Chios mastiha essential oil exhibits antihypertensive, hypolipidemic and anti-obesity effects in metabolically unhealthy adults - a randomized controlled trial

Molecular Pathways of Rosmarinic Acid Anticancer Activity in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells: A Literature Review

Breast cancer is the most frequent type of cancer in women. Oncogenic transcription factors promote the overproduction of cellular adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokines during cancer development. Cancer cells exhibit significant upregulation of antiapoptotic proteins, resulting in increased cell survival, tumor growth, and metastasis. Research on the cell cycle-mediated apoptosis pathway for drug discovery and therapy has shown promising results. In fact, dietary phytoconstituents have been extensively researched for anticancer activity, providing indirect protection by activating endogenous defense systems. The role of polyphenols in key cancer signaling pathways could shed light on the underlying mechanisms of action. For instance, Rosmarinic Acid, a polyphenol constituent of many culinary herbs, has shown potent chemoprotective properties. In this review, we present recent progress in the investigation of natural products as potent anticancer agents, with a focus on the effect of Rosmarinic Acid on triple-negative BC cell lines resistant to hormone therapy. We highlight a variety of integrated chemical biology approaches aimed at utilizing relevant mechanisms of action that could lead to significant clinical advances in BC treatment.

Vanadium, cobalt, zinc, and rubidium are associated with markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in a Greek population with obesity

Introduction

The prevalence of obesity is rising globally, with negative effects on the socioeconomic system. As a result of its drivers which include low-grade chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and fatty acid metabolism, this phenotype develops metabolic anomalies that exacerbate its pathogenesis. It has been discovered that metals and metalloids have substantial effects on both the immune system and metabolism and are influenced by factors connected to obesity. Although there is a known connection between metals, obesity, and related metabolic disorders, it is still under research.

Methods

We determined the plasma levels of 16 metals and metalloids in 76 individuals with obesity and investigated the relationships with inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in order to clarify the processes by which metals/metalloids exhibit their effects.

Results

After adjusting for age, gender, BMI, physical activity level, smoking, the existence of metabolic abnormalities, and dietary intake of the corresponding metal, regression analysis revealed the following statistically significant associations; vanadium was negatively associated with oxLDL (Beta ± SE= -0.014 ± 0.005, p=0.007), zinc was negatively associated with leptin (Beta ± SE= -12.390 ± 5.226, p=0.025), cobalt was associated negatively with adiponectin (Beta ± SE= -0.030 ± 0.012, p=0.001) and positively with MPO (Beta ± SE= 0.002 ± 0.001, p=0.023), and rubidium was negatively associated with oxLDL (Beta ± SE= -1.139 ± 0.411, p=0.008) and positively with MPO (Beta ± SE= 0.324 ± 0.102, p=0.003).

Discussion

The aforementioned associations highlight the need for further research, demonstrating the importance of inflammation and oxidative stress in the association between metals/metalloids and obesity-related metabolic abnormalities.

Effects of a Very-Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet on the Fecal and Urinary Volatilome in an Obese Patient Cohort: A Preliminary Investigation

Several recent studies deepened the strong connection between gut microbiota and obesity. The effectiveness of the very-low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) has been measured in terms of positive impact on the host homeostasis, but little is known of the modification exerted on the intestinal metabolome. To inspect this complex relationship, we analyzed both fecal and urinary metabolome in terms of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by the GC-MS method in 25 obese patients that were under VLCKD for eight weeks. Partial least square discriminant analysis evidenced specific urinary and fecal metabolites whose profile can be considered a signature of a partial restore toward the host eubiosis. Specifically, among various keystone VOCs, the decreased concentration of four statistically significant fecal esters (i.e., propanoic acid pentyl ester, butanoic acid hexyl ester, butanoic acid pentyl ester, and pentanoic acid butyl ester) supports the positive effect of VLCKD treatment. Our pilot study results suggest a potential positive effect of VLCKD intervention affecting fecal and urinary volatilome profiles from obese patients. Meta-omics techniques including the study of genes and transcripts will help in developing new interventions useful in preventing or treating obesity and its associated health problems.