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Science (New York, N.Y.) Jun 2023Aging is associated with changes in circulating levels of various molecules, some of which remain undefined. We find that concentrations of circulating taurine decline...
Aging is associated with changes in circulating levels of various molecules, some of which remain undefined. We find that concentrations of circulating taurine decline with aging in mice, monkeys, and humans. A reversal of this decline through taurine supplementation increased the health span (the period of healthy living) and life span in mice and health span in monkeys. Mechanistically, taurine reduced cellular senescence, protected against telomerase deficiency, suppressed mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased DNA damage, and attenuated inflammaging. In humans, lower taurine concentrations correlated with several age-related diseases and taurine concentrations increased after acute endurance exercise. Thus, taurine deficiency may be a driver of aging because its reversal increases health span in worms, rodents, and primates and life span in worms and rodents. Clinical trials in humans seem warranted to test whether taurine deficiency might drive aging in humans.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mice; Aging; Cellular Senescence; Haplorhini; Longevity; Taurine; Dietary Supplements; DNA Damage; Telomerase
PubMed: 37289866
DOI: 10.1126/science.abn9257 -
Nutrients Sep 2023Taurine, a naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acid, has attracted significant attention in recent years due to its potential health benefits. Found in various... (Review)
Review
Taurine, a naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acid, has attracted significant attention in recent years due to its potential health benefits. Found in various foods and often used in energy drinks and supplements, taurine has been studied extensively to understand its impact on human physiology. Determining its exact functional roles represents a complex and multifaceted topic. We provide an overview of the scientific literature and present an analysis of the effects of taurine on various aspects of human health, focusing on aging and cardiovascular pathophysiology, but also including athletic performance, metabolic regulation, and neurological function. Additionally, our report summarizes the current recommendations for taurine intake and addresses potential safety concerns. Evidence from both human and animal studies indicates that taurine may have beneficial cardiovascular effects, including blood pressure regulation, improved cardiac fitness, and enhanced vascular health. Its mechanisms of action and antioxidant properties make it also an intriguing candidate for potential anti-aging strategies.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Taurine; Heart; Antioxidants; Dietary Supplements; Aging
PubMed: 37836520
DOI: 10.3390/nu15194236 -
Theranostics 2023Hair loss is a growing esthetic condition driven by complex mechanisms that has numerous psycho-social implications. Conventional drug applications usually focus on a...
Hair loss is a growing esthetic condition driven by complex mechanisms that has numerous psycho-social implications. Conventional drug applications usually focus on a single treatment target, and the penetration depth restricts the post-delivery effect. We fabricated a curcumin-zinc framework (ZnMOF) encapsulated gamma-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) microneedle patch (ZnMOF-MN) as a multifunctional biosafe transdermal drug delivery system. ZnMOF was characterized with the field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), elemental mapping, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The topographical and hygroscopic features of ZnMOF-MN were characterized with SEM. The ZnMOF release profile and the penetration of ZnMOF-MN were also evaluated. The anti-oxidant, anti-apoptosis, and antiandrogen effects of ZnMOF solution and ZnMOF-MN extract were studied on mouse dermal papilla cells (DPCs). Two animal models (in C57BL/6 mice), including androgenic alopecia (AGA) model and wound healing model, were used to identify the therapeutic effect of ZnMOF-MN on hair regrowth and wound healing . Hair follicles, surrounding vessels (CD31+), and proliferating cells (Ki67+) were evaluated by histological staining. ZnMOF crystals were cone-shaped nanoparticles with a size distribution of 424.9 ± 59.01 nm. ZnMOF-MN patch can create temporary holes in the skin to directly and evenly deliver bioactive ZnMOF particles to the targeted depth and achieve a steady and sustained release of Zn and curcumin. , ZnMOF significantly improved the viability of DPCs against the excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibited the apoptosis induced by zinc deficiency. In addition, it also reversed the inhibitory effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) infiltration. Moreover, the ZnMOF-MN treatment has been proved to accelerate wound healing and increase hair follicles in wound healing models, and improved the hair regrowth in AGA animal models. Enhanced capillary density and cell proliferation observed in the CD31+ and Ki67+ staining of ZnMOF-MN group in both animal models also suggested that ZnMOF can facilitate angiogenesis and promote cell proliferation in the skin, respectively. The ZnMOF-MN treatment is a comprehensive solution with excellent therapeutic efficacy and patient-friendly features for promoting hair growth under various clinical conditions.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Curcumin; Zinc; Ki-67 Antigen; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Hair; Alopecia; Drug Delivery Systems; Organic Chemicals
PubMed: 37441591
DOI: 10.7150/thno.84118 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Aug 2023Migraine, a neurovascular condition, is a chronic and lifelong disease that affects about 15% of the population worldwide. Although the exact pathophysiology and... (Review)
Review
Migraine, a neurovascular condition, is a chronic and lifelong disease that affects about 15% of the population worldwide. Although the exact pathophysiology and etiology of migraine are still unclear, oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuroendocrine imbalances are identified as the critical risk factors for migraine attacks. Curcumin is an active component and a polyphenolic diketone compound extracted from turmeric. Curcumin is a promising candidate for preventing and controlling migraine due to its anti‑inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-protein aggregate, and analgesic effects. In the present review, we have evaluated experimental and clinical studies investigating the impact of liposomal curcumin and nano-curcumin on the frequency and severity of migraine attacks in patients. Although the results are promising, more studies should be conducted in this area to show the exact efficacies of curcumin on clinical symptoms of migraine and investigate its potential mechanisms.
