The Epigenetic Link between Polyphenols, Aging and Age-Related Diseases

Methylated urolithin A, mitigates cognitive impairment by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction in aging mice

Effective therapeutic interventions for elderly patients are lacking, despite advances in pharmacotherapy. Methylated urolithin A (mUro A), a modified ellagitannin (ET)-derived metabolite, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anti-apoptotic effects. Current research has primarily investigated the neuroprotective effects of mUroA in aging mice and explored the underlying mechanisms. Our study used an in vivo aging model induced by d-galactose (D-gal) to show that mUro A notably improved learning and memory, prevented synaptic impairments by enhancing synaptic protein expression and increasing EPSCs, and reduced oxidative damage in aging mice. mUro A alleviated the activation of the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, leading to reduced glial cell activity and neuroinflammation in both accelerated aging and naturally senescent mouse models. Moreover, mUroA enhanced the activity of TCA cycle enzymes (PDH, CS, and OGDH), decreased 8-OHdG levels, and raised ATP and NAD+ levels within the mitochondria. At the molecular level, mUro A decreased phosphorylated p53 levels and increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), thus enhancing mitochondrial function. In conclusion, mUro A alleviates cognitive impairment in aging mice by suppressing neuroinflammation through NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition and restoring mitochondrial function via the p53-PGC-1α pathway. This suggests its potential therapeutic agent for brain aging and aging-related diseases.

Nutrient-epigenome interactions: Implications for personalized nutrition against aging-associated diseases

Aging is a multifaceted process involving genetic and environmental interactions often resulting in epigenetic changes, potentially leading to aging-related diseases. Various strategies, like dietary interventions and calorie restrictions, have been employed to modify these epigenetic landscapes. A burgeoning field of interest focuses on the role of microbiota in human health, emphasizing system biology and computational approaches. These methods help decipher the intricate interplay between diet and gut microbiota, facilitating the creation of personalized nutrition strategies. In this review, we analysed the mechanisms related to nutritional interventions while highlighting the influence of dietary strategies, like calorie restriction and intermittent fasting, on microbial composition and function. We explore how gut microbiota affects the efficacy of interventions using tools like multi-omics data integration, network analysis, and machine learning. These tools enable us to pinpoint critical regulatory elements and generate individualized models for dietary responses. Lastly, we emphasize the need for a deeper comprehension of nutrient-epigenome interactions and the potential of personalized nutrition informed by individual genetic and epigenetic profiles. As knowledge and technology advance, dietary epigenetics stands on the cusp of reshaping our strategy against aging and related diseases.

Dietary Polyphenols: Review on Chemistry/Sources, Bioavailability/Metabolism, Antioxidant Effects, and Their Role in Disease Management

Polyphenols, as secondary metabolites ubiquitous in plant sources, have emerged as pivotal bioactive compounds with far-reaching implications for human health. Plant polyphenols exhibit direct or indirect associations with biomolecules capable of modulating diverse physiological pathways. Due to their inherent abundance and structural diversity, polyphenols have garnered substantial attention from both the scientific and clinical communities. The review begins by providing an in-depth analysis of the chemical intricacies of polyphenols, shedding light on their structural diversity and the implications of such diversity on their biological activities. Subsequently, an exploration of the dietary origins of polyphenols elucidates the natural plant-based sources that contribute to their global availability. The discussion extends to the bioavailability and metabolism of polyphenols within the human body, unraveling the complex journey from ingestion to systemic effects. A central focus of the review is dedicated to unravelling the antioxidant effects of polyphenols, highlighting their role in combating oxidative stress and associated health conditions. The comprehensive analysis encompasses their impact on diverse health concerns such as hypertension, allergies, aging, and chronic diseases like heart stroke and diabetes. Insights into the global beneficial effects of polyphenols further underscore their potential as preventive and therapeutic agents. This review article critically examines the multifaceted aspects of dietary polyphenols, encompassing their chemistry, dietary origins, bioavailability/metabolism dynamics, and profound antioxidant effects. The synthesis of information presented herein aims to provide a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and health enthusiasts, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between polyphenols and human health.

Mitigating Age-Related Cognitive Decline and Oxidative Status in Rats Treated with Catechin and Polyphenon-60

Aging is a normal physiological process influenced by the combination of multiple mechanisms, primarily oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, which impact general physiology and brain function. Phenolic compounds have demonstrated the ability to slow down the aging process of the brain due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study assessed the protective properties of catechin and polyphenon-60 in non-pathologically aged rats regarding visuo-spatial learning and the oxidative status of the frontal cortex. Old animals were treated with catechin or green tea extract (polyphenon-60) for 36 days, daily. Healthy old and young rats were used as controls. During the first training phase, treated rats executed the test better, locating the target in less time compared with the controls. Biomarkers of oxidative stress (catalase activities, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase) were reduced in the brain of old animals, although their activities were partially improved after both antioxidant treatments. Furthermore, the rise in the production of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels-a marker of lipid peroxidation-in the frontal cortex of aged animals was significantly ameliorated after the interventions. In conclusion, old rats exhibited enhanced cognitive function and reduced stress levels following the administration of catechin and polyphenon-60.

The entrancing role of dietary polyphenols against the most frequent aging-associated diseases

Aging, a fundamental physiological process influenced by innumerable biological and genetic pathways, is an important driving factor for several aging-associated disorders like diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In the modern era, the several mechanisms associated with aging have been deeply studied. Treatment and therapeutics for age-related diseases have also made considerable advances; however, for the effective and long-lasting treatment, nutritional therapy particularly including dietary polyphenols from the natural origin are endorsed. These dietary polyphenols (e.g., apigenin, baicalin, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, kaempferol, quercetin, resveratrol, and theaflavin), and many other phytochemicals target certain molecular, genetic mechanisms. The most common pathways of age-associated diseases are mitogen-activated protein kinase, reactive oxygen species production, nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells signaling pathways, metal chelation, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and inflammation. Polyphenols slow down the course of aging and help in combatting age-linked disorders. This exemplified in the form of clinical trials on specific dietary polyphenols in various aging-associated diseases. With this context in mind, this review reveals the new insights to slow down the aging process, and consequently reduce some classic diseases associated with age such as aforementioned, and targeting age-associated diseases by the activities of dietary polyphenols of natural origin.

