Exploring the logic and conducting a comprehensive evaluation of AdipoRon-based adiponectin replacement therapy against hormone-related cancers-a systematic review

The potential benefits of adiponectin replacement therapy extend to numerous human diseases, with current research showing particular interest in its effectiveness against specific cancer forms, especially hormone-related. However, limitations in the pharmacological use of the intact protein have led to a focus on alternative options. AdipoRon is an extensively studied non-peptidic drug candidate for adiponectin replacement therapy. While researchers have explored the efficacy and therapeutic applications of AdipoRon in various disease conditions, their effects against cancer models advanced more, with no review regarding AdipoRon's efficacy against hormone-related cancers being published. The present systematic review aims to fill this gap. Preclinical evidence was compiled from PubMed, EMBASE, COCHRANE, and Google Scholar following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and the manuscript's quality assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Checklist Critical Appraisal Tool for Systematic Reviews' Quality. The included nine studies incorporated various cell and animal models of the pancreas, gynaecological system, and osteosarcoma cancers. AdipoRon demonstrated effectiveness against pancreatic cancer by activating p44/42 MAPK, mitochondrial dysfunction, and AMPK-mediated inhibition of ACC1. In gynaecological cancers, it exhibited promising anticancer effects through the activation of AMPK, potential inhibition of mTOR, and modulation of the SET1B/BOD1/AdipoR1 signaling cascade. Against osteosarcoma, AdipoRon worked by perturbing ERK1/2 signaling and reducing p70S6K phosphorylation. AdipoRon shows promise in preclinical studies, but human trials are crucial for clinical safety and effectiveness. Caution is needed due to potential off-target effects, especially in cancer therapy with multi-target approaches. Structural biology and computational methods can help predict these effects.

Immunological dimensions of neuroinflammation and microglial activation: exploring innovative immunomodulatory approaches to mitigate neuroinflammatory progression

The increasing life expectancy has led to a higher incidence of age-related neurodegenerative conditions. Within this framework, neuroinflammation emerges as a significant contributing factor. It involves the activation of microglia and astrocytes, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and the infiltration of peripheral leukocytes into the central nervous system (CNS). These instances result in neuronal damage and neurodegeneration through activated nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing (NLR) family pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) pathways and decreased nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activity. Due to limited effectiveness regarding the inhibition of neuroinflammatory targets using conventional drugs, there is challenging growth in the search for innovative therapies for alleviating neuroinflammation in CNS diseases or even before their onset. Our results indicate that interventions focusing on Interleukin-Driven Immunomodulation, Chemokine (CXC) Receptor Signaling and Expression, Cold Exposure, and Fibrin-Targeted strategies significantly promise to mitigate neuroinflammatory processes. These approaches demonstrate potential anti-neuroinflammatory effects, addressing conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, Parkinson's Disease, and Alzheimer's Disease. While the findings are promising, immunomodulatory therapies often face limitations due to Immune-Related Adverse Events. Therefore, the conduction of randomized clinical trials in this matter is mandatory, and will pave the way for a promising future in the development of new medicines with specific therapeutic targets.

Insights into Pathogenesis, Nutritional and Drug Approach in Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review

Sarcopenia is a multifactorial condition related to the loss of muscle mass and strength due to aging, eating habits, physical inactivity, or even caused by another disease. Affected individuals have a higher risk of falls and may be associated with heart disease, respiratory diseases, cognitive impairment, and consequently an increased risk of hospitalization, in addition to causing an economic impact due to the high cost of care during the stay in hospitals. The standardization of appropriate treatment for patients with sarcopenia that could help reduce pathology-related morbidity is necessary. For these reasons, this study aimed to perform a systematic review of the role of nutrition and drugs that could ameliorate the health and quality of life of sarcopenic patients and PRISMA guidelines were followed. Lifestyle interventions have shown a profound impact on sarcopenia treatment but using supplements and different drugs can also impact skeletal muscle maintenance. Creatine, leucine, branched-chain amino acids, omega 3, and vitamin D can show benefits. Although with controversial results, medications such as Metformin, GLP-1, losartan, statin, growth hormone, and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors have also been considered and can alter the sarcopenic's metabolic parameters, protect against cardiovascular diseases and outcomes, while protecting muscles.

