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Development and aging significantly impact the cellular levels of Coenzyme Q (CoQ), which is associated with both pathological and physiological conditions. Aim of this study was to describe the CoQ status throughout the lifetime of Drosophila melanogaster, a well-established model in aging studies. CoQ9 and CoQ distribution was analysed across different body segments and various life stages in both male and female flies. The results indicate that CoQ9 is the predominant isoform in every phase of flies’ life cycle, with the highest concentrations observed in the thorax. We noted distinct trends in CoQ distribution during aging, which varied according to sex and body segments (head, thorax, and abdomen). Supplementation with two concentrations of CoQ9 and CoQ10 (15 μM and 75 μM) for 2 weeks induced a segment- and sex-specific CoQ uptake. Although 75 μM CoQ10 was more effective in modulating the CoQ status, lifelong treatment with this concentration did not affect the longevity of the flies.

This study provides the first comprehensive evaluation of the bioactive potential of acorn flour extracts (Quercus robur, Fagaceae) prepared at different temperatures (20, 60, 80 and 100 °C), focusing on polyphenolic content, antioxidant properties and enzyme inhibitory activities. Through HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, 36 bioactive compounds were identified, with the extract at 60 °C showing the highest concentrations of key polyphenols, notably gallic acid (210,008.9 mg·kg−1) and ellagic acid (45,469.6 mg·kg−1). This extract also exhibited a high antioxidant activity and significant inhibition of glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase, suggesting potential benefits for diabetes management and neuroprotection. The results indicate that extraction temperature affects bioactivity, with the 60 °C extract standing out as a promising candidate for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical applications due to its rich polyphenol profile and potent biological properties.

IntroductionThe single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4644 at codon 64 of galectin-3 (gal-3, gene name: LGALS3), specifying the variant proline (P64) to histidine (H64), is known to affect the protein’s functions and has been associated with the risk of several types of cancer, including differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).Materials and methodsTo deepen our understanding of the biological effects of this SNP, we analyzed the proteome of two isogenic cell lines (NC-P64 vs. NA-H64) derived from the immortalized non-malignant thyrocyte cell line Nthy-Ori, generated through the CRISPR-Cas9 technique to differ by rs4644 genotype. We compared the proteome of these cells to detect differentially expressed proteins and studied their proteome in relation to their transcriptome.ResultsFirstly, we found, consistently with previous studies, that gal-3-H64 could be detected as a monomer, homodimer, and heterodimer composed of one cleaved and one uncleaved monomer, whereas gal-3-P64 could be found only as a monomer or uncleaved homodimer. Moreover, results indicate that rs4644 influences the expression of several proteins, predominantly upregulated in NA-H64 cells. Overall, the differential protein expression could be attributed to the altered mRNA expression, suggesting that rs4644 shapes the function of gal-3 as a transcriptional co-regulator. However, this SNP also appeared to affect post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms for proteins whose expression was oppositely regulated compared to mRNA expression. It is conceivable that the rs4644-dependent activities of gal-3 could be ascribed to the different modalities of self-dimerization.ConclusionOur study provided further evidence that rs4644 could affect the gal-3 functions through several routes, which could be at the base of differential susceptibility to diseases, as reported in case-control association studies.

Inonotus obliquus (Chaga) is a medicinal mushroom with several pharmacological properties that is used as a tea in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, Chaga water extract was digested in vitro to mimic the natural processing and absorption of its biocomponents when it is consumed as functional beverage, and its anticancer activities were evaluated in breast cancer (BC) cell lines, representing HER2-positive and triple-negative subtypes. After chemical characterization by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HR-QTOF) analysis, the effect of Chaga biocomponents on cell viability and cell cycle progression was assessed by MTT assay, FACS analysis, and Western blot. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) activity was measured by an enzymatic assay. Four highly bioactive triterpenoids (inotodiol, trametenolic acid, 3-hydroxy-lanosta-8,24-dien-21-al, and betulin) were identified as the main components, able to decrease BC cell viability and block the cell cycle in G0/G1 by inducing the downregulation of cyclin D1, CDK4, cyclin E, and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein. DHFR was identified as their crucial target. Moreover, bioactive Chaga components exerted a synergistic action with cisplatin and with trastuzumab in SK-BR-3 cells by inhibiting both HER2 and HER1 activation and displayed an immunomodulatory effect. Thus, Inonotus obliquus represents a source of triterpenoids that are effective against aggressive BC subtypes and display properties of targeted drugs.