Flavonoids: Their putative neurologic roles, epigenetic changes, and gut microbiota alterations in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's Disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by the degeneration of progressive dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra region of the human midbrain. Although just what causes PD remains a mystery, it is known that oxidative stress (OS) as well as mitochondrial dysfunction, neuro-inflammation, and insufficient neurotrophic support play a role in the disease's pathophysiology. Phytochemicals are a diverse small molecule group derived from plants that can be classified into numerous classes on the basis of their biological activities and chemical structure. Of these groups of phytochemicals, the most abundant, which has well-established anti-Parkinson's effects, are polyphenols. Flavonoids, including naringin and naringenin, genistein, kaempferol, anthocyanins, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and baicalein are plant-based biologically active polyphenols, which have been shown to exhibit therapeutic potential when used as treatment for a variety of pathological illnesses, such as neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and PD. Recently, it was reported that flavonoids have beneficial effects on PD, such as the protection of DA neurons, improvement of motor and cognitive abilities, regulation of signaling pathways, and modulation of OS and neuro-inflammation. In addition, by changing the composition of bacteria in gut microbiota, flavonoids reduce pathogenic strains and promote the growth of beneficial strains. In this context, the current paper will provide a literature review on the neurological roles that flavonoids play, as one of the most abundant phytochemical families, in PD.

Nutritional Epigenetics and Phytochemicals in Cancer Formation

Nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics are two concepts in the area of nutritional genomics. Epigenetics is a new discipline with significant potential in the prevention and management of certain carcinomas and diseases. Epigenetics consists of DNA methylation, histone modification, non-coding RNAs, and telomerase activity. Epigenetic-based mechanisms act on the inhibition of cancer cells by modulating enzymes such as DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase, as well as non-coding RNAs. Phytochemicals are natural bioactive components of plant origin that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic effects on various diseases, especially cancer. The epigenetic diet is a nutritional model based on the consumption of various phytochemicals such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate, morin, caffeic acid phenyl ester, apigenin, genistein, curcumin, resveratrol, and sulforaphane. Phytochemicals exert their effects on cancer-based by reducing cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis and increasing cell apoptosis. Simultaneously, it has functions such as reducing oncogenes that have effects on cancer etiology and increasing tumor suppressor genes.Key teaching pointsCancer is a chronic disease with a high mortality rate, in which various genetic and environmental factors are involved in its etiology.Protooncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and DNA repair genes are among the gene groups that form the basis of cancer and genetic structure.The bidirectional interaction between nutrition and the human genome has been effective in the emergence of the concepts of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics.Epigenetic diet is a diet based on the consumption of foods such as soy, grapes, blueberries, turmeric, cruciferous vegetables, and green tea, which induce epigenetic mechanisms that protect against cancer and aging.

Endophytic bacteria isolated from Urtica dioica L.- preliminary screening for enzyme and polyphenols production

Endophytes, especially those isolated from herbal plants, may act as a reservoir of a variety of secondary metabolites exhibiting biological activity. Some endophytes express the ability to produce the same bioactive compounds as their plant hosts, making them a more sustainable industrial supply of these substances. Urtica dioica L. (common stinging nettle) is a synanthropic plant that is widely used in herbal medicine due to the diversity of bioactive chemicals it contains, e.g., polyphenols, which demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancerous capabilities. This study aimed at isolating endophytic bacteria from stinging nettles for their bioactive compounds. The endophytic isolates were identified by both biochemical and molecular methods (16S rRNA) and investigated for enzymes, biosurfactants, and polyphenols production. Each of the isolated bacterial strains was capable of producing biosurfactants and polyphenols. However, three of the isolated endophytes, identified as two strains of Bacillus cereus and one strain of Bacillus mycoides, possessed the greatest capacity to produce biosurfactants and polyphenols. The derivatized extracts from culture liquid showed the 1.633 mol l-1 (9.691 mg l-1) concentration of polyphenol compounds. Therefore, the present study signifies that endophytic B. cereus and B. mycoides isolated from Urtica dioica L. could be a potential source of biosurfactants and polyphenols. However, further study is required to understand the mechanism of the process and achieve efficient polyphenol production by endophytic bacteria.

Effects of polyphenols and their metabolites on age-related diseases

Aging contributes to the progressive loss of cellular biological functions and increases the risk of age-related diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, some neurological disorders and cancers are generally classified as age-related diseases that affect the lifespan of individuals. These diseases result from the accumulation of cellular damage and reduced activity of protective stress response pathways, which can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress, which play a key role in the aging process. There is now increasing interest in the therapeutic effects of edible plants for the prevention of various diseases, including those associated with aging. It has become clear that the beneficial effects of these foods are due, at least in part, to the high concentration of bioactive phenolic compounds with low side effects. Antioxidants are the most abundant, and their high consumption in the Mediterranean diet has been associated with slower ageing in humans. Extensive human dietary intervention studies strongly suggest that polyphenol supplementation protects against the development of degenerative diseases, especially in the elderly. In this review, we present data on the biological effects of plant polyphenols in the context of their relevance to human health, ageing and the prevention of age-related diseases.

Stress, diet, exercise: Common environmental factors and their impact on epigenetic age

Epigenetic aging clocks have gained significant attention as a tool for predicting age-related health conditions in clinical and research settings. They have enabled geroscientists to study the underlying mechanisms of aging and assess the effectiveness of anti-aging therapies, including diet, exercise and environmental exposures. This review explores the effects of modifiable lifestyle factors' on the global DNA methylation landscape, as seen by aging clocks. We also discuss the underlying mechanisms through which these factors contribute to biological aging and provide comments on what these findings mean for people willing to build an evidence-based pro-longevity lifestyle.

Antiaging effects of dietary supplements and natural products

Aging is an inevitable process influenced by genetics, lifestyles, and environments. With the rapid social and economic development in recent decades, the proportion of the elderly has increased rapidly worldwide, and many aging-related diseases have shown an upward trend, including nervous system diseases, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, and cancer. The rising burden of aging-related diseases has become an urgent global health challenge and requires immediate attention and solutions. Natural products have been used for a long time to treat various human diseases. The primary cellular pathways that mediate the longevity-extending effects of natural products involve nutrient-sensing pathways. Among them, the sirtuin, AMP-activated protein kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin, p53, and insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling pathways are most widely studied. Several studies have reviewed the effects of individual natural compounds on aging and aging-related diseases along with the underlying mechanisms. Natural products from food sources, such as polyphenols, saponins, alkaloids, and polysaccharides, are classified as antiaging compounds that promote health and prolong life via various mechanisms. In this article, we have reviewed several recently identified natural products with potential antiaging properties and have highlighted their cellular and molecular mechanisms. The discovery and use of dietary supplements and natural products that can prevent and treat multiple aging-related diseases in humans will be beneficial. Thus, this review provides theoretical background for existing dietary supplements and natural products as potential antiaging agents.

