The dance of proteostasis and metabolism: Unveiling the caloristatic controlling switch

Integrative in silico and in vivo Drosophila model studies reveal the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties of red radish microgreen extract

Red radish microgreens (RRM) have gained considerable attention for their promising therapeutic potential. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their bioactivity remain inadequately characterized. This study explores the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties of RRM extract using in silico and in vivo Drosophila model analyses. The metabolite profile of the RRM extract was characterized using comprehensive metabolomics techniques, including Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Liquid Chromatography High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Furthermore, in silico analysis utilizing network pharmacology identified target proteins of RRM compounds associated with cancer, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Concurrently, in vivo experiments with Drosophila melanogaster PGRP-LBΔ (Dm PGRP-LBΔ) larvae was conducted to assess the extract's impact on immune and oxidative stress pathways. In silico analysis revealed that RRM compounds interacted with key proteins (AKT1, ESR1, MAPK1, SRC, TP53), modulating pathways related to cancer, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Molecular dynamics simulations reinforced the docking results by confirming robust binding of kaempferitrin to AKT1. In vivo studies showed that RRM extract suppressed immune-related genes (dptA, totA) through the NFκB and JAK-STAT pathways, reduced ROS levels, and selectively regulated antioxidant gene expression by enhancing sod1 while decreasing sod2 and cat. These results suggest RRM extract as a functional food for managing oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer. Further research in higher organisms and clinical settings is needed.

Chronic whole-body heat treatment in obese insulin-resistant C57BL/6J mice

AIM

This study examined the effects of hyperthermic therapy (HT) on mice fed normal chow or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 18 or 22 weeks, undergoing four or eight weekly HT sessions.

METHODS

Mice were housed within their thermoneutral zone (TNZ) to simulate a physiological response. HFD-induced obesity-related changes, including weight gain, visceral fat accumulation, muscle loss (indicative of obesity sarcopenia), glucose intolerance, and hepatic triglyceride buildup.

MAIN RESULTS

HT upregulated HSP70 expression in muscles, mitigated weight gain, normalised QUICK index, and reduced plasma HSP70 concentrations. It also lowered the H-index of HSP70 balance, indicating improved immunoinflammatory status, and decreased activated caspase-1 and proliferative senescence in adipose tissue, both linked to insulin resistance.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that even animals on a "control" diet but with insufficient physical activity and within their TNZ may experience impaired glycaemic homeostasis.

Early detection and progression of insulin resistance revealed by impaired organismal anti-inflammatory heat shock response during ex vivo whole-blood heat challenge

Chronic inflammatory diseases, e.g., obesity, cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes, progressively suppress the anti-inflammatory heat shock response (HSR) by impairing the synthesis of key components, perpetuating inflammation. Monitoring HSR progression offers predictive value for countering chronic inflammation. This study quantified HSR in high-fat diet (HFD) and normal chow (NC) mice by measuring 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) expression after heat treatment of whole blood samples. To align with human translational relevance, animals were housed within their thermoneutral zone (TNZ). Whole blood was heat-challenged weekly at 42 °C for 1-2 hours over 22 weeks, and ΔHSP70 was calculated as the difference between HSP70 expressions at 42 °C and 37 °C. Results correlated with fasting glycaemia, oral glucose tolerance test, intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test and 2-hour post-glucose load glycaemia. ΔHSP70 levels >0.2250 indicated normal fasting glycaemia, while levels <0.2125 signalled insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes onset. A logistic model (five-parameter logistic) showed progressive HSR decline, with HFD mice exhibiting earlier ΔHSP70 reduction (t1/2 = 3.14 weeks) compared with NC mice (t1/2 = 8.24 weeks), highlighting compromised anti-inflammatory capacity in both groups of mice maintained at TNZ. Remarkably, even NC mice surpassed insulin resistance thresholds by week 22, relevant as control diets confronted interventions. Observed HSR decline mirrors tissue-level suppression in obese and type-2 diabetic individuals, underscoring HSR failure as a hallmark of obesity-driven inflammation. This study introduces a practical whole-blood assay to evaluate HSR suppression, allowing assessment of glycaemic status during obesity onset before any clinical manifestation.

Too old for healthy aging? Exploring age limits of longevity treatments

It is well documented that aging elicits metabolic failures, while poor metabolism contributes to accelerated aging. Metabolism in general, and energy metabolism in particular are also effective entry points for interventions that extend lifespan and improve organ function during aging. In this review, we discuss common metabolic remedies for healthy aging from the angle of their potential age-specificity. We demonstrate that some well-known metabolic treatments are mostly effective in young and middle-aged organisms, while others maintain high efficacy independently of age. The mechanistic basis of presence or lack of the age limitations is laid out and discussed.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Sertoli Cells Adapting Through Redox and Metabolic Pathways Under Heat Stress in Goats

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Climate change-induced temperature elevations pose significant challenges to livestock reproduction, particularly affecting testicular function in small ruminants. This study investigates the acute heat-stress response in goat Sertoli cells (SCs), aiming to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying heat-induced damage to male reproductive tissues.

METHODS

SCs were isolated from testes of 4-month-old black goats and exposed to heat stress (44 °C for 2.5 h). We employed transcriptome sequencing, CCK-8 assay, electron microscopy, ROS measurement, autophagy detection, Western blot analysis, and lactate concentration measurement. Bioinformatics analyses including Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, and protein-protein interaction network analyses were performed on the transcriptome data.

RESULTS

Heat stress significantly reduced SC viability, induced oxidative stress and autophagy, and altered gene expression profiles. We identified 1231 significantly differentially expressed genes, with significant enrichment in membrane-related processes and metabolic pathways. Metabolism-related genes, including PKLR, ACOT11, and LPCT12, were significantly downregulated. Protein-protein interaction network analysis revealed ten hub genes potentially crucial in the heat-stress response: HSP90AA1, HSPA5, BAG3, IGF1, HSPH1, IL1A, CCL2, CXCL10, ALB, and CALML4.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides comprehensive insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying goat SC response to heat stress. The identified genes and pathways, particularly those related to metabolism and stress response, offer potential targets for developing strategies to mitigate heat-stress effects on livestock reproduction. These findings contribute to our understanding of climate change impacts on animal husbandry and may inform the development of heat-stress resistant livestock lines.

Subacute Effects of Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise in the Fasted State on Cell Metabolism and Signaling in Sedentary Rats

Background: Physical inactivity induces insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic imbalances before any significant changes in adiposity. Recent studies suggest that the beneficial effects of exercise can be potentiated if performed while fasting. This work aimed to compare the subacute effects of fed- and fasted-state single-bout exercise on biochemical parameters and cellular signaling in the metabolism. Methods: The animals were allocated into fed rest (FER), fasting rest (FAR), fed exercise (FEE), and fasting exercise (FAE) groups. The exercise protocol was a 30 min treadmill session at 60% of V˙O2max. The fasting groups fasted for 8 h before exercise and were killed after 12 h post-exercise. Results: Soleus glycogen concentration increased only in the fasting groups, whereas the triglyceride (TGL) content increased in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and liver in the FAE. The FAE showed decreased plasma total cholesterol concentration compared withthe FAR group. Immunocontent of HSP70, SIRT1, UCP-1, and PGC1-α did not change in any tissue investigated. Conclusions: Our results indicate that physical exercise while fasting can have beneficial metabolic effects on sedentary animals. Remarkably, in the FAE group, there was a reduction in total plasma cholesterol and an increase in the capacity of BAT to metabolize and store nutrients in the form of TGLs.