Spinal cord injury results in the loss of sensory,motor,and autonomic functions,which almost always produces permanent physical disability.Thus,in the search for more effective treatments than those already applied fo...Spinal cord injury results in the loss of sensory,motor,and autonomic functions,which almost always produces permanent physical disability.Thus,in the search for more effective treatments than those already applied for years,which are not entirely efficient,researches have been able to demonstrate the potential of biological strategies using biomaterials to tissue manufacturing through bioengineering and stem cell therapy as a neuroregenerative approach,seeking to promote neuronal recovery after spinal cord injury.Each of these strategies has been developed and meticulously evaluated in several animal models with the aim of analyzing the potential of interventions for neuronal repair and,consequently,boosting functional recovery.Although the majority of experimental research has been conducted in rodents,there is increasing recognition of the importance,and need,of evaluating the safety and efficacy of these interventions in non-human primates before moving to clinical trials involving therapies potentially promising in humans.This article is a literature review from databases(PubMed,Science Direct,Elsevier,Scielo,Redalyc,Cochrane,and NCBI)from 10 years ago to date,using keywords(spinal cord injury,cell therapy,non-human primates,humans,and bioengineering in spinal cord injury).From 110 retrieved articles,after two selection rounds based on inclusion and exclusion criteria,21 articles were analyzed.Thus,this review arises from the need to recognize the experimental therapeutic advances applied in non-human primates and even humans,aimed at deepening these strategies and identifying the advantages and influence of the results on extrapolation for clinical applicability in humans.展开更多
Cancer is a major global concern due to its high mortality rate.Tumor immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment.However,low response rates and immune-related complications remain challenges.Extracellular vesic...Cancer is a major global concern due to its high mortality rate.Tumor immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment.However,low response rates and immune-related complications remain challenges.Extracellular vesicles(EVs),including exosomes,have emerged as promising therapeutic tools for various pathological conditions,especially cancer.Evidence indicates that changes in the quantity and composition of EVs can influence the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment,potentially affecting the effectiveness of immunotherapy.Exploiting EVs for immune sensitization has generated significant clinical interest.This review provides an in-depth understanding of the origin of EVs,their therapeutic applications(such as drug delivery nanoplatforms and cancer immunotherapies,including vaccines),diagnostic potential as tumor biomarkers,ongoing EV-based clinical trials,and the challenges encountered in EV-based cancer immunotherapy.展开更多
Polystyrene nanoparticles pose significant toxicological risks to aquatic ecosystems,yet their impact on zebrafish(Danio rerio)embryonic development,particularly erythropoiesis,remains underexplored.This study used si...Polystyrene nanoparticles pose significant toxicological risks to aquatic ecosystems,yet their impact on zebrafish(Danio rerio)embryonic development,particularly erythropoiesis,remains underexplored.This study used single-cell RNA sequencing to comprehensively evaluate the effects of polystyrene nanoparticle exposure on erythropoiesis in zebrafish embryos.In vivo validation experiments corroborated the transcriptomic findings,revealing that polystyrene nanoparticle exposure disrupted erythrocyte differentiation,as evidenced by the decrease in mature erythrocytes and concomitant increase in immature erythrocytes.Additionally,impaired heme synthesis further contributed to the diminished erythrocyte population.These findings underscore the toxic effects of polystyrene nanoparticles on hematopoietic processes,highlighting their potential to compromise organismal health in aquatic environments.展开更多
Small interfering RNAs(siRNA)provide a novel and highly specific therapy due to their ability to effectively silence target genes,to date six siRNA therapeutics are approved for clinical use.Even so,some critical chal...Small interfering RNAs(siRNA)provide a novel and highly specific therapy due to their ability to effectively silence target genes,to date six siRNA therapeutics are approved for clinical use.Even so,some critical challenges remain to overcome in the therapeutic application of siRNAs,with delivery issues at the forefront.Among them,endo/lysosomal barrier is one of the important but often-neglected limitations hindering the delivery of siRNA therapeutics.In this review,we summarize the promising strategies that facilitate siRNAs overcoming endo/lysosomal barriers based on the cellular uptake and intracellular transport pathways,including promoting escape once endocytosis into the endo/lysosomes and bypassing lysosomes via endosome-Golgi-endoplasmic reticulum(ER)pathway or nonendocytosis pathway,and discuss the principal considerations and the future directions of promoting endo/lysosomal escape in the development of therapeutic siRNAs.展开更多
Background Numerous studies have consistently demonstrated that a considerable proportion of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) frequently exhibit pronounced dyslipidaemia. However, the causal dynamics betw...Background Numerous studies have consistently demonstrated that a considerable proportion of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) frequently exhibit pronounced dyslipidaemia. However, the causal dynamics between MDD and dyslipidaemia remain elusive.Aims To comprehensively disentangle the genetic causality between MDD and various phenotypes of blood lipids, thereby facilitating the advancement of management strategies for these conditions.Methods We conducted a two-sample univariable Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis using different models, including the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method and causal analysis using the summary effect (CAUSE) estimates, as well as a multivariable MR analysis. This analysis used summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of MDD and five lipid traits: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides (TG), encompassing 5 237 893 individuals of European and East Asian ancestries. For MDD, a total of 598 701 individuals were included, with 500 199 individuals of European ancestry (Ncase=170 756, Ncontrol=329 443) and 98 502 of East Asian ancestry (Ncase=12 588, Ncontrol=85 914). Lipid data were collected from 4 639 192 individuals through the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium (European, N=4 096 085;East Asian, N=543 107). Next, we used the two-step MR to explore the mediating factors between MDD and TG, and the risk factors affecting TG through MDD. Finally, we conducted a GWAS meta-analysis and enrichment analysis.Results In univariable MR, we observed a negative causal effect of low-density lipoprotein on MDD in both European populations (IVW: odds ratio (OR): 0.972, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.947 to 0.998, p=0.037) and East Asian populations (IVW: OR: 0.928, 95% CI 0.864 to 0.997, p=0.042). Additionally, we identified a bidirectional causal relationship between TG and MDD, with TG having a causal effect on MDD (IVW: OR: 1.052, 95% CI 1.020 to 1.085, p=0.001) and MDD having a causal effect on TG (IVW: OR: 1.075, 95% CI 1.047 to 1.104, p<0.001). Multivariable MR analysis further supported the role of TG in MDD (OR: 1.205, 95% CI 1.034 to 1.405, p=0.017). CAUSE estimates indicated that the causal model of MDD on TG provided a better fit than the sharing model (p=0.003), while the association of TG on MDD was more likely due to horizontal correlated pleiotropy than causality. Mediation analyses revealed that waist-hip ratio (WHR) mediated 69% of the total causal effect of MDD on TG, while other identified risk factors exhibited lower mediating proportions either mediated through MDD (≤17%) or originating from MDD (≤29%). The GWAS meta-analysis highlighted potential pathways related to lipid processes and nucleosome assembling, with significant cell types identified in brain regions and liver tissues.Conclusions The findings indicate that genetic proxies of MDD are associated with elevated levels of TG, with WHR serving as a clinical indicator of the association. This suggests that interventions targeting WHR may be effective in reducing TG levels in patients with MDD.展开更多
