Ischemic stroke is a severe medical condition characterized by diminished blood flow to the brain, resulting in a shortage of oxygen and nutrients. During ischemia, neurons surrounding the cerebral in Show more
Ischemic stroke is a severe medical condition characterized by diminished blood flow to the brain, resulting in a shortage of oxygen and nutrients. During ischemia, neurons surrounding the cerebral infarct initiate macroautophagy. However, the implications of this activation for neuronal cell survival are still debated. The identification of new autophagy modulators could aid in understanding autophagy's role in brain ischemia and lay the groundwork for innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at minimizing brain damage in this life-threatening neurological emergency. In this study, we developed a robust and sensitive screening platform to identify autophagy modulators from a library of bioactive compounds. Selected compounds underwent further Show less
Weight loss in patients with metabolic syndrome has positive effects on cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes risks, but its effects on peripheral cytokines and lipid profiles in patients are still uncle Show more
Weight loss in patients with metabolic syndrome has positive effects on cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes risks, but its effects on peripheral cytokines and lipid profiles in patients are still unclear. To determine the effects of diet-induced weight loss on metabolic parameters, lipids and cytokine profiles. Eighteen adult males with metabolic syndrome (defined according to IDF 2009) and Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 and 35 kg/m After weight loss, a significant improvement in BMI, waist circumference, insulin, fasting blood glucose and HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) was observed. The analysis of LDL (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) lipoproteins showed a change in their composition with a massive transfer of triacylglycerols from HDL to LDL. This was associated with a significant reduction in peripheral pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8 and MIP-1β, leading to an overall decreased inflammatory score. An interesting positive correlation was also observed among peripheral cytokines levels after diet and peripheral levels of CETP (cholesteryl ester transfer protein), an enzyme with a key role in lipid change. Weight loss through caloric restriction is associated with an improvement in peripheral lipid and cytokine profiles that may play a major role in improving cardiovascular risk. Show less