Adipose tissue is at a point of high interest in medical research, not only as an energy depot, but also because it secretes nearly more than 600 cytokines. These are termed‚ adipokines’. Human adipokines are involved in numerous metabolic processes, including the regulation of appetite, energy expenditure, insulin sensitivity, inflammation and cardiovascular activity. Thus, these could be clinically important as a markers of adipose tissue function and increased metabolic risk. The search for novel adipokines linking obesity to related co-morbidities has become a major topic in obesity research. In such work, there is an increasing need to define their function, their molecular targets and their potential clinical relevance as biomarkers or in the treatment of obesity and other metabolic diseases.
Omentin (34 kDa) is a recently identified fat deposition-specific adipokine with multiple interactions. Concentrations of omentin have been shown to be decreased in patients with obesity and impaired glucose regulation, in patients afflicted with diabetes type 1 and 2, and in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. These are all diseases commonly associated with insulin resistance and obesity. The aim of this study was to show and compare the latest information about omentin and its relationships with obesity, diabetes mellitus (DM), metabolic syndrome (MetS), inflammation, cardiac problems, sex hormone imbalances and cancer.
The association of omentin with particular metabolic indexes may suggest that an elevation in omentin level may be seen as being a marker for leanness, while a decreased level will underline possible situations of overweight and obesity along with their comorbidities (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, inflammation and even cancer). However, a challenge for the future is to fully understand the multiple role played by omentin. Thus, more studies in these matter are required.
Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae) is a common spice and a medicine widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical climate around the globe, which contains both precious polyphenols and terpenes in its extracts. The ubiquity of ginger in a variety of foods encouraged the authors to assess the influence of thermal processing and digestion of the plant material on its antioxidant capacity. The obtained results of DPPH assay showed marked differences in the antioxidant potential of the processed samples, in comparison with fresh ginger rhizomes. Autoclave and microwave heating procedures were found to evoke the mildest decomposition of the antioxidants and increase the antioxidant capacity of the plant (from IC 50 of 210±10 for a fresh rhizome to ca 160±16 µg/mL for the former, and to 150±18 for the latter technique), whereas frying and boiling for different durations significantly deteriorated the antiradical potential up to IC 50 = 940±36 µg/mL. Mouth and stomach digestion decreased the antioxidant potential of the extracts even to ca. 1000±47 µg/mL. A protective role of saliva towards the antioxidant compounds against hydrochloric acid and pepsin activities has been proven. A marked deterioration in antioxidant capacity in digested rhizomes may shed new light on the actual absorption of consumed polyphenols with food products.
miRNA-3662 and its precursor are potentially involved in AC development. pri-miRNA seem to be novel interesting group of potential cancer biomarkers, because they demonstrate high diagnostic accuracy for tumor detection.
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