Search Results (340)

Oxidative stress occurs when there is an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cell, primarily produced by mitochondria. Excess ROS trigger membrane lipid peroxidation (LPO), cause mitochondrial swelling, and release proapoptotic proteins into the cytoplasm, which can lead to apoptosis. It is assumed that antioxidants that reduce excessive ROS formation by mitochondria can increase the body’s resistance to stress factors. We investigated the effects of hypoxia and the antioxidant Ambiol (2-methyl-4-dimethylaminomethylbenzimidazole-5-ol dihydrochloride) on the functional characteristics of mitochondria, which were assessed by measuring lipid peroxidation intensity using spectrofluorimetry, mitochondrial membranes fatty acid composition using chromatography, mitochondrial morphology using atomic force microscopy, and respiration rate using polarography. Injecting mice with Ambiol at a dose of 10⁻⁶ mol/kg for 5 days prevented the stress-induced activation of lipid peroxidation, a decrease in the unsaturation index of C₁₈ and C₂₀ fatty acids in mitochondrial membranes, and swelling of these organelles. The drug also increased the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation during the oxidation of NAD-dependent substrates. Furthermore, Ambiol increased the lifespan of mice by 3.0–4.0 times under various types of hypoxia. Ambiol’s ability to maintain initial (control) levels of C₁₈ and C₂₀ unsaturated fatty acids appears to protect against stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Full article

Background/Objectives: Altered lipid metabolism is a key feature of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), yet its impact on early spinal cord involvement remains poorly understood. Distinguishing between pathological lipid accumulation and adaptive metabolic responses is essential for interpreting initial stages of neural alteration in T2DM. This study aimed to characterize spinal cord lipid composition and ATPase activities in a rat model of T2DM. Methods: Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats were used as a model of T2DM and divided into diabetic and obese groups, with lean Zucker rats as controls. ATPase activities in spinal cord tissue were measured spectrophotometrically, and lipid profiling was performed using gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection. Indices of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) and delta-5 desaturase activity (D5D) were calculated from specific fatty acid ratios as estimates of enzyme-related activity. Results: Diabetic rats exhibited significantly higher levels of free monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) compared with controls, while the obese group showed a moderate increase. Elevated SCD1 indices were indicative of increased estimated MUFA synthesis. Levels of free polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including those crucial for myelin stability, as well as ATPase activities, remained unchanged, suggesting preserved basal membrane-associated enzyme function. Conclusions: This study identifies lipid alterations in the spinal cord preceding overt neurodegenerative changes in T2DM, characterized by increased free MUFA abundance, without evidence of altered ATPase activities. These findings support the interpretation that lipid changes observed at this stage are more consistent with adaptive metabolic remodeling than with overt structural or functional neural impairment. Full article

In this study, we investigated the preservation efficacy of a lemon essential oil-rutin-chitosan (CS-LEO/NE-R) composite coating on seasoned white snakehead fillets and systematically evaluated dynamic metabolite changes via untargeted metabolomics. The results demonstrated that the composite coating significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed microbial proliferation while delaying increases in pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), thereby extending the microbial spoilage threshold by 5 days. Untargeted metabolomics identified 2271 metabolites, with differentially abundant metabolites predominantly involving amino acids and their derivatives, organic acids and their derivatives, and glycerophospholipids. KEGG enrichment analysis suggested that the composite coating maintained cellular membrane stability and was associated with alterations in glycerophospholipid, arachidonic acid, and linoleic acid metabolism pathways linked to membrane integrity, enhanced antioxidant defences, and regulation of energy metabolism homeostasis. Concurrent enrichment of α-linolenic acid metabolism further pointed to altered fatty acid metabolism, consistent with reduced lipid peroxidation product accumulation. Full article

