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International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the predominant cause of chronic liver conditions, and its progression is marked by evolution to non-alcoholic steatosis,... (Review)
Review
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the predominant cause of chronic liver conditions, and its progression is marked by evolution to non-alcoholic steatosis, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis related to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and the potential occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. In our systematic review, we searched two databases, Medline (via Pubmed Central) and Scopus, from inception to 5 February 2024, and included 73 types of research (nine clinical studies and 64 pre-clinical studies) from 2854 published papers. Our extensive research highlights the impact of Berberine on NAFLD pathophysiology mechanisms, such as Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), gut dysbiosis, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), Sirtuins, and inflammasome. Studies involving human subjects showed a measurable reduction of liver fat in addition to improved profiles of serum lipids and hepatic enzymes. While current drugs for NAFLD treatment are either scarce or still in development or launch phases, Berberine presents a promising profile. However, improvements in its formulation are necessary to enhance the bioavailability of this natural substance.
Topics: Berberine; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Humans; Animals; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver
PubMed: 38673787
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084201 -
Toxics Apr 2024Biomonitoring of human populations exposed to chemical substances that can act as potential mutagens or carcinogens, may enable the detection of damage and early disease... (Review)
Review
Biomonitoring of human populations exposed to chemical substances that can act as potential mutagens or carcinogens, may enable the detection of damage and early disease prevention. In recent years, the comet assay has become an important tool for assessing DNA damage, both in environmental and occupational exposure contexts. To evidence the role of the comet assay in human biomonitoring, we have analysed original research studies of environmental or occupational exposure that used the comet assay in their assessments, following the PRISMA-ScR method (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews). Groups of chemicals were designated according to a broad classification, and the results obtained from over 300 original studies (n = 123 on air pollutants, n = 14 on anaesthetics, n = 18 on antineoplastic drugs, n = 57 on heavy metals, n = 59 on pesticides, and n = 49 on solvents) showed overall higher values of DNA strand breaks in the exposed subjects in comparison with the unexposed. In summary, our systematic scoping review strengthens the relevance of the use of the comet assay in assessing DNA damage in human biomonitoring studies.
PubMed: 38668493
DOI: 10.3390/toxics12040270 -
Nutricion Hospitalaria Jun 2024Caffeine is a widely used ergogenic aid in society, which has made it a topic of interest due to its various benefits at cognitive, physiological, and sports levels,...
Caffeine is a widely used ergogenic aid in society, which has made it a topic of interest due to its various benefits at cognitive, physiological, and sports levels, among others. This review aims to investigate the potential benefits of caffeine supplementation in psychophysiological performance through a structured search in the SportsDiscus/Scopus/MEDLINE and Web of Science databases (October 2022). This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline, and the inclusion criteria were defined based on the PICOS model. Double-blind, randomized/semi-randomized crossover articles comparing caffeine intake with an identical placebo condition were included. Filters by age or gender of the participants were not applied. The initial search gave a result of 201 articles, which after eliminating duplicates and applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final sample for this review was 8 studies. The review concluded that 3 (37.5 %) found favorable ergogenic effects, 4 (50 %) found partial effects, and 1 (12.5 %) found no effects of caffeine supplementation on variables related to psychophysiological performance. In general, both partial and negative results could be linked to insufficient doses to produce any change, likewise, habitual caffeine consumption is also a variable that could be attenuating its potential ergogenic effect. In conclusion, moderate doses of caffeine 3-6 mg/kg seem to be an effective strategy to improve the psychophysiological response in various contexts without generating detrimental effects on performance, as long as the intervention designs consider the variables that could condition its effect.
Topics: Caffeine; Humans; Athletic Performance; Performance-Enhancing Substances; Dietary Supplements; Psychophysiology; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38666339
DOI: 10.20960/nh.04820 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024Antibiotic residues in mariculture wastewater seriously affect the aquatic environment. Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs) produced under antibiotic stress flow through... (Review)
Review
A systematic review of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in mariculture wastewater: Antibiotics removal by microalgal-bacterial symbiotic system (MBSS), ARGs characterization on the metagenomic.
Antibiotic residues in mariculture wastewater seriously affect the aquatic environment. Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs) produced under antibiotic stress flow through the environment and eventually enter the human body, seriously affecting human health. Microalgal-bacterial symbiotic system (MBSS) can remove antibiotics from mariculture and reduce the flow of ARGs into the environment. This review encapsulates the present scenario of mariculture wastewater, the removal mechanism of MBSS for antibiotics, and the biomolecular information under metagenomic assay. When confronted with antibiotics, there was a notable augmentation in the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) content within MBSS, along with a concurrent elevation in the proportion of protein (PN) constituents within the EPS, which limits the entry of antibiotics into the cellular interior. Quorum sensing stimulates the microorganisms to produce biological responses (DNA synthesis - for adhesion) through signaling. Oxidative stress promotes gene expression (coupling, conjugation) to enhance horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in MBSS. The microbial community under metagenomic detection is dominated by aerobic bacteria in the bacterial-microalgal system. Compared to aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria had the significant advantage of decreasing the distribution of ARGs. Overall, MBSS exhibits remarkable efficacy in mitigating the challenges posed by antibiotics and resistant genes from mariculture wastewater.
