Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 17, Issue 36, 2011

Oxidative stress seems to play an important role in mitochondria-mediated disease processes, though the exact molecular mechanisms underlying its involvement remain elusive. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generally necessary for the proper functioning of the cell, but excessive ROS production can be harmful, which makes antioxidant defenses essential. Cellular targets attacked by ROS include DNA, proteins, membr Read More

Diabetes is a chronic disease and, as a consequence of the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is related with oxidative stress. There are different sources of ROS, of which mitochondria is the main one. Oxidative stress seems to play an important role in mitochondria- mediated disease processes, though the exact molecular mechanisms responsible remain elusive. There are evidences which supports the idea th Read More

One of the most significant achievements of the twentieth century is the increase in human lifespan. In any period studied, females live longer than males. We showed that mitochondrial oxidative stress is higher in males than females and that the higher levels of estrogens in females protect them against ageing, by up-regulating the expression of antioxidant, longevity-related genes. The chemical structure of estradiol confer Read More

The aging process is accompanied by an impairment of the physiological systems including the immune system. This system is an excellent indicator of health. We have also observed that several functions of the immune cells are good markers of biological age and predictors of longevity. In agreement with the oxidation-inflammation theory that we have proposed, the chronic oxidative stress that appears with ag Read More

The complex system of molecular communications underlying cell biochemistry and function involves numerous components including kinases, phosphatases and transcription factors, which are known to be sensitive to cellular and tissue redox changes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), whose constitutive generation in cells and tissues is amplified under pro-oxidant conditions, are now unanimously recognized to be impo Read More

Living in an oxygen containing environment is automatically connected to oxidative stress. Beside lipids and nucleic acids, especially proteins are very susceptible for oxidative modifications. These oxidative modifications comprise alterations of single amino acids, like the formation of protein carbonyls and methionine sulfoxide, or the aggregation of whole proteins. Due to the ongoing accumulation of protein aggregates durin Read More

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in many human diseases and off-target drug effects. Isolated deficiency of mitochondrial complex I (CI), the first complex of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system, can arise from mutations in nuclear DNA (nDNA)-encoded subunits. In humans, these mutations are generally associated with neurodegenerative disorders like Leigh or Leigh-like syndrome with onset in earl Read More

During the last years, there have been a number of reports that prove involvement of mitochondria in the pathogenesis of variety of disorders including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Alteration of vital mitochondrial functions - production of ATP, calcium buffering capacity, abnormal production of reactive oxygen species, can be potentially responsible for pathogenesis of cancer and neurodegenerative dise Read More

Mitochondria are crucial, multifunctional organelles which actively regulate cellular homeostasis. Their complex and diverse role includes maintenance of the cellular energetic balance through hosting several catabolic pathways which result in the process of oxidative phosphorylation, as well as enabling various fundamental anabolic processes and controlling Ca2+ distribution. Moreover, mitochondria are the main cell Read More

Phytosterols, which are structurally related to cholesterol, are found in all plant foods with highest concentration occurring in vegetable oils and nuts. Phytosterols are known to reduce serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level without changing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Daily consumption of phytosterols-enriched foods is widely used as a therapeutic option to lower plasma cholesterol a Read More

Thirty years after the discovery of HIV infection, there are numerous antiretroviral drugs that control the disease when administered in a potent combination referred to as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). This therapy reduces the viral load and improves immune system reconstitution, leading to a significant reduction of HIV-related morbidity and mortality. However, HAART does not completely eliminate Read More