The gut–skin axis is increasingly implicated in psoriasis pathogenesis, yet the cross-compartment convergence of molecular programs remains incompletely defined. We constructed a conceptual “Triple-Hit” multi-omics framework by integrating five independent public datasets spanning gut microbial functional remodeling (shotgun metagenomics), systemic immune cell methylomes (PBMC and CD8+ T-cell EPIC 850K), and lesional skin regulatory layers (miRNA and bulk RNA-seq). In the gut compartment, functional profiles exhibited a selective reduction in microbial lipid catabolic potential, including decreased fatty acid degradation and a lowered composite lipid degradation score, alongside heterogeneous shifts across SCFA-associated metabolic pathways. Systemically, PBMC methylomes revealed widespread regional remodeling (45,396 DMRs) enriched for membrane-proximal signaling and cytoskeletal programs, while CD8+ T cells showed specific epigenetic alterations in lipid- and glycosphingolipid-associated loci, suggesting a systemic metabolic–epigenetic alignment. In the skin, we identified a compact miRNA signature (168 DE-miRNAs) and a mechanistically interpretable, directionality-constrained miRNA–mRNA bridge that aligns with an AMP-dominant inflammatory transcriptome, consistent with reduced post-transcriptional restraint. Collectively, these findings support a convergent multi-omics framework linking putative microbial metabolic remodeling, systemic immune priming, and cutaneous effector programs. This study provides a systems-level perspective on psoriasis pathogenesis, highlighting the metabolic–epigenetic–transcriptional convergence as a potential avenue for therapeutic intervention. Full article

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has attracted considerable attention for its anticancer potential; however, mechanistic studies employing bioactivity-guided fractions from geographically distinct landraces remain limited. Building on our previous report on the bioactivity and phytochemical profile of the Bidah pomegranate landrace, the present study applied bioactivity-guided fractionation to enrich biologically active constituents and investigate mitochondria-associated cellular responses in colorectal cancer cells (Caco-2 cells). A semi-polar fraction from Bidah pomegranate crude extract (B6) was evaluated for its antioxidant activity, cell viability, cell death morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential, transcriptional modulation of key regulatory genes, and phytochemical composition. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profiling of B6 revealed a chromatographic fingerprint with seven detectable peaks, including two major peaks at retention times of 7.577 and 8.602 min, together accounting for approximately 66% of the total chromatographic area, indicating the enrichment of major constituents. Consistent with this enrichment, the fraction exhibited potent DPPH radical scavenging activity at a microgram-range IC₅₀, suggesting the presence of redox-active phytochemicals. In cell-based assays, the fraction induced a dose-dependent reduction in metabolic viability, while acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI) staining of Caco-2 cells revealed delayed, regulated cell death. JC-1 staining demonstrated a pronounced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, consistent with early mitochondrial dysfunction. Gene expression analysis further revealed modulation of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes, alongside cell-cycle-associated and oxidative stress/inflammatory markers. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) profiling identified polyacetylenes, sterol derivatives, fatty acid esters, and terpenoids, providing chemical context for the observed mitochondrial perturbation. Collectively, the findings support a mitochondria-centered, regulated cell death response driven by a multi-component phytochemical matrix. This study advances mechanistic insight beyond crude extract analysis and highlights the sustainable biomedical value of the Bidah pomegranate landrace as an underutilized regional resource. Full article

The arachidonic acid (C20:4 ω6, ARA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 ω3, EPA) from Porphyridium purpureum endow this microalga with potential utilization value, but their distribution patterns remain poorly understood. In this study, a nitrogen concentration, a phosphorus concentration, light intensity and salinity were applied to investigate the synthesis and distribution patterns of EPA and ARA in P. purpureum by measuring growth, lipid content, lipid fractions, fatty acid composition, and the levels of EPA and ARA in storage lipids and membrane lipids. The results show that the optimal conditions for biomass accumulation were a nitrogen concentration of 0.75 g L⁻¹, a phosphorus concentration of 240 mg L⁻¹, a light intensity of 250–300 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ and a salinity of 50 ppt. Reducing the phosphorus concentration and increasing salinity enhanced the total lipid content, whereas changes in nitrogen concentration and light intensity had minimal effects on total lipid content. Low nitrogen concentration, low phosphorus concentration and high light intensity favored ARA synthesis, whereas the opposite conditions promoted EPA synthesis. Culture conditions could alter the distribution of ARA and EPA between storage lipids and membrane lipids. Increasing the nitrogen concentration, phosphorus concentration and salinity, as well as reducing light intensity, promoted the distribution of ARA and EPA in membrane lipids. Conversely, the opposite conditions enhanced their distribution in storage lipids. In conclusion, the synthesis and distribution of EPA and ARA in P. purpureum are influenced by culture conditions. To improve the yield of ARA and EPA, P. purpureum should be cultivated under nutrient-sufficient conditions. Full article

