Diet Supplementation with Polyphenol-Rich Salicornia ramosissima Extracts Protects against Tissue Damage in Experimental Models of Cerebral Ischemia

Salicornia; Ischemia; NeuroprotectionSalicornia; Isquemia; NeuroprotecciónSalicornia; Isquèmia; NeuroproteccióStrokes are the second most common cause of death worldwide and a leading cause of disability. Regular consumption of polyphenols has been shown to reduce the risk of suffering a cardiovascular event. For this reason, we have investigated the protective effect of Salicornia ramosissima, a seasonal halophyte that synthetizes high amounts of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, in response to environmental stress. Aqueous, hydroalcoholic, and ethanolic extracts were prepared to investigate if dietary supplementation prior to ischemic challenge can prevent subsequent damage using two animal models. First, we screened the protective effect against hypoxia–reoxygenation in Drosophila melanogaster and observed that both ethanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts protected flies from the deleterious effects of hypoxia. Second, we confirmed the protective effect of S. ramosissima ethanolic extract against brain ischemia using the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion mice model. Four weeks of oral supplementation with the ethanolic extract before artery occlusion reduced infarct volume and lowered the plasma levels of the DNA peroxidant product 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. Phytochemical profiling of S. ramosissima ethanolic extract revealed 50 compounds. Thus, it represents a valuable source of bioactive compounds that show promising disease-modifying activities and could be further developed as an effective food supplement for the prevention or treatment of neurovascular disorders.The authors received financial support from “CSF-Proyectos estratégicos de I+D+i. Proyectos cofinanciados en un 80% por fondos del Programa Operativo FEDER de Andalucía 2014–2020”, grant number PE-0527-2019. This research was partially funded by “Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades (CTEICU) y 80% cofinanciados por la UE, PO FEDER Andalucía 2014-2020”, grant number [PY20_01351]. C.d.R. received financial support from the Sara Borrell program funded by ISCIII, grant number [CD21/00148]

Procesos osmorreguladores en peces teleósteos: control mediado por diferentes sistemas endocrinos

A large number of fish species are defined as euryhaline, being able to withstand drastic changes in environmental salinity. Within these species we can distinguish between: i) totally euryhaline teleosts, if they are capable of inhabiting environments from fresh water to environments with high salinity; and ii) partially euryhaline teleosts, when the range of salinities in which they can live excludes completely freshwater environments. For its part, another way in which teleost fish can differentiate will depend on the environment in which they live; that is, freshwater fish or saltwater fish.Un gran número de especies de peces se definen como eurihalinas, siendo capaces de soportar cambios drásticos en la salinidad ambiental. Dentro de estas especies se pueden distinguir entre: i) teleósteos totalmente eurihalinos, si son capaces de habitar desde medios de agua dulce hasta medios con alta salinidad; y ii) teleósteos parcialmente eurihalinos, cuando el rango de salinidades en el que pueden vivir excluye los medios de agua completamente dulce. Por su parte, otra de las formas en las que los peces teleósteos pueden diferenciarse dependerá del ambiente en el que habiten; esto es, peces de agua dulce o peces de agua salada

The Antioxidant Properties of Lavandula multifida Extract Contribute to Its Beneficial Effects in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice

Obesity is a worldwide public health problem whose prevalence rate has increased steadily over the last few years. Therefore, it is urgent to improve the management of obesity and its comorbidities, and plant-based treatments are receiving increasing attention worldwide. In this regard, the present study aimed to investigate a well-characterized extract of Lavandula multifida (LME) in an experimental model of obesity in mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Interestingly, the daily administration of LME reduced weight gain as well as improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Additionally, LME ameliorated the inflammatory state in both liver and adipose tissue by decreasing the expression of various proinflammatory mediators (Il-6, Tnf-a, Il-1b, Jnk-1, Ppara, Pparg, and Ampk) and prevented increased gut permeability by regulating the expression of mucins (Muc-1, Muc-2, and Muc-3) and proteins implicated in epithelial barrier integrity maintenance (Ocln, Tjp1, and Tff-3). In addition, LME showed the ability to reduce oxidative stress by inhibiting nitrite production on macrophages and lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that LME may represent a promising complementary approach for the management of obesity and its comorbidities.Junta de Andalucía (CTS 164), by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) (PI19.01058)Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (AGL2015-67995-C3-3-R)European Commission (FEDER/ERDF). The CIBEREHDInstituto de Salud Carlos II

Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity Induces Progressive Changes in Myocardial Metabolism and Mitochondrial Quality Control