Association of the DNA Methylation of Obesity-Related Genes with the Dietary Nutrient Intake in Children

The occurrence of obesity stems from both genetic and external influences. Despite thorough research and attempts to address it through various means such as dietary changes, physical activity, education, and medications, a lasting solution to this widespread problem remains elusive. Nutrients play a crucial role in various cellular processes, including the regulation of gene expression. One of the mechanisms by which nutrients can affect gene expression is through DNA methylation. This modification can alter the accessibility of DNA to transcription factors and other regulatory proteins, thereby influencing gene expression. Nutrients such as folate and vitamin B12 are involved in the one-carbon metabolism pathway, which provides the methyl groups necessary for DNA methylation. Studies have shown that the inadequate intake of these nutrients can lead to alterations in DNA methylation patterns. For this study, we aim to understand the differences in the association of the dietary intake between normal weight and overweight/obese children and between European American and African American children with the DNA methylation of the three genes NRF1, FTO, and LEPR. The research discovered a significant association between the nutritional intake of 6-10-years-old children, particularly the methyl donors present in their diet, and the methylation of the NRF1, FTO, and LEPR genes. Additionally, the study emphasizes the significance of considering health inequalities, particularly family income and maternal education, when investigating the epigenetic impact of methyl donors in diet and gene methylation.

High DNA methylation age deceleration defines an aggressive phenotype with immunoexclusion environments in endometrial carcinoma

Like telomere shortening, global DNA hypomethylation occurs progressively with cellular divisions or in vivo aging and functions as a mitotic clock to restrain malignant transformation/progression. Several DNA-methylation (DNAm) age clocks have been established to precisely predict chronological age using normal tissues, but show DNAm age drift in tumors, which suggests disruption of this mitotic clock during carcinogenesis. Little is known about DNAm age alterations and biological/clinical implications in endometrial cancer (EC). Here we address these issues by analyzing TCGA and GSE67116 cohorts of ECs. Horvath clock analysis of these tumors unexpectedly revealed that almost 90% of them exhibited DNAm age deceleration (DNAmad) compared to patient chronological age. Combined with an additional clock named Phenoage, we identified a subset of tumors (82/429) with high DNAmad (hDNAmad+) as assessed by both clocks. Clinically, hDNAmad+ tumors were associated with advanced diseases and shorter patient survival, compared to hDNAmad- ones. Genetically, hDNAmad+ tumors were characterized by higher copy number alterations (CNAs) whereas lower tumor mutation burden. Functionally, hDNAmad+ tumors were enriched with cell cycle and DNA mismatch repair pathways. Increased PIK3CA alterations and downregulation of SCGB2A1, the inhibitor of PI3K kinase, in hDNAmad+ tumors, might promote tumor growth/proliferation and stemness. In addition, the inactivation of aging drivers/tumor suppressors (TP53, RB1, and CDKN2A) while enhanced telomere maintenance occurred more frequently in hDNAmad+ tumors, which supports sustained tumor growth. Prominently, hDNAmad+ tumors were featured with immunoexclusion microenvironments, accompanied by significantly higher levels of VTCN1 expression while lower PD-L1 and CTLA4 expression, which indicates their poor response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based immunotherapy. We further showed significantly higher levels of DNMT3A and 3B expression in hDNAmad+ than in hDNAmad- tumors. Thus, the tumor suppressive function of aging-like DNA hypomethylation is severely impaired in hDNAmad+ tumors, likely due to enhanced expression of DNMT3A/3B and dysregulated aging regulators. Our findings not only enrich biological knowledge of EC pathogenesis but also help improve EC risk stratification and precision ICI immunotherapy.

Epidrugs in the Therapy of Central Nervous System Disorders: A Way to Drive on?

The polygenic nature of neurological and psychiatric syndromes and the significant impact of environmental factors on the underlying developmental, homeostatic, and neuroplastic mechanisms suggest that an efficient therapy for these disorders should be a complex one. Pharmacological interventions with drugs selectively influencing the epigenetic landscape (epidrugs) allow one to hit multiple targets, therefore, assumably addressing a wide spectrum of genetic and environmental mechanisms of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The aim of this review is to understand what fundamental pathological mechanisms would be optimal to target with epidrugs in the treatment of neurological or psychiatric complications. To date, the use of histone deacetylases and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (HDACis and DNMTis) in the clinic is focused on the treatment of neoplasms (mainly of a glial origin) and is based on the cytostatic and cytotoxic actions of these compounds. Preclinical data show that besides this activity, inhibitors of histone deacetylases, DNA methyltransferases, bromodomains, and ten-eleven translocation (TET) proteins impact the expression of neuroimmune inflammation mediators (cytokines and pro-apoptotic factors), neurotrophins (brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF)), ion channels, ionotropic receptors, as well as pathoproteins (β-amyloid, tau protein, and α-synuclein). Based on this profile of activities, epidrugs may be favorable as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. For the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders, drug addiction, as well as anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia, and epilepsy, contemporary epidrugs still require further development concerning a tuning of pharmacological effects, reduction in toxicity, and development of efficient treatment protocols. A promising strategy to further clarify the potential targets of epidrugs as therapeutic means to cure neurological and psychiatric syndromes is the profiling of the epigenetic mechanisms, which have evolved upon actions of complex physiological lifestyle factors, such as diet and physical exercise, and which are effective in the management of neurodegenerative diseases and dementia.

The Molecular Mechanism of Polyphenols in the Regulation of Ageing Hallmarks

Ageing is a complex process characterized mainly by a decline in the function of cells, tissues, and organs, resulting in an increased risk of mortality. This process involves several changes, described as hallmarks of ageing, which include genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic changes, loss of proteostasis, dysregulated nutrient sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell depletion, and altered intracellular communication. The determining role that environmental factors such as diet and lifestyle play on health, life expectancy, and susceptibility to diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, is wellestablished. In view of the growing interest in the beneficial effects of phytochemicals in the prevention of chronic diseases, several studies have been conducted, and they strongly suggest that the intake of dietary polyphenols may bring numerous benefits due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and their intake has been associated with impaired ageing in humans. Polyphenol intake has been shown to be effective in ameliorating several age-related phenotypes, including oxidative stress, inflammatory processes, impaired proteostasis, and cellular senescence, among other features, which contribute to an increased risk of ageing-associated diseases. This review aims to address, in a general way, the main findings described in the literature about the benefits of polyphenols in each of the hallmarks of ageing, as well as the main regulatory mechanisms responsible for the observed antiageing effects.

Mechanistic insights into dietary (poly)phenols and vascular dysfunction-related diseases using multi-omics and integrative approaches: Machine learning as a next challenge in nutrition research

Dietary (poly)phenols have been extensively studied for their vasculoprotective effects and consequently their role in preventing or delaying onsets of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Even though early studies have ascribed the vasculoprotective properties of (poly)phenols primarily on their putative free radical scavenging properties, recent data indicate that in biological systems, (poly)phenols act primarily through genomic and epigenomic mechanisms. The molecular mechanisms underlying their health properties are still not well identified, mainly due to the use of physiologically non-relevant conditions (native molecules or extracts at high concentrations, rather than circulating metabolites), but also due to the use of targeted genomic approaches aiming to evaluate the effect only on few specific genes, thus preventing to decipher detailed molecular mechanisms involved. The use of state-of-the-art untargeted analytical methods represents a significant breakthrough in nutrigenomics, as these methods enable detailed insights into the effects at each specific omics level. Moreover, the implementation of multi-omics approaches allows integration of different levels of regulation of cellular functions, to obtain a comprehensive picture of the molecular mechanisms of action of (poly)phenols. In combination with bioinformatics and the methods of machine learning, multi-omics has potential to make a huge contribution to the nutrition science. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the use of the omics, multi-omics, and integrative approaches in studying the vasculoprotective properties of dietary (poly)phenols and address the potentials for use of the machine learning in nutrigenomics.