Hypocrellin A (HA) represents a pharmaceutically important perylenequinone photosensitizer produced by Shiraia bambusicola. However, submerged fermentation remains constrained by filamentous morphological characteristics and inherent mass transfer limitations. Although microparticle-enhanced cultivation (MPEC) has demonstrated efficacy in filamentous fungal systems, the molecular mechanisms by which physical cues, such as microparticle-induced shear stress, reprogram fungal metabolism remain largely unexplored. This work systematically optimizes SiO₂-based MPEC parameters for S. bambusicola GDMCC 60438, including particle dimensions, temporal addition protocols, and solid loading. Mechanistic investigations integrated pellet morphology analysis, membrane lipid composition, intracellular redox status, energy/precursor markers, and RNA-seq transcriptomic profiling with qRT-PCR validation. Under optimized conditions (10% w/v SiO₂, 30 mesh, added at 6 h), HA yield reached 41.76 ± 5.02 mg/L, representing a 3.65-fold increase over controls. MPEC shifted morphology toward smaller, more porous pellets with denser internal structure, accompanied by increased membrane fluidity (unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio from 1.54 to 2.63), elevated ROS levels with antioxidant enzyme activation, and enhanced acetyl-CoA and ATP accumulation. Transcriptomic analysis identified 206 differentially expressed genes enriched in oxidative phosphorylation, carbon metabolism, and stress responses, with upregulation of PKS-related biosynthetic genes and major facilitator superfamily transporters. This work establishes an integrated mechanistic framework linking particle-induced morphological changes to metabolic reprogramming through oxidative stress and subsequent transcriptional activation of the HA biosynthetic pathway, providing rational design principles for MPEC strategies in filamentous fungi. Full article

Background and Aims: Injectable lipid emulsions are an integral component of parenteral nutrition, providing energy as well as essential fatty acids. However, conventional soybean oil–based emulsions, which are rich in omega-6 fatty acids, are associated with a risk of exacerbating pro-inflammatory responses and immunosuppression, which is of particular importance in critically ill patients. The aim of this review is to present the significance of the composition of modern injectable lipid emulsions, with particular emphasis on emulsions containing fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), and to discuss their potential clinical benefits in selected critical conditions. Methods: This narrative review discusses the rationale for modern mixed-oil ILE, with a focus on fish oil as a source of EPA and DHA, and summarizes potential clinical benefits in selected critical care settings. Results: Modern injectable lipid emulsions combine long-chain triglycerides derived from soybean oil (omega-6), MCTs, olive oil (omega-9), and fish oil (omega-3). Adjusting the supply of individual fractions affects cell membrane structure, signaling pathways, gene expression, and the profile of lipid mediators produced, including specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs). ESPEN guidelines and international recommendations emphasize the need to use lipids in parenteral nutrition, preferring mixed-oil ILE supplemented with fish oil. The cited meta-analyses and clinical studies indicate that omega-3-containing emulsions may reduce the risk of infections and sepsis; shorten hospital stay, ICU length of stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation in patients with sepsis; as well as improve outcomes in acute pancreatitis; lower the risk of delirium; and reduce the incidence of delayed gastric emptying. Conclusions: Available data support the use of mixed-oil ILE supplemented with fish oil in the parenteral nutrition of critically ill patients as a strategy with immunomodulatory and pro-resolving potential that may translate into improved clinical outcomes. However, further well-designed randomized trials are needed to optimize dosing and administration regimens. Full article

