Senescence is a permanent cell cycle arrest that is accompanied by changes in cell morphology and physiology occurring in vitro and in vivo. Senescence evolved as a beneficial response to damage promoting wound healing, limiting fibrosis, fighting against cancer and helping embryonic development. However, excessive accumulation of senescent cells is considered to play a substantial role in the development of aging-related diseases and other morphological and physiological changes associated with aging. Therefore, the aim of many researchers is to find out a way to eliminate senescent cells and improve the health condition of aging people. Bioactive compounds e.g. polyphenols, vitamins, phenols, carotenoids, ginsenosides, omega-3 fatty acids, and compounds isolated from algae (phloroglucinol, sargachromal) are known to affect important biological functions. Recent in vitro studies have revealed that they can protect different types of cells against stress induced senescence (SISP), delay replicative senescence, rejuvenate senescent cells and exert senolytic effects. This review summarizes how the biological compounds listed above affect cell morphology, cell proliferation, specific cell functions, the activity of senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal), the shortening of telomeres and reduction of telomerase activity, production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation products, expression of antioxidant enzymes, expression of p53 and p21 - key effectors of cell cycle arrest leading to senescence - and expression of some key components of senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in replicative senescence, stress induced senescence (SISP) and under conditions which may lead to the development of senescence such as UV-A and UV-B irradiation of cells and the production of matrix metalloproteinases (a component of the SASP) in cells. Finally, future perspectives of this research are discussed.

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Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder with a significant risk for cardiovascular diseases. Dyslipidemia and redox imbalance belong to potential mechanisms linking OSA with the development of vascular diseases. The main aim of this study was the evaluation of the presence of lipid abnormalities in OSA patients, focusing on small dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions and determination of the redox imbalance by evaluating the marker of oxidative damage to plasma lipids - lipoperoxides. Methods The study included 15 male subjects with polysomnographically confirmed OSA and 16 male healthy controls. Plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL and HDL and their subfractions, triacylglycerols and lipoperoxides were determined in all study individuals. Plasma LDL and HDL subfractions were separated by the Lipoprint system which is a polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Lipoperoxide levels were determined spectrophotometrically. Results OSA patients had significantly higher triacylglycerols, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol compared to healthy controls. HDL cholesterol was not significantly different. Of the LDL and HDL subfractions, OSA patients had significantly lower levels of atheroprotective LDL1 and large HDL subfractions and significantly higher levels of atherogenic small dense LDL3–7 and HDL8–10 subfractions. Lipoperoxide levels in patients with OSA were significantly elevated compared to healthy individuals. Conclusion The lipoprotein pro-atherogenic phenotype was found in individuals with OSA characterized by increased levels of atherogenic lipoprotein subfractions and reduced levels of atheroprotective subfractions. In addition, a plasma redox imbalance was found in patients with OSA compared to controls by detecting higher oxidative damage to lipids. Abnormalities in lipoprotein levels in patients with OSA, as well as the redox imbalance, could lead to an acceleration of the atherosclerotic process in predisposed individuals and thus represent a significant risk factor for vasular diseases.

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that proteasome inhibitors might be potential anticancer drugs. The copper complexes can be used as specifi c proteasome inhibitors in tumor cells able to induce apoptosis by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The goal of our study was to test the cytotoxic and proteasome inhibitory effects of fi ve Schiff base Cu(II) complexes -(4) on human lung carcinoma cells A549, cervix carcinoma cells HeLa and glioblastoma cells U-118MG. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For the cytotoxic analysis we used MTT test and for monitoring the proteasome inhibition western blot analysis. RESULTS: We have observed different cytotoxic effects of tested complexes on human cancer cells depending on the ligand present in their structure. Cu(II) complexes 4 and 5 were the most effective against A549 cells; all complexes were cytotoxic against HeLa cells and the complex 4 was the most effective against U-118MG. Moreover, we have detected the inhibition of the proteasome activity in human cancer cells A549 by Cu(II) complexes 1, 2 and 4 at IC 50 concentration. CONCLUSION: Results of our study suggest that isoquinoline-and imidazole-based copper complexes could be used as inhibitors of the proteasome system in cancer cells A549 (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 26). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

Tau protein is an intrinsically disordered protein. Its physiological state is best described as a conformational ensemble (CE) of metastable structures interconverting on the local and molecular scale. The monoclonal antibody DC39C recognizes a linear C‐terminal tau epitope, and as the tau interaction partner, its binding parameters report about tau CE. Association kinetics of DC39C binding, together with crosslinking mass spectrometry, show differences in the accessibility of the C terminus in CEs of tau isoforms. Furthermore, removal of the C terminus accelerated the aggregation kinetics of three‐repeat tau proteins. Our results suggest a novel mechanism of splicing‐driven regulation of the tau C‐terminal domain with consequences on the specific roles of tau isoforms in microtubule assembly and pathological aggregation.