Search Results (40,182)

Marine macroalgae are increasingly recognized as sources of bioactive compounds with potential benefits for metabolic health. This study investigated the chemical composition and metabolic effects of a 70% ethanol extract of the edible red alga Gracilaria coronopifolia in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity model in rats. Chemical profiling using liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS) identified several classes of metabolites, including sterols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and fatty acid derivatives such as palmitoleic acid, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, and quercetin. Male Wistar rats were fed an HFD for 11 weeks to induce obesity and subsequently treated with G. coronopifolia extract (40–160 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days, with semaglutide (70 µg/kg) used as a pharmacological comparator. Supplementation with the extract significantly reduced obesity-related parameters compared with untreated HFD controls. The highest extract dose (160 mg/kg) decreased final body weight from 294.8 ± 43.3 g in HFD rats to 215.2 ± 11.9 g, reduced visceral fat mass from 22.7 ± 2.37 g to 7.63 ± 1.19 g, and lowered the adiposity index from 6.39 ± 0.45% to 3.31 ± 0.22%. The extract also improved serum lipid profiles, reducing triglyceride levels from 185.46 ± 11.58 mg/dL in the HFD group to 101.54 ± 24.29 mg/dL, while increasing HDL concentrations to 75.64 ± 4.73 mg/dL. In addition, treatment increased adiponectin levels (to 779.55 ± 15.66) and decreased leptin (4.94 ± 0.75) and amylin (532.44 ± 30.00) relative to obese controls. Histological analysis demonstrated a reduction in adipocyte hypertrophy. Gene expression analysis revealed downregulation of hypothalamic Npy and adipose Fas and Pparγ, together with upregulation of Pomc, Mc4r, and Cpt1. These findings suggest that G. coronopifolia extract improves metabolic disturbances associated with diet-induced obesity through coordinated regulation of appetite signaling and lipid metabolism, supporting its potential development as a marine-derived functional food ingredient. Full article

The increasing exploitation of sea cucumbers has driven widespread population declines, highlighting the need to improve knowledge and understanding of the early life history stages of exploited species such as Holothuria tubulosa, one of the most common holothurians along Mediterranean coasts. This study investigated larval settlement success and juvenile early survival of H. tubulosa larvae, considering two algal biofilms as settlement cues: the diatom Amphora sp. and the green alga Ulvella lens. Larvae were reared under controlled hatchery conditions, and, once reaching the doliolaria stage, larvae were individually exposed to biofilm-conditioned substrates vs. a control without biofilm. Settlement dynamics and larval development were monitored over 35 days and analysed using generalised linear mixed models, while the biochemical composition of the biofilms was assessed through protein, carbohydrate, and lipid quantifications. Larvae exposed to algal biofilms successfully settled and metamorphosed, whereas no settlement occurred in the control. U. lens induced the highest settlement success (54%) and supported subsequent juvenile development, while Amphora sp. resulted in lower settlement rates (21%) and higher post-settlement mortality. Although Amphora sp. showed higher protein and carbohydrate content, settlement and survival were enhanced on U. lens, suggesting that biofilm structure and biochemical cues play a primary role in regulating settlement processes. These findings improve the understanding of settlement mechanisms in H. tubulosa and provide valuable insights for hatchery production, conservation strategies, and the sustainable aquaculture of Mediterranean sea cucumbers. Full article

Obesity is increasingly recognized as a disease of dysregulated intercellular communication rather than merely an energy imbalance. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), membrane-bound nanoparticles (30–1000 nm) released by nearly all cell types, act as central mediators of this pathological crosstalk. In obesity, hypertrophic adipocytes, pro-inflammatory macrophages, and dysfunctional endothelial cells secrete EVs carrying altered cargo, including pro-inflammatory miRNAs (e.g., miR-34a, miR-155), bioactive lipids, and stress proteins, which propagate systemic metabolic dysfunction. Adipose tissue-derived EVs impair hepatic fatty acid oxidation, promote steatohepatitis, suppress pancreatic beta-cell insulin secretion, induce skeletal muscle insulin resistance via PPARγ repression, and contribute to endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. EV-mediated adipocyte–macrophage crosstalk reinforces chronic adipose inflammation. Circulating EVs also provide biomarkers: subpopulation ratios, miRNA signatures, and tissue factor-positive EVs reflect disease severity, predict cardiovascular risk, and monitor therapeutic responses, with machine learning enhancing diagnostic precision. Therapeutically, EVs from mesenchymal stem cells, Wharton’s jelly MSCs, adipose progenitors, and M2 macrophages reverse insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, and adipose inflammation in preclinical models. Engineering strategies improve EV potency and tissue targeting, and Phase I trials confirm safety, though manufacturing and cost remain barriers. Preclinical and early clinical studies of MSC-EVs confirm a favorable safety profile, though manufacturing scalability and cost remain barriers to widespread clinical adoption. Overall, EVs represent both diagnostic tools and therapeutic vehicles in precision obesity medicine, offering a pathway from symptom management toward true disease remission. Full article

