Postepy biochemii最新文献

Colorectal cancer (RJG) is one of the most frequently diagnosed malignant neoplasms: approximately 1.9 million new cases are reported annually. Notwithstanding the advent of techniques for the early detection of RJG and the introduction of novel therapeutic modalities, this disease remains the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The results of recent studies highlight the role of fatty acid transporters, including fatty acid translocase/cluster of differentiation 36 (FAT/CD36), fatty acid transport proteins (FATPs), and fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs), in the pathogenesis of RJG. Changes in serum concentrations and in expression levels in tumor tissue may serve as promising biomarkers for the early diagnosis of the disease and/or the monitoring of its progression and the efficacy of its treatment. Moreover, the fatty acid carriers present a promising avenue for the development of efficacious therapies against RJG.

Pancreatic cancer is a common cancer with a very poor prognosis and aggressive course. The main reason for the highly unfavorable prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer is its long-term asymptomatic development, which results in the diagnosis being made at a stage when the cancer process is significantly advanced. Despite extensive research in the field of effective diagnosis and treatment of this cancer, patient survival rates are increasing slowly and insignificantly. Pancreatic cancer cells contain many mutations, the most frequently found of which concern the KRAS, TP53, CDKN2A, SMAD4, BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Each of these mutations is associated with specific consequences at the molecular level and translates into further cell functioning, including uncontrolled cell division. The occurrence of specific mutations influences the planning of therapeutic procedures and patient prognosis. Many mutations are associated with a hereditary predisposition to cancer, including pancreatic cancer.

Prostaglandins are hormones found in almost all mammalian tissues. As signaling molecules, they play a key role in the regulation of many physiological processes, including hair growth cycle. The article describes the history of the discovery of prostaglandins, including the work of Professor Ryszard Gryglewski – the discoverer of prostacyclin. Particular attention was paid to the synthetic analogue of prostaglandin F2α - latanoprost. Indicated for the treatment of glaucoma, the drug is known for inducing eyelash growth as a side effect. A prodrug, latanoprostis converted to its active metabolite, latanoprost acid. Recent research demonstrated that latanoprost acid has a chance to become an effective alternative to minoxidil and finasteride - the only drugs currently registered for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. The development ofanti-alopecia drugs containing prostaglandin derivatives, including latanoprost acid, will be a much faster process compared to the traditional path of product development based on a new chemical compound.

Pharmacogenomics lies at the intersection of pharmacology and genomics. It analyzes the impact of genetic variants on patient’s response to a specific drug. Pharmacogenomic tests involve the analysis of variants of genes responsible for drug metabolism, to determine the rate of drug metabolism and apply this information to clinical practice. Pharmacogenomics assists in selecting the appropriate drug and adjusting its dose to minimize side effects while maximizing the effectiveness of a drug, which accelerates the introduction of effective therapy. The prospects for its application in psychiatry are promising, although the creation of uniform recommendations is difficult due to the complexity of mental disorders and the influence of other factors, such as interactions between medications. Therefore, recommendations created by different institutions differ significantly. The aim of this article is to discuss the current possibilities of using pharmacogenomics in psychiatry and the difficulties of introducing it as a standard of psychiatric treatment.

The gut microbiota is an essential component of the proper functioning of the human body, as gut microorganisms and their metabolites strongly influence the host’s metabolism and immune functions. They also contribute to the biosynthesis of vitamins, production of gut hormones, maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity, protection against pathogens, as well as digestion and absorption of nutrients. There is increasing emphasis on the relationship between disturbances in gut microbiota composition and the onset of metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Understanding the significance of the microbiota in the course of these diseases, its composition, and activity may offer new approaches to their treatment. Increasing attention is being paid to individual species of gut bacteria, among which Akkermansia muciniphila holds a special position. A decreased number of this commensal bacterium in the gut is associated with many diseases, including obesity and diabetes.

Coronaviruses cause diseases of the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system, which threaten human health and contribute to economic losses. Innovative production technologies make it possible to use bioactive compounds as antiviral agents. Most fruits, vegetables and plant products contain flavonoids. Numerous studies have demonstrated the health-promoting effect of this group of compounds resulting from their antioxidant potential. The activity of an antioxidant in the body is the result of many factors that modulate the reactivity and physicochemical properties, among which the chemical structure is the most important. Bioinformatics tools using molecular modeling often precede research using in vitro and in vivo methods. The aim of this review is to present the mechanism of antiviral action of flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2, responsible for COVID-19. Studies using virtual molecular docking models were collected to test the affinity of flavonoids for key proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus replication cycle. Among the flavonoids with antiviral activity, the most active were apigenin, luteolin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin, hesperetin, naringenin and genistein. Food products with a high content of these compounds are indicated.

