Topic Review
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic liver disease, which classically includes a spectrum of progressive pathological conditions, ranging from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with different grades of fibrosis and cirrhosis. NAFLD is also a “multisystemic” disease, NAFLD is independently associated with serious hepatic complications (e.g., hepatic decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]), but also with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • 460
  • 17 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Pathogenesis and Oxidative Stress
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a challenging disease caused by multiple factors, which may partly explain why it still remains an orphan of adequate therapies. It highlights the interaction between oxidative stress (OS) and disturbed lipid metabolism. Several reactive oxygen species generators, including those produced in the gastrointestinal tract, contribute to the lipotoxic hepatic (and extrahepatic) damage by fatty acids and a great variety of their biologically active metabolites in a “multiple parallel-hit model”. This leads to inflammation and fibrogenesis and contributes to NAFLD progression. The alterations of the oxidant/antioxidant balance affect also metabolism-related organelles, leading to lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This OS-induced damage is at least partially counteracted by the physiological antioxidant response. Therefore, modulation of this defense system emerges as an interesting target to prevent NAFLD development and progression. For instance, probiotics, prebiotics, diet, and fecal microbiota transplantation represent new therapeutic approaches targeting the gut microbiota dysbiosis. The OS and its counter-regulation are under the influence of individual genetic and epigenetic factors as well.
  • 625
  • 14 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Non-Coding RNAs in Tamoxifen Resistance
Despite the clinical efficacy of Tam, intrinsic or acquired resistance is an important obstacle limiting the success of ER + breast cancer patient treatment. It is a challenge that needs to be overcome to improve the prognosis of these patients. The main mechanisms of resistance to tamoxifen can be divided according to different causes: mechanisms that involve genetic mutations and lead to loss or gain of function of the receptor and mechanisms that modulate other protumorigenic pathways, including other receptors involved in estrogen’s pathway of action.
  • 401
  • 09 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Pain Management in Hemodialysis
Acupuncture demonstrated considerable promise as a benign and efficacious supplementary therapy for managing pain, enhancing functional capacity and muscular strength, lessening symptoms of restless leg syndrome and uremic pruritus, and bettering the quality of life (QOL) of patients on hemodialysis. Additional investigations are imperative to confirm these results and define the ideal parameters for treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy also exhibited the potential to ameliorate diverse facets of wellness in hemodialysis patients, including social support, QOL, and mental health outcomes. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) proved successful in attenuating depressive symptom severity, enhancing therapy adherence, and diminishing depression. Internet-based CBT could potentially enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of these interventions for this patient population. Relaxation techniques, encompassing progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness meditation, appear to hold potential in managing pain, fatigue, stress, and sleep patterns, as well as in promoting well-being and QOL for hemodialysis patients. Emerging as an innovative immersive technology, virtual reality has demonstrated potential benefits in pain management for individuals undergoing hemodialysis.
  • 373
  • 23 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) may further progress to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NASH-related  HCC is currently the most rapid-growing indication for liver transplant in HCC patients.
  • 924
  • 31 May 2021
Topic Review
Novel Oral Anticoagulants
The use of novel oral anticoagulants in patients with impaired renal function or undergoing immunosuppressive therapy is limited due to the risk of drug-to-drug interactions and anticoagulation-related adverse events. Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been commonly used in patients facing a higher risk of cardiovascular (CV) incidents such as atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thrombo-embolic events (VTE), successfully decreasing numbers of CV incidents in the general population. The probability of those incidents increases in specific groups of patients, including those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) where the risk of developing AF averages between 19–24%, reaching up to 27% in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
  • 354
  • 04 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Nox4
The NADPH oxidase Nox4 is a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-producing enzyme, with the highest expression in the kidney. As the kidney is involved in volume and blood pressure control through sodium handling, we set out to determine the impact of a low sodium diet on these parameters in WT and Nox4-/- mice. Nox4 expression in the murine kidney was restricted to the proximal tubule. Nevertheless, low-sodium-induced weight loss and sodium sparing function was similar in WT and Nox4-/- mice, disputing an important function of renal Nox4 in sodium handling. In contrast, a low sodium diet resulted in a reduction in systolic blood pressure in Nox4-/- as compared to WT mice. This was associated with a selectively lower pressure to heart-rate ratio, as well as heart to body weight ratio. In general, a low sodium diet leads to activation of sympathetic tone and the renin angiotensin system, which subsequently increases peripheral resistance. Our observations suggest that the control by this system is attenuated in Nox4-/- mice, resulting in lower blood pressure in response to low sodium.
  • 906
  • 24 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Nrf2 and NF-κB for Cancer
Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) and NF-κB (nuclear factor–kappa B) signaling pathways play a central role in suppressing or inducing inflammation and angiogenesis processes. Therefore, they are involved in many steps of carcinogenesis through cooperation with multiple signaling molecules and pathways. Targeting both transcription factors simultaneously may be considered an equally important strategy for cancer chemoprevention and therapy.
  • 534
  • 04 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Obesity and Bone
The increase in body weight causes an increase in BMD (bone mineral density), both for a mechanical effect and for the greater amount of estrogens present in the adipose tissue. Nevertheless, despite an apparent strengthening of the bone witnessed by the increased BMD, the risk of fracture is higher.
  • 402
  • 05 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Obesity-Induced Perivascular Adipose Tissue Dysfunction in Vascular Homeostasis
Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is an additional special type of adipose tissue surrounding blood vessels. Under physiological conditions, PVAT plays a significant role in regulation of vascular tone, intravascular thermoregulation, and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. PVAT is responsible for releasing adipocytes-derived relaxing factors (ADRF) and perivascular-derived relaxing factors (PDRF), which have anticontractile properties.
  • 435
  • 24 Nov 2021
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