Taizishen is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb derived from the dried tuberous roots of Pseudostellaria heterophylla. This study investigated the compositional variation of Taizishen from main producing (MP) and non-main producing (NP) areas across five Chinese provinces. Analysis of total saponins, flavonoids, and heterophyllin B showed the highest contents in Jurong samples, followed by Zherong. Untargeted metabolomics identified 651 metabolites in all samples. Principal component analysis revealed a distinct metabolic profile for the sample from Zherong, which differed significantly from other MP areas, showing 32 consistently upregulated (e.g., amino acids, terpenes) and 25 downregulated metabolites (e.g., lipids, alkaloids). Notably, key differential metabolites such as fraxetin and ethyl caffeate were enriched in Zherong samples. The number of differential metabolites between MP and NP areas varied by province. Antioxidant activity also varied regionally, being highest in the sample from Jurong and weakest in the sample from Duyun. Correlation analysis indicated this activity was not linked solely to flavonoid or saponin content, suggesting a synergistic effect of multiple components. In addition, Zherong samples exhibited unique accumulation patterns for amino acids, sugars, and lipids. The significant metabolic and bioactivity variations highlight the need for a comprehensive, metabolomics-informed quality evaluation system for Taizishen. Full article

Background: Obesity is closely related to dysbiosis. Probiotics may improve metabolism and alleviate inflammation by regulating microbial–host interaction. Methods: Obesity was induced in rats by feeding a high-fat diet, followed by gavage administration of varying doses of BC99 as an intervention. Results: BC99 significantly reduced body weight gain, improved lipid profiles, alleviated systemic inflammation, and enhanced gut barrier integrity. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that BC99 increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, including Bacillota, Akkermansia, and Roseburia. Untargeted metabolomics showed that BC99 upregulated anti-inflammatory lysophosphatidylcholines (LysoPCs) and modulated conjugated bile acids (GUDCA, GDCA), which were correlated with enriched bile salt hydrolase (BSH)-active bacteria (e.g., Lachnoclostridium). Conclusions: The results indicate that W. coagulans BC99 effectively reduces weight gain in rats made obese by a high-fat diet and improves metabolic disorders. These effects are associated with remodeling of the gut microbiota and modulation of key metabolites, supporting a potential ‘microbiota–metabolite–host’ axis in rats that warrants further causal validation. Full article

The preservation of rooster semen quality during short-term liquid storage remains a challenge in poultry reproductive biotechnology because sperm cells rapidly lose functional competence under ambient conditions. This deterioration is largely associated with oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation of sperm membranes, which are particularly vulnerable in avian species due to their high polyunsaturated fatty acid content and limited cytoplasmic antioxidant defenses. Selenium is an essential trace element involved in cellular antioxidant protection through its incorporation into several selenoproteins that regulate redox balance and protect cellular structures from oxidative injury. The present study evaluated the effects of selenium methionine supplementation on rooster semen quality during liquid storage at 25 °C. Semen was diluted using a standard poultry semen extender composed of sodium glutamate, glucose, potassium acetate, magnesium acetate, and potassium citrate. Selenium methionine was incorporated into the semen extender at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 2% (w/v) at the time of semen dilution prior to storage. Semen quality was assessed at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h of storage. Functional parameters, including total sperm motility, sperm viability, and dead sperm percentage, together with kinematic variables (VSL, VCL, VAP, ALH, LIN, and STR), were analyzed using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Structural integrity was evaluated through acrosome and plasma membrane integrity tests, while sperm physiological status and apoptotic progression were assessed using Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide flow cytometry. Significant effects of storage time, selenium methionine concentration, and their interaction were observed for multiple semen quality parameters (p < 0.05). Among the tested concentrations, supplementation with 0.5% selenium methionine consistently produced the most favorable results, maintaining higher sperm motility, viability, and membrane integrity while reducing dead sperm percentage and apoptotic progression during storage, with protective effects particularly evident at 8, 12, and 24 h compared with the control and higher concentrations. Polynomial contrast analysis indicated predominantly non-linear dose–response relationships, with quadratic and cubic components providing the best model fit (R² = 0.90–0.99; p < 0.0001), suggesting a hormetic antioxidant effect. Overall, these findings indicate that selenium methionine supplementation in semen extender improves the stability of rooster semen during short-term liquid storage at ambient temperature, with 0.5% showing the most consistent protective effects among the concentrations evaluated. Full article

