45 research outputs found
Protection of mitochondria during cold storage of liver and following transplantation: comparison of the two solutions, University of Wisconsin and Eurocollins
Abstract Injury to allografts during ischaemia/reperfusion
contribute to the development of graft failure following transplantation
with significant morbidity and mortality to patients.
The development of University ofWisconsin solution
has significantly improved the quality of graft preservation
and transplant outcome relative to formerly used solutions
such as Eurocollins. The aim of this study was to further
characterize mitochondrial structural and functional alterations
occurring in rat livers following cold storage and
transplantation. Mitochondrial impairment after prolonged
storage in Eurocollins included decreased cyt. c+c1, cyt. b
and cyt. a+a3 concentration and dramatic falls in the activities
of the respiratory chain enzymes ubiquinol-cyt. c
oxidoreductase and cytochrome oxidase. Under the same
conditions the highest hydroperoxide but lowest vitamin E
concentrations were also found. Although both the Eurocollins
and University of Wisconsin preservation solutions
have limitations in preventing oxidative injuries following
cold storage and reperfusion, our data indicate that mitochondrial
impairment was higher in Eurocollins- than
in University of Wisconsin-stored livers. Further improvements
are necessary in maintaining the stability of mitochondria
in order to optimize preservations solutions used in
transplantations
Protective Effect of Strawberry Extract against Inflammatory Stress Induced in Human Dermal Fibroblasts
A protracted pro-inflammatory state is a major contributing factor in the development, progression and complication of the most common chronic pathologies. Fruit and vegetables represent the main sources of dietary antioxidants and their consumption can be considered an efficient tool to counteract inflammatory states. In this context an evaluation of the protective effects of strawberry extracts on inflammatory stress induced by E. coli LPS on human dermal fibroblast cells was performed in terms of viability assays, ROS and nitrite production and biomarkers of oxidative damage of the main biological macromolecules. The results demonstrated that strawberry extracts exerted an anti-inflammatory effect on LPS-treated cells, through an increase in cell viability, and the reduction of ROS and nitrite levels, and lipid, protein and DNA damage. This work showed for the first time the potential health benefits of strawberry extract against inflammatory and oxidative stress in LPS-treated human dermal fibroblast cells
Strawberry-Based Cosmetic Formulations Protect Human Dermal Fibroblasts against UVA-Induced Damage
Extreme exposure of skin to Ultraviolet A (UVA)-radiation may induce a dysregulated
production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which can interact with cellular biomolecules leading
to oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and alteration of cellular molecular pathways,
responsible for skin photoaging, hyperplasia, erythema, and cancer. For these reasons, the use
of dietary natural bioactive compounds with remarkable antioxidant activity could be a strategic
tool to counteract these UVA-radiation-caused deleterious effects. Thus, the purpose of the present
work was to test the efficacy of strawberry (50 µg/mL)-based formulations supplemented with
Coenzyme Q10 (100 µg/mL) and sun protection factor 10 in human dermal fibroblasts irradiated
with UVA-radiation. The apoptosis rate, the amount of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS)
production, the expression of proteins involved in antioxidant and inflammatory response, and
mitochondrial functionality were evaluated. The results showed that the synergic topical use of
strawberry and Coenzyme Q10 provided a significant (p < 0.05) photoprotective effect, reducing cell
death and ROS, increasing antioxidant defense, lowering inflammatory markers, and improving
mitochondrial functionality. The obtained results suggest the use of strawberry-based formulations
as an innovative, natural, and useful tool for the prevention of UVA exposure-induced skin diseases
in order to decrease or substitute the amount of synthetic sunscreen agents
Polyphenol-Rich Strawberry Extract Protects Human Dermal Fibroblasts against Hydrogen Peroxide Oxidative Damage and Improves Mitochondrial Functionality
Strawberry bioactive compounds are widely known to be powerful antioxidants. In this study, the antioxidant and anti-aging activities of a polyphenol-rich strawberry extract were evaluated using human dermal fibroblasts exposed to H2O2. Firstly, the phenol and flavonoid contents of strawberry extract were studied, as well as the antioxidant capacity. HPLC-DAD analysis was performed to determine the vitamin C and β-carotene concentration, while HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS analysis was used for anthocyanin identification. Strawberry extract presented a high antioxidant capacity, and a relevant concentration of vitamins and phenolics. Pelargonidin- and cyanidin-glycosides were the most representative anthocyanin components of the fruits. Fibroblasts incubated with strawberry extract and stressed with H2O2 showed an increase in cell viability, a smaller intracellular amount of ROS, and a reduction of membrane lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. Strawberry extract was also able to improve mitochondrial functionality, increasing the basal respiration of mitochondria and to promote a regenerative capacity of cells after exposure to pro-oxidant stimuli. These findings confirm that strawberries possess antioxidant properties and provide new insights into the beneficial role of strawberry bioactive compounds on protecting skin from oxidative stress and aging
Strawberry (cv. Romina) Methanolic Extract and Anthocyanin-Enriched Fraction Improve Lipid Profile and Antioxidant Status in HepG2 Cells
