Oxidative stress signaling in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy and the potential therapeutic role of antioxidant naringenin

Green Extraction Strategies and Bioactivity of Rheum cordatum Losinsk: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Molecular Docking Insights

This study aimed to compare the efficiency of different green extraction methods for obtaining bioactive compounds from the roots of Rheum cordatum Losinsk and to evaluate their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The presence of some important phytochemicals in the extracts obtained using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), subcritical ethanol extraction (Sbc-EtOH), and supercritical CO2 (ScCO2) extraction was determined by LC-MS/MS, and their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties were examined against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. The goal was to determine the optimal extraction conditions that maximize the yield of bioactive compounds while preserving their biological properties. Different pressures (100 bar and 400 bar) were tested in UAE extraction, different solvents and times were tested in Sbc-EtOH extraction, and different pressures were tested in ScCO2 extraction. Most of the 53 important phenolic compounds have been extracted using the ScCO2 extraction method, either exclusively or in the highest amounts. It has been observed that more and higher amounts of phenolic compounds were extracted at lower pressure. The highest antioxidant activity was exhibited by the ScCO2 extracts. Additionally, the ScCO2-100 extract obtained at 100 bar showed strong antimicrobial activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 31.25 to 250 μg/mL. Gallic acid, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, and catechin were found in extracts. Additionally, molecular docking studies against the 1QWZ, 2ANQ, 3H77, and 6QXS proteins revealed that epicatechin exhibited docking scores of -6.127, -9.479, -5.836, and -7.067 kcal/mol, respectively.

Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: What Clinicians Should Know

Diabetes has classically been associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, heart failure is now increasingly recognized as a prevalent and often first cardiovascular complication among patients with diabetes. Investigation of this epidemiological relationship has led to recognition of diabetic cardiomyopathy, or structural heart disease that develops in patients with diabetes and may lead to progressive heart failure independently of coronary artery disease or conventional cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension. Despite increased awareness, clinical management of this common cardiovascular complication remains challenging, with no consensus on its diagnosis or treatment. The lack of specific therapy has been recognized as an unmet clinical need. In this review, we summarize current understanding of the hallmark metabolic and structural changes of diabetic cardiomyopathy, appraise current tools for diagnosis and staging among patients, and describe the emerging but still preclinical data on therapeutic options.

Diabetes mellitus therapy in the light of oxidative stress and cardiovascular complications

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease requiring comprehensive pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to slow its progression and prevent or delay its micro- and macrovascular complications. Oxidative stress contributes to the development and progression of type 2 diabetes as well as to the development of its complications through several mechanisms. Therefore, therapeutic targeting of oxidative stress could aid in managing this disease and its complications. In our study, we have collected information on the most frequently used antidiabetic drugs (metformin, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors) in the EU and the USA based on their antioxidant effects. Based on our results, we can conclude that the antioxidant effects of the investigated antidiabetics may contribute significantly to the management of the disease and its complications and may open new therapeutic perspectives in their prevention.

Antifungal potential of silver nanoparticles stabilized with the flavonoid naringenin

Introduction. Fungal infections caused by yeast have increased in recent decades, becoming a major threat to public health.Hypothesis/Gap Statement. Antifungal therapy represents a challenging problem because, in addition to presenting many side effects, fungal resistance has been increasing in recent years. As a result, the search for new therapeutic agents has advanced with the use of new technologies such as nanoparticles (NPs).Aim. Synthesize, characterize and evaluate the antifungal potential of naringenin (NAR)-stabilized silver NPs.Methodology. The biosynthesis of NPs was stabilized using the NAR molecule and an aqueous solution of silver nitrate. The characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was performed using different methods, which include UV-visible spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, zeta potential measurements and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Antifungal activity was evaluated against clinical isolates of Candida albicans by determining the MIC and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC).Results. The AgNP NAR showed a colloidal appearance with an average size of 14.71 nm and zeta potential measured at -33.3 mV, indicating a highly stable suspension. XRD analysis confirmed the crystal structure. FTIR spectra showed the presence of several functional groups of plant compounds, which play an important role in the coating and bioreduction processes. The antifungal activity against C. albicans showed an MIC of 3.55 µg ml-1 and an MFC of 7.1 µg ml-1. According to the growth kinetic assay in 12 h, there was a reduction of ~50% (<3 log10). Furthermore, AgNP NAR did not show mutagenic potential.Conclusion. The AgNP NAR obtained presented ideal characteristics for biomedical applications, good stability and promising antimicrobial activity.

Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Induced by Advanced Glycation End Products on Energy Metabolism in Vascular Endothelial Cells

Introduction

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) play a critical role in the development of vascular diseases in diabetes. Although stem cell therapies often involve exposure to AGEs, the impact of this environment on extracellular vesicles (EVs) and endothelial cell metabolism remains unclear.

Methods

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were treated with either 0 ng/ml or 100 ng/ml AGEs in a serum-free medium for 48 hours, after which MSC-EVs were isolated. The EVs were characterized by morphology, particle size, and protein markers of MSC-EVs, and microRNA (miRNA) sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed miRNAs. MSC-EVs were cocultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to assess effects on cell viability, metabolic activity, oxidative stress, and antioxidant capacity. Tube formation and glucose transporter protein analyses were conducted to evaluate the angiogenic ability and glucose metabolism capacity.

Results

MSC-EVs ranged from 30 to 150 nm, which is consistent with exosomal properties. AGEs treatment reduced MSC viability but had minimal effect on EV morphology and protein markers. miRNA sequencing showed downregulation of hsa-miR-223-3p and hsa-miR-126-3p_R-1, with upregulation of hsa-miR-574-5p, implicating changes in glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation pathways. MSC-EVs treated with AGEs decreased HUVEC viability (P < 0.05), pH (P < 0.05), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) metabolism (P < 0.05), glucose metabolism (P < 0.05), while enhancing glycolysis processes, including glycolytic activity, capacity, and reserve (P < 0.05). This likely resulted from impaired mitochondrial function, including reduced ATP production, maximal respiration, basal respiration, and spare respiratory capacity (P < 0.05), or increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) (P < 0.05) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity (P < 0.05). In addition, AGEs reduced glucose transporter types 1, 3, and 4 (GLUT1, GLUT3, GLUT4), and synthesis of cytochrome c oxidase 2 expression (P < 0.05), along with angiogenic capacity (P < 0.05) in HUVECs.

Conclusion

Exposure to AGEs diminishes the therapeutic potential of MSC-derived EVs by disrupting energy metabolism and promoting metabolic reprogramming in endothelial cells. These findings suggest that adjusting the dosage or frequency of MSC-EVs may enhance their efficacy for treating diabetes-related vascular conditions. Further research is warranted to evaluate AGEs' broader impact on various cell types and metabolic pathways for improved exosome-based therapies.

Morin Ameliorates Myocardial Injury in Diabetic Rats via Modulation of Autophagy, Apoptosis, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress

Background

Morin is a flavonol with beneficial effects on diabetic-related injuries. However, the effect of morin on diabetic cardiomyopathy and its association with autophagy, apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress remains unclear. The current study aimed to reveal the mechanisms underlying morin-mediated protection against cardiac failure in diabetic rats.

Methods

Diabetic cardiomyopathy in albino Wistar rats was induced by streptozotocin (STZ). After treatment with a dose of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day orally for the next 60 days, autophagic (p62, LC3, and BECN1), apoptotic (BCL2, CASP-3, and CASP9), inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), and oxidative stress (CAT, SOD, and MDA) markers in protein and gene levels as well as cardiac function tests were measured.

Results

The findings revealed that long-term morin treatment improved weight gain, lipid and glycemic profile, hypertension, and cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in diabetic rats compared to controls (p-value<0.001). Moreover, the upregulation of BCL-2, LC3, and BECN1 along with the downregulation of p62, CASP-3, and CASP-9 revealed that morin suppressed apoptosis and promoted autophagy in the cardiac tissue of rats with diabetes (p-value<0.05). Additionally, the reduction in IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA levels and the increment of SOD and CAT activity suggested that morin decreased inflammation and apoptosis in the heart of the rat models of diabetes (p-value<0.01).

