhancing Effect of Light

Schiff bases and similar molecules forming metal complexes may cause redox effects, which may also be influenced by light. Anthraquinones such as doxorubicin and idarubicin are widely used antitumor agents, which can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), stimulated by both the presence of iron and copper ions and also by light. The generated ROS can cause DNA scission, cell membrane oxidation, and many other toxic effects. The redox activity of the quinone-quinoline chelator 2-phenyl-4-(butylamino)naphtho [2,3-h]quinoline-7,12-dione (Q1) was investigated in the presence of iron, copper, and zinc. The influence of light in these interactions was also examined. The chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (CIDNP), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) methods were used to elucidate the molecular changes and ROS generation effects of the Q1 metal interactions. A model electron transfer reaction system between 1,4-dihydropyridine and Q1 was utilized to demonstrate that the chelate complexes of Q1 with both Fe(III) and Cu(II) ions were more redox active than Q1 itself. Similarly, CIDNP and NMR data showed that the concentration dependence of the free radicals yield is much higher in the presence of Fe(III) and Cu(II) ions, in comparison to Zn(II), and also that it increased in the presence of light. These findings underline the role of transition metal ions and Q1 in cyclic redox chain reactions and increase the prospect of the development of copper- and iron-based chelating agents, including Q1 and its derivatives, for anticancer therapy. Furthermore, these findings also signify the effect of light on enhancing ROS formation by Q1 and the prospect of utilizing such information for designing target specific anticancer drugs for photodynamic therapy.

The Vital Role Played by Deferiprone in the Transition of Thalassaemia from a Fatal to a Chronic Disease and Challenges in Its Repurposing for Use in Non-Iron-Loaded Diseases

The iron chelating orphan drug deferiprone (L1), discovered over 40 years ago, has been used daily by patients across the world at high doses (75-100 mg/kg) for more than 30 years with no serious toxicity. The level of safety and the simple, inexpensive synthesis are some of the many unique properties of L1, which played a major role in the contribution of the drug in the transition of thalassaemia from a fatal to a chronic disease. Other unique and valuable clinical properties of L1 in relation to pharmacology and metabolism include: oral effectiveness, which improved compliance compared to the prototype therapy with subcutaneous deferoxamine; highly effective iron removal from all iron-loaded organs, particularly the heart, which is the major target organ of iron toxicity and the cause of mortality in thalassaemic patients; an ability to achieve negative iron balance, completely remove all excess iron, and maintain normal iron stores in thalassaemic patients; rapid absorption from the stomach and rapid clearance from the body, allowing a greater frequency of repeated administration and overall increased efficacy of iron excretion, which is dependent on the dose used and also the concentration achieved at the site of drug action; and its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and treat malignant, neurological, and microbial diseases affecting the brain. Some differential pharmacological activity by L1 among patients has been generally shown in relation to the absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, and toxicity (ADMET) of the drug. Unique properties exhibited by L1 in comparison to other drugs include specific protein interactions and antioxidant effects, such as iron removal from transferrin and lactoferrin; inhibition of iron and copper catalytic production of free radicals, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis; and inhibition of iron-containing proteins associated with different pathological conditions. The unique properties of L1 have attracted the interest of many investigators for drug repurposing and use in many pathological conditions, including cancer, neurodegenerative conditions, microbial conditions, renal conditions, free radical pathology, metal intoxication in relation to Fe, Cu, Al, Zn, Ga, In, U, and Pu, and other diseases. Similarly, the properties of L1 increase the prospects of its wider use in optimizing therapeutic efforts in many other fields of medicine, including synergies with other drugs.

Cellular Red-Ox system in health and disease: The latest update

Cells are continually exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during cellular metabolism. Apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy are biological processes involving a feedback cycle that causes ROS molecules to induce oxidative stress. To adapt to ROS exposure, living cells develop various defense mechanisms to neutralize and use ROS as a signaling molecule. The cellular redox networks combine signaling pathways that regulate cell metabolism, energy, cell survival, and cell death. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) are essential antioxidant enzymes that are required for scavenging ROS in various cell compartments and response to stressful situations. Among the non-enzymatic defenses, vitamin C, glutathione (GSH), polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamin E, etc., are also essential. This review article describes how ROS are produced as byproducts of oxidation/reduction (redox) processes and how the antioxidants defense system is directly or indirectly engaged in scavenging ROS. In addition, we used computational methods to determine the comparative profile of binding energies of several antioxidants with antioxidant enzymes. The computational analysis demonstrates that antioxidants with a high affinity for antioxidant enzymes regulate their structures.