Effect of the simulated digestion process on the chlorogenic acid trapping activity against methylglyoxal

Chlorogenic acids are hydroxycinnamic derivatives widespread in food or food by-products, known for their antioxidant effects and ability to interfere with the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs are potential glycotoxins involved in age-related disorders, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders. The ability of chlorogenic acids to inhibit AGE formation under physiological conditions needs further investigation other than the in vitro assays. Therefore, in this study, the capacity of 5-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) to effectively trap methylglyoxal (MGO), an AGE precursor compound also present in daily consumed food, was investigated by evaluating 5-CQA and MGO metabolic fate when subjected to digestion. Two different in vitro digestion approaches (static based on the Infogest protocol and dynamic based on a novel millifluidic gastrointestinal model) were set up and the samples collected at different steps of the static and dynamic processes were analyzed by a validated RP-HPLC-DAD method. The obtained results indicated that the gastrointestinal process strongly affected the 5-CQA capacity to trap MGO and its resulting antiglycation activity. Therefore, preliminary investigation using advanced in vitro tests, particularly dynamic approaches, should always be performed to predict the effect of the digestion process on the potential bioactives present in food, food by-products, or plant extracts.

Association between Dried Fruit Intake and DNA Methylation: A Multivariable Mendelian Randomization Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Observational studies have reported associations between dried fruit intake and DNA methylation(DNAm). However, inherent flaws in observational study designs make them susceptible to confounding and reverse causality bias. Consequently, it is unclear whether a causal association exists. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the causal associations between dried fruit intake and DNAm.

METHODS

We performed two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) using the IEU Open GWAS database aggregated data. Forty-three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with dried fruit intake as instrumental variables (IVs) were selected as exposure. DNAm outcomes include Gran (estimated granulocyte proportions); AgeAccelGrim(GrimAge acceleration); Hannum (Hannum age acceleration); IEAA(Intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration), AgeAccelPheno( PhenoAge acceleration), and DNAmPAIadjAge (DNAm-estimated plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels). We used the MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier test (MRPRESSO) and Radial-MR test to identify any level of multi-effect outliers and assessed the causal effect estimates(after removing outliers). The primary causal effects were estimated using inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method and undertook sensitivity analyses using MR methods robust to horizontal pleiotropy.The direct effects of dried fruit intake on DNAm were estimated using multivariable mendelian randomization (MVMR).

RESULTS

Leveraging two-sample MR analysis, we observed statistically significant associations between dried fruit intake with a lower AgeAccelGrim(β=-1.365, 95% confidence intervals [CI] -2.266 to -0.464, PIVW=2.985×10-3) and AgeAccelPheno (β= -1.933, 95% CI -3.068 to -0.798, PIVW=8.371×10-4). By contrast, the effects level on Gran (β=0.008, PIVW=0.430), Hannum(β=-0.430, PIVW=0.357), IEAA(β=-0.184, PIVW=0.700), and DNAmPAIadjAge (β=-1.861, PIVW=0.093) were not statistically significant. MVMR results adjusting for the potential effects of confounders showed that the causal relationship between dried fruit intake and AgeAccelGrim(β= -1.315, 95% CI -2.373 to -0.258, PIVW=1.480×10-2) and AgeAccelPheno(β= -1.595, 95% CI -2.987 to -0.202, PIVW=2.483×10-2) persisted. No significant horizontal polymorphism was found in the sensitivity analysis.

CONCLUSION

Our MR study suggested that increased dried fruit intake is associated with slower AgeAccelGrim and AgeAccelPheno. It can providing a promising avenue for exploring the beneficial effects of dried fruit intake on lifespan extension.

Nutrigenomics in Parkinson's disease: diversity of modulatory actions of polyphenols on epigenetic effects induced by toxins

Although the pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease (PD) is not completely understood, there is a consensus that it can be caused by multifactorial mechanisms involving genetic susceptibility, epigenetic modifications induced by toxins and mitochondrial dysfunction. In the past 20 years, great efforts have been made in order to clarify molecular mechanisms that are risk factors for this disease, as well as to identify bioactive agents for prevention and slowing down of its progression. Nutraceutical products have received substantial interest due to their nutritional, safe and therapeutic effects on several chronic diseases. The aim of this review was to gather the main evidence of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in the neuroprotective effects of phenolic compounds currently under investigation for the treatment of toxin-induced PD. These studies confirm that the neuroprotective actions of polyphenols involve complex epigenetic modulations, demonstrating that the intake of these natural compounds can be a promising, low-cost, pharmacogenomic strategy against the development of PD.

Targeting epigenetics in diabetic cardiomyopathy: Therapeutic potential of flavonoids

The pathophysiological mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy have been extensively studied, but there is still a lack of effective prevention and treatment methods. The ability of flavonoids to protect the heart from diabetic cardiomyopathy has been extensively described. In recent years, epigenetics has received increasing attention from scholars in exploring the etiology and treatment of diabetes and its complications. DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs play key functions in the development, maintenance and progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Hence, prevention or reversal of the epigenetic alterations that have occurred during the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy may alleviate the personal and social burden of the disease. Flavonoids can be used as natural epigenetic modulators in alternative therapies for diabetic cardiomyopathy. In this review, we discuss the epigenetic effects of different flavonoid subtypes in diabetic cardiomyopathy and summarize the evidence from preclinical and clinical studies that already exist. However, limited research is available on the potential beneficial effects of flavonoids on the epigenetics of diabetic cardiomyopathy. In the future, clinical trials in which different flavonoids exert their antidiabetic and cardioprotective effects through various epigenetic mechanisms should be further explored.

Grape Polyphenols in the Treatment of Human Skeletal Muscle Damage Due to Inflammation and Oxidative Stress during Obesity and Aging: Early Outcomes and Promises

Today, inactivity and high-calorie diets contribute to the development of obesity and premature aging. In addition, the population of elderly people is growing due to improvements in healthcare management. Obesity and aging are together key risk factors for non-communicable diseases associated with several co-morbidities and increased mortality, with a major impact on skeletal muscle defect and/or poor muscle mass quality. Skeletal muscles contribute to multiple body functions and play a vital role throughout the day, in all our activities. In our society, limiting skeletal muscle deterioration, frailty and dependence is not only a major public health challenge but also a major socio-economic issue. Specific diet supplementation with natural chemical compounds such as grape polyphenols had shown to play a relevant and direct role in regulating metabolic and molecular pathways involved in the prevention and treatment of obesity and aging and their related muscle comorbidities in cell culture and animal studies. However, clinical studies aiming to restore skeletal muscle mass and function with nutritional grape polyphenols supplementation are still very scarce. There is an urgent need for clinical studies to validate the very encouraging results observed in animal models.