Background: Vitamin D plays an important role in overall health. This study aimed to conduct a pilot screening of serum vitamin D levels in a Malagasy cohort and to compare vitamin D status groups with selected health indicators. Methods: A cross-sectional observational pilot study was performed in two geographically distinct regions of Madagascar—a coastal area and an inland area. In total, 150 individuals underwent a single health screening, including semi-quantitative assessment of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, as well as evaluation of glycemic and cholesterol levels, blood pressure, anthropometric parameters, and a brief personal and lifestyle questionnaire. Results: A total of 148 participants (aged 18–88 years) were analyzed. 45.9% of participants had low serum vitamin D levels (<75 nmol/L). Lower vitamin D levels and higher total cholesterol were observed in the coastal group compared to the inland group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found for most other examined health indicators. In multivariable analysis, age was identified as an important determinant of several outcomes. Vitamin D status did not remain an independent predictor; however, a trend toward an independent association with hypercholesterolemia was observed (p = 0.07), while the association with hyperglycemia was less pronounced (p = 0.11). Conclusions: A substantial proportion of participants exhibited low vitamin D levels despite favorable geographic conditions. The results suggest a potential relationship between vitamin D status and lipid metabolism, although this association did not reach statistical significance after adjustment. These findings provide initial insight into vitamin D status and its potential associations in this setting and may inform future research and public health monitoring. Full article

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of brain cancer, posing challenges to modern oncology. Current treatments, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy (e.g., Temozolomide or TMZ), often fail due to the inevitable development of drug resistance. TMZ resistance remains a major therapeutic challenge for the reasons that it is the first-line treatment. Recent studies indicate a rising GBM tumour burden and a trend towards earlier age of onset. It highlights the urgent need for evidence-based policymaking and intensified research to address this most difficult-to-treat malignancy in clinical settings. Ferroptosis, a newly recognized type of controlled cell death induced by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, has emerged as a potential approach to overcome apoptosis resistance and restore drug sensitivity in GBM. This mechanism is modulated by key molecules that can be specifically targeted to either enhance oxidative stress or inhibit antioxidant defences, ultimately leading to tumour cell death. This review conducts a meta-analysis of preclinical evidence to better understand the potential of activating ferroptosis as a key target for developing nanoparticles to resensitize TMZ-resistant GBM cells. Current evidence indicates that combining ferroptosis induction with strategically engineered nanocarrier systems can serve as a novel and effective therapeutic approach to overcome TMZ resistance and advance precision-based GBM treatment. Full article

Purpose: The objective of this study was to engineer and optimize a mucoadhesive, positively charged stearylamine-enriched liposomal platform, termed Aminosomes, to circumvent the biophysical barriers limiting the ocular bioavailability of Brimonidine Tartrate (BT), an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist for glaucoma management. Methods: Aminosomes were synthesized using a tailored ethanol injection technique and optimized via a 3² × 2¹ full factorial design. Molecular integrity and crystallinity were assessed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mucoadhesive potential was validated through a mucin interaction assay based on zeta potential shifts. In vitro release kinetics were evaluated using the dialysis membrane diffusion technique, while the therapeutic potential and ocular safety were validated through in vivo pharmacodynamic profiling of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, alongside comprehensive biocompatibility assessments via Draize irritancy protocol and histopathological examination. Results: The optimized Aminosomes exhibited nanometric dimensions, monodisperse size distribution, robust positive surface charge, and superior drug loading. FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed the chemical compatibility of the formulation components, as well as the successful encapsulation of BT and its transition to an amorphous state within the lipidic matrix. The mucoadhesion test demonstrated a high binding affinity for mucin. The in vitro release profile demonstrated a sustained-release pattern (78.8% over 12 h). Non-compartmental pharmacodynamic analysis of IOP-reduction data revealed a 2.8-fold increase in AUC_0–24h, 3.5-fold extension in t_1/2, and 5.2-fold prolongation in mean residence time (MRT) relative to the standard solution. Conclusions: The optimized Aminosomes demonstrated superior mucoadhesive anchoring, enhanced and sustained therapeutic flux without inducing ocular toxicity, offering a robust strategy for enhancing the pharmacodynamics of BT. Full article

