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Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Repetitive motion or exercise is associated with oxidative stress and muscle inflammation, which can lead to declining grip strength and muscle damage. Oleanolic acid...
Repetitive motion or exercise is associated with oxidative stress and muscle inflammation, which can lead to declining grip strength and muscle damage. Oleanolic acid and ursolic acid have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can be extracted from through ultrasonic sonication. We investigated the association between grip strength declines and muscle damage induced by lambda carrageenan (LC) injection and exercise exposure in rats. We also assessed the reparative effects of transdermal pretreatment and post-treatment with extracts (CSEs) by using a supersonic atomizer. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) of CSEs for cells was 10.5 mg/mL. CSEs significantly reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory factors (interleukin [IL]-6 and IL-1β) in in vitro cell tests. Rats subjected to LC injection and 6 weeks of exercise exhibited significantly increased inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6). Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed inflammatory cell infiltration and evident muscle damage in the gastrocnemius muscle, which exhibited splitting and the appearance of the endomysium and perimysium. The treated rats' grip strength significantly declined. Following treatment with CSEs, the damaged muscles exhibited decreased IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels and normal morphologies. Moreover, grip strength significantly recovered. Pretreatment with CSEs yielded an immediate and significant increase in grip strength, with an increase of 180% and 165% occurring in the rats exposed to LC injection and exercise within the initial 12 h period, respectively, compared with the control group. Pretreatment with CSEs delivered transdermally using a supersonic atomizer may have applications in sports medicine and training or competitions.
PubMed: 38929141
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060702 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Prostate cancer remains a significant global health concern, posing a substantial threat to men's well-being. Despite advancements in treatment modalities, the...
Prostate cancer remains a significant global health concern, posing a substantial threat to men's well-being. Despite advancements in treatment modalities, the progression of prostate cancer still presents challenges, warranting further exploration of novel therapeutic strategies. In this study, osthole, a natural coumarin derivative, inhibited cell viability in cancer cells but not in the normal prostate cell line. Moreover, osthole disrupted cell cycle progression. Furthermore, osthole reduces mitochondrial respiration with mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) depolarization and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, indicating mitochondrial dysfunction. In particular, osthole-induced ROS generation was reduced by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) in prostate cancer. In addition, using calcium inhibitors (2-APB and ruthenium red) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitor (4-PBA), we confirmed that ER stress-induced calcium overload by osthole causes mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, we verified that the osthole-induced upregulation of tiRNA expression is related to mechanisms that induce permeabilization of the mitochondrial membrane and calcium accumulation. Regarding intracellular signaling, osthole inactivated the PI3K and ERK pathways while activating the expression of the P38, JNK, ER stress, and autophagy-related proteins. In conclusion, the results suggest that osthole can be used as a therapeutic or adjuvant treatment for the management of prostate cancer.
PubMed: 38929108
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060669 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Oxidative stress, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and endogenous antioxidants, plays an important role in the development of neurodegenerative... (Review)
Review
Oxidative stress, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and endogenous antioxidants, plays an important role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's. The human brain is vulnerable to oxidative stress because of the high rate of oxygen that it needs and the high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are substrates of lipid peroxidation. Natural antioxidants inhibit oxidation and reduce oxidative stress, preventing cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, in the literature, it is reported that antioxidants, due to their possible neuroprotective activity, may offer an interesting option for better symptom management, even Parkinson's disease (PD). Natural antioxidants are usually found in several foods, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and oil, and in food wastes, such as seeds, peels, leaves, and skin. They can help the system of endogenous antioxidants, protect or repair cellular components from oxidative stress, and even halt lipid, protein, and DNA damage to neurons. This review will examine the extent of knowledge from the last ten years, about the neuroprotective potential effect of natural antioxidants present in food and food by-products, in in vivo and in vitro PD models. Additionally, this study will demonstrate that the pool of dietary antioxidants may be an important tool in the prevention of PD and an opportunity for cost savings in the public health area.
PubMed: 38929084
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060645 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024This study is a comprehensive analysis of the oxidative potential (OP) of particulate matter (PM) and its environmental and health impacts. The researchers conducted a...