Psychological factors substantially contribute to biological aging: evidence from the aging rate in Chinese older adults

We have developed a deep learning aging clock using blood test data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, which has a mean absolute error of 5.68 years. We used the aging clock to demonstrate the connection between the physical and psychological aspects of aging. The clock detects accelerated aging in people with heart, liver, and lung conditions. We demonstrate that psychological factors, such as feeling unhappy or being lonely, add up to 1.65 years to one’s biological age, and the aggregate effect exceeds the effects of biological sex, living area, marital status, and smoking status. We conclude that the psychological component should not be ignored in aging studies due to its significant impact on biological age.

Polyphenols: Bioavailability, Microbiome Interactions and Cellular Effects on Health in Humans and Animals

Polyphenolic compounds have a variety of functions in plants including protecting them from a range of abiotic and biotic stresses such as pathogenic infections, ionising radiation and as signalling molecules. They are common constituents of human and animal diets, undergoing extensive metabolism by gut microbiota in many cases prior to entering circulation. They are linked to a range of positive health effects, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and disease-specific activities but the relationships between polyphenol bio-transformation products and their interactions in vivo are less well understood. Here we review the state of knowledge in this area, specifically what happens to dietary polyphenols after ingestion and how this is linked to health effects in humans and animals; paying particular attention to farm animals and pigs. We focus on the chemical transformation of polyphenols after ingestion, through microbial transformation, conjugation, absorption, entry into circulation and uptake by cells and tissues, focusing on recent findings in relation to bone. We review what is known about how these processes affect polyphenol bioactivity, highlighting gaps in knowledge. The implications of extending the use of polyphenols to treat specific pathogenic infections and other illnesses is explored.

Epigenetic Aging in Early Life: Role of Maternal and Early Childhood Nutrition

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Early life presents a pivotal period during which nutritional exposures are more likely to cause epigenetic modifications, which may impact an individual's health during adulthood. This article reviews the current evidence regarding maternal and early childhood nutritional exposures and their role in epigenetic aging.

RECENT FINDINGS

Maternal and early life consumption of diets higher in fiber, antioxidants, polyphenols, B vitamins, vitamin D, and ω-3 fatty acids is associated with slower epigenetic aging. Conversely, diets higher in glycemic load, fat, saturated fat, and ω-6 fatty acids demonstrate a positive association with epigenetic aging. Maternal and early life nutrition directly and indirectly influences epigenetic aging via changes in one-carbon metabolism, cardiometabolic health, and the microbiome. Clinical trials are warranted to determine the specific foods, dietary patterns, and dietary supplements that will normalize or lower epigenetic aging across the life course.

Food-Derived Bioactive Molecules from Mediterranean Diet: Nanotechnological Approaches and Waste Valorization as Strategies to Improve Human Wellness

The beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), the most widely followed healthy diet in the world, are principally due to the presence in the foods of secondary metabolites, mainly polyphenols, whose healthy characteristics are widely recognized. However, one of the biggest problems associated with the consumption of polyphenols as nutraceutical adjuvant concerns their bioavailability. During the last decades, different nanotechnological approaches have been developed to enhance polyphenol bioavailability, avoiding the metabolic modifications that lead to low absorption, and improving their retention time inside the organisms. This review focuses on the most recent findings regarding the encapsulation and delivery of the bioactive molecules present in the foods daily consumed in the MedDiet such as olive oil, wine, nuts, spice, and herbs. In addition, the possibility of recovering the polyphenols from food waste was also explored, taking into account the increased market demand of functional foods and the necessity to obtain valuable biomolecules at low cost and in high quantity. This circular economy strategy, therefore, represents an excellent approach to respond to both the growing demand of consumers for the maintenance of human wellness and the economic and ecological exigencies of our society.

Epigenetic Effects of Healthy Foods and Lifestyle Habits from the Southern European Atlantic Diet Pattern: A Narrative Review

Recent scientific evidence has shown the importance of diet and lifestyle habits for the proper functioning of the human body. A balanced and healthy diet, physical activity, and psychological well-being have a direct beneficial effect on health and can have a crucial role in the development and prognosis of certain diseases. The Southern European Atlantic diet, also named the Atlantic diet, is a unique dietary pattern that occurs in regions that present higher life expectancy, suggesting that this specific dietary pattern is associated with positive health effects. In fact, it is enriched with nutrients of high biological value, which, together with its cooking methods, physical activity promotion, reduction in carbon footprint, and promoting of family meals, promote these positive effects on health. The latest scientific advances in the field of nutri-epigenetics have revealed that epigenetic markers associated with food or nutrients and environmental factors modulate gene expression and, therefore, are involved with both health and disease. Thus, in this review, we evaluated the main aspects that define the Southern European Atlantic diet and the potential epigenetic changes associated with them based on recent studies regarding the main components of these dietary patterns. In conclusion, based on the information existing in the literature, we postulate that the Southern European Atlantic diet could promote healthy aging by means of epigenetic mechanisms. This review highlights the necessity of performing longitudinal studies to demonstrate this proposal.

Health Benefits of Quercetin in Age-Related Diseases

Polyphenols are the known group of phytochemicals that essentially consists of phenolic rings. These are the plant product present in varied fruits and vegetables. These secondary metabolites perform a protective function in plants from environmental and biological stress. When consumed as a human diet these are also known to prevent various age-associated diseases. Polyphenols are known to possess antioxidant properties and protect against oxidative stress. The literature survey was carried out using databases such as PubMed, Science direct and Springer. The research articles from last 10–12 years were selected for this review based on its relevancy with the topic. The articles selected was mainly focused on quercetin and its health benefits. The present review highlights the main functions of a flavonoid, quercetin. Quercetin is among the widely occurring polyphenol, found abundantly in nature. It is commonly present in different plant products. Onion is known to have the highest quantity of quercetin. This plant compound is possessed antioxidant properties and is considered to have a protective function against aging. It is known to be present in both free and conjugated forms. Quercetin has anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-carcinogenic, anti-diabetic, and anti-viral properties. The molecule is lipophilic and can easily cross the BBB (Blood-Brain Barrier) and hence protects from neurodegenerative diseases. Various in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated the role of quercetin and here a detailed review of quercetin as a curative agent in neurodegeneration, diabetes, cancer, and inflammation has been carried out. Studies have proved that quercetin plays a crucial role in the prevention of age-related disorders. Quercetin is a potent antioxidant which is currently being used in various pharmaceuticals. Properties of quercetin can be further explored in various other disorders. Nanoformulations and liposomal formulations of quercetin can be made to treat other age associated diseases.