This study evaluated Apis mellifera brood fat extracts as a sustainable alternative to beeswax for anti-inflammatory topical delivery, including their formulation into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). Brood fat was extracted using acetone, ethyl acetate (EA), and hexane, and the resulting extracts were characterized for fatty acid composition and physicochemical properties. Safety was assessed using the hen’s egg chorioallantoic membrane test and cytotoxicity testing in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) production. The most suitable extract was formulated into NLCs using sugar squalane as liquid lipid, and the effects of lipid ratio and preparation method were investigated. The results showed that the ethyl acetate extract had the highest yield. Compared with beeswax, all fat extracts exhibited a favorable oleic acid–rich fatty acid profile with comparable crystallinity and thermal behavior, while showing significantly enhanced anti-inflammatory activity (p < 0.05). All extracts and their NLCs were non-irritating and non-cytotoxic. Ethyl acetate extract-based NLCs exhibited favorable particle sizes (72.1 ± 0.3 nm) and narrow polydispersity (0.14 ± 0.00), with high-pressure homogenization producing smaller particles compared to probe sonication without affecting IL-6 or TNF-α inhibition. Therefore, A. mellifera brood fat extract is a sustainable anti-inflammatory lipid source with strong potential as an alternative to beeswax in topical nano-formulations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Insect oils have gained attention as sustainable cosmetic ingredients due to their bioactive lipid content. This study aimed to characterize oils from cricket and to evaluate their safety, biological activities, and performance in sunscreen formulations. Methods: Oils were extracted from Gryllus bimaculatus, Teleogryllus mitratus, and Acheta domesticus by cold pressing following hot-air drying. Fatty acid composition was determined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Safety was assessed by cytotoxicity testing in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) and the hen’s egg chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) assay. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated by intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO^•) assays. Based on biological performance, T. mitratus oil (TMO) was incorporated into sunscreen creams containing physical and chemical ultraviolet (UV) filters. Physical stability, viscosity, pH, sun protection factor (SPF), persistent pigment darkening/ultraviolet A protection factor (PPD/UVA-PF), and blue light protection were evaluated. Results: All cricket oils were non-cytotoxic to NHDF cells and were classified as non-irritating in the HET-CAM assay. TMO exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, reducing intracellular ROS and significantly inhibiting NO^• production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells. Only TMO showed measurable UVA protection (PPD/UVA-PF = 12.1, PA+++). Sunscreen creams formulated with TMO achieved higher photoprotective efficacy than olive oil-based creams, with SPF values up to 40.51 and PPD/UVA-PF up to 39.17. The inclusion of foundation pigments further increased SPF to 43.09 and enhanced blue light protection to 35.1%. Conclusions: TMO is a safe and effective multifunctional ingredient that enhances sunscreen performance and supports sustainable cosmetic formulation. Full article

Human skin lipids form interconnected pools that support barrier integrity, immune balance, and interactions with the environment. The stratum corneum barrier is built from an ordered mix of ceramides, cholesterol, and long-chain free fatty acids, while sebaceous lipids and their breakdown products shape surface properties and the skin microbiome. Hexadecenoic fatty acids are key at this interface. Palmitoleic acid (cis-9 16:1; 16:1 n−7, POA) is enriched in viable epidermis and remains detectable in stratum corneum lipids, whereas its isomer sapienic acid (cis-6 16:1; 16:1 n−10) predominates in human sebum. Together, they influence membrane organization, lipid fluidity, and antimicrobial defense. This mini-review outlines skin lipid composition and function with a focus on POA and then summarizes experimental and preclinical topical evidence suggesting antimicrobial effects, enhanced lubrication properties, protection from oxidative and ultraviolet B (UVB) injury, and enhanced wound repair. It also reviews early clinical findings from oral POA supplementation trials reporting improved hydration, barrier function, and markers of photo-oxidative aging, with exploratory signals for acne in a multi-nutrient regimen. Major POA sources include sea buckthorn pulp oil, macadamia and avocado oils, selected marine oils, ruminant fats, and emerging fermentation-derived products. Robust mechanistic human studies are still needed to define optimal dosing, formulations, and indications. Full article

Cutaneous melanoma is a highly aggressive type of cancer with a poor prognosis at advanced stages. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that metabolic reprogramming is essential for melanoma, allowing it to adapt to both cellular changes, due to its genetic instability, and to micro-environmental stimuli. This review provides an overview of how melanoma cells remodel membrane lipids during melanoma progression with a focus on how environmental stresses (e.g., UV radiation) affect tumor aggressiveness and therapy resistance by reshaping membrane structure, fluidity, and composition. Dietary lipids, especially omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), further modulate membrane properties and can sensitize melanoma cells to oxidative stress and ferroptosis, revealing potential therapeutic vulnerabilities. Finally, we discuss emerging evidence that lipid signatures, including circulating lipid profiles and melanoma-derived exosomes, have prognostic and predictive value. Together, these insights emphasize the importance of lipid metabolism and membrane architecture as key factors in melanoma biology and as promising targets for personalized interventions. Full article