This study is a comprehensive analysis of the oxidative potential (OP) of particulate matter (PM) and its environmental and health impacts. The researchers conducted a bibliometric analysis and scoping review, screening 569 articles and selecting 368 for further analysis. The study found that OP is an emerging field of study, with a notable increase in the number of publications in the 2010s compared to the early 2000s. The research is primarily published in eight journals and is concentrated in a few academic and university-based institutions. The study identified key research hotspots for OP-PM, emphasizing the importance of capacity building, interdisciplinary collaboration, understanding emission sources and atmospheric processes, and the impacts of PM and its OP. The study highlighted the need to consider the effects of climate change on OP-PM and the regulatory framework for PM research. The findings of this study will contribute to a better understanding of PM and its consequences, including human exposure and its effects. It will also inform strategies for managing air quality and protecting public health. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the field of OP-PM research and highlights the need for continued research and collaboration to address the environmental and health impacts of PM.
PubMed: 38929079
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060640 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024To increase the value of the by-products of the canned tuna industry, the memory enhancement effect and the possible mechanisms of omega-3-rich tuna oil in bilateral...
To increase the value of the by-products of the canned tuna industry, the memory enhancement effect and the possible mechanisms of omega-3-rich tuna oil in bilateral ovariectomized (OVX) rats were assessed. Female rats were orally given tuna oil at doses of 140, 200, and 250 mg/kg of body weight (BW) for 28 days before OVX and for 21 days continually after OVX. Memory performance was assessed every week, whereas the parameters regarding mechanisms of action were assessed at the end of the study. All doses of tuna oil enhanced memory, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities but decreased cortisol, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), malondialdehyde (MDA), and inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Medium and high doses of tuna oil suppressed monoamine oxidase (MAO) but increased eNOS activity. A high dose of tuna oil suppressed gamma-aminotransferase (GABA-T) but increased glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and sirtuin-1. A medium dose of tuna oil decreased homocysteine (Hcys) and C-reactive protein. No change in telomere or estradiol was observed in this study. Our results suggest the memory-enhancing effect of tuna oil in an OVX rat model of menopause. The main mechanisms may involve a reduction in oxidative stress, inflammation, and neurotransmitter regulation.
PubMed: 38929077
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060637 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024Projects for workplace health promotion (WHP) for back pain traditionally focus exclusively on work-related but not on leisure-time stress on the spine. We developed a...
BACKGROUND
Projects for workplace health promotion (WHP) for back pain traditionally focus exclusively on work-related but not on leisure-time stress on the spine. We developed a comprehensive WHP project on the back health of hospital workers regardless of the physical characteristics of their work and compared its effects on sedentary and physically active hospital workers.
METHODS
Study assessments were carried out before and six months after participation in the WHP intervention. The primary outcome parameter was back pain (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI). Anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), work ability (Work Ability Index), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10), and quality of life (Short Form-36) were assessed via questionnaires as secondary outcome parameters. Physical performance was measured via the 30 seconds Sit-to-Stand test (30secSTS).
RESULTS
Sixty-eight healthcare workers with non-specific back pain were included in the evaluation study of the WHP project "Back Health 24/7/365". After six months, back pain, physical performance, and self-perceived physical functioning (SF-36 Physical Functioning subscale) improved significantly in both groups. Not a single parameter showed an interaction effect with the group allocation.
CONCLUSIONS
A comprehensive WHP-intervention showed significant positive effects on hospital workers regardless of the physical characteristics of their work.
Topics: Humans; Health Promotion; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Back Pain; Occupational Health; Personnel, Hospital; Workplace; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38929018
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060772 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024College students are at risk of disordered eating, particularly students with overweight/obesity and with higher stress, but little is known about how disordered eating...
OBJECTIVE
College students are at risk of disordered eating, particularly students with overweight/obesity and with higher stress, but little is known about how disordered eating may be related to diet. This study evaluated the associations between the Disordered Eating Attitudes Scale (DEAS) and age, BMI, stress, and diet.
METHODS
This is a secondary analysis of the baseline data in participants from the Snackability Trial. Participants completed a questionnaire on socio-demographics, DEAS, and snacking, self-reported their weight and height (to calculate BMI), and completed two 24 h non-consecutive dietary recalls (to calculate diet quality using HEI-2015 and snack quality score using an algorithm developed by our group). Associations between variables were assessed with Spearman correlations.
RESULTS
A total of 140 participants completed all assessments. The median age was 21.0 and the median BMI was 28.5 kg/m (43.7% had overweight and 41.5% had obesity). A total of 86.4% were females, 41.4% were white, 51.4% were low-income, and 30.7% were Hispanic/Latino. The total DEAS and the subscale 'Relationship with food' were positively correlated with stress and BMI ( < 0.05) but inversely correlated with HEI-2015 ( < 0.05). The subscales 'Restrictive and compensatory behaviors' and 'Concern about food and weight gain' were also positively correlated with stress ( < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
College students with higher disordered eating attitudes also had higher stress and BMI but poorer diet quality. Interventions may be needed for this group to manage stress and improve weight and diet quality, as well as promote awareness about disordered eating attitudes.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Students; Young Adult; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Body Mass Index; Universities; Diet; Stress, Psychological; Adult; Adolescent; Age Factors; Feeding Behavior; Attitude
PubMed: 38929012
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060766 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024Workplace bullying is characterized by negative, repetitive, and frequent behaviors towards a person, affecting his/her physical and mental health The present study...