Dr Ibáñez is supported by the European Commission (grants ERC-CoG 819775 and H2020-HEALTH 945118), the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (grant PID2022-140176OB-I00), and Comunidad de Madrid through the Red Madrileña de Nanomedicina en Imagen Molecular (grant P2022/BMD-7403 RENIM-CM). Dr DíazGuerra’s PhD fellowship is funded by the Spanish Association Against Cancer. Dr Oliver is a Ramón y Cajal fellow (grant RYC2020-028884-I) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ESF Investing in Your Future.” Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares is supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, and the Pro CNIC Foundation and is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (grant CEX2020-001041-S funded by MICIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033). The authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose.S

Cortisol treatment modulates vasotocin and isotocin receptors expression affecting metabolic and stress systems of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

Trabajo presentado en el International Congress on the Biology of Fish, celebrado en Edimburgo del 3 al 7 de agosto de 2014.Arginine vasotocin and isotocin are neurohypophyseal hormones involved in several physiological processes depending on the specific tissue in which their receptors are present. In teleosts, cortisol is a pleoitropic hormone, presenting different physiological roles (metabolism, stress, growth, osmoregulation, etc.). In this study, we assessed changes in vasotocin and isotocin receptors (AVTR and ITR, respectively) mRNA expression in liver and head-kidney of the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) treated with cortisol. Specimens were injected intraperitoneally with slow release implants of coconut oil alone (control) or containing cortisol (50 μg·g-1 body weight), and sampled at 12 hours, and 1, 3, and 10 days post-implantation. Our results suggest that enhancement of hepatic metabolic processes to provide energy to overcome stress could be mediated in part by AVTRs and ITR. Moreover, changes in mRNA expression of both receptors at head-kidney also suggest a role of these nonapeptides in feedback mechanism regulating cortisol synthesis/release.Study funded by grant AGL2010-14876 (Ministry of Science and Education, Spain) to JMM. JAM-S is supported by a predoctoral fellowship (FPU, Reference AP2008-01194) from Ministry of Education (Spain).N

Cortisol modulates vasotocinergic and isotocinergic pathways in the gilthead sea bream

In the present study, we assessed the responses of the vasotocinergic and isotocinergic systems to chronic stress induced by cortisol administration in the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Pituitary and plasma arginine vasotocin (AVT) and isotocin (IT) levels, as well as hypothalamic pro-vasotocin (pro-VT) and pro-isotocin (pro-IT) mRNA expression levels, were analysed. In addition, the mRNA levels of three receptors, AVTR type V1a2, AVTR type V2 and ITR, were analysed in several target organs associated with the following physiological processes: (i) integration and control (hypothalamus), (ii) metabolism and its control (liver and hypothalamus), (iii) osmoregulation (gills) and (iv) stress response (head kidney). Specimens were injected intraperitoneally with slow-release implants (5 μL g−1 body mass) containing coconut oil alone (control group) or with cortisol (50 μg g−1 body mass; cortisol group). Both AVT and IT synthesis and release were correlated with plasma cortisol values, suggesting a potential interaction between both hormonal systems and cortisol administration. Our results suggest that the activation of hepatic metabolism as well as the hypothalamic control of metabolic processes provide the energy necessary to overcome stress, which could be partly mediated by AVTRs and ITR. Upregulation of branchial AVT and IT receptor expression following cortisol treatment suggests an involvement of the vasotocinergic and isotocinergic systems in the regulation of ion channels/transporters during stressful situations. Finally, changes in AVT and IT receptor mRNA expression in the head kidney suggest these nonapeptides participate in feedback mechanisms that regulate the synthesis/release of cortisol. Our results indicate a relationship between cortisol and both the vasotocinergic and isotocinergic systems during simulated chronic stress in S. aurata.This study was funded by project AGL2010-14876 from the Ministry of Science and Innovation to J.M.M. (Spain) and by project 498/N-HISZP-JPR/2009/0 to E.K. (Poland).Peer reviewe