Effect of Dietary Polyphenols on Osteoarthritis-Molecular Mechanisms

Osteoarthritis is a common crippling and degenerative disease resulting in irreversible functional changes due to damage of the cartilage and other tissues of the joint. With limited safe and effective pharmaceutical treatments, the demand and use for alternative therapeutic approaches with symptomatic relief for OA patients have increased. Clinical, pre-clinical, and in vitro studies have demonstrated that polyphenols can exert pain-relieving symptoms coupled with increased functional capacity in OA models. This review will highlight studies carried out in the last five years to define the efficacies and underlying mechanisms in polyphenols such as quercetin, resveratrol, curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, rosmarinic acid, genistein, ginger, berries, silver fir, pine bark, and Boswellia. Most of these studies indicate that polyphenols exhibit their beneficial roles through regulating changes at the biochemical and molecular levels, inducing or inhibiting various signaling pathways related to inflammation and oxidative stress. Polyphenols have also been implicated in modulating microRNA at the posttranscriptional level to counteract OA pathogenesis.

Oolonghomobisflavans from Camellia sinensis increase Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan and healthspan

Tea polyphenols are widely considered as excellent antioxidant agents which can contribute to human health and longevity. However, the identification of the active biomolecules in complex tea extracts that promote health and longevity are not fully known. Here we used the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to analyze the health benefits and longevity effects of Camellia sinensis oolong tea extracts (QFT, NFT, and CFT) and oolonghomobisflavan A and oolonghomobisflavan B, which are present in oolong tea extracts. Our results showed that oolong tea extracts and oolonghomobisflavans prolong lifespan and improved healthspan by curtailing the age-related decline in muscle activity and the accumulation of age pigment (lipofuscin). We found that the lifespan and healthspan promoting effects of oolong tea extracts and oolonghomobisflavans were positively correlated with the stress resistance via DAF-16/FOXO transcription factor. Furthermore, oolong tea extracts and oolonghomobisflavans displayed protective effects against Aβ- and polyQ-induced neuro/proteotoxicity. Overall, our study provides new evidence to support the health benefits of oolong tea and importantly identify oolonghomobisflavans as potent bioactive molecules that promote health when supplemented with a normal diet. As such, oolonghomobisflavans represent a valuable new class of compounds that promote healthy aging.

The Effect of a Citrus and Pomegranate Complex on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being in Healthy Elderly: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

This study investigates whether a citrus and pomegranate complex (CPC) improves physical fitness, mental well-being, and blood biomarkers for oxidative stress and endothelial function in healthy elderly.

DESIGN

A randomized placebo-controlled cross-over trial.

PARTICIPANTS

The study included 36 healthy elderly aged 60-75 years old.

INTERVENTION AND MEASUREMENTS

Participants received four weeks of CPC supplementation and performed the handgrip strength and senior fitness test. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed and blood samples were analyzed for oxidative stress and endothelial function markers.

RESULTS

After four weeks of CPC supplementation, handgrip strength significantly improved (p=0.019), compared to placebo. Moreover, the thinking, memory, learning, and concentration facets were improved (p=0.042), compared to placebo, and plasma malondialdehyde decreased, compared to placebo (p=0.033). The intervention did not affect senior fitness and the other QOL domains and blood parameters.

CONCLUSION

Four weeks of daily CPC supplementation significantly improves handgrip strength and self-evaluated measures of psychological function in healthy older adults. Further research should focus on mechanisms associated with physical performance.

Role of histone modification in the occurrence and development of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a systemic degenerative bone disease characterized by low bone mass and damage to bone microarchitecture, which increases bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. The risk of osteoporosis increases with age; with the aging of the global population, osteoporosis is becoming more prevalent, adding to the societal healthcare burden. Histone modifications such as methylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, and ADP-ribosylation are closely related to the occurrence and development of osteoporosis. This article reviews recent studies on the role of histone modifications in osteoporosis. The existing evidence indicates that therapeutic targeting of these modifications to promote osteogenic differentiation and bone formation may be an effective treatment for this disease.

Small berries as health-promoting ingredients: a review on anti-aging effects and mechanisms in Caenorhabditis elegans

Aging is an inevitable, irreversible, and complex process of damage accumulation and functional decline, increasing the risk of various chronic diseases. However, for now no drug can delay aging process nor cure aging-related diseases. Nutritional intervention is considered as a key and effective strategy to promote healthy aging and improve life quality. Small berries, as one of the most common and popular fruits, have been demonstrated to improve cognitive function and possess neuroprotective activities. However, the anti-aging effects of small berries have not been systematically elucidated yet. This review mainly focuses on small berries' anti-aging activity studies involving small berry types, active components, the utilized model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), related signaling pathways, and molecular mechanisms. The purpose of this review is to propose effective strategies to evaluate the anti-aging effects of small berries and provide guidance for the development of anti-aging supplements from small berries.

PARP-1-Associated Pathological Processes: Inhibition by Natural Polyphenols

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a nuclear enzyme involved in processes of cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, transcription, and replication. Hyperactivity of PARP-1 induced by changes in cell homeostasis promotes development of chronic pathological processes leading to cell death during various metabolic disorders, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. In contrast, tumor growth is accompanied by a moderate activation of PARP-1 that supports survival of tumor cells due to enhancement of DNA lesion repair and resistance to therapy by DNA damaging agents. That is why PARP inhibitors (PARPi) are promising agents for the therapy of tumor and metabolic diseases. A PARPi family is rapidly growing partly due to natural polyphenols discovered among plant secondary metabolites. This review describes mechanisms of PARP-1 participation in the development of various pathologies, analyzes multiple PARP-dependent pathways of cell degeneration and death, and discusses representative plant polyphenols, which can inhibit PARP-1 directly or suppress unwanted PARP-dependent cellular processes.

Biomarkers of geroprotection and cardiovascular health: An overview of omics studies and established clinical biomarkers in the context of diet

The slowdown, inhibition, or reversal of age-related decline (as a composite of disease, dysfunction, and, ultimately, death) by diet or natural compounds can be defined as dietary geroprotection. While there is no single reliable biomarker to judge the effects of dietary geroprotection, biomarker signatures based on omics (epigenetics, gene expression, microbiome composition) are promising candidates. Recently, omic biomarkers started to supplement established clinical ones such as lipid profiles and inflammatory cytokines. In this review, we focus on human data. We first summarize the current take on genetic biomarkers based on epidemiological studies. However, most of the remaining biomarkers that we describe, whether omics-based or clinical, are related to intervention studies. Then, because of their promising potential in the context of dietary geroprotection, we focus on the effects of berry-based interventions, which up to now have been mostly described employing clinical markers. We provide an aggregation and tabulation of all the recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses that we could find related to this topic. Finally, we present evidence for the importance of the "nutribiography," that is, the influence that an individual's history of diet and natural compound consumption can have on the effects of dietary geroprotection.