Workplace bullying is characterized by negative, repetitive, and frequent behaviors towards a person, affecting his/her physical and mental health The present study aimed to assess the relationship between bullying, turnover intention, and psychological distress, considering the potential mediating effect of perceived supervisor support. A questionnaire was completed by 252 women and 172 men ( = 424) from 70 French companies and institutions. They were working in private (70%), public (28%), and parapublic (2%) sectors. Finally, 33 trades are represented in this study: commercial (21%), educational (12%), medical (8.3%), and industry (8.3%) were the most prominently represented. Regression analyses showed that bullying was significantly linked to turnover intention ( = 0.52, < 0.05) and psychological distress ( = 0.78, < 0.001). Moreover, supervisor support played a mediating role between workplace bullying and turnover intention, as well as between workplace bullying and psychological distress. The implications and perspectives of the present research were subsequently discussed.
Topics: Humans; Bullying; Female; Male; Personnel Turnover; Adult; Workplace; Psychological Distress; Middle Aged; Intention; Surveys and Questionnaires; Stress, Psychological; Young Adult; France
PubMed: 38928997
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060751 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024Double-Duty Carers (DDCs) refer to people who work in the healthcare industry while also providing unpaid care to relatives, friends, or neighbours. The expectations...
Double-Duty Carers (DDCs) refer to people who work in the healthcare industry while also providing unpaid care to relatives, friends, or neighbours. The expectations placed on DDCs is expected to grow, and these employees already experience a high caring burden. As such it is important to understand how best to support their health and wellbeing. This paper explores DDCs' wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing an understudied factor: their mobility constraints. Following the Mobility of the Care Economy framework and a qualitative research design, it does so through a thematic analysis of 16 semi-structured interviews with female DDCs in Southern Ontario, Canada. Once data saturation was reached, three mobility pathways during the pandemic were identified, all of which negatively affected DDCs wellbeing. First, some COVID-19 policies (e.g., testing requirements) resulted in increased mobility demands and increased spatiotemporal constraints. Second, the closure of institutions that care for dependents (schools, daycares, day centres) resulted in forced reduced mobility, which increased financial stress. Finally, indirect mobility effects were identified: the reduced mobility of other informal carers increased the workload and emotional strain on DDCs. The paper concludes with a discussion of mobility-related policies that could improve DDC wellbeing.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Ontario; Caregivers; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; SARS-CoV-2; Workload; Pandemics
PubMed: 38928975
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060730 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is a persistent allergic ocular disease predominantly mediated by the T-helper 2 lymphocyte-associated immune response. The standard...
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is a persistent allergic ocular disease predominantly mediated by the T-helper 2 lymphocyte-associated immune response. The standard therapeutic approaches for vernal keratoconjunctivitis include topical corticosteroids and immunosuppressive eye drops. However, managing vernal keratoconjunctivitis with only topical treatments becomes challenging during seasonally exacerbated periods. Systemic treatments such as oral corticosteroids or cyclosporine may be alternative options. Recently, dupilumab's efficacy in refractory vernal keratoconjunctivitis treatment has been documented. Here, we report a case of refractory vernal keratoconjunctivitis coexisting with atopic dermatitis that rapidly improved after upadacitinib administration. An 18-year-old Japanese woman presented with atopic dermatitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, and hay fever. In winter, the patient experienced widespread erythema and escalated itching, leading to significant discomfort and insomnia. Owing to the difficulty in maintaining her current regimen, upadacitinib (15 mg), a Janus kinase inhibitor was initiated. After upadacitinib administration, the treatment-resistant vernal keratoconjunctivitis and erythema improved. Upadacitinib is beneficial in severe cases of atopic dermatitis. Consequently, in our case, upadacitinib may offer therapeutic benefits for refractory vernal conjunctivitis by improving the T-helper 1/2 type immune response, autoimmunity, and oxidative stress. To our knowledge, this is the first report suggesting the potential utility of upadacitinib in managing severe vernal conjunctivitis.
PubMed: 38928687
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14121272