Zinc: What Is Its Role in Lung Cancer?

Recently, zinc emerged as an important signaling molecule, activating intracellular pathways and regulating cell fate, although our knowledge remains incomplete. Zinc is required in many enzymatic and metabolic pathways, playing roles as enzyme cofactors. In normal cell physiology, optimal zinc availability is essential for regular growth and proliferation. Zinc accumulation has varied effects: from stimulation to inhibition of cell growth, depending on type. There is evidence that zinc is capable of inducing apoptosis in some cancers, while others proved that zinc may act as apoptosis activator depending on the dose and cell type. Upregulation of telomerase in most cancer tissues is considered to be responsible for unlimited proliferation of cancer cells, and in some cell lines, it was induced by Zn. These suggest that Zn is highly involved in cell cycle and metabolism; whether it goes to the survival or the cancer pathway depends on the concentration and the cell type involved. Nevertheless, the conclusion is that Zn is not just another trace element; but a vital one and further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms involved in cancer and metastatic spread in order to identify potential therapies

Lung Health and Hypoandrogenism

Epidemiological reports offer evidence that gender differences mediate respiratory diseases. Male sex is a major risk factor for respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in neonates. An imbalance between oxidants/antioxidants leads to stress, which has been implicated in airway disease development. It is known that androgens deficiency induces oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the lung, synchronically with changes in the expression of cytoprotective markers. Additionally, males are more susceptible to acute and chronic inflammation after toxicant exposure. Besides, nutrition is an important factor, given that lipids are the main blocks for surfactant production and for testosterone synthesis. Also, an adequate amount of Zn in the diet prevents inflammation and is necessary for testosterone and androgen receptor structure and function. This chapter focuses on understanding the effect and clinical implications of testosterone deficiency on lung tissue as well as exploring the role of lipids and zinc in the outcome of several respiratory diseases

Soy protein modulates the effects of intoxication with cadmiun in rat mammary gland

We studied the effects of different diets at molecular, biochemical and cellular levels on rat mammary gland (MG). We looked at the potential protective outcome of those diets under exposure to Cadmiun (Cd), which is an important environmental contaminant. For this purpose, 4 female lots Wistar rats were used: 2 lots received casein and 2 lots soybean (Soy) as protein source. Within each group, 1 lot received regular water (control) and the other, 15 ppm of Cd in the drinking water for 60 days (6 animal in each experimental condition, 3 independent experiments).Facultad de Ciencias Médica

<i>Adesmia pinifolia,</i> a Native High-Andean Species, as a Potential Candidate for Phytoremediation of Cd and Hg

This study highlights Adesmia pinifolia, a native high-Andean species, as a potential candidate for the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with Cd and Hg. In this work, a semi-hydronic assay with different doses of Cd (3, 4.5, and 6 mg L−1) and Hg (0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 mg L−1) was analysed to evaluate the establishment of plants, antioxidant defence systems, oxidative stress, and the ability to accumulate heavy metals. The results indicate high survival rates (>80%); however, Cd significantly reduced shoot and root biomass, while Hg increased root biomass with the 1.6 mg L−1 treatment. Cd and Hg tend to accumulate more in roots (2534.24 µg/g and 596.4 µg g−1, respectively) compared to shoots (398.53 µg g−1 and 140.8 µg g−1, respectively). A significant decrease in the bioconcentration factor of Cd and Hg in roots was observed as metal levels increased, reaching the maximum value at 3 mg L−1 (805.59 ± 54.38) and 0.8 mg L−1 (804.54 ± 38.09). The translocation factor, <1 for both metals, suggests that translocation from roots to shoots is limited. An overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed, causing lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage to plant membranes. Tolerance strategies against subsequent toxicity indicate that enhanced glutathione reductase (GR) activity and glutathione (GSH) accumulation modulate Cd and Hg accumulation, toxicity, and tolerance

Content of zinc, macronutrients and fiber in menus offered in elderly homes. "Maca Andina" as a suplementation proposal in the face of zinc deficiency

Los cambios bioquímicos y fisiológicos que acompañan al proceso de envejecimiento, asociados a los componentes propios de la vida institucionalizada, poseen claras implicancias en el estado nutricional de los ancianos, haciéndolos más susceptibles a las deficiencias nutricionales. El propósito de la presente investigación fue conocer los valores nutricionales promedio de zinc, macronutrientes y fibra total de almuerzos y cenas ofrecidos a los ancianos entre 75-90 años, que residen en centros de alojamiento de larga permanencia de la provincia de San Luis (Argentina). Además, en caso de deficiencia de zinc, proponer la suplementación con maca andina ?Lepidium meyenii?. El estudio se realizó en dos etapas, una de ellas con diseño observacional y con alcance descriptivo correlacional transversal y la otra con diseño experimental; siendo el muestreo de tipo probabilístico y polietápico. La muestra quedó conformada por 44 menús, que se clasificaron en menús sin carne (n=22) y menús con carne (n=22). Se analizó la composición nutricional de la totalidad de los menús (con y sin carne) utilizando el software SARA. Además, se realizó un análisis experimental de los menús sin carne (para lo cual se tomó 3 tipos de menús) y también se analizó la maca andina ?Lepidium meyenii? (por triplicado), utilizando las técnicas analíticas correspondientes. La composición por porción de los menús sin carne fue: 497,69 Kcal, 58,26g de hidratos de carbono (CHO), 15,81g de proteínas, 21,59g de lípidos totales, 6,31g de fibra total y 2,29 mg de zinc. En los menús con carne la composición nutricional promedio por porción fue: 542,97Kcal, 49g CHO, 27,76g de proteínas, 22,23g de lípidos totales, 5,29g de fibra total y 4,31mg de zinc. Con relación a las recomendaciones establecidas para comedores de ancianos, en los menús sin carne se cubrió el 86,88% de las Kcal, 70,12% de CHO, 95,91%, de proteínas, 142,1%, de lípidos, 77,01% de fibra total y 80,09% de zinc. Los menús con carne aportaron el 86,17% de las Kcal, 53,72% de CHO, 160,7% de proteínas, 113% de lípidos, 63,69% de fibra total y 151,3% de zinc. Se observó que, tanto la composición, como el porcentaje de adecuación de proteínas y de zinc fue significativamente mayor en los menús con carne (p<0,05). En los menús sin carne se observó deficiencia de zinc. La composición experimental de los menús sin carne analizados fue la siguiente: el menú n°1 mostró déficit de todos sus componentes a excepción de los lípidos; el menú n°2 mostró una cobertura adecuada de fibra y zinc y el menú n°3 presentó un aporte calórico y de zinc adecuado. Por último, al analizar el contenido de zinc en la maca andina ?Lepidium meyenii?, se encontró que aporta 18,58 mg zinc/100g; por lo que los menús deficientes de zinc cubrirían las recomendaciones de este oligoelemento, con una cucharada sopera (15 g) de la misma. Debido a su fácil acceso y elevado valor nutricional, la maca andina podría resultar beneficiosa para suplementar dietas deficitarias en este oligoelemento.Fil: Vallejos, A. L.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Biasi, Antonella de Las Mercedes. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Ramírez, M. M.. Universidad Nacional de Villa Mercedes; ArgentinaFil: Luna, F. G.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Pérez Chaca, M. V.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Gómez, N. N.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; ArgentinaXXXVII Annual Scientific Meeting of the Tucumán Biology Association; XXIII Annual Scientific Meeting of the Córdoba Biology Society; XXXVIII Annual Scientific Meeting of the Cuyo Biology Societysan luisArgentinaSociedad de Biología de RosarioSociedad de Biología de CuyoChilean Society of Reproduction and Developme