Valorization of Fibrous Plant-Based Food Waste as Biosorbents for Remediation of Heavy Metals from Wastewater-A Review

Mobilization of heavy metals in the environment has been a matter of concern for several decades due to their toxicity for humans, environments, and other living organisms. In recent years, use of inexpensive and abundantly available biosorbents generated from fibrous plant-based food-waste materials to remove heavy metals has garnered considerable research attention. The aim of this review is to investigate the applicability of using fibrous plant-based food waste, which comprises different components such as pectin, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, to remove heavy metals from wastewater. This contribution confirms that plant-fiber-based food waste has the potential to bind heavy metals from wastewater and aqueous solutions. The binding capacities of these biosorbents vary depending on the source, chemical structure, type of metal, modification technology applied, and process conditions used to improve functionalities. This review concludes with a discussion of arguments and prospects, as well as future research directions, to support valorization of fibrous plant-based food waste as an efficient and promising strategy for water purification.

Metal Complexes of Omadine (N-Hydroxypyridine-2-thione): Differences of Antioxidant and Pro-Oxidant Behavior in Light and Dark Conditions with Possible Toxicity Implications

Omadine or N-hydroxypyridine-2-thione and its metal complexes are widely used in medicine and show bactericidal, fungicidal, anticancer, and photochemical activity. The redox activity of omadine complexes with iron, copper, and zinc on lipid peroxidation under light and dark conditions has been investigated. The monitoring of the oxidation of linoleic acid micelles, resembling a model of lipid membrane, was carried out using nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR). It has been shown that the omadine-zinc complex can induce the oxidation of linoleic acid under light irradiation, whereas the complexes with iron and copper are photochemically stable. All the chelating complexes of omadine appear to be redox-inactive in the presence of hydrogen peroxide under dark conditions. These findings suggest that omadine can demonstrate antioxidant behavior in processes involving reactive oxygen species generation induced by transition metals (Fenton and photo-Fenton reactions). However, the omadine complex with zinc, which is widely used in shampoos and ointments, is photochemically active and may cause oxidative cell membrane damage when exposed to light, with possible implications to health.

Caution may be required in using l-theanine in diabetes mellitus: A study on the rats

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to identify the effects of l-theanine on kidney and heart tissues in diabetic rats. 24 male rats included in the study were divided into 4 groups (n = 6/group): SHAM, LTEA, DM and DM + LTEA. For 28 days, drinking water was given to SHAM and DM, and LTEA (200 mg/kg/day) to LTEA and DM + LTEA groups, intragastrically. DM was induced by 120 mg/kg nicotinamide (NA) + 60 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). The levels of cystatin C (CysC) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) were determined by ELISA kits, homocysteine, electrolytes and iron by an autoanalyzer, the ratio of oxidized/total reduced glutathione (GSSG/TGSH) by assay kits. The tissues were histopathologically analyzed.

RESULTS

LTEA alleviated histopathological degenerations. However, it decreased significantly serum iron and homocysteine levels (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

LTEA did not exhibit significant protective effects on kidney and heart tissues; it may have affected the homocysteine and iron metabolisms in diabetics.

A timescale-guided microfluidic synthesis of tannic acid-FeIII network nanocapsules of hydrophobic drugs

Many drugs are poorly water-soluble and suffer from low bioavailability. Metal-phenolic network (MPN), a hydrophilic thin layer such as tannic acid (TA)-FeIII network, has been recently used to encapsulate hydrophobic drugs to improve their bioavailability. However, it remains challenging to synthesize nanocapsules of a wide variety of hydrophobic drugs and to scale up the production in a continuous manner. Here, we present a microfluidic synthesis method to continuously produce TA-FeIII network nanocapsules of hydrophobic drugs. We hypothesize that nanocapsules can continuously be formed only when the microfluidic mixing timescale is shorter than the drug's nucleation timescale. The hypothesis was tested on three hydrophobic drugs - paclitaxel, curcumin, and vitamin D with varying solubility and nucleation timescale. The proposed mechanism was validated by successfully predicting the synthesis outcomes. The microfluidically-synthesized nanocapsules had well-controlled sizes of 100-200 nm, high drug loadings of 40-70%, and a throughput of up to 70 mg hr-1 per channel. The release kinetics, cellular uptake, and cytotoxicity were further evaluated. The effect of coating constituents on nanocapsule properties were characterized. Fe content of nanocapsules was reported. The stability of nanocapsules at different temperatures and pHs were also tested. The results suggest that the present method can provide a quantitative guideline to predictively design a continuous synthesis scheme for hydrophobic drug encapsulation via MPN nanocapsules with scaled-up capability.