_

ABSTRACT In the present study, we assessed the responses of the vasotocinergic and isotocinergic systems to chronic stress induced by cortisol administration in the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Pituitary and plasma arginine vasotocin (AVT) and isotocin (IT) levels, as well as hypothalamic pro-vasotocin (pro-VT) and pro-isotocin (pro-IT) mRNA expression levels, were analysed. In addition, the mRNA levels of three receptors, AVTR type V1a2, AVTR type V2 and ITR, were analysed in several target organs associated with the following physiological processes: (i) integration and control (hypothalamus), (ii) metabolism and its control (liver and hypothalamus), (iii) osmoregulation (gills) and (iv) stress response (head kidney). Specimens were injected intraperitoneally with slow-release implants (5 μL g −1 body mass) containing coconut oil alone (control group) or with cortisol (50 μg g −1 body mass; cortisol group). Both AVT and IT synthesis and release were correlated with plasma cortisol values, suggesting a potential interaction between both hormonal systems and cortisol administration. Our results suggest that the activation of hepatic metabolism as well as the hypothalamic control of metabolic processes provide the energy necessary to overcome stress, which could be partly mediated by AVTRs and ITR. Upregulation of branchial AVT and IT receptor expression following cortisol treatment suggests an involvement of the vasotocinergic and isotocinergic systems in the regulation of ion channels/transporters during stressful situations. Finally, changes in AVT and IT receptor mRNA expression in the head kidney suggest these nonapeptides participate in feedback mechanisms that regulate the synthesis/release of cortisol. Our results indicate a relationship between cortisol and both the vasotocinergic and isotocinergic systems during simulated chronic stress in S. aurata

Diet Supplementation with Polyphenol-Rich Salicornia ramosissima Extracts Protects against Tissue Damage in Experimental Models of Cerebral Ischemia

Strokes are the second most common cause of death worldwide and a leading cause of disability. Regular consumption of polyphenols has been shown to reduce the risk of suffering a cardiovascular event. For this reason, we have investigated the protective effect of Salicornia ramosissima, a seasonal halophyte that synthetizes high amounts of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, in response to environmental stress. Aqueous, hydroalcoholic, and ethanolic extracts were prepared to investigate if dietary supplementation prior to ischemic challenge can prevent subsequent damage using two animal models. First, we screened the protective effect against hypoxia–reoxygenation in Drosophila melanogaster and observed that both ethanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts protected flies from the deleterious effects of hypoxia. Second, we confirmed the protective effect of S. ramosissima ethanolic extract against brain ischemia using the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion mice model. Four weeks of oral supplementation with the ethanolic extract before artery occlusion reduced infarct volume and lowered the plasma levels of the DNA peroxidant product 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. Phytochemical profiling of S. ramosissima ethanolic extract revealed 50 compounds. Thus, it represents a valuable source of bioactive compounds that show promising disease-modifying activities and could be further developed as an effective food supplement for the prevention or treatment of neurovascular disorders

The Antioxidant Properties of <i>Lavandula multifida</i> Extract Contribute to Its Beneficial Effects in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice

Obesity is a worldwide public health problem whose prevalence rate has increased steadily over the last few years. Therefore, it is urgent to improve the management of obesity and its comorbidities, and plant-based treatments are receiving increasing attention worldwide. In this regard, the present study aimed to investigate a well-characterized extract of Lavandula multifida (LME) in an experimental model of obesity in mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Interestingly, the daily administration of LME reduced weight gain as well as improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Additionally, LME ameliorated the inflammatory state in both liver and adipose tissue by decreasing the expression of various proinflammatory mediators (Il-6, Tnf-α, Il-1β, Jnk-1, Pparα, Pparγ, and Ampk) and prevented increased gut permeability by regulating the expression of mucins (Muc-1, Muc-2, and Muc-3) and proteins implicated in epithelial barrier integrity maintenance (Ocln, Tjp1, and Tff-3). In addition, LME showed the ability to reduce oxidative stress by inhibiting nitrite production on macrophages and lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that LME may represent a promising complementary approach for the management of obesity and its comorbidities

Proyecto 'Women's world'

El trabajo obtuvo un Premio Tomás García Verdejo a las buenas prácticas educativas en la Comunidad Autónoma de Extremadura para el curso académico 2015/2016. Modalidad BSe presenta un proyecto llevado a cabo en el Colegio Diocesano San Atón (Badajoz). Siguiendo una metodología de Aprendizaje Basado en Proyectos se pretende trabajar con los alumnos de secundaria y bachillerato la igualdad de sexos y la prevención de la violencia de género. Entre los objetivos del proyecto estaban: reconocer y valorar el papel de la mujer a lo largo de la historia, valorar la educación para prevenir la desigualdad, prevenir en la adolescencia los comportamientos y actitudes que puedan generar situaciones de desigualdad y violencia machista, poner de manifiesto las diferencias existentes en igualdad de oportunidades entre hombres y mujeres, analizar contextos sociales de discriminación hacia la mujer y promover entre la comunidad educativa un compromiso activo y espíritu crítico ante las situaciones de desigualdadExtremaduraES