PMID: 

Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2020 Mar 14 ;18(1):22. Epub 2020 Mar 14. PMID: 32171313

Abstract Title: 

Bisphenol A: an emerging threat to female fertility.

Abstract: 

Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been reported to be associated to female infertility. Indeed, BPA has been found to be more frequently detected in infertile women thus leading to hypothesize a possible effect of BPA on natural conception and spontaneous fecundity. In addition, in procedures of medically assisted reproduction BPA exposure has been found to be negatively associated with peak serum estradiol levels during gonadotropin stimulation, number of retrieved oocytes, number of normally fertilized oocytes and implantation. BPA deleterious effects are more critical during perinatal exposure, causing dysregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in pups and adults, with a precocious maturation of the axis through a damage of GnRH pulsatility, gonadotropin signaling and sex steroid hormone production. Further, BPA exposure during early lifestage may have a transgenerational effect predisposing the subsequent generations to the risk of developing BPA related disease. Experimental studies suggested that prenatal, perinatal and postnatal exposure to BPA can impair several steps of ovarian development, induce ovarian morphology rearrangement and impair ovarian function, particularly folliculogenesis, as well as can impair uterus morphology and function, in female adult animal and offspring. Finally, studies carried out in animal models have been reported the occurrence of endometriosis-like lesions after BPA exposure. Moreover, BPA exposure has been described to encourage the genesis of PCOS-like abnormalities through the impairment of the secretion of sex hormones affecting ovarian morphology and functions, particularly folliculogenesis. The current manuscript summarizes the evidence regarding the association between BPA exposure and female infertility, reviewing both clinical and preclinical studies.

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PMID: 

Biomed Pharmacother. 2020 Mar 12 ;126:110043. Epub 2020 Mar 12. PMID: 32172062

Abstract Title: 

Naringin protects against Bisphenol-A induced oculopathy as implication of cataract in hypertensive rat model.

Abstract: 

People who have experienced high blood pressure are at greater risk of susceptibility to other health problems including oculopathy. The patients with these experiences do not have adequate treatment and those who do; spend much funds on the drug purchase. The study examines the protective effect of naringin (NRG) against ocular impairment in-NAME induced hypertensive rat on exposure to a cellular disruptor. Fifty-six adult male albino rats were randomly distributed into eight (n = 7) groups. Group I: control animals, Group II was treated with Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (-NAME), Group III was treated with 50 mg/kg Bisphenol-A, Group IV was treated with-NAME +50 mg/kg Bisphenol-A. Group V was administered with-NAME +80 mg/kg NRG. Group VI was administered with 50 Mg/kg BPA + 80 mg/kg NRG. Group VII was administered with-NAME+50 mg/kg Bisphenol-A +80 mg/kg NRG. Lastly, group VIII was treated with 80 mg/kg NRG alone for 14 days. Naringin prevented hypertension and ocular dysfunction by depleting the activities of angiotensin-converting enzymes, arginase, aldose-reductase and phosphodiesterase-5(PDE-5) with corresponding down-regulation of inflammatory markers including TNF-α and IL-B. Moreover, ocular impairment was remarkably reduced by NRG as manifested by the decreased activities of AChE, BuChE, MAO-A and enzymes of ATP hydrolysis (ATPase, ADPase, AMPase) and adenosine deaminase with resultant increased NO level. Also, ocular expression of CD43 transcript, caspaace-9 and tumor suppressor P53 proteins were suppressed on treatment with NRG. This study corroborates the view that NRG may be a useful therapy in alleviating inflammatory markers, apoptosis and metabolic nucleotides disorders via the NOS/cGMP/PKG signaling pathways in hypertensive rat model on exposure to a cellular disruptor.

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2020 Feb 19 ;12(2). Epub 2020 Feb 19. PMID: 32092919

Abstract Title: 

Bisphenol S in Food Causes Hormonal and Obesogenic Effects Comparable to or Worse than Bisphenol A: A Literature Review.

Abstract: 

In recent years, bisphenol analogues such as bisphenol S (BPS) have come to replace bisphenol A in food packaging and food containers, since bisphenol A (BPA) has been shown to leach into food and water, causing numerous negative health effects. Unfortunately, little or no research was done to determine the safety of these BPA-free products before they were marketed to the public as a healthier alternative. The latest studies have shown that some of these bisphenol analogues may be even more harmful than the original BPA in some situations. This article used a literature survey to investigate the bisphenol analogue BPS and compare it to BPA and other analogues with regards to increased obesity, metabolic disorders, cancer, and reproductive defects; among others. It was found that BPS works via different pathways than does BPA while causing equivalent obesogenic effects, such as activating preadipocytes, and that BPS was correlated with metabolic disorders, such as gestational diabetes, that BPA was not correlated with. BPS was also shown to be more toxic to the reproductive system than BPA and was shown to hormonally promote certain breast cancers at the same rate as BPA. Therefore, a strong argument may be made to regulate BPS in exactly the same manner as BPA.