Cancer,a leading cause of global mortality,remains a significant challenge to increasing life expectancy worldwide.Forkhead Box R2(FOXR2),identified as an oncogene within the FOX gene family,plays a crucial role in de...Cancer,a leading cause of global mortality,remains a significant challenge to increasing life expectancy worldwide.Forkhead Box R2(FOXR2),identified as an oncogene within the FOX gene family,plays a crucial role in developing various endoderm-derived organs.Recent studies have elucidated FOXR2-related pathways and their involvement in both tumor and non-tumor diseases.Dysregulation of FOXR2 has been linked to numerous malignant tumors,spanning the brain,nervous system,thyroid,osteosarcoma,Hodgkin lymphoma,colorectal,liver,pancreatic,lung,breast,ovarian,prostate,female genital tract,endometrial,and uterine cancers.Despite extensive research on FOXR2 dysregulation,its practical applications remain underexplored.This review delves into the mechanisms underlying FOXR2 dysregulation during oncogenesis and its implications for cancer diagnosis,prognosis,and treatment.展开更多
Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)is present in roughly 50%of the human population worldwide and infection levels reach over 70%in developing countries.The infection has classically been associated with different gastro-in...Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)is present in roughly 50%of the human population worldwide and infection levels reach over 70%in developing countries.The infection has classically been associated with different gastro-intestinal diseases,but also with extra gastric diseases.Despite such associations,the bacterium frequently persists in the human host without inducing disease,and it has been suggested that H.pylori may also play a beneficial role in health.To understand how H.pylori can produce such diverse effects in the human host,several studies have focused on understanding the local and systemic effects triggered by this bacterium.One of the main mechanisms by which H.pylori is thought to damage the host is by inducing local and systemic inflammation.However,more recently,studies are beginning to focus on the effects of H.pylori and its metabolism on the gastric and intestinal microbiome.The objective of this review is to discuss how H.pylori has co-evolved with humans,how H.pylori presence is associated with positive and negative effects in human health and how inflammation and/or changes in the microbiome are associated with the observed outcomes.展开更多
Mounting evidence in stem cell biology has shown that microRNAs(miRNAs) play a crucial role in cell fate specification, including stem cell self-renewal, lineagespecific differentiation, and somatic cell reprogramming...Mounting evidence in stem cell biology has shown that microRNAs(miRNAs) play a crucial role in cell fate specification, including stem cell self-renewal, lineagespecific differentiation, and somatic cell reprogramming.These functions are tightly regulated by specific gene expression patterns that involve miRNAs and transcription factors. To maintain stem cell pluripotency, specific miRNAs suppress transcription factors that promote differentiation, whereas to initiate differentiation, lineagespecific miRNAs are upregulated via the inhibition of transcription factors that promote self-renewal. Small molecules can be used in a similar manner as natural miRNAs, and a number of natural and synthetic small molecules have been isolated and developed to regulate stem cell fate. Using miRNAs as novel regulators of stem cell fate will provide insight into stem cell biology and aid in understanding the molecular mechanisms and crosstalk between miRNAs and stem cells.Ultimately, advances in the regulation of stem cell fate will contribute to the development of effective medical therapies for tissue repair and regeneration. This review summarizes the current insights into stem cell fate determination by miRNAs with a focus on stem cell self-renewal, differentiation, and reprogramming. Small molecules that control stem cell fate are also highlighted.展开更多
Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia(PIL)is a rare disorder characterized by dilated intestinal lymphatics and the development of protein-losing enteropathy.Patients with PIL develop hypoalbuminemia,hypocalcemia,lympho...Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia(PIL)is a rare disorder characterized by dilated intestinal lymphatics and the development of protein-losing enteropathy.Patients with PIL develop hypoalbuminemia,hypocalcemia,lymphopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia,and present with bilateral lower limb edema,fatigue,abdominal pain and diarrhea.Endoscopy reveals diffusely elongated,circumferential and polypoid mucosae covered with whitish enlarged villi,all of which indicate intestinal lymphangiectasia.Diagnosis is conf irmed by characteristic tissue pathology,which includes dilated intestinal lymphatics with diffusely swollen mucosa and enlarged villi.The prevalence of PIL has increased since the introduction of capsule endoscopy.The etiology and prevalence of PIL remain unknown.Some studies have reported that several genes and regulatory molecules for lymphangiogenesis are related to PIL.We report the case of a patient with PIL involving the entire small bowel that was confirmed by capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy-guided tissue pathology who carried a deletion on chromosome 4q25.The relationship between this deletion on chromosome 4 and PIL remains to be investigated.展开更多
Aim： To assess the role of several genetic factors in combination with an environmental factor as modulators of prostate cancer risk. We focus on allele variants of low-penetrance genes associated with cell control, ...Aim： To assess the role of several genetic factors in combination with an environmental factor as modulators of prostate cancer risk. We focus on allele variants of low-penetrance genes associated with cell control, the detoxification processes and smoking. Methods： In a case-control study we compared people carrying p53cd72 Pro allele, CYP1A1 M1 allele and GSTM1 null genotypes with their prostate cancer risk. Results： The joint risk for smokers carrying Pro^＊ and MI^＊, Pro^＊ and GSTM1null or GSTM1 null and CYP1A1 MI^＊ variants was significantly higher （odds ratio [OR]： 13.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]： 2.41-71.36; OR： 3.97, 95% CI： 1.13-13.95 and OR： 6.87, 95% CI： 1.68-27.97, respectively） compared with that for the reference group, and for non-smokers was not significant. OR for combinations among p53cd72, GSTM1 and CYP1A1 M1 in smokers were positively and significantly associated with prostate cancer risk compared with non-smokers and compared with the putative lowest risk group （OR： 8.87, 95% CI： 1.25-62.71）. Conclusion： Our results suggest that a combination of p53cd72, CYP1A1, GSTM1 alleles and smoking plays a significant role in modified prostate cancer risk on the study population, which means that smokers carrying susceptible genotypes might have a significantly higher risk than those carrying non-susceptible genotypes.展开更多