Topics: Humans; Curcumin; Migraine Disorders; Oxidative Stress; Antioxidants; Inflammation
PubMed: 37216708
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114910 -
GeroScience Jun 2024Aging is a gradual and irreversible process that is accompanied by an overall decline in cellular function and a significant increase in the risk of age-associated... (Review)
Review
Aging is a gradual and irreversible process that is accompanied by an overall decline in cellular function and a significant increase in the risk of age-associated disorders. Generally, delaying aging is a more effective method than treating diseases associated with aging. Currently, researchers are focused on natural compounds and their therapeutic and health benefits. Curcumin is the main active substance that is present in turmeric, a spice that is made up of the roots and rhizomes of the Curcuma longa plant. Curcumin demonstrated a positive impact on slowing down the aging process by postponing age-related changes. This compound may have anti-aging properties by changing levels of proteins involved in the aging process, such as sirtuins and AMPK, and inhibiting pro-aging proteins, such as NF-κB and mTOR. In clinical research, this herbal compound has been extensively examined in terms of safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics. There are numerous effects of curcumin on mechanisms related to aging and human diseases, so we discuss many of them in detail in this review.
Topics: Humans; Curcumin; Longevity; Aging; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 38409646
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01092-5 -
The Science of the Total Environment Sep 2023Obesity, which is a worldwide public health issue, is associated with chronic inflammation that contribute to long-term complications, including insulin resistance, type...
Obesity, which is a worldwide public health issue, is associated with chronic inflammation that contribute to long-term complications, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. We hypothesized that obesity may also influence the sensitivity to food contaminants, such as fumonisin B1 (FB1), a mycotoxin produced mainly by the Fusarium verticillioides. FB1, a common contaminant of corn, is the most abundant and best characterized member of the fumonisins family. We investigated whether diet-induced obesity could modulate the sensitivity to oral FB1 exposure, with emphasis on gut health and hepatotoxicity. Thus, metabolic effects of FB1 were assessed in obese and non-obese male C57BL/6J mice. Mice received a high-fat diet (HFD) or normal chow diet (CHOW) for 15 weeks. Then, during the last three weeks, mice were exposed to these diets in combination or not with FB1 (10 mg/kg body weight/day) through drinking water. As expected, HFD feeding induced significant body weight gain, increased fasting glycemia, and hepatic steatosis. Combined exposure to HFD and FB1 resulted in body weight loss and a decrease in fasting blood glucose level. This co-exposition also induces gut dysbiosis, an increase in plasma FB1 level, a decrease in liver weight and hepatic steatosis. Moreover, plasma transaminase levels were significantly increased and associated with liver inflammation in HFD/FB1-treated mice. Liver gene expression analysis revealed that the combined exposure to HFD and FB1 was associated with reduced expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and increased expression of immune response and cell cycle-associated genes. These results suggest that, in the context of obesity, FB1 exposure promotes gut dysbiosis and severe liver inflammation. To our knowledge, this study provides the first example of obesity-induced hepatitis in response to a food contaminant.
Topics: Mice; Male; Animals; Fumonisins; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dysbiosis; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Liver; Obesity; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Inflammation
PubMed: 37247733
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164436 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024Curcumin is a polyphenolic molecule derived from the rhizoma of L. This compound has been used for centuries due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and... (Review)
Review
Curcumin is a polyphenolic molecule derived from the rhizoma of L. This compound has been used for centuries due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. These make it ideal for preventing and treating skin inflammation, premature skin ageing, psoriasis, and acne. Additionally, it exhibits antiviral, antimutagenic, and antifungal effects. Curcumin provides protection against skin damage caused by prolonged exposure to UVB radiation. It reduces wound healing times and improves collagen deposition. Moreover, it increases fibroblast and vascular density in wounds. This review summarizes the available information on the therapeutic effect of curcumin in treating skin diseases. The results suggest that curcumin may be an inexpensive, well-tolerated, and effective agent for treating skin diseases. However, larger clinical trials are needed to confirm these observations due to limitations in its in vivo use, such as low bioavailability after oral administration and metabolism.