Topics: Wastewater; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Microalgae; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Bacteria; Metagenomics; Aquaculture; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Symbiosis; Genes, Bacterial
PubMed: 38657817
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172601 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Jul 2024Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous group of mood disorders. A prominent symptom domain is anhedonia narrowly defined as a loss of interest and ability to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous group of mood disorders. A prominent symptom domain is anhedonia narrowly defined as a loss of interest and ability to experience pleasure. Anhedonia is associated with depressive symptom severity, MDD prognosis, and suicidality. We perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of extant literature investigating the effects of anhedonia on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and functional outcomes in persons with MDD.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted on PubMed, OVID databases, and SCOPUS for published articles from inception to November 2023, reporting on anhedonia and patient-reported outcomes in persons with MDD. The reported correlation coefficients between anhedonia and self-reported measures of both HRQoL and functional outcomes were pooled using a random effects model.
RESULTS
We identified 20 studies that investigated anhedonia with HRQoL and/or functional outcomes in MDD. Anhedonia as measured by the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) scores had a statistically significant correlation with patient-reported HRQoL (r = -0.41 [95 % CI = -0.60, -0.18]) and functional impairment (r = 0.39 [95 % CI = 0.22, 0.54]).
LIMITATIONS
These preliminary results primarily investigate correlations with consummatory anhedonia and do not distinguish differences in anticipatory anhedonia, reward valuation or reward learning; therefore, these results require replication.
CONCLUSIONS
Persons with MDD experiencing symptoms of anhedonia are more likely to have worse prognosis including physical, psychological, and social functioning deficits. Anhedonia serves as an important predictor and target for future therapeutic and preventative tools in persons with MDD.
Topics: Humans; Anhedonia; Depressive Disorder, Major; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38657767
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.04.086 -
Phytochemistry Jun 2024Forsythiae Fructus (FF), the dried fruit of F. suspensa, is commonly used to treat fever, inflammation, etc in China or other Asian countries. FF is usually used as the... (Review)
Review
Forsythiae Fructus (FF), the dried fruit of F. suspensa, is commonly used to treat fever, inflammation, etc in China or other Asian countries. FF is usually used as the core herb in traditional Chinese medicine preparations for the treatment of influenza, such as Shuang-huang-lian oral liquid and Yin-qiao powder, etc. Since the wide application and core role of FF, its research progress was summarized in terms of traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, quality control, and toxicity. Meanwhile, the anti-influenza substances and mechanism of FF were emphasized. Till now, a total of 290 chemical components are identified in F. suspensa, and among them, 248 components were isolated and identified from FF, including 42 phenylethanoid glycosides, 48 lignans, 59 terpenoids, 14 flavonoids, 3 steroids, 24 cyclohexyl ethanol derivatives, 14 alkaloids, 26 organic acids, and 18 other types. FF and their pure compounds have the pharmacological activities of anti-virus, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant, anti-bacteria, anti-tumor, neuroprotection, hepatoprotection, etc. Inhibition of TLR7, RIG-I, MAVS, NF-κB, MyD88 signaling pathway were the reported anti-influenza mechanisms of FF and phenylethanoid glycosides and lignans are the main active groups. However, the bioavailability of phenylethanoid glycosides and lignans of FF in vivo was low, which needed to be improved. Simultaneously, the un-elucidated compounds and anti-influenza substances of FF strongly needed to be explored. The current quality control of FF was only about forsythoside A and phillyrin, more active components should be taken into consideration. Moreover, there are no reports of toxicity of FF yet, but the toxicity of FF should be not neglected in clinical applications.
Topics: Forsythia; Quality Control; Humans; Fruit; Phytochemicals; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Animals; Molecular Structure
PubMed: 38641141
DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114096 -
Nutrients Mar 2024Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a type of polyphenol compound found in rich concentrations in many plants such as green coffee beans. As an active natural substance, CGA... (Review)
Review
Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a type of polyphenol compound found in rich concentrations in many plants such as green coffee beans. As an active natural substance, CGA exerts diverse therapeutic effects in response to a variety of pathological challenges, particularly conditions associated with chronic metabolic diseases and age-related disorders. It shows multidimensional functions, including neuroprotection for neurodegenerative disorders and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti-pathogens, mitigation of cardiovascular disorders, skin diseases, diabetes mellitus, liver and kidney injuries, and anti-tumor activities. Mechanistically, its integrative functions act through the modulation of anti-inflammation/oxidation and metabolic homeostasis. It can thwart inflammatory constituents at multiple levels such as curtailing NF-kB pathways to neutralize primitive inflammatory factors, hindering inflammatory propagation, and alleviating inflammation-related tissue injury. It concurrently raises pivotal antioxidants by activating the Nrf2 pathway, thus scavenging excessive cellular free radicals. It elevates AMPK pathways for the maintenance and restoration of metabolic homeostasis of glucose and lipids. Additionally, CGA shows functions of neuromodulation by targeting neuroreceptors and ion channels. In this review, we systematically recapitulate CGA's pharmacological activities, medicinal properties, and mechanistic actions as a potential therapeutic agent. Further studies for defining its specific targeting molecules, improving its bioavailability, and validating its clinical efficacy are required to corroborate the therapeutic effects of CGA.