Neuroinflammation is initiated as a result of traumatic brain injury and can exacerbate evolving tissue pathology.Immune cells respond to acute signals from damaged cells,initiate neuroinflammation,and drive the patho...Neuroinflammation is initiated as a result of traumatic brain injury and can exacerbate evolving tissue pathology.Immune cells respond to acute signals from damaged cells,initiate neuroinflammation,and drive the pathological consequences over time.Importantly,the mechanism(s)of injury,the location of the immune cells within the brain,and the animal species all contribute to immune cell behavior following traumatic brain injury.Understanding the signals that initiate neuroinflammation and the context in which they appear may be critical for understanding immune cell contributions to pathology and regeneration.Within this paper,we review a number of factors that could affect immune cell behavior acutely following traumatic brain injury.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the colocalization,density and profile of neuronal areas of enteric neurons in the ileum of male obese mice.METHODS:The small intestinal samples of male mice in an obese group(OG)(C57BL/6J ob/ob)and...AIM:To investigate the colocalization,density and profile of neuronal areas of enteric neurons in the ileum of male obese mice.METHODS:The small intestinal samples of male mice in an obese group(OG)(C57BL/6J ob/ob)and a control group(CG)(+/+)were used.The tissues were analyzed using a double immunostaining technique for immunoreactivity(ir)of the P2X2 receptor,nitric oxide synthase(NOS),choline acetyl transferase(ChAT)and calretinin(Calr).Also,we investigated the density and profile of neuronal areas of the NOS-,ChAT-and Calrir neurons in the myenteric plexus.Myenteric neurons were labeled using an NADH-diaphorase histochemical staining method.RESULTS:The analysis demonstrated that the P2X2receptor was expressed in the cytoplasm and in the nuclear and cytoplasmic membranes only in the CG.Neuronal density values(neuron/cm2)decreased 31%(CG:6579±837;OG:4556±407)and 16.5%(CG:7796±528;OG:6513±610)in the NOS-ir and calretininir neurons in the OG,respectively(P<0.05).Density of ChAT-ir(CG:6200±310;OG:8125±749)neurons significantly increased 31%in the OG(P<0.05).Neuron size studies demonstrated that NOS,ChAT,and Calr-ir neurons did not differ significantly between the CG and OG groups.The examination of NADH-diaphorase-positive myenteric neurons revealed an overall similarity between the OG and CG.CONCLUSION:Obesity may exert its effects by promoting a decrease in P2X2 receptor expression and modifications in the density of the NOS-ir,ChAT-ir and CalR-ir myenteric neurons.展开更多
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a relentlessly progressive multi-system condition.The clinical picture is dominated by upper and lower motor neuron degeneration,but extra-motor pathology is increasingly recognized,in...Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a relentlessly progressive multi-system condition.The clinical picture is dominated by upper and lower motor neuron degeneration,but extra-motor pathology is increasingly recognized,including cerebellar pathology.Post-mortem and neuroimaging studies primarily focus on the chara cterization of supratentorial disease,des pite emerging evidence of cerebellar degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Cardinal clinical features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,such as dysarthria,dysphagia,cognitive and behavioral deficits,saccade abnormalities,gait impairment,respiratory weakness and pseudobulbar affect are likely to be exacerbated by co-existing cerebellar pathology.This review summarizes in vivo and post mortem evidence for cerebellar degeneration in amyotrophic lateral scle rosis.Structural imaging studies consistently capture cerebellar grey matter volume reductions,diffusivity studies readily detect both intra-cerebellar and cerebellar peduncle white matter alte rations and functional imaging studies commonly report increased functional connectivity with supratentorial regions.Increased functional connectivity is commonly interpreted as evidence of neuro plasticity representing compensatory processes despite the lack of post-mortem validation.There is a scarcity of post-mortem studies focusing on cerebellar alte rations,but these detect pTDP-43 in cerebellar nuclei.Ce rebellar pathology is an overloo ked facet of neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis despite its contribution to a multitude of clinical symptoms,wides p read connectivity to spinal and supratentorial regions and putative role in compensating for the degeneration of primary motor regions.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the feasibility of a single-use endoscopy as an alternative procedure to nasogastric lavage in patients with acute gastrointestinal(GI) bleeding.METHODS:Patients who presented with hematemesis,melen...AIM:To investigate the feasibility of a single-use endoscopy as an alternative procedure to nasogastric lavage in patients with acute gastrointestinal(GI) bleeding.METHODS:Patients who presented with hematemesis,melena or hematochezia were enrolled in this study.EG scan and conventional esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD) were subsequently performed.Active bleeding was defined as blood in the stomach,and inactive bleeding was defined as coffee ground clots and clear fluid in the stomach.The findings were recorded and compared.RESULTS:Between January and March,2011,13 patients that presented with hematemesis(n = 4),melena(n = 6),or bleeding from a previous nasogastric feeding tube(n = 3),were enrolled in this study.In 12 patients with upper GI bleeding,the EG scan device revealed that 7 patients had active bleeding and 5 patients had inactive bleeding,whereas conventional EGD revealed that 8 patients had active bleeding and 4 patients had inactive bleeding.The sensitivity and specificity of the EG scan device was 87.5% and 100% for active bleeding,with conventional EGD serving as a reference.No complication were reported during the EG scan procedures.CONCLUSION:The EG scan is a feasible device for screening acute upper GI bleeding.It may replace nasogastric lavage for the evaluation of acute upper GI bleeding.展开更多
