The role of epigenetics in endothelial cell senescence is a cutting-edge topic in ageing research. However, little is known of the relative contribution to pro-senescence signal propagation provided ...by microRNAs shuttled by extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from senescent cells. Analysis of microRNA and DNA methylation profiles in non-senescent (control) and senescent (SEN) human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and microRNA profiling of their cognate small EVs (sEVs) and large EVs demonstrated that SEN cells released a significantly greater sEV number than control cells. sEVs were enriched in miR-21-5p and miR-217, which target DNMT1 and SIRT1. Treatment of control cells with SEN sEVs induced a miR-21/miR-217-related impairment of DNMT1-SIRT1 expression, the reduction of proliferation markers, the acquisition of a senescent phenotype and a partial demethylation of the locus encoding for miR-21. MicroRNA profiling of sEVs from plasma of healthy subjects aged 40-100 years showed an inverse U-shaped age-related trend for miR-21-5p, consistent with senescence-associated biomarker profiles. Our findings suggest that miR-21-5p/miR-217 carried by SEN sEVs spread pro-senescence signals, affecting DNA methylation and cell replication.
There is growing evidence supporting a possible role for metabolic syndrome and its determinants, such as dyslipidemia, in uterine fibroid (UF) pathogenesis. The present study aims to investigate the ...association between UFs and visceral and subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), lipid profile, and oxidative and antioxidative status.
In this cross-sectional study, 35 patients diagnosed with UFs and 15 women without UFs were enrolled. Clinical history and anthropometric parameters were collected for every woman. Characteristics of UFs, preperitoneal fat thickness (PFT), and SFT were assessed ultrasonically. Lipid profile, glucose, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were evaluated on plasma from participants.
Women with UFs showed a significantly increased PFT (11.63 ± 3.39 vs 7.01 ± 3.10 mm; P < .001), lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; 45.4 ± 8.3 vs 57.2 ± 13.4 mg/dL; P = .017), higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; 92.3 ± 21.5 vs 72.0 ± 14.6 mg/dL; P = .007), and oxidized LDL (65.2 ± 20.7 vs 43.0 ± 11.3 U/L; P = .002). In patients, TBARs concentration was significantly higher (9.41 ± 6.49 vs 2.92 ± 1.65 nmol malondialdehyde/100 μg prot; P < .001), whereas SOD activity was lower (1.09 ± 0.19 vs 1.37 ± 0.41 U/μL; P = .005). Preperitoneal fat thickness was positively associated with body mass index, oxidized LDL, and TBARs. At multivariate analysis, PFT and HDL-C maintained a significant correlation with the diagnosis of UFs.
Chronic inflammation triggered and sustained by visceral fat could play a determinant role in cell differentiation and proliferation processes, necessary for the development of UFs. Alterations in cholesterol fractions may be explained as a consequence of the increased visceral fat deposits and can reflect an increased risk of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with UF.
Abstract
Aims
Macro- and microvascular complications are currently the principal causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus. Aim of this study was to determine if type 2 ...diabetic patients with nephropathy and coronary artery disease showed altered platelet-derived nitric oxide (NO) production, compared with diabetic subjects without complications, and if this alteration is also present in their diabetic offspring.
Methods
In this case-control observational study, platelet NO and peroxynitrite content was determined on plasma from 60 male adult type 2 diabetic patients and 60 male offspring type 2 diabetic patients. Plasmatic levels of homocysteine were also determined in the same individuals. Moreover, Western blot analysis of platelet lysates was performed with specific monoclonal antibody for endothelial (eNOS) and inducible (iNOS) nitric oxide synthase.
Results
Our study showed a lower piastrinic production of NO in the group of parents without complications (ADH), compared with the group of offspring without complications (YDH) and with the groups of parents with complications. Furthermore, we observed a lower synthesis of peroxynitrite in platelets from the ADH group than in the groups of patients with complications, and in the YDH group compared with all other groups. Subjects from YDH group also showed lower iNOS expression, compared with all other groups.