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PMID: 

Environ Pollut. 2020 Jan 14 ;262:113992. Epub 2020 Jan 14. PMID: 32126434

Abstract Title: 

Effects of chronic exposure to bisphenol-S on social behaviors in adult zebrafish: Disruption of the neuropeptide signaling pathways in the brain.

Abstract: 

Bisphenol S (BPS), considered to be a safe alternative to Bisphenol A, is increasingly used in a wide variety of consumer and industrial products. However, mounting evidence suggests that BPS can act as a xenoestrogen targeting a wide range of neuro-endocrine functions in animals. At present, very little is known about the impacts of BPS on social behaviors and/or the potential underlying mechanisms. To this end, we exposed adult male and female zebrafish to environmentally relevant concentrations of BPS (0 (control), 1, 10, and 30 μg/L), as well as to 17β-estradiol (E2; 1 μg/L; as positive control) for 75 days. Subsequently, alterations in social behaviors were evaluated by measuring shoal cohesion, group preferences, and locomotor activity. Furthermore, to elucidate the possible molecular mechanism underlying the neuro-behavioral effects of BPS, we also quantified the changes in the mRNA abundance of arginine vasotocin (AVT), isotocin (IT), and their corresponding receptors in the zebrafish brain. The results showed that E2 and BPS (30 μg/L) decreased shoal cohesion in both males and females. Moreover, a markeddecline in group preferences was observed in all treatment groups, while locomotor activity remained unaffected. Alterations in the social behaviors were associated with sex-specific changes in the mRNA expression of genes involved in IT and AVT signaling. Taken together, the results of this studysuggest that chronic exposure to BPS can impair zebrafish social behaviors via disruption of isotocinergic and vasotocinergic neuro-endocrine systems.

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PMID: 

J Biochem Mol Toxicol. 2020 Mar 15:e22492. Epub 2020 Mar 15. PMID: 32173980

Abstract Title: 

Antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and antifibrotic effects of the combination of liposomal resveratrol and carvedilol against doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in rats.

Abstract: 

The use of the cytotoxic antibiotic doxorubicin (DOXR) is limited by its dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of the combination of carvedilol (CARD) and liposomal resveratrol (LIPO RESV) against DOXR-induced cardiomyopathy in rats. The results of the present study showed that DOXR administration significantly increased heart weight/body weight ratio by 35.6%, creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) by 40.6%, troponin-I levels by 85%, and decreased reduced glutathione level and superoxide dismutase activity by 47% and 52%, respectively compared to the control group. Moreover, cardiac caspase-3 protein expression was upregulated by 51.6% vs the control group. In contrast, treatment of DOXR-administered rats with CARD, RESV, or LIPO RESV and their combination for 6 weeks improved all the above-mentioned measured parameters. In conclusion, concomitant administration of CARD and LIPO RESV exerted additive pharmacological effects in some measured parameters against DOXR-induced cardiomyopathy and this may be a useful cardioprotective strategy.

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PMID: 

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019 ;2019:2169103. Epub 2019 Nov 18. PMID: 31827546

Abstract Title: 

Ozone Exerts Cytoprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Cardiomyocytes and Skin Fibroblasts after Incubation with Doxorubicin.

Abstract: 

Introduction: Skin reactions and cardiotoxicity are one of the most common side effects of doxorubicin in cancer patients. The main mechanisms based on the etiopathogenesis of these reactions are mediated by the overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines, metalloproteases, and the disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis. Ozone therapy demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in several preclinical and clinical studies. The aim of this research is based on the evaluation of cardioprotective and dermatoprotective effects of ozone during incubation with doxorubicin, giving preliminary evidences for further studies in the field of cardio-oncology.Methods: Human skin fibroblast cells and human fetal cardiomyocytes were exposed to doxorubicin at subclinical concentration (100 nM) alone or combined with ozone concentrated from 10 up to 50 g/mL. Cell viability and multiple anti-inflammatory studies were performed in both cell lines, with particular attention on the quantification of interleukins, leukotriene B4, NF-B, and Nrf2 expressions during treatments.Results: Ozone decreased significantly the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin in skin fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes after 24 h of incubation. The best cytoprotective effect of ozone was reached to 30 g/mL with a plateau phase at higher concentration. Ozone also demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects decreasing significantly the interleukins and proinflammatory mediators in both cells.Conclusion: Ozone exerts cardioprotective and dermatoprotective effects during incubation with doxorubicin, and the involved mechanisms are mediated by its anti-inflammatory effects. The overall picture described herein is a pilot study for preclinical studies in oncology.