In recent years,the popularity increased for nutritional supplements and herbal products.Prescription drugs,but not herbal therapies are paid by health insurances.They are sold over-the-counter(OTC)on the patients’ow...In recent years,the popularity increased for nutritional supplements and herbal products.Prescription drugs,but not herbal therapies are paid by health insurances.They are sold over-the-counter(OTC)on the patients’own expense.However,there are potential risks of self-medication,e.g.incorrect self-diagnosis,severe adverse reactions,dangerous drug interactions,risk of addiction etc.They are often used by patients at their own discretion without knowledge of and control by their physicians.Certain users are at risk of intoxication.Multiple medications taken by older patients increase the risk for adverse drug reactions,drug-drug interactions,and compliance problems for this age group(polypharmacy).Herbals should be discontinued prior to operations to avoid interactions with anesthetics or anticoagulants.Herbal preparations may also be carcinogenic or interfere with cancer treatments.Pregnant women use various OTC preparations.However,in many cases,it is unclear whether their use is safe for mother or baby.Self-medication with herbals is also largely distributed among anxious and depressive patients,and patients with other conditions and symptoms.The popularity of herbal products has also brought concerns on quality,efficacy and safety.Cases of botanical misidentification,contaminations with heavy metals,pesticides,radioactivity,organic solvents,microbials as well as adulteration with chemical drugs necessitate the establishment of international quality control standards.Hepatotoxic effects have been reported for more than 300 plant species,and some commonly used herbs have been demonstrated to interact with Western medication.Health care professionals have a critical responsibility assessing the self-care ability of their patients.Databases are available for pharmacists with information on action,side effects and toxicities as well as herbdrug interactions.There is a need for established guidelines regarding the correct use of nutritional supplements and herbal OTC preparations(phytovigilance).Physicians,pharmacists,and other health care professionals have to counsel patients and the general public on the benefits and risks associated with herbal drugs.Information centers for consumers and general practitioners are needed,and convincing evidence on safety and efficacy of herbal products has to be demonstrated in placebo-controlled,double blind and randomized clinical trials.展开更多
AIM:To correlate circulating soluble ST2(sST2) levels with the severity of ulcerative colitis(UC) and serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines,and to demonstrate the predictive power of sST2 levels for differentiati...AIM:To correlate circulating soluble ST2(sST2) levels with the severity of ulcerative colitis(UC) and serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines,and to demonstrate the predictive power of sST2 levels for differentiation between active and inactive UC.METHODS:We recruited 153 patients:82 with UC,26 with Crohn's disease(CD) and 43 disease controls [non-inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)].Subjects were excluded if they had diagnosis of asthma,autoimmune diseases or hypertension.The serum levels of sST2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines [pg/mL;median(25th-75th)] as well as clinical features,endoscopic and histological features,were subjected to analyses.The sST2 performance for discrimination between active and inactive UC,non-IBD and healthy controls(HC) was determined with regard to sensitivity and specificity,and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient(r).To validate the method,the area under the curve(AUC) of receiver-operator characteristic(ROC) was determined(AUC,95% CI) and the total ST2 content of the colonic mucosa in UC patients was correlated with circulating levels of sST2.RESULTS:The serum sST2 value was significantly higher in patients with active [235.80(90.65-367.90) pg/mL] rather than inactive UC [33.19(20.04-65.32) pg/mL],based on clinical,endoscopic and histopathological characteristics,as well as compared with non-IBD and HC(P < 0.001).The median level of sST2 in CD patients was 54.17(35.02-122.0) pg/mL,significantly higher than that of the HC group only(P < 0.01).The cutoff was set at 74.87 pg/mL to compare active with inactive UC in a multicenter cohort of patients.Values of sensitivity,specificity,and ability to correctly classify UC,according to activity,were 83.33%,83.33% and 83.33%,respectively.The AUC of the ROC curve to assess the ability of this molecule to discriminate between active vs inactive UC was 0.92(0.86-0.97,P < 0.0001).The serum levels of sST2 in patients with UC significantly correlated with endoscopic and histo-pathological scores(r = 0.76 and r = 0.67,P < 0.0001,respectively),and with the pro-inflammatory cytokine,tumor necrosis factor-α(r = 0.69 and r = 0.61,respectively,P < 0.0001).Interestingly,we found a direct correlation between total intestinal ST2 content and serum levels of sST2,adjusted to endoscopic activity score in patients with mild(r = 0.44,P = 0.004),moderate(r = 0.59,P = 0.002) and severe disease(r = 0.82,P = 0.002).Only patients with inactive UC showed no significant correlation(r = 0.45,P = 0.267).CONCLUSION:sST2 levels correlated with disease severity and inflammatory cytokines,are able to differentiate active from inactive UC and might have a role as a biomarker.展开更多
The retina may suffer neurodegenerative damages,as other tissues of the central nervous system do,and serious eye diseases may develop.One of them is age-related macular degeneration,which causes progressive loss of v...The retina may suffer neurodegenerative damages,as other tissues of the central nervous system do,and serious eye diseases may develop.One of them is age-related macular degeneration,which causes progressive loss of vision due to retina degeneration.Treatment of age-related macular degeneration focuses on antioxidant agents and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor compounds,among others,that prevent/diminish oxidative stress and reduce neovascularisation respectively.The phytochemicals,medicinal plants and/or plant-diet supplements might be a useful adjunct in prevention or treatment of age-related macular degeneration owing to their antioxidant and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor properties.This review article presents the most investigated plants and natural products in relation to age-related macular degeneration,such as saffron,ginkgo,bilberry and blueberry,curcuma or turmeric,carotenoids,polyphenols,and vitamins C and E.This study provides up-to-date information on the effects,treatments,safety and efficiency of these phytotherapy products.展开更多
文摘Spinal cord injury results in the loss of sensory,motor,and autonomic functions,which almost always produces permanent physical disability.Thus,in the search for more effective treatments than those already applied for years,which are not entirely efficient,researches have been able to demonstrate the potential of biological strategies using biomaterials to tissue manufacturing through bioengineering and stem cell therapy as a neuroregenerative approach,seeking to promote neuronal recovery after spinal cord injury.Each of these strategies has been developed and meticulously evaluated in several animal models with the aim of analyzing the potential of interventions for neuronal repair and,consequently,boosting functional recovery.Although the majority of experimental research has been conducted in rodents,there is increasing recognition of the importance,and need,of evaluating the safety and efficacy of these interventions in non-human primates before moving to clinical trials involving therapies potentially promising in humans.This article is a literature review from databases(PubMed,Science Direct,Elsevier,Scielo,Redalyc,Cochrane,and NCBI)from 10 years ago to date,using keywords(spinal cord injury,cell therapy,non-human primates,humans,and bioengineering in spinal cord injury).From 110 retrieved articles,after two selection rounds based on inclusion and exclusion criteria,21 articles were analyzed.Thus,this review arises from the need to recognize the experimental therapeutic advances applied in non-human primates and even humans,aimed at deepening these strategies and identifying the advantages and influence of the results on extrapolation for clinical applicability in humans.
