Topic Review
Type 3 Diabetes
The exact connection between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes is still in debate. However, poorly controlled blood sugar may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. This relationship is so strong that some have called Alzheimer’s “diabetes of the brain” or “type 3 diabetes (T3D)”. Given more recent studies continue to indicate evidence linking T3D with AD, this state-of-the-art aimed to demonstrate the relationship between T3D and AD based on the fact that both the processing of amyloid-β (Aβ) precursor protein toxicity and the clearance of Aβ are attributed to impaired insulin signaling, and that insulin resistance mediates the dysregulation of bioenergetics and progress to AD. 
  • 6.6K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Leucine Metabolism
Leucine, an essential branched amino acid, has anti-obesity effects on glucose tolerance, lipid metabolism, and insulin sensitivity. The catabolism of Leucine is a conserved regulator of physiological aging, participating in diverse physiological and pathological processes. This topic review offers an up-to-date report on the decomposition and metabolites of leucine in mammals, as α-ketoisocaproate (KIC) and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB).
  • 4.1K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 and Chronic Kidney Disease
Patients affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) experience a huge cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular events represent the leading causes of death. Folic acid and vitamin B12 could not only be mere cofactors in the homocysteine metabolism; they may have a direct action in determining tissue damage and cardiovascular risk. 
  • 3.6K
  • 15 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Significance of Glycerol in Biochemistry
Glycerol (C3H8O3), also known as propane-1,2,3-triol, is a significant biomolecule [1]. It is chemically classified as a ‘polyol with a molar mass of 92.09382 g/mol, a density of 1.26 g/cm3, and a boiling point of 554 °F (290 °C). In this section, we shall highlight some key roles this molecule plays in the biochemistry of life.
  • 3.5K
  • 26 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Amino Acid Catabolism
Amino acids have been extensively studied in nutrition, mainly as key elements for maintaining optimal protein synthesis in the body as well as precursors of various nitrogen-containing compounds. However, it is now known that amino acid catabolism is an important element for the metabolic control of different biological processes, although it is still a developing field to have a deeper understanding of its biological implications. The mechanisms involved in the regulation of amino acid catabolism now include the contribution of the gut microbiota to amino acid oxidation and metabolite generation in the intestine, the molecular mechanisms of transcriptional control, and the participation of specific miRNAs involved in the regulation of amino acid degrading enzymes. In addition, molecules derived from amino acid catabolism play a role in metabolism as they are used in the epigenetic regulation of many genes.
  • 3.0K
  • 02 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Pathophysiology of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis refers to excessive bone loss as reflected by the deterioration of bone mass and microarchitecture, which compromises bone strength. It is a complex multifactorial endocrine disease. Its pathogenesis relies on the presence of several endogenous and exogenous risk factors, which skew the physiological bone remodelling to a more catabolic process that results in net bone loss.
  • 2.9K
  • 15 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Mitochondrial Metabolism of Fatty Acids
Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cells, generating up to 90% of the energy within a cell in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). There is a close connection between fatty acid metabolism and mitochondria, involving a considerable number of cellular processes that go well beyond mitochondrial fatty acid metabolism. Fatty acids are essential for ATP and energy production, and are therefore highly relevant in the regulation of energy homeostasis. The processes of β-oxidation, linked to ATP production, and mitochondrial fatty acid biosynthesis (mtFAS) are both localized in the mitochondria. This last pathway, in particular, produces molecules that are used as cellular structural components for post-translational modifications of proteins and in signaling cascades.
  • 2.8K
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Psychoneuroendocrineimmunology (PNEI)
Psychoneuroendocrineimmunology (PNEI) brings together knowledge acquired since the 1930s from endocrinology, immunology, neuroscience, and psychology. With PNEI, a model of research and interpretation of health and disease is emerging, which sees the human body as a structured and interconnected unit, where the psychological and biological systems are mutually coordinated. In the PNEI view, many factors could influence mental health, with the endocrine system involved in mediating the effects of environmental stress on mental health and inflammation in the onset and course of psychiatric disorders as a result of individual and collective conditions and behaviors.  PNEI paradigm configures the possibilities of going beyond the historical and philosophical contrast between mind and body, as well as the scientific antithesis of the twentieth century, between medicine and psychology, overcoming their respective reductionism, which assigns the body to the first and the psyche to the second.   
  • 2.8K
  • 11 Aug 2021
Topic Review
β-Glucan
β-glucans are complex polysaccharides that are found in several plants and foods, including mushrooms. β-glucans display an array of potentially therapeutic properties. 
  • 2.8K
  • 07 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Pharmacological Actions of Quercetin in Diabetes
Quercetin is a flavonoid, present in various natural sources, which has demonstrated in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic properties. It improves oral glucose tolerance, as well as pancreatic β-cell function to secrete insulin. It inhibits the α-glucosidase and DPP-IV enzymes, which prolong the half-life of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Quercetin also suppresses the release of pro-inflammatory markers such as IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-α.