Iron deficiency downregulates ENPEP to promote angiogenesis in liver tumors

The abnormal iron metabolism in liver cancer leads to iron deficiency in tumor tissues. We previously found that iron deficiency promoted liver cancer metastasis, but the mechanisms were not fully understood. In the present study, we identified that the angiogenesis-associated glutamyl aminopeptidase (ENPEP) was consistently decreased in iron-deficient liver tissues, iron-deficient liver tumors, and iron-deprived liver cancer cells. Interestingly, the lower expression of ENPEP was correlated with the poor prognosis of liver cancer patients, while the biomarkers of angiogenesis, CD31 and CD34, were increased in tumor tissues. In vivo imaging of liver-orthotopically implanted and tail vein-injected liver cancer cells showed that iron deficiency increased the pulmonary metastasis of liver cancer. The angiogenesis in iron-deficient tumors was enhanced, and the expression of ENPEP was decreased. Silencing ENPEP expression increased the migration of liver cancer cells and the proliferation of cocultured HUVECs. By sequence analysis, we found that the transcription factor SP1 possessed abundant binding sites in the ENPEP promoter region. Its combination with ENPEP promoters was verified by chromatin immunoprecipitation. The inhibition of SP1 by mithramycin A effectively restored the expression of ENPEP, which was decreased by iron deficiency. In conclusion, these results revealed that iron deficiency in liver tumors decreased the expression of ENPEP by SP1 and increased the angiogenesis and metastasis of liver tumors, which further explained the mechanism by which iron deficiency promoted liver cancer metastasis.

Cyanidin-3-glucoside inhibits ferroptosis in renal tubular cells after ischemia/reperfusion injury via the AMPK pathway

BACKGROUND

Ferroptosis, which is characterized by lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation, is closely associated with the pathogenesis of acute renal injury (AKI). Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), a typical flavonoid that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on ischemia‒reperfusion (I/R) injury, can induce AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. This study aimed to show that C3G exerts nephroprotective effects against I/R-AKI related ferroptosis by regulating the AMPK pathway.

METHODS

Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced HK-2 cells and I/R-AKI mice were treated with C3G with or without inhibiting AMPK. The level of intracellular free iron, the expression of the ferroptosis-related proteins acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and the levels of the lipid peroxidation markers 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were examined.

RESULTS

We observed the inhibitory effect of C3G on ferroptosis in vitro and in vivo, which was characterized by the reversion of excessive intracellular free iron accumulation, a decrease in 4-HNE, lipid ROS, MDA levels and ACSL4 expression, and an increase in GPX4 expression and glutathione (GSH) levels. Notably, the inhibition of AMPK by CC significantly abrogated the nephroprotective effect of C3G on I/R-AKI models in vivo and in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Our results provide new insight into the nephroprotective effect of C3G on acute I/R-AKI by inhibiting ferroptosis by activating the AMPK pathway.

Differential Effects of Histidine and Histidinamide versus Cysteine and Cysteinamide on Copper Ion-Induced Oxidative Stress and Cytotoxicity in HaCaT Keratinocytes

Metal chelators are used for various industrial and medical purposes based on their physicochemical properties and biological activities. In biological systems, copper ions bind to certain enzymes as cofactors to confer catalytic activity or bind to specific proteins for safe storage and transport. However, unbound free copper ions can catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing oxidative stress and cell death. The present study aims to identify amino acids with copper chelation activities that might mitigate oxidative stress and toxicity in skin cells exposed to copper ions. A total of 20 free amino acids and 20 amidated amino acids were compared for their copper chelation activities in vitro and the cytoprotective effects in cultured HaCaT keratinocytes exposed to CuSO4. Among the free amino acids, cysteine showed the highest copper chelation activity, followed by histidine and glutamic acid. Among the amidated amino acids, cysteinamide showed the highest copper chelation activity, followed by histidinamide and aspartic acid. CuSO4 (0.4–1.0 mM) caused cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. Among the free and amidated amino acids (1.0 mM), only histidine and histidinamide prevented the HaCaT cell death induced by CuSO4 (1.0 mM). Cysteine and cysteinamide had no cytoprotective effects despite their potent copper-chelating activities. EDTA and GHK-Cu, which were used as reference compounds, had no cytoprotective effects either. Histidine and histidinamide suppressed the CuSO4-induced ROS production, glutathione oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonylation in HaCaT cells, whereas cysteine and cysteinamide had no such effects. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) showed copper-chelating activity at 0.5–1.0 mM (34–68 mg mL−1). Histidine, histidinamide, and BSA at 0.5–1.0 mM enhanced the viability of cells exposed to CuCl2 or CuSO4 (0.5 mM or 1.0 mM) whereas cysteine and cysteinamide had no such effects. The results of this study suggest that histidine and histidinamide have more advantageous properties than cysteine and cysteinamide in terms of alleviating copper ion-induced toxic effects in the skin.