The Effects of Curcumin on Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an ensemble of metabolic conditions that have reached pandemic proportions worldwide. Pathology's multifactorial nature makes patient management, including lifelong drug therapy and lifestyle modification, extremely challenging. Currently, there is growing evidence about the effectiveness of using herbal supplements in preventing and controlling DM. Curcumin is a bioactive component found Curcuma longa, which exhibits several physiological and pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neuroprotective, and anti-diabetic activities. For these reasons, our objective is to systematically review the effects of Curcuma longa or curcumin on DM. Databases such as PUBMED and EMBASE were searched, and the final selection included sixteen studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The results showed that curcumin's anti-diabetic activity might be due to its capacity to suppress oxidative stress and inflammatory process. Also, it significantly reduces fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and body mass index. Nanocurcumin is also associated with a significant reduction in triglycerides, VLDL-c, total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, serum C reactive protein, and plasma malonaldehyde. Therefore, it can be considered in the therapeutic approach of patients with DM.

Is Neck Circumference As Reliable As Waist Circumference for Determining Metabolic Syndrome?

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) comprises a cluster of risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases, which are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Many studies have shown that neck circumference (NC) has validity in the measure of MS since it correlates positively with the traditional components. For these reasons, this study aimed at comparing waist circumference (WC) and NC for identifying MS parameters in patients treated at a cardiology unit. Methods: This study included 309 patients assisted in a Cardiology Unit. Biochemical and anthropometric parameters were evaluated. Correlations between neck and WC with anthropometric, biochemical, and atherogenic indices were evaluated. The diagnostic ability of neck and WC was assessed by using the receiver operating characteristics curve. Results: The patients had a mean age of 57.2 years, and 56% were men. The diagnosis of MS was present in 48% of men and 39% of women. Neck and WC showed a positive correlation with each other, and both showed positive correlations with the criteria for MS. Moreover, NC showed a positive correlation with body mass index (BMI), insulin, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)-β, and C-reactive protein. WC showed a positive correlation with BMI, HOMA of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and Castelli Index I. Both neck and WC showed the ability to identify the presence of the MS. Conclusion: Both neck and WC showed a significant correlation with several of the metabolic parameters, including some used as criteria for the diagnosis of MS. In addition, both measures demonstrated a good ability to predict MS, making these measures promising for screening patients with this syndrome.

Relação entre espessura da Artéria Carótida, Vitamina D, Perfil Glicêmico e Antropometria

O objetivo foi avaliar se a espessura íntima carotídea está associada à vitamina D, perfil glicêmico e antropométrico. Foram coletados dados pessoais, antropométricos, bioquímicos e laudo de ultrassonografia carotídea, o qual foi utilizado a fim de avaliar o espessamento em milímetros e constatar ou não placas ateroscleróticas. As variáveis estudadas foram tratadas com o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson, ANOVA e Kruskal-Wallis. A média do IMC dos 51 pacientes foi de 29,47±6,39 kg/m². A espessura carotídea foi ≥1 mm em 54,90%. Quanto à vitamina D, 41,18% apresentaram hipovitaminose. A correlação da espessura carotídea com dados antropométricos, glicemia de jejum e HbA1c foi diretamente proporcional e inversamente com os valores de vitamina D, embora sem diferença significativa. As variáveis estudadas não puderam ser associadas com diferença significativa à espessura da camada média intimal da carótida nesta amostra.

Association of Metabolic Syndrome and Hyperferritinemia in Patients at Cardiovascular Risk

AIM

To evaluate the association between parameters of hyperferritinemia (HF) and metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients at cardiovascular risk.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a cross-sectional analytical observational study that included 269 patients who attended a cardiology unit. Biochemical and anthropometric parameters were evaluated to identify the presence of HF and MS. The presence of MS was evaluated according to NCEP ATP III. Biochemical parameters (glycemia, triglycerides, HDL-c) were assessed according to the manufacturer's protocols. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure measurements were made by a trained professional. The chi-square (X ²) test, odds ratio, normality distribution (verified by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test), and Levene's test were used to analyze the variables. To evaluate the effect of MS, HF, and the interaction between MS and HF, two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed based on the homogeneity of the variances, followed by Bonferroni's post hoc comparisons. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between quantitative variables. A multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the effect of covariables. A logistic regression model was built to analyze the variables that contribute significantly to predict the outcome (HF) using the backward method.

RESULTS

Our results showed that 57% of men and 49.5% of women presented with MS; 44% of men and 11% of women presented with HF. The presence of MS and hypertriglyceridemia increase the probability of having HF by up to 2.1 and 1.88 times, respectively, while for male sex it is increased by 6.2 times. Patients with HF have higher values of C-reactive protein, ferritin, and transferrin saturation, regardless of the presence of MS. The linear regression analysis model indicated that the variables considered in this study explain less than 30% of the variation in ferritin and that the presence of MS in men is responsible for 22% of the variation in the probability of the occurrence of HF.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that hyperferritinemia is closely associated with the components of MS (positive correlation with glycemia, triglycerides levels, blood pressure, and waist circumference, and negative correlation with HDL-c values) in the studied population.