  • 2.3K
  • 09 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Molecular Characterization of XX Maleness
Androgens and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), secreted by the foetal testis, are responsible for the development of male reproductive organs and the regression of female anlagen. Virilization of the reproductive tract in association with the absence of Müllerian derivatives in the XX foetus implies the existence of testicular tissue, which can occur in the presence or absence of SRY. Recent advancement in the knowledge of the opposing gene cascades driving to the differentiation of the gonadal ridge into testes or ovaries during early foetal development has provided insight into the molecular explanation of XX maleness.
  • 2.3K
  • 13 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Role of Granulosa and Theca Cells in PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common heterogeneous endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age. The pathogenesis of PCOS remains elusive and there is evidence suggesting the potential contribution of genetic interactions or predispositions combined with environmental factors.
  • 2.1K
  • 16 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Extracellular Calcium and Inflammation
Burn injury serves as an example of a condition with a robust systemic inflammatory response. The elevation of circulating interleukins (IL)-1β and -6 in children and adolescents with severe burn injury upregulates the parathyroid calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), resulting in hypocalcemic hypoparathyroidism accompanied by urinary calcium wasting. This effect protects the body from the hypercalcemia that results from bone resorption, liberating calcium into the circulation. Extracellular calcium can exacerbate and prolong the inflammatory response by stimulating mononuclear cell chemokine production as well as the NLRP3 inflammasome of the innate immune system, resulting in increased IL-1 production by monocytes and macrophages. Interestingly, the CaSR upregulation in response to inflammatory cytokines disappears with age, potentially trapping calcium from bone resorption in the circulation, allowing it to contribute to increased inflammation and possibly increased calcium deposition in small arteries, such as the coronaries, as conditions with increased chronic inflammation, such as spinal cord injury, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis have an incidence of cardiovascular disease and coronary artery calcium deposition significantly higher than the unaffected age-matched population. 
  • 2.0K
  • 08 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Glucose Uptake by Skeletal Muscle
Skeletal muscle is the primary tissue for maintaining glucose homeostasis through glucose uptake via insulin-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Skeletal muscle is also responsive to exercise-meditated glucose transport, and as such, exercise is a cornerstone for glucose management in people with type 2 diabetes.
  • 2.0K
  • 07 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, the most important sterol in mammals, helps maintain plasma membrane fluidity and is a precursor of bile acids, oxysterols, and steroid hormones. Cholesterol in the body is obtained from the diet or can be de novo synthetized. Cholesterol homeostasis is mainly regulated by the liver, where cholesterol is packed in lipoproteins for transport through a tightly regulated process. Changes in circulating lipoprotein cholesterol levels lead to atherosclerosis development, which is initiated by an accumulation of modified lipoproteins in the subendothelial space; this induces significant changes in immune cell differentiation and function. In this entry, we describe the main regulatory pathways and mechanisms of cholesterol metabolism.
  • 1.9K
  • 17 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Pathophysiology of the Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a disease that has a complex etiology. It is defined as the co-occurrence of several pathophysiological disorders, including obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.
  • 1.9K
  • 22 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Molecular Iodine Has Extrathyroidal Effects
Most investigations of iodine metabolism in humans and animals have focused on its role in thy-roid function. However, considerable evidence indicates that iodine could also be implicated in the physiopathology of other organs.
  • 1.8K
  • 23 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Coumarin-Based Profluorescent and Fluorescent Substrates
Activities of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes have been measured with various in vitro and in vivo methods, such as spectrophotometric, fluorometric, mass spectrometric and radioactivity-based techniques. In fluorescence-based assays, the reaction produces a fluorescent product from a nonfluorescent substrate or vice versa. We describe here historical highlights and current use of (pro)fluorescent coumarin derivatives in evaluating activities of the major types of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme systems. Traditionally coumarin substrates have been used to measure oxidative activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. For this purpose, profluorescent coumarins are very sensitive, but generally lack selectivity for individual CYP forms. The entry describes several new coumarin-based substrates for measuring activities of CYP and conjugating enzymes with improved selectivity.
  • 1.7K
  • 14 Jul 2020
Topic Review
Environmental Factors Affect Parathyroid Hormone and Calcitonin
Calciotropic hormones, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin are involved in the regulation of bone mineral metabolism and maintenance of calcium and phosphate homeostasis in the body. Therefore, an understanding of environmental and genetic factors influencing PTH and calcitonin levels is crucial. Genetic factors are estimated to account for 60% of variations in PTH levels.
  • 1.7K
  • 22 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Thermogenesis
Thermogenesis is an energy demanding process by which endotherms produce heat to maintain their body temperature in response to cold exposure. Mitochondria in the brown and beige adipocytes play a key role in thermogenesis, as the site for uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), which allows for the diffusion of protons through the mitochondrial inner membrane to produce heat. 
  • 1.6K
  • 23 Mar 2021
  • Page
  • of
  • 17
ScholarVision Creations