Postepy biochemii最新文献

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders whose etiology involves complex interactions of environmental, genetic, and neurobiological factors. The developing knowledge regarding the genesis of this disorder, along with the increasing number of diagnosed cases, creates a need to search for more effective treatment methods. One potential complementary therapy is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Its potential mechanism of action in ASD is primarily associated with its anti-inflammatory effects, modulation of neuroplasticity, and a potential impact on oxidative stress levels. Current research shows that HBOT may improve certain behavioral and cognitive factors in individuals with ASD, such as speech, communication, and psychosocial functioning. However, these results are often inconsistent due to potential adverse effects of HBOT, such as barotrauma and oxygen toxicity. This article highlights the significance of HBOT in ASD based on available literature from experimental studies conducted between 2012 and 2025.

The synthesis of organic compounds using oxidoreductive enzymes as biocatalysts is increasingly being considered as an environmentally friendly alternative to classical chemical synthesis. An example of such an enzyme, which exhibits low substrate specificity and operates under mild conditions of pH, pressure and temperature, is laccase, a versatile phenolic oxidase that uses oxygen as a natural reaction co-substrate. It can oxidise both phenolic derivatives and aromatic amines, which in homo- or heteromolecular reactions are coupled to form new organic compounds with unique properties and applications, also as biologically active molecules. Among the many bioactive substances obtained by biocatalysis, substances with antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities can be distinguished. Especially the latter are of great value in the context of the search for new therapeutic compounds that can overcome the phenomenon of bacterial drug resistance.

There is growing interest in flavonoids as bioactive components of functional foods. Flavonoids are a broad group of natural polyphenolic compounds that perform many important biological functions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and cardioprotective effects. Given the rising incidence of cardiovascular disease, consuming foods containing flavonoids as a preventive factor is particularly important. These compounds are primarily sourced from fruits such as chokeberry, blackcurrant, apples, hawthorn, lemons, and red grapes. Flavonoids with documented cardioprotective effects have been identified in these foods, including catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, rutin, apigenin, luteolin, naringenin, and hesperetin. Precise identification and characterization of flavonoids requires the use of appropriate analytical methods. High-performance liquid chromatography remains one of the most commonly used techniques in qualitative and quantitative analysis. The selection of extraction conditions and chromatographic parameters, such as column type, mobile phase, elution method, and detector, are crucial for ensuring selectivity and repeatability of determinations. The aim of this paper is to review the methodological aspects of flavonoid determination in selected food products used in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Flavonoid extraction methods and liquid chromatography conditions are summarized. The analyzed studies included plant materials in both fresh, freeze-dried, and frozen forms. Extracts were derived from whole plants, as well as from their flesh, peels, and leaves. This paper provides an overview of practical solutions and can be used to support planning quantitative flavonoid analyses.

TAM receptor tyrosine kinases (TYRO3, AXL, MER) and their ligands, protein S (PROS1) and growth inhibition-specific protein 6 (GAS6), play a key role in maintaining homeostasis and regulating the immune response through involvement in efferocytosis, i.e., phagocytic removal of apoptotic cells and suppression of the innate immune response. Thus, their dysfunction leads, among others, to the development of autoimmune diseases. In turn, excessive production of TAM receptors correlates with the invasive phenotype of cancer cells, metastasis, drug resistance, and poor prognosis for patients with cancer. Moreover, activation of these receptors contributes to the promotion of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and evading the immune response by cancer cells. Interestingly, recent studies suggest that these receptors are also involved in the cellular entry of viruses such as Zika or SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, in recent years, various therapeutic strategies targeting TAM receptors have been intensively developed, and their effectiveness has been assessed in numerous preclinical and clinical studies.

Glioma is one of the most aggressive brain tumors. Despite the progress made in recent years in better understanding the changes at the molecular level of glioma and in neuroimaging techniques, the survival rates of patients with glioma have not shown any significant improvement and only about 10% still survive the period of 5 years from the moment of diagnosis. An inherent feature of glioma is slow oxygenation of tumor areas (hypoxia), which supports its malignant nature, contributes to radio-chemo-resistance and, consequently, to relapse. Attempts to modulate the glioma microenvironment by increasing the content of cellular oxygen through the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) seem to be a promising, non-invasive concept complementing the basic treatment of the tumor. Although it has been used for years with good results in specialist centers in the treatment of various diseases, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness in divers, difficult-to-heal wounds, hearinglossor circulatory disorders, there is currently no consistent position on the importance of hyperbaric oxygen in cancer diseases, include in glioma.This paper reviews the results of in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical trials on the potential role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in adjuvant therapy for glioma.