文摘Cancer is a major global concern due to its high mortality rate.Tumor immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment.However,low response rates and immune-related complications remain challenges.Extracellular vesicles(EVs),including exosomes,have emerged as promising therapeutic tools for various pathological conditions,especially cancer.Evidence indicates that changes in the quantity and composition of EVs can influence the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment,potentially affecting the effectiveness of immunotherapy.Exploiting EVs for immune sensitization has generated significant clinical interest.This review provides an in-depth understanding of the origin of EVs,their therapeutic applications(such as drug delivery nanoplatforms and cancer immunotherapies,including vaccines),diagnostic potential as tumor biomarkers,ongoing EV-based clinical trials,and the challenges encountered in EV-based cancer immunotherapy.
基金supported by the Institute for Basic Science (IBS-R022-D1)Global Learning&Academic Research Institution for Master’s/Ph D students and Post-Doc Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Ministry of Education (RS-2023-00301938)+1 种基金National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean government (RS-2024-00406152,MSIT)Additional financial support was provided by the 2024 Post-Doc Development Program of Pusan National University,Korea Medical Institute,and KREONET。
文摘Polystyrene nanoparticles pose significant toxicological risks to aquatic ecosystems,yet their impact on zebrafish(Danio rerio)embryonic development,particularly erythropoiesis,remains underexplored.This study used single-cell RNA sequencing to comprehensively evaluate the effects of polystyrene nanoparticle exposure on erythropoiesis in zebrafish embryos.In vivo validation experiments corroborated the transcriptomic findings,revealing that polystyrene nanoparticle exposure disrupted erythrocyte differentiation,as evidenced by the decrease in mature erythrocytes and concomitant increase in immature erythrocytes.Additionally,impaired heme synthesis further contributed to the diminished erythrocyte population.These findings underscore the toxic effects of polystyrene nanoparticles on hematopoietic processes,highlighting their potential to compromise organismal health in aquatic environments.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82173769)the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2021YFE0106900)+1 种基金Applied Basic Research Multiinvestment Foundation of Tianjin(No.21JCYBJC01540)the Science&Technology Development Fund of Tianjin Education Commission for Higher Education(No.2023ZD019)。
文摘Small interfering RNAs(siRNA)provide a novel and highly specific therapy due to their ability to effectively silence target genes,to date six siRNA therapeutics are approved for clinical use.Even so,some critical challenges remain to overcome in the therapeutic application of siRNAs,with delivery issues at the forefront.Among them,endo/lysosomal barrier is one of the important but often-neglected limitations hindering the delivery of siRNA therapeutics.In this review,we summarize the promising strategies that facilitate siRNAs overcoming endo/lysosomal barriers based on the cellular uptake and intracellular transport pathways,including promoting escape once endocytosis into the endo/lysosomes and bypassing lysosomes via endosome-Golgi-endoplasmic reticulum(ER)pathway or nonendocytosis pathway,and discuss the principal considerations and the future directions of promoting endo/lysosomal escape in the development of therapeutic siRNAs.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82071500,82271540,32370724,82401759,81871055,32070679)Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Mental Health(19MC1911100)+11 种基金Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders(13dz2260500)Shanghai Municipal Administrator of Traditional Chinese Medicine(ZY-(2021-2023)-0207-01)Shanghai Municipal Health Commission Collaborative Innovation Group(2024CXJQ03)Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation Action Program(24JS2840400,24ZR1439900,21Y11921100)Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project,the National Key R&D Program of China(2023YFA0913804,2024YFA0916603,2022FYC2503300)the Program of Shanghai Academic/Technology Research Leader(21XD1423300)Shanghai Pujiang Program(21PJD063)Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project(2017SHZDZX01)Shanghai Municipal Commission of Education(2024AIZD016)the National Key R&D Program of China(2019YFA0905400,2017YFC0908105,2021YFC2702100)National Program for Support of Top-Notch Young Professionals,Taishan Scholar Program of Shandong Province(tstp20240526)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(ZR2019YQ14,YDZX2021009,2021ZDSYS06).