Conclusion

These results may highlight the potential properties of morin as a therapeutic strategy for diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Challenging directions in pediatric diabetes - the place of oxidative stress and antioxidants in systemic decline

Diabetes is a complex condition with a rising global incidence, and its impact is equally evident in pediatric practice. Regardless of whether we are dealing with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, the development of complications following the onset of the disease is inevitable. Consequently, contemporary medicine must concentrate on understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms driving systemic decline and on finding ways to address them. We are particularly interested in the effects of oxidative stress on target cells and organs, such as pancreatic islets, the retina, kidneys, and the neurological or cardiovascular systems. Our goal is to explore, using the latest data from international scientific databases, the relationship between oxidative stress and the development or persistence of systemic damage associated with diabetes in children. Additionally, we highlight the beneficial roles of antioxidants such as vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and other bioactive molecules; in mitigating the pathogenic cascade, detailing how they intervene and their bioactive properties. As a result, our study provides a comprehensive exploration of the key aspects of the oxidative stress-antioxidants-pediatric diabetes triad, expanding understanding of their significance in various systemic diseases.

Update on clinical and experimental management of diabetic cardiomyopathy: addressing current and future therapy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a severe secondary complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that is diagnosed as a heart disease occurring in the absence of any previous cardiovascular pathology in diabetic patients. Although it is still lacking an exact definition as it combines aspects of both pathologies - T2DM and heart failure, more evidence comes forward that declares DCM as one complex disease that should be treated separately. It is the ambiguous pathological phenotype, symptoms or biomarkers that makes DCM hard to diagnose and screen for its early onset. This re-view provides an updated look on the novel advances in DCM diagnosis and treatment in the experimental and clinical settings. Management of patients with DCM proposes a challenge by itself and we aim to help navigate and advice clinicians with early screening and pharmacotherapy of DCM.

Extraction, purification, structural characteristic, health benefit, and product application of the polysaccharides from bamboo shoot: A review

Bamboo shoot is a kind of widely distributed natural green vegetable, which has a long history of consumption and cultivation, and has edible, nutritional and economic value. Bamboo shoot is nutrient-rich food with carbohydrates, fats, proteins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, alkaloids and other chemical components, can meet the body's needs. Notably, bamboo shoot polysaccharides are the most attractive saccharides, most of which are water-soluble polysaccharides, and their various biological activities have been paid more attention by researchers. With the deepening of research on bamboo shoot polysaccharides, they have been found to have anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-complement activities, immunomodulatory, etc. Further research on bamboo shoot polysaccharides, their sources, molecular weights, chemical structures, monosaccharide compositions and structural characteristics are constantly explored. In order to better research and development of bamboo shoot polysaccharides, it is necessary to carry on a comprehensive arrangement. Here, the extraction and purification methods, structural characteristics, health benefits, structure-activity relationships and product applications of bamboo shoot polysaccharides were systematically reviewed. This article will deepen the understanding of bamboo shoot polysaccharides, provide knowledge base for further research on bamboo shoot polysaccharides, and expand the vision for developing related products.

Functional electrospun nanofibers: fabrication, properties, and applications in wound-healing process

Electrostatic spinning as a technique for producing nanoscale fibers has recently attracted increasing attention due to its simplicity, versatility, and loadability. Nanofibers prepared by electrostatic spinning have been widely studied, especially in biomedical applications, because of their high specific surface area, high porosity, easy size control, and easy surface functionalization. Wound healing is a highly complex and dynamic process that is a crucial step in the body's healing process to recover from tissue injury or other forms of damage. Single-component nanofibers are more or less limited in terms of structural properties and do not fully satisfy various needs of the materials. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the literature on the use of electrostatically spun nanofibers to promote wound healing, to overview the infinite possibilities for researchers to tap into their biomedical applications through functional composite modification of nanofibers for advanced and multifunctional materials, and to propose directions and perspectives for future research.