The increasing population, shrinking arable land, and climate change prompt the search for new solutions in agriculture. In a sustainable approach, agriculture should be based on improving the quality and quantity of yields while maintaining biodiversity and protecting the natural environment. Nanotechnology, present in many areas of our lives, offers opportunities to support the development of sustainable agriculture on many levels. Among the numerous solutions and nanomaterials, silicon, which is a natural component of the ecosystem, deserves special attention. In its nanoparticle form, it acquires new, unique properties. This article focuses on the significant role of silicon nanoparticles in organic farming, with particular emphasis on their function as nanofertilizers. The authors analyze the impact of silicon nanoparticles on plant growth and development and their potential in mitigating the negative effects of abiotic stress factors caused by drought, salinity, and exposure to metals. Additionally, the beneficial effects of silicon nanoparticles on plants growing under biotic stress conditions induced by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi are presented. The paper includes a review of original research results conducted in recent years in this area, as well as possible mechanisms and strategies of silicon nanoparticle action at the physiological, cellular, and molecular levels. The issue of the safety of using nanoparticles in agriculture and the prospects for their further use as a factor enhancing the resistance and productivity of crops are also discussed.

Flavonoids are a group of plant secondary metabolites that have a number of health-promoting properties and have both preventive and therapeutic effects. Research confirms that flavonoids work, among others: antiviral and anticancer. Apigenin, luteolin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin, hesperetin, naringenin, epicatechin and genistein have documented antiviral activity. The discovery of the anticancer activity of flavonoids (including apigenin, naringenin, hesperetin) initiated a number of studies to identify the most active compounds against various cancers and to understand the mechanism of their action. However, the relationship between flavonoid intake and cancer risk appears to be non-linear. Available literature data suggest that flavonoids may act as therapeutic agents in the early stages of virus infection and as an anticancer agent and should be included in the daily diet by increasing the consumption of primarily fruit (chokeberry, elderberry, cherry, mandarin), vegetables (parsley, celery, onion) and herbs and spices (mint, oregano, lovage, moringa, saffron). Flavonoids present in food are transported by passive diffusion (hydrophobic aglycones) and by active transport (hydrophilic glycosides). Individual classes of flavonoids differ in the amount they appear in food, the metabolites they produce and their possible impact on health. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the potential use of selected flavonoids in the treatment of diseases of various etiologies, with an indication of their anticancer and antiviral effects. The perspectives and possibilities of using these compounds are presented, taking into account the problems resulting from their bioavailability.

Stroke is a devastating cardiovascular disease with a high mortality rate, leading to a significant reduction in quality of life and life expectancy. Due to the complexity of the pathophysiological processes following stroke in humans, the use of animal models of stroke, in particular rodent models, is essential for the development of treatments for patients. Transient or permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) and photothrombotic models are the most commonly used to simulate ischemic stroke and are discussed in this review in detail. Furthermore, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the inflammatory and regenerative responses to stroke, executed mainly by glial cells but also by macrophages infiltrating the post-ischemic brain. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of different animal models is the basis for their further refinement, allowing for better simulation of post-stroke events and the development of new therapeutic approaches for cerebral ischemia in humans.

Vitamin C is one of the most important and necessary nutrient for human health, which has great potential as cosmeceutic, which protects health and the skin good condition. Thru the collagen biosynthesis stimulation it affects to the physiology of human skin, participating in the hydroxylation process of proline and lysine, and participates in tissue reconstruction while wound healing. Deficiency of vitamin C causes irregularities in the blood vessels functioning, epidermis and dermis. Is an effective antioxidant neutralizing free radicals, prevents inflammatory and carcinogenic processes. The epidermis and dermis are most exposed to free radicals from the external environment and from the inside of the body. In inflammatory diseases of the skin, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, in the proper skin the levels of vitamin C are reduced. Therefore, delivering it to the skin using cosmetic preparations is important not only for cosmetic, but also health effect. The problem associated with the introduction of vitamin C in cosmetics is its limited penetration through the stratum corneum. Current studies are focused on searching for stable compounds of ascorbic acid and new media, which will allow for better way of delivery of ascorbic acid to the dermis in the future.