Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Annalisa Geraci, Riccardo Calvani, Evelyn Ferri, Emanuele Marzetti, Beatrice Arosio, Matteo Cesari
Summary: During aging and menopausal transition, women experience progressive muscle degeneration, leading to an increased risk of sarcopenia. Estradiol plays a crucial role in skeletal muscle function by stimulating satellite cell proliferation and limiting inflammatory stress damage. Estradiol Replacement Therapy, combined with nutrition and physical activity programs, can be a valuable tool in treating sarcopenia in women.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Flavia Tramontana, Sofia Battisti, Nicola Napoli, Rocky Strollo
Summary: Gender disparities in COVID-19 severity may be influenced by sex hormones like estrogen and androgen, which regulate pathogenic elements such as virus entry factors and immune responses. Understanding the role of sex hormones in COVID-19 could lead to targeted therapeutic interventions and personalized medicine based on gender.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jelena Dukic, Ulrike Ehlert
Summary: This study aimed to establish an overview of sex steroid secretion patterns during the peripartum and understand their contribution to maternal and fetal pathologies. The findings revealed a progressive increase in sex steroids levels during pregnancy, but with wide variations in measurement results. The current knowledge on the association between sex steroids and pathologies is mainly based on correlational studies, and causality remains unclear.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shailendra Kumar Mishra, Vyshnavy Balendra, Josephine Esposto, Ahmad A. Obaid, Ricardo B. Maccioni, Niraj Kumar Jha, George Perry, Mahmoud Moustafa, Mohammed Al-Shehri, Mahendra P. Singh, Anmar Anwar Khan, Emanuel Vamanu, Sandeep Kumar Singh
Summary: Aging is a progressive physiological change in organisms, leading to alterations in normal biological functions and eventual cellular senescence. Nine hallmarks characterize this process, which are risk factors for diseases like cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Research focuses on genetic pathways and biological processes related to these hallmarks to address therapeutic approaches aimed at slowing down aging.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yinliang Guo, Jia-Tian Lu, Runting Fang, Yang Jiao, Jiaqi Liu, Tuoping Luo
Summary: Veratrum alkaloids are highly complex steroidal alkaloids with intricate structural and stereochemical features, exhibiting diverse pharmacological activities. A new synthetic pathway has been developed to access this natural product family, leading to the first total synthesis of (-)-zygadenine. Key steps in this synthetic route include a stereoselective intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction and a radical cyclization, followed by a meticulously designed sequence of redox manipulations to achieve the de novo synthesis of this highly oxidized Veratrum alkaloid.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lei Wu, Xinqiang Xie, Tingting Liang, Jun Ma, Lingshuang Yang, Juan Yang, Longyan Li, Yu Xi, Haixin Li, Jumei Zhang, Xuefeng Chen, Yu Ding, Qingping Wu
Summary: Aging is closely related to human diseases, but its biological mechanism remains unclear. This review summarizes multi-omics methods and highlights the importance of integrating different omics technologies to reveal the interactions among aging molecules from a multidimensional perspective. The findings provide new insights into the discovery of aging biomarkers, understanding the mechanism of aging, and identifying novel targets for antiaging interventions.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Suzanne P. Stam, Annet Vulto, Michel J. Vos, Michiel N. Kerstens, Abraham Rutgers, Ido Kema, Daan J. Touw, Stephan J. L. Bakker, Andre P. van Beek
Summary: This study aims to re-examine the clinical bioequivalence and dose effects of the widely used synthetic corticosteroids, prednisolone and dexamethasone. A double-blind, randomised cross-over clinical trial involving 24 healthy volunteers will be conducted to evaluate the differences in cortisol excretion and other secondary endpoints between the two drugs. The results of this study will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Dragana Lovre, Kristin Bateman, Mya Sherman, Vivian A. Fonseca, John Lefante, Franck Mauvais-Jarvis
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of short-term E2 and P4 therapy in mitigating disease severity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will assess patient improvement on the WHO scale over 28 days as the primary outcome.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Donghui Zhu, Axel Montagne, Zhen Zhao