Rapid urbanization threatens soil biodiversity and ecosystem functions, but the structural and physiological adaptations of soil microorganisms to urbanization remain unclear. We examined variations in soil microbial biomass, community structure and membrane lipid composition along an urban–suburban–exurban gradient in Guangzhou, China, using phospholipid fatty acid analysis. Samples were collected from four to five quadrats per site at three depths during dry and wet seasons. PERMANOVA revealed that both the urbanization gradient and the soil depth significantly shaped microbial communities. Depth was the strongest driver, explaining 45.5% of the variance in total microbial biomass, while site explained 27.2%. Microbial biomass decreased from exurban to urban sites and from surface to deep soils. Concurrently, the ratios of fungi/bacteria and Gram-positive/Gram-negative bacteria increased in urban areas and deeper soils. Physiologically, the membrane lipids shifted toward more saturated fatty acids in urban and surface soils, while unsaturated fatty acids predominated in exurban and deeper layers. These shifts in microbial community structure and membrane lipid composition were strongly correlated with key soil properties, including soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and bulk density. The findings demonstrate urbanization diminishes microbial biomass and triggers adaptive microbial responses, providing a scientific basis for the sustainable management of urban forests. Full article

Peroxisomes are multifunctional organelles that play essential roles in lipid metabolism, redox regulation, and cellular signaling. An expanding body of evidence implicates peroxisomal dysfunction as a key contributor to aging and age-related diseases. Aging is accompanied by progressive declines in key peroxisomal functions, including catalase activity, fatty acid β-oxidation, plasmalogen biosynthesis, and the metabolism of bile acids and docosahexaenoic acid, resulting in increased oxidative stress, lipid dysregulation, and alterations in membrane composition. Impaired pexophagy further exacerbates these defects by allowing the accumulation of damaged peroxisomes and compromising cellular homeostasis. Through extensive metabolic and signaling crosstalk with mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosomes, peroxisomal dysfunction can propagate oxidative and metabolic disturbances throughout the cell. In addition, peroxisome-derived signaling molecules, such as hydrogen peroxide and bioactive lipids, link peroxisomal activity to cellular stress responses and organismal metabolic homeostasis. We propose that aging-associated impairments in peroxisomal protein import, redox regulation, and selective turnover progressively shift peroxisomes from adaptive metabolic signaling hubs toward sources of chronic oxidative and lipid stress. In this context, current studies highlight peroxisomal homeostasis as a potential determinant of healthy aging and point to peroxisomal pathways as emerging targets for intervention in age-related disease. Full article

Background/Objectives: Vedolizumab (VDZ), a monoclonal antibody targeting α4β7 integrin, is used in Crohn’s disease (CD) management, yet patients’ responses vary, underscoring the need for pharmacogenomic (PGx) markers. This study aimed to identify PGx pathways associated with suboptimal VDZ response using a rare-variant analytical framework. Methods: DNA from 63 CD patients treated with VDZ as first-line advanced therapy underwent whole-exome sequencing. Clinical response at week 14 classified patients as optimal responders (ORs) or suboptimal responders (SRs). Sequencing data were processed using GATK Best Practices, annotated with variant effect predictors, and filtered for rare damaging variants (damaging missense and high-confidence loss-of-function; minor allele frequency < 0.05). Variants were mapped to genes specific for SRs and ORs, and analyzed for pathway enrichment using the Reactome database. Rare-variant burden and composition differences were assessed with Fisher’s exact test and SKAT-O gene-set association analysis. Results: Suboptimal VDZ response was associated with pathways related to membrane transport (ABC-family proteins, ion channels), L1–ankyrin interactions, and bile acid recycling, while optimal response was associated with pathways involving MET signaling. SKAT-O identified lipid metabolism-related pathways as significantly different—SRs harbored variants in pro-inflammatory lipid signaling and immune cell trafficking genes (e.g., PIK3CG, CYP4F2, PLA2R1), whereas ORs carried variants in fatty acid oxidation and detoxification genes (e.g., ACADM, CYP1A1, ALDH3A2, DECR1, MMUT). Conclusions: This study underscores the potential of exome-based rare-variant analysis to stratify CD patients and guide precision medicine approaches. The identified genes and pathways are potential PGx markers for CD patients treated with VDZ. Full article