Deferiprone and Iron-Maltol: Forty Years since Their Discovery and Insights into Their Drug Design, Development, Clinical Use and Future Prospects

The historical insights and background of the discovery, development and clinical use of deferiprone (L1) and the maltol-iron complex, which were discovered over 40 years ago, highlight the difficulties, complexities and efforts in general orphan drug development programs originating from academic centers. Deferiprone is widely used for the removal of excess iron in the treatment of iron overload diseases, but also in many other diseases associated with iron toxicity, as well as the modulation of iron metabolism pathways. The maltol-iron complex is a recently approved drug used for increasing iron intake in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, a condition affecting one-third to one-quarter of the world's population. Detailed insights into different aspects of drug development associated with L1 and the maltol-iron complex are revealed, including theoretical concepts of invention; drug discovery; new chemical synthesis; in vitro, in vivo and clinical screening; toxicology; pharmacology; and the optimization of dose protocols. The prospects of the application of these two drugs in many other diseases are discussed under the light of competing drugs from other academic and commercial centers and also different regulatory authorities. The underlying scientific and other strategies, as well as the many limitations in the present global scene of pharmaceuticals, are also highlighted, with an emphasis on the priorities for orphan drug and emergency medicine development, including the roles of the academic scientific community, pharmaceutical companies and patient organizations.

Pristine, carboxylated, and hybrid multi-walled carbon nanotubes exert potent antioxidant activities in in vitro-cell free systems

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are tubular-shaped carbon allotropes, composed of multiple concentric graphene cylinders. The extended systems of conjugated double bonds, that MWCNTs are constituted by, provide them with high electron affinities, enabling them to act as electron donors or acceptors. Consequently, their potential biomedical applications, as synthetic antioxidant agents, are of particular interest. Based on the above, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the intrinsic antioxidant properties of pristine and carboxylated MWCNTs, as well as of novel hybrid nanocomposites of MWCNTs and inorganic nanoparticles. To this end, after the synthesis and characterization of MWCNTs, their antiradical, reducing, and antigenotoxic properties were assessed in cell-free assays, using a methodological approach that has been recently proposed by our research group. According to our results, most of the tested MWCNTs exhibited strong antioxidant activities. More elaborately, the hybrid material of MWCNTs and ferrous oxide nanoparticles, i.e., CNTs@Fe₃O₄, showed robust scavenging capacities in all free-radical scavenging assays examined. As regards reducing properties, the pristine MWCNTs, i.e., CNTs-Ref, exhibited the greater electron donating capacity. Finally, in terms of antigenotoxic properties, the hybrid material of MWCNTs and silicon carbide nanoparticles, i.e., CNTs@SiC, exhibited potent ability to inhibit the formation of peroxyl radicals, thus preventing from the oxidative DNA damage. Conclusively, our findings suggest that the MWCNTs of the study could be considered as promising broad-spectrum antioxidants, however, further investigations are required to evaluate their toxicological profile in cell-based and in vivo systems.

The Role of the Yersiniachelin Siderophore in the Physiology of <i>Yersinia pestis</i>

Pathogenic bacteria use low-molecular-weight iron chelators – siderophores – to assimilate iron in the host body. Being recognized as virulence factors, these molecules, differing in structural and functional properties, are the subject of the most intensive research in medical microbiology. The present study is devoted to the investigation of yersiniachelin siderophore (Ych) found in the causative agent of plague, Yersinia pestis. The aim of the work was to clarify the role of Ych in the physiology of Y. pestis by comparing the properties of three strains of the plague microbe, differing in Ych production. Materials and methods. Three variants of Y. pestis EV76 strain were used in the experiments: parent strain Y. pestis EV76, its mutant that does not produce Ych due to deletion of three siderophore biosynthesis genes (analogues of ypo1530–1532 in Y. pestis CO92 strain) and a complemented mutant that was transformed by a recombinant pSC-A-5EV plasmid containing Ych biosynthesis genes cloned into the high-copy plasmid vector pSC-A-amp/kan. Comparative analysis of the three strains was carried out in terms of colony morphology, siderophore activity, growth rate, and sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide. Results and discussion. The comparison of these strains has revealed that the secretion of Ych by bacteria at 26 °С ensures the assimilation of iron. At 37 °С, Ych is not secreted into the medium and protects bacteria from the bactericidal action of reactive oxygen compounds. Thus, the study shows that yersiniachelin is able to stimulate the assimilation of iron by bacteria under iron-deficit conditions and has antioxidant properties.