Summary: AD is a neurodegenerative disease, with studies showing gender differences in risk and progression. The higher risk and progression of AD in women are largely attributed to distinct biological mechanisms, such as deviations in brain structure and biomarkers, psychosocial stress responses, genetic background, and more.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lulu Gao, Xudong Liu, Xiaoyan Luo, Xiaofan Lou, Pusen Li, Xian Li, Xiaomeng Liu
Summary: Aging is influenced by various factors and has led to an increase in aging-related diseases globally. Natural products have been used for a long time and have been proven to have antiaging effects through various cellular pathways. This article reviews several natural products with potential antiaging properties and highlights their cellular and molecular mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Marina Averyanova, Polina Vishnyakova, Svetlana Yureneva, Oksana Yakushevskaya, Timur Fatkhudinov, Andrey Elchaninov, Gennady Sukhikh
Summary: This article explores the effects of sex hormones and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on the immune system in COVID-19 infections, discussing their regulatory mechanisms and impact on disease outcomes. The complex relationship between sex hormones and immune function, as well as the important role MHT plays in enhancing antiviral resistance and attenuating inflammatory responses, are highlighted.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Marzia Pezzolato, Elena Biasibetti, Marilena Gili, Cristiana Maurella, Alessandro Benedetto, Marianna Marturella, Federica Ostorero, Giancarlo Bozzo, Claudio Bellino, Antonio D'angelo, Flaminia Valentini, Francesca Roberti, Maurizio Fiori, Paolo Stacchini, Elena Bozzetta
Summary: The aim of this study was to verify if veal calves housed under controlled conditions still have physiological levels of natural steroid hormones and if this affects the normal histological pattern of growth promoters in target organs.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Xuezhong Xu, Mingyang Xue, Yang Jie, Hailong Zheng, Zhifei Che
Summary: This study successfully predicted the risk of diabetes using machine learning algorithms based on multiple variables of 8,504 individuals aged 50 years or older. These findings can help physicians identify high-risk patients early on and implement targeted interventions to reduce the incidence of diabetes.
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Eirik asen Roys, Nora Alicia Guldhaug, Kristin Viste, Graham Dallas Jones, Bashir Alaour, Marit Sverresdotter Sylte, Janniche Torsvik, Ralf Kellmann, Heidi Strand, Elvar Theodorsson, Michael Marber, Torbjorn Omland, Kristin Moberg Aakre
Summary: This study estimated the within-subject biological variation (CVI) for several endocrine biomarkers using three different methods. The results showed that similar CVI data were obtained using both direct and indirect methods. The indirect approach was found to be a cost-effective alternative for obtaining CVI data applicable to local conditions.
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Pilar Cornejo Ulloa, Bastiaan P. Krom, Monique H. van der Veen
Summary: Sex steroid hormones can affect both oral microbiota and host cells, potentially leading to oral health problems. Current research mainly focuses on the impact of hormonal changes on oral microorganisms, while broader studies have suggested new hypotheses about the effects of SSH.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chutima Jansakun, Warangkana Chunglok, Sandro Altamura, Martina Muckenthaler, Simone Staffer, Sabine Tuma-Kellner, Uta Merle, Walee Chamulitrat
Summary: Polymorphisms of iPLA2 beta/PLA2G6 are associated with body weights and blood C-reactive protein. In this study, mice with myeloid-specific and hepatocyte-specific PLA2G6 deletion were generated and phenotyped after feeding with a specific diet. Myeloid-specific deletion led to aggravation of liver inflammation and fibrosis, while hepatocyte-specific deletion provided complete protection and attenuated expression of fatty-acid uptake and lipogenesis genes. These findings suggest that PLA2G6 inactivation in specific cells plays a role in the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Vida Zhang, Supak Jenkitkasemwong, Qingli Liu, Tomas Ganz, Elizabeta Nemeth, Mitchell D. Knutson, Airie Kim
Summary: ZIP8 is a transmembrane protein that imports divalent metal ions and is highly expressed in the lung. It can transport iron and is inducible by inflammatory stimuli. This study found that ZIP8 plays a role in systemic iron homeostasis and transports iron from the airway into lung tissue, but it does not modulate the severity of inflammatory lung injury or the host defense against a common bacterial cause of pneumonia.