A comprehensive overview of the complex relationship between epigenetics, bioactive components, cancer, and aging

Among age-related diseases, the incidence of cancer increases significantly due to the overlap of some molecular pathways between cancer and aging. While the genetic influence on the human lifespan is estimated to be about 20-25%, epigenetic changes play an important role in modulating individual health status, aging. Aging and age-related conditions are processes that can be modified by both genetic, environmental factors, including dietary habits. Epigenetics is a new discipline has significant potential to be applied for the prevention, management of certain carcinomas and diseases. Epigenetic modifications may play an important role in disease occurrence and pathogenesis. Some nutritional components can be significantly effective in the prevention of breast, skin, esophagus, colorectal, prostate, pancreatic, lung cancers. It contains minerals, vitamins, and some bioactive components (curcumin, indole 3 carbinol, di-indolylmethane, sulforaphane, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, genistein, resveratrol, pterostilbene, apigenin, etc.) regulatory processes. However, compelling evidence suggests that dietary habits can manipulate the aging process and/or its consequences, have health benefits. Aging processes become complex when combined with the relational role of bioactive nutritional components on gene expression. In this review, the relationship between epigenetic processes caused by DNA methylylation, histone modification, non-coding m-RNA, and telomerase activity, the risk of aging and cancer is discussed.

DNA Methylation Age Drift Is Associated with Poor Outcomes and De-Differentiation in Papillary and Follicular Thyroid Carcinomas

Simple Summary

Normal human tissues contain an epigenetic clock resulting from the age-dependent DNA methylation signature, which is the so-called DNA methylation (DNAm) age and can be used to precisely predict chronological age of healthy individuals. Abnormal DNAm age drift has been implicated in cancer risk and pathogenesis. Here, we observed that highly drifted DNAm age (HDDA) occurred in approximately 1/3 tumors derived from patients with papillary and follicular thyroid carcinomas. HDDA is significantly associated with dedifferentiation of tumor cells and poor patient outcomes. Thus, HDDA may serve as a new prognostic factor for thyroid carcinoma.

Abstract

Alterations in global DNA methylation play a critical role in both aging and cancer, and DNA methylation (DNAm) age drift has been implicated in cancer risk and pathogenesis. In the present study, we analyzed the TCGA cohort of papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma (PTC and FTC) for their DNAm age and association with clinic-pathological features. In 54 noncancerous thyroid (NT) samples, DNAm age was highly correlated with patient chronological age (R² = 0.928, p = 2.6 × 10⁻³¹), but drifted to younger than chronological age in most specimens, especially those from patients >50 years old. DNAm age in 502 tumors was also correlated with patient chronological age, but to a much lesser extent (R² = 0.403). Highly drifted DNAm age (HDDA) was identified in 161 tumors, among which were 101 with DNAm age acceleration while 60 with DNAm age deceleration. Tumors with HDDA were characterized by the robust aberrations in metabolic activities, extracellular microenvironment components and inflammation/immunology responses, and dedifferentiation. Importantly, HDDA in tumors independently predicted shorter disease-free survival of patients. Collectively, NT thyroids from TC patients have younger DNAm age, while HDDA frequently occurs in TCs, and contributes to the TC progression and poor patient outcomes. HDDA may serve as a new prognostic factor for TCs.

How Are Epigenetic Modifications Related to Cardiovascular Disease in Older Adults?

The rate of aging has increased globally during recent decades and has led to a rising burden of age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). At the molecular level, epigenetic modifications have been shown recently to alter gene expression during the life course and impair cellular function. In this regard, several CVD risk factors, such as lifestyle and environmental factors, have emerged as key factors in epigenetic modifications within the cardiovascular system. In this study, we attempted to summarized recent evidence related to epigenetic modification, inflammation response, and CVD in older adults as well as the effect of lifestyle modification as a preventive strategy in this age group. Recent evidence showed that lifestyle and environmental factors may affect epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and miRNA expression. Several substances or nutrients such as selenium, magnesium, curcumin, and caffeine (present in coffee and some teas) could regulate epigenetics. Similarly, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, air pollutants, psychological stress, and shift working are well-known modifiers of epigenetic patterns. Understanding the exact ways that lifestyle and environmental factors could affect the expression of genes could help to influence the time of incidence and severity of aging-associated diseases. This review highlighted that a healthy lifestyle throughout the life course, such as a healthy diet rich in fibers, vitamins, and essential elements, and specific fatty acids, adequate physical activity and sleep, smoking cessation, and stress control, could be useful tools in preventing epigenetic changes that lead to impaired cardiovascular function.

Grape seed flour (GSF) extends longevity by improving multi-organ dysfunction and age-associated oxidative stress and inflammation in healthy rat

According to the free radical theory of aging, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within mitochondria throughout lifespan leads to impairment of the main biological macromolecules as DNA, lipids and proteins, which might be at the basis of premature aging. One way to test experimentally such a hypothesis consists in intervention studies using antioxidant nutrients aimed at limiting or inhibiting ROS production that should be able to reduce the aging rate and disease pathogenesis. Grape seed flour (GSF) contains high level of phytochemicals among which bioactive polyphenols exhibit numerous biological properties and beneficial health effects as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, multi-organ (heart, liver, kidney, and brain among others) protective. The present study aimed at testing the ability of high dosing GSF (4 g/kg bw) used as a nutritional supplement to slow down aging and prolong lifespan of Wistar rats when administered from early life (one month-old animals) till their natural death. Data clearly show that high dose GSF extends organism longevity and healthspan by improving multi-organ damages, systemic fuelling metabolism declines, and alleviated oxidative stress and inflammation in aging rats. Our data support the extending longevity effect of grape polyphenols especially when used as high dosing nutritional supplement or as natural medicine whose appropriate galenic form as solid lipid nanoformulation, is currently under investigation.

The Involvement of Natural Polyphenols in the Chemoprevention of Cervical Cancer

From all types of cancer, cervical cancer manages to be in top four most frequent types, with a 6.5% rate of occurrence. The infectious vector that induces the disease, the high-risk Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted virus, is capable of transforming the host cell by modulating some of the principal signaling pathways responsible for cell cycle arrest, proliferation, and survival. Fortunately, like other cancer types, cervical cancer can be treated by chirurgical interventions or chemoradiotherapy, but these methods are not exactly the lucky clover of modern medicine because of the adverse effects they have. That is the reason why in the last years the emphasis has been on alternative medicine, more specifically on phytochemicals, as a substantial number of studies showed that diet contributes to cancer prevention and treatment. All these studies are trying to find new chemopreventive agents with less toxicity but high effectiveness both in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this review is to evaluate the literature in order to underline the advantages and disadvantages of polyphenols, a class of dietary compounds, as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents. This review also aims to present polyphenols from different perspectives, starting with mechanisms of action and ending with their toxicity. The bigger picture illustrates that polyphenols have great potential in cervical cancer prevention, with strong effects on gene modulation.