To address the increasing global demand for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), novel and sustainable sources are required. Seaweeds have been identified as promising alternative sources of these fatty acids (FAs). This study evaluated the FA profiles of dry, commercially available seaweeds in the United Kingdom, including Porphyra spp., Palmaria palmata, Himanthalia elongata, Laminaria digitata, Saccharina japonica, Undaria pinnatifida, Sargassum fusiforme and Fucus vesiculosus. FA identification was performed by gas chromatography. The highest content of polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) was observed in U. pinnatifida, accounting for 67.68% of the total FAs (TFAs). EPA represented 33.34% of TFA content in Rhodophyta and 7.13% in Ochrophyta. EPA was the dominant FA in Porphyra spp., comprising 38.91% of TFAs (1064.40 mg/100 g dry weight). A higher content of EPA was also found in P. palmata (32.18%), L. digitata (13.76%), and U. pinnatifida (13.00%). DHA content was consistently lower than that of EPA, with the highest proportion observed in P. palmata (0.27% of TFAs). U. pinnatifida, P. palmata and Porphyra spp. appear to be the most promising seaweed species for providing n-3 long-chain PUFAs in human diets. Full article

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) are increasingly recognized as interconnected disorders linked by shared mechanisms of lifestyle-driven metabolic reprogramming. Alterations in systemic and hepatic metabolic pathways—including insulin signaling, lipid metabolism, mitochondrial bioenergetics, and redox homeostasis—reduce hepatic resilience to alcohol exposure and accelerate liver disease progression. Objective: This narrative review aims to integrate clinical, epidemiological, and mechanistic evidence published over the past two decades to examine how modifiable lifestyle factors contribute to metabolic reprogramming linking metabolic syndrome and alcohol-related liver disease with prioritization of high-level clinical evidence (cohort studies, meta-analyses, and guidelines). Key Findings: Modifiable lifestyle exposures such as alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, unhealthy dietary patterns, and physical inactivity converge on common metabolically mediated pathways, including insulin resistance, dysregulated lipid metabolism and lipotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, chronic low-grade inflammation, and gut–liver axis perturbations. These processes are reflected in altered metabolite profiles involving lipid species, bile acids, tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, and microbiota-derived metabolites, shaping a metabolic–hepatic continuum. Among these, alcohol consumption and metabolic dysfunction show the strongest and most consistent associations with liver disease progression, with evidence supporting synergistic rather than additive effects. Conclusions: The coexistence of metabolic dysfunction and alcohol exposure is consistently associated with synergistic worsening of liver-related outcomes, including fibrosis progression, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recognition of metabolic alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD) underscores the need for integrated lifestyle-based strategies targeting alcohol consumption, smoking cessation, dietary quality, and physical activity to modulate shared metabolic and inflammatory pathways. A metabolically informed, systems-level approach may improve risk stratification, prevention, and management across the metabolic–hepatic continuum. Full article

Radiomics may aid the noninvasive characterization of adrenal incidentalomas; however, reproducibility is limited by methodological heterogeneity. In this retrospective, single-center, exploratory study, we tested whether radiomic features from baseline non-enhanced computed tomography (NECT) discriminate benign from malignant/metastatic adrenal lesions and contextualized results with a PRISMA 2020 systematic review (PubMed/Scopus 2017–2025; PROSPERO CRD420251276627). Thirty-three patients (36 lesions: 12 lipid-rich adenomas, 9 lipid-poor adenomas, 6 pheochromocytomas, 7 malignant/metastatic lesions, 2 myelolipomas) were included; myelolipomas were excluded from primary comparisons. Two abdominal radiologists performed consensus 3D segmentation on NECT. Using LIFEx (v7.8.0) and IBSI definitions, 42 features were extracted and z-score standardized. LASSO selected four heterogeneity descriptors: First-order Entropy, gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) entropy, gray-level size zone matrix (GLSZM) non-uniformity, and neighboring gray tone difference matrix (NGTDM) busyness. Heterogeneity increased from lipid-rich adenomas to pheochromocytomas and malignant/metastatic lesions (Kruskal–Wallis, all p < 0.001. Pairwise separability, measured using the Vargha–Delaney A index (VDA) as a rank-based measure of separability, was highest for lipid-rich adenomas versus malignant/metastatic lesions (0.93), intermediate for lipid-poor adenomas versus pheochromocytomas (0.73), and lowest for lipid-rich versus lipid-poor adenomas (0.64). The review identified 18 eligible CT radiomics studies that consistently reported higher entropy/non-uniformity in pheochromocytomas and malignant lesions than in lipid-rich adenomas. Global heterogeneity metrics on NECT may complement conventional CT criteria in indeterminate lesions; external validation with robust reference standards is needed in larger, multicenter cohorts with harmonization. Full article

