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Frontiers in Genetics 2024Osteoporosis (OP) is typically diagnosed by evaluating bone mineral density (BMD), and it frequently results in fractures. Here, we investigated the causal relationships...
BACKGROUND
Osteoporosis (OP) is typically diagnosed by evaluating bone mineral density (BMD), and it frequently results in fractures. Here, we investigated the causal relationships between diet-derived circulating antioxidants and the risk of OP using Mendelian randomization (MR).
METHODS
Published studies were used to identify instrumental variables related to absolute levels of circulating antioxidants like lycopene, retinol, ascorbate, and β-carotene, as well as antioxidant metabolites such as ascorbate, retinol, α-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol. Outcome variables included BMD (in femoral neck, lumbar spine, forearm, heel, total body, total body (age over 60), total body (age 45-60), total body (age 30-45), total body (age 15-30), and total body (age 0-15)), fractures (in arm, spine, leg, heel, and osteoporotic fractures), and OP. Inverse variance weighted or Wald ratio was chosen as the main method for MR analysis based on the number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Furthermore, we performed sensitivity analyses to confirm the reliability of the findings.
RESULTS
We found a causal relationship between absolute retinol levels and heel BMD ( = 7.6E-05). The results of fixed effects IVW showed a protective effect of absolute retinol levels against heel BMD, with per 0.1 ln-transformed retinol being associated with a 28% increase in heel BMD (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.13-1.44). In addition, a sex-specific effect of the absolute circulating retinol levels on the heel BMD has been observed in men. No other significant causal relationship was found.
CONCLUSION
There is a positive causal relationship between absolute retinol levels and heel BMD. The implications of our results should be taken into account in future studies and in the creation of public health policies and OP prevention tactics.
PubMed: 38911297
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1346367 -
Clinica Chimica Acta; International... Jun 2024Establishing adequate reference intervals (RIs) for vitamins A and E is essential for diagnosing and preventing deficiencies. Due to the current boom in data mining and...
BACKGROUND
Establishing adequate reference intervals (RIs) for vitamins A and E is essential for diagnosing and preventing deficiencies. Due to the current boom in data mining and its easy applicability, more laboratories are establishing RIs using indirect methods. Our study aims to obtain RIs using four indirect data-mining procedures (Bhattacharya, Hoffmann, Kosmic, and RefineR) for vitamins A and E.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
8943 individuals were collected to establish the RIs. After using different data cleaning steps and checking whether these data should be divided according to age and gender based on multiple linear regression and variance component analyses, indirect RIs were calculated using specific Excel spreadsheets or R-packages software.
RESULTS
A total of 2004 records were eligible. For vitamin A, the RIs obtained were (1.11 - 2.68) µmol/L, (1.13 - 2.70) µmol/L, (1.13 - 2.71) µmol/L, and (1.17 - 2.66) µmol/L using the Bhattacharya, Hoffmann, Kosmic and RefineR approaches, respectively. For vitamin E, these intervals were (17.3 - 49.9) µmol/L (Bhattacharya), (17.3 - 48.9) µmol/L (Hoffmann), (19.6 - 50.3) µmol/L (Kosmic), and (19.4 - 50.9) µmol/L (RefineR). In all cases, the RIs were comparable.
CONCLUSIONS
Suitable RIs for vitamins A and E were calculated using four indirect methods that are suitable and adapted to our population's demographic characteristics.
PubMed: 38908772
DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2024.119822 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024This study investigates the chemical composition, nutritional, and biological properties of extracts obtained from berries using different extraction methods and...
