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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024This study integrates hollow microneedle arrays (HMNA) with a novel jellyfish-shaped electrochemical sensor for the detection of key biomarkers, including uric acid...
This study integrates hollow microneedle arrays (HMNA) with a novel jellyfish-shaped electrochemical sensor for the detection of key biomarkers, including uric acid (UA), glucose, and pH, in artificial interstitial fluid. The jellyfish-shaped sensor displayed linear responses in detecting UA and glucose via differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and chronoamperometry, respectively. Notably, the open circuit potential (OCP) of the system showed a linear variation with pH changes, validating its pH-sensing capability. The sensor system demonstrates exceptional electrochemical responsiveness within the physiological concentration ranges of these biomarkers in simulated epidermis sensing applications. The detection linear ranges of UA, glucose, and pH were 0~0.8 mM, 0~7 mM, and 4.0~8.0, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of the HMNA-integrated jellyfish-shaped sensors in real-world epidermal applications for comprehensive disease diagnosis and health monitoring.
Topics: Extracellular Fluid; Biomarkers; Biosensing Techniques; Electrochemical Techniques; Needles; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Glucose; Uric Acid; Animals; Humans
PubMed: 38931517
DOI: 10.3390/s24123729 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024is one of the largest families of marine sponges and stands out as an exceptional source of variable metabolites with diverse biological activities. In this study, the...
is one of the largest families of marine sponges and stands out as an exceptional source of variable metabolites with diverse biological activities. In this study, the ethyl acetate fraction (HE) of a sp. marine sponge from the Red Sea, Egypt, was analyzed for the first time using Ultra-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) analysis. The analysis tentatively identified 29 compounds in this fraction, including the isolation and identification of six compounds (two pyrimidine nucleosides, one purine, and two pyrimidine bases in addition to one cerebroside) for the first time. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by 1D and 2D NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), MS (mass spectrometry), and IR (infrared) spectroscopy. Furthermore, the cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of the ethyl acetate fraction were evaluated in vitro. The fraction exhibited strong DPPH scavenging activity with an IC of 78.7 µg/mL, compared to ascorbic acid as a positive control with an IC of 10.6 µg/mL. It also demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity with IC values of 13.5 µg/mL and 25.3 µg/mL against HCT-116 and HEP-2 cell lines, respectively, compared to vinblastine as a positive control with IC values of 2.34 µg/mL and 6.61 µg/mL against HCT-116 and HEP-2, respectively. Additionally, the ethyl acetate fraction displayed promising antibacterial activity against with a MIC value of 62.5 µg/mL, compared to ciprofloxacin as a positive control with MIC values of 1.56 µg/mL for Gram-positive bacteria and 3.125 µg/mL for Gram-negative bacteria. It also exhibited activity against and with MIC values of 250 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL, respectively. Briefly, this is the first report on the biological activities and secondary metabolite content of the ethyl acetate fraction of sp. marine sponge, emphasizing the potential for further research against resistant bacterial and fungal strains, as well as different cancer cell lines. The ethyl acetate fraction of sp. is a promising source of safe and unique natural drugs with potential therapeutic and pharmaceutical benefits.
PubMed: 38931391
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060724 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Guarana (GUA), a Brazilian seed extract, contains caffeine and other bioactive compounds that may have psychoactive effects. To assess the acute effects of GUA compared... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Guarana (GUA), a Brazilian seed extract, contains caffeine and other bioactive compounds that may have psychoactive effects. To assess the acute effects of GUA compared to a low dose of caffeine (CAF) on cognitive and mood parameters, twenty participants completed a double-blind, crossover experiment where they ingested capsules containing the following: (1) 100 mg CAF, (2) 500 mg GUA containing 130 mg caffeine, or (3) placebo (PLA). Cognitive tests (Simon and 2N-Back Task) were performed at the baseline (pre-ingestion) and 60 min after ingestion. The response time for the cognitive tests and heart rate variability were unaffected ( > 0.05) by treatment, although 2N-Back was overall faster ( = 0.001) across time. The accuracy in the 2N-Back Task showed a significant interaction effect ( = 0.029) due to higher post-ingestion versus pre-ingestion levels ( = 0.033), but only with the PLA. The supplements also had no effect on cognitive measures following physical fatigue ( = 11). There was an interaction effect on perceived mental energy, where the pre-ingestion of GUA had lower mental pep ratings compared to post-ingestion ( = 0.006) and post-exercise ( = 0.018) levels. Neither the acute ingestion of GUA nor low dose of CAF influenced cognitive performance or provided consistent benefit on mood or mental workload through vagal modulation. Additional investigations are beneficial to determining the lowest effective dose for CAF or GUA to influence mood and/or cognitive performance.