Nanomaterials are emerging versatile platforms for therapeutic delivery, as they offer precise control over drug, antioxidant, and genetic payload transport across biological barriers. Inorganic, organic, hybrid, and biomimetic systems are the major classes of nanomaterials, which all have different physicochemical properties such as size, surface charge, and surface functionalization. These properties collectively influence stability, biodistribution, cellular uptake, and release kinetics. Engineering strategies are increasingly using stimuli-responsive designs that are triggered by pH, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and intracellular redox gradients to perform spatially and temporally controlled delivery. Antioxidant and redox-modulating nanocarriers are of great importance as they overcome the limited bioavailability and nonspecific activity of conventional antioxidants by improving stability, targeting oxidative microenvironments, and allowing for regulated release. Improvements in lipid, polymeric, and inorganic nanoplatforms have also developed gene delivery applications, including siRNA, mRNA, and CRISPR/Cas systems, to provide better cytosolic release and precise therapeutics. When diagnostic imaging is integrated with therapy through theranostic nanoparticles, real-time monitoring and personalized intervention are possible. Safety, scalable manufacturing, and regulatory alignment are some challenges that show the need for standardization and translational procedures to utilize the potential of theranostic nanomedicine. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the changes in the meat quality characteristics of Duolang sheep using rumen metagenomic and muscle metabolomic analyses across different age groups. A total of 24 three-month-old male Duolang sheep were selected and reared, and samples of longissimus thoracis muscle and rumen contents were collected at 4, 6, and 8 months of age to evaluate meat quality, metabolites, rumen metagenome, and volatile fatty acids (VFAs). The results indicated that the lightness (L*_45min) and yellowness (b*_45min) of the longissimus thoracis muscle at 45 min post-slaughter were significantly higher at 4 and 6 months than at 8 months of age (p < 0.05). In terms of ruminal VFAs, butyrate concentration was significantly higher at 6 months than at 4 months (p < 0.05), and valerate concentration exhibited a quadratic relationship with age (p = 0.02). With increasing age, the relative abundances of Prevotella and Fibrobacter increased, whereas those of Methanobrevibacter and Bacteroides decreased (p < 0.05), leading to shifts in functional pathways related to amino acid, lipid, and carbohydrate and energy metabolism. Untargeted metabolomics revealed that muscle betaine and inosine peaked at 4 months of age, whereas L-arginine, L-proline, and inosinic acid were most abundant at 6 months of age (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that the b*_45min was positively associated with ruminal concentrations of propionate, butyrate, and valerate, as well as with the relative abundances of key Selenomonadales taxa (p < 0.05). Inosinic acid exhibited a positive correlation with the abundance of the genus Sodaliphilus and ruminal butyrate concentration (p < 0.05), while Sodaliphilus abundance was negatively correlated with inosine (p < 0.05). In summary, this study demonstrates that age-related variations in the meat quality of Duolang sheep are closely associated with rumen microbial ecology and muscle metabolites, offering novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying meat quality formation and identifying potential biomarkers. Full article

Acoustic divergence is widely recognized as a key driver of speciation and niche differentiation in vocal animals. In echolocating horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus), the larynx is specialized for producing high-duty-cycle signals used in foraging, navigation, and species recognition. While the ecological role of echolocation is established, the molecular mechanisms regulating laryngeal frequency remain unclear. We compared the laryngeal transcriptomes of three closely related, sympatric Rhinolophus species with distinct resting frequencies (RFs): R. episcopus (~46 kHz), R. siamensis (~66 kHz), and R. osgoodi (~85 kHz). This comparison identified 511 differentially expressed genes. High-frequency species upregulated genes involved in cytoskeletal dynamics and muscle contraction, such as cell adhesion molecules and motor proteins, while low-frequency species upregulated genes related to cellular homeostasis and metabolic maintenance. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed two RF-correlated modules: a high-frequency module enriched in aerobic respiration and carbon metabolism and a low-frequency module enriched in lipid metabolism. Protein–protein interaction analysis identified ACTC1, vital for muscle contraction, as a hub gene. Evolutionary analysis showed that ACTC1 is highly conserved, with no significant positive selection, indicating that transcriptional regulation, rather than coding-sequence divergence, is the primary driver of the observed functional differences. These findings suggest that RF variation likely results from transcriptional remodeling in laryngeal superfast muscles. This study provides the first transcriptomic evidence linking laryngeal gene expression with acoustic divergence and offers new insights into the genetic basis of bat echolocation. Full article