This study investigates the chemical composition, nutritional, and biological properties of extracts obtained from berries using different extraction methods and solvents. Hydrodistillation and supercritical fluid extraction with CO allowed us to isolate fruit essential oil (HD) and fixed oil (SFE), respectively. A phenol-enriched extract was obtained using a mild ultrasound-assisted maceration with methanol (UAM). The HD most abundant component, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), was italicene epoxide (17.2%), followed by hexadecanoic acid (12.4%), khusinol (10.5%), limonene (9.7%), dodecanoic acid (9.7%), and (E)-anethole (6.1%). Linoleic (348.9 mg/g of extract, 70.5%), oleic (88.9 mg/g, 17.9%), and palmitic (40.8 mg/g, 8.2%) acids, followed by α-linolenic and stearic acids, were the main fatty acids in SFE determined using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector and an evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-DAD/ELSD). HPLC-DAD analyses of SFE identified β-carotene as the main carotenoid (1.7 mg/g), while HPLC with fluorescence detection (FLU) evidenced α-tocopherol (1.2 mg/g) as the most abundant tocopherol isoform in SFE. Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-MS (LC-ESI-MS) analysis of UAM showed the presence of quercetin-sulfate (15.6%, major component), malvidin 3--(6--p-coumaroyl) glucoside-4-vinylphenol adduct (pigment B) (9.3%), di-caffeoyl coumaroyl spermidine (7.6%), methyl-epigallocatechin (5.68%), and phloretin (4.1%), while flavonoids (70.5%) and phenolic acids (23.9%) emerged as the most abundant polyphenol classes. UAM exerted a complete inhibition of the cholesterol oxidative degradation at 140 °C from 75 μg of extract, showing 50% protection at 30.6 μg (IA). Furthermore, UAM significantly reduced viability (31-48%) in A375 melanoma cells in the range of 500-2000 μg/mL after 96 h of incubation (MTT assay), with a low toxic effect in normal HaCaT keratinocytes. The results of this research extend the knowledge of the nutritional and biological properties of berries, providing useful information on specific extracts for potential food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications.
Topics: Plant Extracts; Fruit; Photinia; Humans; Antioxidants; Fatty Acids; Oils, Volatile; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 38893452
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112577 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The nutritional composition of bovine liver, particularly in terms of vitamins E, β-carotene, and cholesterol concentration, is significantly influenced by the...
The nutritional composition of bovine liver, particularly in terms of vitamins E, β-carotene, and cholesterol concentration, is significantly influenced by the cattle-rearing system and diet. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of four predominant cattle-rearing systems in the Eastern Amazon region on the vitamin E, β-carotene content, and cholesterol levels in bovine liver during the rainy season. Liver-tissue samples were collected from 48 cattle, with twelve specimens representing each rearing system. The systems encompassed two native pastures located in flood-prone areas, cultivated pastures on upland terrain and a confinement-rearing system. Our findings indicate that, when considering all rearing systems collectively, there were no significant differences in the levels of vitamins and cholesterol in the liver tissues ( > 0.05). However, a marked disparity in cholesterol levels emerged when comparing intensive rearing systems to extensive ones, with the former demonstrating notably higher concentrations ( = 0.01). Additionally, the intensive rearing system was associated with elevated levels of β-carotene ( < 0.01), α-tocopherol ( = 0.01), and β-tocopherol ( = 0.01) relative to the extensive systems. No significant variations were observed amongst the different extensive systems ( > 0.05). These results suggest that, while all rearing systems yielded liver tissues with typical concentrations of vitamins and cholesterol, the intensive rearing system led to a higher accumulation of certain vitamin compounds. This study highlights the substantial nutritional implications of different cattle-rearing systems in the Eastern Amazon and provides valuable insights for developing dietary strategies to optimize the nutritional quality of bovine liver. Therefore, the generated results are groundbreaking in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil, and inspire the development of new research projects to address other demands in this field and achieve additional outcomes.
PubMed: 38890823
DOI: 10.3390/foods13111595 -
Structural basis for an early stage of the photosystem II repair cycle in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.Nature Communications Jun 2024Photosystem II (PSII) catalyzes water oxidation and plastoquinone reduction by utilizing light energy. It is highly susceptible to photodamage under high-light...