Article
Oncology
Stefanie V. V. Junk, Elke Schaeffeler, Martin Zimmermann, Anja Moericke, Rita Beier, Peter Schuette, Birthe Fedders, Julia Alten, Laura Hinze, Norman Klein, Andreas Kulozik, Martina U. U. Muckenthaler, Rolf Koehler, Arndt Borkhardt, Jayaram Vijayakrishnan, David Ellinghaus, Michael Forster, Andre Franke, Astrid Wintering, Christian P. P. Kratz, Martin Schrappe, Matthias Schwab, Richard S. S. Houlston, Gunnar Cario, Martin Stanulla
Summary: This study analyzed the impact of therapy-related hyperbilirubinemia on the treatment outcome of pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and identified the contributing genetic risk factors. The study found that high hyperbilirubinemia had a negative impact on treatment outcome, and the rs6744284 variant in the UGT1A gene cluster was strongly associated with the risk of hyperbilirubinemia.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Mariateresa Pettinato, Alessandro Dulja, Silvia Colucci, Valeria Furiosi, Franca Fette, Andrea U. U. Steinbicker, Martina U. U. Muckenthaler, Antonella Nai, Alessia Pagani, Laura Silvestri
Summary: The expression of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin in hepatocytes is regulated by the BMP-SMAD pathway through specific receptors and ligands. The immunophilin FKBP12 acts as a hepcidin inhibitor by blocking the ALK2 receptor and its activity can be modulated by the drug Tacrolimus. FKBP12 regulates the BMP-SMAD pathway by modulating receptor interactions and ligand responsiveness.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Corbin R. Azucenas, T. Alex Ruwe, John P. Bonamer, Bo Qiao, Tomas Ganz, Mika Jormakka, Elizabeta Nemeth, Bryan Mackenzie
Summary: Fpn is a protein expressed in the plasma membrane of macrophages, enterocytes, and hepatocytes, which mediates the transfer of cellular iron into the blood plasma. Research has shown that human Fpn does not transport manganese, but mouse Fpn may be involved in manganese metabolism. Comparative analysis of mouse and human Fpn revealed that they share identical properties in terms of substrate profile, calcium dependence, optimal pH, and hepcidin sensitivity.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Deniz Gocebe, Chutima Jansakun, Yuling Zhang, Simone Staffer, Sabine Tuma-Kellner, Sandro Altamura, Martina U. Muckenthaler, Uta Merle, Thomas Herrmann, Walee Chamulitrat
Summary: FATP4 deficiency contributes to the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice, with males showing hepatic steatosis and females showing exacerbated fibrosis.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Luca Valenti, Elena Corradini, Leon A. Adams, Elmar Aigner, Saleh Alqahtani, Marco Arrese, Edouard Bardou-Jacquet, Elisabetta Bugianesi, Jose-Manuel Fernandez-Real, Domenico Girelli, Hannes Hagstrom, Benjamin Henninger, Kris Kowdley, Guido Ligabue, Donald McClain, Fabrice Laine, Koji Miyanishi, Martina U. Muckenthaler, Alessia Pagani, Patrizia Pedrotti, Antonello Pietrangelo, Daniele Prati, John D. Ryan, Laura Silvestri, C. Wendy Spearman, Per Stal, Emmanuel A. Tsochatzis, Francesca Vinchi, Ming-Hua Zheng, Heinz Zoller
Summary: Hyperferritinaemia is often associated with metabolic dysfunction and fatty liver and is linked to an increased risk of cardiometabolic and liver diseases. The main determinants of ferritin levels in individuals with metabolic dysfunction are genetic variants that affect iron metabolism. However, there is currently a lack of validated criteria for the diagnosis and staging of metabolic hyperferritinaemia, and the benefits of iron depletion therapy remain unclear. In this article, the authors provide an overview of the relationship between hyperferritinaemia and iron accumulation in individuals with metabolic dysfunction and propose updated definitions and staging systems, highlighting research gaps and suggesting future study designs and outcome measures.