Topics: Humans; Caffeine; Paullinia; Male; Cross-Over Studies; Double-Blind Method; Cognition; Adult; Young Adult; Female; Heart Rate; Affect; Vagus Nerve; Plant Extracts; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 38931247
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121892 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin involved in the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines and is one of the essential vitamins for human growth and reproduction. Folate... (Review)
Review
Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin involved in the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines and is one of the essential vitamins for human growth and reproduction. Folate deficiency due to low dietary intake, poor absorption of folate, and alterations in folate metabolism due to genetic defects or drug interactions significantly increases the risk of diseases such as neural tube defects, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and cognitive dysfunction. Recent studies have shown that folate deficiency can cause hyperhomocysteinemia, which increases the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, and that high homocysteine levels are an independent risk factor for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. In addition, folate deficiency results in increased secretion of pro-inflammatory factors and impaired lipid metabolism in the liver, leading to lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and fibrosis. There is substantial evidence that folate deficiency contributes to the development and progression of a variety of liver diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), viral hepatitis, hepatic fibrosis, and liver cancer. Here we review key studies on the role of folate in the pathophysiology of liver diseases, summarize the current status of studies on folate in the treatment of liver diseases, and speculate that folate may be a potential therapeutic target for liver diseases.
Topics: Humans; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Liver Diseases; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver; Animals; Liver Neoplasms; Hyperhomocysteinemia; Homocysteine; Lipid Metabolism
PubMed: 38931227
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121872 -
Nutrients Jun 2024There is a growing consensus that fasting-induced ketosis has beneficial effects on human physiology. Despite these compelling benefits, fasting-induced ketosis raises...
BACKGROUND
There is a growing consensus that fasting-induced ketosis has beneficial effects on human physiology. Despite these compelling benefits, fasting-induced ketosis raises concerns in some clinicians because it is often inappropriately compared with the pathologic uncontrolled ketone production in diabetic ketoacidosis. The determinants of the inter-individual differences in the intensity of ketosis during long-term fasting is unknown.
METHODS
We monitored daily variations in fasting ketonemia, as well as ketonuria, which is less invasive, in a large cohort of 1610 subjects, fasting between 4 and 21 days with the Buchinger Wilhelmi program, minimally supplemented with ~75-250 kcal (daily fruit juice, vegetable soup, and honey).
RESULTS
Ketonuria was detected in more than 95% of fasting subjects from day 4 onwards. Subjects consuming only soups, without fruit juice or honey, exhibited reduced caloric intake (72 kcal instead of 236 kcal) and carbohydrate intake (15.6 g instead of 56.5 g), leading to more intense ketonuria. Participants with high ketonuria were, in the majority, males, young, had a higher body weight, and had lower HDL-C and urea values. They had a larger decrease in blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin levels, body weight, and waist circumference. Furthermore, in the high-ketonuria group, a larger increase in blood uric acid concentration was observed.
CONCLUSION
Our study showed that long-term fasting triggered ketosis, never reaching pathological levels, and that ketosis is influenced by age, gender, health, and the level of physical activity. Furthermore, it is modulated but not suppressed by minimal carbohydrate intake. Our study paves the way for better understanding how supplementation can modulate the therapeutic effects and tolerability of long-term fasting.