Benzilbis(2-hydroxyanil) – highly efficient ligand for ferric ion (Fe3+) sensing

Benzilbis(2-hydroxyanil) was found to be an efficient and selective turn-on fluorophore for ferric ion (Fe3+) sensing.

Iron in infectious diseases friend or foe?: The role of gut microbiota

Iron is a trace element involved in metabolic functions for all organisms, from microorganisms to mammalians. Iron deficiency is a prevalent health problem that affects billions of people worldwide, and iron overload could have some hazardous effect. The complex microbial community in the human body, also called microbiota, influences the host immune defence against infections. An imbalance in gut microbiota, dysbiosis, changes the host's susceptibility to infections by regulating the immune system. In recent years, the number of studies on the relationship between infectious diseases and microbiota has increased. Gut microbiota is affected by different parameters, including mode of delivery, hygiene habits, diet, drugs, and plasma iron levels during the lifetime. Gut microbiota may influence iron levels in the body, and iron overload and deficiency can also affect gut microbiota composition. Novel researches on microbiota shed light on the fact that the bidirectional interactions between gut microbiota and iron play a role in the pathogenesis of many diseases, especially infections. A better understanding of these interactions may help us to comprehend the pathogenesis of many infectious and metabolic diseases affecting people worldwide and following the development of more effective preventive and/or therapeutic strategies. In this review, we aimed to present the iron-mediated host-gut microbiota interactions, susceptibility to bacterial infections, and iron-targeted therapy approaches for infections.

Non-classical ferroptosis inhibition by a small molecule targeting PHB2

Ferroptosis is a new type of programmed cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Ferroptosis inhibition is thought as a promising therapeutic strategy for a variety of diseases. Currently, a majority of known ferroptosis inhibitors belong to either antioxidants or iron-chelators. Here we report a new ferroptosis inhibitor, termed YL-939, which is neither an antioxidant nor an iron-chelator. Chemical proteomics revealed the biological target of YL-939 to be prohibitin 2 (PHB2). Mechanistically, YL-939 binding to PHB2 promotes the expression of the iron storage protein ferritin, hence reduces the iron content, thereby decreasing the susceptibility to ferroptosis. We further showed that YL-939 could substantially ameliorate liver damage in a ferroptosis-related acute liver injury model by targeting the PHB2/ferritin/iron axis. Overall, we identified a non-classical ferroptosis inhibitor and revealed a new regulation mechanism of ferroptosis. These findings may present an attractive intervention strategy for ferroptosis-related diseases.

Effects of subacute cadmium exposure and subsequent deferiprone treatment on cadmium accumulation and on the homeostasis of essential elements in the mouse brain

INTRODUCTION

Cadmium (Cd) is а hazardous multi-organ toxin. In this study, we provide the first results about the effect of oral administration of deferiprone (DFP) on Cd accumulation and on the homeostasis of essential elements in the brain of Cd-exposed mice.

METHODS

Adult Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) male mice were randomized into four experimental groups: untreated controls - administered distilled water for 28 days; Cd-exposed group - exposed to 18 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) Cd(II) acetate for 14 days followed by the administration of distilled water for two weeks; Cd + DFP (low dose) - Cd-intoxicated mice subsequently treated with 19 mg/kg b.w. DFP for two weeks; and Cd + DFP (high dose) - Cd-exposed mice administered high-dose DFP (135 mg/kg b.w.) for 14 days. Brains were subjected to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and histological analysis.

RESULTS

The results revealed that exposure of mice to Cd for 14 days significantly increased Cd concentration and significantly decreased magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and zinc (Zn) contents in the brain compared to untreated controls. This effect was accompanied by necrotic-degenerative changes in both the cerebrum and cerebellum. Oral administration of low-dose DFP to Cd-exposed mice decreased the concentration of the toxic metal in the brain by 16.37% and restored the concentration of the essential elements to normal control values. Histological analysis revealed substantially improved cerebral and cerebellar histoarchitectures. In contrast, oral administration of high-dose DFP increased Cd content and significantly decreased selenium (Se) concentration in the brain. Necrotic neurons and Purkinje cells were still observed in the cerebral and cerebellar cortices.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that oral administration of DFP at low doses has a better therapeutic potential for the treatment of Cd-induced brain damage compared to high doses.