文摘Background Numerous studies have consistently demonstrated that a considerable proportion of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) frequently exhibit pronounced dyslipidaemia. However, the causal dynamics between MDD and dyslipidaemia remain elusive.Aims To comprehensively disentangle the genetic causality between MDD and various phenotypes of blood lipids, thereby facilitating the advancement of management strategies for these conditions.Methods We conducted a two-sample univariable Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis using different models, including the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method and causal analysis using the summary effect (CAUSE) estimates, as well as a multivariable MR analysis. This analysis used summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of MDD and five lipid traits: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides (TG), encompassing 5 237 893 individuals of European and East Asian ancestries. For MDD, a total of 598 701 individuals were included, with 500 199 individuals of European ancestry (Ncase=170 756, Ncontrol=329 443) and 98 502 of East Asian ancestry (Ncase=12 588, Ncontrol=85 914). Lipid data were collected from 4 639 192 individuals through the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium (European, N=4 096 085;East Asian, N=543 107). Next, we used the two-step MR to explore the mediating factors between MDD and TG, and the risk factors affecting TG through MDD. Finally, we conducted a GWAS meta-analysis and enrichment analysis.Results In univariable MR, we observed a negative causal effect of low-density lipoprotein on MDD in both European populations (IVW: odds ratio (OR): 0.972, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.947 to 0.998, p=0.037) and East Asian populations (IVW: OR: 0.928, 95% CI 0.864 to 0.997, p=0.042). Additionally, we identified a bidirectional causal relationship between TG and MDD, with TG having a causal effect on MDD (IVW: OR: 1.052, 95% CI 1.020 to 1.085, p=0.001) and MDD having a causal effect on TG (IVW: OR: 1.075, 95% CI 1.047 to 1.104, p<0.001). Multivariable MR analysis further supported the role of TG in MDD (OR: 1.205, 95% CI 1.034 to 1.405, p=0.017). CAUSE estimates indicated that the causal model of MDD on TG provided a better fit than the sharing model (p=0.003), while the association of TG on MDD was more likely due to horizontal correlated pleiotropy than causality. Mediation analyses revealed that waist-hip ratio (WHR) mediated 69% of the total causal effect of MDD on TG, while other identified risk factors exhibited lower mediating proportions either mediated through MDD (≤17%) or originating from MDD (≤29%). The GWAS meta-analysis highlighted potential pathways related to lipid processes and nucleosome assembling, with significant cell types identified in brain regions and liver tissues.Conclusions The findings indicate that genetic proxies of MDD are associated with elevated levels of TG, with WHR serving as a clinical indicator of the association. This suggests that interventions targeting WHR may be effective in reducing TG levels in patients with MDD.
文摘Cancer,a leading cause of global mortality,remains a significant challenge to increasing life expectancy worldwide.Forkhead Box R2(FOXR2),identified as an oncogene within the FOX gene family,plays a crucial role in developing various endoderm-derived organs.Recent studies have elucidated FOXR2-related pathways and their involvement in both tumor and non-tumor diseases.Dysregulation of FOXR2 has been linked to numerous malignant tumors,spanning the brain,nervous system,thyroid,osteosarcoma,Hodgkin lymphoma,colorectal,liver,pancreatic,lung,breast,ovarian,prostate,female genital tract,endometrial,and uterine cancers.Despite extensive research on FOXR2 dysregulation,its practical applications remain underexplored.This review delves into the mechanisms underlying FOXR2 dysregulation during oncogenesis and its implications for cancer diagnosis,prognosis,and treatment.
基金Supported by Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica-Fondos de Financiamiento de Centros de Investigación enáreas Prioritarias,No.15130011(to Quest AF)Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico,No.1170925(to Quest AF)and No.1171615(to Valenzuela MA)Fondo para la Investigación en Odontología Universidad de Chile,No.17/020(to Bravo D)
文摘Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)is present in roughly 50%of the human population worldwide and infection levels reach over 70%in developing countries.The infection has classically been associated with different gastro-intestinal diseases,but also with extra gastric diseases.Despite such associations,the bacterium frequently persists in the human host without inducing disease,and it has been suggested that H.pylori may also play a beneficial role in health.To understand how H.pylori can produce such diverse effects in the human host,several studies have focused on understanding the local and systemic effects triggered by this bacterium.One of the main mechanisms by which H.pylori is thought to damage the host is by inducing local and systemic inflammation.However,more recently,studies are beginning to focus on the effects of H.pylori and its metabolism on the gastric and intestinal microbiome.The objective of this review is to discuss how H.pylori has co-evolved with humans,how H.pylori presence is associated with positive and negative effects in human health and how inflammation and/or changes in the microbiome are associated with the observed outcomes.
基金supported by a South Korea Science and Engineering Foundation grant funded by the South Korea government(MEST)(2011-0019243,2011-0019254)a grant from the South Korea Health 21 R and D Project,Ministry of Health and Welfare,South Korea(A120478)a grant from the Korea Health 21 R and D Project,Ministry of Health and Welfare,South Korea(A085136)
文摘Mounting evidence in stem cell biology has shown that microRNAs(miRNAs) play a crucial role in cell fate specification, including stem cell self-renewal, lineagespecific differentiation, and somatic cell reprogramming.These functions are tightly regulated by specific gene expression patterns that involve miRNAs and transcription factors. To maintain stem cell pluripotency, specific miRNAs suppress transcription factors that promote differentiation, whereas to initiate differentiation, lineagespecific miRNAs are upregulated via the inhibition of transcription factors that promote self-renewal. Small molecules can be used in a similar manner as natural miRNAs, and a number of natural and synthetic small molecules have been isolated and developed to regulate stem cell fate. Using miRNAs as novel regulators of stem cell fate will provide insight into stem cell biology and aid in understanding the molecular mechanisms and crosstalk between miRNAs and stem cells.Ultimately, advances in the regulation of stem cell fate will contribute to the development of effective medical therapies for tissue repair and regeneration. This review summarizes the current insights into stem cell fate determination by miRNAs with a focus on stem cell self-renewal, differentiation, and reprogramming. Small molecules that control stem cell fate are also highlighted.
文摘Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia(PIL)is a rare disorder characterized by dilated intestinal lymphatics and the development of protein-losing enteropathy.Patients with PIL develop hypoalbuminemia,hypocalcemia,lymphopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia,and present with bilateral lower limb edema,fatigue,abdominal pain and diarrhea.Endoscopy reveals diffusely elongated,circumferential and polypoid mucosae covered with whitish enlarged villi,all of which indicate intestinal lymphangiectasia.Diagnosis is conf irmed by characteristic tissue pathology,which includes dilated intestinal lymphatics with diffusely swollen mucosa and enlarged villi.The prevalence of PIL has increased since the introduction of capsule endoscopy.The etiology and prevalence of PIL remain unknown.Some studies have reported that several genes and regulatory molecules for lymphangiogenesis are related to PIL.We report the case of a patient with PIL involving the entire small bowel that was confirmed by capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy-guided tissue pathology who carried a deletion on chromosome 4q25.The relationship between this deletion on chromosome 4 and PIL remains to be investigated.