Topics: Humans; Fasting; Male; Female; Ketosis; Adult; Middle Aged; Blood Glucose; Young Adult; Energy Intake; Honey; Time Factors; Aged; Fruit and Vegetable Juices; Uric Acid
PubMed: 38931204
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121849 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Previous studies have reported that TT genotype carriers of the adenosine A2a receptor () gene rs5751876 polymorphism have better ergogenic and anti-inflammatory... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Previous studies have reported that TT genotype carriers of the adenosine A2a receptor () gene rs5751876 polymorphism have better ergogenic and anti-inflammatory responses to caffeine intake compared to C allele carriers. The aim of the present study was twofold: (1) to investigate the association of the rs5751876 polymorphism with acute caffeine supplementation on hormonal (growth hormone and testosterone) response to resistance exercise (RE); (2) to examine the relationship between the rs5751876 polymorphism and the resting levels of growth hormone and testosterone in athletes who are light caffeine consumers. A double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study involving 30 resistance-trained men (age 21.7 ± 4.1) was conducted to assess the impact of caffeine supplementation on serum growth hormone (GH) and testosterone (TS) levels before, immediately after, and 15 min post-RE. One hour before engaging in resistance exercise, subjects were randomly administered 6 mg of caffeine per kg of body mass or a placebo (maltodextrin). After a 7-day washout period, the same protocol was repeated. Resting testosterone and growth hormone levels were examined in the sera of 94 elite athletes (31 females, age 21.4 ± 2.8; 63 males, age 22.9 ± 3.8). Caffeine consumption led to significantly greater increases in GH and TS in men with the TT genotype compared to C allele carriers. Furthermore, in the group of athletes, carriers of the TT genotype had significantly higher testosterone ( = 0.0125) and growth hormone ( = 0.0365) levels compared to C allele carriers. In conclusion, the gene rs5751876 polymorphism may modify the effect of caffeine intake on the hormonal response to exercise.
Topics: Humans; Caffeine; Male; Double-Blind Method; Cross-Over Studies; Resistance Training; Receptor, Adenosine A2A; Young Adult; Testosterone; Adult; Female; Dietary Supplements; Athletes; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Genotype; Human Growth Hormone; Polymorphism, Genetic; Exercise
PubMed: 38931158
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121803 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Peanut shells' adsorption performance in caffeine and triclosan removal was studied. Peanut shells were analyzed for their chemical composition, morphology, and surface...
Peanut shells' adsorption performance in caffeine and triclosan removal was studied. Peanut shells were analyzed for their chemical composition, morphology, and surface functional groups. Batch adsorption and fixed-bed column experiments were carried out with solutions containing 30 mg/L of caffeine and triclosan. The parameters examined included peanut shell particle size (120-150, 300-600, and 800-2000 µm), adsorbent dose (0.02-60 g/L), contact time (up to 180 min), bed height (4-8 cm), and hydraulic loading rate (2.0 and 4.0 m/m-day). After determining the optimal adsorption conditions, kinetics, isotherm, and breakthrough curve models were applied to analyze the experimental data. Peanut shells showed an irregular surface and consisted mainly of polysaccharides (around 70% lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose), with a specific surface area of 1.7 m/g and a pore volume of 0.005 cm/g. The highest removal efficiencies for caffeine (85.6 ± 1.4%) and triclosan (89.3 ± 1.5%) were achieved using the smallest particles and 10.0 and 0.1 g/L doses over 180 and 45 min, respectively. Triclosan showed easier removal compared to caffeine due to its higher lipophilic character. The pseudo-second-order kinetics model provided the best fit with the experimental data, suggesting a chemisorption process between caffeine/triclosan and the adsorbent. Equilibrium data were well-described by the Sips model, with maximum adsorption capacities of 3.3 mg/g and 289.3 mg/g for caffeine and triclosan, respectively. In fixed-bed column adsorption tests, particle size significantly influenced efficiency and hydraulic behavior, with 120-150 µm particles exhibiting the highest adsorption capacity for caffeine (0.72 mg/g) and triclosan (143.44 mg/g), albeit with clogging issues. The experimental data also showed good agreement with the Bohart-Adams, Thomas, and Yoon-Nelson models. Therefore, the findings of this study highlight not only the effective capability of peanut shells to remove caffeine and triclosan but also their versatility as a promising option for water treatment and sanitation applications in different contexts.
Topics: Caffeine; Triclosan; Arachis; Adsorption; Kinetics; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Particle Size; Water Purification
PubMed: 38930987
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122923 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Two-dimensional MXenes have become an important material for electrochemical sensing of biomolecules due to their excellent electric properties, large surface area and...