Photosystem II (PSII) catalyzes water oxidation and plastoquinone reduction by utilizing light energy. It is highly susceptible to photodamage under high-light conditions and the damaged PSII needs to be restored through a process known as the PSII repair cycle. The detailed molecular mechanism underlying the PSII repair process remains mostly elusive. Here, we report biochemical and structural features of a PSII-repair intermediate complex, likely arrested at an early stage of the PSII repair process in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The complex contains three protein factors associated with a damaged PSII core, namely Thylakoid Enriched Factor 14 (TEF14), Photosystem II Repair Factor 1 (PRF1), and Photosystem II Repair Factor 2 (PRF2). TEF14, PRF1 and PRF2 may facilitate the release of the manganese-stabilizing protein PsbO, disassembly of peripheral light-harvesting complexes from PSII and blockage of the Q site, respectively. Moreover, an α-tocopherol quinone molecule is located adjacent to the heme group of cytochrome b, potentially fulfilling a photoprotective role by preventing the generation of reactive oxygen species.
Topics: Photosystem II Protein Complex; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; Thylakoids; Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes; Plant Proteins; Cytochrome b Group; Oxidation-Reduction; Reactive Oxygen Species; Light
PubMed: 38890314
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49532-2 -
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry : PPB Jun 2024Nanotechnology is advancing rapidly in this century and the industrial use of nanoparticles for new applications in the modernization of different industries such as... (Review)
Review
Nanotechnology is advancing rapidly in this century and the industrial use of nanoparticles for new applications in the modernization of different industries such as agriculture, electronic, food, energy, environment, healthcare and medicine is growing exponentially. Despite applications of several nanoparticles in different industries, they show harmful effects on biological systems, especially in plants. Various mechanisms for the toxic effects of nanoparticles have already been proposed; however, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) molecules including radicals [(e.g., superoxide (O), peroxyl (HOO), and hydroxyl (HO) and non-radicals [(e.g., hydrogen peroxide (HO) and singlet oxygen (O) is more important. Excessive production/and accumulation of ROS in cells and subsequent induction of oxidative stress disrupts the normal functioning of physiological processes and cellular redox reactions. Some of the consequences of ROS overproduction include peroxidation of lipids, changes in protein structure, DNA strand breaks, mitochondrial damage, and cell death. Key enzymatic antioxidants with ROS scavenging ability comprised of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POD), and glutathione reductase (GR), and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems including alpha-tocopherol, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, ascorbate, and glutathione play vital role in detoxification and maintaining plant health by balancing redox reactions and reducing the level of ROS. This review provides compelling evidence that phytotoxicity of nanoparticles, is mainly caused by overproduction of ROS after exposure. In addition, the present review also summarizes the intrinsic detoxification mechanisms in plants in response to nanoparticles accumulation within plant cells.
PubMed: 38889532
DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108847 -
Physiological Reports Jun 2024Pancreatic β-cell mass is a critical determinant of insulin secretion. Severe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress causes β-cell apoptosis; however, the mechanisms of...
Pancreatic β-cell mass is a critical determinant of insulin secretion. Severe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress causes β-cell apoptosis; however, the mechanisms of progression and suppression are not yet fully understood. Here, we report that the autocrine/paracrine function of insulin reduces ER stress-induced β-cell apoptosis. Insulin reduced the ER-stress inducer tunicamycin- and thapsigargin-induced cell viability loss due to apoptosis in INS-1 β-cells. Moreover, the effect of insulin was greater than that of insulin-like growth factor-1 at physiologically relevant concentrations. Insulin did not attenuate the ER stress-induced increase in unfolded protein response genes. ER stress did not induce cytochrome c release from mitochondria. Mitochondrial hyperpolarization was induced by ER stress and prevented by insulin. The protonophore/mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation uncoupler, but not the antioxidants N-acetylcysteine and α-tocopherol, exhibited potential cytoprotection during ER stress. Both procaspase-12 and cleaved caspase-12 levels increased under ER stress. The caspase-12 inhibitor Z-ATAD-FMK decreased ER stress-induced apoptosis. Caspase-12 overexpression reduced cell viability, which was diminished in the presence of insulin. Insulin decreased caspase-12 levels at the post-translational stages. These results demonstrate that insulin protects against ER stress-induced β-cell apoptosis in this cell line. Furthermore, mitochondrial hyperpolarization and increased caspase-12 levels are involved in ER stress-induced and insulin-suppressed β-cell apoptosis.