Aging represents a decline in function over time. Polyphenols are dietary antioxidants that could exert beneficial effects on aging. This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with two extracts from Thymbra spicata L. aerial parts on the lifespan, body-weight control, and antioxidant responses of Drosophila melanogaster cohorts distinguished for age and sex. The aqueous extract extended the lifespan of young female flies, and this pro-longevity potential was associated with a reduction in the body-weight gain. Furthermore, the aqueous extract promoted the antioxidant defense when young females were exposed to Paraquat by reducing oxidative stress and mortality. This study provides the first insight into the beneficial effects of T. spicata supplementation in an animal model, suggesting that the healthy effect could mainly depend on strengthening the antioxidant defenses which reflect on the lifespan. Further investigations will better clarify the mechanisms and potential of T. spicata as nutraceutics in anti-aging strategies.

Twenty-two pluriparous single-foetus-bearing Angora goats, housed 3 weeks pre-partum in mid-December, and in transition from pregnancy to lactation were used to test the efficacy of post-partum supplementation (Group S: 11 goats) or not (Group C: 11 goats) with 300 g/head/day of whole field bean seeds (WFBS) to a diet based on mixed hay ad libitum and natural pasture. The goats were maintained with the suckling of their kids for 90 days. Significant decreases in liveweight (LW) and body condition score (BCS), were documented post-parturition in both groups and were then maintained throughout. These suggest a mobilisation in body tissue that was not mitigated by WFBS supplementation. However, the faster growth of the suckled kids and greater elongation of mohair fibre recorded (Group S > Group C), suggested improvement in partition towards production indices of lactation and hair fibre deposition, respectively. Greater concentrations of total thyroid hormones, T3 and T4 in supplemented does were recorded. Overall mean (pre-prandial) plasma insulin concentrations, not different between treatments, decreased (p

Intense exercise can cause inflammation and oxidative stress due to the production of reactive oxygen species. These pathophysiological processes are interdependent, and each one can induce the other, creating a vicious circle. A placebo-controlled blind study was carried out in show jumping horses (n. 16) to evaluate the effects of a commercial dietary supplement (Dolhorse® N.B.F. Lanes srl, Milan, Italy) containing Verbascum thapsus leaf powder (1.42%), Curcuma longa (14.280 mg/kg), and Boswellia serrata (Roxb ex Colebr) (14.280 mg/kg) extracts. Before and after 10 days of dietary supplementation, blood samples were collected to evaluate the protein levels, antioxidants, and inflammatory responses by proteomic analysis or real-time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (real-time RT-PCR). A total of 36 protein spots, connected to 29 proteins, were modulated by dietary supplementation, whereas real-time RT-PCR revealed a significant downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1α (p < 0.05) and interleukin-6 (0.005), toll-like receptor 4 (p < 0.05), and IKBKB (p < 0.05) in supplemented sport horses. Immunoglobulin chains, gelsolin, plasminogen, vitamin D binding protein, apolipoprotein AIV, and filamin B were overexpressed, whereas haptoglobin, α-2-HS-glycoprotein, α2-macroglobulin, afamin, amine oxidase, 60S acidic ribosomal protein, and complement fragments 3, 4, and 7 were reduced. No effect was observed on the antioxidant defense systems. The present results suggest this phytotherapy may reinforce the innate immune responses, thus representing a valid adjuvant to alleviate inflammation, which is a pathophysiological process in sport horses.

Olive pomace (OP) represents one of the main by-products of olive oil production, which still contains high quantities of health-promoting bioactive compounds. In the present study, three batches of sun-dried OP were characterized for their profile in phenolic compounds (by HPLC-DAD) and in vitro antioxidant properties (ABTS, FRAP and DPPH assays) before (methanolic extracts) and after (aqueous extracts) their simulated in vitro digestion and dialysis. Phenolic profiles, and, accordingly, the antioxidant activities, showed significant differences among the three OP batches, and most compounds showed good bioaccessibility after simulated digestion. Based on these preliminary screenings, the best OP aqueous extract (OP-W) was further characterized for its peptide composition and subdivided into seven fractions (OP-F). The most promising OP-F (characterized for its metabolome) and OP-W samples were then assessed for their potential anti-inflammatory properties in ex vivo human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) triggered or not with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The levels of 16 pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured in PBMC culture media by multiplex ELISA assay, whereas the gene expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10 and TNF-α were measured by real time RT-qPCR. Interestingly, OP-W and PO-F samples had a similar effect in reducing the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α, but only OP-W was able to reduce the release of these inflammatory mediators, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory activity of OP-W is different from that of OP-F.