Conclusions
Our data suggest that alterations in nitric oxide metabolism may represent potential risk factors in type 2 diabetes complications, such as nephropathy and cardiovascular diseases, leading to development of new therapeutic strategies in order to delay and prevent the onset of such complications.
Aim Chest computed tomography (CT) scan is useful to evaluate the type and extent of lung lesions in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pneumonia. This study explored the association between ...radiological parameters and various circulating serum‐derived markers, including microRNAs, in older patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia. Methods A retrospective analysis was designed to study geriatric patients (≥75 years) with COVID‐19 pneumonia, who underwent chest CT scan on admission, and for whom clinical data and serum samples were obtained. To quantify the extent of lung involvement, CT‐score, the percentage of healthy lung (HL%), the percentage of ground glass opacity (GGO%), and the percentage of lung consolidation were assessed using computer‐aided tools. The association of these parameters with two circulating microRNAs, miR‐483‐5p and miR‐320b, previously identified as biomarkers of mortality risk in COVID‐19 geriatric patients, was tested. Results A total of 73 patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia were evaluable (median age 85 years; interquartile range 82–90 years). Among chest CT‐derived parameters, the percentage of lung consolidation (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02–1.14), CT‐score (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03–1.25), and HL% (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95–0.99) emerged as significant predictors of mortality, whereas non‐significant trends toward increased mortality were observed in patients with higher GGO%. We also found a significant positive association between serum miR‐483‐5p and GGO% (correlation coefficient 0.28; P = 0.018) and a negative association with HL% (correlation coefficient −0.27; P = 0.023). Conclusions Overall, the extent of lung consolidation can be confirmed as a prognostic parameter of COVID‐19 pneumonia in older patients. Among various serum‐derived markers, miR‐483‐5p can help in exploring the degree of lung involvement, due to its association with higher GGO% and lower HL%. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••–•• .
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of body mass index (BMI) and ultrasound-estimated visceral adipose tissue deposits on oocyte quality and pregnancy rate in women undergoing ...Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures. The study included 58 women who underwent ART procedures. According to their BMI, the women were divided into normal weight and overweight/obese; an ultrasound evaluation of preperitoneal fat thickness (PFT) was also performed for each patient. The oocyte quality was then assessed, and samples of follicular fluid were collected from each woman, in order to evaluate the intrafollicular concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as markers of oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) as markers of chronic inflammation. A negative correlation was found between BMI (as well as PFT) and the number of retrieved oocytes (r = −0.3; p <0.05 and r = −0.5; p < 0.001, respectively), good quality oocytes (r = −0.4; p = <0.05) and obtained embryos (r = −0.3; p < 0.05). In women undergoing ART procedures, BMI and PFT negatively influence the number of oocytes retrieved and their quality. However, on multivariable analysis, only age, PFT and number of retrieved oocytes affect the success rate of ART procedures.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
There is a general interest in understanding how the consumption of tea impacts cardiovascular function in individuals at risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). The current review focuses ...on evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting on associations between tea consumption and endothelial function, in the primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD).
PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases/search engines were used to identify eligible studies. Included studies had to report on the impact of tea supplementation of endothelial function or CAD related markers. In addition to flow-mediated dilation (FMD), makers of oxidative stress and inflammation such as oxidized low-density lipoprotein and C-reactive protein were considered as determinants of endothelial function. A total of 34 RCTs met the inclusion criteria, and these reported on the impact of tea consumption on endothelial function in individuals at risk of CVD or patients with CAD.
The current qualitative synthesis of literature demonstrates that beyond enhancing nitric oxide bioavailability and lowering blood pressure, regular consumption of tea and its active ingredients such as epigallocatechin gallate may be beneficial in reducing markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Moreover, the reduction of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and C-reactive protein levels, could be a sign of improved endothelial function in individuals at increased risk of developing CVD.
The cumulative evidence also suggests that the development of epigallocatechin gallate as a nutraceutical or enriching foods with this bioactive compound could be a feasible strategy to improve endothelial function and lower CVD-risk. However, well-designed RCTs are still necessary to confirm long-term benefits of tea consumption on vascular health.
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