In recent years, increasing attention has been devoted to cellular processes that modulate tumor progression, particularly autophagy. Current studies indicate a dual role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. In the early stages, autophagy serves a protective function by degrading damaged organelles and proteins, whereas in advanced stages, it promotes cancer cell survival. The regulation of autophagy primarily involves the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and AMPK/mTOR signalling pathways, as well as the Beclin-1/PI3K complex. Autophagy-related proteins such as LC3, p62/SQSTM1, and Beclin-1 hold significant diagnostic and prognostic value. Given the impact of autophagy on the efficacy of chemotherapy and targeted therapies, pharmacological modulation of this process has garnered increasing interest. Natural compounds, particularly polyphenols, demonstrate promising multitargeted effects on autophagy. This review comprehensively analyses the molecular mechanisms underlying autophagy in colorectal cancer and evaluates its potential as a therapeutic target.

Natural polysaccharides are a promising material for the design of drug delivery systems (DDS). Due to their properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, chemical modifiability, and specific interactions with target cells, polysaccharides enable the development of carriers with high selectivity and controlled release of active substances. They are particularly important in the context of targeted therapy for gastrointestinal cancers. This is especially relevant for colorectal cancer, one of the most common and deadly cancers, whose microenvironment is favorable for the use of DDS. Polysaccharides such as pectins, guar gum, cellulose, chitosan, cyclodextrins, and alginate demonstrate the ability to form encapsulates capable of effectively delivering chemotherapeutics directly to cancer cells, thereby reducing systemic toxicity. This article discusses the physicochemical properties of selected natural polysaccharides and presents examples of their clinical application in the treatment of colorectal cancer, highlighting their potential in the development of anticancer therapies.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease leading to progressive degeneration of motor neurons, muscle weakness and respiratory failure. Despite intensive research, the pathomechanisms of ALS have not been fully elucidated. This article presents the current state of knowledge on the genetic and molecular mechanisms of this disease, with a focus on mutations in the SOD1, C9ORF72, TARDBP, FUS, TBK1 genes, as well as recent discoveries in this area. Key pathogenetic processes are discussed, including disruption of RNA homeostasis, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and protein aggregation. In addition, current therapeutic strategies are reviewed, including both registered drugs, such as riluzole and edaravone, and modern approaches, such as gene therapy, antisense oligonucleotides, immunotherapy and gene editing technologies, including CRISPR/Cas9. Special attention was given to clinical trials and their potential impact on future treatment options for ALS.

Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by positive and negative symptoms and cognitive function disorders. Animal models are used in studies of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and in the search for new drugs. In one of the recently developed rat’s neurodevelopmental model, schizophrenic-like changes were induced by administration of buthioninesulfoximine (BSO) - an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis and a dopamine reuptake inhibitor - the compound GBR 12909 during the developmental period. Behavioral tests conducted on adult rats showed that deficits in social behavior and cognitive functions were observed in the model animals, and rats that received a combination of both compounds additionally showed positive symptoms. The usefulness of the developed model was tested by the effect of the antipsychotic drug aripiprazole and N-acetylcysteine. Behavioral tests showed that N-acetylcysteine ​​reversed the changes in the animals' behavior similarly to aripiprazole. At the biochemical level, both drugs significantly reduced the elevated concentration of bound sulfane sulfur in the hippocampus of model rats. Recent studies indicate that in the neurodevelopmental pathophysiology of schizophrenia, disturbances in the homeostasis of sulfur compounds play an important role, which are corrected by the action of drugs.

So far, three types of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors have been characterized: PPARα, PPARβ (also known as δ) and PPARγ, each characterized by different expression, localization and role. PPAR receptors regulate a number of processes, including lipid and glucose metabolism, adipogenesis and inflammation. Literature data also indicate their key role in maintaining the balance of sex hormone levels and the function of the male reproductive system. The involvement of PPAR in the male gonad has been demonstrated by their effect on the testis morphology as well as steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis, spermiogenesis and sperm motility. In the prostate, PPAR regulate lipid synthesis, mitochondrial biogenesis and the maintenance of prostate secretory functions. Disruption of PPAR signaling in the male gonad and prostate results in its structural and functional changes, which can even lead to carcinogenesis. Importantly, further exploration of the molecular mechanisms of PPAR action in the male reproductive system may contribute to understanding the course of certain pathologies and developing methods for their treatment.