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PMID: 

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2020 Mar 3. Epub 2020 Mar 3. PMID: 32167952

Abstract Title: 

EFFECTIVENESS OF LED PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY ON TREATMENT WITH KNEE OSTEARTHRITIS: AN RAT STUDY.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the effectivenesses of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) by light-emitting diode (LED) on osteoarthritis (OA) treatment in the knees of rats.DESIGN: Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into two experimental groups: Animals subjected to induction of OA, without therapeutic intervention (OAC); animals subjected to induction of OA treated with LED PBMT (850 nm, 200 mW, 6 J) (OAL).RESULTS: The results of gait analysis showed no statistical difference between the groups. The histological findings showed that the OAL group presented abnormal chondrocyte orientation, yet with less irregularities along fibrillation and the joint tissue. Thus, it presented a lower degenerative process when evaluated by the OARSI. Likewise, in the immunohistochemical analysis, the OAL group showed higher collagen 2 and TGF-β immunoexpression when compared to the OAC group.CONCLUSION: Given the above, it is possible to suggest that the PBMT by LED had positive effects on the expression of ECM proteins responsible for synthesis of articular tissue.

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PMID: 

Photochem Photobiol. 2020 Mar 3. Epub 2020 Mar 3. PMID: 32125691

Abstract Title: 

Effects of photobiomodulation with low-level laser therapy on muscle repair following a peripheral nerve injury in Wistar rats.

Abstract: 

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) can lead to sensory and/or motor impairment. As a treatment photobiomodulation (PBM) has demonstrated positive effects in terms of the maintenance of muscle activation and trophism.METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control, injury, injury+PBM, injury+PBMn (irradiation over injured nerve), injury+PBMm (irradiation over affected muscle) and injury+PBMnm (irradiation over nerve and muscle). The left sciatic nerve was submitted to a crushing injury. Treatment was administered with low-level laser (780 nm, 0.04 cm, 1 W/cm, 3.2 J) over the injured nerve and/or the tibialis anterior muscle.RESULTS: The effects of PBM were favorable on muscle morphology and gene expression of calcineurin, myogenin and acetylcholine receptors.CONCLUSION: PBM led to an acceleration on muscle repair process and effects were more evident in two weeks after PNI. Thus, PBM is indicated for the area over both the injured nerve and the affected muscle.

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PMID: 

Viruses. 2019 03 1 ;11(3). Epub 2019 Mar 1. PMID: 30832226

Abstract Title: 

Low Temperature and Low UV Indexes Correlated with Peaks of Influenza Virus Activity in Northern Europe during 2010⁻2018.

Abstract: 

With the increasing pace of global warming, it is important to understand the role of meteorological factors in influenza virus (IV) epidemics. In this study, we investigated the impact of temperature, UV index, humidity, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, and precipitation on IV activity in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania during 2010⁻2018. Both correlation and machine learning analyses revealed that low temperature and UV indexes were the most predictive meteorological factors for IV epidemics in Northern Europe. Our in vitro experiments confirmed that low temperature and UV radiation preserved IV infectivity. Associations between these meteorological factors and IV activity could improve surveillance and promote development of accurate predictive models for future influenza outbreaks in the region.

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2020 Feb 27 ;12(3). Epub 2020 Feb 27. PMID: 32120794

Abstract Title: 

Effects of Lutein and Astaxanthin Intake on the Improvement of Cognitive Functions among Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Fruits and vegetables are generally rich in antioxidants such as carotenoids. Consumption of carotenoids is expected to have benefits on cognitive functions in humans. However, previous randomized controlled trials (RCT) using carotenoids have reported inconsistent results. Therefore, this systematic review (SR) aimed to summarize the effect of carotenoid intake on cognitive functions in humans.METHOD: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and PsychoINFO were searched for research papers on carotenoid intake with the criteria that 1) oral carotenoid intake was evaluated using RCTs, 2) participants were healthy young, middle-aged, or older, and 3) cognitive functions were measured using RCTs.RESULTS: Five studies using lutein and two studies using astaxanthin met the inclusion criteria. Consumption of lutein and its isomer showed consistent results in selective improvement of visual episodic memory in young and middle-aged adults while inhibition was observed in middle-aged and older adults. One of the two included astaxanthin studies reported a significant improvement of verbal episodic memory performance in middle-aged adults.CONCLUSION: This SR showed that the 10 mg lutein per day for twelve months can lead to improvement of cognitive functions. Due to the small number of studies, it is difficult to conclude whether astaxanthin would have a positive effect on cognitive functions.

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