Topics: Chlorogenic Acid; Polyphenols; Homeostasis; Antioxidants; Biological Availability
PubMed: 38612964
DOI: 10.3390/nu16070924 -
BMC Psychiatry Apr 2024Yoga can be used as a complementary intervention to conventional treatments, whether pharmacological or non-pharmacological. Sustained practice of yoga can generate a...
BACKGROUND
Yoga can be used as a complementary intervention to conventional treatments, whether pharmacological or non-pharmacological. Sustained practice of yoga can generate a series of benefits for individuals' quality of life and improve their physical fitness.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the potential effects of yoga as an adjunct intervention in conditions involving impulse control issues, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), borderline personality disorder, bipolar affective disorder, and substance use disorders.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review of placebo-controlled, randomized trials of yoga in patients with impulsivity. PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct databases were searched for trials published up to January, 2023. Data were extracted from published reports and quality assessment was performed per Cochrane recommendations.
RESULTS
Out of 277 database results, 6 RCT were included in this systematic review. To assess the level of attention and impulsiveness, the following scales were analyzed: Barratt Impulsiveness, UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior scale, Conners' Continuous Performance Test IIª and Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised: Long.
CONCLUSIONS
Yoga didn't have a significant improvement in impulsivity when compared to placebo. There are many tools to assess impulsivity, but they mean different concepts and domains consisting in a weakness on comparison of yoga effects.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION
CRD42023389088.
Topics: Humans; Yoga; Quality of Life; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Impulsive Behavior; Bipolar Disorder
PubMed: 38594701
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05608-3 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Jun 2024Electrophysiologic measures provide an opportunity to inform mechanistic models and possibly biomarker prediction of response. Serotonergic psychedelics (SPs) (i.e.,... (Review)
Review
Spectral signatures of psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and ketamine in healthy volunteers and persons with major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression: A systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Electrophysiologic measures provide an opportunity to inform mechanistic models and possibly biomarker prediction of response. Serotonergic psychedelics (SPs) (i.e., psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)) and ketamine represent new investigational and established treatments in mood disorders respectively. There is a need to better characterize the mechanism of action of these agents.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review investigating the spectral signatures of psilocybin, LSD, and ketamine in persons with major depressive disorder (MDD), treatment-resistant depression (TRD), and healthy controls.
RESULTS
Ketamine and SPs are associated with increased theta power in persons with depression. Ketamine and SPs are also associated with decreased spectral power in the alpha, beta and delta bands in healthy controls and persons with depression. When administered with SPs, theta power was increased in persons with MDD when administered with SPs. Ketamine is associated with increased gamma band power in both healthy controls and persons with MDD.
LIMITATIONS
The studies included in our review were heterogeneous in their patient population, exposure, dosing of treatment and devices used to evaluate EEG and MEG signatures. Our results were extracted entirely from persons who were either healthy volunteers or persons with MDD or TRD.
CONCLUSIONS
Extant literature evaluating EEG and MEG spectral signatures indicate that ketamine and SPs have reproducible effects in keeping with disease models of network connectivity. Future research vistas should evaluate whether observed spectral signatures can guide further discovery of therapeutics within the psychedelic and dissociative classes of agents, and its prediction capability in persons treated for depression.
Topics: Humans; Psilocybin; Ketamine; Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; Depressive Disorder, Major; Depression; Healthy Volunteers; Hallucinogens
PubMed: 38570038
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.165 -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... Jun 2024Obesity and hyperlipidemia can induce a variety of diseases, and have become major health problems worldwide. How to effectively prevent and control obesity has become...
BACKGROUND
Obesity and hyperlipidemia can induce a variety of diseases, and have become major health problems worldwide. How to effectively prevent and control obesity has become one of the hot-spots of contemporary research. Mulberry leaf is the dried leaf of Morus alba L., which is approved by the Ministry of Health as a "homology of medicine and food", rich in diverse active constituents and with a variety of health effects including anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidemia activities.
PURPOSE
The review attempts to summarize and provide the molecular basis, mechanism, safety and products for further exploration and application of mulberry leaf on the treatment on the control of weight gain and obesity.
METHODS
This review is conducted by using ScienceDirect, PubMed, CNKI and Web of Science databases following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).
RESULTS
Based on the research progress of domestic and foreign scholars, the effective phytochemicals, molecular mechanisms and product applications of mulberry leaf in the prevention and treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases were summarized.
CONCLUSION
Mulberry leaf has excellent medicinal and health care value in obesity treatment. However, its pharmacodynamic substance basis and molecular mechanisms need to be further studied.
Topics: Morus; Plant Leaves; Obesity; Humans; Phytochemicals; Anti-Obesity Agents; Animals; Plant Extracts; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 38555774
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155528