文摘Aim： To assess the role of several genetic factors in combination with an environmental factor as modulators of prostate cancer risk. We focus on allele variants of low-penetrance genes associated with cell control, the detoxification processes and smoking. Methods： In a case-control study we compared people carrying p53cd72 Pro allele, CYP1A1 M1 allele and GSTM1 null genotypes with their prostate cancer risk. Results： The joint risk for smokers carrying Pro^＊ and MI^＊, Pro^＊ and GSTM1null or GSTM1 null and CYP1A1 MI^＊ variants was significantly higher （odds ratio [OR]： 13.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]： 2.41-71.36; OR： 3.97, 95% CI： 1.13-13.95 and OR： 6.87, 95% CI： 1.68-27.97, respectively） compared with that for the reference group, and for non-smokers was not significant. OR for combinations among p53cd72, GSTM1 and CYP1A1 M1 in smokers were positively and significantly associated with prostate cancer risk compared with non-smokers and compared with the putative lowest risk group （OR： 8.87, 95% CI： 1.25-62.71）. Conclusion： Our results suggest that a combination of p53cd72, CYP1A1, GSTM1 alleles and smoking plays a significant role in modified prostate cancer risk on the study population, which means that smokers carrying susceptible genotypes might have a significantly higher risk than those carrying non-susceptible genotypes.
基金supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs,USA(Merit Review I01-RX001097&I01-BX003748)
文摘Neuroinflammation is initiated as a result of traumatic brain injury and can exacerbate evolving tissue pathology.Immune cells respond to acute signals from damaged cells,initiate neuroinflammation,and drive the pathological consequences over time.Importantly,the mechanism(s)of injury,the location of the immune cells within the brain,and the animal species all contribute to immune cell behavior following traumatic brain injury.Understanding the signals that initiate neuroinflammation and the context in which they appear may be critical for understanding immune cell contributions to pathology and regeneration.Within this paper,we review a number of factors that could affect immune cell behavior acutely following traumatic brain injury.
基金Supported by Sao Paulo Research Foundation(FAPESP/Sao Paulo Research Foundation/Proc:05/04752-0)and CAPES Fellowship
文摘AIM:To investigate the colocalization,density and profile of neuronal areas of enteric neurons in the ileum of male obese mice.METHODS:The small intestinal samples of male mice in an obese group(OG)(C57BL/6J ob/ob)and a control group(CG)(+/+)were used.The tissues were analyzed using a double immunostaining technique for immunoreactivity(ir)of the P2X2 receptor,nitric oxide synthase(NOS),choline acetyl transferase(ChAT)and calretinin(Calr).Also,we investigated the density and profile of neuronal areas of the NOS-,ChAT-and Calrir neurons in the myenteric plexus.Myenteric neurons were labeled using an NADH-diaphorase histochemical staining method.RESULTS:The analysis demonstrated that the P2X2receptor was expressed in the cytoplasm and in the nuclear and cytoplasmic membranes only in the CG.Neuronal density values(neuron/cm2)decreased 31%(CG:6579±837;OG:4556±407)and 16.5%(CG:7796±528;OG:6513±610)in the NOS-ir and calretininir neurons in the OG,respectively(P<0.05).Density of ChAT-ir(CG:6200±310;OG:8125±749)neurons significantly increased 31%in the OG(P<0.05).Neuron size studies demonstrated that NOS,ChAT,and Calr-ir neurons did not differ significantly between the CG and OG groups.The examination of NADH-diaphorase-positive myenteric neurons revealed an overall similarity between the OG and CG.CONCLUSION:Obesity may exert its effects by promoting a decrease in P2X2 receptor expression and modifications in the density of the NOS-ir,ChAT-ir and CalR-ir myenteric neurons.
基金the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation(SPF)Professor Peter Bede and the Computational Neuroimaging Group are also the Health Research Board(HRB EIA-2017-019)+3 种基金the Irish Institute of Clinical Neuroscience(IICN)the EU Joint Programme-Neurodegenerative Disease Research(JPND)the Andrew Lydon scholarshipthe Iris O'Brien Foundation。
文摘Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a relentlessly progressive multi-system condition.The clinical picture is dominated by upper and lower motor neuron degeneration,but extra-motor pathology is increasingly recognized,including cerebellar pathology.Post-mortem and neuroimaging studies primarily focus on the chara cterization of supratentorial disease,des pite emerging evidence of cerebellar degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Cardinal clinical features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,such as dysarthria,dysphagia,cognitive and behavioral deficits,saccade abnormalities,gait impairment,respiratory weakness and pseudobulbar affect are likely to be exacerbated by co-existing cerebellar pathology.This review summarizes in vivo and post mortem evidence for cerebellar degeneration in amyotrophic lateral scle rosis.Structural imaging studies consistently capture cerebellar grey matter volume reductions,diffusivity studies readily detect both intra-cerebellar and cerebellar peduncle white matter alte rations and functional imaging studies commonly report increased functional connectivity with supratentorial regions.Increased functional connectivity is commonly interpreted as evidence of neuro plasticity representing compensatory processes despite the lack of post-mortem validation.There is a scarcity of post-mortem studies focusing on cerebellar alte rations,but these detect pTDP-43 in cerebellar nuclei.Ce rebellar pathology is an overloo ked facet of neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis despite its contribution to a multitude of clinical symptoms,wides p read connectivity to spinal and supratentorial regions and putative role in compensating for the degeneration of primary motor regions.
