The Role of Hormones and Nutrients in Health and Disease

Dear Colleagues,

The interplay of sensory nutrients and steroid hormones has gained considerable attention for enhancing stress resilience in health and disease. Sensory nutrients, including polyphenols and the more bioavailable polyphenol-combined nanoparticles, but also vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids, have been shown to improve blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability, steroid homeostasis, and brain function, thus inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation linked to the pathogenesis of nervous system disorders. Interestingly, polyphenols display biphasic dose–response effects by activating at the minimum dose the Nrf2 pathway and the downstream antioxidant proteins, heme oxygenase-1 upregulated by curcumin, and sirtuin-1 activated by resveratrol to block reactive oxygen species (ROSs) and neural toxicity. Impaired Nrf2 and steroid hormone signaling in the brain may exacerbate selective susceptibility under neuroinflammatory conditions to the onset and progression of psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression, and other neurological disorders due to the vulnerability of neurons to oxidative stress. The proposal of this Special Issue is to collect original research and review articles focused on sensory nutrients targeting the Nrf2 pathway to regulate steroid hormones and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms using innovative in vitro and in vivo technologies for the development of promising neuroprotective strategies and precise as well as personalized nutritional therapies in order to prevent or attenuate oxidative stress, inflammation, and consequently promote brain health.

Dr. Maria Scuto
Guest Editor

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• sensory nutrients
• steroid hormones
• oxidative stress
• inflammation
• Nrf2 pathway
• neurodegenerative disorders
• psychiatric diseases
• personalized nutritional therapy
• organoid technology