Dyslipidemia and oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL) are recognized as critical factors in the development of atherosclerosis. Healthy dietary patterns, with abundant fruit and vegetable consumption, may prevent the onset of these risk factors due to the presence of phytochemical compounds. Strawberries are known for their high content of polyphenols; among them, flavonoids are the major constituents, and it is presumed that they are responsible for the biological activity of the fruit. Nevertheless, there are only a few studies that actually evaluate the effects of different fractions isolated from strawberries. In order to assess the effects of two different strawberry extracts (whole methanolic extract/anthocyanin-enriched fraction) on the lipid profile and antioxidant status in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells, the triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol content, lipid peroxidation, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and antioxidant enzymes’ activity on cell lysates were determined. Results demonstrated that both strawberry extracts not only improved the lipid metabolism by decreasing triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol contents, but also improved the redox state of HepG2 cells by modulating thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances production, antioxidant enzyme activity and ROS generation. The observed effects were more pronounced for the anthocyanin-enriched fraction
Phenolic Compounds Isolated from Olive Oil as Nutraceutical Tools for the Prevention and Management of Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become the largest contributor to worldwide
morbidity and mortality. Among them, cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible
for a 47% of worldwide mortality. In general, preventive approaches modifying lifestyle are more
cost-effective than treatments after disease onset. In this sense, a healthy diet could help a range
of NCDs, such as cancer and CVDs. Traditional Mediterranean Diet (MD) is associated by the
low-prevalence of certain types of cancers and CVDs, where olive oil plays an important role. In fact,
different epidemiological studies suggest that olive oil consumption prevents some cancers, as well as
coronary heart diseases and stroke incidence and mortality. Historically, the beneficial health effects
of virgin olive oil (VOO) intake were first attributed to the high concentration of monounsaturated
fatty acids. Nowadays, many studies indicate that phenolic compounds contained in olive oil have
positive effects on different biomarkers related to health. Among them, phenolic compounds would
be partially responsible for health benefits. The present work aims to explore, in studies published
during the last five years, the effects of the main phenolic compounds isolated from olive oil on
different cancer or CVD aspects, in order to clarify which compounds have more potential to be used
as nutraceuticals with preventive or even therapeutic properties
Beeswax by-Products Efficiently Counteract the Oxidative Damage Induced by an Oxidant Agent in Human Dermal Fibroblasts
The antioxidant capacity and the phytochemical composition of two by-products from
beeswax recycling processes were recently investigated. The aim of the present work was to
evaluate the efficacy of one of these by-products, MUD1, against the oxidative stress induced by
2,20-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) in human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells.
After a preliminary viability assay, the protective effect of MUD1 was investigated through the
measurement of apoptosis level, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrite (NO2-) production,
the level of protein and lipid biomarkers (carbonyl groups, total glutathione and thiobarbituric
acid-reactive substance) of oxidative damage, and the measurement of antioxidant enzymes activities
(glutatione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione transferase, superoxide dismutase and
catalase). The obtained results showed that MUD1 exerted protective effects on HDF, increasing
cell viability and counteracted the oxidative stress promoted by AAPH-treatment, and improved
mitochondria functionality and wound healing capacities. This work shows the antioxidant effects
exerted by beeswax by-products, demonstrating for the first time their potential against oxidative
stress in human dermal fibroblast cells; however, further research will be necessary to evaluate their
potentiality for human health by more deeply in vitro and in vivo studies.The present study was partially funded by the “National Beekeeping Aid Program (Programa
Nacional de Ayudas a la Apicultura)”, cofounded by the European Union and assigned to Spanish FEGA and
FEAGA agencies. Patricia Reboredo-Rodríguez acknowledges award of a post-doctoral contract from Xunta
de Galicia
Managing behavioural problems in human-dog interactions
The management of dog behavioural problems requires the expertise of professionals such as the veterinary behaviourist. Clinical assessment of behavioural disorders allows the veterinary behaviourist to formulate a diagnosis and prescribe a behavioural and/or pharmacological therapy. The objective of such therapy is to produce a stable change in the perception of a stimulus and the resulting emotion, leading to the correction of the behavioural problem. It may be crucial to evaluate the subject's pathological state in response to the observed symptoms in order to identify the functional impairment of the pivotal neurotransmitter systems involved in the disorder. This allows selecting a suitable pharmacological treatment. In order to implement behavioural therapy, the veterinary behaviourist collaborates, where necessary, with a team of qualified canine trainers