基金Supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, No. 2011-0008901Research Program of Clinical Professor Research committee of Myongji Hospital, No. 20120106
文摘AIM:To investigate the feasibility of a single-use endoscopy as an alternative procedure to nasogastric lavage in patients with acute gastrointestinal(GI) bleeding.METHODS:Patients who presented with hematemesis,melena or hematochezia were enrolled in this study.EG scan and conventional esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD) were subsequently performed.Active bleeding was defined as blood in the stomach,and inactive bleeding was defined as coffee ground clots and clear fluid in the stomach.The findings were recorded and compared.RESULTS:Between January and March,2011,13 patients that presented with hematemesis(n = 4),melena(n = 6),or bleeding from a previous nasogastric feeding tube(n = 3),were enrolled in this study.In 12 patients with upper GI bleeding,the EG scan device revealed that 7 patients had active bleeding and 5 patients had inactive bleeding,whereas conventional EGD revealed that 8 patients had active bleeding and 4 patients had inactive bleeding.The sensitivity and specificity of the EG scan device was 87.5% and 100% for active bleeding,with conventional EGD serving as a reference.No complication were reported during the EG scan procedures.CONCLUSION:The EG scan is a feasible device for screening acute upper GI bleeding.It may replace nasogastric lavage for the evaluation of acute upper GI bleeding.
文摘In recent years,the popularity increased for nutritional supplements and herbal products.Prescription drugs,but not herbal therapies are paid by health insurances.They are sold over-the-counter(OTC)on the patients’own expense.However,there are potential risks of self-medication,e.g.incorrect self-diagnosis,severe adverse reactions,dangerous drug interactions,risk of addiction etc.They are often used by patients at their own discretion without knowledge of and control by their physicians.Certain users are at risk of intoxication.Multiple medications taken by older patients increase the risk for adverse drug reactions,drug-drug interactions,and compliance problems for this age group(polypharmacy).Herbals should be discontinued prior to operations to avoid interactions with anesthetics or anticoagulants.Herbal preparations may also be carcinogenic or interfere with cancer treatments.Pregnant women use various OTC preparations.However,in many cases,it is unclear whether their use is safe for mother or baby.Self-medication with herbals is also largely distributed among anxious and depressive patients,and patients with other conditions and symptoms.The popularity of herbal products has also brought concerns on quality,efficacy and safety.Cases of botanical misidentification,contaminations with heavy metals,pesticides,radioactivity,organic solvents,microbials as well as adulteration with chemical drugs necessitate the establishment of international quality control standards.Hepatotoxic effects have been reported for more than 300 plant species,and some commonly used herbs have been demonstrated to interact with Western medication.Health care professionals have a critical responsibility assessing the self-care ability of their patients.Databases are available for pharmacists with information on action,side effects and toxicities as well as herbdrug interactions.There is a need for established guidelines regarding the correct use of nutritional supplements and herbal OTC preparations(phytovigilance).Physicians,pharmacists,and other health care professionals have to counsel patients and the general public on the benefits and risks associated with herbal drugs.Information centers for consumers and general practitioners are needed,and convincing evidence on safety and efficacy of herbal products has to be demonstrated in placebo-controlled,double blind and randomized clinical trials.
基金Supported by FONDECYT grant 1070954 and DA-CLC 2803
文摘AIM:To correlate circulating soluble ST2(sST2) levels with the severity of ulcerative colitis(UC) and serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines,and to demonstrate the predictive power of sST2 levels for differentiation between active and inactive UC.METHODS:We recruited 153 patients:82 with UC,26 with Crohn's disease(CD) and 43 disease controls [non-inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)].Subjects were excluded if they had diagnosis of asthma,autoimmune diseases or hypertension.The serum levels of sST2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines [pg/mL;median(25th-75th)] as well as clinical features,endoscopic and histological features,were subjected to analyses.The sST2 performance for discrimination between active and inactive UC,non-IBD and healthy controls(HC) was determined with regard to sensitivity and specificity,and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient(r).To validate the method,the area under the curve(AUC) of receiver-operator characteristic(ROC) was determined(AUC,95% CI) and the total ST2 content of the colonic mucosa in UC patients was correlated with circulating levels of sST2.RESULTS:The serum sST2 value was significantly higher in patients with active [235.80(90.65-367.90) pg/mL] rather than inactive UC [33.19(20.04-65.32) pg/mL],based on clinical,endoscopic and histopathological characteristics,as well as compared with non-IBD and HC(P < 0.001).The median level of sST2 in CD patients was 54.17(35.02-122.0) pg/mL,significantly higher than that of the HC group only(P < 0.01).The cutoff was set at 74.87 pg/mL to compare active with inactive UC in a multicenter cohort of patients.Values of sensitivity,specificity,and ability to correctly classify UC,according to activity,were 83.33%,83.33% and 83.33%,respectively.The AUC of the ROC curve to assess the ability of this molecule to discriminate between active vs inactive UC was 0.92(0.86-0.97,P < 0.0001).The serum levels of sST2 in patients with UC significantly correlated with endoscopic and histo-pathological scores(r = 0.76 and r = 0.67,P < 0.0001,respectively),and with the pro-inflammatory cytokine,tumor necrosis factor-α(r = 0.69 and r = 0.61,respectively,P < 0.0001).Interestingly,we found a direct correlation between total intestinal ST2 content and serum levels of sST2,adjusted to endoscopic activity score in patients with mild(r = 0.44,P = 0.004),moderate(r = 0.59,P = 0.002) and severe disease(r = 0.82,P = 0.002).Only patients with inactive UC showed no significant correlation(r = 0.45,P = 0.267).CONCLUSION:sST2 levels correlated with disease severity and inflammatory cytokines,are able to differentiate active from inactive UC and might have a role as a biomarker.
文摘The retina may suffer neurodegenerative damages,as other tissues of the central nervous system do,and serious eye diseases may develop.One of them is age-related macular degeneration,which causes progressive loss of vision due to retina degeneration.Treatment of age-related macular degeneration focuses on antioxidant agents and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor compounds,among others,that prevent/diminish oxidative stress and reduce neovascularisation respectively.The phytochemicals,medicinal plants and/or plant-diet supplements might be a useful adjunct in prevention or treatment of age-related macular degeneration owing to their antioxidant and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor properties.This review article presents the most investigated plants and natural products in relation to age-related macular degeneration,such as saffron,ginkgo,bilberry and blueberry,curcuma or turmeric,carotenoids,polyphenols,and vitamins C and E.This study provides up-to-date information on the effects,treatments,safety and efficiency of these phytotherapy products.