Topics: Humans; Curcumin; Skin Diseases; Dermatitis; Psoriasis; Skin; Aging, Premature
PubMed: 38612433
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073617 -
International Journal of Hygiene and... Jul 2023Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are found in a wide range of consumer products. Exposure to PFAS in children and adolescents may be associated with alterations in...
BACKGROUND
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are found in a wide range of consumer products. Exposure to PFAS in children and adolescents may be associated with alterations in thyroid hormones, which have critical roles in brain function.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the association between plasma concentrations of PFAS and serum levels of total triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in adolescent males.
METHODS
In 2017-2019, 151 boys from the Environment and Childhood (INMA)-Granada birth cohort, Spain, participated in a clinical follow up visit at the age of 15-17 years. Plasma concentrations of ten PFAS (PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFDoDA, PFTrDA, PFOS, and PFHxS) and serum thyroid hormones were measured in 129 of these boys. Linear regression analysis was performed to determine associations of individual PFAS with total T3, free T4, TSH, and free T4/TSH ratio, and quantile g-computation models were performed to assess the mixture effect. Additional models considered iodine status as effect modifier.
RESULTS
PFOS was the most abundant PFAS in plasma (median = 2.22 μg/L), followed by PFOA (median = 1.00 μg/L), PFNA (median = 0.41 μg/L), and PFHxS (median = 0.40 μg/L). When adjusted by confounders (including age, maternal schooling, and fish intake), PFOA and PFUnDA were associated with an increase in free T4 (β [95% CI] = 0.72 [0.06; 1.38] and 0.36 [0.04; 0.68] pmol/L, respectively, per two-fold increase in plasma concentrations), with no change in TSH. PFOS, the sum of PFOA, PFNA, PFOS, and PFHxS, and the sum of long-chain PFAS were marginally associated with increases in free T4. Associations with higher free T4 and/or total T3 were seen for several PFAS in boys with lower iodine intake (<108 μ/day) alone. Moreover, the PFAS mixture was association with an increase in free T4 levels in boys with lower iodine intake (% change [95% CI] = 6.47 [-0.69; 14.11] per each quartile increase in the mixture concentration).
CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to PFAS, considered individually or as a mixture, was associated with an increase in free T4 levels in boys with lower iodine intake. However, given the small sample size, the extent of these alterations remains uncertain.
Topics: Male; Animals; Environmental Pollutants; Thyroid Hormones; Fluorocarbons; Thyrotropin; Iodine; Alkanesulfonic Acids
PubMed: 37451108
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114219 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023The growing popularity of the use of nutraceuticals in the prevention and alleviation of symptoms of many diseases in humans and dogs means that they are increasingly... (Review)
Review
The growing popularity of the use of nutraceuticals in the prevention and alleviation of symptoms of many diseases in humans and dogs means that they are increasingly the subject of research. A representative of the nutraceutical that deserves special attention is turmeric. Turmeric belongs to the family and is grown extensively in Asia. It is a plant used as a spice and food coloring, and it is also used in traditional medicine. The biologically active factors that give turmeric its unusual properties and color are curcuminoids. It is a group of substances that includes curcumin, de-methoxycurcumin, and bis-demethoxycurcumin. Curcumin is used as a yellow-orange food coloring. The most important pro-health effects observed after taking curcuminoids include anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant effects. The aim of this study was to characterize turmeric and its main substance, curcumin, in terms of their properties, advantages, and disadvantages, based on literature data.
Topics: Humans; Dogs; Animals; Curcumin; Curcuma; Food Coloring Agents; Diarylheptanoids; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37834009
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914561 -
Current Opinion in Biotechnology Dec 2023A wide variety of wasted or underutilized organic feedstocks can be leveraged to build a sustainable bioeconomy, ranging from crop residues to food processor residues... (Review)
Review
A wide variety of wasted or underutilized organic feedstocks can be leveraged to build a sustainable bioeconomy, ranging from crop residues to food processor residues and municipal wastes. Leveraging these feedstocks is both high-risk and high-reward. Converting mixed, variable, and/or highly contaminated feedstocks can pose engineering and economic challenges. However, converting these materials to fuels and chemicals can divert waste from landfills, reduce fugitive methane emissions, and enable more responsible forest management to reduce the frequency and severity of wildfires. Historically, low-value components, including ash and lignin, are poised to become valuable coproducts capable of supplementing cement and valuable chemicals. Here, we evaluate the challenges and opportunities associated with converting a range of feedstocks to renewable fuels and chemicals.
Topics: Methane; Recycling; Waste Management; Renewable Energy
PubMed: 37935087
DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103017