Topics: Insulin-Secreting Cells; Apoptosis; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; Animals; Insulin; Caspase 12; Rats; Mitochondria; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; Cell Survival
PubMed: 38884322
DOI: 10.14814/phy2.16106 -
BMC Plant Biology Jun 2024Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are emerging contaminants of increasing concern due to their presence in the environment, with potential impacts on ecosystems and...
BACKGROUND
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are emerging contaminants of increasing concern due to their presence in the environment, with potential impacts on ecosystems and human health. These substances are considered "forever chemicals" due to their recalcitrance to degradation, and their accumulation in living organisms can lead to varying levels of toxicity based on the compound and species analysed. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the possible transfer of PFASs to humans through the consumption of edible parts of food plants. In this regard, to evaluate the potential toxic effects and the accumulation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in edible plants, a pot experiment in greenhouse using three-week-old basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) plants was performed adding PFOA to growth substrate to reach 0.1, 1, and 10 mg Kg dw.
RESULTS
After three weeks of cultivation, plants grown in PFOA-added substrate accumulated PFOA at different levels, but did not display significant differences from the control group in terms of biomass production, lipid peroxidation levels (TBARS), content of α-tocopherol and activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) and guaiacol peroxidase (POX) in the leaves. A reduction of total phenolic content (TPC) was instead observed in relation to the increase of PFOA content in the substrate. Furthermore, chlorophyll content and photochemical reflectance index (PRI) did not change in plants exposed to PFAS in comparison to control ones. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis revealed an initial, rapid photoprotective mechanism triggered by PFOA exposure, with no impact on other parameters (F/F, ΦPSII and qP). Higher activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) in plants treated with 1 and 10 mg Kg PFOA dw (30 and 50% to control, respectively) paralleled the accumulation of PFOA in the leaves of plants exposed to different PFOA concentration in the substrate (51.8 and 413.9 ng g dw, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Despite of the absorption and accumulation of discrete amount of PFOA in the basil plants, the analysed parameters at biometric, physiological and biochemical level in the leaves did not reveal any damage effect, possibly due to the activation of a detoxification pathway likely involving GST.
Topics: Ocimum basilicum; Caprylates; Plant Leaves; Photosynthesis; Fluorocarbons; Oxidative Stress; Lipid Peroxidation
PubMed: 38877484
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05269-0 -
Medicine Jun 2024Previous observational studies revealed controversy about the effect of circulating antioxidants on risk of alopecia. In the present study, we investigated the causal...
Previous observational studies revealed controversy about the effect of circulating antioxidants on risk of alopecia. In the present study, we investigated the causal relationships between diet-derived circulating antioxidants and 2 non-scarring alopecia using Mendelian randomization (MR). Instrumental variables for antioxidants (lycopene, retinol, ascorbate, β-carotene, α-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol) were selected from published studies. Data for alopecia areata (AA) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA) was obtained from the FinnGen study project (R9 released in 2023), including 195 cases and 201,019 controls for AGA and 682 cases and 361,140 controls for AA. We used the inverse variance weighted method as the primary MR method. Three additional methods were used as sensitivity analysis to validate the robustness of the results. We found a causal relationship between absolute β-carotene levels and AGA risk (P = .039), but not with AA (P = .283). The results of Wald ratio showed a protective effect of absolute β-carotene levels against AGA, with per 0.1 ln-transformed β-carotene being associated with a 76% lower risk of AGA (OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.06-0.93). Based on the fixed effects inverse variance weighting results, we found that α-tocopherol was protective against both AGA (P = .026) and AA (P = .018). For each unit increase in α-tocopherol, the effects of change in AGA and AA were 0.02 (95% CI: 0.00-0.61) and 0.10 (95% CI: 0.01-0.67), respectively. The results did not reveal any other causal relationships. Our study identified 3 causal associations of antioxidants with the risk of non-scarring alopecia. These results provide new insights into the prevention of non-scarring alopecia through diet.
Topics: Humans; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Alopecia; Diet; alpha-Tocopherol; Female; Male; Alopecia Areata; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38875426
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038426