NATURE REVIEWS ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Verena Turco, Kira Pfleiderer, Jessica Hunger, Natalie K. Horvat, Kianush Karimian-Jazi, Katharina Schregel, Manuel Fischer, Gianluca Brugnara, Kristine Jaehne, Volker Sturm, Yannik Streibel, Duy Nguyen, Sandro Altamura, Dennis A. Agardy, Shreya S. Soni, Abdulrahman Alsasa, Theresa Bunse, Matthias Schlesner, Martina U. Muckenthaler, Ralph Weissleder, Wolfgang Wick, Sabine Heiland, Philipp Vollmuth, Martin Bendszus, Christopher B. Rodell, Michael O. Breckwoldt, Michael Platten
Summary: Glioblastoma, the most aggressive brain tumor type, can be treated by reprogramming myeloid cells using CDNP-R848 nanoparticles. CDNP-R848 induces tumor regression by targeting blood-borne macrophages independently of adaptive immunity.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jana Samarin, Piotr Fabrowski, Roman Kurilov, Hana Nuskova, Johanna Hummel-Eisenbeiss, Hannelore Pink, Nan Li, Vivienn Weru, Hamed Alborzinia, Umut Yildiz, Laura Grob, Minerva Taubert, Marie Czech, Michael Morgen, Christina Brandstaedter, Katja Becker, Lianghao Mao, Ashok Kumar Jayavelu, Angela Goncalves, Ulrike Uhrig, Jeanette Seiler, Yanhong Lyu, Sven Diederichs, Ursula Klingmueller, Martina Muckenthaler, Annette Kopp-Schneider, Aurelio Teleman, Aubry K. Miller, Nikolas Gunkel
Summary: A study found a set of antioxidant-capacity biomarkers (ACB) in lung cancer cell lines, which are repressed by STAT3 and STAT5A/B in sensitive cells, making them susceptible to redox-targeting and ferroptosis-inducing drugs. Low ACB expression was associated with a high level of nitric oxide instead of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is required for high replication rates. ACB expression pattern can help stratify cancer patients for clinical trials of ROS-inducing drugs.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Natalia Scaramellini, Dania Fischer, Anand R. Agarvas, Irene Motta, Martina U. Muckenthaler, Christina Mertens
Summary: Mammalian cells rely on iron for various important functions and maintaining iron homeostasis is crucial. Imbalances in iron homeostasis can lead to iron deficiencies or iron overload diseases, which require clinical attention. Treating these conditions is important to prevent cellular damage and improve patient outcomes. Recent advancements in understanding iron homeostasis mechanisms have already impacted clinical practice and are expected to further enhance patient management in the future.
Article
Hematology
Heimo Mairbaurl, Samuel Kilian, Svenja Seide, Martina U. Muckenthaler, Max Gassmann, Rukundo K. Benedict
Summary: To compensate for decreased oxygen partial pressure, high-altitude residents increase hemoglobin concentrations [Hb]. The currently used altitude adjustments (World Health Organization [WHO]) do not account for regional differences. Our analysis found that the patterns of [Hb] change with altitude vary among residents from different world regions, indicating that a region-independent correction factor for altitude may not be applicable for diagnosing abnormal [Hb]. We provide regression coefficients and reference-tables specific for different world regions and altitude ranges to improve diagnosing abnormal [Hb].
Article
Cell Biology
Sophia Walter, Christina Mertens, Martina U. Muckenthaler, Christiane Ott
Summary: Iron is an abundant trace element in the human body and plays essential roles in physiological processes. Aging disrupts iron balance and leads to iron accumulation and inflammation. Inflammation and proteolysis affect iron metabolism, aggravating iron imbalance.
MECHANISMS OF AGEING AND DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Bruno Galy, Marcus Conrad, Martina Muckenthaler
Summary: This review discusses the importance of iron in cellular functions and its tightly regulated mechanisms in mammals. Cells acquire, traffick, and export iron through various sensory and regulatory systems, and interact with systemic iron homeostasis control through multiple pathways. This knowledge is crucial for preventing diseases related to iron mismanagement.
NATURE REVIEWS MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Vivienne Theobald, Ekkehard Gruenig, Nicola Benjamin, Hans-Juergen Seyfarth, Michael Halank, Marc A. Schneider, Sarah Richtmann, Daniel Kazdal, Katrin Hinderhofer, Panagiota Xanthouli, Benjamin Egenlauf, Satenik Harutyunova, Marius M. Hoeper, Danny Jonigk, Richard Sparla, Martina U. Muckenthaler, Christina A. Eichstaedt
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the disturbance of iron metabolism and regulation of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin in patients with idiopathic and heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (I/HPAH). The results showed that iron deficiency is common in these patients, but hepcidin levels are related to the degree of iron deficiency and independent of pathogenic variants in the BMPR2 gene.
PULMONARY CIRCULATION
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Reinhard Puehringer, Martina Muckenthaler, Martin Burtscher
Summary: A study analyzed data from a large sample of male mountain guides and found that higher ferritin levels were weakly associated with lower cardiorespiratory fitness and a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors.
HIGH ALTITUDE MEDICINE & BIOLOGY
(2023)