Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mengjuan Wei, Tianyu Zhang, Hao Ouyang, Zhenlin Huang, Bin Lu, Jian Li, Hong Xu, Zhengtao Wang, Lili Ji
Summary: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease associated with metabolic syndrome. This study investigates the role of hepatic vascular endothelial dysfunction in liver steatosis, an early stage of NAFLD. Results show that the reduced expression of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) is accompanied by liver steatosis and elevated serum insulin levels. Insulin decreases VE-cadherin expression and causes endothelial barrier breakdown. Activation of nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) positively correlates with VE-cadherin expression, and erianin, a natural compound, alleviates liver steatosis by promoting Nrf2-mediated VE-cadherin expression.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tieshan Teng, Shuai Qiu, Yiming Zhao, Siyuan Zhao, Dequan Sun, Lingzhu Hou, Yihang Li, Ke Zhou, Xixi Yu, Changyong Yang, Yanzhang Li
Summary: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is strongly correlated with obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and genetic components. The disease progression includes non-alcoholic fatty liver, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and liver cirrhosis, with different clinical phenotypes. There is currently no FDA-approved medication specifically for treating NAFLD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sebastian Zenovia, Carol Stanciu, Catalin Sfarti, Ana-Maria Singeap, Camelia Cojocariu, Irina Girleanu, Mihaela Dimache, Stefan Chiriac, Cristina Maria Muzica, Robert Nastasa, Laura Huiban, Tudor Cuciureanu, Anca Trifan
Summary: This study evaluated hepatic steatosis and fibrosis levels in 181 patients with NAFLD using VCTE and CAP, and found associations between metabolic components and these liver conditions. The assessment of steatosis and fibrosis using VCTE and CAP should be performed in all patients with NAFLD.
Article
Neurosciences
Johan Svensson, Maria Blomqvist, Petronella Kettunen, Carl Eckerstrom, Marcus Henricsson, Michael Jonsson, Maria Bjerke, Jan-Eric Mansson, Anders Wallin
Summary: This study investigated the diagnostic utility of CSF ST levels in subcortical small vessel type of dementia (SSVD). The results showed a correlation between CSF ST levels and WMH volume, but there was no significant difference in CSF ST levels between dementia groups and controls, suggesting that CSF total ST level may not be an ideal biomarker of demyelination in SSVD. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying the correlation between CSF ST levels and CSF/serum albumin ratio.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Eric Hajduch, Floriane Lachkar, Pascal Ferre, Fabienne Foufelle
Summary: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a common chronic liver disease, with increasing prevalence in Western countries due to the obesity epidemic. Liver fat accumulation and the synthesis of specific lipid species, particularly ceramides, have deleterious effects on hepatic metabolism, a phenomenon known as lipotoxicity.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Rosanna Villani, Pierluigi Lupo, Moris Sangineto, Antonino Davide Romano, Gaetano Serviddio
Summary: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic disease affecting up to 38% of the general population, with various risk factors such as genetic predisposition and high-calorie diets. Liver biopsy, the traditional method for NAFLD diagnosis, has limitations due to potential complications and sampling variability. Non-invasive assessment methods using serum biomarkers and liver stiffness quantification have emerged as a new frontier in NAFLD management. This article provides a state-of-the-art summary on ultrasound-based techniques and their optimal cut-off values for staging liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Theodore R. Rieger, Richard J. Allen, Cynthia J. Musante
Summary: This study developed a Quantitative Systems Pharmacology model of human hepatocyte lipid metabolism, which can generate a virtual population of patients and determine the best points of intervention for reducing hepatic steatosis.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Theodore R. Rieger, Richard J. Allen, Cynthia J. Musante
Summary: This study developed a Quantitative Systems Pharmacology model of human hepatocyte lipid metabolism for simulating anti-steatotic therapies. The model was validated by generating a virtual population of NAFLD patients and simulating treatment responses. Results suggest that limiting non-esterified fatty acid flux from adipose tissue to the liver is the most effective method for reducing hepatic steatosis.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Salim Elyas, Damilola Adingupu, Kunihiko Aizawa, Francesco Casanova, Kim Gooding, Jonathan Fulford, Dave Mawson, Phillip E. Gates, Angela C. Shore, David Strain
Summary: In addition to hypertension, microalbuminuria, arterial stiffness, vascular reactivity, and cerebrovascular resistance could be potential treatment targets to halt the development or progression of cerebral small vessel disease.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Moran-Costoya, Ana M. Proenza, Magdalena Gianotti, Isabel Llado, Adamo Valle
Summary: Gender differences play a significant role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, with new research providing interesting clues for the development of new therapeutic strategies, pointing to the higher protection females have against NAFLD.
ANTIOXIDANTS & REDOX SIGNALING
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Evanthia Tourkochristou, Stelios F. Assimakopoulos, Konstantinos Thomopoulos, Markos Marangos, Christos Triantos
Summary: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) are common chronic liver diseases with worldwide distribution. The co-occurrence of both diseases has gained great research and clinical interest. Despite the organized HBV vaccinations and use of anti-viral therapies globally, HBV infection remains endemic and challenging public health issue.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Stefano Ciardullo, Tommaso Monti, Gianluca Perseghin
Summary: The prevalence of liver steatosis and fibrosis is high in patients with T2DM from the United States, with obesity being a major risk factor. Screening for these conditions among patients with diabetes is recommended based on the study results.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Siti Aishah Sulaiman, Vicneswarry Dorairaj, Muhammad Nafiz Haidi Adrus
Summary: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disease with a wide spectrum of liver conditions. Genetic polymorphisms play a role in NAFLD's development and progression, but there are differences in findings between populations. Understanding the genetic contribution of NAFLD is important for tailored diagnosis and management.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Dorotea Bozic, Kristian Podrug, Ivana Mikolasevic, Ivica Grgurevic
Summary: The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is high, necessitating the development of inexpensive and reliable non-invasive diagnostic tools. Controlled attenuation parameter and ultrasound techniques are widely used for assessing liver steatosis, with some methods already validated.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Mohammad Zarei, David Aguilar-Recarte, Xavier Palomer, Manuel Vazquez-Carrera
Summary: NAFLD is a chronic liver disease characterized by lipid deposits in hepatocytes, with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) beta/delta playing a crucial role in controlling liver carbohydrate and lipid metabolism to potentially hinder NAFLD progression. Activation of hepatic PPAR beta/delta through synthetic or natural ligands shows promise as a therapeutic option for managing NAFLD.
METABOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristina Bellarosa, Claudio Tiribelli
Editorial Material
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Natalia Rosso, Claudio Tiribelli
ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Loraine Kay D. Cabral, Pablo J. Giraudi, Gianluigi Giannelli, Francesco Dituri, Roberto Negro, Claudio Tiribelli, Caecilia H. C. Sukowati
Summary: This study aimed to identify potential therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) heterogeneity. In silico analysis identified 16 proto-oncogenes as potential pharmacological targets. In vitro experiments evaluated the effect of three treatment modalities on the expression of the proto-oncogene targets. The results showed that certain targets were consistently upregulated in HCC cells, and different treatments had varying effects on these targets, suggesting that targeting cellular heterogeneity may be important for HCC therapy.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Endrit Shahini, Giuseppe Pasculli, Antonio Giovanni Solimando, Claudio Tiribelli, Raffaele Cozzolongo, Gianluigi Giannelli
Summary: HCC is the most common primary liver cancer, and its mortality rate is increasing globally. Early diagnosis is critical, and combining novel biomarkers with traditional ones can enhance HCC detection sensitivity. Developing new diagnostic tools and prognostic scores may improve patients' survival.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mauro Giuffre, Rita Moretti, Claudio Tiribelli
Summary: The human gut microbiome is important for human health and is the subject of increasing research. Omics-based methods, such as metagenomics and metabolomics, are commonly used for studying the gut microbiome due to their ability to provide high-throughput and high-resolution data. However, there are challenges in using machine learning-based approaches to analyze the relationship between microbiota and disease, such as small sample sizes and inconsistent experimental protocols. Efforts are being made to address these challenges, including the construction of data repositories and improved data transparency guidelines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
John Paul Llido, Emanuela Fioriti, Devis Pascut, Mauro Giuffre, Cristina Bottin, Fabrizio Zanconati, Claudio Tiribelli, Silvia Gazzin
Summary: Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia can lead to brain damage and cause motor, cognitive, and auditory abnormalities. Bilirubin has been found to control the genetic development of the cerebellum, which is susceptible to bilirubin-induced damage. This study expands the research on the impact of bilirubin on postnatal brain development in regions that correlate with human symptoms. The findings show temporary alterations in gene expression in areas related to memory, learning, cognition, and auditory functions, but permanent changes in areas controlling movements, which coincide with clinical descriptions of bilirubin-induced neurotoxicity.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mauro Giuffre, Rita Moretti
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caecilia Sukowati, Loraine Kay D. Cabral, Beatrice Anfuso, Francesco Dituri, Roberto Negro, Gianluigi Giannelli, Claudio Tiribelli
Summary: This study investigates the potential of a combination strategy using immunotherapy and epigenetic reprogramming against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The results show that combination therapy of PD-L1 silencing and 5-AZA treatment can effectively inhibit the growth of HCC cells, indicating its potential use as a treatment for heterogeneous HCC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
John Paul Llido, Sri Jayanti, Claudio Tiribelli, Silvia Gazzin
Summary: Cellular redox status plays a crucial role in brain physiology and pathology. Physiological aging disrupts cellular redox balance and reduces antioxidant defenses, making the central nervous system more vulnerable to diseases. Lifestyle changes to reduce free radical accumulation and antioxidant supplementation are highly recommended for brain health. Bilirubin, an endogenous antioxidant, has multiple roles as a biomarker of disease resistance, predictor of mortality, and promoter of health in adults. Changes in bilirubin production and blood levels are frequently observed in neurological conditions and neurodegenerative diseases in aging, potentially influencing disease progression. Understanding the role of bilirubin in these diseases will provide insights for therapeutic manipulation.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Giovanna Mangiapane, Devis Pascut, Emiliano Dalla, Giulia Antoniali, Monica Degrassi, Lory Saveria Croce, Veronica De Sanctis, Silvano Piazza, Giulia Canarutto, Claudio Tiribelli, Gianluca Tell
Summary: This study investigates the prognostic value of APE1 in HCC and identifies miRNAs regulated by APE1 that are associated with cell proliferation, transformation, and angiogenesis. The overexpression of APE1 in HCC tissues and the correlation between specific miRNAs and lower overall survival in HCC patients are discovered.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sri Jayanti, Camilla Dalla Verde, Claudio Tiribelli, Silvia Gazzin
Summary: Dopamine, a well-known neurotransmitter, plays a crucial role in Parkinson's disease and various mental and physical activities. Inflammation is recognized as a risk factor for neuronal malfunctioning and cell death in neurodegenerative diseases. Bilirubin, an endogenous defense, has been found to possess anti-inflammatory activity and prevent dopamine neuron demise. This review aims to understand the links between dopamine, inflammation (specifically TNFa), and bilirubin as an anti-inflammatory and explore strategies to preserve dopamine homeostasis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)