Two-dimensional MXenes have become an important material for electrochemical sensing of biomolecules due to their excellent electric properties, large surface area and hydrophilicity. However, the simultaneous detection of multiple biomolecules using MXene-based electrodes is still a challenge. Here, a simple solvothermal process was used to synthesis the TiCT coated with TiO nanosheets (TiCT@TiO NSs). The surface modification of TiO NSs on TiCT can effectively reduce the self-accumulation of TiCT and improve stability. Glassy carbon electrode was modified by TiCT@TiO NSs (TiCT@TiO NSs/GCE) and was able simultaneously to detect dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA). Under concentrations ranging from 200 to 1000 μM, 40 to 300 μM and 50 to 400 μM, the limit of detection (LOD) is 2.91 μM, 0.19 μM and 0.25 μM for AA, DA and UA, respectively. Furthermore, TiCT@TiO NSs/GCE demonstrated remarkable stability and reliable reproducibility for the detection of AA/DA/UA.
Topics: Titanium; Uric Acid; Dopamine; Ascorbic Acid; Nanostructures; Limit of Detection; Electrochemical Techniques; Electrodes; Reproducibility of Results; Biosensing Techniques
PubMed: 38930980
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122915 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The malignancy of breast cancer poses a global challenge, with existing treatments often falling short of desired efficacy. Extensive research has underscored the...
The malignancy of breast cancer poses a global challenge, with existing treatments often falling short of desired efficacy. Extensive research has underscored the effectiveness of targeting the metabolism of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a pivotal molecule crucial for cancer cell survival and growth, as a promising anticancer strategy. Within mammalian cells, sustaining optimal NAD concentrations relies on two key enzymes, namely nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymer 1 (PARP1). Recent studies have accentuated the potential benefits of combining NAMPT inhibitors and PARP1 inhibitors to enhance therapeutic outcomes, particularly in breast cancer. In this study, we designed and synthesized eleven novel NAMPT/PARP1 dual-target inhibitors. Among them, compound DDY02 exhibited acceptable inhibitory activities against both NAMPT and PARP1, with IC values of 0.01 and 0.05 µM, respectively. Moreover, in vitro evaluations revealed that treatment with DDY02 resulted in proliferation inhibition, NAD depletion, DNA damage, apoptosis, and migration inhibition in MDA-MB-468 cells. These results posit DDY02, by targeting NAD metabolism through inhibiting both NAMPT and PARP1, as a promising lead compound for the development of breast cancer therapy.
Topics: Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase; Humans; NAD; Breast Neoplasms; Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1; Antineoplastic Agents; Female; Cell Proliferation; Cell Line, Tumor; Apoptosis; Drug Design; Cytokines; Enzyme Inhibitors; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors; Molecular Docking Simulation
PubMed: 38930900
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122836 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The genome-the source of life and platform of evolution-is continuously exposed to harmful factors, both extra- and intra-cellular. Their activity causes different types...
The genome-the source of life and platform of evolution-is continuously exposed to harmful factors, both extra- and intra-cellular. Their activity causes different types of DNA damage, with approximately 80 different types of lesions having been identified so far. In this paper, the influence of a clustered DNA damage site containing imidazolone (Iz) or oxazolone (Oz) and 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (dG) on the charge transfer through the double helix as well as their electronic properties were investigated. To this end, the structures of , d[AIzAGA]*d[TCTCT], and , d[AOzAGA]*d[TCTCT], were optimized at the M06-2X/6-D95**//M06-2X/sto-3G level of theory in the aqueous phase using the ONIOM methodology; all the discussed energies were obtained at the M06-2X/6-31++G** level of theory. The non-equilibrated and equilibrated solvent-solute interactions were taken into consideration. The following results were found: (A) In all the discussed cases, dG showed a higher predisposition to radical cation formation, and B) the excess electron migration toward Iz and Oz was preferred. However, in the case of , the electron transfer from Oz to complementary C was noted during vertical to adiabatic anion relaxation, while for , it was settled exclusively on the Iz moiety. The above was reflected in the charge transfer rate constant, vertical/adiabatic ionization potential, and electron affinity energy values, as well as the charge and spin distribution. It can be postulated that imidazolone moiety formation within the CDL ds-oligo structure and its conversion to oxazolone can significantly influence the charge migration process, depending on the C2 carbon hybridization or . The above can confuse the single DNA damage recognition and removal processes, cause an increase in mutagenesis, and harm the effectiveness of anticancer therapy.
Topics: DNA Damage; Imidazoles; Oxazolone; 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; DNA; Models, Molecular; Deoxyguanosine; Thermodynamics
PubMed: 38930820
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122754