Exosomes and Micro-RNAs in Aging Process

Exosomes are the main actors of intercellular communications and have gained great interest in the new cell-free regenerative medicine. These nanoparticles are secreted by almost all cell types and contain lipids, cytokines, growth factors, messenger RNA, and different non-coding RNA, especially micro-RNAs (mi-RNAs). Exosomes' cargo is released in the neighboring microenvironment but is also expected to act on distant tissues or organs. Different biological processes such as cell development, growth and repair, senescence, migration, immunomodulation, and aging, among others, are mediated by exosomes and principally exosome-derived mi-RNAs. Moreover, their therapeutic potential has been proved and reinforced by their use as biomarkers for disease diagnostics and progression. Evidence has increasingly shown that exosome-derived mi-RNAs are key regulators of age-related diseases, and their involvement in longevity is becoming a promising issue. For instance, mi-RNAs such as mi-RNA-21, mi-RNA-29, and mi-RNA-34 modulate tissue functionality and regeneration by targeting different tissues and involving different pathways but might also interfere with long life expectancy. Human mi-RNAs profiling is effectively related to the biological fluids that are reported differently between young and old individuals. However, their underlying mechanisms modulating cell senescence and aging are still not fully understood, and little was reported on the involvement of mi-RNAs in cell or tissue longevity. In this review, we summarize exosome biogenesis and mi-RNA synthesis and loading mechanism into exosomes' cargo. Additionally, we highlight the molecular mechanisms of exosomes and exosome-derived mi-RNA regulation in the different aging processes.

Grape-Seed Proanthocyanidin Extract Reverts Obesity-Related Metabolic Derangements in Aged Female Rats

Obesity and ageing are current issues of global concern. Adaptive homeostasis is compromised in the elderly, who are more likely to suffer age-related health issues, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. The current worldwide prevalence of obesity and higher life expectancy call for new strategies for treating metabolic disorders. Grape-seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) is reported to be effective in ameliorating these pathologies, especially in young animal models. In this study, we aimed to test the effectiveness of GSPE in modulating obesity-related pathologies in aged rats fed an obesogenic diet. To do so, 21-month-old rats were fed a high-fat/high-sucrose diet (cafeteria diet) for 11 weeks. Two time points for GSPE administration (500 mg/kg body weight), i.e., a 10-day preventive GSPE treatment prior to cafeteria diet intervention and a simultaneous GSPE treatment with the cafeteria diet, were assayed. Body weight, metabolic parameters, liver steatosis, and systemic inflammation were analysed. GSPE administered simultaneously with the cafeteria diet was effective in reducing body weight, total adiposity, and liver steatosis. However, the preventive treatment was effective in reducing only mesenteric adiposity in these obese, aged rats. Our results confirm that the simultaneous administration of GSPE improves metabolic disruptions caused by the cafeteria diet also in aged rats.

Epigenetic Modulation in Parkinson's Disease and Potential Treatment Therapies

In the recent past, huge emphasis has been given to the epigenetic alterations of the genes responsible for the cause of neurological disorders. Earlier, the scientists believed somatic changes and modifications in the genetic makeup of DNA to be the main cause of the neurodegenerative diseases. With the increase in understanding of the neural network and associated diseases, it was observed that alterations in the gene expression were not always originated by the change in the genetic sequence. For this reason, extensive research has been conducted to understand the role of epigenetics in the pathophysiology of several neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and, Huntington's disease. In a healthy person, the epigenetic modifications play a crucial role in maintaining the homeostasis of a cell by either up-regulating or down-regulating the genes. Therefore, improved understanding of these modifications may provide better insight about the diseases and may serve as potential therapeutic targets for their treatment. The present review describes various epigenetic modifications involved in the pathology of Parkinson's Disease (PD) backed by multiple researches carried out to study the gene expression regulation related to the epigenetic alterations. Additionally, we will briefly go through the current scenario about the various treatment therapies including small molecules and multiple phytochemicals potent enough to reverse these alterations and the future directions for a better management of PD.

Association of Hydrogen Sulfide with Femoral Bone Mineral Density in Osteoporosis Patients: A Preliminary Study

Background

Accumulated evidence has suggested that hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has a role in bone formation and bone tissue regeneration. However, it is unknown whether the H₂S content is associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with osteopenia/osteoporosis.

Material/Methods

In the present study, we aimed to explore the changes of serum H₂S in osteopenia and osteoporosis patients. We analyzed femur expression of cystathionine β synthase (CBS), cystathionine γ lyase (CSE), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST), which are key enzymes for generating H₂S.

Results

Sixteen (16%) patients had osteopenia, 9 (9%) had osteoporosis, and 75 (75%) had normal BMD. In comparison with patients with normal BMD (controls), the serum levels of H₂S were unexpectedly increased in patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis. This increase was much higher in patients with osteoporosis than in those with osteopenia. Serum H₂S levels were negatively correlated with femoral BMD, but not lumbar BMD. Interestingly, the expression of CBS and CSE were downregulated in femur tissues in patients with osteoporosis, whereas the expression of 3-MST remained unchanged. Serum phosphorus levels, alkaline phosphatase, hemoglobin, and triglycerides were found to be closely associated with CBS and CSE scores in femur tissues.

Conclusions

Serum H₂S levels and femur CBS and CSE expression may be involved in osteoporosis pathogenesis.

The Southern European Atlantic diet

The Southern Europe Atlantic Diet (SEAD) is the traditional diet consumed in the Northwestern region of the Iberian Peninsula: Galicia (Spain) and North of Portugal. These regions have geographical, climatic and cultural characteristics that had led them to develop their own dietary pattern. This dietary pattern integrated into its environment is based on fresh, local and seasonal products intake. In this diet there is a high intake of fish, seafood, cereals, potatoes, legumes, fruits, dairy products and vegetables. Meat, preferably lean meat, is consume moderately as well as eggs and wine. SEAD is more than a diet, it is a lifestyle where exercise, simples cooking techniques, respect for the traditions and pleasure of eating accompanied are constants. Although this pattern has been known for centuries, it did not begin to be define as such until the signing of "Baione Declaration" in 2006. Some bioactive compounds of SEAD had showed health benefits and protect against acute myocardial infarction. Data supports that SEAD is a sustainable diet. In the presented review, results of studies on the SEAD are presented and discussed. Also, a recent proposal of SEAD Index is reported. Therefore, SEAD should be considered as an excellent dietary pattern and lifestyle.